NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 75
The Battle of Chipping Campden Tunnel
Michael L. Roach
It was good to see Steve Widdowson's report on 7 October 2025 on the 175th Anniversary of the arrival of the railway at Worcester. The railway in question was the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway (The O,W & W). It reminded me of three things. Worcester is still worth visiting because it retains mechanical signalling and semaphores, and the O,W & W had a long, complicated and fractious gestation period. Although the railway did eventually fall into the Great Western camp via the West Midland Railway, this was not a foregone conclusion.
One of the major incidents during construction of the O,W & W was “The Battle of Campden (or Mickleton) Tunnel” when in a dispute with the contractor Brunel assembled an “army” of 3,000 navvies to take control of the tunnel works. This was not the only such battle to take place during the great railway-building era of Victorian times but it was one of the best-known and famous. The full story of the battle can be read on the website of the Chipping Campden History Society.
The third item is the relatively recent construction of Worcester Parkway Station to the east of the city, which also had a long and fractious gestation period. The station has now been open for more than five years, has been declared a success by the promoters, and has six trains calling every hour with through trains to Paignton and Edinburgh among other places.
Finally great to see Steve's photos of 7029 and the semaphores in Latest Input on 10 November 2025. I was glad to see that the signals are still there. Long may they continue.
One of the major incidents during construction of the O,W & W was “The Battle of Campden (or Mickleton) Tunnel” when in a dispute with the contractor Brunel assembled an “army” of 3,000 navvies to take control of the tunnel works. This was not the only such battle to take place during the great railway-building era of Victorian times but it was one of the best-known and famous. The full story of the battle can be read on the website of the Chipping Campden History Society.
The third item is the relatively recent construction of Worcester Parkway Station to the east of the city, which also had a long and fractious gestation period. The station has now been open for more than five years, has been declared a success by the promoters, and has six trains calling every hour with through trains to Paignton and Edinburgh among other places.
Finally great to see Steve's photos of 7029 and the semaphores in Latest Input on 10 November 2025. I was glad to see that the signals are still there. Long may they continue.
Many thanks as always Mike - a fascinating link to the Battle of Campden - hard to imagine anything like that unfolding in todays modern world!
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
Re: Westerns stored at Newton Abbot
David Mitchell
Whilst looking through some old magazines when researching a couple of matters, I came across some information regarding the Westerns stored in the Newton Abbot 'Factory' after their withdrawal, and recalled Roger Vinten's query on 14/9/25 on your website which I don't think was ever answered.
Soon after the class ended BR service in February 1977, three locos minus number and nameplates were seen outside the old NA steam shed on 2/3/77; they were soon moved into the works, which then contained D1010/D1013/D1041/D1048, all stored as likely preservation candidates. D1023 was also apparently there for a short while before going to Swindon for restoration work.
D1062 arrived from Swindon on 27/5/77 but was taken to the recently renamed Torbay & Dartmouth Railway on 30/5 by 31102. D1013 followed about a week later for restoration at Kingswear.
On 6/7/77 D1010 was towed to Westbury for its new owners Foster Yeoman. This just left D1041/D1048 at Newton Abbot until 28/6/1978 when they too were moved to Swindon Works hauled by 31125/165. They were scheduled to receive works attention before moving on to Didcot and the North York Moors respectively .
On 2/8/78 45003 ran to Kingswear to collect D1013 & D1062 and tow them to Newton Abbot where they remained for a few days before being towed by 46008 to their new home on the Severn Valley Railway. Perhaps this was when they were seen by Mr Vinten?
Soon after the class ended BR service in February 1977, three locos minus number and nameplates were seen outside the old NA steam shed on 2/3/77; they were soon moved into the works, which then contained D1010/D1013/D1041/D1048, all stored as likely preservation candidates. D1023 was also apparently there for a short while before going to Swindon for restoration work.
D1062 arrived from Swindon on 27/5/77 but was taken to the recently renamed Torbay & Dartmouth Railway on 30/5 by 31102. D1013 followed about a week later for restoration at Kingswear.
On 6/7/77 D1010 was towed to Westbury for its new owners Foster Yeoman. This just left D1041/D1048 at Newton Abbot until 28/6/1978 when they too were moved to Swindon Works hauled by 31125/165. They were scheduled to receive works attention before moving on to Didcot and the North York Moors respectively .
On 2/8/78 45003 ran to Kingswear to collect D1013 & D1062 and tow them to Newton Abbot where they remained for a few days before being towed by 46008 to their new home on the Severn Valley Railway. Perhaps this was when they were seen by Mr Vinten?
Many thanks David and well done for recalling Roger's query. Hopefully it can now be considered 'mystery solved'!
Virgin Trains & rail for sale
Andrew & Diane Jones
Dear Keith, Jon and Roger,
We are busy sorting through 41 years of correspondence due to our imminent sale and came across the following letter from Virgin Trains.
It illustrates just how good Virgin was at customer relations and goes into detail on safety issues which would possibly be of interest to readers.
With the demise of the HST and a number of recent articles about Virgin Trains I have also attached (below) my one and only attempt on YouTube of a few minutes one evening at St Austell station in the year 2000..... the local church had bell ringing practice which I think adds to the atmosphere as the Paxman Valenta engines fire up to a rousing exit with a Virgin Trains partially branded HST set.
And finally, for a number of years I have had aspirations to build 7/4 inch railway in our grounds, but alas old age and circumstances are now against us, so if appropriate and allowed I am advertising a considerable amount of track and if any readers know of anyone who would be interested there is approx 2 to 300 mtrs of rail available in approx 2 mtr length in variable but serviceable condition that will fit in the back of a pick up at a very reasonable price.
We are busy sorting through 41 years of correspondence due to our imminent sale and came across the following letter from Virgin Trains.
It illustrates just how good Virgin was at customer relations and goes into detail on safety issues which would possibly be of interest to readers.
With the demise of the HST and a number of recent articles about Virgin Trains I have also attached (below) my one and only attempt on YouTube of a few minutes one evening at St Austell station in the year 2000..... the local church had bell ringing practice which I think adds to the atmosphere as the Paxman Valenta engines fire up to a rousing exit with a Virgin Trains partially branded HST set.
And finally, for a number of years I have had aspirations to build 7/4 inch railway in our grounds, but alas old age and circumstances are now against us, so if appropriate and allowed I am advertising a considerable amount of track and if any readers know of anyone who would be interested there is approx 2 to 300 mtrs of rail available in approx 2 mtr length in variable but serviceable condition that will fit in the back of a pick up at a very reasonable price.
2m lengths of miniature rail for sale.. please contact us if of use.
Many thanks Andrew & Diane - we'll be sad to see you leave Cornwall.
If anybody would like details on the rail, please email the CRS - [email protected] - and we'll put you on to Andrew.
If anybody would like details on the rail, please email the CRS - [email protected] - and we'll put you on to Andrew.
Re: Clean Castle
Paul Negus
Hi Jon and Roger
Lovely atmospheric shot of 43004 in yesterdays's Latest News!
As you say, it was at The Greatest Gathering in August of this year together with 43198, which is named after drivers Stan Martin and Brian Cooper. Here are images of both but I only managed to get a shot of the Stan Martin nameplate. As you can see, it's not quite as shiny as 43004.
Lovely atmospheric shot of 43004 in yesterdays's Latest News!
As you say, it was at The Greatest Gathering in August of this year together with 43198, which is named after drivers Stan Martin and Brian Cooper. Here are images of both but I only managed to get a shot of the Stan Martin nameplate. As you can see, it's not quite as shiny as 43004.
GWR's 43004 on display at 'The Greatest Gathering', Derby. Copyright Paul Negus.
Last-built 43198 on display at 'The Greatest Gathering', Derby. Copyright Paul Negus.
One of two nameplates on 43198, this side carries the name of Driver Stan Martin, who sadly perished in the Ufton Nervet accident. On the other side the name of Driver Brian Cooper is carried, in memory of the driver who perished in the Ladbroke Grove accident. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks, Paul, glad you liked the photo. Hopefully GWR can find a new home for the plates off 43198.
'The new order'
Martin Scane
This is 175114 with 175007 at the rear working 5Z41 Plymouth to Penzance via Exeter SD (13-32 on the approach to Teignmouth from Exeter on 11/11/25). Looking quite smart in dull, drizzly weather. Copyright Martin Scane.
Many thanks, Martin. I think all enthusiasts/photographers are hoping that the red and white stays!
Memories of the 'Peaks'
Michael Adams & Michael Forward
Hello. Wonderful pictures from the South Devon Diesel gala, thanks to all for posting them. Below are some 'Peaks'.
Here is Michael Adams' picture of 45121 about to start away from Temple Meads with the 10.15 Paignton to Aberdeen on 14 June 1986, what a journey! Copyright Michael Adams.
Now my own picture of 45037 powering through Dawlish—non-stop--with the 08.55 Penzance to Manchester 0n 6 August 1983. Copyright Michael Forward.
Many thanks as always Michael & Michael, another pair of fantastic photos from the archives.