21st July 2021

Westbury
DMU to Weymouth
Michael Forward

Hello Roger,I hope you are continuing to keep well and coping with the heat. Here is a picture taken at Westbury on 21 May 1982 showing a BR Metropolitan Cammell unit which formed the 11.10 to Weymouth,plenty of changes since then, as always. Thanks, and best wishes.Michael. Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael

Play acting at
Brampford Speke
Colin Burges

The offer of the original postcard showing the footbridge at Brampford Speke to the owners of the former S.M's. house got me an invitation to have a cup of tea in the garden, which, nine months later, I gladly took up while out on a ride with a friend.

After emptying a pot of tea and enjoying splendid homemade biscuits in the garden, while pouring over old photographs and learning of the practicalities of living without road access, a viewing, as honest time wasters, of the station building next door was arranged; the place is for sale with a fabulous asking price.
Ed and Elaine were kind enough to let time-travelling Gaelle pose as a waiting passenger, who signals to the driver at this request stop and boards the train. She studied theatre at university and it was just like the train was coming and she really was boarding.

The station was downgraded to a halt in 1923 and a shelter was provided on the site of the former signal box, beyond the building. Copyright Colin Burges.

Old photos show that the station building had been converted into a dwelling before the train service ceased. Copyright Colin Burges.

The line remained open to Thorverton Mill until 1966. The halt was so close to the junction that Stoke Canon's fixed distant was near the end of the platform.

​We came from Stoke Canon along the footpath which once crossed the branch and ran beside it to Brampford Speke, but which now takes the track itself. The halt is only a short distance from the centre of the village and less than a mile from the shop and post office, and community-run pub in Stoke Canon.

​If anyone's interested:

https://www.stags.co.uk/properties/14128589/sales


In the obligatory footage from the air, look out for the line continuing towards Thorverton at 2:12. The keeper's house at Fortescue Crossing can be seen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlFAyMmoJTc


You'll gather that I'm back in the saddle. I'm far from fully recovered but 40 days without Special Brew was all I could sustain. The deal is that if I drink strong lager I have to do the riding - but not at the same time!

With best wishes,

Colin

 With many thanks to Colin Burges and 'station staff'  and Ed and Elaine and time-travelling Gaelle  for this most unusual item. Although commercial please try the links - most interesting.
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A 'Golden oldie'
Par '86
Clive Smith

37204 awaits departure with the 21.05 Par to Plymouth on Saturday 14th June 1986. The stock is an air-conditioned set from the earlier Paddington to Newquay. 50018 had then failed on the 17.55 Newquay to Par with its return stopper to Newquay at 18.55 subsequently cancelled. Cue 37204's appearance from St Blazey to provide a spirited run to Plymouth. Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks Clive - the good old days.
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Dunn's Hill Overbridge near
Hungerford
Ken Mumford

Near Hungerford Dunn's Hill overbridge 18th July 2021 Copyright Ken Mumford

Bahamas running about 10 minutes late about to pass under Dunn's Hill Overbridge heading for London via Newbury. 18th July 2021 Copyright Ken Mumford

Many thanks Ken - glad you stopped.
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Earl of St Germans!
Ken Mumford.

Earl of St Germans. - Cornish Reminders in Wiltshire. 18th July 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford

Thanks Ken.

North Devon Rly
Appeal for help.

​We are asking if you might be able to help with the following request?
Following an invitation to volunteers, we now have a group who have expressed an interest in becoming a Passed Diesel Locomotive Driver. For them to become Passed Drivers, they firstly need to have been assessed via a medical questionnaire and, for those that haven’t already done so elsewhere, successfully undergo a medical examination to demonstrate their physical and mental fitness to drive a locomotive. We initially envisage 6 training places so we may need to shortlist applicants.
Following this stage, they will receive training by an independent trainer/assessor and if they successfully pass a theory and practical assessment, they will be classified as Passed Drivers and so will be able to drive unsupervised when rostered.
Finding a trainer/assessor is proving difficult particularly as there is a nationwide backlog of drivers requiring their ‘ticket’ to be renewed.  This is because most were unable to drive during the pandemic.
Many of you have connections with other heritage railways who may have trainer/assessors and we would like to approach them to see if they can help.  If you do, please let us know because, until we have our own drivers passed as competent, we are unable to move locomotives and stock.
The trainer/assessor will need to be authorised to train and assess drivers of diesel mechanical locomotives.  Full expenses can be paid so they are not out of pocket.
Please help us find trainer/assessors so we can continue our transition to operational railway.
Please reply to [email protected]   (ie not the sender of this email)
Regards
Colin Fisher
NDR Secretary

If you are interested please contact them.
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