Royal Ordnance loco number 2 built by Barclay about to cross over the M5 circa 1000 on a Thursday morning, with loaded VEA wagons, and an ex LMS brake van. Once over the motorway, on the down grade to the exchange sidings, the train stopped, loco uncoupled - and on control of the LMS brake van handbrake, the two loaded box vans were gravitation shunted into the exchange sidings where a class 47 was waiting. PHOTO BY PAUL STANFORD
This photo copyright Paul Stanford.
N.B. KJ wrote to Paul saying that on one occasion he'd been traveling up the M5 and seen an 08, though perhaps it was the Royal Ordnance loco seen above, crossing the bridge over the M5 - however at 70+ MPH on the motorway I can't be sure what the loco was!! Paul replied - That is interesting Keith about your observation of the class 08 - one used to work each day at Bridgwater in the 70s. I meant to say with the shot I took, which I sent a few mins yes ago, Puriton rail traffic ceased December 1990 and the traffic was lifted Autumn 1996, except for the piece over the motorway bridge - I'm told it's still there!
The above image courtesy of Google Earth Zoom in and pan to explore the Main line junction and the branch as far as the Ordnance Factory. You can see that just a short length of track remains on the motorway bridge.
Other news, Robert Lindley advises us that both ex Puriton Shunters are in good health and now live on the West Somerset railway.
Other news, Robert Lindley advises us that both ex Puriton Shunters are in good health and now live on the West Somerset railway.
Further to the news from Robert Lindley here is a picture of one of the Puriton Barclays at Minehead. Taken by Roger Winnen on the 5th October 2013. Copyright Roger Winnen. Thank you Roger