'Steam at its birthplace Swindon'
David Tozer
David Tozer
160406a 7821 Ditcheat Manor built under the British Railways era at Swindon in 1950 looks splendid carrying its shed allocation 89C Machynlleth. Copyright David Tozer.
160406b Wake up! 3717 City of Truro built in 1903 stands inside the Great Western Steam Museum at Swindon. Copyright David Tozer
160406c The magnificent 6000 King George V complete with its bell at Swindon, now nearly 90 years old. Copyright David Tozer
160406d Returning home to Exeter via Westbury, Class 70s 70804 and 70806 were in the yard. Copyright David Tozer
160406e Seen for the second time on Wednesday 159103 stands at Westbury Station heading the Bath-Waterloo service Copyright David Tozer
Remember Winter snows?
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Whilst we hope that we've seen the last chances of winter snow for this season it's fascinating to turn the clock back to a bad winter in 1978. John Cornelius writes:- Hello Keith,
Here are a few pics of Athelney that I took of the snow after the blizzards in February 1978. No trains ran on the Sunday only the snowplough clearing the line,which later got stuck between Castle Cary and Yeovil Pen Mill!. Sunday night after more blizzards it was just as bad again on Monday morning.
However a loco was sent from Westbury to try to get through to Taunton, which it did eventually.
On its return, Chief Signalling Inspector Mr JOHN FORRESTER from Bristol was on the loco and advised me that providing they got through to Westbury and if I could work my signals,they would start running trains.
So in the late afternoon the services resumed. As I couldn't get home I arranged to stay with friends in Taunton for a few days,travelling out and back by train each day, which meant getting a special stop order for the trains to drop me off at the crossing. It was the following Friday when the roads had been cleared that I finally got home. Quite an experience! Cheers John C Many thanks John
Here are a few pics of Athelney that I took of the snow after the blizzards in February 1978. No trains ran on the Sunday only the snowplough clearing the line,which later got stuck between Castle Cary and Yeovil Pen Mill!. Sunday night after more blizzards it was just as bad again on Monday morning.
However a loco was sent from Westbury to try to get through to Taunton, which it did eventually.
On its return, Chief Signalling Inspector Mr JOHN FORRESTER from Bristol was on the loco and advised me that providing they got through to Westbury and if I could work my signals,they would start running trains.
So in the late afternoon the services resumed. As I couldn't get home I arranged to stay with friends in Taunton for a few days,travelling out and back by train each day, which meant getting a special stop order for the trains to drop me off at the crossing. It was the following Friday when the roads had been cleared that I finally got home. Quite an experience! Cheers John C Many thanks John
Athelney 1 It almost looks as if the snowplough is stuck. Lyng church tower can be seen in the distance on the left. 19th February 1978 Copyright John Cornelius
Athelney 2 The snow lay 'deep and crisp and even'. Some hardy soul is digging the snow outside the box. 20th February 1978 Copyright John Cornelius
Athelney 3 A good time for a chat and a very remarkable photograph indeed. Taken on the 20th February 1978 Copyright John Cornelius
Athelney 4 The loco returns from Taunton. 20th February 1978 Copyright John Cornelius