21ST October 2018

Hot News!!

Pictures of the Newton Abbot Fire
Taken from a down train.
by Kevin Jenkin

Many thanks to Kevin for being 'quick on the shutter'.

Newton Abbot Fire - taken at 16.50 as the train ran into the station. 21st October 2018 Copyright Kevin Jenkin

No doubt where we are!! 21st October 2018. Copyright Kevin Jenkin

Newton Abbot Fire 16.53 21st October 2018 Copyright Kevin Jenkin

Newton Abbot Fire 16.53 21st October 2018 Copyright Kevin Jenkin

Newton Abbot Fire. The rather tatty David and Charles Building seems to have survived unscathed. . 21st October 2018 Copyright Kevin Jenkin

A Huge Fire in Newton Abbot this afternoon
Roger Winnen

Latest Report see :- 
​https://www.devonlive.com/news/local-news/live-updates-huge-fire-breaks-2131796

Firefighters from across Devon has been tackling a large blaze near to Newton Abbot Railway Station.  The building had been a  Historic Victorian Carriage and Repair Shed built in 1891/1893 as a GWR Reconstruction of Newton Abbot Railway Works.  It was hoped that despite opposition from the local action group not to demolish it a save it for the towns railway heritage. Aldi after a long legal battle won the argument to build a new superstore on the site.
I visited the area yesterday afternoon after travelling up from Penzance and purchasing a Devon Rover Ticket.
Alongside stood the former David & Charles building much ransacked, what would David St Thomas and Ivor Hocking have said?
Viewing the building from the Industrial Estate a fire crew was in attendance dealing with a small rubbish fire which they tell me was a frequent occurrence on the site.
                                         It seems that I made it just in time!

181020a The former David & Charles timber building now ransacked stands alongside the former Victorian Carriage shop. Copyright Roger Winnen

181020b Once a hive of activity for David & Charles Book Publishers. Copyright Roger Winnen

181020c Outside passes the Railhead Treatment train returning to Par from Westbury. Copyright Roger Winnen -

181020d The gantry from Newton Abbot Station stands at the entrance to the Brunel Industrial Estate. Copyright Roger Winnen -

181020dd The David & Charles Building with the Fire Brigade in attendance and the Victorian Carriage Shed. Copyright Roger Winnen

181020e The fire Brigade putting away their equipment. Copyright Roger Winnen

181020f Front this angle this building looks in fine shape nearly 100 yds long only to be burned out the following day. Copyright Roger Winnen

This afternoon at
Gwinear Road
Ollie Turrell

Thanks Ollie.

Gwinear Road - A wave from the driver as the 08.00 Padd - Pz Copyright Ollie Turrell 21st October 2018

Gwinear Road -The cloud clears as the 08.00 Paddington - Penzance continues west. Copyright Ollie Turrell 21st October 2018

Clive focuses on
Bittaford
Clive Smith

​
Bittaford is located between Ivybridge and South Brent and is where I have lived for nearly twenty years. Not the first place I choose to take railway photos due to its lack of ideal locations, Ivybridge being my preferred choice. These five are pretty much my entire Bittaford photo file. 
​
Bittaford did once have its own station. To see pictures of it please check the link to Brian Moseley's very interesting and detailed website 'Old Plymouth'
http://www.oldplymouth.uk/Railways-Bittaford%20Platform.htm

Regards,  Clive Smith.
 
Many thanks for your collection and the above highly recommended link. Keep up the good work. I always look out for Bittaford, a charming spot located on a crook in the old A38 where it comes close to the viaduct.

(1) A2 Peppercorn 60532 Blue Peter crosses over Bittaford Viaduct with the Eastern Mayflower tour to Plymouth on the 2nd July 2000. This was taken from a field which now has a large house with garden preventing access to this vantage point. The loco has not steamed since 2002. Copyright Clive Smith

(2) A Merlin liveried HST heads to London Paddington over Bittaford Viaduct in 2000 (date not recorded). This was taken from the end of my road. This view is also not possible now due to a housing development built not long after. Copyright Clive Smith

(3) 67030 passes over Bittaford Viaduct on the 26th April 2009 with the VSOE from Truro to London Victoria. Copyright Clive Smith.

(4) A GWR HST crosses the viaduct with the 13.03 Paddington to Plymouth on the 16th October 2018. Copyright Roger Winnen.

(5) A hike up Western Beacon which overlooks both Ivybridge and Bittaford can produce good results if you have a reasonable camera and a sunny day. A GWR HST can be seen in the distance crossing Bittaford Viaduct with the 09.03 Paddington to Plymouth on the 18th October 2018. The derelict engine shed of the Redlake Tramway can be seen in the foreground. Note the housing development which no prevents the view in picture 2. Copyright Clive Smith

Memories of a Holiday
in Dawlish Warren
Part 2
Roger Salter

The 08.50 Westbury to St Blazey enters Kennaway Tunnel Dawlish on the 8th October 2018 with the RHTT Train. Copyright Roger Salter

The 1C02 06.30 Paddington to Paignton passes Langstone Rock with a new 802 IET. Copyright Roger Salter

The 5Z 46 ECS Move from Plymouth to Exeter following Flying Scotsman visit. Copyright Roger Salter

The 15.50 Exeter to Plymouth passes Eastdon taken with the landowners permission. Copyright Roger Salter

The 1C 78 10.35 Paddington to Plymouth is seen passing Powerham. Copyright Roger Salter

DSC_5783 The 10.21 Paignton to Exmouth calls at Dawlish Warren. This unit 150207 still retains its Northern Rail livery. Copyright Roger Salter

Cardiff
Roger Geach

60033 at Cardiff in an unusual Blue Steel Livery with a coil train. Almost mid-summers day the date is 19th June 1998 Copyright Roger Geach