1962 Part 35.
Bath Green Park Station
Michael L. Roach
Bath Green Park Station
Michael L. Roach
Bath Green Park Station
Green Park Station was built by the Midland Railway as the terminus of their branch from Mangotsfield and opened to passengers in 1870. The station was designed by the Midland's in-house architect to blend in with the Georgian buildings around it. The origins of the Somerset & Dorset line lay in the Somerset Central Railway opened in 1854 and the Dorset Central Railway opened in 1860. The two railways amalgamated in 1862 under the name Somerset & Dorset Railway with the aim of reaching Bath which was completed and opened in 1874. However the extension had exhausted the company financially and in 1876 the company became the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway owned 50/50 by the Midland Railway and the London and South Western Railway. The aim of the new owners in taking over the S&D was quite specific and well-known and that was to exclude the Great Western Railway from the area. With the Grouping of 1922-23 the ownership transferred to the London, Midland & Scottish and the Southern Railways. The main station buildings and overall roof of Bath Green Park Station survive to this day. The station only ever had two platforms and S&D trains departing for Templecombe and Bournemouth travelled over the former Midland route for the first half mile before diverging on to S&D metals at Bath Junction where the climbing started.
MLR / 14 July 2023
Green Park Station was built by the Midland Railway as the terminus of their branch from Mangotsfield and opened to passengers in 1870. The station was designed by the Midland's in-house architect to blend in with the Georgian buildings around it. The origins of the Somerset & Dorset line lay in the Somerset Central Railway opened in 1854 and the Dorset Central Railway opened in 1860. The two railways amalgamated in 1862 under the name Somerset & Dorset Railway with the aim of reaching Bath which was completed and opened in 1874. However the extension had exhausted the company financially and in 1876 the company became the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway owned 50/50 by the Midland Railway and the London and South Western Railway. The aim of the new owners in taking over the S&D was quite specific and well-known and that was to exclude the Great Western Railway from the area. With the Grouping of 1922-23 the ownership transferred to the London, Midland & Scottish and the Southern Railways. The main station buildings and overall roof of Bath Green Park Station survive to this day. The station only ever had two platforms and S&D trains departing for Templecombe and Bournemouth travelled over the former Midland route for the first half mile before diverging on to S&D metals at Bath Junction where the climbing started.
MLR / 14 July 2023
7206 Crab 42790 is seen at Bath Green Park Station at 2.30pm on Saturday 30 June 1962 on an unidentified train. The engine was based at Saltley Shed and may have arrived overnight on the 10.30pm Sheffield to Bournemouth train. Copyright Michael L. Roach,
7208 A general view of Bath Green Park looking towards the buffers. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks Michael. As usual we look forward to Part 36 of your memories.
HST Movements Today
David Tozer
David Tozer
43251 leads the 0511 1Q18 Reading Triangle Sidings to Penzance. Copyright David Tozer
43016 and 43189 with the amended 0737 2C65 Bristol Parkway to Penzance Copyright David Tozer
Silverton Off to pastures new debranded HST power cars 43158 and 43022 reportedly heading to a new life with the Rail Adventures company along with coaches 49101, 48101,48103 and 48113. The working was the 1059 5Z42 Laira to Kings Norton Ot Plant Dept.
Many Thanks David
re: Movement of redundant Castle Class stock from Laira 28.07.2023
Keith / Roger
It was reported this morning on wnxx.com that the Castle set moved by Rail Adventure Ltd on Friday last (28th July) from Laira to Kings Norton was transferred to the Potter Group storage facility at Ely, Cambs, yesterday (31st). This now places 43022 and 43158 with 43170 which moved there from Laira on 9th June.
Many Thanks to Guy Vincent
Keith / Roger
It was reported this morning on wnxx.com that the Castle set moved by Rail Adventure Ltd on Friday last (28th July) from Laira to Kings Norton was transferred to the Potter Group storage facility at Ely, Cambs, yesterday (31st). This now places 43022 and 43158 with 43170 which moved there from Laira on 9th June.
Many Thanks to Guy Vincent
Trevor Tremethick
Laira HST Situation- Reports of another 4car HST departure for Kings Norton OT Plant Sidings at 10.59 today
Hi Roger
This is about as much as I can get out of it. As usual, the vegetation growth ruins everything. The only clear spot is where the flyover bus shelter is but even that is not long enough for the whole engine. A pity, but at least it is a record.
I’m not normally one to endow trains with personalities a la the Thomas brigade, but there was an element of pathos here, with nameplates and GWR logos gone.
Anyway, here you are. I will try my best to be lineside for the next one.
This is about as much as I can get out of it. As usual, the vegetation growth ruins everything. The only clear spot is where the flyover bus shelter is but even that is not long enough for the whole engine. A pity, but at least it is a record.
I’m not normally one to endow trains with personalities a la the Thomas brigade, but there was an element of pathos here, with nameplates and GWR logos gone.
Anyway, here you are. I will try my best to be lineside for the next one.
5Z42 1059 Laira-Kings Norton OT Plant sidings. 43158 starting to move out of Laira sidings 28.07.2023. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
Nether Stowey Castle bids farewell to its former home, Laira 28.07.2023. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
_Kingswear Castle heads East for its new life ssen at. Laira Jct 28.07.2023. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
43022 takes a final look at the River Plym, Laira Jct 28.07.2023. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
Hi Roger
A couple more from today. A bit ‘samey’ with my limited field of view, but yours if you want them.
This is the train photographed earlier in its journey by David Tozer, the 2C65 0734 Bristol Parkway to Penzance (actually 07.37 from Parkway) passing Laira Jct only a quarter of a minute late. Interesting as the leading engine is Launceston Castle which I had noted on the sidings at Laira back in May and wondered if it had been withdrawn. Obviously not. Powderham Castle brings up the rear.
Good to hear that 43022 / 158 are likely to get a new lease of life. Clearly, I am behind with the news.
A couple more from today. A bit ‘samey’ with my limited field of view, but yours if you want them.
This is the train photographed earlier in its journey by David Tozer, the 2C65 0734 Bristol Parkway to Penzance (actually 07.37 from Parkway) passing Laira Jct only a quarter of a minute late. Interesting as the leading engine is Launceston Castle which I had noted on the sidings at Laira back in May and wondered if it had been withdrawn. Obviously not. Powderham Castle brings up the rear.
Good to hear that 43022 / 158 are likely to get a new lease of life. Clearly, I am behind with the news.
43189 on 2C65 0734 Bristol Parkway to Penzance passing Laira sidings 28.07.2023. Copyright Trevor Tremethick-1
43016 on rear of 2C65 0734 Bristol Parkway to Penzance, Laira, 28.07.2023. Copyright Trevor Tremethick (1)
Many Thanks Trevor for coverage of this farewell event today
Castle Class Miscellany at Laira late July 2023
Guy Vincent
Guy Vincent
re: Trevor Tremethick's interesting photos of activities at Laira depot on Tuesday, the badly faded blue HST power car is 43091 which is being dismantled for spares. The 5L46 0955 Laira - Ely Papworth stock move on Wednesday 26th was formed: 37608 6344 48131 48132 48133 49111 6346. The HST coaches were set GW11 and no power cars were included in the formation this time. As of this week there are seven 'Castle' sets booked to be in use Mon-Fri with two spare sets available. The spares I believe are kept at Laira. Real Time Trains usually shows the daily allocation and the easiest way to find out where they are is to search a station such as St Erth and look at each train's consist. Today (27th) the following were reported to be in use:
43198 & 43097 on set GW16 48148 48147 48146 49116
43042 & 43194 on set GW08 48124 48123 48122 49117
43172 & 43192 on set GW09 48127 48126 48150 49109
43092 & 43154 on set GW14 48142 48141 48140 49114
43094 & 43162 on set GW03 48109 48108 48107 49103
43010 & 43155 on set GW10 48130 48129 48128 49110
43187 & 43027 on set GW06 48118 48117 48149 49106
Some sets have had carriages substituted and are no longer in their original formations.
Guy V
43198 & 43097 on set GW16 48148 48147 48146 49116
43042 & 43194 on set GW08 48124 48123 48122 49117
43172 & 43192 on set GW09 48127 48126 48150 49109
43092 & 43154 on set GW14 48142 48141 48140 49114
43094 & 43162 on set GW03 48109 48108 48107 49103
43010 & 43155 on set GW10 48130 48129 48128 49110
43187 & 43027 on set GW06 48118 48117 48149 49106
Some sets have had carriages substituted and are no longer in their original formations.
Guy V
Many Thanks Guy for all your updated information, Trevor wish to convey his thanks to you for keeping him updated with the HST situation
Castle Class Miscellany at Laira late July 2023
Trevor Tremethick
Trevor Tremethick
Thanks and please do convey my thanks to Guy who has been brilliant keeping us up to date with the HST situation.
Two for you, one focussing on 43091 under the hoist and the other from today being XC 43304 just pulled out this afternoon, presumably for further service. I had hoped it would be either 43022 or 43160, the last two that I need! Never thought I would still be a trainspotter at my age.
Cheers
Trevor
Two for you, one focussing on 43091 under the hoist and the other from today being XC 43304 just pulled out this afternoon, presumably for further service. I had hoped it would be either 43022 or 43160, the last two that I need! Never thought I would still be a trainspotter at my age.
Cheers
Trevor
Copyright Trevor Tremethick
Copyright Trevor Tremethick
Many Thanks Trevor
Paul looks down on the railway world
Drone pictures
Paul Barlow
Drone pictures
Paul Barlow
Paul has brought an exciting new world to our website with his drone pictures taken in his 'Exeter area'.
43303 and 43357 pass Starcross with the 0612 Leeds to Plymouth 26th July 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow
166209 arrives at Exeter St Davids on the 0719 from Paignton to Exmouth 26th July 2023 Copyright Paul Barlow
43154 and 43092 leave Exeter St Davids on 0650 Bristol to Penzance 26th July 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.
43172 and 43192 pass a muddy Cockwood harbour on 0740 Penzance to Cardiff, 26th July 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul - we look forward to your next trip aloft soon.
Remember this gentleman?
Geof Hudson - Laira Manager
Geof Hudson - Laira Manager
The naming ceremony for 50027 'Lion' this occurred on the 23rd July 1994. Also pictured is Geoff Hudson Laira Depot Manager who carried out the naming ceremony. Photo supplied by Phil Smith . Copyright. The loco is currently on the Mid Hants Railway.
The CRS had been involved with BR in the running of several railtours from Penzance - our first charter was the 'Devon Explorer' on the 4th September 1988. This charter involved negotiations with British Rail and at the time Geoff Hudson was the Manager at Laira. For this occasion Stephen Horne, a retired RAF officer represented the CRS. Geof also had a forces background having been a submarine commander in the Royal Navy. It is understood that they both got on very well!! The train was turned out in an imaculate condition and all went very well.
Many thanks to all involved.