Turbos at Melksham
Guy Vincent
Guy Vincent
Todays News
TURBOS INTO SERVICE ON TRANS WILTS ROUTE
By Guy Vincent
Monday 5th February saw the launch of former 'Thames Turbos' (class 166) 3 car units on the Westbury-Swindon via Melksham 'Trans Wilts' service. In the space of just 6 weeks, daytime trains on this route have gone from predominantly single class 153 units through 2 car 150 & 158 sets to the three car 166s. This morning I took a trip out to Melksham to see the 'new' trains in action and to observe the special arrangements needed there due to the short platform, something that was never an issue for these trains in the Thames Valley.
Due to the short section of usable platform (37.9 metres) at Melksham station special working arrangements have had to be made and approved in order for the newer trains to call. Despite planning approval being granted 14 months ago to extend the platform at the north (Chippenham) end by 33 metres, giving a total length of 70.9 metres, this work has yet to be started. Class 166 sets were built with DOO (Driver Only Operation) capability and, at each station, it is the driver that releases the doors with no selective operation possible of fewer than all sets on each side of the train. To overcome this, special marker boards have been erected beyond the existing usable platform length instructing the driver to stop but not to release the train doors. The Guard then opens his rear cab door, walks along the platform and manually opens the first set of passenger doors using the external 'butterfly' emergency egress valve. Once passengers have boarded/alighted the guard closes the door, rejoins the train and gives the ready to start signal to the driver. Sets are currently being modified as they arrive in the Bristol area. Intermediate door control panels worked by the guard are being installed and once all units have been completed only the first set of doors in the leading coach will be used, controlled by the guard.
Guy Vincent Many thanks for your up to date report Guy - one wonders if these units will ever operate down in Cornwall?
TURBOS INTO SERVICE ON TRANS WILTS ROUTE
By Guy Vincent
Monday 5th February saw the launch of former 'Thames Turbos' (class 166) 3 car units on the Westbury-Swindon via Melksham 'Trans Wilts' service. In the space of just 6 weeks, daytime trains on this route have gone from predominantly single class 153 units through 2 car 150 & 158 sets to the three car 166s. This morning I took a trip out to Melksham to see the 'new' trains in action and to observe the special arrangements needed there due to the short platform, something that was never an issue for these trains in the Thames Valley.
Due to the short section of usable platform (37.9 metres) at Melksham station special working arrangements have had to be made and approved in order for the newer trains to call. Despite planning approval being granted 14 months ago to extend the platform at the north (Chippenham) end by 33 metres, giving a total length of 70.9 metres, this work has yet to be started. Class 166 sets were built with DOO (Driver Only Operation) capability and, at each station, it is the driver that releases the doors with no selective operation possible of fewer than all sets on each side of the train. To overcome this, special marker boards have been erected beyond the existing usable platform length instructing the driver to stop but not to release the train doors. The Guard then opens his rear cab door, walks along the platform and manually opens the first set of passenger doors using the external 'butterfly' emergency egress valve. Once passengers have boarded/alighted the guard closes the door, rejoins the train and gives the ready to start signal to the driver. Sets are currently being modified as they arrive in the Bristol area. Intermediate door control panels worked by the guard are being installed and once all units have been completed only the first set of doors in the leading coach will be used, controlled by the guard.
Guy Vincent Many thanks for your up to date report Guy - one wonders if these units will ever operate down in Cornwall?
Melksham (1) Turbo Stop Marker (North,Up) from Platform, Chipp'm end. 7th February 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent
Melksham (2) Turbo Stop Marker Up 7th February 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent
Melksham (3) Up Turbo arriving for Swindon alongside disused platform section 7th February 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent
Melksham (4) Rear door opened by Guard for passengers to join & alight 7th February 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent.
Melksham (5) Turbo departing for Swindon & passing site of approved platform extension. 7th February 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent
Melksham (6) 'Down' train correctly platformed for boarding-alighting at rear. 7th February 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent
Melksham Turbo Poster Feb 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent
Snow in the Duchy
Craig Munday
Craig Munday
Hi Keith. Since getting the SLR in 2012, I have been awaiting a "proper" guts down of snow in the Duchy. Each passing winter has brought nothing of note. There was a substantial fall yesterday, but unfortunately wet so it failed to stick (or pitch as we say in Bristol!).
Still 66187 did make an impressive sight departing Treviscoe with loaded CDAs for Burngullow, first portion of wagons to form the afternoon Carne Point departure.
The nest day, after an icy start, the sky was blue and the light perfect for a wander up to Coldrennick viaduct for 70816 working the cement train down, which ran via Lostwithiel to run around.
I ventured to Largin with the sky becoming heavy with dark clouds, but was fortunate to grab a slice of sun for the loaded tanks storming up the bank.
All the best, Craig Many thanks Craig
Still 66187 did make an impressive sight departing Treviscoe with loaded CDAs for Burngullow, first portion of wagons to form the afternoon Carne Point departure.
The nest day, after an icy start, the sky was blue and the light perfect for a wander up to Coldrennick viaduct for 70816 working the cement train down, which ran via Lostwithiel to run around.
I ventured to Largin with the sky becoming heavy with dark clouds, but was fortunate to grab a slice of sun for the loaded tanks storming up the bank.
All the best, Craig Many thanks Craig
66187 Treviscoe snow 6th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
6C35 Coldrennick Viaduct 7th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Largin Viaduct 6C35 7th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
47738 on display
Adrian King
Adrian King
Hi Keith
I know Bridgend in South Wales is well out of your area but I thought these photos may be of interest as CRS carried a story on 3rd November '17 regarding a Class 47 cab being moved from Plymouth Station. Wayne Phillips had sent in a great nightime shot showing the loco being moved out from Plymouth on a low loader, and Guy Vincent provided an excellent account of the locomotives history.
Well, as Guy wrote, 47738 now resides at the Cab Yard in Bridgend which to give it its full title is the South Wales Locomotive Cab Preservation Group. Unfortunately the locomotive itself is now without its bogie set which has gone to another society. The first photo shows the Class 47 in a temporary position on the site, as Richard Benyon the new owner of 47738, has plans to develop the present layout as the Group now has in excess of 30 cabs of various locomotives. Through the cab window of 47738 on the second shot you can see part of the yard and some of the other loco cabs around the yard. The final photograph shows Richard himself standing in the cab doorway which leads to the engine compartment of the Class 47.
Hope you'll be able to use this on the website. Cheers Adrian
Many thanks Adrian for the 'What happened was!' and the photographs.
I know Bridgend in South Wales is well out of your area but I thought these photos may be of interest as CRS carried a story on 3rd November '17 regarding a Class 47 cab being moved from Plymouth Station. Wayne Phillips had sent in a great nightime shot showing the loco being moved out from Plymouth on a low loader, and Guy Vincent provided an excellent account of the locomotives history.
Well, as Guy wrote, 47738 now resides at the Cab Yard in Bridgend which to give it its full title is the South Wales Locomotive Cab Preservation Group. Unfortunately the locomotive itself is now without its bogie set which has gone to another society. The first photo shows the Class 47 in a temporary position on the site, as Richard Benyon the new owner of 47738, has plans to develop the present layout as the Group now has in excess of 30 cabs of various locomotives. Through the cab window of 47738 on the second shot you can see part of the yard and some of the other loco cabs around the yard. The final photograph shows Richard himself standing in the cab doorway which leads to the engine compartment of the Class 47.
Hope you'll be able to use this on the website. Cheers Adrian
Many thanks Adrian for the 'What happened was!' and the photographs.
The Class 47 in a temporary position on the site at Bridgend 11th January 2018 Copyright Adrian King
Through the cab window of 47738 one can see other cabs in the yard. Copyright Adrian King
Richard Benyon the new owner of 47738 Copyright Adrian King
Changes on the
Great Western in Cornwall
Roger Winnen
Great Western in Cornwall
Roger Winnen
180207a Changes to the timetable in March 2018
180207b Changes at the terminus, new GWR Post & Signs as the 07.02 Plymouth Penzance service arrives behind 43155 The Red Arrows . The Cliff Hotel seen above the HST predates the coming of the railway to Penzance in 1852 the original station being built at this location, the new station of 1879-1880 was constructed on land behind necessitating the building of a new road to serve the station and harbour. Copyright Roger Winnen
Mark Lynham visits Penzance
180206a Resident Long Rock shunter 08410 in the old dock siding with barrier vehicle and two day coaches from the Night Riviera. Copyright Mark Lynham
180206b A 3 car 150926 passing the remains of the former Ponsandane Signal Box working the 2C43 06.24 Bristol Parkway to Penzance. Copyright Mark Lynham
180206c A low level picture of 43002 the rear power car for the 1A88 12.04 service to Paddington. Copyright Mark Lynham
Totnes, Near.
Geoffrey Matthews
Geoffrey Matthews
Hydraulic days! D856 'Trojan' on a up passenger train about 2 miles east of Totnes on 28th June 1966.. Copyright Geoffrey Matthews
Kingsteinton
Ron Kosys
Ron Kosys
47705 runs alongside the upper reaches of the river Teign with the Paddington to Penzance Motorail service. Cars were conveyed in the two vans seen at the rear of the train. 5th August 1989 Copyright Ron Kosys
Taunton
Roger Geach
Roger Geach
Fifteen years after the picture below 1022 Western Sentinel awaits 'right away' with the 1a19 1100 Penzance to Paddington train at Taunton on Thursday 10th April 1975 Copyright Roger Geach.
Roger Geach, a very keen Hymek fan, asks if anybody has any pictures of that class working down in the far west.
Taunton
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius