The last day on the
Marsh Mills to Launceston Branch Line A report by Sid Sponheimer
Marsh Mills to Launceston Branch Line A report by Sid Sponheimer
Picture order. The pictures are displayed in the order in which they were taken with the majority taken on the return journey - film was expensive in those days and one had to be careful!
Sid was one of, it now turns out, several of our members and web site contributors who travelled that line on its ill fated last day. We have heard through the CRS Magazine of the experiences of several of those 'lucky' people who were about on that line on its last official day of passenger operation. We are now privileged to have Sid's account and pictures he took fifty one years ago.
On Saturday 29th december 1962, I and another number of hardy souls decided to travel up the Launceston Branch line to take what would have been the last opportunity to do so, as the official closing date was the 31st December a Monday, with the last official passenger trains being the 8.35pm Launceston to Plymouth and 8.40pm Plymouth to Launceston on the Saturday.
As is very well known this was not to be the case as the weather had decided to intervene. Still being just 22 years of age, I was not in the habit of rising too early and travelled from my then home at West Park in Plymouth to catch the 10.40am departure from North Road to Launceston. My memory is not really that good and I owe it to the nicely positioned clock in the first view coupled with the very helpful December 1962 timetable already displayed on the CRS web-site that confirm this timing!
As can be seen from the following photos, the snow was getting worse as we travelled northwards although some accounts say it started snowing in the afternoon. I would imagine arrival at Launceston would not have been on time although not as late as trains later in the day, turned out to be.
A very comprehensive account is given on pages 167-174 of the Oakwood Press publication 29 by G. H. Anthony (revised by S. C. Jenkins) in 1997, but suffice to say that many people spent uncomfortable hours in various station buildings and at various times and in various places.The police; WRVS; Civil Defence and the Colonel of Bickleigh Barracks were involved in feeding stranded passengers. Many didn't get home until sometime on the Sunday.
Engines in use on the last day were 4591 ; 5564 ; 5568 ; 6400 & 6430.
As is very well known this was not to be the case as the weather had decided to intervene. Still being just 22 years of age, I was not in the habit of rising too early and travelled from my then home at West Park in Plymouth to catch the 10.40am departure from North Road to Launceston. My memory is not really that good and I owe it to the nicely positioned clock in the first view coupled with the very helpful December 1962 timetable already displayed on the CRS web-site that confirm this timing!
As can be seen from the following photos, the snow was getting worse as we travelled northwards although some accounts say it started snowing in the afternoon. I would imagine arrival at Launceston would not have been on time although not as late as trains later in the day, turned out to be.
A very comprehensive account is given on pages 167-174 of the Oakwood Press publication 29 by G. H. Anthony (revised by S. C. Jenkins) in 1997, but suffice to say that many people spent uncomfortable hours in various station buildings and at various times and in various places.The police; WRVS; Civil Defence and the Colonel of Bickleigh Barracks were involved in feeding stranded passengers. Many didn't get home until sometime on the Sunday.
Engines in use on the last day were 4591 ; 5564 ; 5568 ; 6400 & 6430.
Here it is - the 10.40 for Launceston on 29th December 1962 awaiting departure from North Road, platform 7. Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
It must be about 10.44 as 5564 takes one of the last trains to Launceston past the coaling stage at Laira Steam Shed which still has a few locos about. 29th December 1962. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
It's now 10.47 as we arrive at Marsh Mills, the first passing point on the line - three miles from Plymouth North Road. No station staff to clear the ice off the platforms or seat. The young lad in shorts must be feeling the cold. 29th December 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Horrabridge. The Launceston - Plymouth train hauled by 5568 has just arrived and Sid's train heading for Launceston runs into the down platform. The signalman stands ready to take the token from the train crew. One hopes he watched his step on that dangerous crossing. A couple of spectators on the station approach watch the action on this last day. 29th December 1962.
On the outward journey - looking back having just crossed Walkham viaduct at some speed. Snow, presumably from the north clings to the telephone pole. 29th December 1962. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Heading for Launceston Between Lydford and Liddaton. 29th December 1962. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Near Lydford 5564 kicks up the snow. 29th December 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
On arrival at Launceston at 12.15 the engine is prepared for the run round. The hump backed footbridge provides an excellent viewpoint for the operations. 29th December 1962. Copyright Sid Sponheimer Beyond the brick arch now lies the entrance to the Launceston Steam Railway.
On arrival at Launceston the crew removed the headboard ready to place it on the other end of the locomotive once it had been attached to the return working. 29th December 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Run round is complete but now the stock has to be moved to the up platform for departure. 29th December 1962. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
4574 was shunting the yard whilst the run round was in progress - more interest for the spectators on the last day of passenger operation from Launceston to Plymouth. 29th December 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
A view from that 'humped back' footbridge of the train having moved over to the up platform and getting ready for departure at 12.40. 29th December 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Liddaton Halt was nine and a half miles from Launceston. It had, by the look of it oil lighting. The bridge had clearances for double track though this was never provided. The platform looks extremely slippery though by the look of it no passengers have ventured up the road alongside. Storm clouds gather in the background. This view taken on the return journey, the time is about 1PM. 29th December 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
We're on the returning train and are passing through Lydford with its Great Western water tower. To the right lies the Southern line - this passes under the footbridge to the right. Cross over the footbridge for trains from Exeter to Plymouth. 29th December 1962. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Taken on the return journey at Tavistock South, the stop here was from 1.25 to 1.33 (No 24 hour clock yet). Time to carefully walk out and take pictures. Sid has done well here not to include other humans! 29th December 1962
6400 arriving at Tavistock South with the 12.45 from Plymouth - its on time at 1.32. and would wait here until the 4.30 departure. 29th December 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Another view of 6400 arriving at Tavistock South with the 12.45 from Plymouth - it was not advertised to have 1st class stock! 29th December 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
A wreath hanging from the lamp bracket signifies that this is indeed the last day as 5564 awaits departure from Tavistock South for Plymouth. 29th December 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
We're at Whitchurch Down Platform on the journey back to Plymouth North Road which lies fourteen and three quarter miles. Tavistock South is about a mile behind us. The A 386 passed under the bridge. 29th December 1962. Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
Horrabridge, A view this time from the returning train. We were due to leave here at 1.35PM. Note half of the distinctive bow string bridge is without track. From the diagrams it looks as if this was an over provision and that track was never laid here. In the early days before the opening of Yelverton station trains for Princetown started here. 29th December 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
Our photograph is at Yelverton is taken from the back of the returning train at about 1.47 PM. The up loop here had been out of use for since 4th May 1959 when the signalbox closed and the snow is free to lie in peace. Behind the right hand station building lay the platform for the Princetown branch, this line bearin away to the right on a sharp bend closed 5th March 1956. This picture dates from the stations last day of operation 29th December 1962. It is likely that the solitary figure still on the platform is Mike Roach who spent the whole day here until the trains started running very late due to the blizzard. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Four and a quarter miles now from North Road is Plym Bridge Platform. This view is from the back of Sid's returning train which was due here at 2.02 PM . The fire warning sign in the distance is a bit unnecessary. What a shame this platform wasn't left here ready for the Plym Valley Railway's use 50 years after the closure. However the platform is seeing further use at St Ives. 29th December 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
At Marsh Mills we meet up with 6430 on the 2.10 Plymouth to Tavistock - this was due at Marsh Mills at 2.17 and was presumably on time, whereas Sid's train, due at 2.06 was due at Plymouth at 2.17. Things are beginning to run late though nothing like the chaos that was to come. 29th December 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
Finally back at Plymouth, where as you can see there wasn't much snow. The train is a little late but only minutes. 29th December 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer