NINETEEN SIXTY TWO – PART 79
Harringworth Viaduct and Seaton Junction Station
Michael L. Roach
In Part 78 mention was made of Harringworth Viaduct and Seaton Junction Station in East Northamptonshire. Although well outside the normal territory of this website it might be mentioned that a line of the Western Region, and the Great Western Railway before it, passed through the other end of the County and the company named one of its 1000-class 4-6-0s County of Northamptonshire. The line had three stations in Northants at Fritwell & Somerton, Aynho and Kings Sutton. Harringworth Viaduct spans the broad valley of the River Welland where good views can be obtained of the topography and the viaduct from many directions. The area is well worth visiting, and all the photos attached to this article were taken from public roads and can be replicated on streetview. Little has changed in the 15 years since the photos were taken.
Harringworth Viaduct carries the Kettering to Oakham line of the former Midland Railway across the valley, orientated north-south, just west of the village of Harringworth and about six miles north of Corby. It is a magnificent structure 1,275 yards (1,166 metres) long consisting of 82 arches and is the longest brick-built viaduct in Britain and was completed in 1880. The 20 million bricks were made locally. At the south end of the viaduct was Harringworth Station, closed in 1948. A quarter mile west of the north end of the viaduct was Seaton Station on a different railway line. When opened in 1850 it wss on the Rugby to Stamford line, but it became a junction in 1873 when a second line arrived from Peterborough, and Seaton to Stamford became a branchline. In 1894 Seaton also became the junction for the 4-mile Uppingham Branch, closed in 1960. Towards the end of steam in the mid-1960s the Seaton to Stamford shuttle trains became famous as the very last location in Britain to see and travel on steam-operated push-and-pull trains.
Seaton Station is remarkably intact and is now the depot for Seaton Salvage and Recycling with a very tidy entrance for a scrapyard, at the junction of the B672 road and a minor road to Seaton village. All photographs were taken on the evening of Wednesday 27 May 2009
Harringworth Viaduct carries the Kettering to Oakham line of the former Midland Railway across the valley, orientated north-south, just west of the village of Harringworth and about six miles north of Corby. It is a magnificent structure 1,275 yards (1,166 metres) long consisting of 82 arches and is the longest brick-built viaduct in Britain and was completed in 1880. The 20 million bricks were made locally. At the south end of the viaduct was Harringworth Station, closed in 1948. A quarter mile west of the north end of the viaduct was Seaton Station on a different railway line. When opened in 1850 it wss on the Rugby to Stamford line, but it became a junction in 1873 when a second line arrived from Peterborough, and Seaton to Stamford became a branchline. In 1894 Seaton also became the junction for the 4-mile Uppingham Branch, closed in 1960. Towards the end of steam in the mid-1960s the Seaton to Stamford shuttle trains became famous as the very last location in Britain to see and travel on steam-operated push-and-pull trains.
Seaton Station is remarkably intact and is now the depot for Seaton Salvage and Recycling with a very tidy entrance for a scrapyard, at the junction of the B672 road and a minor road to Seaton village. All photographs were taken on the evening of Wednesday 27 May 2009
View of the viaduct looking south showing repairs under way in 2009. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Some of the bricks used in the arch rings showed signs of spalling in 2009. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
It was necessary to stand a long way away to photograph the full length of the viaduct. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
In this view Harrington village can be seen just beyond the north end of the viaduct. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
This finger post stands at the crossroads just east of Seaton Village. The minor road from here north-east to Morcott provided the two previous views of the viaduct. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Seaton Station was signposted in 2009 some 43 years after closure, and still is in 2024. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Looking south-east down the road from the village we see the remaining buildings of Seaton Station. The railway crossed the road here on the level. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The pedestrian bridge survives. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The platform awning also survives. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
St Germans and Saltash
26th November 1977
Roger Winnen
26th November 1977
Roger Winnen
771126p St Germans Station. 26th November 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen
771126l What remains of St Germans Yard. 26th November 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen
771126l What remains of St Germans Yard. 26th November 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen
771126q Saltash Station with its canopy. 26th November 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen
771126r Saltash Footbridge which was removed many years ago. Copyright Roger Winnen
771126s Climbing the steos of Saltash Footbridge. Copyright Roger Winnen
771126t Saltash Station Buildings. 26th November 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen
771126u A Peak enters Saltash on a service to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen
771126v Saltash Station with the former Baptist Chapel destroyed by fire on Christmas Day 1987. Copyright Roger Winnen
771126w Bridges across The Tamar. Copyright Roger Winnen
771126x Bridges across the Tamar. Copyright Roger Winnen
771126y Bridges across the Tamar. Copyright Roger Winnen
Some answers to yesterdays St. Budeaux Query
In yesterdays news post (click here to review) we posted a query on behalf of Dave Wilson, who was curious about some movements of trains in the Plymouth area. We have received 2 detailed responses which are shown below.
St Budeaux emergency junction
Roy Hart
Dear Jon / Keith,
The junction at St Budeaux was installed in 1943 with two purposes in mind:
1. To allow for diversion of Cornish traffic in the event of war damage to the RA bridge or to facilities between Plymouth and Exeter.
2. To provide a quick and easy access route in wartime between the Admiralty munitions stores at Ernesettle and the loading jetties at Bull Point. This is why the emergency junction -100 yards of double track- was equipped with facing and trailing crossovers
A military special from the dockyard heading for any part of the country, would go via St Budeaux junction and Okehampton because it was direct and needed no reversal.
A train coming up from Cornwall and needing to use the junction because of a blockage between Plymouth and Exeter, for example, would need to reverse in order to use the junction. There was no run around facility at St Budeaux so the train would have to run to Plymouth. All Cornish trains stopped at Plymouth anyway.
Roy
The junction at St Budeaux was installed in 1943 with two purposes in mind:
1. To allow for diversion of Cornish traffic in the event of war damage to the RA bridge or to facilities between Plymouth and Exeter.
2. To provide a quick and easy access route in wartime between the Admiralty munitions stores at Ernesettle and the loading jetties at Bull Point. This is why the emergency junction -100 yards of double track- was equipped with facing and trailing crossovers
A military special from the dockyard heading for any part of the country, would go via St Budeaux junction and Okehampton because it was direct and needed no reversal.
A train coming up from Cornwall and needing to use the junction because of a blockage between Plymouth and Exeter, for example, would need to reverse in order to use the junction. There was no run around facility at St Budeaux so the train would have to run to Plymouth. All Cornish trains stopped at Plymouth anyway.
Roy
Additional info
Paul Burkhalter
Good morning all,
Mr. Wilson’s question about accessing the SR diversionary route from Plymouth to Exeter in times of disruption brings up a couple of answers.
For the particular working from Admiralty Platform mentioned, this would have been the easiest of routes as the Dockyard branch junction faces west onto the Down main line and the wartime connection faces east just yards along the GW line at the opposite end of Weston Mill Viaduct, hence a direct access to the Southern line without reversal.
As for other workings from further west, reversing at North Road would have been for ease as the multiple platforms there have maximum flexibilty for running round and/or loco changing. Added to which loco servicing was readily to hand, plus passengers could then change to local trains there.
Hopefully this provides some information for Mr. Wilson.
Regards,
Paul Burkhalter
Mr. Wilson’s question about accessing the SR diversionary route from Plymouth to Exeter in times of disruption brings up a couple of answers.
For the particular working from Admiralty Platform mentioned, this would have been the easiest of routes as the Dockyard branch junction faces west onto the Down main line and the wartime connection faces east just yards along the GW line at the opposite end of Weston Mill Viaduct, hence a direct access to the Southern line without reversal.
As for other workings from further west, reversing at North Road would have been for ease as the multiple platforms there have maximum flexibilty for running round and/or loco changing. Added to which loco servicing was readily to hand, plus passengers could then change to local trains there.
Hopefully this provides some information for Mr. Wilson.
Regards,
Paul Burkhalter
Many thanks to both Roy and Paul for providing these details, each time we ask a question such as this, it's impressive to read the knowledgeable responses which are received. Dave, hopefully this answers your question!
The North Wales Coastal Pullman
Paul Barlow
Hello Keith
Further to Dave Tozer's picture today, we travelled on the Midland
Pullman to Llandudno too. A wonderful day out with fantastic service all day, highly recommended!
Kind regards
Paul
Further to Dave Tozer's picture today, we travelled on the Midland
Pullman to Llandudno too. A wonderful day out with fantastic service all day, highly recommended!
Kind regards
Paul
43055 43049 Neville Hill 0602 Plymouth to Llandudno arrives at Exeter on 5 April 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Fine tableware on board the Pullman. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Souvenirs. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Nameplate of 43055. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul, great to hear that you had a nice day.
If any of our readers would like to take Paul up on his recommendation, there are still seats available on next weekends trip to Kingswear, departing from various stations in Cornwall. Click here.
If any of our readers would like to take Paul up on his recommendation, there are still seats available on next weekends trip to Kingswear, departing from various stations in Cornwall. Click here.