13th February 2021

Route refresher
Near Pinhoe
Keith Turley

Still in Blue livery GWR class 150/2 DMU approaches Pinhoe station on the12th February 2021,working the 5Z30 12:24 Exeter TMD to Castle Cary via Yeovil Junc, and Yeovil Pen Mill driver route refresher.
Keith Turley.

150238 seen near Pinhoe working a 'route refresher' at 14.13 on the 12th Frebruary 2021. Copyright Keith Turnley

Many thanks Keith.

Another route leaner picture plus engineering work
Near Crekerne
Bill Eslston

Another GWR route learner ran today from Exeter to Castle Cary via Yeovil jct
Blue 150238 is seen approaching Crewkerne on its outward trip. Also seen there is the 13.16 Salisbury to Exeter with 159001 and 022 .  I'm not sure what the earthworks on the
embankment are, could be drainage, it's very boggy there
Stay safe,  Bill 

West of Crewkerne - a 'Route Learner' - 150238. 12th February 2021. Copyright Bill Elston;

Another view in the same spot on the same day as 159001 and 159022 pass the extensive civil engineering works. 12th February 2021. Copyright Bill Elston.

Many thanks Bill
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Signalbox and Level Crossing Data
Chris Bellett
Now is the time to amend your records. 

​Hi Keith,
As promised I have carried out some further research into the five level crossing conversion dates.  I believe I now have the definitive dates as follows:

PONSANDANE
24/06/1974 - Penzance resignalling. Ponsandane signalbox closed. 4-half gates converted to 2-full lifting barriers. Barriers out of use until 14/07/1974 then controlled from Penzance signalbox using CCTV supervision.
10/11/1984 - Barriers and CCTV System removed and chained and padlocked field type hand gates provided with telephone to Penzance signalbox.

LONG ROCK
January 1961 - Converted from 4-half gates to 4-half lifting barriers controlled by Long Rock signalbox.
24/06/1974 - Penzance resignalling. Long Rock signalbox closed. Barriers out of use until 14/07/1974 then controlled from Penzance signalbox using CCTV supervision.

EGGESFORD
21/11/1967 - Old signalbox damaged by floods and closed.
21/11/1967 to 28/09/1969 - Gates worked by hand on ground.
28/09/1969 - New signalbox commissioned. Gates worked by hand on ground.
23/11/1969 - Existing hand worked gates recovered.
30/11/1969 - 2-full lifting barriers commissioned controlled from signalbox.
01/11/1987 - Signalbox closed.  Barriers worked by traincrew.

CREDITON
17/10/1971 - Revised track layout with single lines to Okehampton and Eggesford. Existing 4-half gates worked from signalbox.
January 1974 - Existing hand worked gates recovered.
27/01/1974 - 2-full lifting barriers provided controlled from signalbox.
17/12/1984 - Signalbox lever frame removed and new control panel provided. 2-full lifting barriers controlled from signalbox.
17/12/1974 - Line singled Cowley Bridge Junction to Crediton. Exeter Panel resignalling Stage 1.

PAIGNTON SOUTH
13/11/1972 - Revised track layout for Dart Valley Railway (now the Paignton and Dartmouth Railway).  Existing 4-half gates retained worked from signalbox.
31/10/1982 - Existing 4-half gates recovered. Level crossing out of use.
14/11/1982 - 2-full lifting barriers provided controlled from signalbox.
26/03/1988 - Signalbox lever frame removed and new control panel provided. Barriers controlled from signalbox.
05/08/1989 - Paignton South signalbox closed and new control panel provided in station building.

The dates above have been taken from the BR Western Region Weekly Operating Notices (known as K2 Notices) and from Resignalling Notices where the schemes altered the track layout and/or signalling arrangements. I would also like to acknowledge information gained from the records of the 'Signalling Record Society'

Hope that clarifies matters.

Regards,
Chris Bellett
Retired Signal and Telegraph Engineer
CRS Member

A very sincere thanks to you Chris for your time and trouble. Thank heavens you kept your own old records. 
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