A photograph taken from the inside the entrance to Exeter Central Goods off Queen Street of Exeter Central Cement depot at Exeter Central Station. In the 1960s the cement came by train from Plymstock Works near Plymouth which included the climbs of Hemerdon and Dainton Banks. Some time later the source of the cement was switched to the Westbury Works. 29th December 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen
Within minutes of placing the above on site the following was received (with a caption correction) from our Exeter Reporter - David Tozer - Many Thanks for this. The second photograph attached was taken from the third floor of National House, Queen Street. I worked in the Traffic Office of Western National for a number of year’s. Prior to this I did a few year’s at Exeter Central Goods.
The cement train in steam days was always interesting. When the Southern was in charge the train of twenty one presflo’s was split at Riverside Yard. Exmouth Junction would send a locomotive to move it to Central in two portions. When the Western took over their locomotives worked through assisted with three Southern engines, two on the rear and the other one was attached to the train engine on the front. It was not unknown for the train to stall on the bank. The Central Station pilot would be attached to the front to get the train off the bank.
Presflo’s from Plymstock were moved to Exeter via the 0155 Friary – Exmouth Junction. This train also had presflo’s for Barnstaple, Later in the days of full Western Region control the cement from Westbury was worked via Yeovil Junction to Central. Motive power would be a Class 52 or a Class 37. The empties were sent back to Westbury usually hauled by an 08 to Riverside Yard.
The cement train in steam days was always interesting. When the Southern was in charge the train of twenty one presflo’s was split at Riverside Yard. Exmouth Junction would send a locomotive to move it to Central in two portions. When the Western took over their locomotives worked through assisted with three Southern engines, two on the rear and the other one was attached to the train engine on the front. It was not unknown for the train to stall on the bank. The Central Station pilot would be attached to the front to get the train off the bank.
Presflo’s from Plymstock were moved to Exeter via the 0155 Friary – Exmouth Junction. This train also had presflo’s for Barnstaple, Later in the days of full Western Region control the cement from Westbury was worked via Yeovil Junction to Central. Motive power would be a Class 52 or a Class 37. The empties were sent back to Westbury usually hauled by an 08 to Riverside Yard.
31 206 backs in cement traffic at Exeter Central. 1976. Copyright David Tozer
