Return to Sharpness
Ian Thomas
After many years of hard work and negotiations, the Vale of Berkeley Railway was in a position to operate its first-ever passenger trains between Sharpness and Berkeley Road over the first weekend of August.
Clearance of the site was essential, with vegetation and well-established trees needing to be cut back after 60 years of neglect, plus a logistical exercise to get the punters aboard the train.
The line closed to passengers in 1964, with the last trains running on Saturday, October 31st that year. This was a triple whammy, as both the Hereford to Gloucester line and the Gloucester to Chalford railmotor services also finished on the same day as part of the Beeching Report of March 1963.
The line was built by the Severn & Wye Railway Company and opened to passengers on August 1st, 1876, so it was the 150th anniversary over the weekend. The line was extended to cross the Severn Railway Bridge, and this opened on October 17th, 1879, sadly being destroyed in the accident of October 25th, 1960. Trains then ran to Sharpness only until closure. (I will do the story on all that later this autumn.)
Rich Kelsey, myself, and our two wives were booked on the 11.45 service from Sharpness to Berkeley Road and return on Friday, July 31st. We were bussed to Oldminster Road to board the train using a specially constructed ramp for access, this being near to where the former Sharpness station was sited.
It was a pleasant trip over the line, although the trees have obscured virtually all views, and it was difficult to work out where we were at any one time. However, the gantry at Berkeley (for nuclear flask loading) was seen, and we could just make out the A38 main road at Berkeley Road.
The VOBR ran six trains each day at two-hour intervals, with a break at lunchtime. They were slow to fill at first, but by the preceding week all trains were full, bar a few seats.
All went very well, with a commentary aboard the 1985-built Pacer 143603. This unit was allocated to Heaton Depot (Newcastle) from new but emigrated south-west later in life.
I have included pictures of the weekend, and from the past, including some by the late Ben Ashworth.
Clearance of the site was essential, with vegetation and well-established trees needing to be cut back after 60 years of neglect, plus a logistical exercise to get the punters aboard the train.
The line closed to passengers in 1964, with the last trains running on Saturday, October 31st that year. This was a triple whammy, as both the Hereford to Gloucester line and the Gloucester to Chalford railmotor services also finished on the same day as part of the Beeching Report of March 1963.
The line was built by the Severn & Wye Railway Company and opened to passengers on August 1st, 1876, so it was the 150th anniversary over the weekend. The line was extended to cross the Severn Railway Bridge, and this opened on October 17th, 1879, sadly being destroyed in the accident of October 25th, 1960. Trains then ran to Sharpness only until closure. (I will do the story on all that later this autumn.)
Rich Kelsey, myself, and our two wives were booked on the 11.45 service from Sharpness to Berkeley Road and return on Friday, July 31st. We were bussed to Oldminster Road to board the train using a specially constructed ramp for access, this being near to where the former Sharpness station was sited.
It was a pleasant trip over the line, although the trees have obscured virtually all views, and it was difficult to work out where we were at any one time. However, the gantry at Berkeley (for nuclear flask loading) was seen, and we could just make out the A38 main road at Berkeley Road.
The VOBR ran six trains each day at two-hour intervals, with a break at lunchtime. They were slow to fill at first, but by the preceding week all trains were full, bar a few seats.
All went very well, with a commentary aboard the 1985-built Pacer 143603. This unit was allocated to Heaton Depot (Newcastle) from new but emigrated south-west later in life.
I have included pictures of the weekend, and from the past, including some by the late Ben Ashworth.
Opening day poster with thanks to Rich Kelsey.
Please click above images for an enlargement and caption - all images copyright Ian Thomas.
A ticket to ride. Copyright Rich Kelsey.
Images from the past. Please click for enlargements and copyright info.
Many thanks indeed Ian - a great achievement for the group, we wish them every success for the future.
Par Interlude
Steve Clark
A couple of photos from Par yesterday morning. First up is 153384 sat in the Liner sidings after its aborted 2Q36 trip on Tuesday. 05.08.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
150261 waits to shunt to Chapel Sidings after arriving on 2N01 from Newquay. 05.08.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
Finally a couple of shots of 175101 on 2E06 07.43 Penzance to Exeter St Davids. 05.08.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
175101 awaits departure from Par. 05.08.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
Many thanks Steve, a nice selection.
Three heritage lines in one day
Phil Gilbert
Three heritage lines in one day, although I didn’t travel on the Bodmin line. We are very lucky to have such wonderful examples of preservation in our part of the south west.
The Bubble Car at the South Devon Railway, Totnes. August 2026, copyright Phil Gilbert.
1369 at Totnes, SDR. August 2026, copyright Phil Gilbert.
Dorothea and Covercoat at the Launceston Steam Railway. August 2026, copyright Phil Gilbert.
The Launceston Steam Railway, formerly the North Cornwall Line. August 2026, copyright Phil Gilbert.
5552 and 37142 at Bodmin General. August 2026, copyright Phil Gilbert.
Many thanks Phil - look like a good day out.
Wednesdays Clay
Jon Hird
66759 leads a later-than-usual (due to additional 'Boardmasters' music festival traffic on the branch) Goonbarrow - Fowey clay towards Treffrys Aqueduct in the Luxulyan Valley. 05.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
August 1976
Part 6
Roger Winnen
Class 33 awaits departure from Southampton with a service to Reading-Oxford etc. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Class 33 awaits departure from Southampton with a service to Reading-Oxford etc. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A vintage Trespassers notice at Southampton. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.