Peak on the approach to Dawlish Warren
Michael Forward
Michael Forward
Lovely pictures on the site,those of Ron Kosys are excellent reminders of the hydraulic age and the photos are so sharp with rich colours.
I enclose another offering from a great and long day out on 6 August 1983,namely 45059 ‘Royal Engineer ‘ heading the 15.05 Paignton to Wolverhampton.
Thanks for all your work,best wishes, Michael.
I enclose another offering from a great and long day out on 6 August 1983,namely 45059 ‘Royal Engineer ‘ heading the 15.05 Paignton to Wolverhampton.
Thanks for all your work,best wishes, Michael.
Many Thanks Michael
Autumn Sunshine
Clive Smith
Clive Smith
Many of the leaves have fallen but some remain at the west end of Ivybridge station adding a nice yellow and brown hue to the scene at 14.20 on the 10th November 2019. The white inverted triangular sign indicates to drivers that traction problems may occur due to leaves on the line as this section has trees both sides. 43188 leads the 12.04 Penzance - Exeter St Davids with 43158 on the rear. Copyright Clive Smith
7827 Lydham Manor is a venerable stalwart of this line having been here since the early 1970s. Here she is with a nice plume of smoke illuminated in the glorious autumn sun that shone for a few hours the 12th November. 2019 Copyright Clive Smith
Bit of a rushed shot as I was driving through Kingswear and heard the whistle as 7827 Lydham Manor approached the level crossing. Didn't have time to get on to the footbridge but with sun at such a premium these last few weeks I was just glad to get a picture of anything in good light. Copyright Clive Smith
Thanks Clive
An Appeal from
Mike Fenton
Mike Fenton
A letter from Derek Buttivant You may remember that at the end of Mike Fenton's talk about GWR Camp Coaches on Saturday he showed a photo and asked if anyone recognised the location. The photo appears below and also as an attachment to this email. Perhaps you could place it on the CRS web site in the hope that one of our many knowledgeable readers will be able to tell Mike where this was. Particularly distinctive are the signals, the curved jib of the crane just to the right of the coach and the design of the row of houses just below the embankment.
As you know, Mike has a record of every location of these camp coaches so it will be interesting to see whether this is one of those for which, so far, he has not found a picture.
Kind regards,
Derek
Mike Fenton gave a most interesting presentation on 'Camping Coaches' on Saturday 9th November.
As you know, Mike has a record of every location of these camp coaches so it will be interesting to see whether this is one of those for which, so far, he has not found a picture.
Kind regards,
Derek
Mike Fenton gave a most interesting presentation on 'Camping Coaches' on Saturday 9th November.
The mystery picture - any ideas please. Copyright the Mike Fenton Collection.
From very reliable sources it is suggested that the above picture is taken at Dawlish Warren - mystery solved. (David Tozer and Roger Winnen)
A special and very enjoyable bonus for us was a musical interlude by Mike and his wife Rachel. If you missed this there is an opportunity to see a video of them - please click below :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOi0MyQ_2ks
North Parrott
Nr. Crewkerne
Bill Elston
Nr. Crewkerne
Bill Elston
Wood Lane, North Parrot, This is two miles East of Crewkerne. Taken at 15.19 on the 12th November 2019. Diverted IET 802 & 801 running to time. Copyright Bill Elston.
Remembrance
Bristol Temple Meads
Paul Negus
Bristol Temple Meads
Paul Negus
I had the privilege to be pulled along by Harry Patch on my way home tonight - the 15:50 from Worle to Cardiff via Bristol Temple Meads. This is usually a Turbo turn so a lovely surprise when the short form HST showed up - and how very appropriate on Remembrance Day! I then had a quick chat with the driver on arrival (seen heading towards the train shed in the photograph) and he was plainly nostalgic that the top speed is now set at 100mph rather than 125mph due to braking considerations. Never mind - it is still wonderful to be able to travel in a High Speed Train, albeit shortened, on a regular basis!
Harry Patch is also seen earlier this morning at Temple Meads on the 08:24 to Cardiff Central in company with a Cross Country set destined for Glasgow which is unusually starting from Platform 1.
Best wishes, Paul Negus. Many thanks Paul - dramatic pictures.
Harry Patch is also seen earlier this morning at Temple Meads on the 08:24 to Cardiff Central in company with a Cross Country set destined for Glasgow which is unusually starting from Platform 1.
Best wishes, Paul Negus. Many thanks Paul - dramatic pictures.
Harry Patch at Bristol Temple Meads, 11th November 2019. Copyright Paul Negus
Harry Patch nicely framed at Bristol Temple Meads, 11th November 2019. Copyright Paul Negus
Harry Patch pulls away from Bristol Temple Meads. How the background in this shot has changed recently! Cross Country set in the background. 11th November 2019. Copyright Paul Negus
34007 stuck again - historical pictures.
Bodmin - Fitzgerald sidings
Julian Stephens
Bodmin - Fitzgerald sidings
Julian Stephens
Following Paul Barlows’s recent contribution, here are three images of 34007 stuck once more.
After travelling from Plym Valley Railway on 7th March 1992, difficulty was experienced gaining access to the Fitzgerald’s site at Walker Lines, Bodmin.
Some careful manoeuvring soon resolved the issue.
Best wishes, Julian Stephens Many thanks for your pictures Julian.
After travelling from Plym Valley Railway on 7th March 1992, difficulty was experienced gaining access to the Fitzgerald’s site at Walker Lines, Bodmin.
Some careful manoeuvring soon resolved the issue.
Best wishes, Julian Stephens Many thanks for your pictures Julian.
Bodmin Fitzgerald 34007 having difficulty. (1) 7th March 1992. Copyright Julian Stephens.
Bodmin Fitzgerald 34007 having difficulty. (2)) 7th March 1992. Copyright Julian Stephens.
Bodmin Fitzgerald 34007 having difficulty. (3) 7th March 1992. Copyright Julian Stephens.
Many thanks for your pictures Julian.
Prideaux
Newquay branch reopens
Report by Craig Munday
Newquay branch reopens
Report by Craig Munday
The Newquay branch reopened after the two week closure on Mon 11th Nov. The work to repair the collapse was undertaken by Balfour Beatty. I am grateful to the team there for access to the work, and the time out of a busy schedule to show me around.
Richard Edlington from Networkrail explained the complex issues with the repair:-
The time of year the collapse took place has made the repair works particularly challenging. The only access to site was through an Environment Agency (EA) dry storage reservoir which had only recently been repaired. This restricted our access and meant we had to access through the center of the site which involved the need to install a Bailey Bridge to cross the watercourse that feeds the dam. The EA were also very concerned about the weakness of the right bank which had also suffered two minor collapses as a result of scour. This meant that any temporary works that we installed to facilitate our repair had to be cognisant of this and we also had to protect the right hand bank along its entirety. The EA set up an Incident Command center on site as if the bank was breached at its lowest point a considerable amount of water would be released which would cause extensive flooding.
The original solution was to create a dry working area using a dam with flume and 5 20” pumps. This would then allow us to install a new Redi-Rock retaining wall. This was the EA’s preference as we could isolate the area at risk. The weather conditions, however, have been atrocious and we had to remove equipment form the watercourse and clear the dam of any plant on Friday 1st November as heavy rain was coming in and it was expected that the dry storage reservoir would need to be utilised. Looking at the long range weather forecast and discussing likely water levels and flow rates with the EA it was decided on Sunday 3rd that an alternative solution needed to be progressed so that the railway could be reopened. The EA recognised the challenges and it was agreed that a piled solution would be installed. This essentially consists of 2 rows of sheet piles with tie bars linking them. This may seem excessive but the solution needed to consider hydrostatic pressure from both the river and the dam when it is in use. These works commenced on Wednesday and were completed over the weekend with the track handed back ready for start of service today.
New photos taken on 9th November show the construction work nearing completion, and the Network Rail team to replace the track would soon be signing in.
Congratuations to Network Rail and Balfour Beatty for the hard work put in and the re-opening of the line, vital for passenger traffic and of course for China Clay from Rocks Dries.
Richard Edlington from Networkrail explained the complex issues with the repair:-
The time of year the collapse took place has made the repair works particularly challenging. The only access to site was through an Environment Agency (EA) dry storage reservoir which had only recently been repaired. This restricted our access and meant we had to access through the center of the site which involved the need to install a Bailey Bridge to cross the watercourse that feeds the dam. The EA were also very concerned about the weakness of the right bank which had also suffered two minor collapses as a result of scour. This meant that any temporary works that we installed to facilitate our repair had to be cognisant of this and we also had to protect the right hand bank along its entirety. The EA set up an Incident Command center on site as if the bank was breached at its lowest point a considerable amount of water would be released which would cause extensive flooding.
The original solution was to create a dry working area using a dam with flume and 5 20” pumps. This would then allow us to install a new Redi-Rock retaining wall. This was the EA’s preference as we could isolate the area at risk. The weather conditions, however, have been atrocious and we had to remove equipment form the watercourse and clear the dam of any plant on Friday 1st November as heavy rain was coming in and it was expected that the dry storage reservoir would need to be utilised. Looking at the long range weather forecast and discussing likely water levels and flow rates with the EA it was decided on Sunday 3rd that an alternative solution needed to be progressed so that the railway could be reopened. The EA recognised the challenges and it was agreed that a piled solution would be installed. This essentially consists of 2 rows of sheet piles with tie bars linking them. This may seem excessive but the solution needed to consider hydrostatic pressure from both the river and the dam when it is in use. These works commenced on Wednesday and were completed over the weekend with the track handed back ready for start of service today.
New photos taken on 9th November show the construction work nearing completion, and the Network Rail team to replace the track would soon be signing in.
Congratuations to Network Rail and Balfour Beatty for the hard work put in and the re-opening of the line, vital for passenger traffic and of course for China Clay from Rocks Dries.
Prideaux (2) Picture taken from the trackbed shows the metal piles which have shored up the affected area. 9th November 2019, Copyright Craig Munday
Prideaux (5) Lighting Equipment for the works placed on the track. 9th November 2019. Copyright Craig Munday.
Prideaux (8) a massive root ball from the river is removed from the area. 9th November 2019. Copyright Craig Munday
Prideaux (9) Picture shows damage to the opposite river bank, part of a footpath. 9th November 2019. Copyright Craig Munday
Prideaux (12) The river still very high and the temporary railings installed along the damage section. 9th November 2019. Copyright Craig Munday.