T.P.O.D.   
Bath, Bathampton Junction, Middle Hill,Box tunnel, Corsham & Dundas.
Works programme 18th July to 1st September 2015 

TPOD Sites Goose Eggs - Copy of this digram kindly supplied by Tim Maddocks Network Rail

Bathampton TPOD Delivery Schematic action points and dates - this copy kindly supplied by Tim Maddocks Network Rail

Reference to the pictures which follow,  all of which were taken by Craig Munday during two visits to the several sites.   Many thanks to Craig.
It was a massive project to prepare the lines around Bath for the forthcoming electrification. Tunnels and bridges have had the track bed dug down to provide increased clearances, this included the massive Box tunnel. £50M spent on the project with 235 engineering trains and 24 hour man power needed to complete the task by September.  All site pictures taken with site clearance and accompanied by a COSS (Controller of Site Safety) at all times. 

Box Tunnel and Corsham

VERY  SAD  NEWS - WE ARE EXTREMELY SORRY  TO  REPORT  THE DEATH OF DAVE KERNOW  WHO  COLLAPSED AND  DIED ON DUTY AT A WORKSITE  NEAR OXFORD IN LATE SEPTEMBER - OUR SYMPATHIES TO  HIS  WIFE  AND FAMILY.

A recent picture of the Late 'Yanky' Dave Kernow, who at the time was the morning Engineering Supervisor on the Box Tunnel site at the Shockerwick Camp. Dave was a much respected Engineer. Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (7) 7. 'Your transport awaits'!! The people carrier waits to ferry workers from Corsham to the East end of Box Tunnel (Box worksite) Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (5)5 Road railer waits for action near Shockerwick (Box worksite) Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (85) 66585 sits alongside at Shockerwick base camp for the Box worksite with a loaded autoballaster train. Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (9) 66012 with a train at the Corsham end of the worksite. (Box worksite) Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (86) A wide variety of track equipment stands on the up main at Shockerwick (Box site) Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (10) 66017 sits waiting its call into action alongside the Shockerwick camp. Copyright Craig Munday

All that remains of Corsham station is the fomer goods shed now an automobile repair shop. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (28 Corsham 66182 draws slowly towards the Corsham (east) end of Box tunnel with train 6Y32 running top and tailed. The sun crowned an otherwise miserable day at both site. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (26) 66599 stands at Corsham in the Box tunnel site, waiting to travel to Box tunnel with loaded Salmons and ballast wagons. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (11) Close up of the 1960 Salmon wagons still in use today. The old track panels sit on top. Copyright Craig Munday

Box tunnel, east end.

A few of the 'Orange Army' Bath TPOD small (16) Some of the ISS workers (Contractors) at the Box tunnel east end site. Copyright Craig Munday

Bath East End TPOD small (19) A road railer and a DBS train working at the east end of Box tunnel. Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (21) 66066 and a train of coalfish at Box tunnel. Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (28) Box Tunnel East End. Note, just visible on the right the bricked up entrance to the underground railway terminal which served the underground quarry and later a munitions depot. Copyright Craig Munday

​Concerning Box tunnel and the speculation that it was designed on such a bearing that the sun would shine through it on Brunel's birthday - 9th April.  Please use the link below to see GWR's proof of this on the birthday of the great man.  

https://www.gwr.com/about-us/media-centre/news/2017/april/gwr-proves-brunels-sunshine-theory-is-there-light-at-the-end-of-brunels-box-tunnel ​

For more details of the secret workings which connected to the outside world, and the main line from the additional portal at the east end of Box Tunnel. Please refer to these links kindly prepared by Karl Hewlett.

​Regarding the article on the myth of Box Tunnel and its secret railway, here are some links for the underground bunker the third tunnel at Box goes to, each are certainly worth a look:

http://www.angelfire.com/mn2/Oubliette/Boxhill.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2005/12/14/burlington_nuclear_bunker_feature.shtml

https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/box-tunnel-east-portal-sidings-to-tunnel-quarry-and-cad-wiltshire-february-2015.t94218

http://www.nettleden.com/venues/box-tunnel/

http://www.burlingtonbunker.co.uk/emergency-wartime-broadcasting-service/

The link bellow is an rare image of steam locomotive shunting at the third portal which the caption states it was taken in 1979, I am not sure if this date is correct?  I first thought the loco was a J94, but looking at the image again I am beginning to wonder now if it is a Peckett?  Certainly not any GWR, 8F or BR standard loco as rumored to be in there, if any other CRS member can identify at least the manufacturer?  But a very interesting image indeed if proven untouched by any digital trickery:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hvUhl4wUU4/VfAWUJgOepI/AAAAAAAABjo/EBL32QfK46c/s640/box-tunnel.jpg

Onto the some images of the stone shute when the tunnel was used for quarrying:

http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/kevinr6665/media/Tunnel%20Quarry/sc_cad1_war_157_zps84d19e47.jpg.html

http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/kevinr6665/media/Tunnel%20Quarry/Box-Bath-Stone-Mine-Archive-Album-001_zps8b452a77.jpg.html

Now to Corsham, the bellow is a link for Corsham Signal Box diagram:

http://www.s-r-s.org.uk/html/gwb/S571.htm

Kind Regards    Karl (Friends of Penmere).
​
With very many thanks to Karl for his considerable effort in researching the information and links above.

Additional link for more fascinating insights into the tunnel system connected with the third portal.
​Dear Keith.
Found this footage on Youtube, shows a bit of the underground railway in operation at Box Tunnel's third portal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENsf4J0xgPU
Kind Regards
Karl (Friend of Penmere).  
​Many thanks indeed Karl, please click above for the railway and and underground Art Gallery.

Between Box and Bathampton Junction

TPOD2 small (2) Freightliner 66519 stands pn the DM with 6T29 Ballast train. Note how the up main formation has been lowered to give improved clearances for electrification. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (4) Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (3) Sleepers are placed in position on the formation for the up main at Bathampton. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (5) Trackwork near Bathampton Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (6) The work continues despite the showers! They look a happy bunch of workers - smile for the camera! Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (7) Bathampton Junction looking back from the front train. Copyright Craig Munday

Bathampton Junction  (Various shots taken in the work area)

TPOD2 small (8) A very interesting picture showing the Engineering Supervisors Broad in the Bathampton Camp. This shows the worksite limits, positions of trains and also on track equipment. Main line towards Bath, off to the left, main line towards Swindon, off to the right. The Avon Valley line to Westbury via Trowbridge exits at the bottom of the board. Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (35) Bathampton Junction before the wires go up! Looking east. Prior to the re-lay. Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (37) Another view of Bathampton Junction, The up passenger loop provides a recess for Avon Valley trains waiting to cross the junction. Bathampton station was situated just east of the loop. Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (41) Bathampton Junction. Looking east. A road-railer at work in the 10 foot between the up passenger loop and the up main . Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (37) Bathampton Junction site being prepard for the arrival of the pointwork 9th August 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (30) A Colas rail hauled train of clean ballast and site spoil at Bathampton. Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (43) West of Bathampton Junction. Colas Rail 66847 waits to draw forward at the Bathampton worksite. Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (45) Location as above 60056 is at the rear of the train as it draws forward towards Bathampton Junction. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (19 Standing at the point of divergence of the Avon Valley line, the Kirow side tipping train makes an impressive sight. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (12) In contrast to the ancient Salmon wagons, here are some bang up to date ones! The Kirow side tipping train is used for transporting pre-constructed pointwork direct to site. Gauge issues mean that it cannot be laid flat, so they are elevated to 45 degrees to allow other trains to pass in motion. Once on site the panels are levelled and removed from the vehicles by the Kirrow crane working alongside. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (22 70806 sits with the side tipping train 6X27 at Bathampton. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (13 The other side of the train showing the cradles and pointwork ready to be put in place. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (17 The mighty Kirow crane in action at Bathampton Junction. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (21) The Kirrow crane is positioned over the side tipping train. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (25) Bathampton Junction. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (24 More track panels arrive on site. An elevated view of the worksite at Bathampton Junction taken from the bridge. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (23) Bathampton worksite. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (20) The prime mover for the side tipping train sits at the Box end of the Bathampton site and is waiting to move it into position. The ballest height difference is obvious here. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (18) As above but from the rear of the crane. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (14) Bathampton Junction. Like a huge jigsaw, all numbered parts are placed together. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (16) A 'close up' of the action at Bathampton as a burst of sunshine illuminates the junction area. Copyrght Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (48) An action shot as a road railer unloads fresh ballast into the trench at Bathampton. Copyright Craig Munday

Beyond Bathampton Junction towards Bath

TPOD2 small (35) Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (32) A view of the works from Meadow Lane bridge. The familiar outskirts of Bath in view. Copyright Craig Munday

Bath Sydney Gardens area

Bath TPOD small (70) Bath - Sydney Gardens. Freightliner 66525 sits at the Western end marker boards for the Bathampton - Sydney Gardens work site, ready to leave the possession with the mighty HOBC (High Output Ballast Cleaner) train. Copyright Craig Munday

Bath Station and Bath Goods area

Bath TPOD small (66) A gloomy sky over the lovely Bath Spa station. Only platform 2 was used at this time and a shuttle service operated to and from Bristol Temple Meads.. Copyright Craig Munday

During August Bath was a temporary terminus for trains from Bristol. HST passes Bath Westmoreland Road. (Bath Goods) Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (75) Once the Bristol Signaller had found a suitable margin in the frequent passenger service the HOBC train was signalled out of the possession at Bath Spa. The train is far too long for any loops - so it's chocks away on the greens. 66525 is flat out passing Bath Goods with its 1/4 mile long train stretching right back to the station. Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (79) 66507 brings up the rear of the HOBC train at Bath Goods. Copyright Craig Munday

The Avon Valley line and Dundas Aqueduct 

TPOD2 small (1) 9th & 10th August 70804 sits at Bathampton with a train of spoil from the site bound for Westbury. 9th or 10th August 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

Bath TPOD small (33) This view shows the delicate and beautiful surroundings around Bath . We're at Glass Level Crossing with the Church of Bathford in the background. This is on the Avon Valley line near Bathampton Junction. Copyright Craig Munday

Dundas. A study taken through Dundas Aqueduct looking towards Bathampton - note the twin arches supporting the canal above. Craig writes - the unique aqueduct at Dundas near Limpley Stoke on the lovely Avon Valley line. The engineers here have dug down a sleeper depth here to allow a W8 gauge to be applied. There are severe routing issues over the line for container traffic, and even class 50's! The arches are oval in shape - with brick along the base! The up line (to Bradford on Avon) has yet to be lowered. Copyright Craig Munday

For a history and more pictures of Dundas Aquaduct 
click here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/dundas_aquaduct

Dundas Aqueduct A view from Dundas Aquaduct looking towards Bradford on Avon. The line of trees and vegetation merging in towards the operational line from the right marks the course of the Camerton branch. The junction station for this line being at Limpley Stoke, this station closed 3rd October 1966. The down buildings of Limpley Stoke station are preserved and visible in this view. Copyright Craig Munday

TPOD2 small (15) 66585 waits on the Trowbridge lines at Bathampton ready to exit the site and proceed onto Westbury loaded with spoil from site. Copyright Craig Munday

Bristol Temple Meads

TPOD2 small (30) 66568 waits on the up through road at Bristol Temple Meads with an intermodal service from Bristol West Depot. Copyright Craig Munday