125 years ago
Mike Roach
Mike Roach
Cornwall and Devon have just enjoyed a week of fine dry settled weather with some wind and lots of sunshine. It was very different 125 years ago in March 1891 when a blizzard raged across southern England and Wales relentlessly for four days. On 17 March 1891 a train struggled into Plymouth; nothing unusual in that except that it had left London 8 days earlier on the afternoon of 9 March 1891. The “Zulu” had left Paddington at 3.00pm that day and run into snowdrifts on the southern flank of Dartmoor near Brent the same evening. There it stayed until dug out by a force of 300 men. The clearance work was hampered by further snowfalls as the men worked to clear the snow.
Many thanks Mike
Many thanks Mike
A Miscellany of trains alongside the sea shore in South Devon during early March, 2016
Weekend closure of the line from Plymouth to Exeter St David's brought in a number of engineering trains for work at Teignmouth Station.
Roger Salter
Weekend closure of the line from Plymouth to Exeter St David's brought in a number of engineering trains for work at Teignmouth Station.
Roger Salter
160301a The Old Oak Common to Laira seen passing Cockwood Harbour with the trailing power car 43002 on the 1st March, 2016. Copyright Roger Salter
160301j Weekend possession at Teignmouth with three trains being parked up. 66077 tailed with 66162 is seen on this train west of Teignmouth on Saturday 5th March, 2016. Copyright Roger Salter
160301r 66565 Departs from the skew bridge at Teignmouth with its old load of ballast and sleepers. Copyright Roger Salter
See more of this story on the Features Page Jan 2016 to June 2016
Four Signs at Calstock
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Last March (2015) I had trip on the Gunnislake branch and dropped off at Calstock to photograph the station and I was surprised to find four different style nameboards. Surely this must be a record for such a small station?
Regards John Cornelius Many thanks for 'Halting' John.
Regards John Cornelius Many thanks for 'Halting' John.
Calstock sign 1 Copyright John Cornelius March 2015
Calstock sign 2 Copyright John Cornelius March 2015
Calstock sign 3 Copyright John Cornelius March 2015
Calstock sign 4 Copyright John Cornelius March 2015
Ernesettle Narrow Gauge
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
In addition to the standard gauge loop and sidings there was a 2' 6" narrow gauge railway system serving various sheds within the depot together there were two branches, one of 700 yards to the ammunition bunkers. This line rose from near sea level to approximately an altitude of approximately 100 feet giving a ruling gradient of about 1 in 20. Its course took it from the main site out around the hill into which the bunkers were excavated. Another branch about four hundred yards long crossed the main standard gauge line by means of a bridge and dropped down to run out along a jetty. Various 4 wheeled diesel locos have served at the depot. Please click on this link for more information including Ernesettle Castle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernesettle
To see this location on Google earth type in 'Royal Albert Bridge Inn' - the bunkers are about 400 yards NNW from here. Ernesettle Castle which is in the prohibited area is also seen in this view. For more pictures of Ernesettle and loop look at Devon Galleries - the southern main line.
To see this location on Google earth type in 'Royal Albert Bridge Inn' - the bunkers are about 400 yards NNW from here. Ernesettle Castle which is in the prohibited area is also seen in this view. For more pictures of Ernesettle and loop look at Devon Galleries - the southern main line.
One train spots another!! A view from a train on the Royal Albert bridge. 22nd December 1974 Copyright Roger Winnen
An enlarged view 22nd December 1974 Copyright Roger Winnen
Six years later and the rails have been removed. 12th July 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen