20th July 2019

Exmouth Jct. Shed
Richard Murrin

This is the last of a sequence of photographs taken while Richard was working at Exmouth Junction Shed in the 1950's and early 60s. If you want to see the complete collection click here and scroll down to Exmouth Junction Shed,

EXJct15 35015, Rotterdam Lloyd and 35022 Holland America line at Exmouth Jct. 9th September 19.62 Copyright Richard Murrin

Steam at
Swindon
Guy Vincent

Viewers will recall the Guy made a special visit to Swindon on the 17th July to view the HST Power Car on it journey from Laira to York for preservation.
Three pictures follow also taken during his visit.     Many thanks Guy.

GWR 7821 'Ditcheat Manor' 17th July 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent

7821 'Ditcheat Manor' Nameplate 17th July 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent.

Outside Steam Museum - the traverser - complete with a restored GWR six plank 10 ton mineral wagon. 17th July 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent.

On your bike
Marland & Dawlish
Clive Burges

Colin, our intrepid friend, owner of the Exeter and Teign Valley Complex at Christow is a very fit 'youngish' gentleman and also a keen cyclist.

Dear Keith, Taking advantage of the Sundays-only trains, I caught the 1108 St. David's to Okehampton last weekend and headed north from there to Barnstaple, 40 miles.
On the N.D. & C.J. Light, which is now a path between Meeth and Torrington, I passed the entrance to the former North Devon Clays' private siding at Marland, which anyone could be forgiven for missing.

On the N.D. & C.J. Light, which is now a path between Meeth and Torrington, I passed the entrance to the former North Devon Clays' private siding at Marland, which anyone could be forgiven for missing. 14th July 2019. Copyright Colin Burges.

The private siding diverged to the left. My bike is leaning against one of the very large concrete gate posts, covered in ivy. At this spot 37 years before, I had jumped down from the Class 31 sent to collect empty "Clayliner" trucks which were not to be loaded, the rail traffic having been lost; it had been decided not to use the air-braked bogie hoppers as these required special loading facilities.

Even less likely to be seen in passing are the rail posts which must once have carried a sign proclaiming "North Devon Clays" to train passengers.

Now down to Dawlish to inspect the works there.

At Dawlish, work has started on the new sea wall which will profoundly change King's Walk. One B.A.M. man is driving the swing shovel while five look on. The work, which is being done under the powers granted in the South Devon Railway Act, will be suspended for the school summer holiday. 14th July 2019. Copyright Colin Burges

It should be remembered that this wall is not the original and problems developed on the beach after it was built in 1902, the year Edward VII was crowned king, hence the name. The wall was built without a wave return curve because of the sand cover. However, the wall being further out caused wave rebound to scour the sand, meaning that even a mild sea will throw up spray over the promenade and tracks at high tide. The wall was part of the doubling of the line between here and Parson's Tunnel (incl.), completed in 1905. The spring tide meant that when I got to Starcross for the ferry, the 1310 sailing was cancelled due to low water. 14th July 2019. Copyright Colin Burges.

The publicity concerning the work on the wall is headed 'The vital artery to the South West'. One feels that Colin Burges who took the picture and owns the infamous bicycle would wish to express that there could be alternative routes for this traffic, 14th July 2019, Colin Burges.

Many thanks for your article Colin - I only wish I was young and fit again!! KJ.