Winter is Coming
Craig Munday
Craig Munday
Hi Keith
Winter beginning to bite today. The down sleeper made a late start due to loco problems, delayed at Acton by dragging brakes, Made up some time to Plymouth. Once in Cornwall frosty rails caused problems. The train is seen passing Lostwithiel - remarkably in daylight after 8am. The clay train recessed in the down loop, just in case the class 66 needed for assistance.
Happily it made Penzance with some stops knocked out the schedule. Well done to all concerned.
Also seen later in glorious light was the RHTT passing over Moorswater viaduct.
Best wishes, Craig Many thanks Craig.
P.S. First Moorswater Cement to run tomorrow I've heard. There is some doubt so please check real time trains.
Winter beginning to bite today. The down sleeper made a late start due to loco problems, delayed at Acton by dragging brakes, Made up some time to Plymouth. Once in Cornwall frosty rails caused problems. The train is seen passing Lostwithiel - remarkably in daylight after 8am. The clay train recessed in the down loop, just in case the class 66 needed for assistance.
Happily it made Penzance with some stops knocked out the schedule. Well done to all concerned.
Also seen later in glorious light was the RHTT passing over Moorswater viaduct.
Best wishes, Craig Many thanks Craig.
P.S. First Moorswater Cement to run tomorrow I've heard. There is some doubt so please check real time trains.
The down sleeper makes it to Lostwithiel around 08.00 - the 66 in the loop is ready to assist if necessary. 29th November 2016. Copyright Craig Munday
The RHTT crosses Moorwater viaduct in brilliant sunshine. 29th November 2016. Copyright Craig Munday.
Chard Creamery - no more
A report by Brian Pibworth
A report by Brian Pibworth
As promised, some pictures of what remains of Chard Junction Creamery. The pics are straight into the sun but I can vouch for the fact that there are no buildings left standing, just huge piles of earth and crushed aggregate. The train is the retreating Southwest Trains 3-car unit No 159007 with the 1L44 11.25 Exeter St David's to London Waterloo service.
Regarding you comment about the close proximity of the creamery to the sewage works, I can confirm that the filter beds adjacent to the down line were there to treat what remained after extracting butter, cream and Marvel and this has now gone with the rest of the plant. My recollection of visiting the factory was of ducts of steaming "water" flowing through the plant and presumably ending up in the R. Axe after treatment. Tatworth, the adjacent village, has its own sewage works on the north side of the old station. As a teenager heading for a Boy Scout camp near Ilfracombe in the 1950s, I remember seeing a similar close proximity of treatment plant and creamery when our train stopped for an age near Lapford, N Devon. My friend Ronnie quickly concocted an explanation which somehow reversed the flow, from village to factory, and managed to put us off eating a certain brand of creamed rice for a very long time!
A quick snoop at Google Earth shows that their latest satellite picture shows all but the original buildings demolished, but we are wondering if the site will remain in its "original condition" for long before someone finds a way of developing it, especially as it is bordered by various business premises.
With kind regards, Brian. Many thanks Brian, for your report and pictures.
Regarding you comment about the close proximity of the creamery to the sewage works, I can confirm that the filter beds adjacent to the down line were there to treat what remained after extracting butter, cream and Marvel and this has now gone with the rest of the plant. My recollection of visiting the factory was of ducts of steaming "water" flowing through the plant and presumably ending up in the R. Axe after treatment. Tatworth, the adjacent village, has its own sewage works on the north side of the old station. As a teenager heading for a Boy Scout camp near Ilfracombe in the 1950s, I remember seeing a similar close proximity of treatment plant and creamery when our train stopped for an age near Lapford, N Devon. My friend Ronnie quickly concocted an explanation which somehow reversed the flow, from village to factory, and managed to put us off eating a certain brand of creamed rice for a very long time!
A quick snoop at Google Earth shows that their latest satellite picture shows all but the original buildings demolished, but we are wondering if the site will remain in its "original condition" for long before someone finds a way of developing it, especially as it is bordered by various business premises.
With kind regards, Brian. Many thanks Brian, for your report and pictures.
Chard Junction creamery demolition. Standing on the old up platform 29th November 2016 Copyright Brian Pibworth
Southwest Trains 3-car unit No 159007 with the 1L44 11.25 Exeter St David's to London Waterloo service. Nov 2016 Copyright Brian Pibworth
Looking across from the old up platform 29th November 2016 Copyright Brian Pibworth
Looking across the crossing towards the creamery site beyond. 29th November 2016. Copyright Brian Pibworth
And finally a look into the creamery site - the demolition job almost complete. 29th November 2016. Many thanks to Brian Pibworth. Copyright
47485 Crosses Hayle Viaduct on 13th June 1983
Michael Forward
Michael Forward
830613e 47485 Powers away over Hayle Viaduct after its 10.27 stop with the Exeter St David's to Penzance working. Notice the gangers standing to attention! Copyright Michael Forward
Something out of the ordinary at the Terminus
A barrier coach coupled to the 08410
Roger Winnen
A barrier coach coupled to the 08410
Roger Winnen
161127z An unusual photograph Class 08 8410 with a barrier coach and sleeping cars stabled in slopers siding, then we have the Cross Country Vogager waiting for a platform to form the 09.30 to Edinbugh. This was photograph was taken from the 08.30 Penzance to Paddington service at Chyandour. Copyright Roger Winnen
161129a 08410 attached to a barrier vehicle and the sleeping cars at Long Rock this morning. Why a barrier vehicle is needed remains to be seen as the shunter previously couples up to vehicles without any problems. Copyright Roger Winnen
Roger Salter in South Devon Part 1
161115a The 307W 08.45 Westbury to St Blazey RHTT passes Dawlish Warren. Copyright Roger Salter
161115b GWR Green Livery 150247 stops at Dawlish Warren. Copyright Roger Salter
161115c Two GWR green 150s plus passing at Dawlish Warren. 150247 on the 2T15 Exmouth-Paignton and 150234 passing through on the 2U20 Paignton-Cardiff. Copyright Roger Salter
Newquay Harbour Tramway
Alan Harris
Alan Harris
Alan Harris has purchased three pictures of this tramway and kindly agreed to share them with us - many thanks Alan.
The tramway which ran from Newquay station yard to the harbour was over half a mile long and took a route which is, for the most part, still clearly traceable today. The trackbed, the SW Coast path, has been paved in such a manner as to suggest railway lines. This section is crossed by an overbridge which carries, appropriately called, Bridge Road. The tramway was horse worked from the station to the top of the 1 in 4 rope worked incline which led through a 96 yard tunnel to the harbour. The tramway closed in 1926
The lower end of the tunnel where the tramway emerged to serve the harbour tracks. This picture is courtesy the Alan Harris Collection
A group of local enthusiasts visit the tunnel on the 13th September 1980. This was by kind permission of the owner of the aquarium. We were able to gain access through a door at the back of the aquarium to the lower part of the tunnel. The upper part of the tunnel had already been infilled and limited our further progess up through the tunnel. Copyright R. Winnen
More pictures can be found in the excellent book by John Vaughan 'The Newquay branch and its branches'. Pages 14 & 184
Yeovil Steam Centre
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Caution, men at work! Copyright John Cornelius