Taunton Goods Loop
Robert Lindley
Robert Lindley
Hi Keith Thought you may like these shots of the Taunton Goods Loop bridge being prepared for removal. This originally carried three tracks and a large water pipe from the pumping station by the canal to the engine sheds. Before this, a canal used to bridge the road at this point, part of the Grand Western Canal that went to Tiverton. Originally this canal was planned as a ship canal running from Bridgwater to Exeter but the coming of the railways put paid to these grand plans. A new wider bridge will be put in its place but built to carry the new Taunton inner relief road, rather than the railway. Sorry about the quality of a couple of the shots, but the sun was so bright! Cheers Rob Many thanks Rob.
The doomed bridge seen from Station Road. N.B. the actual station approach is the road the bus is taking, 10.42 21st March 2016 Copyright Robert Lindley
Another view - it can be seen why this a single decker bus route. 21st March 2016 Copyright Robert Lindley N.B Until 1921 a tramway ran under this bridge, the route extending to a depot at East Reach.
Access barred! - 21st March 2016. Rob Lindley Copyright
The first Cornwall Railway Society charter - 'The Avon Explorer' was booked to return from Swindon over this goods loop. However, due to a misunderstanding by the signalman we sailed through Taunton on the passenger lines only taking to the goods lines on towards Silk Mills.
Photographs of times gone by
Michael Forward
Michael Forward
860618a 30585 Far from home at the Buckingham Railway Centre in June 2015, one of the two survivors that once worked the Wenford Bridge Branch. Copyright Michael Forward
860618b 47456 with the 12.10 Vans from Penzance is seen at Liskeard on 13th June, 1984. Copyright Michael Forward
860618c 50044 Exeter is seen in NSE livery powering over Hayle Viaduct after its call at Hayle with the 05.45 Barnstaple-Penance on 13th September, 1987
860618d 50009 Passes the site of Marazion Stationon a bright and breezy 18th June, 1986 with the 12.10 vans from Penzance. Copyright Michael Forward
860618e And finally we see '50012' Benbow calling at Liskeard at 15.24 on the 15.00 Plymouth-Penzance service. Copyright Michael Forward
Western Lady departs
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
The caption tells us where and when. Western Lady was built at Crewe emerging from the works on the 15th December 1962. It survived in service until the final withdrawal of the westerns on the 26th February 1977. It is preserved at Butterley.
A lovely shot by John Cornelius. Note the clay hoods standing on the down sidings - these are long gone. The sidings were once the location of a loco shed. From the signals we can see that a down train is due. Copyright John Cornelius