Items added on 25th July 2017 Those added most recently come first

25/7/2017

Devon Quarryman
Jeremy Doe

The Devon Quarryman was a railtour run by the RPS on the 25th June 1978. It ran from Paddington via Swindon, Westerleigh, Bristol Temple Meads and thence to Exeter. The train was topped and tailed by 33103 & 33119. From Exeter it went to Okehampton and then on to Meldon Quarry, Reversing from Meldon to Crediton it then reversed once more to traverse the line to Meeth. The return route was via the 'Southern' to Bsingstoke and thence to Paddington. Many thanks for these pictures Jeremy - memories are made of this.

The Devon Quarryman at Okehampton on the 25th June 1978 Copyright Jeremy Doe

Devon Quarryman Meldon Quarry 25th June 1978 Copyright Jeremy Doe.. Note:- For info the gentleman by the buffer beam in the Meldon Quarry photo is my grandad Rudley Lethbridge, who was a driver on the line based at Torrington until transfer to Reading during the war.

The Devon Quarryman stands at Barnstable on the 25th June 1978. Copyright Jeremy Doe

The Devon Quarryman gets to the extremes at Meeth on the 25th June 1978 Copyright Jeremy Doe

Chard Contrasts
Mark Lancaster

I made a short Youtube video last year (All Change at Chard Junction) showing a bit of the level crossing at Chard Junction and the demolition of the milk factory. Since then I wanted to make a part two to that video,particularly after the final demolition, and this time I'd like to concentrate a bit more on the old railway station at the junction.

In researching for the new video I discovered some wonderful pictures (and history) on your site and thought they would be really useful in my video. Naturally, I didn't want to poach them and hence I'm seeking your permission to use some of them. Assuming I'm given permission, rest assured that any material I do use will be credited to your site in my video details section.

To give you a flavour of what I'm trying to achieve, along with filming I have recently done I would like to show past and present pictures. It has proved quite difficult to reproduce the exact camera angels, for a number of reasons.... different photographic equipment, lenses and processing, tree/bush growth, new fences and trying to capture pictures in similar light conditions as in the originals. I have attached some photos of the area I've captured so far. Two are pictures taken from your site and the others are (to the best of my ability) are taken from the exact same positions. In fact, the milk factory sidings picture needs to be done again. I realise that I need to have the camera a foot or so lower and the camera lense brought forward around five foot. I'm just waiting for the right lighting conditions, then I'll be down there again.

You are more than welcome (if you wish to) to use my images on your site.

I look forward to hearing from you soon... hopefully before I finish editing the video. Kind regards Mark Lancaster.
Well, with permissions obtained, we couldn't refuse could we? Here are his samples. Many thanks Mark

In the good old days - Chard Junction Milk Factory sidings, note the loco approaching the signalbox. Copyright Roger Winnen

Chard Junction Milk Factory Sidings in 2017. A view taken by Mark Lancaster. Copyright.

A remarkable view from the top of Chard Junction Creamery taken in 1982 Copyright Brian Pibworth

Wonderful things these drones, in responsible hands that is. Here, Mark carefully positions the flying machine to replicate the location used by Brian Pibworth. This picture in 2017 Copyright Mark Lancaster.

Chard Junction Creamery Site. A picture taken in July 2017. One wonders what will next occupy this site!! Many thanks to Brian. Copyright Brian Pibworth

Exmouth Junction
Coal Concentration Depot
Ron Kosys