Exminster
David Tozer
David Tozer
66155 & 66017 Heads the 17.56 Exeter Riverside to Newquay weed killing train passed Exminster on 18.5.2020. Copyright David Tozer
Pacer unit 143620 & Sprinter 150202 passing Exminster on 16.12 Paignton to Exmouth 18.5.2020 Copyright David Tozer
802001 802017 approaching Exminster on the 15.04 Paddington-Penzance service on 18.5.2020. Copyright David Tozer
Thanks David
Combe Down tunnel
Guy & Charlotte Vincent
Guy & Charlotte Vincent
Combe Down Tunnel (2m 02ch - 3m 05ch, ELR SAD) is situated to the south of Bath on the former Somerset and Dorset Railway (Bath Extension) and was opened to traffic on 20 July 1874. It is 1829 yards (or 1672 metres) in length and runs in a north to south direction with an initial right-hand curve of 29 chains radius followed by a long straight that ends with a further right-hand curve of 68 chains radius to the southern exit in Horsecombe Vale. Of single bore width there is a 1 in 100 falling gradient that commences inside around 400 yards from the Lyncombe Vale northern portal. With no ventilation shafts (for many years it was the longest unventilated tunnel in the UK) this was a very unpleasant place to be especially when working a heavy or slow northbound train and at least one fatal accident occurred due to a locomotive crew being overcome by fumes and losing consciousness. Not far in from the north portal there is a large cavern-like void above the roof that has been completely brick-lined, almost like a baker's oven.
Following closure of the S&D in 1966 the tunnel fell into disuse and was abandoned, later being taken over by Wessex Water and the portals were secured with large steel doors and masonry. From 2008 a well organised appeal and programme of works saw the tunnel revived with essential maintenance completed followed by a complete refurbishment including the installation of lighting throughout and a smooth tarmac surface for walkers and cyclists. The tunnel reopened as part of the Two Tunnels Greenway project on 6th April 2013 and is now managed by Sustrans. Throughout the tunnel on both sides there are refuges cut back into the walls where those unfortunate enough to have had to be present when a train was passing would have retreated to. Much of the tunnel is unlined with a sandy, creamy rock-like surface that varies in texture, width and height, this is coated with a good amount of soot from the hundreds of thousands of steam locomotive chimneys that used to pound their way through. Some sections are brick-lined and there are many interesting 'rings' built at differing times. For the guidance of today's users the tunnel is numbered from Zero to 84 N-S with ground distance markers every 100 metres. For much of the straight section moody violin music continually plays on a solar-powered loop system. The attached photos were taken (with the aid of a new and very expensive iphone!) by Charlotte Vincent, walking south to north on Saturday May 16th 2020.
Guy Vincent. N.B. Blue font for S & D
Following closure of the S&D in 1966 the tunnel fell into disuse and was abandoned, later being taken over by Wessex Water and the portals were secured with large steel doors and masonry. From 2008 a well organised appeal and programme of works saw the tunnel revived with essential maintenance completed followed by a complete refurbishment including the installation of lighting throughout and a smooth tarmac surface for walkers and cyclists. The tunnel reopened as part of the Two Tunnels Greenway project on 6th April 2013 and is now managed by Sustrans. Throughout the tunnel on both sides there are refuges cut back into the walls where those unfortunate enough to have had to be present when a train was passing would have retreated to. Much of the tunnel is unlined with a sandy, creamy rock-like surface that varies in texture, width and height, this is coated with a good amount of soot from the hundreds of thousands of steam locomotive chimneys that used to pound their way through. Some sections are brick-lined and there are many interesting 'rings' built at differing times. For the guidance of today's users the tunnel is numbered from Zero to 84 N-S with ground distance markers every 100 metres. For much of the straight section moody violin music continually plays on a solar-powered loop system. The attached photos were taken (with the aid of a new and very expensive iphone!) by Charlotte Vincent, walking south to north on Saturday May 16th 2020.
Guy Vincent. N.B. Blue font for S & D
Many thanks Guy and Charlotte.
Combe Down Tunnel (0) (South) 16th May 2020 Copyright Charlotte Vincent
Combe Down Tunnel (1) (South) 16th May 2020 Copyright Charlotte Vincent
Combe Down Tunnel (2) (South) 16th May 2020 Copyright Charlotte Vincent
Combe Down Tunnel (3) (South) 16th May 2020 Copyright Charlotte Vincent
Combe Down Tunnel (4) (North) 16th May 2020 Copyright Charlotte Vincent
Combe Down Tunnel (5) (North) 16th May 2020 Copyright Charlotte Vincent.
Combe Down Tunnel (6) North Portal 2m02ch. 16th May 2020 Copyright Charlotte Vincent
Many thanks to Guy and his daughter Charlotte for the above views and the history.
St Austell Clay
Scott Peters
Scott Peters
A lone passenger looks on as EWS 66159 thunders through St Austell with a train of CDA's on 14/05/2007, note: the roof was already missing off the footbridge and the old station lighting - Scott Peters
St Austell 66050 14th May 2007 Copyright Scott Peters
Many thanks Scott.
Night time at
Exeter (6)
Paul Barlow
Exeter (6)
Paul Barlow
45035 waits with the 14. 32 Leeds to Plymouth the 1V94 0n the 20th November 1980. Copyright Paul Barlow
Many thanks Paul