Walking the Turnchapel Branch Saturday 4th June, 2016
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
Members of the Cornwall Railway Society visited the remains of the Turnchapel Branch last Saturday. It started off as a very dull and dismal day, however it soon brightened up to give unbroken sunshine for the rest of the day. Catching the Number 2 Bus from Plymouth Station we headed for Mount Batten which on a sunny day would give excellent views of Plymouth Hoe and Drakes Island. Departing Mount Batten we headed for Turnchapel where in the distance could be seen the oil facilities of the former Cattewater Branch and Victoria Wharves where mixed gauge track once could be seen. Turnchapel itself is being developed into a major housing complex with no sign of its station, however the remains of the swing bridge which once carried the railway over Hooe Lake survives.
Turnchapel Station was bombed during November 1940 and a massive fire engulfed the large oil tanks nearby used by the Navy and RAF. The line extended into Admiralty Sidings crossing under Boringdon Road. Leaving Turnchapel we returned by bus to Pomphlett and a lunch break at MacDonalds, then setting off on the former trackbed nearby to Oreston where remains of a siding still exist and a concrete gate post, however there is no trace of the station. Within a short distance we again arrived at Hooe Lake now transformed with a large housing development. Retracing our steps back to Pomphlett we headed for the recently restored railway bridge over the River Plym carrying the Turnchapel and Yealmpton Branches. The Turnchapel Branch opened on the 1st January, 1897 and closed in November, 1961, track being lifted in 1963. The only DMU to traverse the branch ran on 11th April, 1959 'The Devon Rambler' railtour. The Plymouth Railway Circle ran a last run over the branch with brakevans on 30th September, 1961, however the last train was a goods from Bayly's Wharves on 17th October, 1961
Turnchapel Station was bombed during November 1940 and a massive fire engulfed the large oil tanks nearby used by the Navy and RAF. The line extended into Admiralty Sidings crossing under Boringdon Road. Leaving Turnchapel we returned by bus to Pomphlett and a lunch break at MacDonalds, then setting off on the former trackbed nearby to Oreston where remains of a siding still exist and a concrete gate post, however there is no trace of the station. Within a short distance we again arrived at Hooe Lake now transformed with a large housing development. Retracing our steps back to Pomphlett we headed for the recently restored railway bridge over the River Plym carrying the Turnchapel and Yealmpton Branches. The Turnchapel Branch opened on the 1st January, 1897 and closed in November, 1961, track being lifted in 1963. The only DMU to traverse the branch ran on 11th April, 1959 'The Devon Rambler' railtour. The Plymouth Railway Circle ran a last run over the branch with brakevans on 30th September, 1961, however the last train was a goods from Bayly's Wharves on 17th October, 1961
160604zj Looking across to Plymouth on a dull Saturday morning 4th June, 2016. Copyright Roger Winnen
160604zv The concrete structure supported the spans of the bridge.Copyright Roger Winnen
160604zw Looking across Hooe Lake, the houses stand on the site of Bayly's Wharf. The line to the wharf joined the branch at 26 chains from Oreston and swept under the line on the approach to the swingbridge. Copyright Roger Winnen
160604zzm The refurbished Laira Rail Bridge which carried the Turnchapel and Yealmpton Branches across the River Plym. Copyright Roger Winnen
160604zzp Most of our party is shown in this group on the Laira Rail Bridge, left to right Roger Winnen, John Quick, Eric Irons, John Gallagher, Keith Jenkin, Tony Brokenshire, Christine Simmonds and Mike Hichens. Copyright Roger Salter
More photographs in the Features Page.
Summer sun in Cornwall
Three from Ron Westwater
Three from Ron Westwater
Largin Viaduct 5th June 2016 Largn Newquay to Edinburgh Copyright Ron Westwater
Making a refreshing change on the Newquay branch 43197 & 156 have just passed over Menadue Crossing on route to Newquay with 1C77 Paddiington to Newquay on the 5th June 2016 Copyright Ron Westwater
70802 on 6C97 heads the 10.52 Westbury to Truro via Penzance over Forder viaduct. Nice to see an engineering train. Copyright Ron Westwater N.B. Although not dominating or spoiling this marvelous vew the chimney of the new waste to energy plant at St Budeaux can be seen in the distance.