Williton Culvert before repair
Derek Buttivant
Derek Buttivant
Derek Buttivant shows 'close up' the culvert problem.
Hello Keith.
A photo of the extended loop at Williton (WSR) has just been added to the web site. You might like to have the two photos attached, taken on 26 September 2015, which show the old layout and the site of the missing culvert which clearly stood in the way of reinstating the loop - and restricted use of the up platform.
Kind regards, Derek Many thanks Derek
Hello Keith.
A photo of the extended loop at Williton (WSR) has just been added to the web site. You might like to have the two photos attached, taken on 26 September 2015, which show the old layout and the site of the missing culvert which clearly stood in the way of reinstating the loop - and restricted use of the up platform.
Kind regards, Derek Many thanks Derek
Williton Culvert (1) West Somerset. A picture from a down train clearly illustrates the tightness of the curve coming off the up platform - now thankfully removed. September 2015 Copyright Derek Buttivant
Williton Culvert (2) West Somerset September 2015 Clearly showing the open culvert. Copyright Derek Buttivant
Class 47 Liveries in West Cornwall
Michael Forward
Michael Forward
930911a On 11th September, 1993 47810 is on the Saturdays 10.30 to Manchester. Copyright Michael Forward
930911b Ita 11th September, 1993 as we see 47513 Severn and 47592 County of Avon on the 12 noon vans to Paddington. Copyright Michael Forward
930911c 47549 Royal Mail on the Sunday 10.19 to Paddington calls at Hayle on 19th June, 1988. Copyright Michael Forward.
930911d 47552 Passing Hayle on the Penzance to Glasgow working. Copyright Michael Forward.
Many thanks Michael
A change of staff!
David Hayball
David Hayball
Yesterday it was the Goonbarrow to Carbean branch staff, today, from David Hayballs collection comes the essential staff to control movements along the single line section from Wadebridge West to Padstow. Many thanks to David for this picture.
The Wadebridge West to Padstow staff. Note the key on the end - did this give access to the points to Wadebridge Wharf, or was it for points remaining at Padstow? See answer below. Staff from the David Hayball collection - the picture his copyright.
In 1964 all the ex-Southern lines west of Salisbury (Wilton, to be exact) came to the Western Region. Almost all were regarded as uneconomic and so heavy economies were introduced. To look at it pessimistically, it was just a prelude to closure. The great network of signal boxes with crossing loops on the North Cornwall and elsewhere were pruned: Otterham was the first to go and was followed by Dunsland Cross, Tower Hill and the rest. Padstow box closed and the points leading to the run-around loop put on to a new ground frame. The points at the buffers end had always been hand operated. The wooden staff applied to all operations between Wadebridge and Padstow.
The points at Wadebridge West were operated by the box there (at the level crossing).
Wadebridge boxes, along with Boscarne and Bodmin General, went in December 1967, but the Padstow section had been lifted by then. The staff in the picture was used only for the short period from 1965-7 and unlocked the GF at Padstow loop. I was on the last train from Padstow - GW Hawksworth coaches hauled by a class 22 (D63XX) which, of course, ran round its train at Padstow. Many thanks to Roy Hart for the above very full answer. N.B The station at Padstow closed to goods w.e.f. 7th September 1964 and to passengers w.e.f. 30th January 1967. The last train out of Padstow would have run on the 29th January 1967,
The points at Wadebridge West were operated by the box there (at the level crossing).
Wadebridge boxes, along with Boscarne and Bodmin General, went in December 1967, but the Padstow section had been lifted by then. The staff in the picture was used only for the short period from 1965-7 and unlocked the GF at Padstow loop. I was on the last train from Padstow - GW Hawksworth coaches hauled by a class 22 (D63XX) which, of course, ran round its train at Padstow. Many thanks to Roy Hart for the above very full answer. N.B The station at Padstow closed to goods w.e.f. 7th September 1964 and to passengers w.e.f. 30th January 1967. The last train out of Padstow would have run on the 29th January 1967,
- Hemyock
Today, we come to another of Mike Morant's remarkable collection. The branch train with 1471 at the head seems ready soon to depart. From my one and only experience of the Hemyock branch on an excursion organised by the PRC where the consist was of two brakevans for passengers and several milk tankers I remember the journey being a rather uncomfortable one, The reason for this was due to the tight curves of the branch the tankers were 'slack coupled'. The result of this being that with every change of speed there was considerable buffeting. Was this the case when a passenger coach was included in the formation?
1471 at Hemyock 3rd September 1962 Courtesy the Mike Morant collection
24th October 1974 - our brakevans at Culmstock on the outward journey. Copyright Keith Jenkin
At Hemyock 24th October 1974. 25 225 collects the full milk tankers from the diary. Copyright Keith Jenkin
On route heading back towards Tiverton Junction our brake vans behind the milk tankers following the twists and turns of this fascinating branch line, an un-repeatable experience. 24th February 1974. Copyright Keith Jenkin
You can see better coverage of this trip if you turn to our diesel railtours section, also more pictures of the branch in the Devon branches section.