24th January 2019

Axminster - today
Brian Pibworth

Good Afternoon Keith,

Herewith attached a pic of one of several "Big Reds" which have been on our line this week.

I'm making the most of these runs as I see the diverted Up freight trains are scheduled to pass the Dn "Night Riviera", at Chard Junction, between 2 and 4 oclock in the morning!  This might be stretching my commitment to CRS a bit too far, but you never know.

With kind regards,   Brian
​
     Many thanks Brian 'Gus on' - you're only young once!!

On a mizzly January afternoon DBS 66107, running as 042M, the 1134 Exeter Riverside N.Y. to Westbury Down T.C., drifts through Axminster Station on a test run in advance of planned diversions in February and March 2019. The LSWR "Mock Gothic" buildings are largely intact and as well as usual station facilities, accommodate a base for on-train caterers. In the background is the new overbridge built to house passenger lifts. It's 12.27 on 24th January 2019. Copyright Brian Pibworth.

Rattlebrook Peat railway
By Mick House.

This is a follow up to the article given to us by Andrew Jones and put on this site on 20th September 2018.
All that is know about the Rattlebrook picture below is that it was given to us by David Ellis who received it from Paul Rendell, he in turn received it from a now deceased donor.
If anybody has any information and or photographs of the Rattlebrook Peat railway, they would be gratefully received.
My thanks to Andrew Jones, David Ellis and Paul Rendell.

Rattlebrook Peat railway. Peat loading into a Hudson V skip. Copyright not fully established

Footbridge Notes
& Comparisons
Guy Vincent

The recent feature regarding the imminent removal of the original GWR footbridge from St Austell station caught my eye and, although regrettable it is good to learn that the bridge is to see further use on the Helston Railway.   The St Austell bridge dates from 1882 and fortunately retains the old GWR monogram and scrolled date that was relentlessly hacked away from many other similar structures as part of British Rail's modernisation programme in the 1960s and 1970s.   Maybe the gang responsible for this pointless atrocity never reached Cornwall?

Similar bridges to the St Austell example still survive in daily use at Warminster and Upwey stations and in a Victorian suburb of Trowbridge where a public footpath crosses the line.  The first two have long since lost their ornate GWR identities (and roofs) although it is sometimes possible to see the outline of the missing metalwork, especially after overnight frost.  The Trowbridge example has remnants of the date left (188?) plus the outline of the GWR monogram.  A fresh coat of paint (highly unlikely to ever materialise!) will hide this evidence.   Also note the metal cage that was added in 2009 due to repeated acts of vandalism taking place on the bridge.  Finally, an Edwardian view of the structure, taken from the opposite side of the line, when values and general standards in society were far, far higher than those we experience today.  

                 Regards,  Guy Vincent
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​Many thanks indeed Guy for your article and for the excellent illustrations. All very much appreciated.

Upwey GWR Footbridge 14th April 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent

Warminster Footbridge 22nd March 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent

Footbridge Lower Studley Trowbridge 24th September 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent. Note :- This bridge is about three quarters of a mile east of Trowbridge station.

Lower Studley Footbridge, Trowbridge Detail. 24th September 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent

Trowbridge, Lower Studley Railway Footbridge c1905. A charming picture from the Guy Vincent Collection

Newport
Michael Forward

I now send another picture from Newport,the last one from a good day on 19 may 1999,showing 37714 on an unidentified working.
Thanks for dealing with this and great pictures on the site ,as always.
Best wishes, Michael

Thanks Michael

Winnen's Westerns
Paddington
Roger Winnen

Way out of our region but perhaps on its way to Plymouth and Cornwall. D1030 Western Musketeer at Paddington Station. 25th July 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen (Especially for Guy Vincent who rather liked Westerns)

Sounds like a PROBLEM !!

1W33 1622 Paddington to Great Malvern was delayed due to snow in Horn in the Didcot area, believe running at reduced speed to Oxford to terminate, currently 24 late... 1C89 1633 Paddington to Eexter delayed due to snow in horn, delayed at Newbury while horn was cleared, now 17 late at Hungerford 1B59 1646 Paddington to Swansea delayed due to snow in horn at Uffington…   Thanks to Ken Mumford for forwarding this.  Could be a problem down here soon!!