Roaming the Railways of Devon
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
160405a Viewed from the 15.06 Paddington-Penzance service 43160 Sir Moir Lockhead OBE awaits repairs at Laira Depot following the collision on Sunday with a 150 sprinter arriving at Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
160405b A close up from the train of the damage sustained to the Power Cars front end, seen stabled at Laira Depot. Copyright Roger Winnen
160405c 59103 In its new livery departs Cranbrook on the 12.25 Exeter St David's to London Waterloo. Copyright Roger Winnen
160405d The Station approach to Cranbrook Station on the outskirts of Exeter. Copyright Roger Winnen
160405e Crossing the border under darkening skies with the 15.06 Paddington-Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen
Meldon Quarry
Kevin Redwood
Kevin Redwood
My father Norman Redwood worked for the Western Region Civil Engineers and his job took him around the Region visiting railway yards and depots.
Sometimes during the school holidays he would take me along, and after I also started work on BR I continued to go with him a few times.
One of his duties was periodically to collect ballast samples from each of the WR ballast quarries and I twice went to Meldon Quarry with him. Here are five views of Meldon in July 1981 when new plant was being installed though at the time the old equipment was still in use. I hope the attached pictures are suitable for inclusion. Cheers Kevin Redwood
A most valuable record of times gone by - for which many thanks.
Sometimes during the school holidays he would take me along, and after I also started work on BR I continued to go with him a few times.
One of his duties was periodically to collect ballast samples from each of the WR ballast quarries and I twice went to Meldon Quarry with him. Here are five views of Meldon in July 1981 when new plant was being installed though at the time the old equipment was still in use. I hope the attached pictures are suitable for inclusion. Cheers Kevin Redwood
A most valuable record of times gone by - for which many thanks.
Meldon Quarry 1 Laira allocated 08668 which had recently taken up residence as the quarry pilot. The Southern main line is over to the left. 9th July 1981 Copyright Kevin Redwood
Meldon 2. The new quarry plant which had not yet been commisioned seen at the top of the picture . 9th July 1981 Copyright Kevin Redwood
Meldon 3 A general view of the loading hoppers with the new plant visible higher up. 9th July 1981 Kevin Redwood
Meldon 4 The concrete loco shed (Necessary for loco protection during blasting) and a miscellaneous selection of older engineering wagons awaiting loading 9th July 1981 Copyright Kevin Redwood
Meldon Quarry 5. A closer view of the older plant. 9th July 1981 Copyright Kevin Redwood
30 years ago today
Athelney Signalbox closed
Athelney Signalbox closed
Picture courtesy John Cornelius. Copyright.
John Cornelius writes of a sad day.
The replica nameplates that were fitted to Athelney box in 1985 were made by me using plywood. I had taken a rubbing of the original plate not long after I went there as signalman in 1976,
so I was able to make a full size replica. The other one commemorating the 150 anniversary,was purely my own handiwork. After getting permission from management, I exhibited them on the box from
April to the end of September 1985. I still have both the plates at home over 30 years on.
By the way, today the 5th April 2016, is the 30th anniversary of the closure of Athelney signal box.
I did the last shift,and after the last train, which passed at 2035, had cleared Cogload Junc, I closed the box for the last time,then watched as the s&t stripped out all the equipment. A very sad time.
I think someone in the Glastonbury area bought the original box nameplate. On a lighter note, happily the box was saved and now proudly signals trains at Staverton on the South Devon Railway. I have visited the box once, since it was restored to working order and when I walked in, it was just like going home, sheer magic! cheers JOHN C.
so I was able to make a full size replica. The other one commemorating the 150 anniversary,was purely my own handiwork. After getting permission from management, I exhibited them on the box from
April to the end of September 1985. I still have both the plates at home over 30 years on.
By the way, today the 5th April 2016, is the 30th anniversary of the closure of Athelney signal box.
I did the last shift,and after the last train, which passed at 2035, had cleared Cogload Junc, I closed the box for the last time,then watched as the s&t stripped out all the equipment. A very sad time.
I think someone in the Glastonbury area bought the original box nameplate. On a lighter note, happily the box was saved and now proudly signals trains at Staverton on the South Devon Railway. I have visited the box once, since it was restored to working order and when I walked in, it was just like going home, sheer magic! cheers JOHN C.
This picture preserves for posterity the signalman and technicians at Athelney in 1986. Copyright John Cornelius