The Yellow Banana crosses Hayle Viaduct
Andrew Triggs
Andrew Triggs
161021a The Network Rail Measurement Train crosses Hayle Viaduct this morning. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Network Rail Measurement train.
By Mick House.
Once again we have been visited by the HST Network rail measurement train, coming from Old Oak Common this morning it departed at 05.28 ¾ three minuets late and arrived at Penzance 11.31 two minuets early. The train is heading for Paignton for an over night stop.
I was able to capture the HST at Gwinear Road and Wheal Busy Crossing. Just for a change I have used going away shots. Words and photos by Mick House.
I was able to capture the HST at Gwinear Road and Wheal Busy Crossing. Just for a change I have used going away shots. Words and photos by Mick House.
Just passing the remains of Gwinear Road station heading for Penzance. Photo By Mick House.
Just crossed over Wheal Busy Crossing heading for Truro. Photo By Mick House.
Kingswear Branch
Paul Burkhalter
Paul Burkhalter
Also many thanks to Ross Griffiths for his research and to David Critchlow
The deviation
The picture below was purchased from e-bay by Paul Burkhalter for a few pounds as being 'Near Devonport'. We all at first thought that it was of the Wearde deviation in Cornwall under construction, but certain things didn't ring true.
However following publication on this website of the picture Ross Griffiths came up with the suggestion that it was not in Cornwall at all but in Devon on the Kingswear branch.
A little history courtesy of Wikipedia.
The line was built by the Dartmouth and Torbay Railway opening to Brixham Road station (Churston) on 14th March 1861 and on to Kingswear on 10 August 1864. The Dartmouth and Torbay Railway was always operated by the South Devon Railway and was amalgamated with it on 1 January 1872. This was only short-lived as the South Devon Railway was in turn amalgamated into the GWR on 1 February 1876. Brixham Road became a junction and was renamed "Churston" on 1 January 1868 when the independent Torbay and Brixham Railway opened its short line.
The line was single-track except for a crossing loop at Churston. It had been built using the 7 ft (2,134 mm) broad gauge but on 21 May 1892 was converted to 4 ft 8 1⁄2 inch standard gauge.
West of Greenway Tunnel the railway was originally carried across two creeks on low timber viaducts, that at Longwood being 200 yards (183 m) long and Noss being 170 yards (155 m). These were demolished after the line was moved inland around the creeks on 20 May 1923.
The picture below was purchased from e-bay by Paul Burkhalter for a few pounds as being 'Near Devonport'. We all at first thought that it was of the Wearde deviation in Cornwall under construction, but certain things didn't ring true.
However following publication on this website of the picture Ross Griffiths came up with the suggestion that it was not in Cornwall at all but in Devon on the Kingswear branch.
A little history courtesy of Wikipedia.
The line was built by the Dartmouth and Torbay Railway opening to Brixham Road station (Churston) on 14th March 1861 and on to Kingswear on 10 August 1864. The Dartmouth and Torbay Railway was always operated by the South Devon Railway and was amalgamated with it on 1 January 1872. This was only short-lived as the South Devon Railway was in turn amalgamated into the GWR on 1 February 1876. Brixham Road became a junction and was renamed "Churston" on 1 January 1868 when the independent Torbay and Brixham Railway opened its short line.
The line was single-track except for a crossing loop at Churston. It had been built using the 7 ft (2,134 mm) broad gauge but on 21 May 1892 was converted to 4 ft 8 1⁄2 inch standard gauge.
West of Greenway Tunnel the railway was originally carried across two creeks on low timber viaducts, that at Longwood being 200 yards (183 m) long and Noss being 170 yards (155 m). These were demolished after the line was moved inland around the creeks on 20 May 1923.
A letter from Ross Griffiths :- Good morning all,
I've been studying the picture that was recently submitted by Paul Burkhalter that was causing a certain degree of intrigue. At first I too thought this showed the St Germans deviation under construction but a few things didn't add up. After doing quite a bit of research online I now believe that this is the construction of the Noss Creek deviation on the Kingswear line and the grand building in the background is actually Dartmouth Naval College.
This is a link to the national archive for the contract for RT Relf to carry out the works:
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C6030959
This link makes mention of signalling referred to as 'Noss Deviation':
http://www.s-r-s.org.uk/railref/ref-gw.php#262
Using Google maps the alignment of the line, the river and the college does seem to be correct (the tower in particular looks like that of the college as viewed from this angle).
All the best,
Ross.
I've been studying the picture that was recently submitted by Paul Burkhalter that was causing a certain degree of intrigue. At first I too thought this showed the St Germans deviation under construction but a few things didn't add up. After doing quite a bit of research online I now believe that this is the construction of the Noss Creek deviation on the Kingswear line and the grand building in the background is actually Dartmouth Naval College.
This is a link to the national archive for the contract for RT Relf to carry out the works:
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C6030959
This link makes mention of signalling referred to as 'Noss Deviation':
http://www.s-r-s.org.uk/railref/ref-gw.php#262
Using Google maps the alignment of the line, the river and the college does seem to be correct (the tower in particular looks like that of the college as viewed from this angle).
All the best,
Ross.
A most interesting picture of work on the cutting being carried out by R.T. Relf in the early 1920's. To the right can be seen the River Dart and in the middle foreground, just beyond the shed roof can just be seen the Noss wooden viaduct. Also on interest is the building seen on the hill in the distance. Picture courtesy Paul Burkhalter.
Beyond the roof of the shed in the foreground can just be seen the top of the Noss Timber viaduct. Picture courtesy Paul Burkhalter
Looking straight ahead on top of the distant hill this enlargement shows the Royal Naval College. Picture courtesy Paul Burkhalter
Goodrington Sands
Sid Sponheimer
Sid Sponheimer
Goodrington Sands as 7927 Willington Hall passes heading service from Kingswear. This is an undated picture taken by the late Sid Sponheimer (senior) - Copyright
Kingswear
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Bournemouth Shed
Mike Morant
Mike Morant
Home Counties Railway Society: Somerset & Dorset Tour 7/6/64. Fowler 7F 2-8-0 no. 53807 and 4F 0-6-0 no. 44558 at Bournemouth mpd prior to the start of the S&D leg of the tour.
[Mike Morant collection]
[Mike Morant collection]