Looking into it!
John Root
John Root
Hi
You have an excellent archive of pictures.
I was playing with this one and ran it through some editing software. The enhanced version shows coaching stock parked on the stub of the old main line. Presumably the bridge in the background is the limit of shunt as I think they'd push the stock to the far end of the line, rather than leave it marooned somewhere in the middle?
Regards, John Root Many thanks for that John, not spotted before.
N.B. KJ can remember seeing from the current main line stock parked right out to the end of the line. It is understood that these coaches were, at one time, used by gentlemen with nowhere else to sleep!
You have an excellent archive of pictures.
I was playing with this one and ran it through some editing software. The enhanced version shows coaching stock parked on the stub of the old main line. Presumably the bridge in the background is the limit of shunt as I think they'd push the stock to the far end of the line, rather than leave it marooned somewhere in the middle?
Regards, John Root Many thanks for that John, not spotted before.
N.B. KJ can remember seeing from the current main line stock parked right out to the end of the line. It is understood that these coaches were, at one time, used by gentlemen with nowhere else to sleep!
Defiance Wearde_Signal_Box D868 Zeyphyr on 1.20 Pz Padd Mar.April 62 Copyright the Late Keith Holt
Defiance Wearde_Signal_Box D868 Zeyphyr on 1.20 Pz Padd Mar.April 62 Copyright the Late Keith Holt, Taking a closer look John Root noted that a rake of stock can be clearly seen on the former main line but by then a siding.
Dear Keith,
The comments and the picture are interesting. When the new inland route was opened, in 1908, the stub of the old line was kept as a storage siding. It was connected to the main line by a compound crossover (single slip) and consisted of a long loop with hand-operated points at each end, which enabled engines to run round. In latter years the siding held older stock used for summer extras which would otherwise occupy the limited carriage space at Plymouth. Each spring the coaches had to be drawn out and taken to Laira or Millbay for cleaning, battery charge etc.
Wearde box was opened in 1908, replacing an older, smaller one. The box was of wooden construction but was fitted with a brick 'skirt' as some protection from bomb splinters, in 1941. Also during world war 2, the trackbed of the old pre-1908 single line between Saltash and Wearde was utilised to provide a long down goods running loop. The wartime need for long waits in loops saw a water column erected at Wearde (seen in the photo). Defiance platform was named after H.M.S.Defiance, a training ship moored below the railway at this point.
Roy Many thanks for your note Roy
The comments and the picture are interesting. When the new inland route was opened, in 1908, the stub of the old line was kept as a storage siding. It was connected to the main line by a compound crossover (single slip) and consisted of a long loop with hand-operated points at each end, which enabled engines to run round. In latter years the siding held older stock used for summer extras which would otherwise occupy the limited carriage space at Plymouth. Each spring the coaches had to be drawn out and taken to Laira or Millbay for cleaning, battery charge etc.
Wearde box was opened in 1908, replacing an older, smaller one. The box was of wooden construction but was fitted with a brick 'skirt' as some protection from bomb splinters, in 1941. Also during world war 2, the trackbed of the old pre-1908 single line between Saltash and Wearde was utilised to provide a long down goods running loop. The wartime need for long waits in loops saw a water column erected at Wearde (seen in the photo). Defiance platform was named after H.M.S.Defiance, a training ship moored below the railway at this point.
Roy Many thanks for your note Roy
Remembering the China Clay Rambler on 28th April 1990.
Trevor Hawke
Trevor Hawke
The Cornwall Railway Society ran this railtour on a bright and sunny day in late April, 1990. The route taken was Penzance-Par-St Dennis Tip Sidings-Roche-Bugle-Luxulyan-Ponts Mill-Par Harbour-Loswithiel (Lunch Break in the Fowey Branch Platform-Carne Point-Golant-Lostwithiel-Parkandillack-Nanpean Wharves-Par and Penzance
The units involved were set 828 52051 59386 51936 and set 955 51933 and 52054
Trevor Hawke from Pensilva captured these classic photographs.
Many Thanks Trevor
The units involved were set 828 52051 59386 51936 and set 955 51933 and 52054
Trevor Hawke from Pensilva captured these classic photographs.
Many Thanks Trevor
900428a Taken at 12.47 on Saturday 28th April, 1990 The China Clay Rambler at NCMC Ponts Mill Works. Copyright Trevor Hawke
900428b Looking down to the five car DMU leaving Golant for Lostwithiel at 3.25 p.m. Copyright Trevor Hawke
Barnstaple Branch reopened - so far !
Brian Pibworth
Brian Pibworth
Good Evening Keith,
Thanks to the timely publicity by Martin Duff on Cornwall Railways site, I was able to join this excursion from Taunton to Minehead today and ride over bits of the GW mainline and WSR that I have previously only glimpsed through a long lens. The trip was not well supported but a good time was had by all who did, especially when we went along the remains of the old Barnstaple Branch and over the zig zag crossover between Silk Mills and Norton Fitzwarren. I've given the px long titles to save on caption space and hope they all come across the ether.
Best wishes
Brian Message received 20.17 Many thanks for your report
Thanks to the timely publicity by Martin Duff on Cornwall Railways site, I was able to join this excursion from Taunton to Minehead today and ride over bits of the GW mainline and WSR that I have previously only glimpsed through a long lens. The trip was not well supported but a good time was had by all who did, especially when we went along the remains of the old Barnstaple Branch and over the zig zag crossover between Silk Mills and Norton Fitzwarren. I've given the px long titles to save on caption space and hope they all come across the ether.
Best wishes
Brian Message received 20.17 Many thanks for your report
WSR - Our smart, refurbished Class 150 DMU, ready and waiting in Taunton Station as is, the right of the picture, WSR plc General Manager, Paul Conybeare 19th June 2016 Copyright Brian Pibworth
WSR Excursion - A short stop at Bishop's Lydeard to await an Up train 19th June 16 CR Brian Pibworth
Special labelling for a special train! Copyright Brian Pibworth
WSR Excursion - We wait for an Up service at Blue Anchor 19th June 16 Copyright Brian Pibworth
WSR Excursion - Our driver fixes the celebration headboard before departure from Minehead. 19th June 16 Copyright Brian Pibworth
WSR Excursion - Yer be dragons-! - well probably Wyverns as its still Somerset, but certainly a journey into the unknown as we head down the branch towards Barnstaple. Copyright Brian Pibworth
WSR Excursion - As far as it goes to Barnstaple. The first passenger train on this line since the late 60s. Not as scenic as The first passenger train on this line since the late 60s. Not as scenic as Truthall Halt and significantly less chance of going any further. 19th June 2016 Copyright Brian Pibworth
KJ must admit to disobedience here - Brian asked me to omit this picture - in the original the milepost was just a 'dot' - but here it is enlarged and well worth seeing. Any complaints to KJ! The picture is copyright Brian Pibworth. The line to Barnstaple closed 3rd October 1966.
Taunton Station - After the trip, FGW 150247 waits for -right time- to depart for Bristol TM while the XC takes on passengers. 19th June 2016 Copyright Brian Pibworth
West Cornwall Gems 4
Mike Morant
Mike Morant
G.W.R. Collet Hall class 4-6-0 7925 Westol Hall at Rospeath whilst in charge of an up train from Penzance. 160320 Courtesy Mike Morant