Blog Archives

10th June 2018

10/6/2018

34007 Wadebridge
First move into preservation
Clive Smith

34007 was built in August 1945 by the Southern Railway as 21C107. Twenty two years later, in October 1965, is was withdrawn and went to Woodhams Scrapyard, fortunately, at the time Woodhams was more interested in scrapping wagons and as such Wadebridge languished in the yard until 1981. then she was rescued by the Plym Valley Railway. Wadebridge was at first stored on a siding when Coop now is but then moved to the Plym Valley railway. It left there for further restoration and preservation work at the Fitzgerald Lighting site at Bodmin where work continued. Subsequently, in operational condition, it was transferred to the Mid Hants Railway. It was again withdrawn for necessary work and remains on the Mid Hants as 'Non operational'. (2018)
We are most fortunate in have the following pictures of the locos arrival at Plymouth in 1981. Many thanks for these Clive.

Clive writes :- A few of my old 110 film photos from 1981 of West Country class 34007 Wadebridge arriving on a low loader in Plymouth from Barry scrapyard on 23rd May 1981. This was one of the first arrivals at the nascent Plym Valley Railway formed the previous year. The loco was later moved to Bodmin Fitzgerald Lighting , where restoration was completed and is now at the Mid-Hants Railway.

Those familiar with Plymouth's road system will note Marsh Mills flyover is yet to be built. This occurred early in the 1990s. Anyone travelling west along the A38 at this time was met by a very large roundabout. Note the absence of traffic lights ! Car enthusiasts will no doubt enjoy identifying the various makes.

Wadebridge was initially taken into the adjacent Bass Distribution Depot, now the site of a very large Sainsburys with a nautically themed 'roof of sails' (see the link below for aerial views of Marsh Mills and the adjacent railway). The now demolished Roundabout pub can be seen behind the low loader and the site is now occupied by a Premier Inn and Beefeater complex. 34007's 're-birth' was celebrated for the media with the smashing of champagne by entertainer Danny La Rue and Miss UK 1979 and local Yelverton girl Carolyn Seaward.

Regards
Clive Smith

34007 arrives at Plymouth. 1981 Copyright Clive Smith

34007 arrives at Plymouth 1981. Copyright Clive Smith

34007 is turned around. 1981. Copyright Clive Smith

34007's 're-birth' was celebrated for the media with the smashing of champagne by entertainer Danny La Rue and Miss UK 1979 and local Yelverton girl Carolyn Seaward. 1981 Copyright Clive Smith

Down the branch to
Lymington
Mick House

37711 'Tremopfa Steelworks' heads west past the former branch junction and on towards Bournemouth. The Ringwood branch turned away to the right at this point .Copyright Mick House

1221 comes off of the Lymington branch heading for Brockenhurst. Copyright Mick House

158 890 at Lymington Town 22nd March 2016. Copyright Mick House

158 890 Crosses the Lymington River, 22nd March 2016. Copyright Mick House

The Brockenhurst end of unit 1498 at Lymington Pier, 4th May 2008 Copyright Mick House

1498 runs into the terminus at Lymington Pier on the 4th May 2008 Copyright Mick House

West Somerset
Diesel Gala June 2018
Clive Smith

An excellent day's entertainment was provided by the West Somerset Railway's Diesel Gala on Friday 8th June 2018. And excellent coverage by your good self - many thanks.

55019 Royal Highland Fusilier at Minehead with the 10.59 to Bishops Lydeard WSW Gala 8th June 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

50035 Ark Royal at Washford with the 12.03 to Minehead. WSR Gala 8th June 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

45041 Royal Tank Regiment at Washford with the 12.53 from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard, WSW Gala 8th June 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

20189 and 20142 at Wiliton with the 13.18 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. WSW Gala 8th June 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

D5926 huling a DMU at Bishops Lydeard with the 14.04 from Norton Fitzwarren. WSW Gala 8th June 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

D7017 at Crowcombe Heathfield with the 14.54 from Bishops Lydeard.WSW Gala 8th June 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

D6566 and D6675 at Crowcombe Heathfield with the 13.50 from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard. WSW Gala 8th June 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

D1010 Western Campaigner at Bishops Lydeard with the 16.48 to Minehead. WSW Gala 8th June 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

Minehead
John Cornelius

9th June 2018

9/6/2018

The
Portreath branch
by Laurence Hansford

Laurence gives us the privilege of a fascinating insight into his youth at St Ives and of how a rare foray on a tea treat roused his interest in the port of Portreath with its incline and harbour. At that time cars were a real luxury which could only be afforded by the more affluent members of society and because of the steep hills surrounding St Ives cycling wasn’t really practical. Please click here to get to the Portreath branch section of this website and then scroll down to read Laurence’s article together with pictures taken in the early sixties along the route of the Portreath branch. Many rare and very interesting views accompany his article.

Many thanks indeed Laurence for your extremely interesting article.

A 'zoomed in' view from Druids Road bridge, the main line in the foreground, in the background lies Carn Brea Yard whilst the rusty track to the right is the former Portreath branch. In Carn Brea yard an be seen piles of concrete sleepers recovered from the closed Chacwater - Newquay branch. This dates this picture to 1964/5. Copyright Laurence Hansford.

The stub of the Portreath branch looking towards Portreath. Behind the photographer the sidings merged to curve into Carn Brea yard. In the foreground a siding added about 1908. This remnant of the branch was used in the 1960's for condemned stock. During WW2 many wagons were stored out of harms way along the branch. Copyright Laurence Hansford.

The port of Portreath taken from near the foot of the incline. Note the large stocks of coal which had been brought in by sea through the treacherous narrow entrance to the harbour alongside the cliffs. Also note the array of cars parked outside. Copyright Laurence Hansford.

A look back up the incline, formerly turnplates were located here to provide access to the docks. The wall across the trackbed was erected during WW2 to make this a less attractive route for tanks had Cornwall been subjected to an invasion. Copyright Laurence Hansford.

Salisbury
John Cornelius

8th June 2018

8/6/2018

Bristol Peaks
Guy Vincent ruminates

What a lot of trouble there is in other parts of the country following the start of the new summer timetable. It all reminds me of how bad FGW was back in early 2007 when the same thing happened after DFT removed a number of DMU's and placed them into store at Eastleigh works. Cancellations galore, short formed trains and connections that no longer connected were the result. It was a bad time and led to the famous 'fare strikes' around Bath and Bristol by long-suffering commuters. I was at Westbury station on at least three occasions to witness convoys of DMU vehicles pass through ECS for storage. 4 x 153, 4 and 5 x 158 as I recall. Utter madness.

Anyway, thanks for your endeavours and attached you will find two split-headcode 'peak' shots from the early 80s, both taken at Bristol Temple Meads. 1) 45144 'Royal Signals' at platform 10 with a morning arrival from the midlands on Saturday 18th September 1982, 2) 45128 at platform 12 on the 2B46 1615 Bristol TM-Taunton local stopping service on Saturday 5th March 1983. This had arrived in Bristol at 0850 on the 1V61 2355 ex Glasgow Central overnight sleeper and, after taking the ECS to Malago Vale carriage sidings had stabled on Bath Road depot for the day. As I remarked before, happy days indeed, now sadly missed. The platforms at Temple Meads were re-faced in 1983-84 with block paving that is still in place today, these images pre-date that work.

Cheers for now, Guy Vincent
Many thanks for your thoughts and memories Guy. One can only hope things settle down before Rogers planned CRS visit to the North East from 26th June to 4th July.

45144 at Bristol Temple Meads on Saturday 18th September 1982 Copyright Guy Vincent

Bristol TM 45128 with the 2B46 1615 Bristol TM to Taunton Sat 5th March 1983 Copyright Guy Vincent. Note the rather poor state of the platform at that time.

Camborne
Ollie Turrell

A sign of the times, new train, refurbished footbridge at Camborne 7th June 2018 Copyright Ollie Turrell N.B. This is the Class 800 IEP working the E.C.S. 5X52 1424 Exeter St Davids to Penzance though Camborne at 17:06.

Lymington
John Cornelius

7th June 2018

7/6/2018

An interval at Rewe
David Tozer

Today :- A visit to Rewe to film/photograph the 0704 Burngullow - Westbury with 66087/055. Also a chance to film/photograph the 0925 St James' Park - Cardiff with 150248. All other services from St James' Park run to either Exmouth or Barnstaple, Paignton,Central or St David's. Oh I forgot Okehampton on Sundays only. Many thanks David

150248 Rewe 09.45 7th June 2018 Copyright David Tozer

66087 leading at Rewe 09.50 7th June 2018 Copyright David Tozer

And bringing up the rear - 66055 Rewe 09.50 7th June 2018 Copyright David Tozer

Many thanks David for the results of this mornings endeavours.

News
Past & Present
From Guy Vincent

Hello Keith,
As always, very pleased to contribute to the site and keep the interest going for others to enjoy. I have never been that interested in narrow gauge and mineral railways but, having read the contributions that appeared last week I was quite taken with the subject and will now enjoy looking out for more such articles.

Re Wikipedia. I have tried to get to grips with 'citations and references' to information posted there but find it impossible to work out how to do it. Likewise adding photos. I'll simply continue adding bits and pieces from time to time and hope they stay in place.

Local to us work looks to be all but complete on the platform extensions at Freshford, Trowbridge, Dilton Marsh and Warminster. This will allow 5 car turbos to be fully platformed at all bar Dilton Marsh where one complete coach will be accommodated. I was at Melksham last week and the contractors have started moving equipment into a compound close to the station ready for the extension to be built. A three-car turbo will be able to have all doors released when the job is completed. That leaves Bradford-on-Avon where the 'up' (Westbury bound) platform 2 is to be increased to take 5 cars. This is not possible at present as the platform starting signal means trains cannot use the full length.

HST's are still in use on the GW main line between Bristol and Paddington via Bath, but their use is diminishing and will continue to do so throughout the summer. There are no set patterns as to what is allocated day by day but with a 30 minute frequency it should be possible to grab a few HST shots if spending 3-4 hours in the area. The B&H via Westbury is currently 100% HST but new 802's are due to start appearing in July.

This Friday the new overhead equipment is due to be energised and commissioned from Wantage Road to just the Bristol side of Wootton Bassett Junction meaning that 82 miles of the main line will be electrified. Sad for enthusiasts and photographers but inevitable.

Finally, I've attached a grainy old photo scan I took 35 years ago this week one wet and miserable Saturday evening (11th June 1983) at Bath Spa station. It shows pride of the old GWR no 6000 King George V on a Swindon-Bristol private charter run in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the signing of the agreement to build the GWR from London to Bristol. Passengers were taken to a 'Brunel Banquet' in the old passenger train shed at Temple Meads, this was organised as part of that year's Bath Festival and sponsored by Debenhams. The train was full of people in vintage costumes and a jazz band was playing on platform 1. All along the road below the railway station and line were crowds of people watching and waving, cars were simply stopping to enjoy the sight of KGV as it pulled away. The following day I believe the loco worked a special from Bristol to Hereford. Today it's safely preserved under cover at the Steam museum in the old GWR works at Swindon.
   All the best for now, Guy
   Many thanks for all the very best to you.

Bath Spa GWR6000 on the 11th June 1983. The Swindon to Bristol Temple Meads Private Pullman charter headed by 6000 King George V. Copyright Guy Vincent

Ark Royal 50
Clive Smith

50035 Ark Royal will be making a guest appearance at this weekend's West Somerset Diesel Gala. Now based at the Severn Valley Railway it first entered service on the 8th August 1968. Seen here in its heyday in the 1980s, the first photo is of 50014 Warspite leading 50035 on the Sunday 14.40 Plymouth to Paddington on 12th September 1982, a service that occasionally produced a pair of 50s that summer.
The second photo shows 50035 about to leave a very wet St Austell with the 07.50 Bristol TM to Penzance on 31st March 1984. The car park sports an impressive array of vehicles including two VW beetles, a Renault 2CV and a wonderful Robin Reliant van at the side of the old downside station building.

Regards
Clive Smith

Newton Abbot 50014 Warspite leads 50035 Ark Royal . 14.40 Plymouth to Paddington 12th September 1982 Copyright Clive Smith

A very wet St Austell. 50035 Ark Royal on the 07.50 Bristol Temple Meads to Penzance on the 3rd March 1984 Copyright Clive Smith The car park sports an impressive array of vehicles including two VW beetles, a Renault 2CV and a wonderful Robin Reliant van at the side of the old downside station building.

50 035 Ark Royal also hauled the 'Avon Explorer' - the first CRS main line charter, Penzance - Bristol - Avonmouth - Filton - Bath - Swindon on the 12th May 1984.

Honiton
John Cornelius

6th June 2018

6/6/2018

The 'WEYMOUTH WIZARD'
Guy Vincent

We are extremely grateful to Guy for his detailed account of the history and operation of this train. Many Thanks Guy

Clive Smith's mention of the Weymouth Wizard was of great interest as this working was one I tried to keep an eye on back in the early 80s. I have to confess that the Wikipedia article he mentioned was put on by me a while back, and is based on facts gathered at the time. Motive power generally consisted of a class 47 either no-heat or ETH fitted, although class 31's appeared occasionally and on the odd day even a 37 could drop onto it. Besides the Swindon-Weymouth high summer working there was, from the early 1970s a Parson Street/Bristol Temple Meads-Weymouth out-and-back day tripper plus, in the early 80s a Swindon-Paignton working. Mark 1 coaches from Bristol Malago Vale depot were normally used although it is possible that at times these were supplemented by stock from the Oxford or London divisions.

In the early 1980s BR was severely cash-strapped and economy and withdrawal of anything that was either not paying its way, or was in need of expenditure, was very much the order of the day. Witness the 'dequadrification' of Filton Bank in 1984 due to the condition of Stapleton Road viaduct! In 1982 BR stated they had no plans to close the Melksham line but, towards the end of that year new signals for the forthcoming Westbury MAS scheme were installed at Bradford Junction giving no provision to access the line. It later transpired that the line would remain open from Thingley Jctn to Melksham (4 miles) where some sidings remained for oil and fertiliser traffic with the remaining 4 miles to Bradford Jctn being taken out of use. A public outcry resulted and eventually BR relented and decided to retain the line as a through route although it was maintained for several years on a shoestring budget with permanent speed restrictions of 30/40 mph from Melksham to Bradford Jctn. Resignalling did not take place until March 1990, some 4 years after the rest of Westbury panel's area of control was complete and the 4 miles of old worn-out jointed track was not replaced until around 2001.

My records show the 'Wizard' calling at Swindon and Chippenham only in 1981, 1982 1983 and 1984 although an unadvertised crewing stop was often made at Westbury. Operational stops were sometimes necessary at Castle Cary, Yeovil Pen Mill and Maiden Newton for token purposes or to await the arrival of another train from the next section of single track. In 1985 the reopened Melksham station was served, 0936 out and 1937 return. The service was discontinued from 1986 due to the reintroduction of passenger services between Westbury and Swindon with certain trains (DMU's) extended to/from Weymouth.

Pictures 1 and 2. Handbill from 1983 for Weymouth Wizard. Picture 3. 47114 accelerating away from Melksham on the evening return working on 19th July 1983. Picture 4. The signalman collecting the single line token from the driver of loco 47490 on 25th August 1982 when I used the train from Chippenham.

Regards

Guy V

Guy Vincent Collection

The reverse of the above Bill. Guy Vincent Collection

47114 approaches Melksham with the Tue 19th July 1983 17.14 Weymouth to Swindon 'Weymouth Wizard' . The very colourful Headboard by Swindon Works Signwriter-Illustrator Ernie Hewlett. This picture Copyright Guy Vincent.

Bradford Jct, 47490 working TWTho Swindon 'Weymouth Wizard' - the driver handing over the token to the Signalman at Bradford Junction on Wednesday 25th Aug 1982 Copyright Guy Vincent

Salisbury
John Cornelius

5th May 2018

5/6/2018

Today at
Hawkeridge Junction
Guy Vincent

Today around lunchtime I happened by chance to get news of an extremely rare and unusual working through Westbury and was able to get out for an hour to record it. Rail Operations Group 47813, formerly owned by Direct Rail Services and named 'Solent', also once operated by Great Western Trains for many years and named 'SS Great Britain', came through at 1420 with a rake of JSA wagons running as 6O86 0900 Long Marston-Eastleigh Arlington. These wagons were converted in 1996 by Marcroft at Stoke-on-Trent for use between Shotton and Llanwern, before that they were iron-ore bogie tippler wagons used on Ravenscraig steelworks traffic. The '47' may have once been a common sight but the wagons were quite possibly making their debut here.

Shortly after that train had departed GBRF 66701 came through on 6M46 1218 Marchwood-Bicester MOD stores train which runs 'as required' via Westbury, Melksham and Oxford. Waiting on the 'down Trowbridge' for it to pass through Westbury North Junction was recently-arrived 'Turbo' 166214 on 2C18 1242 Gloucester-Frome.

Guy V Guy your efforts are very much appreciated as we in Cornwall would say 'By one and all'. Thank you very much.

Hawkeridge 47813 6O86 0900 Long Marston - Eastleigh Arlington JSA's 5th June 2018 Copyright Vincent

Hawkeridge 66701 6M46 1218 Marchwood to Bicester MOD 5th June 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent

Saltash Station
Gateway to Cornwall
Regeneration Project
Roger Winnen

180603k Saltash Station 'Gateway to Cornwall'. Copyright Roger Winnen

180603j Welcome to Cornwall, Saltash Station regeneration project viewed from the 08.05 Penzance Paddington service. Copyright Roger Winnen

The 'Milky Way'
Julian Stephens

Hello Keith

You have had some good input regarding the local creameries recently and the attached is the only bit I have that is of any relevance.

It is an unremarkable shot of an area you already have covered. However, it shows milk tankers in the siding and behind the signal box along with a rake of Clay Hoods. I believe that at the time of the picture the tankers had been redundant for about five years.

Best wishes, Julian Many thanks Julian

50049 Defiance leaves Lostwithiel on the 5th July 1986 with the 1M83 1030 Penzance to Liverpool Copyright Julian Stephens

Yeovil Pen Mill
'Weymouth Wizard'
Clive Smith

Following on from Ron Kosys's suberb 1970s pictures, here is 47008 passing through Yeovil Pen Mill with a Swindon to Weymouth holiday extra on 16th August 1982. Five years on from Ron's 1977 photo, the yard still seems to be in use albeit a solitary 4-wheel van-fit wagon.

'The Weymouth Wizard' was a midweek additional service that B.R. ran in the high season holidays between 1981 and 1985 when extra rolling stock was readily available to supplement the existing timetable at busy times. The train was routed via Melksham which for the first four years of its operation was a freight-only line.

The following is an unreferenced extract from Wikipedia "A special, large, commemorative headboard was often carried by the locomotive heading the train, this had been produced by Swindon Works carriage shop and was designed by works sign-writer / illustrator Ernie Hewlett. At the time the Chippenham to Trowbridge stretch of line was under threat of closure and the success of this train went some way to laying the foundations for the route to re-open under the terms of the 'Speller Act' with a limited, experimental passenger service commencing in May 1985. With this came the re-opening of Melksham station". It would be interesting to know if the train called at the newly re-opened Melksham in 1985.

Regards Clive Smith Many thanks indeed to you Clive

Yeovil Pen Mill - 'The Weymouth Wizard' complete with colourful headboard. 6th August 1982 Copyright Clive Smith

Westbury
John Cornelius

4th June 2018

4/6/2018

Cornwall Railway Society Riding the Rails of Devon Saturday 9th June 2018

Penzance 06.50 St Erth 07.00 Camborne 07.12 Redruth 07.19 Truro 07.32 St Austell 07.49 Par 07.56 Bodmin Parkway 08.10 Liskeard 08.23 Plymouth 08.47 Newton Abbot 09.30/09.39 Dawlish Warren 09.59/11.34 Exeter St David's 11.49 Steam Arrives in Exeter St David's Platform 3 for Kingwear 12.02/12.12

We depart Exeter St David's 12.09 for Newton Abbot arr 12.28. Steam passes Newton Abbot 12.56.

We depart Newton Abbot 13.12 to Exeter St David's arr 13.50/14.16 Exmouth 14.50/14.55 Exeter Central 15.20/15.30 Honiton 15.54/16.16 Exeter St David's 16.42/16.55 Paignton 17.50
Steam arrives and depart Paignton 18.12/18.17 for Woking passing through Newton Abbot at 18.38

We depart Paignton 18.08 Newton Abbot 18.25/19.06 Plymouth 19.48 Liskeard 20.11 Bodmin Parkway 20.23 Par 20.35 St Austell 20.41 Truro 21.02 Redruth 21.13 Camborne 21.19 St Erth 21.31 Penzance 21.40
Those wishing to see the steam leave Paignton catch the 18.52 to Newton Abbot arr 19.08//19.56 to Penzance arr 22.43 calling at all Cornish Stations

Purchase an Off Peak Day Return to Plymouth plus

A Day Devon Ranger Ticket available from All Station Booking Offices
Roger Winnen 01736 350048

An Interesting clip.
'Judy' at Par Harbour
Link sent by Andrew Jones

I came across this short, but lovely film clip on Youtube of ‘Judy’ working at Par docks in 1966 and unusually an interesting shot of the railway on the other side of the main road. https://youtu.be/HYKwC13YrK8

A super shot of Judy passing under the main line, also shots of a steam railtour to the docks. Many thanks Andrew

Flooding General Info.
John Cornelius

Good Morning Keith, Somebody was mentioning about floods on the line and the running of trains the on the web recently.
When I joined BR in 1975, in the Western Region general appendix,
it stated that in the event of a line becoming flooded, normal running had must cease when water reached 2inches below top of rail and a 3mph speed restriction imposed, however trains could continue to run provided the water didn't exceed 2inches above the top of rail. If it got deeper, then all trains must stop running, except trains hauled by the diesel hydraulics, which were allowed to go through flood water at up to 18 inches deep above the top of rail level at 3 mph. I don't know the ruling about flooding on todays railways.
I thought this might be of interest. cheers JOHN C.
Many thanks john - Three Cheers For the Hydraulics!!

Crossing into Somerset Whiteball
Andrew Triggs

180529r Colas Tamper working the 08.50 Exeter Old Yard Wagoneersway-Newbury yard running upgrade from the tunnel. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180529s DRS 37405 propelling saloon 975025 working the 2Z02 08.05 Bristol Temple Meads and return via Penzance. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180529t The 1C04 07.30 Paddington-Penzance descending down grade towards the tunnel. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180531a Colas 70816 working the 6C36 08.00 Moorswater -Aberthawe cement empties upgrade from the Somerset end of the tunnel. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Stormy Exeter
Clive Smith

As a storm looms over Exeter, 47446 heads west from St Davids station into the sunshine with the 'Saturdays Only' 08.40 Cardiff to Paignton on the 12th June 1982. Dark skies and a sunlit subject are always make terrific atmospheric pictures. I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time but can't remember whether I later got soaked.

Regards
Clive Smith Many thanks Clive

Storm clouds over Exeter almost 36 years ago. 47446 with the Cardiff to Paignton service on the 12th June 1982. Copyright Clive Smith

Somerset & Dorset
Tony Newman

It is indeed a pleasure to receive additional photographs for our website and a very warm welcome to Tony Newman .
Tony writes:-

You're right, it needs to be said - I do have copyright of the image - and you do have my permission to publish it on the CRS website.

I was aboard the Bournemouth train here waiting for that Bailey Gate milk train to clear the block. Just a lucky shot really.

The S & D was interesting to me because of the Midland connection. For the record, my interests in steam days were primarily the Great Central, followed by the Midland (followed in turn by the LNWR).
When I first knew it, the S & D was still operating such Midland Railway loco types as the small and large 0-6-0 tender engines, Midland 'Simples', and the famous Derby-built 2-8-0s.

The last Midland 0-4-4T in service (officially) No.58086, an S & D engine, was stored at Bath for some time before eventual shipping off to Gorton for dismantling - as you may know. (But well after No.58086, the supposed last of its class, had gone, another of the class, No.58065, which had lately worked the Southwell Branch, still mouldered on in a scrap line at Pye Bridge.)

Here is also a shot of No.40563 - taken by me at Templecombe [from the Tony Newman Collection]. Publish it in the CRS web site if you wish.
The only Midland 'Simple' I observed working anywhere in regular service was No.40634 leaving Templecombe with a Bournemouth train. Unfortunately it was quite foggy at the time so the possibilities for photography were minimal.

My obsession for photographing steam took a chunk of my youth that could probably have better been spent, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. But I wish I'd been born a little earlier.

For interest, there is a selection from my photograph collection to be seen on the Woodford Halse History web site:
http://www.woodfordhalsearchive.org/woodford_halse_archive/tony_newman/lcgb-railtour-tn_0001.php

The photographs on view there are included in my two-volume, privately printed, 'The Late Great Central' (long out of print).

Thanks for writing Keith.

T ony Newman Many thanks indeed Tony

GW pannier tank No.4691 entering Stalbridge with the Bailey Gate milk train - seen from a Bournemouth-bound train. Copyright Tony Newman Collection

Midland 40563 4-4-0 at Templecombe Copyright The Tony Newman Collection.

Salisbury
John Cornelius

3rd June 2018

3/6/2018

35028 Clan Line on the Torbay Express

Photographs by Clive Smith David Tozer
and Roger Winnen

180603b Clan Line hauls the 08.00 Bristol Temple Meads to Kingswear the Torbay Express on Sunday 3rd June 2018 seen approaching Teignmouth after a signal check. A rare sight in this part of the country as Clan Line is usually to be found on the Belmond Bristish Pullman in the South East. Copyright Clive Smith

180603c 35028 Clan Line and The Torbay Express approaches Goodrington Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

180603d After hauling its train to Kingswear, the engine ran bunker first to Churston for turning. Copyright Roger Winnen

180603e 35028 Clan Line being turned on the Churston Turntable. Copyright Roger Winnen

180603f The engine now turned heads to Queens Park Station at Paignton for servicing. Copyright Roger Winnen

180603g Looking glorious at Paignton where servicing was being carried out. Copyright Roger Winnen

180603h The return working back to Bristol as Clan Line runs non stop through Platform 1 at Newton Abbot. Copyright Roger Winnen

180603i The Torbay Express passes Signal E111 at Newton Abbot. Copyright Roger Winnen

Todays steam returns through Dawlish Warren on Sunday evening at a little before 6 p.m. Copyright David Tozer

Dawlish Warren on Sunday Evening
David Tozer

Two 153s and 143 611 at the rear head a train to Paignton 3rd June 2018. Copyright David Tozer.

158964 races through Dawlish Warren on the up through. 3rd June 2018 Copyright David Tozer

Yeovil Pen Mill
(Six years apart)
Ron Kosys

1971

Hymek 7018 passes through Yeovil Pen Mill. It went to Yeovil Jct. Lots of inters note a warship on a healthy freight in the yard. 22nd July 1971 Copyright Ron Kosys

A while later the Hymek returns light engine from Yeovil Junction. Note the Southern platform trolley. Copyright Ron Kosys 22nd July 1971

1977

31265 + 31136 pause with a Yeovil Pen Mill with a Weymouth train. Note the yard still in use. From the young man sprinting back along the train it looks as if he has been advised to get on board! 7th June 1977. Copyright Ron Kosys

Chard Jct. Flooding
John Cornelius

John Cornelius writes:-
Taken standing on the level crossing which was higher than the flood water. The last pic with the line shows the height the water came up on the 1-1-2001. Had it been daylight, I would have taken some pics from the platform edge showing the line completely under water. Sadly it all happened when it was dark, but it was the worst flooding I ever saw in my time there.

2nd June 2018

2/6/2018

Visiting the remains of the Redlake Tramway
31st May 2018
Roger Winnen

180531b This Loco Shed is a considerable distance beyond the terminus and for some reason could once have been seen from the mainline. Copyright Colin Burges

180531p Leftlake Bridge built of stone and brick 5 miles 17 chains from the terminus at Catrell. There was a passing siding of loop at Leftlake when the pit was reopened in the 1920s. Copyright Roger Winnen

180531zi This was the top of the Cantrell Incline being 2100 feet long and on a gradient of 1 in 5. Copyright Roger Winnen

Click Here to see further photographs and information on our visit to the Redlake Tramway in the features pages April 2018 onwards. Scroll down to Item 1815

Ponts Mill 2018
John Hird

I thought I would send you some photos I snapped last week (Mid May)whilst out walking around Ponts Mill. There is still very much there to see for anyone with an interest in railways, indeed the rails seem to be in place all the way from the driers up to what would have been the junction to the sidings off the Newquay branch (I'm not sure whether the point is still there or whether it has been disconnected? The vegetation from the footpath side of the river is too thick to get a good view).
Thanks John - we remember our railtour which went there in 1990.

Flashback to the CRS China Clay Rambler which reached the end of the siding on the 3rd of July 1990. Copyright Roger Winnen

Looking towards Par - Newquay branch bridge to right. May 2018 Copyright John Hird

St Erth Creamery
Andy Richards

Many thanks to Andy for providing these extremely interesting pictures for our use.

Primrose Dairies - St. Erth Copyright Andy Richards - Andrew Tredrea collection. Note Milks Tanks, Class 45 or 55 shunting, the extra siding behind the signalbox, and the cattle truck on the down refuge siding,

St.Ivel St.Erth - circa 1982 Andy Richards - Andrew Tredrea collection. A photograph of a photograph in a picture frame. Looks like a model.

Cogload Flyover
Andrew Jones

Dear Keith, Whist living and working in Taunton, I often walked out to Cogload Flyover via the Canal.
This photograph taken in June 1970, gives a flavour of those days when we possibly didn’t appreciate how lucky we were!
The ‘Warship’, heading for Paddington, due to light conditions is slightly blurred, so try as I have, I cannot make out the number.
This section of track is relatively fast and busy. On the flyover a class 46 is heading for Taunton.
The Hydraulics had a lot of character, but unfortunately they could not match the simplicity of their diesel electric conterparts and as we have seen in aviation, electric motors have proved to be more predictable and uncomplicated.
The one thing that both the Westerns Warships and Hymeks did have, was the ability to continue through slight flooding, something which unfortunately regularly occurs in this area. Such is progress!

Best wishes Andrew Many thanks Andrew

A Warship heading for Paddington and a Peak headed train making for Taunton in 1970. Copyright Andrew Jones.

Bevois Yard
Ron Kosys

St Denys Bevois Yard 47312 heads the 7Z16 ballast empties - the 1000 Laverstock-Eastleigh on the 4th August 1991 Copyright Ron Kosys

Salisbury
John Cornelius

1st June 2018

1/6/2018

Chard Junction
The Creamery
Andy Richards

Just looked at the article by Mark Lancaster on Chard Junction on the website, great article.
Not sure if its a common known fact but Chard Junction Creamy had 4 coal boilers for steam generation up the mid 2000's.
If you look at the pictures of the creamery from the railway side there was two green silo's with domed tops, these were our coal hoppers. The noise when the lorries off loaded into the silos was horrendous, as you can imagine we were not to popular with the neighbours also the boilers use to chuck out fine black bit of ash. It was quite common to go to the car park on the way to find the roof of your car covered in little black bits.
Having just moved jobs due to the closure of Evercreech (this was the last factory left of the old Unigate/St Ivel empire in the South West) reminded me I still have the pictures attached. I think we said we would credit them to the Andrew Tredrea collection. They would make interesting viewing for your readers as the curtains have closed on the local dairy industry and railway infrastructure for the good

I look forward to hearing from you, Andy

Many thanks Andy for your contribution and pictures. We'll probably put the St Erth pics on tomorrow.

United Dairies - Chard - Circa 1933 (1) Andy Richards - Andrew Tredrea collection. This picture is extremely interesting note the branch side of the station in the foreground with a collection of wagons. The branch to Chard heads off the bottom of the picture and the link to the Southen main line winds away to the right. Copyright Andy Richards - Andrew Tredrea Collection

In this view from the south the trackless branch off to Chard can be seen heading up the picture. Note also the level crossing and 'more recent' signalbox. Copyright Andy Richards - The Andrew Tredrea Collection

A close up of the above picture showing the 'green coal bunkers'. From the Andrew Tredrea Collection

TPOs 35 Years apart
Michael Forward

600606 D806 Cambrian on the Royal Mail at Penzance in 1960. Copyright Michael Forward

950606 The up TPO waiting to leave Penzance in 1995 behind 47476 Night Mail and 47686. Copyright Michael Forward

Salisbury
Ron Kosys

At Salisbury, from an unusual angle. 47716 1V17 1655 Sundays Waterloo to Exeter. The train has just cleared the tunnel remains of the yard pointwork in the foreground. 28th July 1991 Copyright Rob Kosys

Salisbury
John Cornelius

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