Trevor Snell
David Tozer
In addition to the closure of the Sidmouth branch - the last trains ran on the 4th March
On this day Exmouth Junction MPD closed with the final diesels leaving for service. The Western Region used the MPD as a base for the diesel hydraulics working the Waterloo line and DMU's on the local branch lines. For a time the depot lingered on used by the C & W department before the track, shed and coal hopper were demolished. The site lay idle for many years until Leo's Supermarket was built.
Pendennis Castle went to Exmouth Junction to be serviced as 83C had ceased to look after steam engines.
Found this link on Six Bells Junction
http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/60s/651002ia.html
Following the WR take over we used to get the odd interesting visitors. I recall a Midland 4F heading back to Templecombe at 07.00 one morning after attention. It was not unusual to see WR engines at EJ in the evening. We had a 21.25 Exmouth Junction - Avonmouth Docks empty van train Mondays to Fridays(?) and this would produce WR Halls and Midland 8F's. Happy days.
John Cornelius