The Autumn Gala of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
220924i 190 Lyd passes Axe on the way into Woody Bay. Copyright Roger Winnen
220924t 762 Lyn awaits for the next train at Woody Bay. Copyright Roger Winnen
This morning, the returning Statesman at
Apex bridge Scorrier
Clair Shepphard
Apex bridge Scorrier
Clair Shepphard
Thereturning Statesman seen approaching Apex bridge at Scorrier. 25th September 2022. Copyright Clair Shepphard.
The excitement is over the moment is past as the Statesman continues on towards Chacewater. Copyright Clair Shepphard
Many thanks Clair.
The Statesman at
Exeter
Paul Barlow
Exeter
Paul Barlow
47593 and 47614 on the 16.23 Kingswear to Penzance approaches Exeter St Davids 24 September 2022. Copyright Paul Barlow
Thanks Paul
The Statesman at Penzance late on Saturday evening
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
220924c The two Class 47s at the buffer stops. Copyright Roger Winnen
220924b Viewed from the balcony. Copyright Roger Winnen
The Statesman on Sunday Morning 25th September 2022 Andrew Triggs
Viewed from Ponsandane footbridge, 47593 with 47614, having run back onto the 'Statesman' stock before propelling back into Penzance as 5Z28 08.48 from Slopers 25.9.2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Later on the single line section at Longrock, 47593 leads 47614 on the return 1Z28 09.37 Penzance-York 'Cornish Riviera Statesman' 25.9.2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Apologies for the late appearance of the 'News' today - this has been due to overnight work on the website. Now to catch up.
The Statesman for Kingswear arrives Newton Abbot. 24th September 2022. Copyright Martin Duff
The statesman locos run round - Newton Abbot 24th September 2022. Copyright Martin Duff.
The Statesman ready to leave Newton Abbott for Kingswear. 24th September 2022. Copyright Martin Duff
Those famous preserved signals at Newton Abbott. A lovely sight. 24th September 2022. Copyright Martin Duff.
Many thanks to you Martin.
The Statesman at
Teignmouth
Clive Smith
Teignmouth
Clive Smith
Making a powerful image - 47593 & 47614 hammer through Teignmouth running five minutes late at 17.27 with the 1Z82 16.23 Kingswear - Penzance via Exeter leg of the Cornish Riviera Statesman. Just 0.5 seconds later a down stopping IET running late eclipsed the scene.
Regards, Clive Smith
Regards, Clive Smith
Statesman passes through Teignmouth .24th September 2022, Copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks Clive
Class 225 set and other topics
Taunton
Guy Vincent
Taunton
Guy Vincent
One afternoon recently while waiting for my booked train at Taunton I came across an empty 255 'Castle' set stabled in the east-end bay platform 6. This was something I had not seen before although I gather that the service concerned, 2U22 1513 to Cardiff Central, is scheduled to start from here on weekdays. The set arrives as 2C75 1200 ex Cardiff Central at 1352 at P3 and then shunts out to Taunton East Junction before reversing at Ground Signal E604 and running into P6.
Many years ago when initially learning the route from Bristol to Taunton I was told by the Route School Manager at Bristol that when the Taunton station area was resignalled it was done 'back to front' as trains approaching from the west can arrive at any platform (bar 6 of course) but from the east trains are only able to come in at platforms 2 or 3 with any needing to go into P6 having to run back out as described to Taunton East and reverse. Should a terminating DMU need to depart eastwards from either P4 or 5 it has to run out from 2 or 3 to Taunton West then reverse and come back into the appropriate platform. Bear in mind how often trains from the western direction need to reverse and go back (never?!) and how often they do from the eastern direction (many!) and you will understand the manager's comment!
After completing the above I remembered a visit to Taunton I made on 29th March 1988 just before class 33 hauled Mk 1 coaches on local stopping services were replaced by modern DMU stock. The 1615 BTM-TAU arrived at P2 and, once clear of passengers loco 33029 took the stock out to Taunton West and reversed it back into P5. 33029 was detached by the shunter, returned to Taunton West and came back through P4 (driven from the secondman's side!) to Taunton East where after another reversal it ran down onto the other end of the train ready to work the 1740 stopper to Bristol. Just another day on the railway, nothing out of the ordinary at all. Try doing this today....
Also note the two class 08 shunters in P1 and the Railfreight-liveried van in the adjacent sidings, most likely for use by Taunton Cider Co at Norton Fitzwarren. 33029, by the way, is still in service with WCRC and on Saturday August 13th with sister loco 33025 worked 'The West Somerset Steam Express' charter from London Paddington to Minehead and back due to the temporary ban on steam traction then in force due to lineside fire risk.
Many years ago when initially learning the route from Bristol to Taunton I was told by the Route School Manager at Bristol that when the Taunton station area was resignalled it was done 'back to front' as trains approaching from the west can arrive at any platform (bar 6 of course) but from the east trains are only able to come in at platforms 2 or 3 with any needing to go into P6 having to run back out as described to Taunton East and reverse. Should a terminating DMU need to depart eastwards from either P4 or 5 it has to run out from 2 or 3 to Taunton West then reverse and come back into the appropriate platform. Bear in mind how often trains from the western direction need to reverse and go back (never?!) and how often they do from the eastern direction (many!) and you will understand the manager's comment!
After completing the above I remembered a visit to Taunton I made on 29th March 1988 just before class 33 hauled Mk 1 coaches on local stopping services were replaced by modern DMU stock. The 1615 BTM-TAU arrived at P2 and, once clear of passengers loco 33029 took the stock out to Taunton West and reversed it back into P5. 33029 was detached by the shunter, returned to Taunton West and came back through P4 (driven from the secondman's side!) to Taunton East where after another reversal it ran down onto the other end of the train ready to work the 1740 stopper to Bristol. Just another day on the railway, nothing out of the ordinary at all. Try doing this today....
Also note the two class 08 shunters in P1 and the Railfreight-liveried van in the adjacent sidings, most likely for use by Taunton Cider Co at Norton Fitzwarren. 33029, by the way, is still in service with WCRC and on Saturday August 13th with sister loco 33025 worked 'The West Somerset Steam Express' charter from London Paddington to Minehead and back due to the temporary ban on steam traction then in force due to lineside fire risk.
Taunton 43156 in P6 with 2U22 1513 CDF. 15th September 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent
Taunton 43170 2U22 forming the 15.13 to Cardiff CDF 15th September .2022. Copyright Guy Vincent
Taunton, 33029 propelling coaches from 1614 ex BTM from plat 2 into plat 5 to then form 1740 stopper back to Bristol. 29th March 1988. Copyright Guy Vincent
Taunton, 33029 running out to Taunton West Jn to reverse. 29th March 1988. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Taunton, 33029 running round it's 5 mark 1 coaches ready to form the 1740 local stopping service to Bristol TM. 29th March 1988. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Taunton. 43170 rear of 2U22 1513 CDF 15th September 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Berkley Marsh 33029 & 33025 1Z50 0713 Padd'n-Minehead 13th August 2022 Copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks for your details of workings of long ago at Taunton. Your experiences make for fascinaing reading.