10th January 2022

Walker Lines - point eliminated
Bodmin & Wenford
Chris Bellett

I was working on the B&WR today (Sunday 9th January) and although the railway is currently closed for the winter, work proceeds onwards on various bits of the railway. Attached is a photograph of the Track Tamping Machine lifting and packing the site of the recovered Walkers Line siding connection after it had been relayed with plain line.  The machine is on loan from the South Devon Railway and due to return there later this coming week.

A photo of the Track Tamping Machine lifting and packing the site of the recovered Walkers Line siding con after plain track was lifted 8th January 2022. Copyright Chris Bellett

4247 - due to leave the B& W fo pastures new this month. 8th January 22 Copyright Chris Bellett

Many thanks Chris.
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Stratton St Margaret, Swindon.
Mark Howells

Evening Keith,
 Appreciate this is slightly off patch, however…
Earlier today I undertook a site visit to a 6ft track drainage renewal project which I’m overseeing.
 It has a total length of 460m in the vicinity of the former Stratton Park Halt which I understand was closed many years ago now. Closed 7th December 1963.
 Our internal delivery team supported by a specialist drainage contractor (On Site Rail services) and our supply chain including TXM Plant and High Motive have so far completed 291m of the total length. So have a balance of works of 169m and the installation of a under track pipe beneath the Up Main.
 We have planned cleaning works to complete to other drainage assets in the vicinity to take advantage of the planned closure(s).
 The works continue for the next two weekends within full closures of the Great Western Main Line between Swindon and Didcot.
Please find attached a few pictures, described within the images.
 Kind Regards,
 Mark Dennis Howells BEng (Hons) MPWI MIAM
Senior Asset Engineer (Drainage & Lineside) 

66414 within the engineering worksite on the Down Main. Copyright Mark Howells. Near site of St Margarets Park Halt, Swindon, Closed 7th Dec. 1964.

Overview of the 6ft track drainage renewal during a staff break Copyright Mark Howells.

Many thanks for your update details of the work involved Mark.
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Banking from
Exeter St Davids
Paul Barlow

25224 on a coal train to Exmouth Junction 25080 was on the rear banking at Exeter St Davids 16th February 1978 Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks to you Paul, memories are made of this.
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Salisbury
Ron Kosys

33206 approaches Salisbury on the 24th September 1987. The train is a Portsmouth to Cardiff service. Copyright Rpn Kosys

Many thanks Ron.
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Bodmin Parkway
Stephen Widdowson

43082 leading 43092 into Bodmin Parkway with the Newcastle to Penzance service on the 20th June 1987 . Copyright Steve Widdowson

It's nice to have a collection from you Steve - we intend to continues your latest delivery on a more or less daily basis. Thank you.
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Cowley bridge
Keith Turley

​Colas Rail Freight class 70/8 No.70809 T/T with classmate No.70817
pass Cowley Bridge Junc. on 9th January 2022,
working the 6C21 08:41 Westbury Down TC to Newton Abbot West Junc.
with 20 loaded Autoballasters.

Regards Keith Turley.

Cowley Bridge 9th January 2022 Copyright Keith Turley

Nice picture - many thanks to you Keith
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