NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART ONE
All Change on the Southern
Michael L. Roach
Sixty years ago in September 1964 it was all change on the railway lines around Exeter and on the Withered Arm to the west of Exeter with major changes to many aspects of railway operating. In no particular order: there would be almost no through trains beyond Exeter Central; all trains on the Withered Arm would be local trains; Waterloo to Exeter trains would be dieselised; final elimination of steam on the Exeter - Okehampton - Plymouth route; no steam west of Taunton on the Western Region (in theory); Callington Branch to be dieselised; Exmouth Junction's large fleet of N-class locos were mostly withdrawn with a few transferred elsewhere; and Plymouth's Laira Shed was to receive is last regular visiting steam engines.
That summer I spent more time than usual visiting and travelling on the ex-Southern lines west of Exeter, and the Taunton to Barnstaple line and recording the final weeks of steam on many lines. The resultant photographs will be shown in several parts in this new series mainly, but not exclusively, about the year 1964.
In this first Part I will start with a visit to Exeter Central Station around teatime on Saturday 22 August 1964, just two weeks before most of the changes kicked in.
That summer I spent more time than usual visiting and travelling on the ex-Southern lines west of Exeter, and the Taunton to Barnstaple line and recording the final weeks of steam on many lines. The resultant photographs will be shown in several parts in this new series mainly, but not exclusively, about the year 1964.
In this first Part I will start with a visit to Exeter Central Station around teatime on Saturday 22 August 1964, just two weeks before most of the changes kicked in.
Merchant Navy 35008 Orient Line stands at Central with 12 coaches on the 4.30pm to Waterloo. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
34056 Croydon waits with the Okehampton to Surbiton car carrier train. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
34056 departs four minutes later. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
34032 Camelford runs light through the station heading for Exmouth Junction shed. Copyright Michael L Roach.
Pannier 4694 is seen during shunting operations. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
There were two panniers on pilot duty that day – here is the second one 4610. Both panniers were shedded at Exmouth Junction, 4610 from August 1963 to October 1964; and 4694 from January 1963 to June 1965. The engine had previously been at Wadebridge for three years. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Par by moonlight
Jon Hird
GWR's 57602 arrives at Par with the up 'Night Riviera' sleeper service. The scene is illuminated by the Super Blue Moon (or if you're an astronomer - 'perigee syzygy' Moon!). 20.08.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Shortly before the sleeper arrived, 150243 arrived ECS from Liskeard as 5L98, pausing briefly in Platform 3 before scuttling away to Chapel Siding for the night. 20.08.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Blue era at Southampton
Roger Geach
73113 pictured at southampton with the 0940 Waterloo - Weymouth on Sat 17.08.1985. Copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks Roger - 39 years ago this week.
Going round the bend!
Roger Winnen
18.05.1978 - A DMU rounds the tight curve between the mainline and the Looe branch at Liskeard. Copyright Roger Winnen