Lets start September with two delights
Bradford on Avon and Coryton Cove.
Andrew Vines
Bradford on Avon and Coryton Cove.
Andrew Vines
Two pictures from Andrew Vines' forthcoming book, For Diesel Hydraulics a colour retrospective': For further details click below
The Titfield Thunderbolt Railway Bookshop
The Titfield Thunderbolt Railway Bookshop
- An unidentified Hymek arrives at Bradford on Avon as a family waits to board for a day out in the summer of 1968. The approaching loco and no doubt the noise from its Maybach engine appear to have attracted the little girl's attention. The goods shed on the right is in the first stages of demolition.
- An up freight passing Coryton Cove, Dawlish on a hot day in June 1969, the crew in their warm cab no doubt viewing the scene on the beach with envy.
Copyright Andrew Vines.
Copyright Andrew Vines.
Many thanks Andrew
Kemble & Oaksey
Ken Mumford
Ken Mumford
The test train heads for Swindon 31st August 2021 (note the preserved water tower in the distance) Copyright Ken Mumford.
An IET paases under Oaksey road bridge from a foot crossing just to the south of the bridge. 31st August 2021 Copyright Ken Mumford
From a level crossing just to the south of Oaksey Road bridge. The test train returns from Swindon. 31st August 2021
Many thanks Ken.
A bike ride on stop line way
Chard to Illminster
Andrew and Diane Jones
Chard to Illminster
Andrew and Diane Jones
Dear Keith and Valerie, Watching the news today on the bridge strike near Plymouth and the resulting disruption, made my visit to the Stop Line Way, between Chard and Ilminster over the bank holiday weekend, enlightening.
If Network Rail went to the lengths that General Sir Edmund Ironside, Commander in Chief, Home Forces did during the second world war, perhaps a physical barrier preventing the lorries making contact with the bridge in the first place would be more appropriate.
The Chard to Ilminster route has been covered by the society before. I have attached some photographs and updates with a little background to the massive defences put in place to prevent an invasion from the west.
The cycle route is quite short but follows much of the original track bed between the two towns with just one or two road deviations.
Initially from Chard the formation is in a cutting with some embankments, where open vulnerable stretches are protected by concrete posts set at approx 45 degrees and originally joined by steel horizontally to reduce the ability of enemy tanks to access the railway. Many pill boxes can be spotted along the route, heavily disguised as gypsy caravans or hen houses during the war.
One pill box is situated at Knowle St Giles with gun foundation still in place covering a considerable length of track and incredibly formidable.
Large concrete blocks with slots to insert steel rail blocking the railway are evident.
One problem the army had to deal with was the fact the route was originally designed for double track but never converted so the track bed is quite wide.
Apart from overbridges and some telephone brackets the only other major survivor is Donyatt Halt which has been lovingly rebuilt, however the photograph in the Taunton to Chard section of the website is now out of date because something the enemy failed to do, it became the target some local bored people who set it alight and it had to be rebuilt again this time in brick!
Strangely the re installed caution signal, (I am sure not the original, now includes a security camera a sad reflection on the times!) (1)
A really enjoyable day.
Best wishes Andrew and Diane
If Network Rail went to the lengths that General Sir Edmund Ironside, Commander in Chief, Home Forces did during the second world war, perhaps a physical barrier preventing the lorries making contact with the bridge in the first place would be more appropriate.
The Chard to Ilminster route has been covered by the society before. I have attached some photographs and updates with a little background to the massive defences put in place to prevent an invasion from the west.
The cycle route is quite short but follows much of the original track bed between the two towns with just one or two road deviations.
Initially from Chard the formation is in a cutting with some embankments, where open vulnerable stretches are protected by concrete posts set at approx 45 degrees and originally joined by steel horizontally to reduce the ability of enemy tanks to access the railway. Many pill boxes can be spotted along the route, heavily disguised as gypsy caravans or hen houses during the war.
One pill box is situated at Knowle St Giles with gun foundation still in place covering a considerable length of track and incredibly formidable.
Large concrete blocks with slots to insert steel rail blocking the railway are evident.
One problem the army had to deal with was the fact the route was originally designed for double track but never converted so the track bed is quite wide.
Apart from overbridges and some telephone brackets the only other major survivor is Donyatt Halt which has been lovingly rebuilt, however the photograph in the Taunton to Chard section of the website is now out of date because something the enemy failed to do, it became the target some local bored people who set it alight and it had to be rebuilt again this time in brick!
Strangely the re installed caution signal, (I am sure not the original, now includes a security camera a sad reflection on the times!) (1)
A really enjoyable day.
Best wishes Andrew and Diane
The re-built Donyatt Halt - - 31st August 2021. Copyright Andrew & Diane Jones (You'll be pleased to see that Doreen is still there waiting but somebody has kindly given her a scarf!)
Donyatt Haltas was six years ago - pre vandalism. Doreen waits. 23rd March 2015 Copyright Mike Roach
Harping back - the late Sid Sponheimer views from a train as the guard performs his duties,
To find out more about Doreen please try this link https://www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk/news/14720172.final-push-to-restore-iconic-doreen-statue-outside-donyatt-halt-after-arson-attack/
Donyatt caution signal and added security camera (1) 31st August 2021l Copyright Andrew Jones,
Perhaps someone could point out to those now responsible for Donyatt Halt that GWR/BR(WR) distant signals had yellow finials, not red. :-
Regards. Chris Osment West Country Railway Archives
Regards. Chris Osment West Country Railway Archives
Tank defences concrete post at 45 degrees alongside trackbed. 31st August 2021. Copyright Diane and Andrew Jones.
Knowle St Giles overbridge and telephone remnants. 31st August 2021. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.
Pill box one of many apparently local were offered £10 to remove each one but few takers. Copyright Diane & Andrew Jones, 31st August 2021.
A 'zoom in' on the Pill Box. Copyright Andrew and Diane and Jones. 31st August 2021
Thank you Andrew and Diane for a most interesting article.