Devon Main line
from Teignmouth to Exminster
(We actually start our coverage west of Teignmouth)
from Teignmouth to Exminster
(We actually start our coverage west of Teignmouth)
Credits, Many thanks to all contributors - please see a list on the home page.
USEFUL MAPS
Members and general visitors to the CRS site will be interested in visiting http://www.railmaponline.com From the opening page a full map of the UK can be accessed which can then be enlarged to show every railway line in the UK. Not just today's network but lines from the past have been overlaid. As you zoom in sidings and even tramways become visible.
A valuable tip from Guy Vincent.
Members and general visitors to the CRS site will be interested in visiting http://www.railmaponline.com From the opening page a full map of the UK can be accessed which can then be enlarged to show every railway line in the UK. Not just today's network but lines from the past have been overlaid. As you zoom in sidings and even tramways become visible.
A valuable tip from Guy Vincent.
A lovely shot courtesy of the Mike Morant collection. Malachite liveried Bulleid West Country Pacific n0. 34020 'Seaton' with the first style branding skirts the Teign Estuary at low tide circa 1948/9. Southern engine crews in the west country were required to have route knowledge of the GWR route from Exeter to Plymouth and this shot depicts such a training exercise with 34020 in charge of a motley selection of mixed GWR rolling stock. 160601_S_BR_34020_DKJ
4076 Carmarthen Castle in charge of the up Torbay Pullman, which in its shortened version, which Mike believes ran only in 1931, however viewers corrections are welcomed. 4076 was built in 1924 and saw the end of its days while allocated to 87F Llanelly in February 1963. The location is obviously in South Devon and is near Teignmouth. Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection 160601_W_GWR_4076_Torquay_Pullman
From Shaldon Bridge
Teignmouth
Teignmouth Sea Wall
Paul Barlow writes:- Taken from a private garden called 'Jasons' garden which was open the public in connection with the National open gardens scheme.
With good views from the top of the cliff towards Sprey point and Teignmouth, unfortunately it was a very dull day. Sorry, I do not have the id of the services but they were taken around 1430hrs on Sunday 24 July 2011 Many thanks Paul.
With good views from the top of the cliff towards Sprey point and Teignmouth, unfortunately it was a very dull day. Sorry, I do not have the id of the services but they were taken around 1430hrs on Sunday 24 July 2011 Many thanks Paul.
Horse Cove
Looking east at Horse Cove. A quiet scene with the Parsons Rock mirrored in the still waters, very different to the conditions during February 2014 when tremendous seas tore away sections of this famous route. 50023 Howe with the 1302 Paddington to Paignton service at Horse Cove Dawlish on Saturday 2 September 1989 Copyright Roger Geach
THE BIG STORM
In early February 2014 the Sea Wall between Teignmouth and Dawlish took a tremendous pounding from record waves blown by storm force winds. There was considerable damage to the wall in many places but particularly just beyond Dawlish station where a large section of the wall was washed away leaving both tracks swinging. To see our collection of pictures click here. Some of the pictures are our own but others have been kindly provided by Network Rail and spectators there the day after.
In early February 2014 the Sea Wall between Teignmouth and Dawlish took a tremendous pounding from record waves blown by storm force winds. There was considerable damage to the wall in many places but particularly just beyond Dawlish station where a large section of the wall was washed away leaving both tracks swinging. To see our collection of pictures click here. Some of the pictures are our own but others have been kindly provided by Network Rail and spectators there the day after.
Teignmouth to Dawlish In November 2016, a proposal been 'floated' concerning works on the Teignmouth - Dawlish stretch. Many thanks to Derek Buttivant for the following which clarifies matters :- My understanding is that Dawlish would be unaffected by the NR proposal because the viaduct section is between Teignmouth and Parson's Tunnel only, with a viaduct constructed some 30 metres seaward of the existing wall, passing outside the promontory of Sprey Point and then re-joining the existing route to pass through the five tunnels. I imagine that there might be an outcry from Teignmouth residents about the plan but there could be an even bigger outcry if the spectacular red headlands through which the tunnels are cut were to be "defaced" with a concrete viaduct passing seaward of them. I understand, too, that the concern at the Teignmouth end of the sea wall is with the unstable nature of the cliff face rather than with the wall itself, so moving the line away from the cliff would be a way of avoiding cliff falls on that stretch. On the other hand, the section through the tunnels is clearly not vulnerable in the same way either from the sea or from unstable cliffs and between Dawlish station and Langstone rock the new red sandstone cliffs are somewhat stronger than at the Teignmouth end. Of course, the viaduct idea is just one of several being examined and I think there's a degree of "kite flying" to find out how strong public feeling might be. Compared with the best likely alternative (inland via two tunnels behind Dawlish and Teignmouth) the viaduct scheme would be significantly cheaper. Many thanks to you Derek for this input.
Dawlish
Work commenced on 3rd June 2019 on the first phase of a new sea wall for Dawlish to protect the railway and the property beyond from the ravages of the sea. The wall height will be raised by 2.5 metres above the existing wall, and the walkway increased to a width of 4 metres and fenced. The Contract has been let to BAM Nuttall of Camberley, a subsidiary of the Dutch Royal BAM Group. The first phase will extend roughly from the footbridge by the entrance to Kennaway Tunnel eastwards to Colonnade Viaduct. The cost of the wall and footpath will be of the order of ??75,000 per metre but if that seems expensive think of the difficulties of access, and of working with the tides. Good luck to the contractor.
The attached picture shows the area as the Great Western Railway captured it 80 years ago for the cover of their in-house magazine. At first glance its not immediately apparent that this is Dawlish, but it is.
Regards, Mike Roach. Many thanks Mike.
The attached picture shows the area as the Great Western Railway captured it 80 years ago for the cover of their in-house magazine. At first glance its not immediately apparent that this is Dawlish, but it is.
Regards, Mike Roach. Many thanks Mike.
Dawlish in the Past
Exeter Past and Present Archives
By Kind permission Posted by Peter Joyce
Exeter Past and Present Archives
By Kind permission Posted by Peter Joyce
A Rail Motor at Dawlish Station
Roger Salter Collection
Roger Salter Collection
Many Thanks Roger
The last day at Dawlish Signalbox - Paul Barlow
Paul writes - A few new scans of the last day of operation of Dawlish signal box. It was officially closed on Friday 14 November, but as it was only switched in on summer Saturdays. 27 September was the last day of summer Saturday operation. So last day in was in use. A friend on mine worked for the S & T department and knew the signalman so he arranged our visit on the Saturday morning.
The box survived for many years until it eventual demolition in 2013
The box survived for many years until it eventual demolition in 2013
An interesting collection of views on the future of the box is to be found here. http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/info/12467_Dawlish_Signal_Box_to_be_demolished.html
Many thanks to Paul for this exclusive record of the last day at Dawlish Signalbox.
This picture taken on the afternoon of Tues 5th May 2020 shows the effect of the forecasted easterly breeze of 15-20 mph
at around high tide with waves/spray going over the new raised wall of concrete block segments being installed just west of Dawlish Stn. by Contractors for NR.
As has become the norm now for a few years with high seas etc, no 'Voyager' Cross Country services operated between Exeter and N.Abbot.
From a Dawlish Resident via Tony Hill
Before and after photographs of the sea wall at Dawlish. A lot has happened in two years. Coincidentally the 43042 is in both shots!
The new section of seawall was closed for installation of lighting, seating, fencing and paving.
Temporary fencing has been erected on the sea wall adjacent to the station, closing off the walkway below the platform. A sign says the path is now closed until July 2021.
Big changes are on their way!
kind regards
Paul Barlow
The new section of seawall was closed for installation of lighting, seating, fencing and paving.
Temporary fencing has been erected on the sea wall adjacent to the station, closing off the walkway below the platform. A sign says the path is now closed until July 2021.
Big changes are on their way!
kind regards
Paul Barlow
Mike says :- It isn't often that I wax lyrical about a going-away shot but I fell in love with this one even before I scanned the glass negative as it shrieked "quality". This is Dawlish allegedly in 1929 and the star of the show is Churchwood Saint class 4-6-0 No. 2904 Lady Godiva fresh out of shops and about to depart in the direction of Exeter. That overhaul wouldn't spare her ladyship the ignominy of withdrawal from service only three years later in 1932 after only 26 years in service.
GWR Saint class 4-6-0 2905 Lady Macbeth enters Dawlish station prior to 1931 when the loco was fitted with outside steam pipes. 2905 was built at Swindon in May 1906 but wasn't named until April 1907. She just survived into BR days being withdrawn as a Cardiff Canton engine inApril 1948. Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection
160601_W_GWR_2905_Dawlish_saintcyres
Dawlish and the Air Show 2014 - Bill Elston
Many thanks Bill.
Looking at and below Dawlish down platform before modification work.
Dawlish Platform Extension into use
Dawlish April 2021
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
5th September 2021 The Northern Belle at
Dawlish
Clive Smith
Dawlish
Clive Smith
57601 leads the 1Z42 09.29 Birmingham International - Paignton 'Northern Belle' pullman charter in glorious sunshine and mark 1 pullmans in view with miscreant 57314 on the rear. The train was running a whopping 150 minutes late due to regular problems with West Coast locomotives. The train was already a 19 late start due to the ECS being late. 57314 was initially at the front and developing a brake fault at Cheltenham making the train over 30 late. It seems to have got just south of there to Lansdown before reversing back to Cheltenham station where a decision was made to send the train in to Gloucester where it could reverse so that 57601 could lead. By now the train was 153 minutes late.
Now I have to declare I had not made a special trip for this photo as I happened to be working this day in Teignmouth and Dawlish. 57s are not high on my list of locos to capture but as I was in the area and could arrange my lunch hour around its 13.00 passing I thought why not ? What I hadn't catered for was the weather forecast being wrong and the Teignmouth Dawlish coastline was enveloped in murky cloud and mist throughout the morning and into the afternoon. However as the saying goes every cloud has a silver lining and so the huge delay coincided with the end of my work in Dawlish, the sun burnt off the clouds at 14.00 and the awful dull maroon liveried 57314 had now been relegated to the back and out of sight along with the mark 2 sleepers. A win win win situation.
Best regards - Clive Smith
Now I have to declare I had not made a special trip for this photo as I happened to be working this day in Teignmouth and Dawlish. 57s are not high on my list of locos to capture but as I was in the area and could arrange my lunch hour around its 13.00 passing I thought why not ? What I hadn't catered for was the weather forecast being wrong and the Teignmouth Dawlish coastline was enveloped in murky cloud and mist throughout the morning and into the afternoon. However as the saying goes every cloud has a silver lining and so the huge delay coincided with the end of my work in Dawlish, the sun burnt off the clouds at 14.00 and the awful dull maroon liveried 57314 had now been relegated to the back and out of sight along with the mark 2 sleepers. A win win win situation.
Best regards - Clive Smith
The Wavewalker at Dawlish November 2020
Hello Keith, To add to the next 100!
A few shots today of the Wavewalker at Dawlish, while I was on my permitted visit to a garden centre and exercise! Weather was very mixed, but I managed a few in some bright conditions. and a rainbow!
Hope they are of interest
Kind regards Paul Barlow;
Thank you Paul - you are first - I hope there won't be too many pictures of the wavewalker as there is a limit to the number of views.
A few shots today of the Wavewalker at Dawlish, while I was on my permitted visit to a garden centre and exercise! Weather was very mixed, but I managed a few in some bright conditions. and a rainbow!
Hope they are of interest
Kind regards Paul Barlow;
Thank you Paul - you are first - I hope there won't be too many pictures of the wavewalker as there is a limit to the number of views.
The Wavewalker explained Please use the link below explains more:
https://www.bamnuttall.co.uk/news/wave-walker/?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SocialSignIn
But honestly with the restricted spray over the trains and the improved design seawall that will send waves back out to sea, I think the excitement will be ruined and therefore I'm against the project 😡😆 Comments by Paul Roach.
https://www.bamnuttall.co.uk/news/wave-walker/?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SocialSignIn
But honestly with the restricted spray over the trains and the improved design seawall that will send waves back out to sea, I think the excitement will be ruined and therefore I'm against the project 😡😆 Comments by Paul Roach.
Dawlish on the 29th March 2021 - The wavewalker has gone. Clive Smith
(1) This was Monday 29th at Dawlish at 13.13 and I was getting a bit concerned that my intended shot of the XC HST may get eclipsed by a DMU scheduled on the down line at the same time but thankfully I was spared. The 12.23 Exmouth - Paignton stands at the station with two 2-car class 150s, the rear set still being a First Great Western blue liveried example. The Cross Country HST which is the 12.27 Plymouth to Edinburgh is formed of 43303 leading and 43306 on the rear. Copyright Clive Smith.
New footbridge at Dawlish - Dennis Clarke.
Dawlish Sea Wall
Dawlish - The boathouse before and during demolition.
Monday 5th February saw the demolition of the building which was owned by Network Rail and in a state of disrepair. The sea wall will be rebuilt much higher here. Network Rail has said "A footprint will be left to show where the building stood and we plan to reuse the stone in constructing new public benches within the project. We’ll also need to adjust the bottom section of the existing footbridge steps at this location".
I took an extensive photos on 5th September 2020 and the first picture shows a down Cross Country HST passing the boat house. The second picture shows Laira allocated 47478 approaching with the 1V71 07.20 Leeds - Penzance 'The Cornishman' on the 27th August 1980.
Regards
Clive Smith
I took an extensive photos on 5th September 2020 and the first picture shows a down Cross Country HST passing the boat house. The second picture shows Laira allocated 47478 approaching with the 1V71 07.20 Leeds - Penzance 'The Cornishman' on the 27th August 1980.
Regards
Clive Smith
Langstone Rock near Dawlish Warren
Here is a picture of 1026 passing Langstone Rock on the morning 1020 7B52 St Blazey to Exeter Riverside freight with plenty of the airbraked vans on the front of the train .This service was photographed running late at 1340 only 10 mins in front of the 1100 Penzance to Paddington service. At 1500 1026 returned from Exeter with 7B33 the 1400 Riverside to St Blazey freight running late . This freight turn was a regular at the time. Monday 16 April 1973. Commentary and copyright many thanks to Roger Geach
Dawlish Warren Camping Coaches
This is the article I found in the Dawlish Newspaper date 2nd December 2015:
AN iconic railway camp site at Dawlish Warren is to close after rising repair and restoration costs made it financially unviable.
Brunel Railway Camping Park, Beach Road, will open for its last season next summer after more than 50 years.
The eight converted railway carriages – with many original features – are run as holiday accommodation by a non-profit making association but although the operation breaks even the coaches are in need of expensive upkeep.
Tracy Baker, general secretary of the Great Western Railway Staff Association, which runs the park, explained: ‘Although the coaches break even, their upkeep and restoration is very expensive and they are in need of some tender, loving care. ‘I still think that the site could be run as a going concern and it would have been lovely to see it continue, but no one has come forward.’ Alastair MacLean, Facilities and Marketing Manager
SHOREFORM LTD. [email protected]
AN iconic railway camp site at Dawlish Warren is to close after rising repair and restoration costs made it financially unviable.
Brunel Railway Camping Park, Beach Road, will open for its last season next summer after more than 50 years.
The eight converted railway carriages – with many original features – are run as holiday accommodation by a non-profit making association but although the operation breaks even the coaches are in need of expensive upkeep.
Tracy Baker, general secretary of the Great Western Railway Staff Association, which runs the park, explained: ‘Although the coaches break even, their upkeep and restoration is very expensive and they are in need of some tender, loving care. ‘I still think that the site could be run as a going concern and it would have been lovely to see it continue, but no one has come forward.’ Alastair MacLean, Facilities and Marketing Manager
SHOREFORM LTD. [email protected]
Dawlish Warren
A Saint Class engine at Dawlish Warren
Roger Salter Collection
Roger Salter Collection
Many Thanks Roger
The two pictures below were taken from the disused signalbox which was conveniently open until demolishion.
Copyright John Cornelius. Goods traffic was withdrawn on 5th August 1967 and on 3rd May 1971 the station became unstaffed. From 1974 to 1984 the buildings seen to the right here housed the Dawlish Warren Railway Museum with its model railway. This building too burnt down in 2003, but in 2007 a new residential building was built on the site which is outwardly the same design as the former Dawlish Warren signal box. This had been located at the north end of the 'Down' platform until made redundant on 14 November 1986 by the West of England resignalling; it was demolished in May 1990. Courtesy Wikipedia
Class 140 DMU at Dawlish Warren.
With the picture of Pacers returning to the South West News 1st April 2020 I thought that the attached views might be of interest.
Following experiments with single car Railbuses, featuring bodies produced with Leyland National bus components, British Rail Engineering Ltd, Derby built a 2-car railbus in 1981. This unit 140 001 featured a higher floor, high backed seats and the Leyland National bodywork, but with a rather austere front end, providing for a through corridor connection. This unit was extensively trialled around the country and I was very fortunate to come across it, quite by chance in August 1984, waiting in the loop at Dawlish Warren.
The experience gained with this unit went on to develop the later, production fleets of Pacer units, but without the corridor connections at the cab ends. This prototype unit remained in BR's fleet until 1994, at Neville Hill, Leeds, latterly as a parts donor for the later Pacers in service. I understand that this rare unit has been preserved at the Keith and Dufftown Railway in Scotland.
Very best wishes, Peter Murnaghan. Many thanks Peter
With the picture of Pacers returning to the South West News 1st April 2020 I thought that the attached views might be of interest.
Following experiments with single car Railbuses, featuring bodies produced with Leyland National bus components, British Rail Engineering Ltd, Derby built a 2-car railbus in 1981. This unit 140 001 featured a higher floor, high backed seats and the Leyland National bodywork, but with a rather austere front end, providing for a through corridor connection. This unit was extensively trialled around the country and I was very fortunate to come across it, quite by chance in August 1984, waiting in the loop at Dawlish Warren.
The experience gained with this unit went on to develop the later, production fleets of Pacer units, but without the corridor connections at the cab ends. This prototype unit remained in BR's fleet until 1994, at Neville Hill, Leeds, latterly as a parts donor for the later Pacers in service. I understand that this rare unit has been preserved at the Keith and Dufftown Railway in Scotland.
Very best wishes, Peter Murnaghan. Many thanks Peter
Dawlish Warren Memories - The late David Bartlett
Some summer memories of 'proper' trains passing through the popular holiday destination station at Dawlish Warren.
Photos taken by David Bartlett who with his family enjoyed many holidays (and the railway) here for over 50 years.
Regards, Guy Vincent.
Photos taken by David Bartlett who with his family enjoyed many holidays (and the railway) here for over 50 years.
Regards, Guy Vincent.
'Cromptons' D6523 (33015) and D6544 (33026) heading through Dawlish Warren at 1242pm on Saturday 25th September 1971 with the 'Dart Valley Flyer' railtour that ran from London Victoria via Basingstoke, Honiton & Exeter to Buckfastleigh. The train returned to London via Taunton, Castle Cary and Newbury. Copyright the late David Bartlett.
'Western' class 52 no. D1028 'Western Hussar' on a down express passing through towards the end of the hot summer of 1976, probably around the time of the August bank holiday. Of interest is the wooden platform surface, the fire bucket and ancient lamp column that has been adapted to take a modern electric light complete with 1950s-era green enamelled shade. D1028 was withdrawn on October 5th 1976 and recorded as scrapped at Swindon on 13th June 1979. This loco was instantly recognisable in the scrapyard as someone painted 'THE END' in large white letters on its bodyside. Copyright the late David Bartlett.
Another 'Western', D1058 'Western Nobleman' with just two coaches heading up on the through line towards Exeter. This was the penultimate 'Western' to receive a classified overhaul at Swindon Works, emerging in late July 1973. The loco was withdrawn on 21st January 1977 and finally recorded as scrapped at Swindon by 28th June 1979. Copyright the late David Bartlett.
LNER 4472 Flying Scotsman passing through Dawlish Warren on Saturday September 14th 2002 with a special working chartered by the Newmarket Group, 1Z82 0643 London Victoria - Plymouth. Behind the steam loco is diesel 66076 which appears to have been added at Exeter St Davids to assist with the heavy load of 13 carriages over the steep Devon banks. Copyright the late David Bartlett.
Many thanks to Guy Vincent for the captions added to David Bartlett's photographs.
In Mid February 2021 during the 'Lockdown' Clive Smith found the time to grab several contrasting shots over the course of a week.
Work patterns saw me on repeat visits to Teignmouth and Dawlish over the last week allowing me an opportunity in lockdown to record some activity during the weather changes.
(1) I headed down to Parsons Tunnel in the bitterly cold howling wind and fortunately high tide was not due for over three hours so an ice cold shower was thankfully avoided. 43208 heads the 06.06 Edinburgh - Plymouth with 43285 on the rear on the 11th February.
(2)A miserable Sunday morning on the 14th February as the sea wall at Teignmouth takes a pummelling. This was at 09.55 with high tide just passed at 08.11 and the both lines had been closed until 10.25 when single line working was introduced until 13.00 when both lines then operated.
(3) A grey train on a grey day at Dawlish Warren. This is 43207 leading with 43378 on rear of the 08.11 Leeds - Plymouth also on the 14th February. The HST was held at the signal expecting to go down the 'up' line but was given the 'road' on the down.
(4) A Cross Country HST enters Dawlish with the 12.27 Plymouth - Edinburgh on the 18th February.The rear power car is 43239 and the front is 43366. Despite a few showers floating around it was by and large a gloriously sunny day. This was taken from Lea Mount above Kennaway Tunnel.
(5) On top of Lea Mount at Dawlish looking through the trees to Coryton Cove as a class 158 heads between Coryton and Kennaway Tunnels with the 12.55 Paignton - Exmouth.
Regards
Clive Smith
(1) I headed down to Parsons Tunnel in the bitterly cold howling wind and fortunately high tide was not due for over three hours so an ice cold shower was thankfully avoided. 43208 heads the 06.06 Edinburgh - Plymouth with 43285 on the rear on the 11th February.
(2)A miserable Sunday morning on the 14th February as the sea wall at Teignmouth takes a pummelling. This was at 09.55 with high tide just passed at 08.11 and the both lines had been closed until 10.25 when single line working was introduced until 13.00 when both lines then operated.
(3) A grey train on a grey day at Dawlish Warren. This is 43207 leading with 43378 on rear of the 08.11 Leeds - Plymouth also on the 14th February. The HST was held at the signal expecting to go down the 'up' line but was given the 'road' on the down.
(4) A Cross Country HST enters Dawlish with the 12.27 Plymouth - Edinburgh on the 18th February.The rear power car is 43239 and the front is 43366. Despite a few showers floating around it was by and large a gloriously sunny day. This was taken from Lea Mount above Kennaway Tunnel.
(5) On top of Lea Mount at Dawlish looking through the trees to Coryton Cove as a class 158 heads between Coryton and Kennaway Tunnels with the 12.55 Paignton - Exmouth.
Regards
Clive Smith
===================================================================
Starcross
59 047 Swiftsure hauls a down service past Brunel's Pumping House at Starcross. At the time there was an exhibition within the pumping house with a rail mounted trolley straddling a vacuum pipe. One person could sit on the trolley which was attached to a piston inserted in a length of demonstration vacuum pipe. The top of the pipe had a slot the full length which was sealed with a longitudinal rubber strip. (Brunel used leather) A domestic vacuum cleaner produced sufficient vacuum for atmospheric pressure to move the trolley along the rails. Copyright Keith Jenkin
We are about 200 yards east of Starcross station where Bill has found a safe perch to view passing traffic on the 26th July 1997.
Sent to Roger Winnen.
Jubilees in Devon by David Hunt
David who provides a paper with a record of Jubilee appearences in Devon. This record is complimented with photographs kindly supplied by Geoff London of Jubilee 45960 at Starcross and also a rare view at Cockwood showing a third access point to the harbour which was subsequently been filled in.
Once again outside the area of Cornwall BUT the question was asked when a Jubilee went to Plymouth in 2021 as to whether one had even been to Devon before. My research is as follows.
Jubilee 45660 ROOKE is the first that I can locate which worked the Bristol Pylle Hill to Plymouth parcels as far as Exeter St Davids on 15 September 1962, where it was turned and sent light engine back to Bristol Barrow Road (LMS) depot.
The second recorded visit happened exactly 1 year later on 15 September 1963 when 45690 LEANDER worked a freight to Newton Abbot Hackney Yard and then proceeded light engine to Goodrington Sidings to turn and, one again, returned light engine to Bristol Barrow Road.
This was during the period when the GWR passenger shed at Bristol Bath Road had gone over to Diesel and the GWR shed at Bristol St Phillips Marsh was being prepared for Diesel Multiple Unit servicing and all of the remaining steam locomotives still at those 2 depots were transferred to Bristol Barton Road depot which was to see out the remainder of its days as a Steam Shed.
The congregation of all the steam locomotives at Bristol Barrow Road depot, together with the transfer of the Somerset and Dorset line to the Western Region, meant that the train crews had to learn other routes and the locomotives became used as a pool and were sent into areas in which that type of locomotive had previously never visited.
By king permission of Geoff Lendon I enclose 5 images taken from slides of 45690 on the Cockwood and Starcross area.
Jubilees in Devon by David Hunt
David who provides a paper with a record of Jubilee appearences in Devon. This record is complimented with photographs kindly supplied by Geoff London of Jubilee 45960 at Starcross and also a rare view at Cockwood showing a third access point to the harbour which was subsequently been filled in.
Once again outside the area of Cornwall BUT the question was asked when a Jubilee went to Plymouth in 2021 as to whether one had even been to Devon before. My research is as follows.
Jubilee 45660 ROOKE is the first that I can locate which worked the Bristol Pylle Hill to Plymouth parcels as far as Exeter St Davids on 15 September 1962, where it was turned and sent light engine back to Bristol Barrow Road (LMS) depot.
The second recorded visit happened exactly 1 year later on 15 September 1963 when 45690 LEANDER worked a freight to Newton Abbot Hackney Yard and then proceeded light engine to Goodrington Sidings to turn and, one again, returned light engine to Bristol Barrow Road.
This was during the period when the GWR passenger shed at Bristol Bath Road had gone over to Diesel and the GWR shed at Bristol St Phillips Marsh was being prepared for Diesel Multiple Unit servicing and all of the remaining steam locomotives still at those 2 depots were transferred to Bristol Barton Road depot which was to see out the remainder of its days as a Steam Shed.
The congregation of all the steam locomotives at Bristol Barrow Road depot, together with the transfer of the Somerset and Dorset line to the Western Region, meant that the train crews had to learn other routes and the locomotives became used as a pool and were sent into areas in which that type of locomotive had previously never visited.
By king permission of Geoff Lendon I enclose 5 images taken from slides of 45690 on the Cockwood and Starcross area.
With many thanks to David Hunt and to Geoff Lendon
====================================================================
Cockwood
Jubilees in Devon - by David Hunt a paper with photographs kindly supplied by Geoff London
Dear Roger
Once again outside the area of Cornwall BUT the question was asked when a Jubilee went to Plymouth in 2021 as to whether one had even been to Devon before. My research is as follows.
Jubilee 45660 ROOKE is the first that I can locate which worked the Bristol Pylle Hill to Plymouth parcels as far as Exeter St Davids on 15 September 1962, where it was turned and sent light engine back to Bristol Barrow Road (LMS) depot.
The second recorded visit happened exactly 1 year later on 15 September 1963 when 45690 LEANDER worked a freight to Newton Abbot Hackney Yard and then proceeded light engine to Goodrington Sidings to turn and, one again, returned light engine to Bristol Barrow Road.
This was during the period when the GWR passenger shed at Bristol Bath Road had gone over to Diesel and the GWR shed at Bristol St Phillips Marsh was being prepared for Diesel Multiple Unit servicing and all of the remaining steam locomotives still at those 2 depots were transferred to Bristol Barton Road depot which was to see out the remainder of its days as a Steam Shed.
The congregation of all the steam locomotives at Bristol Barrow Road depot, together with the transfer of the Somerset and Dorset line to the Western Region, meant that the train crews had to learn other routes and the locomotives became used as a pool and were sent into areas in which that type of locomotive had previously never visited.
By king permission of Geoff Lendon I enclose 5 images taken from slides of 45690 on the Cockwood and Starcross area.
Image 1 shows the locomotive crossing the causeway at Cockwood Harbour. Note the fact that the locomotive is crossing the third access bridge to the harbour which was subsequently removed and the embankment was extended to cover the gap.
Images 2 and 3 show the locomotive stopped at Starcross Signal Box on the up line awaiting instructions.
Images 4 and 5 show the instruction was to proceed wrong line to at least Exminster where the was he first opportunity to switch it back to the correct track.
Dear Roger
Once again outside the area of Cornwall BUT the question was asked when a Jubilee went to Plymouth in 2021 as to whether one had even been to Devon before. My research is as follows.
Jubilee 45660 ROOKE is the first that I can locate which worked the Bristol Pylle Hill to Plymouth parcels as far as Exeter St Davids on 15 September 1962, where it was turned and sent light engine back to Bristol Barrow Road (LMS) depot.
The second recorded visit happened exactly 1 year later on 15 September 1963 when 45690 LEANDER worked a freight to Newton Abbot Hackney Yard and then proceeded light engine to Goodrington Sidings to turn and, one again, returned light engine to Bristol Barrow Road.
This was during the period when the GWR passenger shed at Bristol Bath Road had gone over to Diesel and the GWR shed at Bristol St Phillips Marsh was being prepared for Diesel Multiple Unit servicing and all of the remaining steam locomotives still at those 2 depots were transferred to Bristol Barton Road depot which was to see out the remainder of its days as a Steam Shed.
The congregation of all the steam locomotives at Bristol Barrow Road depot, together with the transfer of the Somerset and Dorset line to the Western Region, meant that the train crews had to learn other routes and the locomotives became used as a pool and were sent into areas in which that type of locomotive had previously never visited.
By king permission of Geoff Lendon I enclose 5 images taken from slides of 45690 on the Cockwood and Starcross area.
Image 1 shows the locomotive crossing the causeway at Cockwood Harbour. Note the fact that the locomotive is crossing the third access bridge to the harbour which was subsequently removed and the embankment was extended to cover the gap.
Images 2 and 3 show the locomotive stopped at Starcross Signal Box on the up line awaiting instructions.
Images 4 and 5 show the instruction was to proceed wrong line to at least Exminster where the was he first opportunity to switch it back to the correct track.
Paul Barlows Cockwood collection.
Powderham
Powderham and district from the air - Paul Barlow.
Exminster
Here are a few notes about the box at Exminster supplied by Roy Hart.:
The original box here was a small, brick built one, which supervised just a crossover and a siding. The latterday structure dated from 1924, when the layout was expanded on the down side. It had 36 levers. The box, however was little more than half the size that it later became. In 1931 new island platforms were added, necessitating a new frame of 56 levers. In world war 2, new loops and sidings came along and in March 1941 yet another new frame was installed -this time of 80 levers. It was necessary to extend the box from 25 feet to 41 feet in length. The 1960s saw the usual reductions and on the eve of MAS the layout was back to that of 1894 - a crossover and a siding. Full circle.
Roy Hart = Many thanks Roy.
The original box here was a small, brick built one, which supervised just a crossover and a siding. The latterday structure dated from 1924, when the layout was expanded on the down side. It had 36 levers. The box, however was little more than half the size that it later became. In 1931 new island platforms were added, necessitating a new frame of 56 levers. In world war 2, new loops and sidings came along and in March 1941 yet another new frame was installed -this time of 80 levers. It was necessary to extend the box from 25 feet to 41 feet in length. The 1960s saw the usual reductions and on the eve of MAS the layout was back to that of 1894 - a crossover and a siding. Full circle.
Roy Hart = Many thanks Roy.
47011 on the 1m49 St Austell Crewe Motor rail at Exminster 19Aug78 Copyright Roger Geach. Note Exminster Signal Box which has since been dismantled and moved to the Gloucester & Warwickshire Rly. There was a four track arrangement here with up and down loops plus addictional sidings. The goods traffic was withdrawn w.e.f. 4th December 1967
Exminster box in its last days - Chris Bellett
I promised some photographs of Exminster Signalbox taken during a site visit on 09 February 2003 when it was being looked at for possible preservation, either at the Steam Museum at Swindon or the Didcot Railway Centre. As we know both never happened. The signalbox structure was in a very poor state and the idea was abandoned.
Kind Regards,
Chris Bellett
Retired S&T Engineer
CRS Member
Kind Regards,
Chris Bellett
Retired S&T Engineer
CRS Member
Many thanks Chris.
The dismantling for preservation of Exminster Signalbox - Paul Barlow
A few shots of Exminster box , don't know the fate of the box as it was proposed to be moved to Broadway on G & WR. Perhaps someone knows what has happened to it?
All the best
Paul
All the best
Paul
Many thanks Paul.
The sad story about Exminster Signalbox - Guy Vincent
Seeing Paul Barlow's interesting feature on the removal of Exminster Signal Box and question as to its eventual fate I did some searching and can provide the following information, dated January 2014, from one of the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway blogspot forums.
Exminster 'box closed on 14th November 1986 as part of the Exter area resignalling scheme. It was originally intended to be converted to a birdwatching 'hide' for the RSPB but it quickly turned out that noise from passing trains made this idea unviable. The 'box (which was a listed building) received some cosmetic restoration but inevitably deteriorated and in 2006 arrangements were made to dismantle and remove it for eventual restoration and use at Broadway on the Glos Warks Railway. According to the blog I referred to the removal of the 'box was organised by one GWR director without the approval of the board as a whole. The board later decided not to support the rebuilding of the structure at Broadway and the unnamed director had to take responsibility for the box on his own. It seems it was then his decision to scrap it. No publicity seems to have been made at the time of this saga and I suggest anyone interested reads the comments on the blog as I have done. broadway.gwsr.blogspot.com or simply search 'Exminster Signal Box Broadway'.
Broadway now has a new signal box, brick-built in the style of an early 20th century box similar to the now demolished example that formerly stood at Shirley, West Midlands. It seems the main frame from the well-known 'box that formerly stood at Aller Junction is now installed here.
Attached are two photos taken on 29th April 1996 shortly after the signal box had recently received a full renovation.
Guy Vincent
Exminster 'box closed on 14th November 1986 as part of the Exter area resignalling scheme. It was originally intended to be converted to a birdwatching 'hide' for the RSPB but it quickly turned out that noise from passing trains made this idea unviable. The 'box (which was a listed building) received some cosmetic restoration but inevitably deteriorated and in 2006 arrangements were made to dismantle and remove it for eventual restoration and use at Broadway on the Glos Warks Railway. According to the blog I referred to the removal of the 'box was organised by one GWR director without the approval of the board as a whole. The board later decided not to support the rebuilding of the structure at Broadway and the unnamed director had to take responsibility for the box on his own. It seems it was then his decision to scrap it. No publicity seems to have been made at the time of this saga and I suggest anyone interested reads the comments on the blog as I have done. broadway.gwsr.blogspot.com or simply search 'Exminster Signal Box Broadway'.
Broadway now has a new signal box, brick-built in the style of an early 20th century box similar to the now demolished example that formerly stood at Shirley, West Midlands. It seems the main frame from the well-known 'box that formerly stood at Aller Junction is now installed here.
Attached are two photos taken on 29th April 1996 shortly after the signal box had recently received a full renovation.
Guy Vincent
Letter from Chris Bellett 27th June 2021.
Hope all is well? Its a 'little bit' wet here in not so sunny Plymouth at the moment.
In response to the question about the fate of Exminster signalbox. here: http://broadwaygwsr.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-broadway-signal-box.html
I have some photographs taken inside the signalbox in 2004 when it was being looked at to be moved to the Didcot Railway Centre. If I find them I'll send you copies.
Kind Regards,
Chris Bellett
Retired S&T Engineer
CRS Member
Hope all is well? Its a 'little bit' wet here in not so sunny Plymouth at the moment.
In response to the question about the fate of Exminster signalbox. here: http://broadwaygwsr.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-broadway-signal-box.html
I have some photographs taken inside the signalbox in 2004 when it was being looked at to be moved to the Didcot Railway Centre. If I find them I'll send you copies.
Kind Regards,
Chris Bellett
Retired S&T Engineer
CRS Member
The end of an era, the removal of
Exminster Signals
Paul Barlow
Exminster Signals
Paul Barlow
A very sad end to Exminster box, especially considering it lasted so long after being closed.
I enclose a few pictures of the removal of the up bracket signal the day after closure of the box. It was pulled out of the ground by the crane,then pulled down by the gang with ropes!
I followed the signal removal train from City Basin to Dawlish Warren on Saturday 15 November, the line was shut for the weekend. The last up train signalled under semaphores was the Penzance to Paddington postals with 50026. I saw this pass at 2322 at Dawlish Warren the previous night (Friday 14 November)
Regarding Chard junction a number of trains were booked to stop for passing other trains. As there was no central door locking, only officious staff would stop you getting off for a photo.
Things were far more relaxed then, no CCTV or so many security jobsworths around. Staff just turned a blind eye and said 'I didn't see you!'
Hope this is of interest, All the best. Paul
I enclose a few pictures of the removal of the up bracket signal the day after closure of the box. It was pulled out of the ground by the crane,then pulled down by the gang with ropes!
I followed the signal removal train from City Basin to Dawlish Warren on Saturday 15 November, the line was shut for the weekend. The last up train signalled under semaphores was the Penzance to Paddington postals with 50026. I saw this pass at 2322 at Dawlish Warren the previous night (Friday 14 November)
Regarding Chard junction a number of trains were booked to stop for passing other trains. As there was no central door locking, only officious staff would stop you getting off for a photo.
Things were far more relaxed then, no CCTV or so many security jobsworths around. Staff just turned a blind eye and said 'I didn't see you!'
Hope this is of interest, All the best. Paul
Many thanks Paul
Under the heading of 'Tales which can now be told' Graham Mann brings us a couple - in the case of the last one nowadays the gentleman would have been fired!
There was a signalman there who was nearly 7ft tall, one night while waiting to take a possession of the line the signalman had stopped an engine at the down home signal, after waiting for what seemed quite a long time the engine driver came into the SB and remarked on the signalman’s height, he said “when I’ve been passing the SB I always thought you were standing on a box, didn’t think you were actually that tall”!
On another occasion once again while waiting to take a line possession, the signalman remarked that his diagram was showing a lamp out on a signal, he called the S&T out, meanwhile while waiting for the S&T another lamp went out, then another and another until with the exception of the outer signals all the lamps were showing out, the culprit was one of my machine operators, who apparently was rather under the influence of several glasses of cider and he wanted a light for his cigarette, so he climbed up ladder of the first signal to get a light from the lamp, opened the lamp door and the wind blew out the flame and also every other lamp where he attempted to light it.
There were a lot people that not best pleased with my operator none more so than me as he was an intergral part of the works we were commencing that which was removing the crossover.
Regards
Graham Mann
Mob. 07920155651
On another occasion once again while waiting to take a line possession, the signalman remarked that his diagram was showing a lamp out on a signal, he called the S&T out, meanwhile while waiting for the S&T another lamp went out, then another and another until with the exception of the outer signals all the lamps were showing out, the culprit was one of my machine operators, who apparently was rather under the influence of several glasses of cider and he wanted a light for his cigarette, so he climbed up ladder of the first signal to get a light from the lamp, opened the lamp door and the wind blew out the flame and also every other lamp where he attempted to light it.
There were a lot people that not best pleased with my operator none more so than me as he was an intergral part of the works we were commencing that which was removing the crossover.
Regards
Graham Mann
Mob. 07920155651
Many thanks Graham.
If you want to see more in this direction go to Devon Main line Exminster (Ecl) to Exeter.