The Cornwall Railway Society Mini Bus tour of Devon
Exeter Canal- Okehampton-Meldon etc
Saturday 9th September 2000
Roger Winnen
Exeter Canal- Okehampton-Meldon etc
Saturday 9th September 2000
Roger Winnen
000909x Arrival at the Turf Lock. Copyright Roger Winnen
000909zf Fragonset Livery Class 47 heads for Exeter etc. Copyright Roger Winnen
000909zt Meldon Quarry. Copyright Roger Winnen
Class 70 to the seaside
Driver Alan Peters
Driver Alan Peters
On the 14th November Colas Rail 70801 worked 6C40 from Westbury to St Blazey Signal Box for a ballast drop on the Newquay Branch, the train was formed of 5 auto hoppers and top and tailed with hired in Freighliner 66505, although class 70's have worked on the Newquay line before this was the first time one had reached the seaside town of Newquay.
70801 waiting at Exter platforn one waiting for a Plymouth bound Voyager service to pass. 14th November 2022. Copyright Driver Alan Peters,
From 70801 the drivers view waitig to enter the worksite at signnal SB 38 protecting Middleway Crossing note the overgrowth offering little protection for the Network Rail staff. 15th November 2022. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.
70801 became the first member of its class to reach Newquay - the torrential rain on the 15th November making it difficult to get a picture. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.
A last look at 70801 at Newquay (70801 is affectionally know as 'Donna' by traincrews due to being the Turkish demonstrator) the train returned to Westbury top and tailed by Freightliner 66505. Copyright Driver Alan Peters
Many thanks Alan for your pictures taken during a non too pleasant night proving to all the value of always having your camera or mobile to hand.
Reopening to
Tavistock
Paul Burkhalter & David Tozer
Tavistock
Paul Burkhalter & David Tozer
Many thanks to both Paul Burkhalter and to David Tozer for providing the links to the proposed re-extension of the line beyond Bere Alston to Tavistock. Please click on the links provided - the latter case also provides excellent pictures of Tavistock North by Roger Geach.
Hi Keith
See this report: https://www.devon.gov.uk/news/outline-business-case-submitted-for-reopening-tavistock-to-plymouth-rail-line/
Not holding my breath though based on the snail-like progress at Portishead.
Cheers,
Paul Burkhalter
See this report: https://www.devon.gov.uk/news/outline-business-case-submitted-for-reopening-tavistock-to-plymouth-rail-line/
Not holding my breath though based on the snail-like progress at Portishead.
Cheers,
Paul Burkhalter
Gents,
Interesting development.
Exciting Tavistock to Plymouth railway plans take huge leap forward - Devon Live
Dave Tozer
Interesting development.
Exciting Tavistock to Plymouth railway plans take huge leap forward - Devon Live
Dave Tozer
South Devon & the Exe
15th November 2022
Roger Salter
15th November 2022
Roger Salter
3 engineers train plus the RHTT a busy day ,although the first at 7.35 was just light the second at 8am I decided video was the best option, the third cloud /drizzle arrived 5 mins before but luckily went through before departure from the loop at the Warren.
The seas were spectacular after last night’s violent gale
Copyright Roger Salter
The seas were spectacular after last night’s violent gale
Copyright Roger Salter
Copyright Roger Salter
Copyright Roger Salter
Copyright Roger Salter
Thanks Roger
Another significant move in reopening the Portishead branch to Passenger Traffic.
Dear Member,
PRG is delighted that the Secretary of State for Transport yesterday, 14th November, accepted the Portishead Branch Line Development Consent Order (DCO) application.
The announcement is cause for great celebration. It has been a long and arduous journey to get to this most welcome point in the saga of reopening the railway to passenger traffic.
PRG also thanks and congratulates North Somerset Council staff for their hard work that resulted in the success of the DCO application, and Dr Liam Fox MP for his tireless work over many years to support the case for Portishead rail in Parliament and central government. Thanks are also owed to the three other local councils for their patience and support, and to WECA for also lobbying central government.
PRG members, and the people of Portishead and of Pill, are only too aware of the need for the town’s rail link with Bristol and beyond, the great benefits of which are well known and demonstrated in the DCO application. Urgent action is now required to push forward with construction so as to help solve the existing road congestion and resulting pollution problems, as soon as possible.
The acceptance of the DCO application is a prime example of local councils, regardless of political affiliation, working together for the common local good.
PRG will now turn its attention to what sort of stations and amenities can be provided at Portishead and Pill, to make this important new alternative transport offer as attractive as possible to those who currently use road transport.
Our Chairman, Alan Matthews, says, “This is a very welcome announcement. The Portishead line has always had a very strong business case and we are pleased that this was recognised by the Secretary of State. We now look forward to seeing the business case and full design so that the contracts can finally be put in place for construction of the line to start.”
Regards,
Peter
Peter Maliphant
Membership Secretary
Portishead Railway Group
PRG is delighted that the Secretary of State for Transport yesterday, 14th November, accepted the Portishead Branch Line Development Consent Order (DCO) application.
The announcement is cause for great celebration. It has been a long and arduous journey to get to this most welcome point in the saga of reopening the railway to passenger traffic.
PRG also thanks and congratulates North Somerset Council staff for their hard work that resulted in the success of the DCO application, and Dr Liam Fox MP for his tireless work over many years to support the case for Portishead rail in Parliament and central government. Thanks are also owed to the three other local councils for their patience and support, and to WECA for also lobbying central government.
PRG members, and the people of Portishead and of Pill, are only too aware of the need for the town’s rail link with Bristol and beyond, the great benefits of which are well known and demonstrated in the DCO application. Urgent action is now required to push forward with construction so as to help solve the existing road congestion and resulting pollution problems, as soon as possible.
The acceptance of the DCO application is a prime example of local councils, regardless of political affiliation, working together for the common local good.
PRG will now turn its attention to what sort of stations and amenities can be provided at Portishead and Pill, to make this important new alternative transport offer as attractive as possible to those who currently use road transport.
Our Chairman, Alan Matthews, says, “This is a very welcome announcement. The Portishead line has always had a very strong business case and we are pleased that this was recognised by the Secretary of State. We now look forward to seeing the business case and full design so that the contracts can finally be put in place for construction of the line to start.”
Regards,
Peter
Peter Maliphant
Membership Secretary
Portishead Railway Group
As can be seen from the style, this was the new station opened in 1954, but not to last long - it closed to passengers on the 7th September 1964 and to goods in May 1967. The original Portishead station had been about half a mile further on, the line turning from a northerly heading to bear east into the old station. The original station had opened on the 18th April 1867 (exactly 101 years before the Cheddar Railtour) and closed on the 4th January 1954. Copyright John Thorn.
Many thanks to Peter Maliphant for forwarding the above important and very pleasing news to us.
Portbury
Google Earth
Google Earth
For want of anything better to do if you go the Google Earth (Street View) and look for Portbury you will see from a road bridge spanning the course of the line, and rotating the view Portbury station building can be seen - the course of the branch into Portishead where you will see 'Station Road' marked - the short lived station became a garage for a while.
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