Mortonhampstead branch
Bovey Tracey
Clive Smith
Bovey Tracey
Clive Smith
Bovey Tracey station, now a museum seen on the 18th November 2018 Copyright Clive Smith
The delightful station building, 18th November 2018. Copyright Clive Smith
Parked close by is this restored 'Toad' brakevan. 18th November 2018. Copyright Clive Smith
A must for railway enthusiasts, less so for anybody else. About 30 per cent of the exhibits relate to the 12-mile Newton Abbot-Moretonhampstead branch line, on which Bovey Tracey was an intermediate stop. The route closed to passengers as long ago as 1959. The museum is housed in what was the station's main building. Key exhibit is a scale model of Bovey station in its GWR heyday. The smaller of the museum's two rooms is given over entirely to railway artefacts. Other exhibits include Bovey-made pottery and the First World War. Local men who made the ultimate sacrifice are remembered. This museum is free and run by volunteers. For the above notes we are indebted to Bovey Tracey Heritage Centre.
With the above 'write up' there is no doubt that we must look into planning a visit to this very interesting museum into the CRS Outdoor Events for 2019.
The Great Bear
Roy Hart
Roy Hart
There has been some correspondence concerning a question asked by Trevor Tremethick concerning 'The Great Bear'. Roy now adds his bit, a very valuable bit to the story.
Dear Keith,
I remember as a child seeing the Great Bear model at Truro museum. It was certainly there c1955-60. Of course the real engine had no link with Cornwall (it was not allowed west of Bristol) and the museum would certainly be more discriminating today about displaying such a thing of no local interest, so no surprise that it is stored. I would guess that the model was made in Cornwall and then donated to the museum. It is a pity, though, that the thing is not on display somewhere. STEAM at Swindon would be the best place, I suppose. There are endless problems connected with transferring objects between museums, though.
The nearest link between The Great Bear and Cornwall is that the 1924 rebuild was shedded at Laira between 1945 and 1952 (its withdrawal date) and was often seen in Cornwall. 'Rebuilding' was invariably a euphemism for getting a new engine past the Board of Directors: especially when the engine is named after the Chairman of the Board (Viscount Churchill). Mr Christison, former Loco superintendent of the Newton Abbot division, once told me that the only bits of the ' Bear' in the rebuild were the numberplates and the handrail knobs!
Roy Thank you for that Roy, now the facts are now laid bare!!
Dear Keith,
I remember as a child seeing the Great Bear model at Truro museum. It was certainly there c1955-60. Of course the real engine had no link with Cornwall (it was not allowed west of Bristol) and the museum would certainly be more discriminating today about displaying such a thing of no local interest, so no surprise that it is stored. I would guess that the model was made in Cornwall and then donated to the museum. It is a pity, though, that the thing is not on display somewhere. STEAM at Swindon would be the best place, I suppose. There are endless problems connected with transferring objects between museums, though.
The nearest link between The Great Bear and Cornwall is that the 1924 rebuild was shedded at Laira between 1945 and 1952 (its withdrawal date) and was often seen in Cornwall. 'Rebuilding' was invariably a euphemism for getting a new engine past the Board of Directors: especially when the engine is named after the Chairman of the Board (Viscount Churchill). Mr Christison, former Loco superintendent of the Newton Abbot division, once told me that the only bits of the ' Bear' in the rebuild were the numberplates and the handrail knobs!
Roy Thank you for that Roy, now the facts are now laid bare!!
Today at Purton
Ken Mumford
Ken Mumford
Because of those irritating overhead wires and their ugly supports, I decided to go out into the country west of Swindon. The owner of Station Garage, Purton was very kind (including a cup of tea in a typical workshop stained mug) and we discussed the best location which You'll find in all these photos taken at the site of the former Purton station..
If you publish any of these photographs, I would I appreciate it if the Owner of Station Garage is acknowledged for his kindness in allowing me on his property (as well as the cup of tea!) - thank you.
Thank you for the pictures Ken. N.B. Purton is on the Swindon - Gloucester route and therefore within the limits of the Freedom of the South West Rover - which sets our bounds.
If you publish any of these photographs, I would I appreciate it if the Owner of Station Garage is acknowledged for his kindness in allowing me on his property (as well as the cup of tea!) - thank you.
Thank you for the pictures Ken. N.B. Purton is on the Swindon - Gloucester route and therefore within the limits of the Freedom of the South West Rover - which sets our bounds.
60009 bursts under station road bridge at the site of Purton Station. The station closed 2nd November 1964. Note the 'freshly' bricked up accesses in the bridge wall from whence steps led down to the platforms, also note white painted square to provide improved sighting of signals that once stood there. This picture 12.32 20th November 2018. Copyright Ken Mumford.
A going away shot to prove that Ken was in fact outside the fence at Purton. 20th November 2018. Copyright Ken Mumford.
Redruth
Martin Scane
Martin Scane
Redruth 43056 on the 08.41 Redruth to Penzance this morning. 20th November 2018 Copyright Martin Scane. Martin reports that it was slightly late.
Winnen's Westerns
Liskeard
Roger Winnen
Liskeard
Roger Winnen
Perfectly framed by the road overbridge D1048 Western Lady arrives at Liskeard on the 29th August 1976 Copyright Roger Winnen