Daisy rounds the bend
Mark Lynam
Mark Lynam
Two photos I took on Sunday 6th August of the 13:00 Prospidnick to Truthall Halt service on the Helston Railway from the road bridge at Truthall Halt. The station is still under construction at the Southern end.
Mark Lynam Thanks Mark
Mark Lynam Thanks Mark
Ruston & Hornsby 0-4-0 Shunter 97649 pushes Brake Van Diasy towards - Truthall Halt, Helston Railway. 6th August 2017 Copyright Mark Lynam
The train ready to return. 6th August 2017 Copyright Mark Lynam
Cogload Clash
Colin Burges
Colin Burges
On Saturdays, the 1630 Paddington via Bristol, the "Torbay," and the 1706 Paddington via Westbury, sometimes meet at Cogload, with the 1706 booked to precede.
This encounter I first witnessed last summer when, for the first time that I remember, the train from Bristol crept up to the signal (E112?) on the embankment beyond the flyover. It was not long before the other London raced past, its driver giving an audible salute to his mate who had come to the door of his cab. It was only as the train flew through the junction that I thought what a good picture it would have made.
Since then I have been on one or the other train several times but have not been lucky enough to see a repeat performance. Saturday week, coming back from Bristol again, the 1706 must have just cleared because the signal soon changed to yellow.
This encounter I first witnessed last summer when, for the first time that I remember, the train from Bristol crept up to the signal (E112?) on the embankment beyond the flyover. It was not long before the other London raced past, its driver giving an audible salute to his mate who had come to the door of his cab. It was only as the train flew through the junction that I thought what a good picture it would have made.
Since then I have been on one or the other train several times but have not been lucky enough to see a repeat performance. Saturday week, coming back from Bristol again, the 1706 must have just cleared because the signal soon changed to yellow.
Cogload 29th July 2017 Copyright Colin Burges
Then yesterday (5th August 2017) , coming from Cary, there was the 1630 at a stand on the bank. My train's shadow spoils the picture but at least I captured the event. I am very conscious that this summer may be the last in which to enjoy the freedom of the droplight.
Cogload 29th July 2017 Copyright Colin Burges
What is striking is that both of these trains have been approaching Cogload at 100 m.p.h. and one has been brought to a stand an overlap (200 yards?) from the junction points. In semaphore days this would not have been possible. A signalman would not have cleared his signals for the runner without first seeing that the other train was at or nearly at a stand. But, once upon a time, there were two lines to Taunton and trains would not have needed to be held at Cogload, although in latter years, with only one platform, one would still have been checked at East Junction.
The first high speed turnouts were installed in 1983 at Colton Junction on the Selby Diversion. They allowed 125 m.p.h. running onto a line that B.R. thought was good for 160 m.p.h. The distance between the toe of the switches and the crossing - the "lead" - was I think 100 yards.
The two turnouts at Cogload were still remarkable when they were installed around 1984 to enable the quadruple line to be reduced. I seem to remember them being rated at 90 m.p.h. Speed seems to slacken on the approach to the flyover from Cary and on Saturday I looked out for the speed "cutout." Just to be sure, I asked the driver after he was relieved at St. David's.
Saturday was a bit exhausting. I caught the 0510 from St. David's to Yeovil Junction and breakfasted there before riding to Chetnole to catch the train for Dorchester. I rode around a bit before entraining at Dorchester South for Wareham. I cycled from there to Norden and caught the train to Swanage, where I spent four hours getting acquainted with the place, including buying a "strolling" ticket to get onto the pier. Then it was back to Wareham for the train to Weymouth, where I rode along the front and followed the tramway back. I caught the "Wizard" to Cary and arrived Christow at 2012 after an 0427 start.
With best wishes, Colin Many thanks Colin - a long day
The first high speed turnouts were installed in 1983 at Colton Junction on the Selby Diversion. They allowed 125 m.p.h. running onto a line that B.R. thought was good for 160 m.p.h. The distance between the toe of the switches and the crossing - the "lead" - was I think 100 yards.
The two turnouts at Cogload were still remarkable when they were installed around 1984 to enable the quadruple line to be reduced. I seem to remember them being rated at 90 m.p.h. Speed seems to slacken on the approach to the flyover from Cary and on Saturday I looked out for the speed "cutout." Just to be sure, I asked the driver after he was relieved at St. David's.
Saturday was a bit exhausting. I caught the 0510 from St. David's to Yeovil Junction and breakfasted there before riding to Chetnole to catch the train for Dorchester. I rode around a bit before entraining at Dorchester South for Wareham. I cycled from there to Norden and caught the train to Swanage, where I spent four hours getting acquainted with the place, including buying a "strolling" ticket to get onto the pier. Then it was back to Wareham for the train to Weymouth, where I rode along the front and followed the tramway back. I caught the "Wizard" to Cary and arrived Christow at 2012 after an 0427 start.
With best wishes, Colin Many thanks Colin - a long day
Salisbury
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius