NINETEEN SIXTY TWO – PART 76
Anniversary of the Beeching Report - Part 1
Michael L. Roach
In a few days time it will be the 61st anniversary of the Beeching Report being published recommending mass closures of railway routes, including branch lines, secondary lines, duplicate routes and individual stations on lines to be retained. There was a lot of hostility towards the man and his Report, but even enthusiasts would have agreed that some pruning was necessary, but did it go too far? There have been a lot of changes since the report was published with much more road traffic and traffic jams, greater population and many more houses in some towns that lost their railway station. Fortunately all political parties seem to be agreed on the benefits of providing a rail passenger service as an alternative to road travel, because in most cases it is the only real alternative unless you happen to have a tram route or a private helicopter.
In 1952 the well-known South Devon railway enthusiast R.P. Walford suggested to the management committee of the RCTS that the Society should collate and print a list of passenger routes closed each year. The first list appeared in the Railway Observer for March 1953 exactly 10 years before the Beeching Report was published. The list covered the period 1 January to 31 December 1952. Rail closures had started 100 years earlier but gathered speed in the 1920s due to the advent of the motor bus with closures such as St. Blazey to Fowey in July 1929 and Plymstock to Yealmpton in July 1930. Even so I was quite surprised by the number of lines closed to passengers in 1952 including some in the West Country, such as the Abbotsbury Branch, the Bridgwater North Branch, and Weymouth to Easton on Portland Bill. The full list of closures is shown in the first scan from which it can be seen, that in most cases, the route was closed to passengers only and goods trains continued to run at first.
In 1952 a long list of steam engine classes became extinct as the last examples were withdrawn. This list appeared in the RO the following month, April and appears as the second scan. Here it will be observed that there is not a single example of a Great Western class of engine becoming extinct in 1952. With thanks to the Railway Correspondence and Travel Society for permission to use these lists.
In 1952 the well-known South Devon railway enthusiast R.P. Walford suggested to the management committee of the RCTS that the Society should collate and print a list of passenger routes closed each year. The first list appeared in the Railway Observer for March 1953 exactly 10 years before the Beeching Report was published. The list covered the period 1 January to 31 December 1952. Rail closures had started 100 years earlier but gathered speed in the 1920s due to the advent of the motor bus with closures such as St. Blazey to Fowey in July 1929 and Plymstock to Yealmpton in July 1930. Even so I was quite surprised by the number of lines closed to passengers in 1952 including some in the West Country, such as the Abbotsbury Branch, the Bridgwater North Branch, and Weymouth to Easton on Portland Bill. The full list of closures is shown in the first scan from which it can be seen, that in most cases, the route was closed to passengers only and goods trains continued to run at first.
In 1952 a long list of steam engine classes became extinct as the last examples were withdrawn. This list appeared in the RO the following month, April and appears as the second scan. Here it will be observed that there is not a single example of a Great Western class of engine becoming extinct in 1952. With thanks to the Railway Correspondence and Travel Society for permission to use these lists.
List of Lines Closed in 1952. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
List of steam engine classes which became extinct in 1952. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Our thanks to you as always, Michael, for preparing this article and sharing it with us.
To read more of Michaels articles, please click here.
To read more of Michaels articles, please click here.
An invitation to visit The Night Riviera at Penzance
A GWR Open Day
Roger Winnen
A GWR Open Day
Roger Winnen
240321b 57603 Backs in the Night Riviera for an open day to be held in Penzance Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
240321c The staff gathered around prior to the official opening. Copyright Roger Winnen
240321d The signs are up to welcome the general public. Copyright Roger Winnen
240321e A visit to the station lounge where the Nameplate of St Michaels Mount is on show. Copyright Roger Winnen
240321f Awaiting departure on the 10.20 to Bodmin Parkway I was able to photogragh 57603 through the IET window. Copyright Roger Winnen
An update from Swindon
Colin Pidgeon
37884 on 5Q96 Newport Docks to Northampton TC Up Sidings with 321440 for conversion to a parcels unit. 21.03.2024, Copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Unit 321440 heads to Northampton TC Up Sidings for conversion to a parcels unit. 21.03.2024, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
59201 & 66538 on 7B12 Merehead to Wootton Bassett before & after running round at Swindon. 59201 was on trial. 21.03.2024, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
After running around, 66538 leads 59201 back through Swindon working to Wootton Bassett. 21.03.2024, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks Colin, interesting to read of the unit being converted into a parcels unit. If only we could have some of those back down here!
A Visit to the Bodmin Railway
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
240321g Many hands make light work on the Bodmin & Wenford at Parkway Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
240321h On arrival at Bodmin General I was welcomed by Jimmy James who gave me a tour of the station. Many thanks Jimmy.
240321i The Bodmin Engineering train stands in the yard with its van painted a brilliant red. Copyright Roger Winnen
240321j The O8 is attached to the train for a run down to Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Winnen
240321k Alongside the )8 is the Auto Coach which will soon be off to the West Somerset Railway. Copyright Roger Winnen
240321l Also being sold to The West Somerset Railway is 6435. Copyright Roger Winnen
240321m 5552 arrives from Bodmin Parkway on a service train. Copyright Roger Winnen
240321n An IET passes the shed at Bodmin Parkway with workman carrying out special duties. Copyright Roger Winnen
240321o The engineering train now at Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Winnen
240321p Bodmin Parkway with the engineering train. Copyright Roger Winnen
240321q Tools to do the job on the railway. Copyright Roger Winnen