Diversions on the Southern at Exeter
David Tozer
David Tozer
The First photo was taken yesterday at Exhibition Way, near Pinhoe. A pair of five car Class 802's working the 0837 Plymouth to Paddington. Copyright David Tozer
Today at Exeter Central158763 with the 0923 Exmouth to Paignton. Copyright David Tozer
802111 with the 0840 Plymouth to Paddington. This took some 6 minutes to get from Exeter St David's to Exeter Central and crawled through the up platform. Copyright David Tozer.
Thanks David
Lock 21
Liskeard & Looe Union Canal
Peter Murnaghan
Liskeard & Looe Union Canal
Peter Murnaghan
The Looe branch line has its history in the movement of goods between Looe and Moorswater. Initially it was a canal that linked these two points, with the Liskeard & Looe Union Canal opening in 1828 with 24 locks between Terras Bridge tidal lock, near Looe and a basin at Moorswater. Its principal purpose was to bring sea sand, lime and seaweed inland to help farmers in the Liskeard area to make their land more fertile. Later, when copper ore was discovered around Caradon Hill and granite quarries opened, the canal was used to convey these commodities southwards to Looe. The copper went to ships waiting at Looe Quay to take it to South Wales for smelting and the granite for transport around Britain and the rest of the world to construct bridges, lighthouses and harbours.
This extra traffic overloaded the little canal and the horse drawn barges could take up to 8 hours to make the journey through all the locks. As a result, the Canal company decided to update its transport link and built a railway for merchandise between Moorswater and Buller Quay at Looe in 1860 alongside the route of the canal. This railway, the basis of today's Looe branch line, linked up with the Liskeard & Caradon railway and was able to convey minerals far more quickly than the old canal. The Looe line opened for passengers nineteen years later in 1879 and was eventually linked up to Liskeard station in 1901.
Meanwhile, the canal slumbered, largely as a drainage channel alongside the railway and the East Looe River. The route of the canal and a few of its locks, chiefly under bridges, can still be seen by eagle-eyed travellers on the train. But Lock 21, between Coombe Junction and Lodge Farm crossing, was severed by the 1901 link line to Liskeard. As a result, it has survived as the only 'dry' lock on the route, without a constant flow of water. Because the railway was opened by the canal company, almost all of its remains are within land owned by Network Rail. Lock 21 has been quietly dominated by tree growth over the years and last week local volunteers were able to access the site, courtesy of Network Rail, to cut back the trees and vegetation that had been threatening to destroy the stonework of this ancient lock. It is hoped that it will remain a visible reminder of the valley's important transport heritage for many years to come.
Lock 21 can be seen from the branch line, as well as the road that runs parallel, beneath Lodge Hill. Here are some photos, showing the newly rescued lock, together with a view taken 11 months ago in December 2018, when it was almost invisible beneath the vegetation.
A good job well done. Best wishes, Peter.
Many thanks indeed Peter for your article and extensive research.
This extra traffic overloaded the little canal and the horse drawn barges could take up to 8 hours to make the journey through all the locks. As a result, the Canal company decided to update its transport link and built a railway for merchandise between Moorswater and Buller Quay at Looe in 1860 alongside the route of the canal. This railway, the basis of today's Looe branch line, linked up with the Liskeard & Caradon railway and was able to convey minerals far more quickly than the old canal. The Looe line opened for passengers nineteen years later in 1879 and was eventually linked up to Liskeard station in 1901.
Meanwhile, the canal slumbered, largely as a drainage channel alongside the railway and the East Looe River. The route of the canal and a few of its locks, chiefly under bridges, can still be seen by eagle-eyed travellers on the train. But Lock 21, between Coombe Junction and Lodge Farm crossing, was severed by the 1901 link line to Liskeard. As a result, it has survived as the only 'dry' lock on the route, without a constant flow of water. Because the railway was opened by the canal company, almost all of its remains are within land owned by Network Rail. Lock 21 has been quietly dominated by tree growth over the years and last week local volunteers were able to access the site, courtesy of Network Rail, to cut back the trees and vegetation that had been threatening to destroy the stonework of this ancient lock. It is hoped that it will remain a visible reminder of the valley's important transport heritage for many years to come.
Lock 21 can be seen from the branch line, as well as the road that runs parallel, beneath Lodge Hill. Here are some photos, showing the newly rescued lock, together with a view taken 11 months ago in December 2018, when it was almost invisible beneath the vegetation.
A good job well done. Best wishes, Peter.
Many thanks indeed Peter for your article and extensive research.
Liskeard & Looe Union Canal (1) Lock 21 before work started. Seen here on the 3rd December 2018. Copyright Peter Murnaghan
Liskeard & Looe Union Canal (2) The branch Class 150 approaches the work site on the 3rd November 2019. Note the extensive clearance work in progress. Copyright Peter Murnaghan
Liskeard & Looe Union Canal (3) The lower entrance of Lock 21 is now clearly visible. The branch train continues on towards Combe Junction. 3rd November 2019 Copyright Peter Murnaghan. N.B. It's a good thing that the Class 150 is in the 'old' colour scheme rather than the now corporate green!
Liskeard & Looe Union Canal (4) Another view of the worksite and details of responsible parties. 3rd November 2019 Copyright Peter Murnaghan
After looking at the pictures above of mud at Lock 21 it seems very appropriate to fit in the pictures below kindly sent in by Paul Barlow.
34007 Wadebridge at Marsh Mills
Stuck in the mud
Paul Barlow
Stuck in the mud
Paul Barlow
34007 Wadebridge being delivered to the Plym Valley Railway is seen in a sticky situation at Marsh Mills. It's December 1981. Copyright Paul Barlow
Studying this picture and the one above the driver of the low loader seems to be in a difficult situation. Whether additional horse power in the form of a tractor or just ballast to get a grip is not known! December 1981 . Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul, it would be interesting to know how the problem was solved?
The up 'Devonian' awaits departure from
Newton Abbot
Ron Kosys
Newton Abbot
Ron Kosys
Many thanks to Ron Kosys for bringing us another of his fine pictures from his collection - note the yellow destination board on the side of the first coach.
Warship D844 'Spartan' and Peak D140 at Newton Abbot 26th August 1971 with the 'Devonian', the 10.20 Paignton-Leeds. Copyright Ron Kosys