The Finale
'Last Train to Torrington'
Keith Gale
'Last Train to Torrington'
Keith Gale
Hi Roger
I have been following the interesting discussions about the final few trains to Torrington on the website which mentions the trains in 1982. I did actually photograph what was probably the last train in 1983. As part of an attempt to revive the line and gain political approval there was a special train of dignitaries who travelled on TDB975023 (single car unit) which worked a special to Torrington and back conveying the Devon Euro MP Lord O'Hagan, members of the Committee of the North Devon Railway Line Development Group and local government officials. This happened on 27 January 1983. I attach a couple of photographs as proof!
kind regards Keith Gale
I have been following the interesting discussions about the final few trains to Torrington on the website which mentions the trains in 1982. I did actually photograph what was probably the last train in 1983. As part of an attempt to revive the line and gain political approval there was a special train of dignitaries who travelled on TDB975023 (single car unit) which worked a special to Torrington and back conveying the Devon Euro MP Lord O'Hagan, members of the Committee of the North Devon Railway Line Development Group and local government officials. This happened on 27 January 1983. I attach a couple of photographs as proof!
kind regards Keith Gale
TDB 975023 at Torrington on 26th January 1983. Copyright Keith Gale
TDB 975023 at Fremington on 26th January 1983. Copyright Keith Gale
Many Thanks Keith
__________________________________________________
For a lot more history and photographs etc on Torrington station please click below.
http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/t/torrington/www.disused-stations.org.uk/t/torrington/
Also the question arises will this really be the last ever train to Torrington - the Tarka Valley Railway have an active base here and have laid in some track and keep stock at this location. Their eventual aim is to restore the line between Torrington and Bideford. So perhaps this wasn't the last train to Torrington??!!
_________________________________________________________
For a lot more history and photographs etc on Torrington station please click below.
http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/t/torrington/www.disused-stations.org.uk/t/torrington/
Also the question arises will this really be the last ever train to Torrington - the Tarka Valley Railway have an active base here and have laid in some track and keep stock at this location. Their eventual aim is to restore the line between Torrington and Bideford. So perhaps this wasn't the last train to Torrington??!!
_________________________________________________________
Ready for the off!
David Tozer
David Tozer
Roger, I have had a wander around Exmouth Junction. Sadly very few vantage points to see the engineering work next week.
150216 and 143603(with wheel flats) pass Polsloe Bridge with the 1154 Paignton to Exmouth.
The view towards Exmouth Junction from Polsloe Bridge platform.Will this change next week?
Three photos of the materials now at Exmouth Junction ready for the blockade next week. Dave
150216 and 143603(with wheel flats) pass Polsloe Bridge with the 1154 Paignton to Exmouth.
The view towards Exmouth Junction from Polsloe Bridge platform.Will this change next week?
Three photos of the materials now at Exmouth Junction ready for the blockade next week. Dave
150216 and 143603(with wheel flats) pass Polsloe Bridge with the 1154 Paignton to Exmouth. Copyright David Tozer
Materials now at Exmouth Junction ready for the blockade next week. Copyright David Tozer
Materials now at Exmouth Junction ready for the blockade next week. Copyright David Tozer
Materials now at Exmouth Junction ready for the blockade next week. Copyright David Tozer
The view towards Exmouth Junction from Polsloe Bridge platform.Will this change next week? Copyright David Tozer
Thanks David
The LAST last train to
Torrington
Guy Vincent
Torrington
Guy Vincent
Bristol Temple Meads 6th November 1982 31174 31158 Last Train to Torrington Copyright Guy Vincent
Good afternoon Keith,
We enjoyed looking at Paul Barlow's interesting feature on the 'Last Train Beyond Torrington' that ran on 16th October 1982. Three weeks later on Saturday 6th November I was at Bristol Temple Meads and witnessed the arrival and departure of what the station announcer proclaimed was ''The Last Tain to Torrington''. This was a mammoth 15 coach special hauled by class 31 locos 31174 and 31158. The empty stock was formed up at Malago Vale carriage sidings so it arrived from the west and departed from platform 5 eastwards before travelling over what used to be known as the Bristol Avoiding Line from North Somerset Junction to Bristol West Junction via St Philips Marsh. This tour was organised by British Rail and also appears on the SBJ railtour site. Best regards. Guy Vincent
We enjoyed looking at Paul Barlow's interesting feature on the 'Last Train Beyond Torrington' that ran on 16th October 1982. Three weeks later on Saturday 6th November I was at Bristol Temple Meads and witnessed the arrival and departure of what the station announcer proclaimed was ''The Last Tain to Torrington''. This was a mammoth 15 coach special hauled by class 31 locos 31174 and 31158. The empty stock was formed up at Malago Vale carriage sidings so it arrived from the west and departed from platform 5 eastwards before travelling over what used to be known as the Bristol Avoiding Line from North Somerset Junction to Bristol West Junction via St Philips Marsh. This tour was organised by British Rail and also appears on the SBJ railtour site. Best regards. Guy Vincent
Many thanks Guy
N.B.This railtour is covered more fully in our Diesel Railtours in Cornwall & Devon 1960 to 1989 section
October 13th visit to
Whatley Quarry
Driver Alan Peters
Whatley Quarry
Driver Alan Peters
The RILA train visited Whatley Quarry on 13/10/20, Colas Rail Freight 66850 "David Maidment" with the Fugro Raildata attached made 4 trips between Whatley Quarry and Frome, where 66850 is pictured alongside 66501 which is waiting to depart with a stone train - Alan Peters
Whatley Quarry 66850 David Maidmount 13th October 2020 Copyright Alan Peters
Whatley Quarry 66850 David Maidmount 13th October 2020 Copyright Al Peters
Ex-BR class 08933 in MRL livery draws the next train out of the quarry for departure - 13th October 2020 Copyright Alan Peters
66568 enters the quarry through the diminuative Murdercombe tunnel. 13th October 2020 Copyright Alan Peters.
13th October 2020 Copyright Alan Peters.
Whatley Quarry exit signal W285 worked by Westbury PSB. The diminuative 55yard Murdercombe tunnel beyond. 13th October 2020. Copyright Alan Peters.
Many thanks indeed Alan for these 'inside views'.
Sunset at
Plymouth
Chris Harvey
Plymouth
Chris Harvey
The sun is just a glow in the sky at Plymouth as the 13.35 Paddington to Penzance leaves for Cornwall. 17th October 1998 Copyright Chris Harvey
Many thanks Chris