Lone ranger at
Cullompton
Keith Turley
Cullompton
Keith Turley
Having visited Laira depot for maintenance and repairs, Colas class 432 power car No.43272 passes Cullompton on 23rd May 2023,working the OZ17 0955 Plymouth Laira to Derby RTC light 23rd May 2023 Copyright Keith Turley
Many thanks Keith, very good of you to keep an eye on passing traffic.
One thing leads to another
Mission & Praise - broad gauge coch body at
Portbury
Mission & Praise - broad gauge coch body at
Portbury
Hi Keith,
I was interested to see Michael Bussell's recent contribution of photos (from c1966 & 1967) showing an old BG carriage at Portbury (Portishead branch) that had been in use as a chapel. I too took photos at about the same time (albeit in the summer) & in fact the last 4 photos shown on the Bristol Industrial Museum's website (for which Michael provided a link) are mine. I attach larger copies of these & also one of Portbury station taken on the same day which you might find useful. Michael has provided a comprehensive history of the coach but there are some details I can add. When the coach was dismantled markings showed it to be B&ER coach no. 31, a second class, 4 compartment coach built by the B&ER at their works in Bridgwater in 1863. Its GWR number was 341. This information was supplied to me 4 years ago by Andy King, Senior Curator at the museum at that time. He also confirmed that the hand-painted plaque describing its history as a chapel has sadly disappeared. One of my photos shows this plaque & Michael has provided a transcription. The plaque on the end-wall read 'The Original Wesleyan Mission Room'. Michael states that the proposals for the new M5 made the redevelopment of the chapel as a dwelling a 'non-starter'. I don't think this is the case; using the NLS facility to overlay current day arial photos on old maps at https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18.0&lat=51.47638&lon=-2.72591&layers=168&b=1 it can be seen that the old chapel still exists. (Unfortunately I haven't lived in Bristol since 1969 so have never been back to the site. I now live near Cambridge). The 1892-1914 OS 25" map referenced shows the coach outline alongside that of the chapel.
PS 1: I regret to say that since my contact with Andy King in 2019 he died in 2021, shortly after retiring. He was a much-respected Senior Curator & had worked for the City Museum for about 40 years.
PS 2: I can supply photos, also taken 1966, of a BG Horsebox at Yatton (alongside the Clevedon branch). Interested?
Best wishes
Martin Tester
I was interested to see Michael Bussell's recent contribution of photos (from c1966 & 1967) showing an old BG carriage at Portbury (Portishead branch) that had been in use as a chapel. I too took photos at about the same time (albeit in the summer) & in fact the last 4 photos shown on the Bristol Industrial Museum's website (for which Michael provided a link) are mine. I attach larger copies of these & also one of Portbury station taken on the same day which you might find useful. Michael has provided a comprehensive history of the coach but there are some details I can add. When the coach was dismantled markings showed it to be B&ER coach no. 31, a second class, 4 compartment coach built by the B&ER at their works in Bridgwater in 1863. Its GWR number was 341. This information was supplied to me 4 years ago by Andy King, Senior Curator at the museum at that time. He also confirmed that the hand-painted plaque describing its history as a chapel has sadly disappeared. One of my photos shows this plaque & Michael has provided a transcription. The plaque on the end-wall read 'The Original Wesleyan Mission Room'. Michael states that the proposals for the new M5 made the redevelopment of the chapel as a dwelling a 'non-starter'. I don't think this is the case; using the NLS facility to overlay current day arial photos on old maps at https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18.0&lat=51.47638&lon=-2.72591&layers=168&b=1 it can be seen that the old chapel still exists. (Unfortunately I haven't lived in Bristol since 1969 so have never been back to the site. I now live near Cambridge). The 1892-1914 OS 25" map referenced shows the coach outline alongside that of the chapel.
PS 1: I regret to say that since my contact with Andy King in 2019 he died in 2021, shortly after retiring. He was a much-respected Senior Curator & had worked for the City Museum for about 40 years.
PS 2: I can supply photos, also taken 1966, of a BG Horsebox at Yatton (alongside the Clevedon branch). Interested?
Best wishes
Martin Tester
A gallery of pictures relating to the broad gauge coach at Portbury kindly supplied by Martin Tester, his copyright. These are summer pictures taken from much the same locations as those supplied by Michael Bussell. These are summer views. Also included is a 1960's view of Portbury station. Please click on these pictures to obtain an enlarged view. If you click on the link within the text above you will find a copy of a most useful map giving the location of the chapel and coach.
Many thanks to you Michael. Your much valued information will be added to that supplied by Michael Bussell. I hope very shortly to include a comprehensive collection of photographs of Clevedon station taken in its last days and during its demolition taken by Michael Bussell. Thus your pictures of broad gauge stock at Yatton would be a valuable addition to compliment Mr. Bussell's valued collection - please send.
Night time 87/88 scenes at
Bristol
Phil Smith
Bristol
Phil Smith
31132 at Bristol Bath road depot in 1987 Copyright Phil Smith
31141 stands at Bristol Temple Meads with the parcels in 1988. Copyright Phil Smith
Many thanks Phil - I see you are still on night shift - your messages timed at just before 3 AM!!