Long Rock T.M.D.
The rails are now being laid for the new extension
Roger Winnen
The rails are now being laid for the new extension
Roger Winnen
171109a Photographed from The Cornish Riviera Express, the new tracks for the extension are now being laid into the depot. Copyright Roger Winnen
171109b 57605 Totnes Castle stands in the fueling road outside the recladded and extended shed. Copyright Roger Winnen
171109c The west end of the shed showing the new connection being installed. Copyright Roger Winnen
'Electrifying' Chard
Brian Pibworth
Brian Pibworth
Good morning Keith,
No, it isn't April 1st or a nightmare plan to lay third-rail 750V through the streets of Weymouth, but a genuine follow up to Mike Bojko's article on Chard Station.
Look up Chard on Google Maps satellite view, find the Tesco Superstore on the A30 heading East and go South to the cycle track which leads from Tapstone Road to Millfield between the premises of Numatic and Brecknell Willis. About half way along, on the BW side you will see a section of sleepered railway track transected by overhead supports. This was constructed by Brecknell Willis (now Wabtec) to test the operation of pantographs they were building for the BR Class 91 electric locomotives.
Mike is correct in his assertion that Chard is now effectively cut off from the main line for good, but locomotive components made here can still be seen in operation in the North and East, some of which still have Brecknell Willis branding on the pantograph arm and elements of light railways worldwide have begun life here. The factory is currently adjusting to the change from benevolent socialist family ownership to being part of a multi-national railway conglomerate with a strong US work ethic, so we shall have to wait and see how things turn out.
There has been so much tree growth over the past 10 yrs that I can't take a current pic of the rails but attached is one of "our" pantographs adorning 91120 at Doncaster in 2011.
With kind regards, Brian Pibworth Many thanks Brian
No, it isn't April 1st or a nightmare plan to lay third-rail 750V through the streets of Weymouth, but a genuine follow up to Mike Bojko's article on Chard Station.
Look up Chard on Google Maps satellite view, find the Tesco Superstore on the A30 heading East and go South to the cycle track which leads from Tapstone Road to Millfield between the premises of Numatic and Brecknell Willis. About half way along, on the BW side you will see a section of sleepered railway track transected by overhead supports. This was constructed by Brecknell Willis (now Wabtec) to test the operation of pantographs they were building for the BR Class 91 electric locomotives.
Mike is correct in his assertion that Chard is now effectively cut off from the main line for good, but locomotive components made here can still be seen in operation in the North and East, some of which still have Brecknell Willis branding on the pantograph arm and elements of light railways worldwide have begun life here. The factory is currently adjusting to the change from benevolent socialist family ownership to being part of a multi-national railway conglomerate with a strong US work ethic, so we shall have to wait and see how things turn out.
There has been so much tree growth over the past 10 yrs that I can't take a current pic of the rails but attached is one of "our" pantographs adorning 91120 at Doncaster in 2011.
With kind regards, Brian Pibworth Many thanks Brian
You'll find looking at Google Earth as recommended very interesting. The thirty yard line is at right angles to the old track bed and about a hundred yards from the course of the old branch line. Chard station was about seven hundred yards as the crow flies from this location. The location of of the 'new track' is at Lat 50.572491 Lon -2.955417
Class 91120 at Doncaster 18th July 2011 Copyright Brian Pibworth
Class 91120's pantograph at Doncaster 18th July 2011 Copyright Brian Pibworth
Brecknell's branding Copyright Brian Pibworth
Delightful Diesels!
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
An atmospheric picture of an HST on one of the first services to Edinburgh stands at Platform 2 adjacent to the long removed crossover for engine release at Penzance on the 23rd May 1982 Nice clean modern motive power as opposed to the filthy steam engines. Copyright Roger Winnen
Washford
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius