Runaway train from Chard
Brian Pibworth
Brian Pibworth
Hello Keith,
An extract from a letter from Brian Pibworth
Regarding the terminus of the Chard Branch, pics below show tracks in the road left by a 20 ton brake van and a wagon which escaped from a shunting operation at Chard Town in 1962 and survived the runaway journey, over several miles of curving downhill track, to hit the blocks at Chard Junction Branch station at about 35 mph. The wagons demolished the blocks, careered across the road and the van embedded itself in the side of the Chard Road Tavern. The tracks remained in the tarmac for several decades but those across the road have now gone and the pub and car park are now part of a private house. A full account of this incident (which had no casualties apart from the wagons and pub wall) can be found on pp 82/83 "Working the Chard Branch"by Derek Phillips and R Eaton-Lacey pub Fox & Co. Yeovil.
The loest picture shows the creamery in full operation complete with milk tankers and the old LSWR signal box in 1981. The occasion was an unscheduled stop of the Deltic Devonian Railtour, headed by 55016, which waited 15 min to allow the 11.10 Waterloo - Exeter to pass. The stop attracted many local enthusiasts and photographers including the chap on the right sporting no less than two Exakta cameras! (PS If anyone collects old Exaktas, I still have the odd one deep in our loft). My notes show the film to be HP5 rated at 1600 ASA which indicated November twilight and credit goes to my wife, Patricia, for recording the event.
Hope this fills in a few gaps.
With kind regards, Brian Many thanks indeed Brian
An extract from a letter from Brian Pibworth
Regarding the terminus of the Chard Branch, pics below show tracks in the road left by a 20 ton brake van and a wagon which escaped from a shunting operation at Chard Town in 1962 and survived the runaway journey, over several miles of curving downhill track, to hit the blocks at Chard Junction Branch station at about 35 mph. The wagons demolished the blocks, careered across the road and the van embedded itself in the side of the Chard Road Tavern. The tracks remained in the tarmac for several decades but those across the road have now gone and the pub and car park are now part of a private house. A full account of this incident (which had no casualties apart from the wagons and pub wall) can be found on pp 82/83 "Working the Chard Branch"by Derek Phillips and R Eaton-Lacey pub Fox & Co. Yeovil.
The loest picture shows the creamery in full operation complete with milk tankers and the old LSWR signal box in 1981. The occasion was an unscheduled stop of the Deltic Devonian Railtour, headed by 55016, which waited 15 min to allow the 11.10 Waterloo - Exeter to pass. The stop attracted many local enthusiasts and photographers including the chap on the right sporting no less than two Exakta cameras! (PS If anyone collects old Exaktas, I still have the odd one deep in our loft). My notes show the film to be HP5 rated at 1600 ASA which indicated November twilight and credit goes to my wife, Patricia, for recording the event.
Hope this fills in a few gaps.
With kind regards, Brian Many thanks indeed Brian
Tracks left by runaway wagons, looking across the road towards the station Chard Junction 1982 Copyright Brian Pibworth
Tracks left by runaway wagons. The view from the station yard across the road. Chard Junction 1982 Copyright Brian Pibworth
Time to think! Presumably the signalman at Chard Junction had been advised by Chard Central that there was a runaway coming his way. If you were him, knowing what was likely to happen,unless the runaways derailed e-route, what on earth would you, could you do? Other than panic, in the few minutes available would you stop the road traffic, warn the pub or just run?
Deltic Devonian Railtour waits time at Chard Junction Nov 1981 Copyright Patricia Pibworth. Brian Pibworth is the gentleman with the two cameras.
Newquay 1973
Doug Nichols
Doug Nichols
Good Morning Keith
I see you have plenty of pictures to keep you busy ! I have left you quiet , I've not been down much this summer so far.
Here is a Doug Nicholls picture of a DMU at Newquay 4 1973. How much better Newquay looked then.
Thanks, Roger Geach Many thanks to you and of course Doug Nicholls - memories are made of this.
I see you have plenty of pictures to keep you busy ! I have left you quiet , I've not been down much this summer so far.
Here is a Doug Nicholls picture of a DMU at Newquay 4 1973. How much better Newquay looked then.
Thanks, Roger Geach Many thanks to you and of course Doug Nicholls - memories are made of this.
You can almost hear the 'clattering' of the diesels as P582 waits to return to Par on the 4th November 1973. How nice it would be to be able to sit behind the driver again and enjoy those forward views. The good old days! Copyright Doug Nicholls.
Athelney 1
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Former signalman John Cornelius takes us back to Athelney box where he spent many a long hour on duty watching the traffic safely through including the Royal Train. Many thanks to you John.
The Royal Train conveying the Queen to Exeter 30-3-1983, the only time I photographed the train with Royalty on board. the Queen was going to Exeter to distribute 'Maundy money' plus other duties. Copyright John Cornelius
Lyme Regis Branch
Mike Morant
Mike Morant
We continue to look at the Lyme Regis branch with another picture from his amazing collection. Thank you Mike.
The Lyme Regis branch had just another eight months to run when this superb view was taken. 160710_ M_BR_41216_Lyme_Regis_27-2-65 Ivatt 2MT 'Mickey Mouse' 2-6-2T no. 41216 accompanied by GWR railmotor no.W238 descends towards Lyme Regis whilst in charge of the 13.06 service from Axminster on 27/3/65.
[Mike Morant collection
[Mike Morant collection