5th August 2018

5/8/2018

The Norton Fitzwarren Rally
Andrew Triggs

180805a Caledonia Works 0-4-0T on the Barnstaple line shuttles. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180805b Class 115 DMU arriving at Norton Fitzwarren on the shuttle from Bishops Lydeard. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180805c BR ERA Multi Purpose vehicle on display with vintage cars. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180805d 53808 at Bishops Lydeard working the service to Minehead. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Sladesbridge
Derek Buttivant

Sladesbridge - 'Climbing the gradient'. A painting by W J Ryal Photograph by Derek Buttivant, courtesy of the Landlord.

North Cornwall line - Sladesbridge
A favourite haunt for my wife and me is the Slades House Inn at Sladesbridge on the road from Wadebridge to Bodmin. Not only are the meals there of very good quality - and reasonably priced - but hanging on the wall in the bar is a painting depicting a train crossing the bridge over the main road that carried the North Cornwall line between Wadebridge and Camelford. Sadly, all trace of the bridge was removed in the interests of road improvements after the line closed and only the track bed and bridge over the river Camel remain between Sladesbridge and the Camel Trail, close to where the Bodmin and Wenford railway hopes one day to site a new Wasebridge station. However, making up for any physical evidence visible outside, is this painting. The artist was one W J Ryall and the painting has been in the pub for many years. While there is some artistic licence - the North Cornwall line was steeply graded but perhaps not quite as much as the picture suggests - the locomotive and Southern green Maunsell coaches look just right. The view is towards Egloshayle and Wadebridge, the north-bound train climbing towards St Kew highway, the next station.
Enjoying a meal and a drink while contemplating this painting would be a fitting start or finish to any enthusiast's exploration of what remains of the North Cornwall Railway.
Derek Buttivant

Many thanks indeed Derek - may you have many more enjoyable meals there.

From an earlier letter from Derek :- I didn't say so in my comments but something else I have suggested is that if and when the B&W extend back to Wadebridge a major problem will be lack of car parking (it's already a big problem at Bodmin). There are bound to be complaints from Wadebridge people, especially those along Guineaport Road, about increased traffic to and from a new B&W station. I think a possible solution could be to use the trackbed of the N Cornwall line to create an access road from Sladesbridge to a new car park west of the river, adjacent to the present Camel Trail and a short walk from the likely new station site. What a good idea.

A most interesting picture taken in July 1976 of Sladesbridge - this carried the North Cornwall line over the main Wadebridge to Bodmin road. The bridge is seen just prior to demolition as can be seen from the removed embankment to the right. The car parked on the verge is the Bernard Mills chariot 'Western Empire'. Photograph copyright Bernard Mills

Another interesting fact - to me anyway. Valerie and I were on the very last passenger train to cross this bridge - it was the return working of the 'North Cornwall Farewell' Railtour. KJ

Truro
Will Kilner