NINETEEN SIXTY TWO – PART 97
Evening Trips August 1962
Michael L. Roach
This is the story of two trips on consecutive evenings in the summer of 1962. The first was on Monday 20 August to Tamerton Foliot Halt on the ex-Southern route from Okehampton and Tavistock North to Plymouth Friary. The village of Tamerton Foliot was four miles north of the City Centre (as the crow flies), and in 1962 outside the city boundary but after boundary extensions in 1967 just within the City boundary. Three miles to the east of Tamerton Foliot is the valley of the River Plym; and two miles to the west the River Tamar and the boundary between Cornwall and Devon running down the middle. More than a mile to the west of the village lies the railway at the end of a long cul-de-sac. Tamerton Foliot station opened seven years after the line in 1897 and closed completely on and from 10 September 1962, which was why I was there on the evening of 20 August. The residents of Tamerton Foliot village would have found the regular bus service to Plymouth City Centre much more convenient than the train service resulting in the station always being lightly used but the station remained staffed until 5 January 1959. In 1936 the Southern Railway declared it to be the least-used station west of Salisbury with just 424 tickets issued in the 12 months. The two platforms were connected by an occupation bridge which gave access to the fields beyond.
The next evening, I visited the valley of the River Plym mentioned above for a walk up the valley from the Plym Bridge itself. Before starting the walk, I photographed the 5.40pm from Launceston to Plymouth arriving at Plym Bridge Platform – this was the last train of the day to stop here. There was another train half hour later which passed through non-stop; this was the 7.10pm auto from Tavistock South to Plymouth. However, I did not photograph it because being a Tuesday I probably had a young lady with me and she had to take precedence most of the time. This was a wonderful length of railway through the Plym Valley which has been featured many times in this series, and where I took dozens of railway photographs. When the line closed at the end of that year, I missed the trains and the opportunity to photograph steam in wonderful scenery. However, you can still enjoy the scenery because the line was converted into a cycling and walking trail.
The next evening, I visited the valley of the River Plym mentioned above for a walk up the valley from the Plym Bridge itself. Before starting the walk, I photographed the 5.40pm from Launceston to Plymouth arriving at Plym Bridge Platform – this was the last train of the day to stop here. There was another train half hour later which passed through non-stop; this was the 7.10pm auto from Tavistock South to Plymouth. However, I did not photograph it because being a Tuesday I probably had a young lady with me and she had to take precedence most of the time. This was a wonderful length of railway through the Plym Valley which has been featured many times in this series, and where I took dozens of railway photographs. When the line closed at the end of that year, I missed the trains and the opportunity to photograph steam in wonderful scenery. However, you can still enjoy the scenery because the line was converted into a cycling and walking trail.
Ivatt 2-6-2T no. 41216 has stopped at Tamerton Foliot at 7.10pm on 20 August 1962 hauling the 6.48pm Tavistock North to Plymouth train. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Here we see the station house looking north towards Bere Alston and Tavistock. The station had been last painted 4/53. It is now a private 3-bed house and last changed hands in November 2022 for £750,000. Copyright Michael L. Roach
N-class 31837 approaches the halt with the 7.18pm Plymouth to Exeter Central. In front of the engine, and on the other side of the creek, is the post-war Ernesettle Estate. Copyright Michael L. Roach
A cropped scan from the same original negative. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Prairie tank 5569 arrives at Plym Bridge Platform with the 5.40pm Launceston to Plymouth on 21 August 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach
A cropped scan from the same original negative. Copyright Michael L. Roach
The monthly visit of
'The Flying Banana'
26.07.2024
Joe Birchall, Mick House, Andrew Triggs & Jon Hird
Friday the 26th of July saw the 4-weekly visit to the southwest of the Network Rail New Measurement Train, hauled by 43062 and 43013, running as 1Q18.
43013 leads the 'down' working, approaching Truro. Copyright Joe Birchall.
The 5 coaches and 43062 on the rear. All above images copyright Joe Birchall.
43013 Mark Carne CBE heads the train through Redruth heading down to PZ. Copyright Mick House.
43062 John Armitt through Redruth at the rear. Copyright Mick House.
43013 passes the ripening crops as it crosses Angarrack Viaduct. Copyright Andrew Triggs.
Having reversed at Penzance, 43062 leads over Gwinear Road level crossing. Copyright Andrew Triggs.
43062 John Armitt heads past Wheal Busy Crossing on its way to Paignton. Copyright Mick House
43013 Mark Carne CBE past Wheal Busy Crossing at the rear. Copyright Mick House.
The returning train east of Truro running 31 minutes late behind a slow HITACHI. Copyright Joe Birchall.
The NMT crosses Trenance Viaduct, St. Austell. Copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks all for allowing us to display your photographs of this colourful train.
'The Royal Duchy'
28.07.2024
Tomorrow, 28.07.2024, Cornwall is due to be visited by mainline steam working 'The Royal Duchy' as far as Par, where the loco (TBC) will be turned on St. Blazey turntable. The timings are:
1Z33 0848 Bristol Temple Meads to Par - click for times
1Z34 1651 Par to Bristol Temple Meads - click for times
Don't forget to send in your photos!
1Z33 0848 Bristol Temple Meads to Par - click for times
1Z34 1651 Par to Bristol Temple Meads - click for times
Don't forget to send in your photos!