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Exeter Central Platform 1 gets some use Report from David Tozer

31/5/2015

Hi Keith, A break with the recent rain so I ambled along to Exeter (Central). The former down bay(the up bay is has been disconnected for a long time)sees little use these days, apart from turning back late running trains from Waterloo. On Sundays it does see limited use. So a few photographs on 143603 and 153377. This pair had worked the 1237 Exeter (Central) – Exmouth Junction – Exeter (Central) ECS. This move gets the unit from platform 3 to platform 1. 150121 is also seen with the 1257 Exmouth – Paignton. Dave Many thanks David

153377 and 14603 run into platform 1 at Exeter Central on 31st May 2015 Copyright David Tozer

153 377 is nearest 143603 is ready to lead out. 31st May 2015 Copyright David Tozer

150121 arrives from Exmouth 31st May 2015 Copyright David Tozer

Barbara sends her thanks to all on the CRS Coach.

31/5/2015

Last Monday, the 25th, Barbara Tremethick suffered a serious road accident while travelling to collect husband Trevor off our coach at Exeter. We are thankful that the accident was not more severe and that they have both celebrated Trevors birthday with a big cake. Happy Birthday.
Hello Keith,
Firstly very many apologies for not having e-mailed you before. The kind wishes of you and your 'partners in crime' at the CRS have been very much appreciated by both of us.
I just hope the diversion via the A38 didn't make things too difficult for you all.
Someone celebrated a birthday today and treated himself to a new number plate by way of a gift - they all look pretty much the same to me so I'd better leave him to explain ......
Anyhow, I just wanted to thank everyone for their kindness on Monday and on-going good wishes. Unfortunately I don't have anyone else's e-mail address Keith so I wonder if you would mind sending my thanks on to the rest of the gang? With many thanks and good wishes, Barbara Thank you for your letter Barbara.

Ferry Across the Mersey as Roger Salter travels on Pathfinder Celebration Express to Liverpool.

31/5/2015

A Celebration of the 175th Aniversary of Cunard as the Three Queens come together at Liverpool for the first time.

150524a An HST approaches Bath crossing the River Avon with a service from London to Bristol. Copyright Roger Salter

150524b The Royal Hotel Bath designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Copyright Roger Salter

150525zw 67026 Diamond Jubilee enters Bath with Pathfinders Celebration Express to Liverpool Lime Street to witness the line up in the Mersey of Cunards Three Queens. Copyright Roger Salter

150525zx A spectacular sight two of the three Queens at Liverpool. In the foreground is the Queen Elizabeth and behind her is Queen Victoria Copyright Roger Salter

150525zy The Queen Mary 2 at Liverpool. Copyright Roger Winnen

Diesel Miscellany at Dawlish, Teignmouth & Exeter by Roger Winnen

31/5/2015

150530a The 07.09 Paddington-Par passes Dawlish top and tailed with a pair of Class 66s. Copyright Roger Winnen

150530b 57303 Pride of Carlisle rounds the curve at Teignmouth with the Saturdays only 13.35 Plymouth-Exeter. Copyright Roger Winnen

150530c Coupling to its train at Exeter New Yard 57303 Awaits departure to Platform 1 to form the 17.50 Exeter-Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

150530d Delights of a loco hauled train with a buffet car service to Penzance. 57303 awaits departure at 17.50hrs.. Copyright Roger Winnen

150530e Destined for spares, this loco 31285 awaits its fate at Riverside Yard, Exeter. Copyright Roger Winnen

Old platform One at Plymouth Derek Buttivant

31/5/2015

Hello Keith. I have no idea how unusual this actually is - though I don't remember seeing a train in the old mail platform (up end) for a long time. (See attached photo). On the afternoon of 18 May, class 153 No.153377 was berthed in that platform prior to shunting across to the other side of the station shortly after I took the photo. I understand that some swapping of sets was going on in order to get required units back to their appropriate depot. Of course, no passenger train can use that platform because it has been raised above normal height to allow for post office BRUTE trolleys to roll easily on and off mail trains. Kind regards, Derek Thank you for your observations and report Derek

153 377 at the old platform 2 at Plymouth North Road, now known as Dock 2 since April, 1974 (Let's use it's old title to). Perhaps the high level platform might even provide better access than most of the current one in use which at various stations require a formidable step down and mind the gap!! Thank you Derek Buttivant Copyright

Should have been steam!!!! Gareth Thornton

30/5/2015

Hi Keith, hope these are interesting. A couple of right place, right time shots taken today of 1C52 at St. Blazey yard. A long string of Mk1 stock in mostly crimson and cream with some maroon here and there, top n tailed by a brace of 66s. I'm reliably informed there would have been a steam loco on one end but the usual wrangling about the turntable spoiled that. Shame on them! Many thanks Gareth

Railtour stock shunted into St Blazey Yard 30th May 2015 Copyright Gareth THornton

Train staff checking progress during shunting. 30th May 2015 Copyright Gareth Thornton

The long rake finally berthed in St Blazey Yard. 30th May 2015 Copyright Gareth Thornton

A question - can you help. please.?

30/5/2015

This letter from Mike Roach. Hi Keith
Re Loco 3591, what my books tell me is this. It did not pass into BR ownership in 1948, although a few of this class did but all were withdrawn in 1948/9.
The loco was built September 1899, and its first shed was Paddington (sic); i.e. not Old Oak Common.
Its last shed was Swindon, and it was withdrawn from there in May 1936.
I agree that the rails are so close together that it cannot be St. Blazey where they pass through arches. They are going to a turntable just out of the picture, which means a roundhouse. I do not recognise it as Laira, which did have a roundhouse. A few sheds which also had roundhouses:- Old Oak, Bristol SPM, Swindon, Taunton, Wolverhampton (Stafford Road and Oxley), Tyseley, Stourbridge junction, Shrewsbury, Croes Newydd, Ebbw Junction, Cardiff Canton, Tondu, Pontypool Road, Aberdare, Neath and Llanelly.
My guess would be Swindon, but cannot be sure without a list of all the sheds it was allocated to.
Regards Mike Many thanks for all of this information but can anybody pin down this location precisely please. This superb image was provided by Micheal Morant from his expensive collection, it was first recorded as being at Truro and then later moved to suggested location at St Blazey. However this is now incorrect.

THE END Walkham Viaduct Pictures by Mike Roach

30/5/2015

Hi Keith, Herewith my final pictures of Walkham Viaduct taken end of May 1965, when the stone piers were being blown up and taken away; a sad end to a truly magnificent structure. Best wishes, Mike Many thanks for these dramatic pictures of 50 years ago. My apologies for these being a day or two late appearing.

Walkham Viaduct or whats left of it. A view south towards Horrabridge and Plymouth. Copyright Mike Roach

Looking south again. Copyright Mike Roach

Looking the other way, north to Grenofen Tunnel and Tavistock. Copyright Mike Roach

Looking south again. Roughly half of the magnificent stone and brick piers have already been felled. Copyright Mike Roach

The stone piers date from the construction of the line. The brick extensions date from the time when the timber fans were replaced by steel girder trusses. Copyright Mike Roach

How simple the construction of the cycle trail would have been had these piers, indeed the whole viaduct been left in position. Many thanks to Mike Roach for capturing these scenes all those years ago.

Leaving Exeter, heading for Cornwall David Tozer

30/5/2015

66014 leaving Exeter heading for Cornwall at 10.35 30th May 2015 Copyright David Tozer

Trenance viaduct From Derek Brooks Goonhavern Old Cwll. Soc.

30/5/2015

Many thanks to you Derek

From an old post card care of Derek Brooks Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society

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