Tavy Viaduct
Chris Harvey
Chris Harvey
Hello, Please find attached a picture of Devon taken from Cornwall! From the top of Saltash with a long lens, you can get this distant view of Tavy Viaduct, with Dartmoor forming the far background. The 150 captured making the crossing is the 1448 Plymouth - Gunnislake, and the date is Sat 1st July. I assume that the mast on the horizon is the transmitter at North Hessary Tor near Princetown, which is quite a few miles away.
Best Regards, Chris Harvey, Bodmin Many thanks Chris
Best Regards, Chris Harvey, Bodmin Many thanks Chris
Tavy Viaduct with the 14.48 Plymouth - Gunnislake crossing on the 1st July 2017 Copyright Chris Harvey
Guy Vincent and
Sheephouse Farm
Sheephouse Farm
More on Sheephouse Farm near Bruton, now known as 'Gladen'
I found Colin Burges' article on his Castle Cary-Westbury bike ride very interesting and learned a few things in the process, (See Features Mid May to Dec 2017) For example the purpose of the large underground 'bunker' close to the former Sheephouse Farm near Bruton. I have often wondered what it was for, and had no idea that Bruton used to suffer bad flooding. Bath, Bradford-on-Avon, Melksham, Chippenham and Trowbridge also had the same annual problem until the River Avon was improved and widened/straightened in the late 1960s.
Sheephouse Farm (now known as 'Gladen') has featured here before but I return to it with a winter shot taken some time ago from the rear of a passing train. Just imagine it is 1850 or thereabouts and you live in the 18th century farmhouse, situated alone next to a quiet country byway with panoramic views southwards across the upper Brue valley. Two men on horseback appear one morning and knock on the door. They say that the Great Western Railway Company is to build a new line from Frome to Yeovil and Weymouth and they have been employed by the company's engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, to survey the best route that this is to take. After taking measurements etc. they depart and life returns to normal. By 1855 though things have changed forever. The surveyors discovered that the only way to take the line from Brewham down towards Bruton was by a twisting, winding, steeply descending route along the northern side of the steep valley. Navvies cut the pathway for the broad gauge track right behind the farmhouse, taking away its garden and having to shore up the foundations with a sturdy stone retaining wall that remains to this day. From day one of railway operations locomotives puffed clouds of smoke and steam just a few feet from the ground floor windows and back door as they fought against the steep ruling gradients of between 1 in 98 and 1 in 81 towards the summit. An ideal place to live though if you are a rail enthusiast! If those 19th century occupants could return now they would no doubt be looking forward to the arrival of the new Hitachi class 801 'Flying Cucumbers' as they are almost silent at speed with fantastic acceleration to boot.
Like Colin, I feel that this could be the last summer of 'traditional' railway operations in the west of England as the new order comes in. Good news for passengers I'm sure but I'll be taking less of an interest in day to day operations and likely turning to other activities once the wires go up and the Bi-Modes take over most long distance services.
Guy Vincent Very many thanks Guy for such an interesting tale.
I found Colin Burges' article on his Castle Cary-Westbury bike ride very interesting and learned a few things in the process, (See Features Mid May to Dec 2017) For example the purpose of the large underground 'bunker' close to the former Sheephouse Farm near Bruton. I have often wondered what it was for, and had no idea that Bruton used to suffer bad flooding. Bath, Bradford-on-Avon, Melksham, Chippenham and Trowbridge also had the same annual problem until the River Avon was improved and widened/straightened in the late 1960s.
Sheephouse Farm (now known as 'Gladen') has featured here before but I return to it with a winter shot taken some time ago from the rear of a passing train. Just imagine it is 1850 or thereabouts and you live in the 18th century farmhouse, situated alone next to a quiet country byway with panoramic views southwards across the upper Brue valley. Two men on horseback appear one morning and knock on the door. They say that the Great Western Railway Company is to build a new line from Frome to Yeovil and Weymouth and they have been employed by the company's engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, to survey the best route that this is to take. After taking measurements etc. they depart and life returns to normal. By 1855 though things have changed forever. The surveyors discovered that the only way to take the line from Brewham down towards Bruton was by a twisting, winding, steeply descending route along the northern side of the steep valley. Navvies cut the pathway for the broad gauge track right behind the farmhouse, taking away its garden and having to shore up the foundations with a sturdy stone retaining wall that remains to this day. From day one of railway operations locomotives puffed clouds of smoke and steam just a few feet from the ground floor windows and back door as they fought against the steep ruling gradients of between 1 in 98 and 1 in 81 towards the summit. An ideal place to live though if you are a rail enthusiast! If those 19th century occupants could return now they would no doubt be looking forward to the arrival of the new Hitachi class 801 'Flying Cucumbers' as they are almost silent at speed with fantastic acceleration to boot.
Like Colin, I feel that this could be the last summer of 'traditional' railway operations in the west of England as the new order comes in. Good news for passengers I'm sure but I'll be taking less of an interest in day to day operations and likely turning to other activities once the wires go up and the Bi-Modes take over most long distance services.
Guy Vincent Very many thanks Guy for such an interesting tale.
Sheephouse Farmhouse (now 'Gladen') nr Bruton in February 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent Passing trains must surely shake the foundations!!
Torbay Woes
Guy Vincent
Guy Vincent
Today's Torbay Express from Bristol Temple Meads to Kingswear was diesel-hauled again today following the reported failure of 'Tornado' on depot prior to departure. Diesel 66177 was hastily summoned from Barton Hill and departed some 42 minutes late at 0842. Two weeks ago the same loco was piloted throughout by 66102 due to 'fire risk'. Hopefully future trips will run as scheduled, time will tell... Pictured arriving at Westbury by when some time had been regained. Guy Vincent. Many thanks Guy
Thunderer Silent!
Guy Vincent
Guy Vincent
50008 'Thunderer' stabled at Bristol Barton Hill following it's outing to Devon on 29th/30th June. Grabbed from a passing train yesterday.
Guy Vincent. Many thanks Guy.
Guy Vincent. Many thanks Guy.
Bits and Bobs
Jamie Dyke
Jamie Dyke
Hi Keith, Here are a couple of photos i captured on Thursday 29th June and Friday 30th June. On the Thursday 50008 'Thunderer' went to Okehampton to drop a rail grinder of and is seen here at Exeter St David's running 4Z01 12:45 Chaddesden to Okehampton.
On Friday, 67027 and 67023 covering the NMT diagram on 1Q18 from Reading Triangle to Paignton via Penzance pass St Austell in dismal weather but it eventually stopped raining for 5Z45 19:13 Plymouth to Penzance Slopers Sidings ECS move which no one has posted a photo of yet i believe.
Kind regards. Jamie Many thanks Jamie, much appreciated
On Friday, 67027 and 67023 covering the NMT diagram on 1Q18 from Reading Triangle to Paignton via Penzance pass St Austell in dismal weather but it eventually stopped raining for 5Z45 19:13 Plymouth to Penzance Slopers Sidings ECS move which no one has posted a photo of yet i believe.
Kind regards. Jamie Many thanks Jamie, much appreciated
50008 Thunderer at Exeter 29th June 2017 Copyright Jamie Dyke
50008 Thunderer at Exeter 29th June 2017 Copyright Jamie Dyke
NMT at St Austell 30th June 2017 Copyright Jamie Dyke
The 19.13 Plymouth to Penzance Slopers Sidings ECS move. 30th June 2017 Copyright Jamie Dyke
Bournemouth
Mike Morant
Mike Morant
SR Maunsell Lord Nelson 4-6-0 no. 853 Sir Richard Grenville awaits departure from Bournemouth Central whilst in charge of an express to Waterloo. [Mike Morant collection]
Yeovil Jct. 2011
Part Two
John Cornelius
Part Two
John Cornelius
2011 was a very active year at the Yeovil Railway Centre as recalled by our very good friend, John Cornelius a keen worker and supporter at the site.
Copyright John Cornelius
Not really, this is 6024 masquerading as King John, a nice touch. Copyright John Cornelius
A 'blue streak'. Copyright John Cornelius
WELL, HOW ABOUT THIS - a truly amazing picture. John catches a 'once in a lifetime shot;'. Well done, and many thanks for sharing it with us John. Copyright
- and here is supporter and worker John at the Yeovil Railway Centre busy at work. Copyright