Highbridge
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
Roger stands on the east north end of the up platform at Highbridge to witness Class 118 DMU B460 (Probably formed of 51302, 59461 and 51317) depart for Bristol Temple Meads. This location was very unusual in that until the closure of the Somerset and Dorset there was a flat railway crossing right here under this bridge. The S & D going to Burnham on Sea to the left and Bournemouth to the right. The S & D station was to the right. The hill just two miles distant is Brent Knoll it is 449' high. The date in the 29th March 1978. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Highbridge again as a class 47 arrives with the 16.19 from Bristol. The date is again the 29th March 1978. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Many thanks Roger.
Highbridge
The late Sid Sponheimer
The late Sid Sponheimer
We remember our late friend and website supporter Sid Sponheimer with this picture of his taken at Highbridge.
This time a D800 Warship on a service to Bristol Temple Meads runs through at speed. There were two crossovers on both the up and down main lines one pair, as seen, the other pair allowing S & D trains to head direct towards Burnham on Sea. The date 4th June 1965. Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
A further note from Roy Hart for which many thanks. The S and D crossing over the Great Western main line leading to Burnham was removed a month before Sid's photograph. The debris can be seen. The old crossing was replaced by a new one (as seen in the picture) leading from the S and D to Highbridge (GW) goods yard. All of this was removed just prior to the completion of the Bristol MAS scheme, in 1971.
Many thanks to Sid.
Hawkeridge Jct.
Ron Kosys
Ron Kosys
33103 is seen at Hawkeridge Jct. with a service from Brighton. It's the 22nd April 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys
Many thanks Ron.
Class 56 to be locked in for the Okehampton work
Alan Peters
Alan Peters
Alan writes - The original plan was for Network Rail to overhaul the 08 to haul the NTC (New Track Construction) and sleeper wagons, indeed Network Rail had planned to take the 08 by road to Laira for overhaul by GWR but the weight of the sleeper train on the inclines would be too much for the little 08 so now the plan is for Network Rail to hire a Colas 56 for the job which will be 'locked in' for several weeks to relay the line. I am planning to return for this as a phased return to work being local, so fingers crossed and watch this space. Unfortunately with me being off one of the ballast stockpile trains had to be cancelled resulting in something like 30 lorries being used.
The Railway Heritage Trust will be keeping the station to it's 1950's look where possible as they have visited Crediton and Barnstaple to see other examples of Southern stations as new lighting, cctv, ticket machines, passenger information screens and bike racks will be needed to modern standards. The car park will be resurfaced and bus turning circle so buses will call at the station and of course at a later date Okehampton Parkway will be built by the industrial estate just off the A30.
Hope this helps, Alan Peters.
The Railway Heritage Trust will be keeping the station to it's 1950's look where possible as they have visited Crediton and Barnstaple to see other examples of Southern stations as new lighting, cctv, ticket machines, passenger information screens and bike racks will be needed to modern standards. The car park will be resurfaced and bus turning circle so buses will call at the station and of course at a later date Okehampton Parkway will be built by the industrial estate just off the A30.
Hope this helps, Alan Peters.
Many thanks to Alan for keeping us up dated with the plans and progress,all wish you well Allan, with a speedy return to work in the near future. Meantime take care.