Watchet Ballast Train
Derek Buttivant
Derek Buttivant
We enjoyed a dry, sunny day in Watchet today and, after a pasty and pint on the harbour-front, took a brief detour via the station where I was surprised to find a three-wagon ballast train standing in the platform. I believe some ballasting had been happening at Doniford where a tamper was in evidence and the train waiting at Watchet would later propel its load of spent ballast back to Williton. Copyright Derek Buttivant.
Many Thanks Derek
Today at Exminster
David Tozer
David Tozer
37688 Great Rocks - at Exminster today on the 0Z40 09.29 Crewe to Laira working. Copyright David Tozer
Many Thanks David
Looe Branch 1961
Michael L. Roach
Michael L. Roach
LOOE BRANCH 1961 – PART 2 Michael L. Roach
Moorswater and Coombe Junction
The summer of 1961 was the last one that the branch trains from Liskeard to Looe would be hauled by a steam locomotive. The train would normally consist of two coaches hauled by a small Prairie tank from St. Blazey Shed. Due to the geography and history of railways in the area a journey from Liskeard to Looe involves the train reversing its direction of travel part way along the route at Coombe Junction. This reversal continues to this day as although the line was down for closure, which was approved by the TUCC, the service was reprieved at the eleventh hour by the then Minister of Transport. Half a mile north of Coombe Junction, at Moorswater, there was a small 2-road engine shed in steam days where the two branch locos spent the night. Moorswater was a sub-shed of St. Blazey Shed. In this short feature we will take a look at this fascinating area between Coombe Junction and Moorswater with its wealth of interesting features starting at the south end and heading north.
In no particular year we could see first the junction of an almost level railway line with a steeply graded line coming down from Liskeard; a river and a canal; a typical Great Western signal box controlling the junction and passing loop alongside which was a small railway halt; a tweed mill which was later used to grade wool, sadly closed in 2021 due to a collapse in the price of wool; a corn mill; the stone piers of Brunel's original timber viaduct of 1859; the later all stone Moorswater Viaduct of 1881 carrying the Cornish main line across the valley; a granite works; Moorswater Station; a small railway yard with a couple of loops/sidings; lime kilns; Moorswater Shed; the trackbed of the Liskeard & Caradon Railway of 1844; and finally the St Neots China Clay works, later used on-an-off for distributing cement brought in by train. All in all a fascinating area with lots to see.
RECOMMENDED READING:
The Liskeard and Looe Branch by Gerry Beale. Wild Swan. ISBN 187410347X
MLR/23 May 2021
Moorswater and Coombe Junction
The summer of 1961 was the last one that the branch trains from Liskeard to Looe would be hauled by a steam locomotive. The train would normally consist of two coaches hauled by a small Prairie tank from St. Blazey Shed. Due to the geography and history of railways in the area a journey from Liskeard to Looe involves the train reversing its direction of travel part way along the route at Coombe Junction. This reversal continues to this day as although the line was down for closure, which was approved by the TUCC, the service was reprieved at the eleventh hour by the then Minister of Transport. Half a mile north of Coombe Junction, at Moorswater, there was a small 2-road engine shed in steam days where the two branch locos spent the night. Moorswater was a sub-shed of St. Blazey Shed. In this short feature we will take a look at this fascinating area between Coombe Junction and Moorswater with its wealth of interesting features starting at the south end and heading north.
In no particular year we could see first the junction of an almost level railway line with a steeply graded line coming down from Liskeard; a river and a canal; a typical Great Western signal box controlling the junction and passing loop alongside which was a small railway halt; a tweed mill which was later used to grade wool, sadly closed in 2021 due to a collapse in the price of wool; a corn mill; the stone piers of Brunel's original timber viaduct of 1859; the later all stone Moorswater Viaduct of 1881 carrying the Cornish main line across the valley; a granite works; Moorswater Station; a small railway yard with a couple of loops/sidings; lime kilns; Moorswater Shed; the trackbed of the Liskeard & Caradon Railway of 1844; and finally the St Neots China Clay works, later used on-an-off for distributing cement brought in by train. All in all a fascinating area with lots to see.
RECOMMENDED READING:
The Liskeard and Looe Branch by Gerry Beale. Wild Swan. ISBN 187410347X
MLR/23 May 2021
The driver of a Looe to Liskeard dmu hands over the red One Train Staff to the signalman at Coombe Junction Box ready to receive the small electric token for the trip up to Liskeard on 5th July 1969. Copyright Michael L Roach.
Small prairie 5531 enters Coombe Junction loop with three coaches on 9th September 1961. Copyright Michael L Roach.
5531 leaves Coombe Junction Halt for Looe. In the background is the magnificent Moorswater Viaduct. Copyright Michael L Roach.
Moorswater Engine Shed seen on 9 September 1961/ Copyright Michael L Roach.
Many thanks indeed Mike - we look forward to your part 3.
The Blue Pullam timings
BLUE PULLMAN
Mick House
BLUE PULLMAN
Mick House
Links below to inbound and outbound Pullman timings for Saturday 29th.
Realtime Trains - 1Z60 0600 Eastleigh to Penzance
Realtime Trains - 1Z60 0600 Eastleigh to PenzanceSwlines Ltd
Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.
Realtime Trains - 1Z62 1600 Penzance to Eastleigh
Realtime Trains - 1Z62 1600 Penzance to EastleighSwlines Ltd
Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.
Realtime Trains - 1Z60 0600 Eastleigh to Penzance
Realtime Trains - 1Z60 0600 Eastleigh to PenzanceSwlines Ltd
Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.
Realtime Trains - 1Z62 1600 Penzance to Eastleigh
Realtime Trains - 1Z62 1600 Penzance to EastleighSwlines Ltd
Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.
Many thanks Mick for sending us the info - photographers please our accept our editing.
An appeal for Woodhams pictures
David Cook
David Cook
Hello Keith,
I trust that you and your family and all CRS members are keeping safe and well.
Since I first contacted the society regarding photographs of 4566 during her working life (1924 - 1962) I have not spent much time seeking out ones that cover the time spent at Barry and the period of the original restoration (August 1970 - June 1975).
Recently, I have acquired photographs taken during her residency in Woodham's scrapyard and her arrival at Kidderminster in a freight train prior to being tripped round to Bewdley.
Other than a few of my own (taken in my late teenage years!) photographs taken during restoration plus a couple of recent additions it is an area which I would like to expand on.
Whilst I did not become involved with 4566 until May 1971 myself I am aware that many photographs were taken whilst the group were working on the engine at Bewdley. My question to CRS members is, "during any visits made to the Severn Valley Railway between 1970 and 1975 did you take any photographs of 4566 which you would consider allowing me to add to my collection"?
As previously mentioned any photographs received are always shown copyright of the photographer or collection owner. I am also happy to meet any realistic costs should this be necessary.
I look forward to hopefully receiving some positive news regarding my request for help. I can be contacted by email at: [email protected] or 07532 302036.
On a separate note your members might be interested in the following details of a railway film I was made aware of recently. It is possible that some may already know of it but if not it is 30 minutes of pure BR Western Region nostalgia and is to be found on the BBC iPlayer website. It is called "Men of Steam" and is well worth watching.
Hope this is of interest.
Best wishes,
David Cook (4566 Group)
I trust that you and your family and all CRS members are keeping safe and well.
Since I first contacted the society regarding photographs of 4566 during her working life (1924 - 1962) I have not spent much time seeking out ones that cover the time spent at Barry and the period of the original restoration (August 1970 - June 1975).
Recently, I have acquired photographs taken during her residency in Woodham's scrapyard and her arrival at Kidderminster in a freight train prior to being tripped round to Bewdley.
Other than a few of my own (taken in my late teenage years!) photographs taken during restoration plus a couple of recent additions it is an area which I would like to expand on.
Whilst I did not become involved with 4566 until May 1971 myself I am aware that many photographs were taken whilst the group were working on the engine at Bewdley. My question to CRS members is, "during any visits made to the Severn Valley Railway between 1970 and 1975 did you take any photographs of 4566 which you would consider allowing me to add to my collection"?
As previously mentioned any photographs received are always shown copyright of the photographer or collection owner. I am also happy to meet any realistic costs should this be necessary.
I look forward to hopefully receiving some positive news regarding my request for help. I can be contacted by email at: [email protected] or 07532 302036.
On a separate note your members might be interested in the following details of a railway film I was made aware of recently. It is possible that some may already know of it but if not it is 30 minutes of pure BR Western Region nostalgia and is to be found on the BBC iPlayer website. It is called "Men of Steam" and is well worth watching.
Hope this is of interest.
Best wishes,
David Cook (4566 Group)
Photograph - one of the Gems of the late John Cornelius. Copyright.
Hello David, Here's wishing you well with your appeal, and also many thanks for the link.
Something a little different unusual gates and posts at
Ashbury Crossing
Ken Mumford
Ashbury Crossing
Ken Mumford
I spent a short time yesterday at a 'new' location south of Ashbury Crossing this afternoon - all I managed to photograph were IET's One through the bars of a gate but the gate was interesting - supported by former railway sleepers on both sides.
Kind regards,
Ken
Kind regards,
Ken
A distant view of an IET near Ashbury Crossing. 21st May 2921, Copyright Ken Mumford.
Near Ashbury Crossing. The gate Ken mentions. 21st May 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford
Ashbury Crossing - the locks, why three one wonders 21st May 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford
Thanks Ken.