1962 Part 27
Honiton Bank
Michael L. Roach
On 29 June 1962 I set out by car for the Somerset & Dorset line. The route to Exeter was along the A38 which in 1962 was very different to today's Devon Expressway which is dual carriageway the whole way. The only places to have a bypass in 1962 were Buckfastleigh and Ashburton – both were single carriageway and very necessary and built pre 1939 ? In 1962 the A38 went through the middle of Plympton, Ivybridge, Bittaford, Wrangaton and Chudleigh. At Exeter I turned on to the A30 to Honiton and there on to the A35 which is unchanged to this day as it strikes uphill out of Honiton. After just 2 miles I turned off to the north on a minor road and went down to the Southern main line just to the east of Honiton Tunnel where a road bridge gave a good open view of the double-track in 1962 in contrast to today's tree-lined single-track. It was just over a quarter of a mile to the east end of Honiton Tunnel; and at the west end was the summit of the 7-mile climb of Honiton Bank mostly at a gradient of 1 in 80.
I was on this bridge to see another time-limited named train “The Atlantic Coast Express.” The steam-age ACE outlived the Pines Express by just two years with the last ACE running on 5 September 1964 with the end of the summer timetable. The name Atlantic Coast Express would be revived by First Great Western some 44 years later for a summer only Paddington to Newquay HST-operated train. I saw 3 passenger trains pass before moving on after an hour. The three engines were from three different classes and two different sheds. I returned to this bridge just once on 14 August 1966 to see a railtour come up the bank. Unfortunately the engine disgraced itself by stopping short of steam on the bank; but fortunately for me and the others gathered on the bridge it stopped just in front of us about 100 yards away. The engine was A2 number 60532 “Blue Peter” on a railtour from Waterloo to Exeter and return via Taunton. The train was already running an hour late before it stalled, and the load was just nine coaches.
MLR / 21 June 2023
I was on this bridge to see another time-limited named train “The Atlantic Coast Express.” The steam-age ACE outlived the Pines Express by just two years with the last ACE running on 5 September 1964 with the end of the summer timetable. The name Atlantic Coast Express would be revived by First Great Western some 44 years later for a summer only Paddington to Newquay HST-operated train. I saw 3 passenger trains pass before moving on after an hour. The three engines were from three different classes and two different sheds. I returned to this bridge just once on 14 August 1966 to see a railtour come up the bank. Unfortunately the engine disgraced itself by stopping short of steam on the bank; but fortunately for me and the others gathered on the bridge it stopped just in front of us about 100 yards away. The engine was A2 number 60532 “Blue Peter” on a railtour from Waterloo to Exeter and return via Taunton. The train was already running an hour late before it stalled, and the load was just nine coaches.
MLR / 21 June 2023
7172 It is 1.30pm on Friday 29 June 1962 and Merchant Navy 35014 “Nederland Line” of Nine Elms Shed storms up the 1 in 80 gradient with 12C on the 11.00am from Waterloo; i.e The Atlantic Coast Express. Copuright Michael L. Roach.
7173 Battle of Britain light pacific 34076 “41 Squadron” of Exmouth Junction Shed comes down the gradient from Honiton Tunnel with three coaches and two vans.
7174 Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2 tank 41299 comes up the bank with three coaches on a local train at 2.06pm. The engine had spent its first ten years from new (1951-1961) at Bricklayers Arms before coming to Exmouth Junction 17 months before the picture was taken. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks Michael - we very much look forward to your part 28 as you journey on towards the Somerset and Dorset.
The Seaton Branch
Colin Burges
Colin Burges
Just click on the link below and Colin will take on a very detailed, as usual, report on his visit to the Seaton branch - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
In my ramble along the Seaton Branch, I learnt of the ancient Colyton Feoffees.
https://www.teignrail.co.uk/scouting/82-seaton-branch/
The tramway is a great deal of fun, especially in glorious sunshine. I had a car to myself most of the way to Colyton. All the waiting motorists waved as we crossed the road at Colyford.
Mention of the tramway's project manager who kindly provided a day's entertainment for the Teign Valley some years ago, reminded me of his penchant for big diesel engines. He told me how far he had travelled in the engine room of a Class 50 on the Salisbury line.
Cheers, Colin Burges.
https://www.teignrail.co.uk/scouting/82-seaton-branch/
The tramway is a great deal of fun, especially in glorious sunshine. I had a car to myself most of the way to Colyton. All the waiting motorists waved as we crossed the road at Colyford.
Mention of the tramway's project manager who kindly provided a day's entertainment for the Teign Valley some years ago, reminded me of his penchant for big diesel engines. He told me how far he had travelled in the engine room of a Class 50 on the Salisbury line.
Cheers, Colin Burges.
Many thanks Colin - as usual very good and very interesting.