Westbury today
Martin Scane
Martin Scane
What a colourful sight. 153 333 at Westbury 25th March 2017 Copyright Martin Scan
66 164 shunts the up yard 25th March 2017 Copyright Martin Scan
Visits to Box &
Bradford on Avon
Peter Murnagham
Bradford on Avon
Peter Murnagham
The secret tunnels around Box and Corsham are intriguing. Read more about the secret tunnel and discover very valuable links by going to the Features section (Jan - June 2017). I told our friends (who are not transport types at all), of the fable of the secret underground hoard of steam locomotives kept in hidden tunnels alongside Box Tunnel as a strategic reserve. They were sceptical, but it's good to have the occasional whimsical dream.
Lynn and I went to the London-end of the tunnel to see if we could see anything of the entrance to the ammunition sidings, but sadly there was nothing to be seen. A couple of WW2 pill boxes above the cutting and a police patrol came to see what we were doing, but drove off again after they had established that we just looked like a couple of old codgers, rather than trespassers !
It was raining, so my picture of the tunnel mouth was poor. Turning around on the overbridge, the view in the opposite direction was almost more interesting. It shows where the siding between the tunnel siding and Corsham station ran, underneath the aqueduct, which is currently having repairs done to it. And it looks suspiciously like an old signal box beneath the aqueduct.
Lynn and I went to the London-end of the tunnel to see if we could see anything of the entrance to the ammunition sidings, but sadly there was nothing to be seen. A couple of WW2 pill boxes above the cutting and a police patrol came to see what we were doing, but drove off again after they had established that we just looked like a couple of old codgers, rather than trespassers !
It was raining, so my picture of the tunnel mouth was poor. Turning around on the overbridge, the view in the opposite direction was almost more interesting. It shows where the siding between the tunnel siding and Corsham station ran, underneath the aqueduct, which is currently having repairs done to it. And it looks suspiciously like an old signal box beneath the aqueduct.
Looking west from Valley Road bridge Corsham towards the east end of Box Tunnel. The entrance to the MOD facilities was out of sight to the right of the main tunnel bore. 22nd March 2017 Copyright Peter Murnagham
Looking east from Valley Road bridge Corsham. on the 22nd March 2017 Copyright Peter Murnagham
As a PS to my last note, I called in to Bradford on Avon station on Wednesday morning, in time to see this Bristol TM to Weymouth train pull in. It was terminating short at Frome because of the derailment at East Somerset Junction. I didn't hear how passengers for Dorchester and Weymouth were being catered for. Perhaps diverted onto trains to Southampton, then SWT, or a bus to Castle Cary.
Bradford on Avon at 13.24 on the 22nd March 2017 Copyright Peter Murnagham
Focus on the railway at
Camborne and Carn Brea
Roger Winnen
Camborne and Carn Brea
Roger Winnen
170325a Class 150 at Camborne on the 09.58 to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen
170325b The 09.43 Penzance to Manchester departing Camborne. No doubt hopefully in the next few weeks we will have the original footbridge back in situ. Copyright Roger Winnen
170325c The 09.51 Plymouth -Penzance is seen passing the site of Carn Brea Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
170325d The 10.58 Penzance to Paddington service is seen passing Carn Brea with its next stop being Redruth. The fairly new road is seen on the left connecting Camborne with Barncoose, Redruth. Copyright Roger Winnen
Double Dutch at Exeter
Michael Forward
Michael Forward
910610a At Exeter St David's Station we see 37141 & 37035 making their way to Riverside Yard. Photographed on 10th June, 1991. Copyright Michael Forward
Luxulyan
Alan Harris
Alan Harris
A most interesting picture taken at the Par end of Luxulyan station during the early 1960's. The signalbox along with the up loop and all sidings with the exception of Treskilliing siding closed on the 27th September 1964. The picture is of great interest with the water tower on the left, this was fed from a local water source, the water being pumped up by a windmill. Note also to the right the clerestory camping coach 9906 parked up, what a remote location for a holiday? This picture taken by an unknown person, maybe a railway employee, was one in an envelope purchased by Alan Harris for £1. Many thanks to Alan Harris.
AND Quick as a flash - within 30 minutes Roy Hart gives us yet more information on the photograph above Dear Keith, Alan Harris's picture of Luxulyan is most interesting. Note the miniature signal arm on the up starting signal. This led to Treffry siding (behind the photographer). Squire J.T. Treffry of Place House, Fowey was the originator of the Cornwall Minerals Railway. Treffry siding ended at a white gate bearing a red target: beyond, until the 1930s was the tramroad (horse worked) which led over Treffry viaduct to Colcerrow quarry. Horses left single wagons of granite or clay by the gate, to be picked up by Newquay freights. The last such traffic was in about 1933, though Treffry siding lasted till 1964. The station originally had two platforms, but in 1910 the signal box shown was built and an island platform substituted. Incidentally, the signal box closed on 27thSeptember 1964. Roy
Many thanks Roy
Many thanks Roy
Taunton East Junction
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
A perfect picture as 50035 Ark Royal passes Taunton East Junction signalbox. Ark Royal was the motive power for the Cornwall Railway Society Charter - the 'Avon Explorer'. Built August 1968, named January 1978 , withdrawn 3rd August 1990 Copyright John Cornelius