Hello Keith, Hope all is well,
A contact of mine on Flickr posted a railway photo from his late father's collection this weekend and asked for help in identifying the location - I was pleased to be able to assist as it shows a Warship class approaching Defiance Halt and in the background can be seen the junction with the original route complete with some carriages in the sidings!
I asked if he would mind if you wanted to use the picture on the site - I thought it would make a great addition to the feature on the 1908 deviation?
You can view the image here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/96859208@N07/16875878065/
If it is used he's asked that it's credited to the late Keith Holt.
Coincidentally I was walking around this area on the weekend and along the shore of the river by the base of the original bridge pier - it looked as if recent vegetation clearance had been carried out not only around the base but also up on the top of the field where the approach to the bridge would have been, which I thought was a little strange.
When down on the shoreline I came across some old rail, which you can see in the attached pictures. I'd not seen it before so the clearance work must have uncovered it - I think this may have been used as fencing, on the entrance of the bridge perhaps?
Later on when walking toward the bridge by the Defiance Halt location I noticed this type of rail in use as fencing which suggested I was possibly on the right track!
Regards Ross Griffiths Many thanks Ross
A contact of mine on Flickr posted a railway photo from his late father's collection this weekend and asked for help in identifying the location - I was pleased to be able to assist as it shows a Warship class approaching Defiance Halt and in the background can be seen the junction with the original route complete with some carriages in the sidings!
I asked if he would mind if you wanted to use the picture on the site - I thought it would make a great addition to the feature on the 1908 deviation?
You can view the image here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/96859208@N07/16875878065/
If it is used he's asked that it's credited to the late Keith Holt.
Coincidentally I was walking around this area on the weekend and along the shore of the river by the base of the original bridge pier - it looked as if recent vegetation clearance had been carried out not only around the base but also up on the top of the field where the approach to the bridge would have been, which I thought was a little strange.
When down on the shoreline I came across some old rail, which you can see in the attached pictures. I'd not seen it before so the clearance work must have uncovered it - I think this may have been used as fencing, on the entrance of the bridge perhaps?
Later on when walking toward the bridge by the Defiance Halt location I noticed this type of rail in use as fencing which suggested I was possibly on the right track!
Regards Ross Griffiths Many thanks Ross
A most interesting picture showing Wearde signalbox which closed 31st October 1965 (Ref Track diagrams Sect 14 Tony Cooke). The down refuge siding which had been made into a loop in 1943 was closed the same day as the signalbox. The line seen diverging off to the left in the distance is the route of the original main line into Cornwall. This was retained as a siding for holding coaching stock - it was also taken out of use on the 2nd November 1964. It is understood that the loco approaching is D868 on the 13.20 Penzance to Paddington in either March or April 1962. This photograph from the collection of the late Keith Holt.
A view taken looking east, in, we are told in March or April 1962. It shows so clearly the platforms of Defiance Halt and to the right the down loop line which was taken out of use on closure of the signalbox on the 31st October 1965. From the collection of the late Keith Holt.
An interesting find by Ross Griffiths of some old bridge rail lying on the beach at the eastern end of the original Forder viaduct. In the distance can be seen the current Forder viaduct and beyond that on the hill Trematon Castle. The old mill buidings can be seen across the water. 22nd March 2015 Copyright Ross Griffiths.
A close up of the remnant of Brunel's days. Copyright Ross Griffiths.
Still a fairly common sight in Cornwall but here is the relic found by Ross - a 'bridge rail' fence post, an early example of re-use. Copyright Ross Griffiths.