13th October 2020

Just in Time! Photographs of the Weymouth Tramway
Roger Salter

Roger Salter took these photographs of the Weymouth Tramway on the 14th September only a couple of weeks prior to the announcement that work has started on removing this line to Weymouth Quay

200914a This was the first terrace at the southern end of Weymouth Esplanade, where cranes were installed on the £70,000 reconstructed harbour stage. These buildings were known as Devonshire Buildings originally constructed in 1812. Copyright Roger Salter

The approaches to Weymouth Quay Station. Copyright Roger Salter

The Weymouth Tramway was relaid in the 1952. From an old photograph taken in 1951 the building with an upper bay window painted black was then occupied by the Corporation Harbourmaster and the port officer of the National Dock Labour Board The tall building next bu one has been converted into apartments. From its early years it was a Bank, then the Marine Hotel and the Edward Hotel. Copyright Roger Salter

Going along Custom House Quay the rails here being relaid in 1952.. Copyright Roger Salter

Thanks Roger

Turbos to
Barnstaple
Mark Lynam

Saturday 10th October saw the first green Turbo to work the Tarka line to Barnstaple, although turbos started on the line two weeks ago, previous ones had been in the old blue livery. Turbos are now booked to work one diagram every Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday there happened to be one of each type of GWR DMU's working the line, Turbo, Sprinter, Express Sprinter and a Pacer!
Thanks,
Mark Lynam

166218 seen from the buffers at Barnstaple. 10th October 2020. Copyright Mark Lynam.

The front end before working 2J85 1135 Barnstaple to St James Park. 10th October 2020. Copyright Mark Lynam.

166218 Eggesford 10th October 2020 Copyright Mark Lynam

166218 on return to Crediton 158798 in the outward platform. 10th October 2020 Copyright Mark Lynam

An hour later 150216+143612 are seen at Crediton signal box working 2J86 1232 Barnstaple to St James Park. 10th October 2020. Copyright Mark Lynam.

Many thanks Mark for your coverage.

Port Isaac Road?
Railwest

Keith, Perhaps you could post this query on the CRS website please?
 
The attached photo shows the interior of an ex-L&SWR signal-box. It was found by one of my contacts amongst some material relating to the Wadebridge area, but otherwise there was no information about its location or date, although almost certainly it was taken in BR days. After a lot of scrutiny of the possible options, it is believed to be Port Isaac Road box. Can anyone confirm this please and/or perhaps identify the signalman?
 
Regards, Chris Osment

Port Issac Rd SB interior -query (LSWR unknown JM coll GB) Copyright.

Can anybody help to locate this signalbox and also name the signalman please. Many thanks to Chris Osment for this query.
​

A response from Andrew Jones, Dear Keith, In answer to Chris Osment, the photograph is almost certainly Port Isaac Road, for two reasons. The telegraph post is in the exact position as shown in the David Wroe book ‘ An Illustrated History of the North Cornwall Railway’ page 138 and if you look carefully there is a ground signal outside the signal box, again this appears on page139. 
​Further from Chris Osment.  A third clue is the (apparent) size of the frame having 17 levers. St Kew Highway was also 17 levers and also had a ground signal in roughly the same location, but the telegraph pole there was further away from the box and closer to the back of the platform. PIR was on the platform, whereas StKH was built on the ground at the foot of the ramp (see Sid’s photo in the CRS Gallery), but it’s difficult to tell the external construction from inside the box.
and ---  Very welcome - more observations from Chris Osment.   Observation on the interior view of Port Isaac Road signal-box. It must date prior to 24th September 1961 as that was when the Electric Train Tablet instrument (for working to St Kew Highway) seen at the end of the lever-frame was replaced by an Electric Key Token instrument.
                                                         Thanks Chris

Re rust damaged post at
Tresmeer
Andrew and Diane Jones

Dear Keith, please could you pass on this product to the gentleman who needs to repair the concrete railway sign, I have used this product and it works well.The most important thing is to keep the water out and treat the wire encased rods that are exposed with a rust inhibitor. 
Best wishes Andrew and Diane 

See link.
https://www.sylmasta.com/product/superfast-concrete-epoxy-113g/?v=79cba1185463

The Tresmeer Sign. 1 9th October 2020. Copyright Wayne Smith.

Many thanks for your query Wayne and the solution Andrew.
​

            Demolition of the
  Weymouth Street Tramway
As reported earlier this week lifting of the famous Weymouth Street Tramway has commenced. To commemorate this sad occasion if you happen to be in Weymouth while this work is progressing we'd be most grateful if you can take a few pictures so that we can include them on 'special' to remember the line. Especially interesting would be views of the track base, is it on concrete sleepers or were there still wooden sleepers in use. Thank you KJ.