3rd October 2020

The RILA Train
Al Peters

The RILA train will be visiting the area this week starting on the Monday 5th October working from Westbury to Plymouth via Goodrington, this should be a Colas class 66 with Fugro RILA attached, so plenty of photo opportunities weather permitting, Also is a picture of Colas Rail 70810 with the RILA equipment on 17/03/2016 at Bristol East Goods Loop - Alan Peters

Monday 5th October
 
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39051/2020-10-05/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39085/2020-10-05/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39080/2020-10-05/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39075/2020-10-05/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39657/2020-10-05/detailed

Tuesday 6th October
 
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39089/2020-10-06/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39084/2020-10-06/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39079/2020-10-06/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39074/2020-10-06/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39069/2020-10-06/detailed

Wednesday 7th October
 
4 round trips to Fowey docks
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39088/2020-10-07/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39056/2020-10-07/detailed
 
Thursday 8th October
 
2 x trips St Blazey Newquay
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39087/2020-10-08/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39077/2020-10-08/detailed

Friday 9th October
 
A further 2 x trips to Newquay and back to Westbury
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U39066/2020-10-09/detailed

70810 with the Fugro RILA equiptment attached to the locomotive. Copyright Al Peters

Thanks very much Alan

Cycling to Dawlish
Part 1
Paul Barlow

Hello Keith

A set of photos all taken on 23 April 1981,
A friend and myself cycled to Dawlish via the Exeter canal towpath to Dawlish. I was a nice sunny and warm spring day. Just as well, as at Turf the footpath finished, gates were locked and we ended up wading through about two feet deep flood water to get to Powderham crossing. There was no dedicated cycleway or footpath back then, but at 16 years old we didn't mind getting wet and we soon dried out anyway.

Hope all is well
Best wishes
Paul Barlow

45037 1435 Paignton to Leeds 1E70 Dawlish Warren Note demolition of the downside station building has commenced. Copyright Paul Barlow

45037 leaves Dawlish 0632 Leeds to Paignton 1V67. Copyright Paul Barlow

45073 approaches Powderham crossing with the 0756 Cardiff to Plymouth. Copyright Paul Barlow

45107 1052 Paignton to Leeds rounds the curve at Langstone rock Dawlish. Copyright Paul Barlow

46056 0815 Plymouth to Leeds1E30 approaches Marsh Barton. New station is proposed to built near here. Copyright Paul Barlow

Thanks Paul

50 years ago today
Last trains to
Ilfracombe

Yes it's 50 years ago today that the last trains ran to Ilfracombe. The line was closed with effect from Monday 5th, however there being no Sunday service the last trains ran on Saturday 3rd October 1970; I believe that there was one more after closure - an engineers saloon.

The usual sad notice promulgated in advance. Copyright Ron Kosys.

From the Mike Roach Collection

From the Mike Roach Collection

From the Mike Roach Collection

The very last train stands at Ilfracombe. 3rd October 1970 . Copyright Chris Osment.

Back to happier days. Ilfracombe with the arrival of 7303 on the 29th August 1964 Copyright The late Sid Sponheimer

34079 141 Squadron is assisted by Hymek D7098 29th August 1964. Copyright Sid Sponheimer . N.B. One can see the climb ahead in this view.

Mike Roach was there to witness a double helping of steam on the 6th August 1960 Copyright Mike Roach. The signalbox can be seen in the distance.

This picture taken at Ilfracombe on the 7 June 1975 illustrates how the climb towards Woolacombe started before trains even left the platform. Copyright R. Winnen

Ilfracombe station, train shed. The late Len Baker ex S.E.C.R. driver contemplates. 7th June 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

In addition to the service trains on that last day there was one additional train - the Exmoor Belle Railtour details below. More pictures of this train will be found in our railtours section for the 3rd September 1970.

​3rd October 1970
L.G.C.B. / P.R.C. / R.C.T.S.
Exmoor Belle Rail Tour
DMU Used51328+59498+51313Route :
DMURoute
as listedExeter St Davids - Cowley Bridge Jn - Crediton - Eggesford - Barnstaple Juncton - Barnstaple Town - Mortehoe & Woolacombe - Ilfracombe
as listed Ilfracombe - Mortehoe & Woolacombe - Barnstaple Junction
as listed Barnstaple Junction - Torrington - Yarde Halt - Meeth Siding
as listed Meeth Siding - (reverse of outward route) - Barnstaple Junction - Eggesford - Crediton - Cowley Bridge Jn - Riverside Yard - goods lines - Exeter West Box
as listed Exeter West Box - Exeter St Davids Notes :
This was the last day for services over the Barnstaple - Ilfracombe line. The running of this service over the freight only Barnstaple - Meeth line caused protests by a number of locals who felt it wrong for enthusiasts to travel over a line no longer available to the local population.
Sources : David Hills (compiled from contemporary reports) & John Broderick

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Broderick)
LocationBookedActual
Exeter St Davids10.20d10.20d
Cowley Bridge Jn10/2310/22
Crediton10/3010/30
Coleford Jn10/3610/37
Copplestone10/3810/41½
Eggesford10/5210/52
Umberleigh11/0911/06
Barnstaple Junction11.20a ~ 11.30d11.15a ~ 11.31d
Braunton11/4111/43
Ilfracombe12.00a ~ 12.15d12.08½a ~ 12.20d
Mortehoe & Woolacombe12.26a ~ 12.32d12.33a ~ 12.37½
Braunton12/4212/47
Barnstaple Junction12.53a ~ 13.00d12.58½a ~ 13.06d
Instow13/2813/32
Torrington14p00a ~ 15p10d14.03½a ~ 14.16d
Watergate14p27a ~ 14.23d14.27½a ~ 14.33d
Yarde Halt?14.45a ~ 14.53d
Meeth Siding14.58a ~ 15.03d15.16a ~ 15.29d
Petrockstow?15.37a ~ 15.42d
Torrington15/5016.16½a ~ 16.18d
Bideford16p10a ~ 16p15d16.37a ~ 16.42d
Instow16/2516/51½
Barnstaple Junction16.53a ~ 17.16d17.15a ~ 17.17d
Umberleigh17/2517/26
Eggesford17/4317/42
Copplestone17/5617/53
Coleford Jn17/5817/56½
Crediton18/0518/02
Cowley Bridge Jn18.15a ~ 18.20d18/12
Exeter Riverside (goods loop)18/2818/15
Exeter West Box18.33a ~ 18.35d18.21½a ~ 18.22d
Exeter St Davids18.36a18.23a

The above is a copy of the Six Bells Junction report on the railtour - many thanks to them. My wife, not being used to railtours got out and spread her lunch on a platform seat, all too soon we were off again after a frantic 10 and half minute break!!

The 'Exmoor Belle' at Ilfracombe on the 3rd October 1970. Copyright Keith Jenkin. Note the extensive area to the left once sidings, now very much occupied by offices and the like.

At Barnstaple Town, a young lad watches as one of the last token exchanges takes place as the Exmoor Belle returns to Barnstaple Junction. 3rd September 1970. Copyright Keith Jenkin.

Your attention is also drawn to our Exeter - Barnstaple - Ilfracombe section please click here.
​Other items of interest can be found on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyZZiwYTE10 also  ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V_FMj66b1k    also ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT810qCTMIY

Marston Footbridge
Ken Mumford

Two views on the afternoon of 2nd September 2020.

[1]  0256 - 37800 with unit 315805 [5Q60 - Ilford e.m.u.depot to Newport (Sims) scrapyard passing me about 14 minutes late having left Olford at 10.57 a.m. [2 minutes early]
[2]  0265  -  London-bound IET about to pass under Marston Footbridge.
Kind regards,
Ken (Mumford)

Picture (1). 2nd September 2020. Copyright Ken Mumford

Picture (2) 2nd September 2020. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken

Near Tiverton Loop in '13
Bill Elston

​1)  scrap metal from Marsh Barton, Exeter to Cardiff Tidal. for a short time this was worked by GBRf, the loco being 66732,  dated 13 May, 2013

2)  Fawley to Tavistock Jct fuel oil,  6C62, headed by DB 66183, seen passing Tiverton loops on
     25 June, 2013   This service had not much longer to run.

Picture (1) Copyright Bill Elston.

Picture (2) Copyright Bill Elston.

Many thanks for your history shots.

Something is stirring in South Devon
Bishops Bridge
Alan Griffin

SDR class 09 D3721 stands at Bishops Bridge with a short goods for stabling at Staverton. This is the first movement along the branch since lock-down and has allowed work to commence to remove the level crossing gate damaged by a road vehicle earlier in the year. Regards Alan Griffin.

09 D3721 at Bishops Bridge 2nd October 2020 Copyright Alan Griffin

09 D3721 at Bishops Bridge 2nd October 2020 Copyright Alan Griffin

09 D3721 at Bishops Bridge 2nd October 2020 Copyright Alan Griffin

09 D3721 at Bishops Bridge 2nd October 2020 Copyright Alan Griffin

Many thanks Alan.
​

Smashing paint job at
Laira
Nick Dyke

Nick writes :- Afternoon guys, here are a few shots of 37425 in it’s beautiful Regional Railways livery, I towed it from the main HST shed to embankment sidings this afternoon after attention to its severe wheelflats which occurred at the beginning of last week. I’ve gotta say that they have done a spectacular job of the repaint inside and out. Kind regards Nick Dyke

37424 at Laira. 2nd October 2020 Copyright Nick Dyke

37424 at Laira. 2nd October 2020 Copyright Nick Dyke

37424 at Laira. 2nd October 2020 Copyright Nick Dyke

37424 at Laira. 2nd October 2020 Copyright Nick Dyke

37424 at Laira. 2nd October 2020 Copyright Nick Dyke

Many thanks to driver Nick Dyke.