Blog Archives

21st March 2023

21/3/2023

A Peak passing
Newton Abbot East Box
Michael Adams

Hello Roger, Hope you are well. Here is the first of this week’s pictures from Michael Adams and this shows 45041 ‘The Royal Tank Regiment’ passing the magnificent signal box at the East end of Newton Abbot on 7 July 1984 with the 09.50 Leeds to Penzance. All the best. Copyright Michael Adams

Many Thanks Michael

Pendomer
Bill Elston

Hi Keith,

I was out today for a couple of diverted G W trains passing Pendomer (between Crewkerne and Yeovil).

These were 802108 on 1A80, Ply-Pad, then 800317 on 1C74 Pad-Ply. These crossed at Yeovil Jct on time!

The weather was dreadful. Hope they are of interest,
Best wishes, Bill Elston.

1. 802108 on 1A80, Ply-Pad. 20th March 2023 Copyright Bill Elston. .

2. 800317 on 1C74 Pad-Ply. 20th March 2023 Copyright Bill Elston.

Many thanks Bill - very best wishes for you stay in hospital and recuperation.

Respryn
Chris Harvey

43129 & 43139 at Respryn 6th March 2005. Copyright ChrisHarvey

When it seemed the HST's would be with us forever - Many thanks Chris.

A day on the clay
Jon Hird

Hi guys,

I spent the day today following 66131 around as it hauled some white gold around Cornwall!

First I caught up with it in the Luxulyan valley light engine heading to Goonbarrow where it was to collect 24 loaded CDAs (dropped off on Saturday morning), I then caught it at Middleway, Treesmill, Lostwithiel (running around) and Golant on the Fowey branch.

Later, the train will return to Goonbarrow to be loaded again.

Hopefully the photos may be of interest for some of your readers.

All the best, Jon Hird

1. It’s 10:47 and 66131 is en route to Goonbarrow light engine from St. Blazey to pick up it’s train. Photo taken at the old Blacksmiths shop in the Luxulyan valley. 20th March 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

2. It’s now nearly 13:30 and 66131 is approaching Middleway crossing with its train, the signal is down and the crossing is clear. 20th March 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

3. Having handed back the Goonbarrow token at St. Blazey box, 66131 has gained the main line and is labouring up the bank at Treesmill with its weighty train. 20th March 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

4. I arrived in Lostwithiel just in time to see the train entering the up goods loop. The old dairy site is to the right behind the train. 20th March 2023 Copyright Jon Hird

5. Running around at Lostwithiel.

6. Having entered the station, the driver has swapped ends once again and completes the run around. The rearmost CDA is under the road bridge, so at least the driver kept dry whilst coupling up! 20th March 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

7. One last shot of the train passing Golant harbour on its last leg of the journey to Fowey.20th March 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

Many thanks Jon, well chased.

20th March 2023

20/3/2023

Fastest Mark 1.
Simon Howard

I was with Neil Phillips in Gateshead in 1974 (in fact I was driving him around in my Dad’s Hillman Hunter) when he snapped the prototype HST. But the first time I had seen on the ECML in 1973 it still had the Mk1 Buffet sandwiched (no pun intended) into the Mk111 set. It was fully liveried in the prototype’s livery and had been fitted with BT10 bogies and was part of the train which hit 143mph...perhaps the fastest Mk1 ever?

This is the only picture I can find of it:

http://www.traintesting.com/images/Buffet_car_-_Peter_Fox.JPG

Many thanks Simon - it would be nice for you to meet up with an old pal of 49 years ago. Please click the link for a picture of the high speed buffet.

Down the bank at
Exeter
Roger Winnen

31231 on an empty stone train to Meldon Quarry decends the bank from Exeter Central to St Davids. It's the 1st April 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen.

Many thanks Roger.

Barry Scrap Yard
Ken Mumford

Friends,
Archive material, one could call these photos!!
However, try and enjoy them, please!!
These were taken many years when I took pupils from the two Swindon secondary schools that I taught at - the girls seem to enjoy seeing these scrap locos - BUT many of them were rescued - more than the boys.
Kind regards,
Ken Mumford

Many thanks for your memories Ken - please click to enlarge.

19th March 2023

19/3/2023

Trials and Tribulations Today
Roger Winnen

230319a I had hoped to ride the Gunnislake Branch today however only a few minutes from the departure time the service was cancelled owing to an incident on the branch.This poster was displayed on the Gunnislake platform at Plymouth Copyright Roger Winnen

230319b This photograph was displayed on the poster of Bere Ferrers. There were no trains eastbound from Plymouth so I returned on the 12.49 train to Penzance alighting at Bodmin Parkway however I had mising their 12.30 service to Bodmin General by two minutes, so I opted for the 12.55 bus to General Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

230319c Departure from Bodmin Parkway by bus to General Station gave me time to photo 6412 on the 13.35 service to Boscarne Junction before returning seeing the last train of the day arriving at Parkway. Copyright Roger Winnen

230319d 6412 Arrives at Bodmin Parkway at 1507 with the last train of the day. The engine is seen running around after its arrival. Copyright Roger Winnen

230319e 6412 Departs at 15.20 forming the last train of the day. Copyright Roger Winnen

230319f In Memoriam to Driver Stan Martin who was killed in the in the incident at Upton automatic barrier level crossing 6th November 2004 This nameplate is affixed to 43198 under the roof at Penzance working the 14.54 Plymouth to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

Nineteen Sixty Two
Part eleven
Michael L. Roach.

The Origins of North Road Station, Plymouth
North Road runs from Eldad Hill roughly east north east for about one mile to the top of North Hill which is on the original road route from Plymouth to Tavistock. Up until 1971 North Road crossed two railway lines just north of Cornwall Junction on the railway heading north from Millbay to North Road Station. Millbay was the main passenger station for Plymouth from when the South Devon Railway arrived in 1849 until closure due to bomb damage in 1941. The first station out of Millbay on the SDR was Mutley situated a short distance west of Mutley Tunnel. Millbay served the Town Centre and Mutley the northern outskirts of the town in Victorian times. The arrival of the Plymouth, Devonport and South Western Junction Railway / LSWR line in 1877 from the opposite direction to the SDR upset the status quo. Plymouth was expanding rapidly in the second half of the nineteenth century and the centre of gravity was moving northwards. The SDR and the PDSWJR (backed by the GWR and LSWR) decided that a new joint station should be built between Cornwall Junction and Mutley Station. The original double track broad gauge line through the area passed through fields and at the site of the future station was on a low embankment before passing over Pennycomequick Hill which carried the railway over one of the major routes leaving the town (it did not become a city until 1928). The 1877 station had just two through platform lines which was expanded to four through platform lines in improvements carried out in 1908. The layout of the station after the 1908 improvements can be seen in the attached diagram. Note the tram route including a spur into the station forecourt.
Major rebuilding started just before the 1939 – 1945 war when more through lines and platforms were added but the work was not finished until 1962. Each time the station expanded northwards involving more filling and when viewed from the north side the station appears to be constructed on a huge embankment. Meanwhile the original 1877 entrance on the south side remained in use until 1958 by which time it was showing its age.
The new joint station was opened on 28 March 1877 and named North Road Station after the road running roughly parallel a short distance away. The SDR had been absorbed by the GWR in 1876 although it had been one of the four “Associated Companies” and the trains operated by the GWR for some ten years. Plymouth North Road was one of those stations where trains to the next large city up the line could depart in both directions out of the station. The first three photos attached show Southern Region trains heading west into the station for a destination that was 45 miles away by road to the north east of Plymouth i.e Exeter. The rail distance was 52 miles via Newton Abbot and Dawlish and 58 miles via Tavistock and Okehampton. The writer's grand parents lived in the first property in Sydney Street, just off North Road, for several decades prior to 1939. The house and adjoining builders yard survived the war but sadly the grand parents did not with one dying as a result of enemy action. I never met either of them. My grandfather was one of the 1,174 civilians to die as a result of the bombing of Plymouth. More than 3,000 civilians were injured.
The last photo in this group shows another item of plant in use on the Forder Valley Link Road in the spring of 1962. In Part 10 we saw a Cat 933 traxcavator. Image 7017 shows its big brother a Cat 977 traxcavator which had a huge appetite for work. The diesel engine of the 977 had three times the horse power of the 933 and the bucket capacity was more than 2.5 cubic yards. The driver was a character who had previously used the 977 on the improvements to the A374 between Saltash and Trerulefoot to prepare the road for the opening of the Tamar Bridge, when the road became the A38. On the steep hill bewteen Notter Bridge and passing the village of Landrake is an enormous cutting on quite a sharp bend. The cutting is long, wide and deep and this driver was there excavating the cutting with the 977 for many months in 1960. It was his boast that he could load a lorry so quickly with his 977 that there were 27 lorries taking away the spoil. Strange how one remembers some characters so well even after more than 60 years. In this case its not because of his driving ability or because of his wellington boots turned down at the top but because of his walk when he climbed down from the 977 and strode across the site with such a swagger. There was no doubt that of the 10 or 12 plant operators on the site he was the king of them all with the biggest machine. The 977 weighed 21 tons and its size can be judged from the figure stood at the back of the machine in image 7017. He was Don Butler, and he was supervising the construction works on behalf of the City Engineer of Plymouth. Don was about 1.9 metres (6 feet 3 inches) tall.

MLR / 17 March

5466 31847 passes the site of Mutley Station with the 8.20am Friary to Yeoford freight on Saturday 3 March 1962. On Mondays to Fridays the destination was Exmouth Junction yard. Copyright Michael L. Roach. A bitterly cold day - snow still lying on the rails as the 'gamg' gats to work.

5935 34075 264 Squadron enters Plymouth Station with 4C ECS from Friary to form the 2.25pm to Waterloo on 17 January 1962 photographed from the lane at the rear of Glen Park Avenue. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5945 34074 46 Squadron enters Plymouth with exactly the same train as in the previous photograph on 8 February 1962. Both locos had worked between London and the coast of Kent before the Kent Coast Electrification when they moved to Exmouth Junction Shed. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

7017 In this view, looking north on 18 April 1962, the 977 has been excavating a shallow cutting on the only bend in the scheme to the left of the photograph, and loading the spoil into lorries. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

As usual Michael, many thanks for an excellent collection of your work and records.

18th March 2023

18/3/2023

BR's High Speed Train
- Up The Revolution! (Part 1)
Neil Phillips

Forty-eight years ago this Saturday, on 18th March 1975, BR’s prototype High Speed Train 252001 crossed the Tamar and gave Cornish residents their first look at the future of rail travel in the Duchy. As the end of operation of the remarkably successful HST fleet on the former Western Region looms I have retrieved some images I took around Swindon and Bristol during the prototype’s short time in passenger service on the WR, and taken a look back at how it came about.

In the mid 1960s many countries were developing high-speed trains and new infrastructure to get the best out of them, but in the UK BR recognised that such investment was unlikely to be forthcoming from an anti-rail Government so, in order to fight off competition from road and domestic air travel a programme of improvements to the existing main line network was initiated to raise line speeds. However 95-100mph was the best that could be achieved with the rolling stock available at the time, and that even with new trains 125mph was the limit of possibility without new lines.

It is a sobering thought that the HST seeds were first sown as far back as 1967, when the five D600 Warships, an everyday sight in Cornwall, were in their final year. The Advanced Passenger Train (APT) was on the radar but was a long way off and was not the solution to all rail passenger requirements – something more traditionally diesel-powered was also needed, and it had to be something special. During 1968/9 plans were refined and in August 1970 the British Railways Board (BRB) increased the £70,000 development funding authorised in May to £800,000, a decision which was almost certainly the most important the BRB ever made, as many claimed the UK’s railway network may not have survived without it! In late 1970 it was announced that a fully operational train would be ready to go in 1972 (assisted by development of Mark 3 coaching stock being already underway), and that was achieved in June, only to immediately run into trouble with the railway trade unions (as did the also newly-completed gas turbine APT-E). This was resolved in December and testing on the East Coast Main Line commenced in early 1973. Inevitably with any new form of traction and especially one pushing the limits of conventional technology there were a number of issues, but these were eventually resolved. On 6th June 1973 a 5-vehicle formation achieved a new UK speed record of 133mph, only to break it 4 days later with 141mph then 143mph the following day, clearly demonstrating what the new-generation hardware was capable of!

In May 1974 the train, which had been designated as Class 41 locomotives (41 001/2) with coaching stock trailers, became set 252001 with power cars renumbered into the carriage series as 43000/1 (I first saw it departing Newcastle-upon-Tyne from a vantage point overlooking Gateshead depot on the 25th of that month so it could have been numbered either way at the time).

On 4th December 1974 with construction of production HSTs for the Western Region underway, the prototype was transferred to Old Oak Common for crew and technical training. 252001 entered passenger service on 5th May 1975 (7 weeks after its jolly to Penzance). Working between Bristol Parkway, Paddington and Weston-super-Mare it was an instant hit with passengers, many of whom changed their travel plans to ride in it (this sounds familiar - the same phenomenon is happening now as the ‘Castle’ sets are winding down!) During this period the train was limited to 100mph and it was frequently removed from passenger diagrams to undertake significant testing. On 5th November 1975 252001 was diagrammed to Swansea for the first time. It continued racking up the miles in WR passenger service until October 1976, by which time the production trains were entering traffic so the prototype was returned to the Railway Technical Centre at Derby, where after a little more local testing it was disbanded, its vehicles finding other purposes. Whatever its WR diagrams were during 1976 photographs seem to be uncommon, perhaps because attention was by then focussed on the arrival of the production trains and also it was possibly limited to weekday running. My notebooks show just two sightings that year – on 20th March while awaiting a train to London for the day the two power cars coupled back-to-back passed through Swindon, direction not recorded and I can’t recall this notable event at all now (nor the reason for my visit to the capital which was accomplished behind none other than Class 50 50042, now preserved at Bodmin). A final record of the full 252001 set was made also at Swindon on the evening of 31st October – I was so surprised at its arrival I wrote “Long time no see!” and underlined the second ‘2’ to avoid confusion with 253001 which was making multiple appearances by then! I may have inadvertently seen the prototype's last working on the WR.....

As an interesting aside, on the day of 252001’s visit to Penzance, the last Class 35 Hymek in service, D7018, worked its last train, the 5A06 11.35 Didcot – Old Oak Common; it was officially withdrawn the following day, bringing the curtain down on my favourite class of locomotive.

Part 2 will be a look at the first few months of Class 253 operation.

Best regards,
Neil Phillips

1 - P - HST Bristol TM 1 10th May 1975. Copyright Neil Phillps.

2- P - HST Bristol TM 2 10th May 1975 Copyright Neil Phillps

3 - HST 45039 Bedminster Park. 10th May 1975. Copyright Neil Phillps

4 - P-HST departing Swindon. 31st May 1975. Copyright Neil Phillps

5 - P-HST passing Swindon. 25 July 1975. Copyright Neil Phillps

6 -P-HST Grittenham. 1st August 1975. Copyright Neil Phillps

Many thanks. Apologies to Neil for the late publiction of this most excellent and well researched item.

Exeter
Roger Winnen

A Three Car DMU runs down the bank to St David's. 1st April 1975 Copyright Roger Winnenl

The good old days - memories, much of it has gone. Many thanks Roger.

Castle, Clay and Semaphores
Lostwithiel
Jon Hird

I’ve been meaning to get some photos of the GWR “castle class” HSTs at Lostwithiel under the signals for a few weeks but never got around to it. Today I had an early finish at work, so I headed over and managed to catch two crossing in the station, plus the DB Cargo class 66 on its way to Carne Point.

It’s sad to think that by this time next year, the HSTs, the semaphores and the use of the signal box as a signal box will be no more.

Some images are attached for you to use as you please.

All the best, Jon Hird

17th March 2023 Copyright Jon Hird

Really Nostalgic - many thanks Jon.

All in a day
Cornish Branch Lines
North Wales Railway Circle

The link below takes you to an excellent article on our railways - Highly recommended, having got there go to articles. northwalesrailwaycircle.co.uk

Many thanks to Michael for sending this in - an excellent article.

17th March 2023

17/3/2023

Double Stamps
Craig Munday

Hi Keith
Goonbarrow, and the Hunslet Shunter receiving attention at the bottom of the sidings on 2nd March. 66131 is seen alongside Alex in the exchange sidings behind the box.

High winds and tide saw me head early down West for potential problems on 13th March. A perfect blue sky first thing rather detracted from the warnings received, and no issues were reported. 57305 in former ROG livery looked smart on Hayle viaduct with the down sleepers. The traffic fortunately "parted" for the shot.

A fine day between leaden grey skies was most welcome on 14th March. 66074 needed a hitch from 66131 as the fuel was low on the former. The pair are seen passing LL5 signal at Lostwithiel. The locos are next seen at St Blazey having parked the JIAs for their respective trains for Par Harbour & Treviscoe in the coming days.

Blue 150219 was also in action on the Newquay branch.

Cheers, Craig Munday

66131 alongside Alec at Gonnbarrow. 2nd March 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.

A n industrial scene at Goonbarrow. 2nd March 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.

Luckily a break in the traffic gives a fine view of 57305 on the 1C50 the sleeper at Hayle. 13th March 2023. Copyright Craig Munday

66074 St Blazey 14th March Copyright Craig Munday

150219 at St Blazey. 14th March 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.

Many thanks Craig for your latest collection.

16th April 2023

16/3/2023

East Portal of Coryton Tunnel
Roger Salter

This is the improved view of the East Portal of Coryton Tunnel,Dawlish 1V 44 0611 LEEDS-PLYMOUTH NO.43321 Copyright Roger Salter

1A80 0815 PENZANCE-PADDINGTON NO.802101 3/3/23 Copyright Roger Salter

Thanks Roger

47155 at Eastleigh
Michael Adams

Hello Roger, Following on from the Weymouth train seen in Michael Adam’s recent picture ,here is a shot of 47155 at Eastleigh on 4 July 1981with the 09.09 Sat.only Weymouth to Manchester. Thanks for dealing with these, Michael. Copyright Michael Adams

Early morning freight at
Grogley
Andrew & Diane Jones

Dear Keith and Valerie,
Well its been an amazing couple of months! The articles by Michael L Roach are just incredible, accompanied by such detail and variety, we are very privileged and I for one look forward to many more.
I have attached a then and now set of photographs, separated by 50 years taken just east of Grogley Halt.
In 1973 the track was looking in pristine condition, even after passenger closure some 6 years previous. An early morning daily freight working to Wadebridge kept the rails rust free!
From my extensive records the rail chairs were dated 1957 on wooden sleepers at this point and the mileage marker and gradient post were still in position whilst beyond is the occupation crossing serving the South West Water monitoring station.
The latest photograph taken this week in exactly the same spot, 50 years apart illustrates the changes with the Camel Trail now hard surfaced and very well kept. The Water monitoring station was removed in 2021.
I note from our bedroom window that the early morning freight has been replaced with cyclists who now use the trail for work, lights blazing at 05.30!
Very best wishes Andrew and Diane

Then.

East of Grogley Halt taken in 1973 showing original trackwork and lineside... signs. Andrew and Diane. Copyright.

And now -

East of Grogley Halt taken in 14th March 2023 note the tree line has chang... years Andrew and Diane at Grogley Copyright.

Many thanks Andrew & Diane for your early morning observations. I presume that their 'tail lights' are working too.

All in a days 'takings' at
Burngullow & vicinity.
Jon Hird

Hi Keith & Roger,

I have been going through some of my old photos over the last few days. It's amazing how even with basic editing software, you can now 'save' a photograph you would have binned 20 years ago.

Attached are a series of photos I took on 18th February 2005.

We thought at the time that freight by rail was dead and we were all a bit down in the dumps about there not being much to see, but these pictures prove just how good we had it back then compared to todays offerings!

4 class 66's working trains in the space of a few hours in the Burngullow area!

Freightliner were loading stone from the old Methrose siding whilst the EWS examples were busy working clay trains from Burngullow and up and down the branch to Parkandillick.

I have labelled the images alphabetically which is the order they were taken in. Hopefully if you view them in this order, you can get the idea of where I was and what was going on.

Feel free to use as many or as few as you like, I know there are quite a few.

I hope you find them interesting!

All the best, Jon

All pictures taken on 18th February 2005 - all copyright Jon Hird.
Click on individual pictures to get an enlargement.

Please click on individual pictures to get an enlargement.

Many thanks indeed Jon for your days observations - how things have changed - not for the better.

15th March 2023

15/3/2023

Fancy a walk, over the top on the
Royal Albert Bridge
Andrew Hickson

Hi Keith
A head for heights was required today when routine inspection work was being carried out on the Royal Albert Bridge.
Andrew Hickson

Royal Albert Bridge. 14th March 2023. Copyright Andrew Hickson.

What a chance to get a remarkable photograph. Many many thanks Andrew.

Nerves of steel!
Crossing the Tamar
Now there were there only seven of us left!
Peter Butt

Peter Butt - one of the seven. 1983. Copyright Peter Butt.

Having walked over the top of the first arch the party crosses the centre pillar and commnces the second half. Copyright Peter Butt.

To find Peters fascinating article please go to our 'Home Page' and click on the tab 'Articles section' and then scroll down to the very last item - you' find it very rewarding and 'chilling' - well done Peter and many thanks indeed.

Health and safety for the
Royal Albert bridge Inspection
Andrew Hickson

ear Keith
I have just read Peter Butt's article. Unbelievable!
Yesterday they had 2 men on lookout at the end of the platform at Saltash and presumably two at the Plymouth end.

There were also a further two men on standby at the river edge ready to jump into their boat should someone take a fall from the bridge!
Andrew

Many thanks for that update Andrew - one cannot be too careful.

Exminster and Pinhoe
David Tozer

66131 and 66074 with the 1103 6C99 Riverside to St Blazey. taken at Exminster at 1326. Copyright David Tozer

An interesting sign at Pinhoe. Copyright David Tozer

Many Thanks David

New Rockfall Shelter
Roger Salter

A recent visit to inspect progress on the rockfall shelter at Holcombe near Dawlish

Thanks Roger

Ten minutes at Par
Neil Phillips

Hello Roger and Keith,

Today (14th March) being an island of sunshine in a sea of dismal days I called in to Par station on my way for a walk on the beach. Capturing these three trains in ten minutes, including a pair of HSTs passing, was only possible because two were running late!

1) 43029 + 43156 arrive at Par with 2C27 14.18 Plymouth – Penzance, departing at 15.09 14th March 2023. Copyright Neil Phillips.

2) With 2C27 already on the move, 43004 + 43194 approach Par with the 17 minutes late-running 2P17 13.50 Penzance – Plymouth 14th March 2023. Copyright Neil Phillips.

3) 43004 + 43194 depart Par at 15.12 with 2P17, both train and semaphore signals now in their final year 14th March 2023. Copyright Neil Phillips.

4) At 15.17, 66131 + 66074 double-head a long rake of empty JIA ‘Polybulk’ wagons through Par’s platform 3 en route to St Blazey Yard – this was the 52 minutes late-running 6C99 from Exeter Riverside 14th March 2023. Copyright Neil Phillips.

You chose a good time for your walk - many thanks Neil.

14th March 2023

14/3/2023

Yesterday at
Dawlish
Paul Barlow

43285 leads on the 14.27 Plymouth to Edinburgh the 1S55. Seen at Dawlish on the 12th March 2023. 43301 brings up the rear. Copyright Paul Barlow.

A going away shot of43285 43301 1427 Plymouth to Edinburgh 1S55 Dawlish 12 March 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Two interesting views at Dawlish. The new promanade footbridge over the stream is in evidence alongside the rail bridge, and in the second pcture the car park seems pretty well occupied by engineering work. Many thanks Paul.

13th March 2023

13/3/2023

Hymek at Churston
Michael Adams

Hello Roger, here is a shot from Michael Adams showing D7017 at Churston on 15 June 1981. Thanks, best wishes, Michael. Copyright Michael Adams

Many Thanks Michael

Penzance Station this morning
Roger Winnen

230313a 57305 Stands under the roof at Penzance with the overnight Night Riviera. Copyright Roger Winnen

230313b THe sleeper backs out to Long Rock depot. Copyright Roger Winnen

230313c A new signal now commissioned for exiting the station yard replacing the gantry behind. Seen arriving is the 09.10 stock for the London service together with the 08.50 departing for Cardiff Central. Copyright Roger Winnen

230313d Seen arriving is the 09.21 arrival from Plymouth Copyright Roger Winnen

230313e Track Renewals March 2023

Nineteen Sixty Two
Part ten
Michael L. Roach.

The Rundown of Steam at Laira Shed 1958 - 1964

The first mainline diesel locos arrived on the Western Region in 1958 in the shape of Class 41 and Class 42 Warships, followed by the Class 22 in 1959 and the much-loved Class 52 Westerns in January 1962. That month was a water shed because there were now so many diesel locos that express steam locos were being withdrawn in their hundreds each year on the Western Region alone. In the worst month for withdrawals 70 Great Western designed express 4-6-0 locos were condemned. None of the above diesel classes lasted long and with the benefit of hindsight it would have been better if British Railways had ordered more locos of the successful Class 37 and Class 47 locos, both of which have examples still running in 2023. The 37s dated from 1959 and the 47s from 1962.
The year 1962 was the last that there was a reasonable amount of steam at Laira Shed; travelling to Plymouth, being serviced at the Shed; and being rostered on trains out of Plymouth. That picture changed dramatically on the last weekend of December 1962 when the branch from Plymouth to Tavistock South and Launceston closed to passengers and Laira lost perhaps half of its steam-worked trains. The year 1963 was a much leaner year except that there was a short temporary boost to steam during The Big Freeze of January and February 1963 as steam took over and replaced diesels due to the extreme weather. I can only recall two regularly steam hauled trains on the ex-GWR mainline that summer:- the Excursion from Saltash to Goodringron during July and August and a freight train to Cardiff that left Tavistock Junction mid-evening. However with the complete closure of the ex-Southern Railway shed at Friary on 6 May 1963 more steam locos came into Laira's domain. These were mainly the Ivatt 2-6-2 tanks for the Calington Branch and the locos working the line around the north side of Dartmoor to Okehampton and Exeter Central which were mostly rebuilt Bulleid 4-6-2s and BR Standard Class 5 4-6-0s. This situation continued into 1964 when no steam was rostered up the line to Newton Abbot but still the occasional steam loco came down that line to be serviced at Laira. The steam locos arriving from Okehampton continued until the first weekend in September 1964 when Laira steam shed finally closed its doors for good consequent upon the almost complete dieselisation of trains from Exeter Central to Plymouth via Okehampton.
Even the closure of Laira Steam shed did not stop steam locos arriving at Plymouth Station and for four complete months September to December 1964 twice a day a commuter train arrived from Okehampton to return shortly later without the engine leaving the station. I caught the returning morning train just once on 9 September 1964. The 9.50am from Plymouth to Okehampton was hauled by 80036 and I was the only passenger in the three coaches leaving Plymouth. It is hoped to return to the last days of steam at Laira again one day. The railway photos shown below have been used before but hopefully are worth repeating
In the last part of this series we saw a British-built BTD 6 Drott on site clearance. The machine was built by International Harvester whose headquarters were in Chicago USA. Just 150 – 160 miles away from Chicago in Peoria, Illinois was the then HQ of Caterpillar the largest manufacturers of construction equipment in the world and IH's biggest competitor. Caterpillar also built traxcavators which were then much used for loading lorries. The Cat equivalent of the BTD 6 was the 933 which had a similar size diesel engine. There was one Cat 933 on the site of the FVLR which did not have a Drott bucket (although it could have done) but the plain bucket that it did have was a clever invention because it was known as a side-tipping bucket. After loading its bucket in the stockpile the 933 would reverse straight back and empty the spoil into the back of lorry by raising the far end of the hinged bucket. By contrast the BTD 6 had to slew through ninety degrees to unload each bucketfull. The 933 was quicker doing each cycle with less wear on the tracks. The 933, and its bigger brother the 955, were very useful for loading railway wagons in the narrow confines of a railway formation and British Railways used the Cat 955 (or similar traxcavators) with side-tipping bucket for many years.
The Cat 933 used on this scheme was actually owned by the Council and had the registration TDR 227. It was loading away from a stockpile of excavated material which had been deposited there by a tractor and scraper combination which we will see later in the series. The lorry that the 933 had finished loading one minute earlier had the registration EJY 25 or FJY 25 and was owned by R. Westlake and Sons (Devonport) Ltd. The firm had started in 1880 with one horse and cart but had a large fleet of 4-wheel tipper lorries in 1962. The firm had an interesting history which can be read on the Old Devonport website. Much excavated material like this went to the Council's refuse tip where it was used to mix with and cover the domestic refuse, making it easier to compact and minimise settlement and seagull nuisance.

MLR / 10 March 2023

5729 Modified Hall 7914 Lleweni Hall of Reading Shed rests after being serviced at Laira on 3 October 1962. The shed sent out its best Halls for pilot work at Reading Station knowing that they could be called upon to assist or replace a diesel loco at short notice. The engine was photographed again on an ECS train at Newport High Street Station on 31 July 1965 when it was based at Bristol Barrow Road. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5730 On the coaling stage loop on 3 October 1962 is 5983 Henley Hall of Tyseley Shed. In front are 6822, 6988 and 4904 which was the oldest loco in this trio of photographs. 4904 Binnegar Hall was sent new to Penzance Shed in December 1928. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5740 Seen across the depression in the ground which housed a pumping station is 6438. The loco went new to Ebbw Junction Shed and spent most of its 25-year life in or near South Wales. It arrived at Laira from Radyr Shed in May 1962 and was withdrawn a couple of weeks after this view taken on 20 October 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

7010 The Cat 933 is showing off its side-tipping bucket while tidying up the stockpile of excavated material soon after loading a lorry on 17 April 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks indeed Michael for another collection of incredible pictures from your amazing collection. We are learning a lot from your latest collection. Thank heavens you had the forethought to use your camera to record the railways in 1962.

12th March 2023

12/3/2023

Exactly ten years ago at
Hinksey
Dennis Clarke

Here are a few pictures that I took at Hinksey on 12th March 2013. 43198 leading a Oxford to Paddington HST service past Hinksey. 43198 was on the other end of the train when 43002 made it’s last HST journey out of Paddington on 18th May 2019. 60049 shunting in the yard at Hinksey 31190 passing on 6Z31 Chaddesden to Eastleigh wagon move. 66250 in Hinksey Yard working 6M50 Westbury to Bescot engineers working. Regards,

Hinksey 43198 leading a Oxford to Paddington HST service past Hinksey. 43198 was on the other end of the train when 43002 made it’s last HST journey out of Paddington on 18th May 2019. 12th March 2013 Copyright Dennis Clarke

60049 shunting in the yard at Hinksey 31190 passing on 6Z31 12th March 2013 Copyright Dennis Clarke

Hinksey, 31190 passing on 6Z31 Chaddesden to Eastleigh wagon move. 12th March 2013 Copyright Dennis Clarke

66250 in Hinksey Yard working 6M50 Westbury to Bescot engineers working. 12th March 2013 Copyright Dennis Clarke

Many thanks Dennis to have your pictures on the 10th Anniversary of your visit
.

Sunday Morning at
Rewe
Keith Turley

Freightliner 66549 'You are never alone' passes Rewe 08.05 running Totnes to Taunton Fairwater Yard engineers running 50 mins early. 12th March 2023 Copyright Keith Turley

Sunday Morning at Silverton
David Tozer

Gents,
Running rather early the 0805 6Y04 Totnes to Fairwater Yard with 66549 and 66415.
Dave

Many Thanks David

Westerns in the Westcountry
Roger Winnen

751026d D1072 Western Glory at Penzance on the night of 26th October 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen

751026f D1033 Wesern Trooper on the Royal Mail at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

751101b A Western heads towards Plymouth Friary, the Cattewater Branch can be seen on the higher level.. 1st November 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen

751101c D1053 Western Patriarch at the Plymouth Wash Plant 1st November 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen

751004k D1034 Western Dragoon at Redruth on the 14.00 service from Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

Aller Junction
Roger Winnen

Aller Junction Signal Box. 1st April 1975. . Copyright Roger Winnen.

Many thanks for the above Roger.

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