24th October 2020

A charming scene at
Crofton
Roger Geach

59004 seen here at Crofton obviously with power on climbing the bank towards Savernake with the Allington to Whatey empties. Wednesday 14th June 2017. Copyright Roger Geach. On the Kennet and Avon canal the skipper of the barge patiently waits while his mate goes to close the second gate - oh happy days.

Brings back pleasant memories of canal holidays - many thanks to you Roger.

 Battersby Sequel
Mike Roach

Earlier this week we saw Battersby in extremes of weather. While I was there in the rain I took this photo showing all the trappings of a steam-age railway more than 20 years after steam traction ended in Britain, including a motorised trolley seemingly in good condition and ready for its next task taking men and materials down the line to do some p'way maintenance. This could have been one of the last times
I saw a motorised trolley still ready for use. Does anyone know when they were phased out in favour of road transport ?

Hi Roger It was good to see your additional photos of Battersby, and you certainly had better weather than we did. In this picture is the row of terraced houses built by the NER for the railwaymen who had to live in this isolated settlement; although I doubt whether the present residents consider themselves isolated, because they would need and have cars. Herewith a few more of my photos of the station. Regards Mike

Many Thanks Mike

Whats going on at
Swilly's bridge embankment?
Chris Finan

​This embankment sits towards the edge of the area of North Prospect currently under regeneration, and I am wondering if it this vegetation clearing is for aesthetic purposes, or if the new housing will encroach further, or replace what is one of the few remaining original remains of the old line in Plymouth.

 These pics were taken this morning - 17th October 2020.
Picture 1 & 5 are taken from North Down Crescent, showing where the line would have passed, between Ford station (just under a mile or so away) right of the picture and Camel’s Head left of the picture.
Picture 2  is taken pretty much on or near to the trackbed facing in the direction of Ford station, with the Biddick Drive red brick houses occupying what would have been the embankment the other side of Wolseley Road, with Picture 3 looking in the direction of Camel’s Head
Picture 4 is taken from the other side of Wolseley Road from Biddick Drive, showing roughly where Swilly Bridge (as I believe it was affectionately named) would have crossed the main road in the direction of Camel’s Head.
​Regards Chris Finan.

Location map of Swilly bridge - Southern to St Budeaux and Okehampton and Waterloo to the left. To the right the Southern towards Plymouth. Map courtesy National Library of Scotland.

1 Swilly Bridge Crescent showing where the line would have passed, between Ford station (just under a mile or so away) right of the picture and Camel’s Head. 17th October 2020. Copyright Chris Finan.

2 Near to the trackbed facing in the direction of Ford station, with the Biddick Drive red brick houses occupying what would have been the embankment the other side of Wolseley. 17th October 2020. Copyright Chris Finan.

3 Looking in the direction of Camel’s Head. 17th October 2020. Copyright Chris Finan.

4 Wolseley Road from Biddick Drive, showing roughly where Swilly Bridge (as I believe it was affectionately named) would have crossed the main road in the direction of Camel Head Halt. 17th October 2020. Copyright Chris Finan.

5 Swilly Bridge Crescent showing where the line would have passed, between Ford station (just under a mile or so away) right of the picture and Camel’s Head left of the picture. 17th October 2020. Copyright Chris Finan.

Swilly Bridge St Budeaux - viewed from Camels Head side looking towards Plymouth Copyright the late Sid Sponheimer

Didn’t know if any of your contributors were aware of the vegetation being cleared, or what the plans might be for the area where the old line occupied?  Thanks. Chris Finan

Many thanks Chris.
​

60's rural scenes around
Roche
Dave Antony

Don't know if anyone might have sent these in before....

Generally they show a large, what we would call, regeneration, in and around the village of Roche, but in the first, at about 5min 30 in, it does include some shots of Roche station showing what appears to be the decommissioning of the signal box.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=777159825688891

...and in the second, one reason for the remodelling of the roads through the village become apparent when the A30 traffic is diverted so the bridge over the Newquay line can be replaced,  at about 
9mins 40.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=777168889021318

Cheers,  Dave Anthony 

Many thanks for the links Dave, little railway other than glimpses of a heritage set at Roche station, but interesting use of earth moving machines before the arrival of the JCB.
​

A new venue
Pendomer
Bill Elston

Hi Keith,
 I was over at Kit Hill, Pendomer today. This is a new location for me, being approximately midway between Crewkerne and Yeovil Jct; a good spot now that the vegetation
has recently been cut back.
Photos 1 and 2, show train 1L40, Exeter – W’loo led by 159104 with 158882, both still in SWT livery.
Photos 3and 4   show  1L21  W’loo – Exeter,  led 159002 with 159102.
Photos 5 and 6  shows Network Rail’s NMT, led by 43062, with 43013
Photo  7 shows location details.
 
Hope they are of interest, Stay safe,  Bill  Elston

159104 leading the 11.40 Exeter to Waterloo 22nd October 2020 Copyright Bill Elston

158882 on the rear of 11.40 Exeter to Waterloo 22nd October 2020 Copyright Bill Elston

The sun is out - 159002 leading the 11.21 Waterloo to Exeter 22nd October 2020 Copyright Bill Elston

159102 bringing up the rear of the 11.21 Waterloo to Exeter 22nd October 2020 Copyright Bill Elston

43062 leads the NMT 22nd October 2020 Copyright Bill Elston

Brings up the rear of the NMT 22nd October 2020 Copyright Bill Elston

Many thanks for an excellent collection Bill, steam will look nice here, if some comes before the grass grows!! Copyright Bill Elston.

Many thanks Bill.
​

Gems from
Lostwithiel
​ Terry Baker

Hi Keith
A couple more photos, this time taken by my father Terry Baker in a gloomy 1977 summer.
1 46026 The Leicestershire & Derbyshire Yeomanry arrives with a set of clay hoods, At the time the somewhat dilapidated fence felt more important to record than the train
2 46002 descends into Lostwithiel from par with loaded clay hoods, taken from inside the old goods shed harking back to days when access to railway land was a lot more unrestricted.
Kind Regards, Martin Baker

Lostwithiel 1977A 46026 The Leicestershire & Derbyshire Yeomanry arrives with a set of clay hoods. Copyright Terry Baker

Lostwithiel 1977B Peak 46002 descends into Lostwithiel from Par with loaded clay hoods, taken from inside the old goods shed. Copyright Terry Baker.

Many thanks Martin.
​