Frome to Radstock
Guy Vincent
Guy Vincent
A brief update on the Radstock-Frome 'North Somerset Railway' situation as requested by Clive Smith.
The former GWR station and goods yard sites at Radstock have now been redeveloped with housing and a new main road has been built at the western end. A narrow strip of land, in close proximity to the new housing and with very limited road access, has been 'reserved' for future railway use on the north-eastern edge of the development. The line itself has not been used for almost 30 years and much track is now missing, especially at the Great Elm end of the line. All the remaining track will need to be replaced as it is in such poor condition. Three landslips have occurred on the route since abandonment by British Rail in 1988 and substantial work will be needed to enable trains to run over them again. Between Radstock and Mells Road the steeply graded, wooded section runs through a deep cutting that has just about been returned to nature with flora and fauna well established. There is no signalling along the 5 mile route and at Hapsford Junction where the Whatley Quarry branch diverges from the abandoned branch all points have been disconnected and partially recovered,along with the track towards Buckland Bridge, the first public access point. Nature has well and truly taken hold of the entire route and, frankly, although noises have been made over many years about re-opening this line, very little evidence exists that this will ever happen. There would appear to be a small group of people who genuinely have the wish and belief that it can, but, having walked the route last year and enjoyed the peace and astonishing variety of plant and wildlife species that have now colonised the route, I personally believe that it should be left as it is. Far better for efforts to be concentrated into taking the East Somerset Railway into Shepton Mallet or extending the S&D Midsomer Norton line down into Radstock.
Try the group's website: Home - Heritage railway between Radstock and Frome - North Somerset Railway Company Ltd to see what they have to offer. The info does not appear to have been updated for some time now..
Many thanks to Guy for providing this report on the North Somerset Railway and providing pictures. Try going to the home page of the N S Rly Co website (link above) - this provides some very interesting information.
The former GWR station and goods yard sites at Radstock have now been redeveloped with housing and a new main road has been built at the western end. A narrow strip of land, in close proximity to the new housing and with very limited road access, has been 'reserved' for future railway use on the north-eastern edge of the development. The line itself has not been used for almost 30 years and much track is now missing, especially at the Great Elm end of the line. All the remaining track will need to be replaced as it is in such poor condition. Three landslips have occurred on the route since abandonment by British Rail in 1988 and substantial work will be needed to enable trains to run over them again. Between Radstock and Mells Road the steeply graded, wooded section runs through a deep cutting that has just about been returned to nature with flora and fauna well established. There is no signalling along the 5 mile route and at Hapsford Junction where the Whatley Quarry branch diverges from the abandoned branch all points have been disconnected and partially recovered,along with the track towards Buckland Bridge, the first public access point. Nature has well and truly taken hold of the entire route and, frankly, although noises have been made over many years about re-opening this line, very little evidence exists that this will ever happen. There would appear to be a small group of people who genuinely have the wish and belief that it can, but, having walked the route last year and enjoyed the peace and astonishing variety of plant and wildlife species that have now colonised the route, I personally believe that it should be left as it is. Far better for efforts to be concentrated into taking the East Somerset Railway into Shepton Mallet or extending the S&D Midsomer Norton line down into Radstock.
Try the group's website: Home - Heritage railway between Radstock and Frome - North Somerset Railway Company Ltd to see what they have to offer. The info does not appear to have been updated for some time now..
Many thanks to Guy for providing this report on the North Somerset Railway and providing pictures. Try going to the home page of the N S Rly Co website (link above) - this provides some very interesting information.
Radstock Branch near Kilmersdon 31st August 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent
29th August 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent
Abandoned Brake Van at Mells Road 29th August 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent
Mells Road 29th August 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent
Landslip evidence Frome branch 31st August 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent .
Radstock. New line will have to run along here. 31st August 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent
Radstock. with Marcrofts Wagon Works - looking towards Frome. 3rd July 1993 Copyright Roger Winnen
The first 2 + 4 HST Set arrives at Penzance
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
180323a 43093 Old Oak Common depot tails the 5Z45 12.47 Plymouth Penzance. These sets are known as the Castle Class. - Copyright Roger Winnen
180323b The new air operated doors fitted by Wabtec at Doncaster. - Copyright Roger Winnen
180323c The internal coach layout of the train. Copyright Roger Winnen
180323d The open and closed buttons for the external doors situated to the right of the toilet door. Copyright Roger Winnen
180323e Images of the Great Western over the years displayed on the side of this power car. Copyright Roger Winnen
Farewell & Well Done Network Rail
Blockade over
Blockade over
The front of the returning train waiting to leave for Exeter and Westbury. Early hours 23rd march 2018. Copyright Alan Peters.
The tail end of 6C30 as it waited to depart from Penzance in the early hours - mission accomplished. Many thank to Driver Alan Peters for his privilege pictures which he has taken for us.
A sad story for today is that a tamper returning after the possession failed at Camborne. A similar machine has to be brought down from Par to tow it back. As a result of this there are three up trains waiting to depart from Penzance - two HST's and Pz 10.24 passed Camborne 1047 passed truro 14.54 227 mins late. 70807 was also in the news today as she was required to assist the 20.53 Exeter Riverside to Exeter Riverside via Salisbury hauled by 37254 which had failed in the Axminster area. This train was then reported 276 mins Late.
West Cornwall Blockade
The final day 22nd March 2018
The final day 22nd March 2018
20180322_11 As dawn rises 70815 is seen on the fuel road top and tailed with Falcon wagons to top up the ballast on the relaid main line. Copyright Alan Peters
180322u DR 75407 Tamper works its magic on the renewed main line. Copyright Roger Salter
180322x Tamping at Long Rock. Copyright Roger Salter
Three visitors
West Somerset Gala
Roger Aston
West Somerset Gala
Roger Aston
WSR Gala Visitor 7714 22nd March 2018 Copyright Roger Aston
WSR Gala Visitor 1460 & auto 22nd March 2018 Copyright Roger Aston
WSR Gala Visitor 22nd S160 March 2018 Copyright Roger Aston
Liskeard
Mike Hitchens
Mike Hitchens
A class 47 departs Liskeard in the 70's. Courtesy the Mike Hitchens Collection
Lostwithiel
Ron Kosys
Ron Kosys
Ron writes :- Unfortunately I was TOTALLY in the wrong place to photograph this train, but being truthful I had forgotten about it. Oh well, it’s too late now.
UKF ran a weekly block train from Ince to Truro that dropped off traffic for other UKF depots en route, such as that at Lapford, that would have been detached at Exeter Riverside.
Many thanks Ron, to be honest I couldn't agree less, what a fine panorama you have here. A superb view.
UKF ran a weekly block train from Ince to Truro that dropped off traffic for other UKF depots en route, such as that at Lapford, that would have been detached at Exeter Riverside.
Many thanks Ron, to be honest I couldn't agree less, what a fine panorama you have here. A superb view.
47365 at Lostwithiel with the 6M22 1215 Truro-Ince & Elton on the 11th August 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys
Westbury
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius