NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 98
River Plym Bridge Works
Michael L. Roach
It was good to see Chris Bellett's (and his friend's) photos of the River Plym Bridge Works recently in Latest Input. There was also an interesting photo in Branchline News which recorded that the line was closed between Totnes and Plymouth from 21 February to 8 March for the bridgeworks and other works while the line was closed. I cast my mind back to the previous major works (before 1981) to the bridge which I thought that I had read in the GWR Magazine as taking place in the late-1920s or early 1930s. However I did not find anything and the only reference I did find was in the retirement of Mr. A.M.Brookes Civil Engineer recorded in the magazine for November 1934. Albert Matthew Brookes was born on 18 October 1874 in London. He joined the Great Western Railway in March 1891 as a Telegraph Messenger Boy, but this may have been on some kind of temporary or probationary basis. His lucky break came when he was appointed to the post of draughtsman in the Chief Civil Engineers Office at Paddington on 1 December 1892, and he never looked back after that. AMB moved to Plymouth in October 1899 and stayed there until June 1906. In 1901 he was lodging at 7 Addison Road, Plymouth. One of the jobs that AMB worked on while he was in Plymouth was the reconstruction of viaducts on the Tavistock Branch; while another was the major reconstruction of the bridge over the River Plym at Tavistock Junction, which dates it to sometime between 1900 and 1906. The riveted built-up edge girders with the curved top flange appear to be of a style that would have been employed at that time (1900-1906). If so they are already 120 years old and are a testament to good design, manufacture and maintenance since then.
An item that caught my eye was the size of the waybeams used to support the track. On many bridges the timber way-beams appear to be around 300-350mm wide by 200-250mm deep. On this bridge across the Plym the new way-beams are larger and appear to be about 400-450mm square which is a really substantial increase in the cross-sectional area. The answer to that conundrum lies in the fact that the new way-beams are not timber at all but some kind of synthetic material, possibly recycled plastic similar to the plastic sleepers which have been around for a number of years. Another interesting feature of the reconstruction in 1900-1906 was that the half bridges are described as being rolled in, which is a technique still much-used today. I imagine that the edge and centre beams would have been delivered to the east (Tavistock Junction) side in five pieces each to match the five spans and then riveted together into one long length and joined by the cross-beams before being rolled across the gap or perhaps towed by a steam engine on the far side.
On HS2 in Warwickshire Longhole Viaduct will carry the new line across the Grand Union Canal one mile north of the village of Ufton which is on the A425 south-east of Royal Leamington Spa. The steel bridge is 130 metres long, weighs 1620 tonnes, and will also cross a minor road and the canal towpath. The bridge was pushed into position by hydraulic jacks in just two days on 4 and 5 March 2026. As a result of the decision not to extend HS2 north of Birmingham some of the trains ordered for HS2 will not now be needed and may be reconfigured to be used on the WCML instead; and on the day that this article was completed it was reported that the design speed of the trains about to be built for HS2 may be reduced from the original 224mph to a lower figure to “save billions of pounds.” The maximum speed of trains on HS1 is 186mph.
An item that caught my eye was the size of the waybeams used to support the track. On many bridges the timber way-beams appear to be around 300-350mm wide by 200-250mm deep. On this bridge across the Plym the new way-beams are larger and appear to be about 400-450mm square which is a really substantial increase in the cross-sectional area. The answer to that conundrum lies in the fact that the new way-beams are not timber at all but some kind of synthetic material, possibly recycled plastic similar to the plastic sleepers which have been around for a number of years. Another interesting feature of the reconstruction in 1900-1906 was that the half bridges are described as being rolled in, which is a technique still much-used today. I imagine that the edge and centre beams would have been delivered to the east (Tavistock Junction) side in five pieces each to match the five spans and then riveted together into one long length and joined by the cross-beams before being rolled across the gap or perhaps towed by a steam engine on the far side.
On HS2 in Warwickshire Longhole Viaduct will carry the new line across the Grand Union Canal one mile north of the village of Ufton which is on the A425 south-east of Royal Leamington Spa. The steel bridge is 130 metres long, weighs 1620 tonnes, and will also cross a minor road and the canal towpath. The bridge was pushed into position by hydraulic jacks in just two days on 4 and 5 March 2026. As a result of the decision not to extend HS2 north of Birmingham some of the trains ordered for HS2 will not now be needed and may be reconfigured to be used on the WCML instead; and on the day that this article was completed it was reported that the design speed of the trains about to be built for HS2 may be reduced from the original 224mph to a lower figure to “save billions of pounds.” The maximum speed of trains on HS1 is 186mph.
Albert Brookes retirement from the GWR as recorded in the staff magazine for November 1934.
4915 Condover Hall of Reading Shed crosses the River Plym LE at 2.10pm on 17 February 1962, probably heading for Laira Shed after leaving a rake of goods wagons at Tavistock Junction Down Yard. It can be seen that in those far-off days the river ran white carrying china clay waste. The engine was withdrawn 12 months later. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
A 4575-class prairie crosses the Plym with the 2.10pm Plymouth to Tavistock auto-train. There are very few passengers in the first coach. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Another 4575-class prairie, believed to be 5541, crosses the River Plym with the 3.05pm Plymouth to Launceston on the same date. Waiting in the goods loop on the other side of the bridge is Laira's pannier tank 4658 with a transfer freight for Tavistock Junction Yard. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
D1000 crossing the River Plym when two months old and with only two of the class in service. Normally I did not photograph diesels at that time, but made an exception for this one. The train is the 2.30pm Plymouth to Paddington with a load of 7C. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks as always Mike, great photos and another interesting article, much appreciated.
For more of Michaels articles, click here.
For more of Michaels articles, click here.
The final DB Cargo 'upcountry' freight
Mark Lynam, Jon Hird & Paul McGwynn
Thursday 26 March marked the departure of the final loaded freight train out of Cornwall under DB Cargo operations. Locomotive 66192 led nine JIA wagons from Imerys’ Treviscoe facility to Exeter Riverside, for onward transport to the Midlands potteries at Cliffe Vale.
There are still a few last chances to see a DB locomotive on the clay trains. 6V76 should run down on Saturday, the empty wagons returning from Westbury. We are also informed that DB also plan to run the internal Goonbarrow - Fowey trains on Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st March - but these workings can change/be cancelled at late notice.
Remaining Cornwall-based DB staff are set to transfer to GBRf employment from 1 April.
There are still a few last chances to see a DB locomotive on the clay trains. 6V76 should run down on Saturday, the empty wagons returning from Westbury. We are also informed that DB also plan to run the internal Goonbarrow - Fowey trains on Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st March - but these workings can change/be cancelled at late notice.
Remaining Cornwall-based DB staff are set to transfer to GBRf employment from 1 April.
66192 departs Treviscoe with 9 loaded JIA's in tow. St. Blazey/Goonbarrow DBC driver David M. is at the controls. 26.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
Mark has done well to beat 6M53 to Burngullow for a second photo of the train coming off the branch. 26.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66192 roars over Pendalake Viaduct, east of Bodmin Parkway, with 6M53. Cornwall-based DB driver Martyn T. now at the helm for this leg of the journey. 26.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Just a little further east, the train is still powering away as it crosses the single line East Largin viaduct. 26.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
6M53 passing Dawlish, a screenshot from Dawlish Coast Cams. With thanks to Paul MgGwynn. 26.03.2026.
The tail end of 6M53 passing the camping coaches at Dawlish Warren, a screenshot from Dawlish Coast Cams. With thanks to Paul MgGwynn. 26.03.2026.
Many thanks Mark and Paul - an end of an era.
Barry Scrapyard
Martin Scane
You featured a photograph from Barry scrapyard around 10 days ago which reminded me of a few photographs which I took way back in the late 60s. I wondered if you were interested.
The photos were all taken at Barry scrapyard when I was a young boy.
Unfortunately I failed to record the date but it is likely to be 1967 or 1968 I believe.
The photos were all taken with my trusty Box Brownie and as such the quality is not what it might be.
The photos were all taken at Barry scrapyard when I was a young boy.
Unfortunately I failed to record the date but it is likely to be 1967 or 1968 I believe.
The photos were all taken with my trusty Box Brownie and as such the quality is not what it might be.
7325 with an unrecorded small prairie behind. Copyright Martin Scane.
An unrecorded Castle. Copyright Martin Scane.
53808. Copyright Martin Scane.
A pair of 28xx 2-8-0s. Copyright Martin Scane.
A general view taken, I think, from a tender. The King is recorded as 6023. Copyright Martin Scane.
Many thanks indeed Martin, a fascinating place but rather sad to see.
If anybody can help ID the unrecorded locos, please get in touch - [email protected]
If anybody can help ID the unrecorded locos, please get in touch - [email protected]
80's Peaks
Paul Barlow
45056 at Exeter St Davids on 1432 Leeds to Plymouth 1V94. This train was held here for 18 minutes for a HST from Paddington to pass. 01.04.1981, copyright Paul Barlow.
A panned shot of 45064 passing Exwick playing fields, Exeter on 1436 Paignton Leeds 1E70. 03.04.1981, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul, keep them coming!
Cardiff Contrasts
Michael Adams & Michael Forward
Michael Adams sends this picture of 59003 at Cardiff on 10 February 1998,the working unknown. Copyright Michael Adams.
Now my own picture taken on 24 March 2026 showing 66067 with 6Z10,09.50 Newport docks to Margam. Overhead wires now and the steel is imported. Copyright Michael Forward.
Many thanks to both Michaels - a great comparison.