Kevin Jenkin
Photographs by Roger Salter & Roger Winnen
We would also like to express our thanks to Derek Buttivant for the organisation involved. Many Thanks Derek
John Cornelius
Last weekend of the Swanage Shuttle. Kevin Jenkin The Second Visit this year to the Long Rock Train Maintenance Depot Photographs by Roger Salter & Roger Winnen Members of the Cornwall Railway Society were delighted to be welcomed back for a 2nd Visit to view the on going extension work being carried on Long Rock Train Maintenance Depot to cater for the work to the Night Riviera, maintenance on the HST fleet and the new Hitachi IEP trains when they become available within the next year or so and the sprinter family. Patrick Grobbelaar welcomed the party of 14 firstly explaining various safety aspects. then guided us around the depot in depth to look at the ongoing developments. Members of the society appreciated this very much indeed and of the time given up by Patrick on a Saturday afternoon. Many Thanks indeed. We would also like to express our thanks to Derek Buttivant for the organisation involved. Many Thanks Derek For more photographs of this visit go the Features Page September to December 2017 Poundbury Tunnel John Cornelius Gulworthy Bridge Colin Burges Sandite at Chard Jct.
John Cornelius Don't forget! Tomorrow, Saturday 9th September 2017 sees the first our programme of indoor meetings for the 2017/18 season. Part 1: Holyhead to Penzance by Nigel Tregoning Part 2: Railwaymen and their experiences in wartime - a video presentation Meetings which start at 18.30 are held in the Memorial Hall, at Redruth Methodist Church For full details of the location INDOOR MEETINGS PROGRAMME click here. Yesterday's Freight in Cornwall Jamie Dyke Thanks Jamie Large and little Roger Aston Many thanks to Roger Aston for the last of his holiday pictures. South Western Railway the new livery Kevin Jenkin Kevin Jenkin, a very regular commuter between Winchester and Southampton Parkway seized this opportunity to compare the old with the new at Southampton Parkway on the 7th September 2017. Taken at Southampton airport parkway, the new colours on 444040 leading a Weymouth train. Nothing new on the inside apart from a few vinyls on the glass. Copyright Oliver visits Yeovil John Cornelius On Tuesday 5th September 2017 70013 Oliver Cromwell paid a visit to the Yeovil Steam Centre. It arrived at 14.30 and was turned, coaled and serviced ready to return to London at 17.40. The locomotives duty for the day was to power the 'Cathedrals Express' to and from London. Many thanks to John Cornelius who was on hand to record the event. Lord St Levan, Earl of Mount Edgcombe Roy Hart and Mike Morant Here is a shot of ex-PDSWR engine 'Lord St Levan' to match Mike Morant's picture of 'Earl of Mount Edgcombe' (tho' this shot is of inferior quality!). Lord St Levan is here seen at Plymouth North Road in 1954. Contrast the livery and crest arrangement with the sister engine in Mike's photo. The two 0-6-2T were built for the Plymouth, Devonport & South Western Junction Railway in 1907. They were a dev elopment of 0-6-0 'A.S.Harris'. As put into service they were painted blue with copper-capped chimneys. Both were transferred from Plymouth to Eastleigh in 1957, Lord St Levan for scrap, while the Earl had a last fling as the shed pilot at Eastleigh. Copyright Roy Hart South Western Railway - well not yet! David Tozer Keith, Well we may have a new franchise, but as yet no sign of name changes on the DMU's. 159103 and 159004 'Basingstoke & Deane at Central with the 0925 Exeter (St David's) - London (Waterloo). Regards, Dave Many thanks Dave - I think that livery will be hard to beat. West Somerset Railway Visits on 6th September 2017 Roger Aston and Andrew Triggs Laboratory Train at
Chard Junction John Cornelius Old Oak Common Open Day Saturday 2nd September 2017 Many Thanks to Martin Duff, Jamie Dyke, David Field, Craig Munday, Roger Salter and Andrew Triggs for their photographs of this event. Roger Winnen More photographs appear in Features, click here for Features Sept to Dec 2017 Flying Scotsman on WSR Part1 Roger Aston Fawley Mike Morant Chard Junction
John Cornelius Southampton Quay Mike Morant Yeovil Junction
John Cornelius Part 3 The remains of the North Cornwall Line in July 1995 Andrew Triggs Whatley Quarry Guy Vincent Focus on Whatley Quarry and associated lines. Today, 3rd September 2017 despite the rain I felt like spending the morning 'spotting' for a change so first port of call was the former ARC (now Hanson/Heidelberg Cement) quarry at Whatley near Frome. Here, two former BR class 08 shunters 08650 and 08947 (a former long-time Westbury resident) currently reside and it was possible to photograph them from the road bridge and quarry entrance gate, plus solitary mainline diesel 59005 'Kenneth J Painter'. Whatley is located in a quiet country area and rail connected by way of a stretch of the former GWR Frome-Radstock branch line which is used between Frome North Junction and Hapsford Junction, a distance of 2 miles 38 chains. From this point the short link line down to the quarry is relatively new, it was built in the early 1970s to allow mainline locos through due to the original route being too restricted by height/width/weight limitations. Three short tunnels are included in this new stretch, Bedlam, Great Elm and Murdercombe plus a heavy duty rail-over-river bridge. Beyond Hapsford the Radstock branch has been disused since July 1988 when the Marcroft wagon repair works closed. The points have long been removed and the associated cabling has also been taken out. The branch was included on Westbury Panel when the Frome area was re-signalled in 1985 but only as a token-worked long siding with no signals provided. Much of the old track, now overgrown and unusable, remains in-situ. Nature has well and truly reclaimed most of the route and it is possible to walk/cycle over it from Buckland bridge (Buckland Dinham) to Radstock town centre via Mells Road and Kilmersdon, this now being part of 'The Collier's Way'. Various proposals have been put forward over many years to re-open the line from Radstock through to Frome but no physical work has yet been undertaken along the route which has suffered several landslips and become heavily wooded in places. Housing now occupies the former extensive goods yard at Radstock with just a small narrow strip to one side, very close to the housing area, for any possible railway use. Personally I think Somerset is already well catered for as far as heritage railways go and the Radstock route should be left as it is, a green oasis and wildlife haven. Guy Vincent Many thanks Guy for the above detailed notes Ivybridge, Harford Rd. Chris Harvey Please attached a picture of Saturdays's (2nd September 2017) 1335 Plymouth - Exeter St Davids, which you might be able to use. 57310 was in charge, and the location is just east of Ivybridge Viaduct, which is out of view to the left. Fortunately, the sun decided to make an appearance! Best Regards, Chris Harvey A new location for us, thank you Chris Southampton Docks Mike Morant 47's at Oath
John Cornelius A Glorious sight in the gloom 35028 'Clan Line' leaves Exeter St David's David Tozer An unusual train seen at Exeter St David's by the CRS Party whilst on route to Barnstaple Roger Winnen & David Tozer Departing from Exeter St David's on the 09.27 to Barnstaple a unit number 150244 was seen stabled in Platform 2 bearing headboards at each end. Enquiries made during the day revealed that this train had been hired by a manager as a Wedding Train. It departed from Exeter as the 5Z09 13.14 to Tiverton Parkway via Taunton arr 14.08 to form the 2Z09 14.15 via Tiverton Loop to Tiverton Parkway via Newton Abbot arr 16.45. It then ran as the 5Z10 ECS 16.56 to Exeter St David's via Taunton arriving at 17.56 David Tozer took this photograph at Marsh Barton Exeter on its run to Newton Abbot Cornwall Railway Society explore the remains of the Bideford Westward Ho! & Appledore Railway which closed 100 years ago Roger Winnen Members of the Cornwall Railway Society travelled to Barnstaple by train and then to Bideford by Stagecoach Bus Services to explore what remains of this unique standard gauge railway running from Bideford Quay and stops to Kenwith Castle, Abbotsham Road, Comborough Cliffs Halt, Westward Ho! Beach Road Halt, Northam Pimpley Road, Richmond Road Halt, Lovers Lane Halt and Appledore. Opened in 1901 to Westward Ho! and extended in 1908 to Appledore. The railway closed in 1917 requisitioned by the government to assist the war effort in France. Tank engines with skirts were used on the line and coaches built to an American design operated on the line. For more photographs on the Cornwall Railway Society visit to the Bideford Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway see the Features Pages Mid May to December 2017 Fair Exchange Adrian King Hi Keith, As we were in South Devon recently we had to have a trip on the Dartmouth Steam Railway and followed this with a cruise on the Dart itself. I took this shot from the deck of the paddle steamer 'Kingswear Castle' as we steamed back towards Dartmouth. What the shot can't show as ex. London Transport No.L.94 accelerates away from Kingswear Station was the short 'battle of the steam whistle's' which took place as the loco and steamer passed by each other. Firstly the engine crew sounded a blast on the whistle only for the captain of the steamer to respond in kind, which the loco then answered back to be followed by another reply from the steamer. Its a shame I couldn't record the sound of both the loco and the paddle steamer as it really was something I think,CRS followers would have enjoyed. I've also included a couple more you may be able to use of 4277 Hercules just arriving with a morning service at Paignton on the 22nd August and later that day Hercules posing alongside D3014 Samson. Best Regards Adrian Many thanks Adrian Last year of working? Peter Murnaghan & David Tozer There are not many more workings of this train left in the current timetable - and it may not run next year, if DMU cascades work through to the Duchy by then. Does anybody have a clear indication of its future in next year's timetable yet? A PS to my earlier photograph. I now realise why the DRS loco was used on today's loco-hauled train. Three of GWR's own Class 57s were up at Old Oak Common for their open day. Many thanks Peter Canute Road Crossing Mike Morant Always a point of interest to railway enthusiasts at Southampton Docks is the railway access to the docks over Canute Road. Access beyond this crossing is generally denied to the general public. If you wish to see more of Mike's Collection of pictures which are included in the Southampton section of our website please click here. Dunster bound
John Cornelius Old Oak Common Open Day 2nd September 2017 We have had several 'offers' of pictures taken at Oak Common Open day today. This is strictly out of our region which is bounded by the Freedom of the South West Rover ticket. However as this is a 'one off' event we could included it as a Feature entitled 'A Peep at Old Oak Common Open Day'. Please send your entries to Roger Winnen who will select a representation of the days event. Roger Winnen <winnen@btinternet.com> Some interesting thoughts from Guy Vincent As usual, plenty of interesting images and information has been posted on the website in recent days; in particular two items were particularly appealing. First, Ron's excellent shot of the motive power gathered on Exeter St Davids stabling point in July 1971. Scenes like this were common at the time up and down the country and illustrate just how interesting and appealing the hobby of 'spotting' was to those who, like me, were bitten by the bug in the early 70s. I used to look mournfully through my Ian Allan books and mags at the time wishing I could visit places such as Toton, Tinsley and Eastfield (Glasgow) which were always seemingly packed with row upon row of diesel locos never seen in the west country. Obviously having the 'Westerns' close by and with 'Peaks' and class 25's occasional visitors there was plenty to be thankful for! The class 22's Ron saw are literally in their last days of service as, having been deemed non-standard by 1967 many had already been withdrawn. However, several were reinstated and overhauled due to no diesel-electric replacements (class 25 and 31 locos) being released by the Midland and Eastern regions. Sadly October 1971 saw a hydraulic holocaust with virtually all the 22's and many class 43 'Warships' withdrawn en-masse and sent eventually to Swindon works for disposal, many via a spell in storage at Bristol St Philips Marsh. Second, the departure for storage/overhaul of GWR operated power cars 43021 and 43132 cannot be allowed to pass by without comment. This movement marks the start of the final chapter of HST operations in the west of England. Both power cars were delivered to the WR new, 43021 in July 1976 as part of set 253010 and 43132 in October 1979 in set 253031. Although both worked cross-country services from 1982 until around 1997 when privatisation kicked in, they have been allocated exclusively to former WR depots only. Today 43021 and 43132, now denamed and debranded, left St Philips Marsh at 0055 as 5E23 0100 SPM-Doncaster Wabtec, arriving 43 minutes late at 0545. With them went the set of coaches 'LA02' which also came up from Laira yesterday afternoon. Not so many years ago FGW were grabbing every redundant power car and carriage (even non-HST stock which was converted to work in such sets) to meet demand but now with the impending arrival into service of new class 800/802 sets the writing is certainly on the wall. Farewell to two old friends who have served the west country for around 4 decades, covering millions of miles in the process. Maybe they will see their 50th 'birthdays' working north of the border in Scotland? Guy Vincent. Many thanks for your time and trouble Guy - if viewers would care to go back a day on this Newspage you will see the Roger Winnens pictures of the 'debranded' power cars on their way north. S & D Templecombe Shed John Cornelius Southampton Docks
Mike Morant Tomorrows Trip - the weather looks good Cornwall Railway Society The Bideford, Westward Ho! & Appledore Railway Saturday 2nd September, 2017 Roger Winnen 01736 350048 or Mobile 0777 380 8074 (Not Friday Evening between 19.15 and 21.30) PURCHASE AN OFF PEAK DAY RETURN TO BARNSTAPLE Penzance 06.30 St Erth 06.38 Camborne 06.51 Redruth 06.57 Truro 07.09 St Austell 07.25 Par 07.32 Bodmin Parkway 07.46 Liskeard 07.58 Plymouth 08.21 arr Exeter St David's arr 09.20 Depart Platform 3 at 09.27 Barnstaple arrive10.35 Please use the facilities on-board the train before alighting as there is a six minute connection with the bus. Bus 21 From Barnstaple Station 10.41 to Bideford Quay arr 11.08 We look around the Bideford Quay area before departing on Service 15 to Appledore at 11.43 arrival at Appledore 12.01 to explore the station area and the historic port. View the The Bideford Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway carriage shed as we depart Bideford from the upper deck of the Double Decker. We return to Bideford on the Service 15 at 12.35 from Appledore arrivng near the carriage shed at 12.50 We cross the road to view the shed and head for the next bus stop for a Service 21 to Westward Ho which departs from Bideford Quay at 12.57. This bus will arrive at Westward Ho! At 13.12 The bus service terminates in the area of the old station which nothing now remains However by following the coastal footpath we soon come across a bridge which carried the railway over a small lane which lead to the beach. We have time to follow the coastal path which was the railway until 1917 passing Seafield and Morley House to give spectacular views across to Lundy Island and the North Devon coastline. We return on Service 15 from Westward Ho! At 14.46 arriving at Bideford Quay at 15.01 giving us time for a short visit Bideford Railway Station. Returning to Bideford Quay we again catch Service 21 at 16.06 to Barnstaple Railway Station arrive 16.32 The train departs Barnstaple at 17.08 arriving Exeter St David's 18.23/18.46 Plymouth 19.48 Liskeard 20.11 Bodmin Parkway 20.23 Par 20.35 St Austell 20.41 Truro 21.02 Redruth 21.13 Camborne 21.19 St Erth 21.31 Penzance 21.40 Many thanks to Colin Burgess - for the photos above. Colin travelled the complete the route on his 'chariot' which can be seen parked by the vehicle in the picture above above. We'll be surveying the line as best possible using buses. World War 2 A diary compiled by Phil Handley Section 4 1944 Sunday 13th February 1944 Warrant Gunner J Landis, USN, takes over the new ammunition depot at Bugle chosen for its rail sidings and main line services. The drys at Carn Merry, Halivet, Rock and Wheal Henry were used. There were 23 men working in the depot with an additional 21 guards provided as D-Day approached. These were all billeted in the village of Bugle. The US Army RTO, stationed at Fowey, wrote all out-going waybills and tagged all out-going trucks. (US National Archives) Tuesday 2nd May Passenger services are again suspended on the Lostwithiel – Fowey branch line. (Wikipedia – citation needed). This was to allow the loading of ammunition for the US 29th Division based in Cornwall who landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day. Tuesday 6th – Friday 30th June 1944 US Navy – From D-Day to the end of the month 22 coasters were filled with ammunition for American forces in Normandy. That was 13828DWT. (US Navy Docs) Friday 1st September The Southern Railway Magazine resumes monthly publication. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg) Monday 2nd October The Lostwithiel – Fowey branch line recommences its passenger services. (Wikipedia – citation needed). Sunday 31st December The numbers for the year at the GWR’s hotel at St Ives, the Tregenna Castle, drop to 30,906, but still 126% of their 1939 figure. GWR Many thanks to Phil Handley for providing this wonderful record of 'Railway Events' during the second world war. Next month we will be concluding this series looking at 1945 and also a considerable number of facts concerning railway engineering the war. Southampton Docks Mike Morant RCTS: Southampton Docks & Fawley Branch Rail Tour 17/5/53 USA 0-6-0T no. 30062 on the tracks at Berth 50 in Southampton Docks. Pity the loco and train aren't quite pin sharp but the shot is sufficiently scarce to warrant inclusion in this collection. [Mike Morant collection] Another rare photograph from Mike Morants collection - many thanks Mike Yeovil Junction
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