That was the week, that was!!
Busy Times
Craig Munday
Busy Times
Craig Munday
Having just done 6 six night shifts and feeling like a zombie, I'll be glad to get back to the day shifts next week!
There was time to venture out though. The fine afternoon of 19th, and retiming of the Moorswater empties on Thursday after lunch allowed a "freight fest" at Lostwithiel. The cement and CDAs were juggled expertly by Ryan in the box, whilst hosting the busy GWR services too. There was a time Lostwithiel was regularly stacking freights in both loops, and the sidings. This was mainly clay trains from all over the district bound for Carne Point. The once busy complex at Carne Point now only sees one jumbo train on weekdays. Both freights are pictured - not one, but two revenue earning freights still using four-wheeled vehicles in 2020!
I'm sorry to have to report the imminent end of the cement traffic to Moorswater. Tarmac have pulled the plug on the Aberthaw to Cornwall flow in December, so it's vital to grab the final Wednesday and Thursday trips, weather permitting of course. Ironic as the Colas workings started in December of 2016.
On a particularly grim 20th November, the NMT had special guests top and tailing it in the shape of two standard class 37s. Remarkable that these as built trojans are still in service providing a vital service, still carrying the numbers they were bestowed by BR in 1973. On the return working 37099 led 37254 through St Austell. The sidings have been included on the former Motor rail side, as they are being removed in March 2021. This will leave just the crossover in place for any turnbacks required in the future.
Cheers for now , Craig
There was time to venture out though. The fine afternoon of 19th, and retiming of the Moorswater empties on Thursday after lunch allowed a "freight fest" at Lostwithiel. The cement and CDAs were juggled expertly by Ryan in the box, whilst hosting the busy GWR services too. There was a time Lostwithiel was regularly stacking freights in both loops, and the sidings. This was mainly clay trains from all over the district bound for Carne Point. The once busy complex at Carne Point now only sees one jumbo train on weekdays. Both freights are pictured - not one, but two revenue earning freights still using four-wheeled vehicles in 2020!
I'm sorry to have to report the imminent end of the cement traffic to Moorswater. Tarmac have pulled the plug on the Aberthaw to Cornwall flow in December, so it's vital to grab the final Wednesday and Thursday trips, weather permitting of course. Ironic as the Colas workings started in December of 2016.
On a particularly grim 20th November, the NMT had special guests top and tailing it in the shape of two standard class 37s. Remarkable that these as built trojans are still in service providing a vital service, still carrying the numbers they were bestowed by BR in 1973. On the return working 37099 led 37254 through St Austell. The sidings have been included on the former Motor rail side, as they are being removed in March 2021. This will leave just the crossover in place for any turnbacks required in the future.
Cheers for now , Craig
66093 on CDA's and 70807 on one of the few remaining cement workings. captured just east of Lostwithiel station. 19th November 2020 Copyright Craig Munday
70806 powers the 6C36 seen at Lostwithiel on the 19th November 2020. Copyright Craig Munday
1Q18 37099 leads the test train with 37254 bring up the rear at St Austell. 20th November 2021 Copyright Craig Munday. Apart from the test train this view is particularly interesting as the points leading to the former motorail terminal are clearly in view are scheduled to be removed in March 2021.
Many thanks for your colourful presentation Craig - you were burning the candle at both ends!!! Now take a well earned rest.
No Heat 47's
Clive Smith
Clive Smith
A feature of summers in the days of British Rail was the appearance on passenger trains of class 47/3s which were not fitted with any train heating. Generally known as 'NBs' (no boilers) they were usually to be found throughout the year on freights but would find themselves diagrammed on occasional passenger work during the summer timetable which tended to be from early May until late September even early October. This was fine in sweltering high summer but could be quite chilly on board at the start and finish of the season and indeed on overnight trains.
The three pictures here all show Crewe Diesel depot allocated examples at the time the photos were taken. Because Crewe and Bescot allocated 47s used to travel far and wide across the BR network they were the ones that tended to show up down west along with the small Cardiff allocation. The ones that would bring a frisson of excitement amongst platform spottters and haulage bashers were the 47/s from depots like Toton, Tinsley and in particular Immingham, Thornaby and the exceptionally rare Knottingley depot in the 1970s.The 47/3s from these three depots were tightly operated by their shed rostering clerks in order to work very specific freight flows local to the area and were generally kept on a tight leash and on out-and-back freights. However once in a while they would escape and go wandering to the Devon and Cornwall seaside away from their usual chemical plants, steel works, coal mines and power stations.
A particular favourite in the 1970s was the overnight train from Bradford & Hull returning in the morning from Paignton with the occasional filthy coal dust covered Knottingley example which were spare having the weekend off from MGR duties. That said I recall being at the east end of platform 7 at Plymouth station on the 9th August 1975 and seeing a mucky 47 roll in from Penzance of all places on a London bound train. Following uncoupling it chugged up to the signal on platform 8 revealing itself as uber-rare 47375 much to the delight of the ecstatic spotters there, myself included. I was only fifteen but this was a phenomenal 'cop' and my first one from that depot. Incredibly that 47 still exists having been bought by the freight operator Floyd and exported to Hungary where it still works to this day.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grarobi/42781742871/
Regards
Clive Smith
The three pictures here all show Crewe Diesel depot allocated examples at the time the photos were taken. Because Crewe and Bescot allocated 47s used to travel far and wide across the BR network they were the ones that tended to show up down west along with the small Cardiff allocation. The ones that would bring a frisson of excitement amongst platform spottters and haulage bashers were the 47/s from depots like Toton, Tinsley and in particular Immingham, Thornaby and the exceptionally rare Knottingley depot in the 1970s.The 47/3s from these three depots were tightly operated by their shed rostering clerks in order to work very specific freight flows local to the area and were generally kept on a tight leash and on out-and-back freights. However once in a while they would escape and go wandering to the Devon and Cornwall seaside away from their usual chemical plants, steel works, coal mines and power stations.
A particular favourite in the 1970s was the overnight train from Bradford & Hull returning in the morning from Paignton with the occasional filthy coal dust covered Knottingley example which were spare having the weekend off from MGR duties. That said I recall being at the east end of platform 7 at Plymouth station on the 9th August 1975 and seeing a mucky 47 roll in from Penzance of all places on a London bound train. Following uncoupling it chugged up to the signal on platform 8 revealing itself as uber-rare 47375 much to the delight of the ecstatic spotters there, myself included. I was only fifteen but this was a phenomenal 'cop' and my first one from that depot. Incredibly that 47 still exists having been bought by the freight operator Floyd and exported to Hungary where it still works to this day.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grarobi/42781742871/
Regards
Clive Smith
(1) 47309 sits at platform 6 at Exeter St Davids with the 11.28 Paignton - Manchester Piccadilly on the 19th May 1984. This was the first summer Saturday of the timetable and no-boilered locos were already out working. The National Carriers (NCL) depot by the station was such a fixture of photos here for so many years until it burned down. Now this is the site of the new rolling stock depot. Copyright Clive Smith
(2) 47367 stands at Plymouth working throughout with the Saturday 10.55 Paddington - Newquay on the 6th June 1981. 47367 had its bodyside numbers slightly lower than was normal and was also the last 47 to lose its green-banded livery as late as December 1977. 47367 has been preserved since 2003 and is currently at the Mid Norfolk Railway and owned by the Stratford 47 Group. Copyright Clive Smith.
(3) 47339 approaches Mutley Tunnel with the 09.05 Plymouth - York relief on the 21st June 1982. Copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks Clive for another detailed and informative article.
The Street Tramway demolition continues
Weymouth
John Smerdon
Weymouth
John Smerdon
Despite the lockdown John Smerdon was able to get to Weymouth and bring us pictures of the 'Progress' in the demolition of the towns unique feature. the street tramway. John reports :-
Following on from Guy Vincent’s informative article and photos taken on the 5th November, I have attached several more photos taken yesterday in the sunshine. Work is now taking place between the Ship Inn and the Customs House and involves the destruction and removal of both tracks, so that is slowing progress. The track nearest the water has been hidden from view for many years although a hint of rail could just be seen in a few places where the layer of tarmac had worn thin. No work has taken place from just inside the entrance to Cosens car park, near Debenham’s and along the road as far as the junction with St Mary Street, beside the Royal Oak pub. The section of track under the bridge has not been removed yet, due to high tides creating some flooding. There is some good news!! I was told by one of the workers that the track within Cosens car park is to remain untouched. I suspect that as the track is surrounded by block paving it does not warrant the expense of reinstatement of the surface.
Kind regards, John Smerdon
Following on from Guy Vincent’s informative article and photos taken on the 5th November, I have attached several more photos taken yesterday in the sunshine. Work is now taking place between the Ship Inn and the Customs House and involves the destruction and removal of both tracks, so that is slowing progress. The track nearest the water has been hidden from view for many years although a hint of rail could just be seen in a few places where the layer of tarmac had worn thin. No work has taken place from just inside the entrance to Cosens car park, near Debenham’s and along the road as far as the junction with St Mary Street, beside the Royal Oak pub. The section of track under the bridge has not been removed yet, due to high tides creating some flooding. There is some good news!! I was told by one of the workers that the track within Cosens car park is to remain untouched. I suspect that as the track is surrounded by block paving it does not warrant the expense of reinstatement of the surface.
Kind regards, John Smerdon
Looking south from Cosens car park. Track still in situ 20th November 2020 Copyright John Smerdon. It looks like this is the paved section to be retained.
Looking south towards bridge. 20th November 2020 Copyright John Smerdon
Looking through the bridge, note flood warning signs. 20th November 2020 Copyright John Smerdon
With 'Global Warming' and sea levels rising this could be a big problem for this road and adjacent properties.
Looking north from town bridge, towards the main line. 20th November 2020 Copyright John Smerdon
Looking south from town bridge. 20th November 2020 Copyright John Smerdon. Note that the track beyond here has already been lifted and tarmaced over.
Beside George pub one track became two. 20th November 2020 Copyright John Smerdon
Track nearest to quayside revealed for first time in many years. 20th November 2020 Copyright John Smerdon
Apparently a mix of concrete and rotten wooden sleepers. 20th November 2020 Copyright John Smerdon
Looking north from beside the Customs House. 20th November 2020 Copyright John Smerdon
Looking north again. 20th November 2020 Copyright John Smerdon
The machine poker had been struggling to penetrate concrete to loosen chair. 20th November 2020 Copyright John Smerdon
And finally for this session - Sorting the scrap track and sleepers at the terminus contractors enclosure. 20th November 2020. Copyright John Smerdon.
Many thanks John - for an excellent report. A unique and most interesting feature of Weymouth destroyed.
Big things at
Buckfastleigh
Mike Bramich
Buckfastleigh
Mike Bramich
This photo shows 60009 Union of South Africa in the workshops at Buckfastleigh following an axle or bearing problem whilst running a special to the South West in August 2015. It spent a week there utilising the company’s excellent wheeling services. The loco ran light engine from the main line and was tested on the branch prior to departing on a north bound train the week after completion of the repairs.
Regards Mike Bramwich.
Regards Mike Bramwich.
Many thanks Mike.