Mutley then & now
Clive Smith of Ivybridge
Clive Smith of Ivybridge
Older readers of a particular vintage will remember the western end of Mutley Tunnel in Plymouth as a lovely photographic location. Sadly this was obscured by a hideous multi-storey car park built over the tracks in 1973.
However the eastern portal still provided a superb location from various viewpoints. The most legitimate was known locally to us enthusiasts as 'The Turret', a lovely promontory of Ivydale Road in the Lipson area overlooking the track from the north side. This cul-de-sac also afforded a vista in the opposite direction all the way down to Laira. Another location nearer to the tunnel mouth and south of the track required negotiating a flimsy concrete posted three wire fence to gain a better vantage !
My last photos were taken there in the mid-1980s. Travelling back and forth along the line, I'm sure many of us have noticed the gradual encroachment of trees on the cuttings at both ends of the tunnel. It was quite a shock to stand lineside the other day and compare the views from now with then nearly 35 years ago.
I must add that the final picture is taken from the south side overlooking the tunnel, albeit a few yards back from the edge of the cutting. As with much of our urban railway sites the old wire fencing has been replaced with an impenetrable pointy high steel structure.
Regards, Clive Smith, Ivybridge. Many thanks Clive.
However the eastern portal still provided a superb location from various viewpoints. The most legitimate was known locally to us enthusiasts as 'The Turret', a lovely promontory of Ivydale Road in the Lipson area overlooking the track from the north side. This cul-de-sac also afforded a vista in the opposite direction all the way down to Laira. Another location nearer to the tunnel mouth and south of the track required negotiating a flimsy concrete posted three wire fence to gain a better vantage !
My last photos were taken there in the mid-1980s. Travelling back and forth along the line, I'm sure many of us have noticed the gradual encroachment of trees on the cuttings at both ends of the tunnel. It was quite a shock to stand lineside the other day and compare the views from now with then nearly 35 years ago.
I must add that the final picture is taken from the south side overlooking the tunnel, albeit a few yards back from the edge of the cutting. As with much of our urban railway sites the old wire fencing has been replaced with an impenetrable pointy high steel structure.
Regards, Clive Smith, Ivybridge. Many thanks Clive.
Mutley tunnel east end as 33031 emerges with a Plymouth to Exeter SD ECS on the 31st May 1983 Copyright Clive Smith
Mutley tunnel east end the 10.00 Penzance to Paddington on the 6th March 2018 Copyright Clive Smith
Mutley Tunnel east end as 50011 Centurian heads the 1M19 07.35 Plymouth to Paddington 20th April 1984 Copyright Clive Smith
Mutley Tunnel from east. 6th March 2018 Copyright Clive Smith
Par and the Newquay Branch
in the summer of June 1975
Roger Winnen
in the summer of June 1975
Roger Winnen
750614b D1072 Western Glory arrives Par with the Derby-Penzance service. Copyright Roger Winnen
750614a The 09.50 Paddington -Newquay passes Middleway Crossing behind 46016. Copyright Roger Winnen
750621a 45065 heads through Bugle on the 08.45 Newquay Manchester. Copyright Roger Winnen
750621b 46001 opens up after departing Bugle Station with the Par- Newquay service. Copyright Roger Winnen
750621c The 12.05 Newquay to the North of England passing through Bugle as members of a Brass Band make their way from their coach parked up on Treffrys Wharves at Bugle Station to the contest field (Bugle AFC) located adjacent to Moliness Crossing. - Copyright Roger Winnen
Silverton
Ron Kosys
Ron Kosys
47804 heads towards us with an unknown up working. Silverton 8th September 1989 Copyright Ron Kosys
Bristol TM
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius