Blog Archives

The Whiteball tunnel project.

23/1/2014

We are most grateful to Tim Maddocks for sending us these privileged pictures of work in progress both inside and at each end of the tunnel.

At the north portal and approaches

The north portal Whiteball Tunnel. 22nd January 2014 Copyright Tim Maddocks

Work in progress on the tunnel approach, note also clearance and drainage works above the portal. 22nd January 2014 Copyright Tim Maddocks

Whiteball tunnel - north portal 22nd January 2014 Copyright Tim Maddocks

Drainage at north portal_22nd January 2014 Copyright Tim Maddocks

Inside Whiteball Tunnel 1000 metre long, built 1844

The entire tunnel has been lined with a wire mesh - detail is shown. 22nd January 2014 Copyright Tim Maddocks

Partially completed the new mesh is sprayed with concrete south portal Copyright Tim Maddocks

The track is protected during the spraying operation by means of a protective membrane. 22nd January 2014 Copyright Tim Maddocks

The Spraycrete machine_Area 6_south portal. 22nd January 2014 Copyright Tim Maddocks

The south portal Whiteball tunnel

Whiteball tunnel - the south portal - in Devon. In the picture, copyright Tim Maddocks the extent of the wire mesh can clearly be seen. 22nd January 2014

Cess stream near south portal to be converted to pipe Copyright Tim Maddocks. 22nd January 2014

Drainage near south portal. Copyright Tim Maddocks 22nd January 2014

Drainage works near south portal. Note fencing. Copyright Tim Maddocks

As can be seen massive work is being undertaken at Whiteball tunnel not only to improve and strengthen the tunnel but also to improve the drainage in this very wet area. Another problem has been the proximity to a local pond known to be the home of Great Crested Newts, a protected species. Network Rail has installed environmental fencing along the boundary of the worksite. This fencing can be clearly seen in the picture above.

Another view of drainage work in progress, one can also clearly see the 'Newt Fence'. Copyright Tim Maddocks 22nd January 2014

The Great Crested Newt - Courtesy Wilkipedia

Relaying west of Taunton

20/1/2014

We are delighted to receive photographs of work in progress during the long possession. The picture is from Tim Maddocks for which many thanks at Taunton.
Up to three miles of track is being renewed and crossings relaid separately at Taunton and Tiverton to enable trains to travel at higher speeds of 80mph.

Relaying track at Taunton West. 18th January 2014 Copyright Tim Maddocks

Tony Hill looks back - train on a closed line! Tony Hill

19/1/2014

Bere Alston to Meldon; Trains after closure.

In late 1967/early 1968 some (18 if I remember correctly) withdrawn/condemned mainly GWR design Hawksworth Brake Thirds/Composites (built at Swindon up until 1953/4) were moved from Plymouth to Lydford Up sdgs for storage with the intention they should be modified at Swindon, or possibly Cathays, to become Civil Engineers Department Mess Coaches for use on the WR by Operators of the new Plasser & Matissa Ballast Cleaning and Track Relaying machines...a mess coach being allocated to each machine.

I remember accompanying the Lydford Signalman one Saturday afternoon to seek out some good seat cushions from these old coaches to send down on a train for Tavistock North staff!

Within a few days of the closure of Bere Alston to Meldon Jn to all traffic on Sun 5 May 1968 these coaches were moved to Crediton Down sdgs for further storage.
A loco (Warship, Western or D63xx ) was sent light (or with a BV) to Lydford from either Laira or Exeter/Okehampton to haul them to Crediton.

After the Bere Alston to Meldon line was closed on 5 May 1968 besides the move of these coaches from Lydford to Crediton the line was used by a fully fitted freight of about 35 wagons, mostly Vanfits and open Clay wagons, hauled by Warship D827 Kelly from Tavistock Jn to Exeter Riverside (preceeded by a loco with snow plough that got stuck near Sourton) on the afternoon of 21 Feb 1969.. that was the only train since closure ever diverted via Tavistock.

The line was temporarily and specially re-opened as the GW Plymouth /N.Abbot line was shut on 21 February 1969 due heavy snow in the Hemerdon area and by chance the Exeter driver of this freight, who was in Tavistock Jnt Yard knew the SR Tavistock route and was prepared to run that way.

Prior to recovery by Engineers trains of the line from Meldon Viaduct back to Bere Alston between September 1969 and March 1970 using Laira traincrews and Warships, but at the end often Westerns, a large quantity of concrete drainage channels etc were recovered (for re-use elsewhere) from the long cutting just south of Tavistock ..these were ferried by Wickham Trolley and trailers then still kept at Tavistock North Down sdg to Tavistock North Up platform for sorting and re-loading into Grampus wagons which were worked up from Tavistock Jn Yard either specially or in the Ernesettle trip specially extended to Tavistock from Bere Aston where it had normally to run round & cross to the Down line to gain access to Ernesettle.

I also had some trips in Autumn 1969 between Tav North & Lydford on the recovery trains which came up in the mornings from Tav Jn with ety Hyfits (opens) for slprs for re-use - mainly concrete ones, chairs & fish plates and bogie bolsters & ganes for re-useable and scrap rails in 60' & 45' lengths, the loco after positioning wgns as req'd then rtnd LD to Laira then loco came up LD in afternoon to collect the loaded wagons.....only the Up line was used...trains hauling from Tav Jn or Lipson sdgs to Lydford, run round, then propel to site..once Lydford was recovered trains ran round at Bere Alston and propelled to site and hauled back to Tav Jn/Lipson sdgs...probably as Tav North run round in plats was restricted to about 20 wgns is the reason trains did not run round there.
I once cycled on a Sat afternoon from Tavi to Lydford to hitch a ride back in the Brake Van..the Guard even borrowed a spanner from my cycle tool kit to take off a vac pipe from a bogie bolster and fit onto a hyfit wagon (which was missing a vac pipe) at the front of the train so as to provide a vac head/ brake force to save a complicated shunt at Lydford which would have entailed barring over the previously signal box worked main line crossover points..I and my cycle alighted at Tavi North after the loco crew had stopped the train near Brentor to pick mushrooms..those were the days!.

I just wonder if anyone has any photos/information of the last train workings on the Bere Alston/Meldon line after its shortsighted closure and savage dismantling?

Can you help, if so please contact us.

Tony Hill

Many thanks Tony - what a full life you have led.

Diversions Roger Winnen

19/1/2014

With major works now in progress on Whiteball tunnel there are currently no public trains between Exeter and Taunton. Roger Winnen has been to survey the scene at Exeter and Honiton for us. If there are any professional railwaymen out there able to view and photograph the engineering work during this possession these will be most gratefully received.

Honiton The 09.00hrs Paddington-Penzance departs passing the 11.55 class 159 train to Waterloo. 18th Jaunuary 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen

The 11.30 Exeter-Waterloo with 159011 at the rear awaits departure at Honiton. 18th January 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen

The 13.19 dep to Exeter waits to depart Honiton. 18th January 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen

In the gloom of a January evening the 17.01 from St David's to Paddington departs from the Waterloo platform. 18th January 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen.

An interesting bridge Roger Winnen

19/1/2014

When rushing from one train to another one rarely pauses to look at structures such as footbridges. Here, recorded for us all to admire is the footbridge linking the two widely spaced platforms at Exeter Central.

The footbridge at Exeter Central as viewed on Saturday 18th January 2014. The booking office and exit out onto Queen Street is at the far end of this bridge. 18th January 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen

Were you there??? Sid Sponheimer asks

18/1/2014

Sid Sponheimer would like to know if anybody 'out there' was on the PRC trip in 1966 by DMU to Barry and Merthyr?

Dawn Signals at St Blazey Craig Munday

18/1/2014

Morning Keith
I thought you may like these beguiling shots from St Blazey yesterday amongst the semaphores and mist. We must treasure such scenes, as they won't be around for ever.
Best wishes Craig Many thanks Craig

Class 56 in Cornwall Martin Duff

18/1/2014

Class 56's are rare in Cornwall. Here are three screen grabs sent in by Martin Duff for which many thanks. The occasion was the visit of the King to Falmouth on 20th September 1998. 56078 took the train with the King trailing down to Falmouth. Later in the day, after the King had set out on its own the 56 proceeded to Westbury light engine. Martin makes the comment that had a day coach off the sleeper been attached the light engine movement could have made some money.

Rare sights at Penzance Roger Salter

17/1/2014

Many thanks to Roger Salter for sending in this very nice picture of the tow London Midland liveried 153's at Penzance. They look very smart.

153333 & 153325 Still in London Midland Livery 14th January 2014 Copyright Roger Salter

Editors comment:- I must say that I like this livery, it makes a refreshing change. Since Roger Salter sent in the above picture Roger Winnen commented that he was out and about on the same day - so here is the same attractive pair refreshing the view at Camborne.

Ex London Midland 153s At Camborne. Copyright Roger Winnen

The 10.46 Pz Plymouth passes the former Holman Bros Works at Camborne. 14th January 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen

Long Rock Rumours

15/1/2014

There is a very strong rumour going around the depot that we may be treated to a Summer Saturday loco hauled service this season. The working is likely to be ECS from Long Rock to Par to work 11.31 Par to Exeter St Davids. The return working is 17.53 Ex Exeter St Davids to Penzance.

Nothing concrete yet, but talks ongoing. Dependant on day coaches being ready from working overnight down Sleepers. Train not normally onto Long Rock until around 08.50 in the morning.

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