Disruption in the Exeter Area Today
David Tozer Roger Winnen
David Tozer Roger Winnen
Workman lastnight uncovered a large World War 2 bomb 2.5 metres long near St David's Station, resulting in many delays and cancellations to passenger services and the evacuation of over 2000 thousand people from their homes.
Many trains from the South West were cancelled at Exeter St David's or a limited number re routed via the former Southern line to Yeovil Junction, Yeovil Pen Mill and Castle Cary, the Barnstaple service ran to and from Crediton. SWR services that ran to Exeter terminated in the bay platform at Central Station and returned from here. The stabling point for SWR services in New Yard would have been within the exclusion zone.
Of note Keith Turley's photograph of the 1A88 is the train that became involved in an operating incident at Yeovil Junction with the down 1C84 from Paddington.
The length of 9/10 car IEP's means that they cannot pass each other at Honiton loop and in the platforms at Yeovil Junction. The rear of both trains would foul the points, hence the issue. Axminster and Chard loops are the only ones suitable to pass 9/10 car IEP's.
If you refer to the proposals for additional infrastructure West of Salisbury in Network Rail's report last year, these are two locations that were proposed to have sections of line extended.
Looking at Realtime Trains this evening, 17 trains were cancelled today.
We need the former Southern Line doubled to cope with this sort of situation which is getting more frequent over the years.
Many trains from the South West were cancelled at Exeter St David's or a limited number re routed via the former Southern line to Yeovil Junction, Yeovil Pen Mill and Castle Cary, the Barnstaple service ran to and from Crediton. SWR services that ran to Exeter terminated in the bay platform at Central Station and returned from here. The stabling point for SWR services in New Yard would have been within the exclusion zone.
Of note Keith Turley's photograph of the 1A88 is the train that became involved in an operating incident at Yeovil Junction with the down 1C84 from Paddington.
The length of 9/10 car IEP's means that they cannot pass each other at Honiton loop and in the platforms at Yeovil Junction. The rear of both trains would foul the points, hence the issue. Axminster and Chard loops are the only ones suitable to pass 9/10 car IEP's.
If you refer to the proposals for additional infrastructure West of Salisbury in Network Rail's report last year, these are two locations that were proposed to have sections of line extended.
Looking at Realtime Trains this evening, 17 trains were cancelled today.
We need the former Southern Line doubled to cope with this sort of situation which is getting more frequent over the years.
The first diverted GWR service the 0612 Penzance to Paddington. Taken at Exhibition Way. Copyright David Tozer
Thanks David for your updates
Penzance/Marazion
Andrew Triggs
Andrew Triggs
Two shots from this morning for CRS of 1C50 23.45 London Paddington-Penzance 'Night Riviera' arrival at Penzance Copyright Andrew Triggs
1A82 09.15 Penzance-London Paddington 9 car IET passing Marazion, seems like an eternity since I've been able to photograph our railway, Driver for both services being Laira's Nick Dyke Copyright Andrew Triggs
Nice to have you back Andrew! Out on exercise
Paignton South
Paul Barlow
Paul Barlow
There are a few witnesses as 45045 Coldstream Guardsman takes the ECS train to form the 14.38 Paignton to Leeds 1E70 from Goodrington to Paignton station. Seen here at Paignton South Crossing on the 23rd June 1981 Copyright Paul Barlow
Many thanks Paul.
Future engineering work
Bridging the gap
Craig Munday
Bridging the gap
Craig Munday
With all the forthcoming bridge replacements in the pipeline, I have been fortunate to see some of the work in prospect.
The Trewoon bridge replacement is first, starting this weekend. A week long complete blockade will see some track renewals as well as the replacement of the bridge over the A3058 at Trewoon near Burngullow. The replacement structure is located about 500 yards from site in the Bungullow complex, ready to be carefully transported to site.
The replacement of the Lostwithiel bridge is due later in March, an overview of the area shows the afternoon clay departing with the construction site and small crane visible on the downside of the mainline. It is actually the up side bridge which is up for renewal, requiring a second massive crane to effect the replacement.
All the best, Craig Munday.
The Trewoon bridge replacement is first, starting this weekend. A week long complete blockade will see some track renewals as well as the replacement of the bridge over the A3058 at Trewoon near Burngullow. The replacement structure is located about 500 yards from site in the Bungullow complex, ready to be carefully transported to site.
The replacement of the Lostwithiel bridge is due later in March, an overview of the area shows the afternoon clay departing with the construction site and small crane visible on the downside of the mainline. It is actually the up side bridge which is up for renewal, requiring a second massive crane to effect the replacement.
All the best, Craig Munday.
Trewoon bridge site at Burngullow. 26th February 2021. Copyright Craig Munday
Trewoon bridge site at Burngullow. 26th February 2021. Copyright Craig Munday
Lostwithiel the bridge due for replacement soon. 25th February 2021. Copyright Craig Munday
66150 at the site of the bridge due for renewal at Lostwithiel. The train is the 6P24. Seen on the 26th February 2021. Copyright Craig Munday
Many thanks for your report Craig - exciting things to come.
Looking for drawings
Petrockstowe
Laurence Grant
Petrockstowe
Laurence Grant
Laurence writes :- I wonder if you can help me. I am looking for drawings of Petrockstow station esp the station buildings. I gather from the Irwell book, 'Rails to Torrington' that Hole and Hatherleigh were the same. If you are able to suggest where I might find such drawings I would be very grateful.
Many thanks. ldg
Many thanks. ldg
A view of Petrockstowe taken by the late Sid Sponheimer, 27th February 1965.
The above picture was taken 56 years ago today. Hope you are lucky.