Lapford
Ken Jones
Ken Jones
Mystery picture from Ken Jones - which we think is Lapford. Copyright unknown. Note the single sided platfrom and in the distance the co-acting signal arms.
Hi, I wonder if you could help me.
I bought this photo at an open day or similar event in the 1990s and although I knew it was on one of the former LSWR lines in the west country, I never really thought about the actual location. Despite having a search on the internet, I’ve failed to find the location. I thought at first it might have been on the Exeter to Ilfracombe line but that I believe was double track originally and this appears to be single track with a passing loop. Judging by the freshly painted livery of the DMU I would say the photo was taken around 1963/4 when quite a number of the former LSWR lines were still open. Can you help with the location please?
Regards, Ken Jones.
I bought this photo at an open day or similar event in the 1990s and although I knew it was on one of the former LSWR lines in the west country, I never really thought about the actual location. Despite having a search on the internet, I’ve failed to find the location. I thought at first it might have been on the Exeter to Ilfracombe line but that I believe was double track originally and this appears to be single track with a passing loop. Judging by the freshly painted livery of the DMU I would say the photo was taken around 1963/4 when quite a number of the former LSWR lines were still open. Can you help with the location please?
Regards, Ken Jones.
Going to Google and then Lapford https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapford_railway_station reveals the following very interesting history at this site.
Lapford railway station is a rural station on the Tarka Line serving the village of Lapford in Devon It is 18 miles 35 chains (29.7 km) from Exeter \central at milepost 189.75 from London Waterloo.
Lapford in 1913.The railway between Crediton and Barnstaplewas opened by the North Devon Railway on 1 August 1854 but there was no station at Lapford until 20 September 1855 when a platform was opened on the north side of the single track to the west of the road bridge. This was provided with a stone building containing the offices and a house for the station master,
A passing loop was opened on 1 October 1873 and a wooden signal box with 13 levers built opposite the west end of the platform by the points to the loop. There was no room here for a platform to serve the new second track so it had to be built on the east side of the road bridge. This platform was unusually built in between the two lines but the back of the platform was fenced off so passengers could only board or leave westbound trains (those towards Barnstaple). The new platform was provided with a waiting shelter which incorporated a small booking office where tickets were sold for about eight minutes before trains were due to call.
A slaughterhouse for sheep and pigs used to be situated in the northern arch of the road bridge (some meat hooks can be seen in the wall}. In 1927 a factory was built next to the goods yard for Ambrosia and production of milk products such as tinned cream started in April 1928. In 1928 Lapford had received 9,700 imperial gallons (44,000 L) but by 1932 this had increased to 191,304 imperial gallons (869,690 L).The factory closed in 1970.
The signal box closed on 21 June 1870. Public goods traffic had ceased from 4 December 1967[3] however the yard remained open to receive fertiliser traffic until 1991.[ The loop line remained available for use until December 2010.
Lapford in 1913.The railway between Crediton and Barnstaplewas opened by the North Devon Railway on 1 August 1854 but there was no station at Lapford until 20 September 1855 when a platform was opened on the north side of the single track to the west of the road bridge. This was provided with a stone building containing the offices and a house for the station master,
A passing loop was opened on 1 October 1873 and a wooden signal box with 13 levers built opposite the west end of the platform by the points to the loop. There was no room here for a platform to serve the new second track so it had to be built on the east side of the road bridge. This platform was unusually built in between the two lines but the back of the platform was fenced off so passengers could only board or leave westbound trains (those towards Barnstaple). The new platform was provided with a waiting shelter which incorporated a small booking office where tickets were sold for about eight minutes before trains were due to call.
A slaughterhouse for sheep and pigs used to be situated in the northern arch of the road bridge (some meat hooks can be seen in the wall}. In 1927 a factory was built next to the goods yard for Ambrosia and production of milk products such as tinned cream started in April 1928. In 1928 Lapford had received 9,700 imperial gallons (44,000 L) but by 1932 this had increased to 191,304 imperial gallons (869,690 L).The factory closed in 1970.
The signal box closed on 21 June 1870. Public goods traffic had ceased from 4 December 1967[3] however the yard remained open to receive fertiliser traffic until 1991.[ The loop line remained available for use until December 2010.
With many thanks to Ken Jones for his question, to Google - Wikipedia and to the unknown photographer.
R.U. Envious? - Cab ride on
Western Champanion
Nigel Ratledge
Western Champanion
Nigel Ratledge
Hello Keith,
I've been an avid viewer and reader of the CRS site for quite a while now and it just gets better and better, each time I visit there's always something new to see and absorb. The variety of scenery, locos, signalboxes, stations and other buildings is fantastic, it's just a shame that so much of it has changed or disappeared for good. I've just spent the last couple of hours catching up on the St.Ives and Helston branches pages and various others with some lovely photos of the NBL D63xxs, sadly I never saw any of these characterful little locos turning a wheel in anger, but saw the last few waiting to eb cut up in the con yard at Swindon.
I thought I'd chip in with some West Country photos which I took on a Paddington - Penzance rail tour with D1015 'Western Champion' (disguised as D1068 'Western Reliance') on 5th April 2008, an unforgettable day for me as I blagged a cab ride between Exeter and Plymouth on the way down, the inspector on board had passed me out for driving and invited me up front for the run along the sea wall and over the South Devon banks. The Diesel Traction Group released a DVD of the trip in 2009 called 'Up Front With Western Champion'. I had several cab rides on Westerns back in the '70s so this was a nice bit of nostalgia for me, a reminder of what the Western Region was like when I was a nipper.
I hope the photos may be of some use to you - I'm sure you'll know the location of each shot! The driver on D1015 on the blocks at Penzance is Adrian Davies of St.Blazey.
Best regards, Nigel Ratledge, Rugby, Warwickshire.
I've been an avid viewer and reader of the CRS site for quite a while now and it just gets better and better, each time I visit there's always something new to see and absorb. The variety of scenery, locos, signalboxes, stations and other buildings is fantastic, it's just a shame that so much of it has changed or disappeared for good. I've just spent the last couple of hours catching up on the St.Ives and Helston branches pages and various others with some lovely photos of the NBL D63xxs, sadly I never saw any of these characterful little locos turning a wheel in anger, but saw the last few waiting to eb cut up in the con yard at Swindon.
I thought I'd chip in with some West Country photos which I took on a Paddington - Penzance rail tour with D1015 'Western Champion' (disguised as D1068 'Western Reliance') on 5th April 2008, an unforgettable day for me as I blagged a cab ride between Exeter and Plymouth on the way down, the inspector on board had passed me out for driving and invited me up front for the run along the sea wall and over the South Devon banks. The Diesel Traction Group released a DVD of the trip in 2009 called 'Up Front With Western Champion'. I had several cab rides on Westerns back in the '70s so this was a nice bit of nostalgia for me, a reminder of what the Western Region was like when I was a nipper.
I hope the photos may be of some use to you - I'm sure you'll know the location of each shot! The driver on D1015 on the blocks at Penzance is Adrian Davies of St.Blazey.
Best regards, Nigel Ratledge, Rugby, Warwickshire.
Departure from Exeter St Davids - the driver opens up D1015 Copyright Nigel Ratledge.
Approaching Dawlish. Copyright Nigel Ratledge
Dawlish. Copyright Nigel Ratledge.
Approaching Teignmouth. Copyright Nigel Ratledge.
Approaching Dainton tunnel - the climb is nearly over. Copyright Nigel Ratledge.
To my mind a most interesting photograph showing very clearly the top of the bank with the very noticeable gradient changes as the line leaves the tunnel. Note also the small group of enthusiasts out to witness the event.
1015 has made it to Penzance. The driver on D1015 on the blocks at Penzance is Adrian Davies of St.Blazey. Copyright Nigel Ratledge.
Note the gathering of photographers at the top of the steps.
The journey back -
Departing Penzance. - passing Marazion - plenty of 'clag'! Copyright Nigel Ratledge.
Passing Hallenbeagle. Copyright Nigel Ratledge
Between Chacewater and Truro. Copyright Nigel Ratledge.
Approaching Saltash Station Copyright Nigel Ratledge
Many thanks Nigel - lets have more of your nostalgic shots please.
Bristol
Phil Smith
Phil Smith
An unusual view at Bristol as Phil Smith pops has camera over the Bath Road Bridge to capture the then common scene of a Class 33 headed up train approaching.
33008 approaching Bath Road Bridge. 1986. Copyright Phil Smith.
Many thanks Phil.
Day Trip to
Cardiff
Paul Barlow
Cardiff
Paul Barlow
43156 Bristol on 0550 Penance to Cardiff 18 August 2023.
43156 leads 43188 on 1512 from Taunton on arrival at Cardiff 18 August 2023.
43277 43290 pass cardiff central on the 0441 Paddington to Derby via Swansea 18 August 2023.
67012 at Cardiff waits to depart on the 1719 to Holyhead 18 August 2023.
67012 departs Cardiff on the 1719 to Holyhead Not all is well with this loco!18 August 2023.
67022 reverses out to Cardiff Canton on a ECS move 18 August 2023.
43156 43188 on the rear 0550 from Penzance on arrival at Cardiff 18 August 2023.
43156 leads 43188 on 1512 from Taunton on arrival at Cardiff 18 August 2023.
43277 43290 pass cardiff central on the 0441 Paddington to Derby via Swansea 18 August 2023.
67012 at Cardiff waits to depart on the 1719 to Holyhead 18 August 2023.
67012 departs Cardiff on the 1719 to Holyhead Not all is well with this loco!18 August 2023.
67022 reverses out to Cardiff Canton on a ECS move 18 August 2023.
43156 43188 on the rear 0550 from Penzance on arrival at Cardiff 18 August 2023.
Pauls pictures go from left to right and then down. All pictures below are copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul - you had a good day.
Boscarne Exchange Platform
Query from Simon Shreeve
Query from Simon Shreeve
I would very grateful for your assistance with the following queries.
FIRST, on 20 July 1964 I made a journey from Wadebridge to Bodmin General, walked to Bodmin North, thence to Boscarne Exchange Platform by Railbus, changing for a train to Bodmin Road.
I am trying to retrace the actual times of the trains I took. The SR timetable covering this day does not include Boscarne since it was opened after publication of the timetable. The next SR timetable omits Bodmin altogether because of the transfer of SR lines to WR. The equivalent period WR timetable shows only the same Wadebridge to Bodmin North/General and Road times that applied in July - obviously no longer correct - and Boscarne and the service to Bodmin North only appears as such in the WR table from the start of 1965.
I assume there must have been a supplement to the SR timetable which showed the recast service from Wadebridge after Boscarne was opened in June 1964. Do you have a copy of this please ?
SECOND, do you have a copy of the working timetable for the goods train service from Tavistock South to Lydford which would have applied on 20 July 1964 or any idea where I might find it ?
You help would be much appreciated.
Regards
Simon Shreeve
Worthing, West Sussex
FIRST, on 20 July 1964 I made a journey from Wadebridge to Bodmin General, walked to Bodmin North, thence to Boscarne Exchange Platform by Railbus, changing for a train to Bodmin Road.
I am trying to retrace the actual times of the trains I took. The SR timetable covering this day does not include Boscarne since it was opened after publication of the timetable. The next SR timetable omits Bodmin altogether because of the transfer of SR lines to WR. The equivalent period WR timetable shows only the same Wadebridge to Bodmin North/General and Road times that applied in July - obviously no longer correct - and Boscarne and the service to Bodmin North only appears as such in the WR table from the start of 1965.
I assume there must have been a supplement to the SR timetable which showed the recast service from Wadebridge after Boscarne was opened in June 1964. Do you have a copy of this please ?
SECOND, do you have a copy of the working timetable for the goods train service from Tavistock South to Lydford which would have applied on 20 July 1964 or any idea where I might find it ?
You help would be much appreciated.
Regards
Simon Shreeve
Worthing, West Sussex
Thank you Simon - can anybody broaden our knowledge please.
KEEP BOOKING OFFICES
OPEN - PETITION
OPEN - PETITION
Came across this link:-
Click this link to sign the petition "Require train operators keep ticket offices and platform staff at train stations"
https://petition.parliament.uk/signatures/135668260/verify?token=A_GvA8sQ7IXqjQiDJwiz
Dave
Click this link to sign the petition "Require train operators keep ticket offices and platform staff at train stations"
https://petition.parliament.uk/signatures/135668260/verify?token=A_GvA8sQ7IXqjQiDJwiz
Dave