Around Exeter 2
Paul Barlow
Northam
Ron Kosys
Memories of the 70's Around Exeter 2 Paul Barlow Many thanks Paul. Drivers note- died at Northam Ron Kosys Many thanks to you Ron.
Spoil trains from Okehampton Alan Peters There have been two Colas Rail trains to Okehampton this week, 6C45 worked from Westbury to Okehampton and return with 70812 and 70814 top and tailing twenty Falcon wagons to load with spoil from the recent relaying on 1st June 2021. The same pair visited again with a further twenty Falcon wagons for spoil as 6C47 on 3rd June 2021 this time working as far as Sampford Courtney, the return train is pictured at Penstone near Coleford Junction on 4th June 2021 with 70814 leading to Exeter Riverside where the train reversed to Westbury where 70812 would be the leading loco. Alan Peters Many thanks Alan. Memories of the 70's Around Exeter 1 Paul Barlow Many thanks Paul. Wonderful Westbury Ron Kosys Note the White Horse and the tall chimney of the cement works emitting smoke/steam. Many thanks Ron. Mysterious Workings? The St Ives branch From the Western and Wales Route Weekly Operating Notice WW Week 10 GW690 ST.ERTH TO ST.IVES ENTIRE LINE OF ROUTE FROM 0001 MONDAY 7 JUNE 2021 UNTIL 1200 HOURS ON MONDAY14 JUNE 2021 The St.Ives single line beyond St.Erth signal SE62 will be temporarily taken out of use. The St.Erth – St.Ives train staff will be retained by the local manager. The associated Local Instructions are suspended during this time. ............................................................................................ Kind Regards, Chris Bellett, Retired S&T Engineer Editorial note :- So the St Ives branch is now closed and the staff is now in the hands of the Local Manager. We wonder why?
Also remember that secret overnight working by the Pullman set on the St Ives branch last month. Perhaps there is going to be a daylight working for the VIP's being served refreshments whilst traversing the very scenic branch. A tea time trundle or dinner on the branch would be very attractive and interesting, Whilst respecting security it would be most interesting as railway enthusiasts to know and record any such workings for the sake of the history of the branch. However all photographers please obey all the restrictions. By this time next week we may be a little wiser !! Todays steam at Swaythling Kevin Jenkin The evening one as it raced back towards Paddington, approaching Swaythling station, which was pretty busy with folk like me. It was traveling at speed. Many thanks to you Kevin. Todays steam SW Keith Turley On 6th June 2021 LSL operated a Bristol T.M. to Kingswear (PDSR) English Riviera Express charter, Ex. LMS Royal Scot 4-6-0 No.46100 'Royal Scot' passes Cowley Bridge Junc. working the 1Z27 09:07 Bristol T.M. to Kingswear. Class 47 No.47805 is out of sight on the rear. Regards Keith Turley A smashing spectacle - many thanks to you Keith. For more pictures of this very full day please go to our features section - click here and scroll down. Castle Cary Roger Geach 35028 Clan Line hauls the Royal Wessex Statesman past Castle Cary station on the 13th May 1995 Copyright Roger Geach. This was before the extensive modifications to provide an additional face to the down platform for services to and from Weymouth. Some 40 years earlier from this footbridge one would have been able to see steam in the distance. the S & D ran at the foot of the distant hills. Copyright Roger Geach. Many thanks Roger Castle Cary Peter Butt An interesting study looking east towards London from the Castle Cary footbridge in the early 70's. A convenient break in the clouds serves to illuminate the extensive trackwork and those gorgeous semaphores. One can only assume that Peter has just left the train seen speeding away in the distance and himself rushed up onto the footbridge to capture the scene. Copyright Peter Butt Many thanks Peter, and good health to you - we haven't heard from you for a long time. Cowley Bridge Jct. Ron Kosys Many thanks Ron. Thursday 10th June Something not to look at! Partial Solar Eclipse Begins Thursday 10th June at 09.59 - reaches its maximum at 11.03 and ends at 12.13.
Duration:2 hours, 13 minutes. N.B. These are the times at Truro. Editorial comment - has this been booked for the G7. Special Trains running Paddington to Penzance Roger Winnen Looking at Realtime Trains this evening a special train under the headcode 1Z31 runs on the 8th and 9th June being the 12.45 Paddington to Penzance calling only at Bristol Temple Meads 14.05/14.07 Exeter St David's 15.03/15.05 Plymouth 16.02/16.14 Truro 17.39/17.41 St Erth 18.06/18.12 Penzance 18.33 formed as a IET On the 10th June formed also of IETs 1Z30 Paddington 08.45 Bristol Temple Meads 10.06/1010 Exeter St David's 11.07/11.11 Plymouth 12.03/12.07 Truro 13.10/13.13 St Erth 13.36/13.40 Penzance 13.49 Could this be in connection with a local event in the area, one wonders. One also wonders will there be a special service on the St Ives branch in connection with the above workings? Photographs of any train activity on the St Ives branch would be of great interest - but don't get into any trouble. Many thanks to David Tozer for giving me the initial advice. Photostop at Bow Alan Peters Many Thanks Alan If you want to see our collection of pictures of this line before and after the 'relay' Please Click here - You will need to scroll quite a lot to get to the relay part of this item, Embryonic Marsh Barton Paul Barlow Hello Keith, A few shots in quarter of an hour at Grace road bridge which overlooks the site of the new Marsh Barton station, Exeter. This station will serve the large Marsh Barton trading estate in Exeter. Kind regards, Paul. Many thanks Paul. Craigs Colourful fortnight Craig Munday A very colourful fortnight of trains in the Duchy. Last week saw the maiden voyage west of the Midland Pullman HST, this week saw the Statesman visit once more, with blue class 47s hauling the beautiful carriages to penzance on 2nd. The week was rounded up by the equally colourful NMT formed of a HST with former LNER red power cars 43290/299 in charge. The special on 2nd was photographed down west, it coincided with dad's 79th birthday! The train is heading west beside a lovely wild flower meadow near Gwinear Road, and returning atop Angarrack viaduct. Tricky weather and light all day. A day at Lostwithiel saw sunshine and dark skies alternate throughout the shift. An eastbound 802014 is seen passing the box in fine light with dark clouds west. Whilst, a little later on, 66119 was swapped on to the local clay circuit having arrived the day before with the Stoke empties. It is seen departing Lostwithiel bound for Carne Point. Finally, the NMT passes Mount Charles bridge (a 20 mins stroll from my home) with 1Q18 Reading to Penzance and return NR test train. The recent cutting back exposing views not seen for years, particularly from the social club there. Cheers, Craig. A fantastic Fortnight - Many thanks Craig. Westbury Guy Vincent By chance the HST test train was briefly at Westbury yesterday afternoon (3rd June 2021) so I took some pictures of it, both PCs were ex LNER examples but now with NR branding applied. Two of the coaches are of interest as they formed part of the prototype class 252 HST set. These are ex Trailer First (TF) 975814 (ex 11000 / 41000) and former Trailer Buffet (TRSB) 975984 (10000 / 40000). The train was in Penzance today from 1124 until 1201 so I'm sure you will receive more pictures. Until 2003, 43090 and 43099 were both part of the Virgin Cross Country pool so will be making a welcome return to the far west. Cheers for now and all the best. Guy As usual, Guy is on the ball with his 'font of knowledge' no details spared.
Many thanks Guy. Nr. Carn Brea Sta. Mark Lynam Many thanks Mark. Near Scorrier Neville King Two more photo for consideration Many thanks. Nev Many thanks Neville Pendomer Bill Elston Network Rail’s NMT paid its monthly visit to the old LSWR route today, operating from Reading to Salisbury via Exeter. It is seen passing Pendomer , en route to Salisbury, top – n - tailed by ex-LNER PCs 43299 and 43290, making quite a colourful sight. At the time of my visit, surveying work was in hand with a view to stabilising the embankments. Best wishes, Bill Many thanks Bill. Cheltenham Spa Andrew Triggs Many thanks for this one from Andrew on holiday - Andrew also supplied three of the Statesman railtour at Taunton on the 2nd June which have been added to our coverage in the ;feature on the Statesman.
Lelant Station and the G7 Roger Winnen Lelant Saltings Station A visit to Lelant Saltings Station this afternoon, was a non event as a large compound has been erected around most of the site guarded by Police Officers. They were aware that trains stopped there at 07.52 to St Ives and 09.21 to St Erth, no doubt special arrangements were in place for any passengers joining or alighting from trains Further coverage of the G7 Conference at Carbis Bay Click Here for Features Page 2111 Jan-June 2021 Plymouth Railway Circle Railtours Plymouth Docks Michael L. Roach The Plymouth Railway Circle Docks Railtour The summer of 1961 was a good one for Plymouth Railway Circle railtours; the Circle ran three that year and all were short and conducted at low speed but very interesting. The second one was on Saturday 3 June 1961 from one side of Plymouth to the other and back. The train was scheduled to start at the closed Friary Station at 2.30pm and return there at 4.45pm, but the scheduled times soon went out the window. The special train consisted of 6 brake vans hauled by saddle tank 1363 a long-term resident of Plymouth engine sheds (Laira and Millbay). The loco was one of a small class built in 1910 to an updated version of a design which dated back to 1874 for dock work with tight curves. The route was Friary – Mount Gould Junction – Sutton Harbour – Mount Gould Junction – Cattewater Junction – Lipson Junction – Plymouth Station – Millbay Docks – Plymouth Station – Lipson Junction – Friary a total route mileage of approximately 11 miles. There were frequent stops at signals which made progress extremely slow but at most the participants were not allowed to leave the train. A typical leg was starting from a signal stop at Cornwall Junction to passing Millbay Level Crossing; a distance of half a mile which took 6 minutes to accomplish for an average speed of just 5mph. In defence of the locomotive the 1361-class did have small wheels and a short wheelbase and were never expected to go very fast. At Millbay Docks the railtour went to both sides of the Outer and Inner Basin and the train was assisted by 204 horse power diesel shunter D2128 to return from West Wharf to East Quay. The railtour had departed Friary at 2.31½ (1½ minutes late) and got back at 5.30pm some 45 minutes late having taken 3 hours to cover just 11 miles. An afternoon to remember and savour. MLR/21 May 2021 CAPTIONS: 4872 Saddle tank 1363 stands at the head of the railtour at Plymouth Friary Station on Saturday 3 June 1961 4873 The guard logs the details of the 6 brake vans 4874 The train has arrived at Sutton Harbour goods yard after reversing at Mount Gould Junction 4875 1363 stands on the weighbridge at Sutton Harbour goods yard 4876 1363 stands at the head of the train ready to leave Sutton Harbour; the line going off to the right was the North Quay Branch 4877 The railtour has arrived at the East Wharf of Millbay Docks; has run around its train which it is now hauling in a giant horseshoe curve past the graving dock of Willoughby's ship repair yard. The business closed down in 1969 and the dock was in-filled in 1970 4878 The train has arrived at West Wharf and 1363 is being uncoupled from its train in error. In fact the loco stayed at this end of the train for the remainder of the railtour 4879 View looking east across the Outer Basin of Millbay Docks; the building under construction is the new Civic Centre for Plymouth City Council. The photographer's work meant that he moved into the building when it was completed a few months later 4880 1363 stands at the rear of the train on West Wharf 4881 1363 stands on the rear of the train on West Wharf. The presence of a Fruit D would suggest that fresh fruit was being imported 4882 Diesel shunter D2128 has been attached to haul the train around the inner basin back to East Wharf from where 1363 hauled the train back to Plymouth Friary Station; the train passed Millbay Level Crossing at 4.59 and arrived Friary at 5.30pm 4884 This derelict pontoon rested on the mud beside East Wharf in 1961. It had reputedly been used in the construction of the Royal Albert Bridge more than 100 years earlier. 4885 1363 stands at Friary Station on completion of the railtour. MLR/21 May 2021 4876 1363 stands at the head of the train ready to leave Sutton Harbour; the line going off to the right was the North Quay Branch. Copyright Michael L. Roach. (In 4876 to the right of the buffers is a group of three people; the one side on to us is Terry Nicholls. The one facing us in dark clothes is possibly Donald Stephens from Penzance. What can I say but what a wonderful memory of an unrepeatable day - it is with many thanks to you and your ever faithful camera that we have this - not a detail missed - amazing record. KJ. The Statesman Cornish Riviera Express For a full coverage of The Statesman Cornish Riviera Express Click here to go into Features 2112 January 2021-June 2021 Exeter City Basin Bill Elston Good morning Keith, Firstly, what a super crop Blue Pullman photos. As you have probably gathered by now, I'm from a mechanical engineering background. I served my apprenticeship at the Exeter firm of Marcus H Hodges and Sons, near the City Basin, starting late 1962. One of my earliest trips away from the workshop was assisting our blacksmith across the road at Exeter Gasworks to effect a repair to their Pecket shunting loco. For some reason, I managed to hang on to the job card detailing the work required, as you can see from the enclosed photo. Towards the end of my apprenticeship, I moved up in to the drawing office which had a grandstand view of Water Lane level crossing, which at the time saw a bit of traffic onto the gasworks and the Texaco terminal. Shame I didn't have a camera ! Hope this is of interest, Best wishes, Bill Many thanks Bill - a scrap of paper becomes precious.
St Ives branch closure notice Chris Bellett Hi Keith, I suspect we all know the reason for this one: .................................................................................................. From the Western and Wales Route Weekly Operating Notice WW Week 10 GW690 ST.ERTH TO ST.IVES ENTIRE LINE OF ROUTE FROM 0001 MONDAY 7 JUNE 2021 UNTIL 1200 HOURS ON MONDAY 14 JUNE 2021 The St.Ives single line beyond St.Erth signal SE62 will be temporarily taken out of use. The St.Erth – St.Ives train staff will be retained by the local manager. The associated Local Instructions are suspended during this time. ............................................................................................ Kind Regards, Chris Bellett Retired S&T Engineer Many thanks Chris G7 Weather Forecast The long term weather forecast for 7th to the 14th June is good - fine and dry for the period. Todays Forecast - Railtour timings. However the forecast for today when a railtour double headed by class 47's is due down from Wolverhampton was not good - rain - plus thunder. The railtour is due to pass Redruth at 12.31 on the way to Penznce and return passing Redruth at 15.26. Arrive Penzance 12.59 Depart 15.00. However forecast is now better - have a good day. N.B; Heavy rain started at Redruth at 06.15. Photographs to Roger please. Changes at the the Westbury Holding sidings. Westbury Alan Peters Changes are taking place on the holding sidings at Westbury (The former loco depot) the area was occupied by Colas Rail with porta cabins and fuel point, however this has now been cleared and the fuel point moved to expose the former rails of the depot which in turn have been dug up to relay two new sidings, it is unclear if these are additional yard sidings or expansion for GWR stabling. Driver Alan Peters Alan Peters Colas 70815 sits on the block of the holding siding at Westbury in company with another class 70 and class 66 on 27/05/21, this road is used exclusively by Colas Rail for stabling of their locomotives, note the fuel facilities have been relocated and can be seen to the right of the locomotives. Copyright Driver Alan Peters Many Thanks Alan. Cheesewring Quarry Andrew and Diane Jones Dear Keith and Valerie, Please find attached 3 photographs of Cheesering Quarry today (1st June 2021) near Minions on Bodmin Moor, owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. Once connected to an extensive railway network, a few rails still exist. Although difficult to illustrate, the remaining rails in the quarry formed a set of points. (please see photographs) Unfortunately some re working of the quarry in the 1980’s removed a number of relics including a crane. The quarry opened in 1845 and was famous for supplying a 22 feet granite column for the Great Exhibition of 1851, it also supplied all the granite sets for the Liskeard and Caradon Railway. The granite cladding for Tower Bridge was also quarried there. Working ceased in the early part of the 20th century. Best wishes Andrew and Diane Many thanks Andrew and Diane - keep safe.
Touring around Somerset Part 1 Andrew Triggs Morning Keith/Roger, As promised the 'Best of the Rest' from last Saturday, which included a Tour of the yard at Williton, WSR, the D&EG chaps very generous with their time and access 'all areas' I'll send a few from the Williton Yard 'Tour' later on. All the Best Andrew Thanks Andrew Summer night at Liskeard Craig Munday Many thanks Craig Didcot Alan Peters GWR class 769 Flex units continue to be tested along the Great Western Mainline between Maidenhead and Swindon by Colas Rail for mileage accumulation, here 769 930 is seen in Platform 3 at Didcot Parkway on the Down Relief line but unusually in the Up direction on 28th May 2021 - Alan Peters Many thanks Alan Liskeard The Late John Cornelius D1048 Western Lady Dave Ward Regarding John Cornelius photograph in today's news of Western Lady D1048. Here she is in January 2016 at the Midland Railway Centre Swanwick. One was taken in 2016 and one in 2017 on my annual visitation to the Midland Railway Centre, West Shed Princess Royal Locomotive Trust, Swanwick. Many thanks David.
|
Archives
April 2024
|