7th September 2019

Sutton Harbour
Mike Roach

Mike brings us some more 'Gems' from his 1959 collection - thank heavens he was there and thank heavens he took copious notes -
Many thanks Mike.

3071 - Looking westwards over the parapet of the bridge carrying Cattedown Road, Plymouth at North Quay Branch Junction we see the Sutton Harbour Branch going straight ahead, while curving to the right was the North Quay Branch. Pannier tank 1650 is in the distance near the water tank. Note the permanent way works taking place in the foreground by the simple expedient of removing and replacing every other sleeper. The time is 10.45am on 7 September 1959. Note that some lightly used lines are still maintained in the same way as seen here. Copyright Mike Roach.

3072 - Eight minutes later and 1650 is taking a chance by standing on the severely weakened track. Copyright Mike Roach.

3073 - Another 12 minutes later and 1650 glides into Pearce's scrap metal siding on the Sutton Harbour Branch as seen from the bridge carrying Commercial Road (now St Johns Bridge Road). Both branch lines were officially closed to traffic at the end of 1973 and lifted. However long lengths of track remain on North Quay, buried in the cobbles. Copyright Mike Roach.

North Quay, Sutton Harbour, and Cattewater branches. Section of map drawn by Peter Butt

Okehampton
Tony Hill

​Members of the Dartmoor Rly Supporters Association busy clearing vegetation that had 
 been growing in the gutter of the canopy above the main station entrance. This impressive former Southern main line station rebuilt in the 1930's and still with extensive facilities, whose excellent appearance is principally due to the hard work of a small dedicated team of volunteers.
The 'Rail Desert' of West Devon and North Cornwall eagerly awaits the day Okehampton will be reconnected to Exeter by a regular train service, which the Government has tasked First Group's GWR TOC to introduce 'as soon as practicable'.
It has been said that on Summer Sundays the Okehampton station refreshment room does more proper meals business than at any other station in the South West served by National Rail trains.

Okehampton Station front being worked on by members of the Dartmoor Railway Supporters Association. 4th September 2019 Copyright Jon Kelsey.

Hayle (Before the store!)
Mike Hitchens

A delightful scene - Hayle Viaduct Regional Railways 158 crossing - pre Asda Days. Copyright Mike Hitchens You can almost smell the seaweed and possibly the lovely pasty smells from Philps Bakery behind the photographer! Copyright Mike Hitchens.

Last Trains to 
Heathfield
David Mitchell

David Mitchell writes :-
Re the notes on your excellent website regarding the last trains over the Heathfield branch, I can bring the dates forward to the following (to the best of my knowledge):-

Last Royal Train to be stabled on the branch - 20/3/15.
Last p.w. (ballast) train - 23/3/15, worked by 70804.
Last timber train from Teignbridge - 2/4/15, also worked by 70804.
Final Train on 10/10/15 - 'The First Devon & Exeter Explorer' charity HST railtour, powered by 43187 & 43188. There is actually a photo taken from this train in the Moretonhampstead branch section of your website, but it is not fully dated.

                  Regards, David Mitchell.  Many thanks.