1962 Part 34.
Bath Green Park Shed
Michael L. Roach
Bath Green Park Shed
Michael L. Roach
Bath Green Park Shed
We arrived at Bath Green Park Station at 1.37pm on a local train of three coaches from Templecombe hauled by 75071 which we would soon see on shed. The date was Saturday 30 June 1962, and we departed again at 3.30pm for Bournemouth West. In the meantime we walked out to Bath Shed which was located beside the former Midland line to Mangotsfield roughly half way to Bath Junction where the Somerset and Dorset line started. The shed was on the opposite side of the River Avon to Bath Green Park Station and involved a much longer walk than the rail distance would suggest to reach the entrance to the shed. The shed was coded 22C up to 1950; then 71G to 1958 when transfer to the Western Region made it 82F. There were two separate dead-end sheds of 4 tracks and 2 tracks. The shed closed on 7 March 1966 with the closure of the Somerset and Dorset line. It looks very much to me like the bridge which formerly carried the railway over the River Avon between Bath Green Park Station and Shed has been turned into a road bridge.
The undoubted star of our visit to Bath Green Park Shed was seeing one of the Fowler 7F 2-8-0s number 53808 built in 1925 for the first time as they had a great reputation for haulage of freight trains Monday to Friday and passenger trains on summer Saturdays. Later in the year the Railway Observer reported (October 1962 page 320) that “On the last passenger working of the summer season to be powered by a S&DJR 2-8-0 53808 with the eight coach Exmouth to Cleethorpes had to stop for a blow-up at Shepton Mallet but ran thence to Bath in 40 minutes passing Masbury Summit at 24mph.” Two 7Fs from the second batch of five have been preserved numbers 53808 and 53809. There is much more about both engines on the website preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com
MLR / 10 July 2023
We arrived at Bath Green Park Station at 1.37pm on a local train of three coaches from Templecombe hauled by 75071 which we would soon see on shed. The date was Saturday 30 June 1962, and we departed again at 3.30pm for Bournemouth West. In the meantime we walked out to Bath Shed which was located beside the former Midland line to Mangotsfield roughly half way to Bath Junction where the Somerset and Dorset line started. The shed was on the opposite side of the River Avon to Bath Green Park Station and involved a much longer walk than the rail distance would suggest to reach the entrance to the shed. The shed was coded 22C up to 1950; then 71G to 1958 when transfer to the Western Region made it 82F. There were two separate dead-end sheds of 4 tracks and 2 tracks. The shed closed on 7 March 1966 with the closure of the Somerset and Dorset line. It looks very much to me like the bridge which formerly carried the railway over the River Avon between Bath Green Park Station and Shed has been turned into a road bridge.
The undoubted star of our visit to Bath Green Park Shed was seeing one of the Fowler 7F 2-8-0s number 53808 built in 1925 for the first time as they had a great reputation for haulage of freight trains Monday to Friday and passenger trains on summer Saturdays. Later in the year the Railway Observer reported (October 1962 page 320) that “On the last passenger working of the summer season to be powered by a S&DJR 2-8-0 53808 with the eight coach Exmouth to Cleethorpes had to stop for a blow-up at Shepton Mallet but ran thence to Bath in 40 minutes passing Masbury Summit at 24mph.” Two 7Fs from the second batch of five have been preserved numbers 53808 and 53809. There is much more about both engines on the website preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com
MLR / 10 July 2023
7201 53808 stands out of use on 30 June 1962 at Bath Green Park Shed. This seemed to be a favourite siding to park a 7F while not in use. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
7204 Another view of Fowler 7F number 53808. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
7203 44146 of Bristol Barrow Road stands on the south side of the 2-track wooden shed. Copyright Michael. L. Roach.
7205 A general view of the 4-track stone shed showing left to right 44856, 75027, 73054 and 75071. 44856 was based at 8A Edge Hill, Liverpool. 75027 had an interesting shed history as it started life at Laira Shed, Plymouth for just four months in 1954. Later in 1962 75027 moved to Machynlleth Shed to work trains on the Cambrian. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks for Part 34 - Michael - brings back memories, As you so rightly say the former rail bridge over the River Avon has become the road access bridge for Sainsburys Super Market - going to Google Earth and Street view will reveal some interesting shots taken on that bridge - in the distance one will see the train shed. Looking in the other direction the approach road has been named 'Stanier Road'. During the 57 years since closure (my word is it really that long?) the S & D route has been obliterated by developments, however one can pick up the route clearly where the line crossed the GW at Oldfield Park from whence it forms a 'Linear Park'.
Special Trains in Cornwall last Week including Colas and the Land recovery aggregates train
230720d 66200 Passes the Colas Land reclamation train at Burngullow hauled by 70811. Copyright Craig Munday
230718b 37423 and Caroline passing through Par Station hooting to the signalman. Copyright Craig Munday
Strike day at
Westbury
Driver Alan Peters
Westbury
Driver Alan Peters
Strike day at Westbury. RMT strike day at Westbury on 20th July sees, 166 207 and 166 220 along with other 165/166 units stabled in the sidings alongside recently outshopped DB 66025 20th July 2023. Copyright Driver Alan Peters
An unusual view at Westbury. 70803 stands in the holding sidings. 20th July 2023. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.
A rare survivor from the days when the railway companies made everything! 20th July 2023. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.
Many thanks Alan.
Further info concerning
Chacewater Signalbox
Julian Hanwell
Chacewater Signalbox
Julian Hanwell
Hi Keith.
Yes Roy is right about dating. Pre 65. Any signalling man will notice many of Chasewater's FPLs (levers) now taken out of use are bolted in the reverse position to allow the interlocking to work for main line running signals which suggest the down connection from Truro into Platform 3 now disconnected but the Branch Line still just about operational as a siding.
Good ol Roy. You must send him my best regards !
Julian Hanwell.
Yes Roy is right about dating. Pre 65. Any signalling man will notice many of Chasewater's FPLs (levers) now taken out of use are bolted in the reverse position to allow the interlocking to work for main line running signals which suggest the down connection from Truro into Platform 3 now disconnected but the Branch Line still just about operational as a siding.
Good ol Roy. You must send him my best regards !
Julian Hanwell.
Yes, regards to Roy, and thank you to you.
The 'Curnow Collection'
Chris Bellett
Chris Bellett
Morning Keith/Roger,
Whilst looking for something else I came across this website. Not sure if you have a link to it already?
https://curnowcollection.com/
Take Care,
Chris Bellett, Semi-Retired S&T Engineer. CRS Member
Whilst looking for something else I came across this website. Not sure if you have a link to it already?
https://curnowcollection.com/
Take Care,
Chris Bellett, Semi-Retired S&T Engineer. CRS Member
Thanks for the reminder Chris.