Laira the position as of today 24th July 2023
Trevor Tremethick
Trevor Tremethick
Good evening Keith and Roger
A walk down to Embankment Road late afternoon today revealed the following:
GWR 43186 Taunton Castle and XC 43285 on the sidings. 43093 Berkeley Castle which had been there for some time and which I photographed on my last visit (14 June) was not in evidence but may have been moved elsewhere on site. XC 43303 and GWR 43097 Castle Drogo (with 43009 Nunney Castle on the other end) being serviced.
A contact tells me that there are seven sets still operating, with two in reserve at any one time. It appears this will be reduced to three sets in September. Confirmation would be welcome.
A walk down to Embankment Road late afternoon today revealed the following:
GWR 43186 Taunton Castle and XC 43285 on the sidings. 43093 Berkeley Castle which had been there for some time and which I photographed on my last visit (14 June) was not in evidence but may have been moved elsewhere on site. XC 43303 and GWR 43097 Castle Drogo (with 43009 Nunney Castle on the other end) being serviced.
A contact tells me that there are seven sets still operating, with two in reserve at any one time. It appears this will be reduced to three sets in September. Confirmation would be welcome.
43285 in Laira Sidings 24.07.2023. IET passing on up main. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
43186 Taunton Castle and XC 43285 in Laira Sidings 24.07.2023. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
43009 Nunney Castle at Laira 24.07.2023. Copyright Trevor Tremethick-1
Laira 24.07.2023. 43097 Castle Drogo and XC 43303. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
Many Thanks Trevor for keeping us updated for Laira Depot
Best Wishes from Keith & Roger
Best Wishes from Keith & Roger
Future traffic
Sand at Par
David Ive
Sand at Par
David Ive
Please see, attached, my image of Colas 70811 on 6Z57 Burngullow Junction to Exeter Riverside sand train on Thursday morning. I trust that it is of interest and use. I echo other's comments with respect to hoping it becomes a regular runner. If it does, maybe we can hope for a 56 one day!
Best wishes, David Ive http://djipix.com
Best wishes, David Ive http://djipix.com
70811 passes through Par on thw 20th July 2023. Copyright David Ive.
And so say all of us - many thanks David.
Bath Green Park
Chris Osment and Guy Vincent
Chris Osment and Guy Vincent
Chris Osment writes - There were two parallel, but separate, double-track rail bridges across the River Avon into Bath (Green Park) station. The upstream (southern) bridge remains and has been converted into a road for access to the car-park. The deck was removed from the downstream (northern) bridge and replaced by a narrower pedestrian bridge - the unused parts of the original pillars are still visible in the rivers.
When the railway area was redeveloped four new roads were created and giving names associated with the railway. A large 'gyratory' system (which still exists) on the Lower Bristol Road became 'Pines Way', whilst the feeder road into the old railway site became 'Ivo Peters Road' (after the well-known railway photographer). Two internal site roads were named 'Stanier Road' and 'Beale Way' (after the well-known S&D driver).
Subsequent alterations within the site resulted in the loss of both the latter roads, although the 'Stanier Road' name seems to persist in some references. Apparently Donald Beale's widow complained that the 'memorial' to her late husband had been obliterated without any consultation or respect of his memory, so subsequently the name has been re-applied to a new riverside path behind the site of the old engine shed, although it is hard to spot.
Regards
Chris
When the railway area was redeveloped four new roads were created and giving names associated with the railway. A large 'gyratory' system (which still exists) on the Lower Bristol Road became 'Pines Way', whilst the feeder road into the old railway site became 'Ivo Peters Road' (after the well-known railway photographer). Two internal site roads were named 'Stanier Road' and 'Beale Way' (after the well-known S&D driver).
Subsequent alterations within the site resulted in the loss of both the latter roads, although the 'Stanier Road' name seems to persist in some references. Apparently Donald Beale's widow complained that the 'memorial' to her late husband had been obliterated without any consultation or respect of his memory, so subsequently the name has been re-applied to a new riverside path behind the site of the old engine shed, although it is hard to spot.
Regards
Chris
Guy Vincent writes - Here are three photos from May 2020 of the former Midland Railway lattice pattern bridge at the entrance to Bath Green Park station, referred to by Mike Roach in the latest instalment of his excellent series covering the year 1962. The bridge now takes Stanier Road into Sainsbury's car park. There were originally two identical spans side by side but post closure the northern one was removed and later replaced by the modern pedestrian footbrige that can be seen in pictures 2 and 3.
Lastly, a photo taken inside Green Park station on 6th March 2006 when preserved S&D loco, 7F 2-8-0 no 53809, was on display during a week-long event marking 40 years since closure of the Somerset and Dorset railway. This was the engine involved in the 1929 accident at Bath Junction after the crew became incapacitated by fumes inside Combe Down tunnel, and was based at Bath Green Park shed for its entire career. See feature elsewhere on this site.
Guy Vincent
Lastly, a photo taken inside Green Park station on 6th March 2006 when preserved S&D loco, 7F 2-8-0 no 53809, was on display during a week-long event marking 40 years since closure of the Somerset and Dorset railway. This was the engine involved in the 1929 accident at Bath Junction after the crew became incapacitated by fumes inside Combe Down tunnel, and was based at Bath Green Park shed for its entire career. See feature elsewhere on this site.
Guy Vincent
Bath Green Park former Midland Railway bridge from South. 8th May 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent
Bath Green Park former Midland Railway Bridge looking East 25th May 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent
Bath Green Park former Midland Railway bridge looking west 25th May 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent
Bath Green Park S&D 89 (53809) 6th March 2006. Copyright Guy Vincent.
With many thanks for your most interesting replies to both Chris and Guy - very well done - your time and trouble is much appreciated.