Gillingham to
Salisbury
Salisbury
Gillingham
790613g Gillingham Station seen from the back of a train on the 13th June 1979 - Copyright Roger Winnen
An additional note on Gillingham box provided by Martin Duff N.R. Operations Manager
Gillingham box fringed with Salisbury and Templecombe. It could also be switched out, and if Templecombe was switched out too, then that created a long single line section from Tisbury to Yeovil Junction. This box, together with Templecombe and Sherborne crossing were abolished in phase 1 of the re-control to Basingstoke in February 2012. Image 9759 shows the very first train, 5L91 (empty carriages, Salisbury Depot to Yeovil Junction) entering the new Basingstoke West of England signalling panel area from Tisbury loop at 04.24 on Monday 27/02/2012 - it had been a long weekend of work for us all and commissioning came just before 04.00. The exterior photographs of Gillingham SB were taken late afternoon on Friday 24 February - the last day the box worked. After closure, it was reduced to ground frame status. With a release provided by Basingstoke WOE, the operator can control movements locally between the Up Main (furthest from the box) and the up siding. This was a one time Shell Star siding and handled fertiliser traffic for UKF (the same flows which served Truro, Bridgwater, Torrington and Carmarthen). Images 3558/3562 show the interior of the ground frame November 2012, a condition which remains today. It was a fairly busy box and at certain times of the day Waterloo - Salisbury trains are extended to Gillingham before starting back, mainly to cater for large swathes of school children.
Gillingham box fringed with Salisbury and Templecombe. It could also be switched out, and if Templecombe was switched out too, then that created a long single line section from Tisbury to Yeovil Junction. This box, together with Templecombe and Sherborne crossing were abolished in phase 1 of the re-control to Basingstoke in February 2012. Image 9759 shows the very first train, 5L91 (empty carriages, Salisbury Depot to Yeovil Junction) entering the new Basingstoke West of England signalling panel area from Tisbury loop at 04.24 on Monday 27/02/2012 - it had been a long weekend of work for us all and commissioning came just before 04.00. The exterior photographs of Gillingham SB were taken late afternoon on Friday 24 February - the last day the box worked. After closure, it was reduced to ground frame status. With a release provided by Basingstoke WOE, the operator can control movements locally between the Up Main (furthest from the box) and the up siding. This was a one time Shell Star siding and handled fertiliser traffic for UKF (the same flows which served Truro, Bridgwater, Torrington and Carmarthen). Images 3558/3562 show the interior of the ground frame November 2012, a condition which remains today. It was a fairly busy box and at certain times of the day Waterloo - Salisbury trains are extended to Gillingham before starting back, mainly to cater for large swathes of school children.
DSCF9759 The very first train enters the Tisbury loop (top of panel, left hand side) Monday 27th February 2012. 5L91 is the illuminated train number. On the top level from left to right is Tisbury loop, followed by Gillingham station and then proceeding to the lower level left hand side is Chard Junction with its level crossing and TV monitor above. Going the right beyond the end of the loop are the automatic half barrier crossings at Broom and Axe Copyright Martin Duff
Gillingham Signalbox sited at the west end of the station on the down side 24th February 2012 Copyright Martin Duff
Gillingham signalbox looking at it from the down platform. 24th February 2012. Copyright Martin Duff
Gillingham as it is today as a ground frame DSCF 3562 Copyright Martin Duff
Gillingham as a ground frame DSCF3558 Copyright Martin Duff
DSCF6044 The lever frame at Gillingham prior to the change over. Copyright Martin Duff
DSCF6046 The track diagram in Gillingham signalbox prior to the change over to control from Basingstoke. Tisbury to the left and Chard to the right. Copyright Martin Duff
The Turkey Trot Railtour pauses for a photostop at Gillingham. Peter Watts in orange jacket is on the far left. 8th January 1983 Copyright Clive Smith
Semley
Semley to Marlborough Via Andover Junction.
Just look at the date August 2nd 1894. From the Mike Morant Collection
790613b Semley Station Closed to goods on 5th April 66 and to passengers 7th March 1966
50035 Ark Royal on Exeter to Waterloo nr Tisbury 11th October 1986 Copyright Roger Geach
780331l Semley Station Copyright Roger Winnen
Tisbury
760913K Tisbury Copyright Roger Winnen
A smashing scene witnessed by a young couple and a dog as 50024 Vanguard heads a Waterloo to Exeter service at Tisbury 11th October 1986 Copyright Roger Geach
This is what the crowds in the above picture must have been waiting for. 35028 stands in the Tisbury loop. 11th October 1986. Copyright Roger Geach.
47707 in charge of the Exeter to Waterloo service on Saturday 14th September 1991. Seen here at Stoford. Copyright Roger Geach
Tisbury 50015 Waterloo to Exeter depts Tisbury Sat 4 th October 1986 Copyright Roger Geach
50007 and D400 heading for Exeter Near Tisbury 24th May 1992 Copyright Peter Murnaghan
50007 and D400 heading for Exeter Near Tisbury 24th May 1992 Copyright Peter Murnaghan
Two 33's also heading for Exeter Near Tisbury 24th May 1992 Copyright Peter Murnaghan
D400 and 50007 heading for London later in the day. 24th May 1992 Copyright Peter Murnaghan
Dinton
790613h Dinton Station (Closed) Used by the M.O.D. Copyright Roger Winnen
Wilton
Wilton Junction
Near Wilton Junction. 780331h With Salisbury Cathedral in background, a Class 47 departs Salisbury Copyright Roger Winnen
Changes in the Wilton area. May 2021
WILTON JUNCTION
In connection with the Stage 1 S&C renewals the following works and alterations have taken place; 141A points (Down Main) and 142 points (Up Main) at 85m 37ch (BAE2)/132m 33ch (SAL) have been renewed and converted from HW2000 to IBCL Mk2 type Points Operating Equipment (POE). 141B/C (Switch diamonds within junction) have been renewed and converted from HW2000 to RCPL type POE. The existing 40mph Permissible Speed Indicator (PSI) with right (hand) direction arrow on the Down Main line at 85m 37ch has been renewed and moved 9 metres (10 yards) towards London (Salisbury). Ground Frame telephone has been signed out of operational use.
WILTON JUNCTION FROM 0400 HOURS MONDAY 10 MAY 2021
In connection with the Stage 2 S&C renewals the following works and alterations will take place; Wilton Junction mechanical Ground Frame will be signed out of operational use. Ground Frame points 4 (A/B ends) (to/from Goods line to Down Warminster) will be renewed and converted from mechanical to power operated type Points Operating Equipment (POE). `A` end will be IBCL Mk2 type POE and `B` end will be RCPL type POE. New 4A/B points will be signed out of operational use and will be clipped and plugged (C&P) in the `Normal` position and secured by padlocks, until commissioned at future stage works. Ground Frame points 5 (A end) on the Down Warminster line at 132m 25ch will be removed and `Plain lined`. Ground Frame points 5 (B end) on the Up Warminster line at 132m 21ch will be signed out of operational use and will be clipped and plugged (C&P) in the `Normal` position and secured by padlocks. Ground Frame Position Light Signals No.6 (Exit Goods line) and No.7 (Up Warminster line down direction) will be temporarily removed. The existing 5mph Permissible Speed Indicator (PSI) on the Goods line entrance at 132m 29ch will be renewed and moved 20 metres (22 yards) towards country (Warminster) to the approach side of the facing connection on the Down Warminster line.
Hope the latter two entries are not to technical for our readers......
Kind Regards,
Chris Bellett
Retired S&T Engineer
WILTON JUNCTION
In connection with the Stage 1 S&C renewals the following works and alterations have taken place; 141A points (Down Main) and 142 points (Up Main) at 85m 37ch (BAE2)/132m 33ch (SAL) have been renewed and converted from HW2000 to IBCL Mk2 type Points Operating Equipment (POE). 141B/C (Switch diamonds within junction) have been renewed and converted from HW2000 to RCPL type POE. The existing 40mph Permissible Speed Indicator (PSI) with right (hand) direction arrow on the Down Main line at 85m 37ch has been renewed and moved 9 metres (10 yards) towards London (Salisbury). Ground Frame telephone has been signed out of operational use.
WILTON JUNCTION FROM 0400 HOURS MONDAY 10 MAY 2021
In connection with the Stage 2 S&C renewals the following works and alterations will take place; Wilton Junction mechanical Ground Frame will be signed out of operational use. Ground Frame points 4 (A/B ends) (to/from Goods line to Down Warminster) will be renewed and converted from mechanical to power operated type Points Operating Equipment (POE). `A` end will be IBCL Mk2 type POE and `B` end will be RCPL type POE. New 4A/B points will be signed out of operational use and will be clipped and plugged (C&P) in the `Normal` position and secured by padlocks, until commissioned at future stage works. Ground Frame points 5 (A end) on the Down Warminster line at 132m 25ch will be removed and `Plain lined`. Ground Frame points 5 (B end) on the Up Warminster line at 132m 21ch will be signed out of operational use and will be clipped and plugged (C&P) in the `Normal` position and secured by padlocks. Ground Frame Position Light Signals No.6 (Exit Goods line) and No.7 (Up Warminster line down direction) will be temporarily removed. The existing 5mph Permissible Speed Indicator (PSI) on the Goods line entrance at 132m 29ch will be renewed and moved 20 metres (22 yards) towards country (Warminster) to the approach side of the facing connection on the Down Warminster line.
Hope the latter two entries are not to technical for our readers......
Kind Regards,
Chris Bellett
Retired S&T Engineer
Wilton Junction - Photographs and history. May 2021. Guy Vincent
Wilton Junction (1) Down Exeter, Up Exeter, Up Westbury, Down Westbury and (R) Quidhampton Siding.19th April .2021 Copyright Guy Vincent
A closer view of Wilton Junction. 19th April 2021 Copyright Guy Vincent
Re the above photographs . Two recent views of Wilton Junction looking towards Warminster / Tisbury. From left to right the lines are Down Exeter, Up Exeter, Up Westbury, Down Westbury and (R) Quidhampton Siding. The Western Region Sectional Appendix likes to be different and refers to the Westbury route lines as Up and Down Salisbury!
History
Wilton Junction (132m33ch GWR / 85m37ch L&SWR ) was created in 1973 when the former GWR route into Salisbury was truncated at Quidhampton chalk pit and to the west of the station. The GWR lines were slewed to join the L&SWR main line thus creating the junction. A spur of the former GWR line remained to serve the pit, this was from a ground frame at 132m 25ch to 132m 54ch with east-facing sidings at the far end. The intermediate or middle section of the GWR route was sold off and redeveloped in the late 1980s to become 'Pullman Drive', a modern housing estate that can be seen from trains on the remaining main line. In 1992-3 the remaining stub at the Salisbury end was reinstated as a headshunt for the new DMU depot that now occupies the site of the GWR station and yard. This line terminates close by a public footpath crossing at the end of Gramshaw Road at 84m22ch.
My understanding is that Quidhampton chalk pit, aka 'Broadlands Quarry' and unused since 2009, is to become a disposal site for spoil from the HS2 construction works. This will be brought in by rail hence the need to refurbish and modernise the points and controls at Wilton Junction. Working Timetable paths have been in place for several years for these workings so it may be that they will soon be fulfilled.
A scheme to build a four-platform 'Wilton Parkway' station north and west of the junction serving both routes has been 'cooking' for several years but no physical work has yet been undertaken. This was recently mentioned in the Salisbury Journal (March 10th 2021).
Excursion into the Quidhampton branch
I well remember my only ever 'excursion' onto the Quidhampton branch which happened on the blustery morning of Saturday January 2nd 1988. High winds overnight brought down a tree between Wilton and Wishford and this was run into by 33017 heading the first northbound working of the day, 2V56 0550 Portsmouth Harbour-Cardiff Central. Passing the site of the incident en-route I arrived at Salisbury at 0926 on the (undelayed) 1O32 0630 Cardiff-Portsmouth and found 33017 with its train had already been brought back to the Station, less than 2 hours after the incident had occurred. The following northbound 2V58 0658 Portsmouth-Cardiff (with loco 33022) was still being held so I boarded and it duly departed at 0934, 65 minutes late. At Wilton Junction the train stopped and, with a handsignalman in place to operate the ground frame and give appropriate orders, 33022 then reversed 2V58 onto the Quidhampton branch,venturing approximately 500 yards before stopping. When authorised by the handsignaller the train then set off 'wrong line' up the 'down Westbury' line as far as Wylye ground frame where under the watchful eye of a further handsignalman the 'up Westbury' line was rejoined. During this part of the journey the site of the fallen tree was noted where clearance work was coming to an end. I recorded an arrival time in Bristol Temple Meads of 11.00am, some 80 minutes late but with the service having run. Would such arrangements be put into place today I ask? I'll leave readers to answer that one!!
History
Wilton Junction (132m33ch GWR / 85m37ch L&SWR ) was created in 1973 when the former GWR route into Salisbury was truncated at Quidhampton chalk pit and to the west of the station. The GWR lines were slewed to join the L&SWR main line thus creating the junction. A spur of the former GWR line remained to serve the pit, this was from a ground frame at 132m 25ch to 132m 54ch with east-facing sidings at the far end. The intermediate or middle section of the GWR route was sold off and redeveloped in the late 1980s to become 'Pullman Drive', a modern housing estate that can be seen from trains on the remaining main line. In 1992-3 the remaining stub at the Salisbury end was reinstated as a headshunt for the new DMU depot that now occupies the site of the GWR station and yard. This line terminates close by a public footpath crossing at the end of Gramshaw Road at 84m22ch.
My understanding is that Quidhampton chalk pit, aka 'Broadlands Quarry' and unused since 2009, is to become a disposal site for spoil from the HS2 construction works. This will be brought in by rail hence the need to refurbish and modernise the points and controls at Wilton Junction. Working Timetable paths have been in place for several years for these workings so it may be that they will soon be fulfilled.
A scheme to build a four-platform 'Wilton Parkway' station north and west of the junction serving both routes has been 'cooking' for several years but no physical work has yet been undertaken. This was recently mentioned in the Salisbury Journal (March 10th 2021).
Excursion into the Quidhampton branch
I well remember my only ever 'excursion' onto the Quidhampton branch which happened on the blustery morning of Saturday January 2nd 1988. High winds overnight brought down a tree between Wilton and Wishford and this was run into by 33017 heading the first northbound working of the day, 2V56 0550 Portsmouth Harbour-Cardiff Central. Passing the site of the incident en-route I arrived at Salisbury at 0926 on the (undelayed) 1O32 0630 Cardiff-Portsmouth and found 33017 with its train had already been brought back to the Station, less than 2 hours after the incident had occurred. The following northbound 2V58 0658 Portsmouth-Cardiff (with loco 33022) was still being held so I boarded and it duly departed at 0934, 65 minutes late. At Wilton Junction the train stopped and, with a handsignalman in place to operate the ground frame and give appropriate orders, 33022 then reversed 2V58 onto the Quidhampton branch,venturing approximately 500 yards before stopping. When authorised by the handsignaller the train then set off 'wrong line' up the 'down Westbury' line as far as Wylye ground frame where under the watchful eye of a further handsignalman the 'up Westbury' line was rejoined. During this part of the journey the site of the fallen tree was noted where clearance work was coming to an end. I recorded an arrival time in Bristol Temple Meads of 11.00am, some 80 minutes late but with the service having run. Would such arrangements be put into place today I ask? I'll leave readers to answer that one!!
Wilton Junction looking East 23rd February 2021. Copyright Guy Vincent. Quidhampton branch off to the left.
Salisbury
Salisbury Map courtesy Google Maps. Zoom and Pan to see track layouts Pan to the left to see Wllton Junction and Quidhampton Quarry. Pan to the right to see Tunnel Junction and Laverton Loop.
Salisbury area satellite view courtesy Google Earth. Pan and zoom as required.
Salisbury to Chiseldon (On the line to Swindon) The very cheapest way to travel. Ticket dated April 1884 From the Mike Morant Collection
780331i The former Great Western Station at Salisbury Copyright Roger Winnen
About to head west, a very fine action shot by John Cornelius. Copyright. Note that there appears to be a three man crew.
Salisbury 34026 Yes Tor 13th September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach
Salisbury 34109 Sir Trafford Mallory 13th September 1963 Copyrght Mike Roach
Salisbury 34109 Sir Trafford Mallory 13th September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach
Copyright John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius
An 'N' Class 31411 at Salisbury. Undated, possibly 1964 Copyright Martin Scane
Class 33 6525 arrives at Salisbury on the evening of 20th July 1971 after working a train from Waterloo. Copyright Ron Kosys
A Class 33 approaching Salisbury. 28th March 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen
780331j Class 33 Waterloo-Exeter service at Salisbury Copyright Roger Winnen
780331k A thumper Unit departs from the east end of Salisbury Copyright Roger Winnen
790613i A Hampshire Unit in the bay at Salisbury. Copyright Roger Winnen
This locomotive is preserved. Copyright John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius
33101 runs into Salisbury with a service to Portsmouth 24th September 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys.
33101 stands at Salisbury on the 3rd May 1989 with the 08.39 Yeovil Junction to Waterloo. Copyright Ron Kosys
Looking smart in the Network South East colours 50024 Vanguard heads out of Salisbury for London. 16th November 1990 Mike Morant Collection
A Class 31 arrives Salisbury on a Bristol-Portsmouth working. 30th June 1979 Copyright Roger Winnen
33043 on the 1507 Cardiff to Brighton approaching Salisbury Station Saturday 20th June 1987 Copyright Roger Geach
Salisbury 47710+47714 departing Salisbury with the 1O39 Exeter to Waterloo, the 1548 off Salisbury on the 28th July 1991 Copyright Ron Kosys
780331g The western end of Salisbury Station Copyright Roger Winnen
Built at Brighton in March 1947 it was later modified having its smooth air casing removed. The loco was withdrawn in 1966 and is currently undergoing restoration on the Mid Hants Railway. Copyright John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius
34023 Blackmore Vale, now in preservation on the Bluebell Railway seen departing Salisbury on the 11th June 1967 with the 'Farewell to Steam railtour'. Copyright Roger Geach Note the trespassing on the running lines - wouldn't be tolerated these days. Copyright Roger Geach
Salisbury 'B' Box and Blue Peter 14th August 1966 Copyright Geoff Matthews
Copyright John Cornelius
Salisbury Shed
August 1962 30021 on shed at Salisbury. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
30844 August 1962 - Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Salisbury shed 30531 and 31811. August 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
31638 on shed. August 1962 - Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Here we see 31638 in a much better state at Sheffield Park on the Bluebell Railway July 2007. Very grateful to Sid for this one making a trio of pictures of the loco at various stages in its history. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Salisbury shed. 34051 'Winston Churchhill' leaving Salisbury shed. 23rd May 1965. Copyright Geoffrey Matthews
There were 101 of this class produced - they were very rare in Cornwall. Copyright John Cornelius
Salisbury plays host to Classic steam as 53809 Ex S & D 53809.. Iit sits in the in the West Bay – Platform 5. It's the 22nd September 1987, Copyright Ron Kosys
Martin Baker writes - Class 50s on the 2 hourly Waterloo Exeter route used to cross within 20 mins of each other at Salisbury, the 13:15 service from Waterloo often pulled up alongside an ECS working from Eastleigh that would go on to form the 15:15 departure to the capital.
On the 18th July 1991 50033 Glorious sits at platform 3 with the ECS while 50046 Ajax awaits its departure to Exeter on platform 4. Copyright Martin Baker.
Superb Bird strike an incident observed at Salisbury in 1991
A photo I have just digitised from my collection at Salisbury that your readers may be interested in.
50002 arrived at Salisbury on the 15:15 Waterloo to Exeter on the 18th July 1991 having hit a bird on route, within a couple of minutes the engine was released and is seen leaving its coaches. It did a quick turn on Laverstoke triangle and then departed only a few minutes down.
I'm the chap in blue on the right filming and the incident can be seen at 59 mins and 10 seconds on a Waterloo Exeter video below I made a few years back. (photo Terry Baker)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDRNQGnX2Jc&t=3371s
Please feel free to share the video Keith as you kindly did with my Cornish one a few years ago.
Kind Regards, Martin Baker
50002 arrived at Salisbury on the 15:15 Waterloo to Exeter on the 18th July 1991 having hit a bird on route, within a couple of minutes the engine was released and is seen leaving its coaches. It did a quick turn on Laverstoke triangle and then departed only a few minutes down.
I'm the chap in blue on the right filming and the incident can be seen at 59 mins and 10 seconds on a Waterloo Exeter video below I made a few years back. (photo Terry Baker)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDRNQGnX2Jc&t=3371s
Please feel free to share the video Keith as you kindly did with my Cornish one a few years ago.
Kind Regards, Martin Baker
50002 Superb Salisbury - bird strike. 15.15 Waterloo to Exeter on the 18th July 1991. Copyright Terry Baker.
Close up of the damaged windscreen on 50002 Superb. 18th July 1991. Copyright Terry Baker.
The video is well worth watching too.
The old GW Station at Salisbury - and the Lion
Terry Waldron
Terry Waldron
A shot of Salisbury GWR Station, it appears to be prior to 1957 but no actual date known. Note the Lion Heads on the edge of the canopy. These feature in many other GWR Stations, all thought (but not proven) to be of IKB Design. There were some 200 lions in total, as far as I have found, in the main to stations built between 1854 and 1860. At least 4 Lions Heads are known to exist, 1 at Didcot, 1 at Swindon Steam 1 at NRM and 1 in private collection. Photo Courtesy of Salisbury Railway Social Club Regards Terry Waldron
The old GWR station at Salisbury From the Terry Waldron Collection
Old GWR station Salisbury. Terry Waldron Collection
Copyright Terry Waldron