Taunton and its Semaphores in March 1983
Michael Forward
Michael Forward
830326a Taunton West Box and the associated gantry with a Penzance to Paddington HST approaching. Copyright Michael Forward
830326b Taken from the footbridge we see a Class 47 on an inter regional service from Paignton. Copyright Michael Forward
Exploring the
Devizes branch
Guy Vincent
Devizes branch
Guy Vincent
I strongly recommend looking on Google Earth as you can follow the entire Devizes branch from Holt Junction to Patney & Chirton with ease, even through Devizes where some sections have been built on. It is also possible to pick out the original profile of Devizes Castle and the associated earthworks. I started my search by picking on 'Avon Road Devizes' and going from there. You can get some good magnification and pick out today's landmarks that lead to the line when out searching. Footpaths show up especially well. Following the route on Google Earth there are a few photographs along the route depicting ‘Old railway bridge soon to be demolished’ and also close by ‘Another old railway bridge soon to be demolished’ – worth taking a look at.
Attached is a Google Earth image for reference, North is top and West to the left of the shot. Brabazon Way is at Bowerhill to the south of Melksham, this is approximately the boundary of the former RAF Camp that was located there from 1940 to 1965. The camp site is now the Bowerhill Industrial estate with a large housing development close by. The Devizes branch ran along the route Brabazon Way now takes and in the hedge close to where I parked my silver Metro my wife found a 1882 GWR boundary post. I've since found several more of these posts with the same date along the route the line took and I believe that this was when the line was re-surveyed. At the time of my exploration in 2010 there were many abandoned relics of the line evident including rusty track fittings and sections of old rail that had been used for fencing. I came across a concrete GWR stile where a public footpath used to cross the line and there were many old wooden sleepers that had been used as fence posts, these had been torn out and piled up ready for disposal following work on the new Knorr Bremse factory.
Attached is a Google Earth image for reference, North is top and West to the left of the shot. Brabazon Way is at Bowerhill to the south of Melksham, this is approximately the boundary of the former RAF Camp that was located there from 1940 to 1965. The camp site is now the Bowerhill Industrial estate with a large housing development close by. The Devizes branch ran along the route Brabazon Way now takes and in the hedge close to where I parked my silver Metro my wife found a 1882 GWR boundary post. I've since found several more of these posts with the same date along the route the line took and I believe that this was when the line was re-surveyed. At the time of my exploration in 2010 there were many abandoned relics of the line evident including rusty track fittings and sections of old rail that had been used for fencing. I came across a concrete GWR stile where a public footpath used to cross the line and there were many old wooden sleepers that had been used as fence posts, these had been torn out and piled up ready for disposal following work on the new Knorr Bremse factory.
The Google Earth view - as Guy says it is well worth your while getting into Google Earth yourself and following the line - you'll find the above location easily.
Brabazon Way, Bowerhill. Copyright Guy Vincent
The GWR Boundary post spotted by Mrs. Vincent. Copyright Guy Vincent
Redundant GWR Fencing, Bowerhill, Knorr Bremse site. Copyright Guy Vincent
A lineside style at Brabazon Way, Bowerhill, Melksham. Copyright Guy Burges.
Buckfastleigh
Ron Kosys
Ron Kosys
1638 at Buckfastleigh on the 5th June 1977 Copyright Ron Kosys
Were you there?
Redruth
Alan Harris
Redruth
Alan Harris
Attached is a scan of a flyer that I have for Cornwall's Rugby match played at Redruth on 23rd October 1954. The late Kenneth Polmear's book "Rugby in the Duchy 1884-1959" tells me that Cornwall won the match by 3 points ( 1 try - only 3 points in those days) to Nil.
The stadium at Redruth used to give a good panorama of passing trains at Drump Lane - about 600 yards away - so if the match was a bit boring!!! Thanks Alan for this reminder of sporting days and trains, glad we won.
The stadium at Redruth used to give a good panorama of passing trains at Drump Lane - about 600 yards away - so if the match was a bit boring!!! Thanks Alan for this reminder of sporting days and trains, glad we won.
Dawlish
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius