NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 16
Tiverton 03.10.1964
Michael L. Roach
This trip was made one week before the trip over the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth line described in Part 15. I set out from Plymouth on the 9.15am 3-car dmu. First stop was after just 16 miles at Brent Station for an hour because this was Brent's last day of passenger services before closure. I was probably surprised that there was not more resistance to the closure of the station as Brent is a large village or small town with a present population approaching 3,000 persons. A railway station would be very useful for the residents who work and commute to Plymouth, Totnes, Newton Abbot and Exeter. Just like Okehampton (population 9,000) South Brent is on the edge of Dartmoor, and actually within the Dartmoor National Park Boundary.
I moved on from Brent behind a Warship piloted by a North British Type 2 to Exeter St. Davids where I changed to a 3-car dmu for Tiverton Junction. It was the last day of stopping trains along the line from Exeter to Taunton; and for some reason the dmu stopped for 12 minutes at Cullompton to allow an express to overtake on the through line. The object of the trip was to travel from Tiverton Junction to Tiverton which I did several times on Saturday 3 October 1964. I also walked from Tiverton to Halberton to photograph the halt. The direct route from Exeter to Tiverton and going on to Morebath Junction and Dulverton had already closed exactly one year earlier on the first weekend of October 1963. The shuttle was one of the very few railmotors left in the country at the time and all my trains were operated by 0-4-2 tank 1450 with at first one autocoach (W228) and later two autocoaches (W225 and W228) This was the only steam left on the former GWR west of Taunton; and it was also the last day of passenger services between Tiverton and the Junction. Quite a day for closures, which included Tiverton Junction Shed as well.
At Tiverton Station the shuttle used the former Exeter to Dulverton (north-bound) up platform which was the platform adjacent to the main station buildings. Presumably because there was no direct signalled access to this platform the train had an interesting way of reaching that platform which I did not record at the time, but luckily the Railway Observer did record. The auto arriving from the Junction ran non-stop through the Dulverton to Exeter (south-bound) down platform and out on to the former Exe Valley line and then reversed back into the up platform. This gave passengers a much shorter walk from booking office to train than walking to the bay platform used when all three lines were still open to passengers. At the time of closure, it was quoted that Tiverton with a population of 12,000 was the largest town in Devon without passenger rail services. Sixty years later Tiverton Parkway is considered the railway station for Tiverton and very successful it is too attracting passengers from up to 100 miles or more to the west keen to avoid the low speed of trains on the Cornish main line. So which town in Devon can now claim the title of being the largest by population without a railway station? I think that it is Bideford with a population of well over 18,000 persons and much more with the adjacent towns of Westward Ho! Northam, Appledore and Instow. The present branch to Barnstaple must surely be extended to Bideford in the not-too-distant future.
I moved on from Brent behind a Warship piloted by a North British Type 2 to Exeter St. Davids where I changed to a 3-car dmu for Tiverton Junction. It was the last day of stopping trains along the line from Exeter to Taunton; and for some reason the dmu stopped for 12 minutes at Cullompton to allow an express to overtake on the through line. The object of the trip was to travel from Tiverton Junction to Tiverton which I did several times on Saturday 3 October 1964. I also walked from Tiverton to Halberton to photograph the halt. The direct route from Exeter to Tiverton and going on to Morebath Junction and Dulverton had already closed exactly one year earlier on the first weekend of October 1963. The shuttle was one of the very few railmotors left in the country at the time and all my trains were operated by 0-4-2 tank 1450 with at first one autocoach (W228) and later two autocoaches (W225 and W228) This was the only steam left on the former GWR west of Taunton; and it was also the last day of passenger services between Tiverton and the Junction. Quite a day for closures, which included Tiverton Junction Shed as well.
At Tiverton Station the shuttle used the former Exeter to Dulverton (north-bound) up platform which was the platform adjacent to the main station buildings. Presumably because there was no direct signalled access to this platform the train had an interesting way of reaching that platform which I did not record at the time, but luckily the Railway Observer did record. The auto arriving from the Junction ran non-stop through the Dulverton to Exeter (south-bound) down platform and out on to the former Exe Valley line and then reversed back into the up platform. This gave passengers a much shorter walk from booking office to train than walking to the bay platform used when all three lines were still open to passengers. At the time of closure, it was quoted that Tiverton with a population of 12,000 was the largest town in Devon without passenger rail services. Sixty years later Tiverton Parkway is considered the railway station for Tiverton and very successful it is too attracting passengers from up to 100 miles or more to the west keen to avoid the low speed of trains on the Cornish main line. So which town in Devon can now claim the title of being the largest by population without a railway station? I think that it is Bideford with a population of well over 18,000 persons and much more with the adjacent towns of Westward Ho! Northam, Appledore and Instow. The present branch to Barnstaple must surely be extended to Bideford in the not-too-distant future.
Here we see 1450 having just arrived at Tiverton with the 13.42 from Tiverton Junction on 3 October 1964, but what is the driver or fireman doing with that piece of string? Copyright Michael L. Roach
In this view at Tiverton looking south it can be seen that 1450 has propelled the single autocoach from the Junction. Much of the signage at the station was blue letters on a white background enamelled steel, possibly dating back to 1885 when the station was enlarged to cope with the new lines arriving at the station. Copyright Michael L. Roach
The train stands in the sun looking north. Copyright Michael L. Roach
The station was substantially built with two through platforms and a bay formerly for Tiverton Junction trains at the far end on the right. Copyright Michael L. Roach
In this view looking north it can be seen that the paint is peeling on autocoach W228 beneath the right-hand window. Copyright Michael L. Roach
The forecourt of Tiverton Station looking north with a classic sports car of the time prominent. It may be an Austin Healey 3000. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Many thanks Michael - another wonderful article, for which we are most grateful.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
Newquay Station Progress
Andrew Triggs
Andrew Triggs
Hi Roger/Keith/Jon
Visited Newquay today with FGW Blue liveried 150238 (in need of a visit to a wash plant it has to be said) on duty. The enclosed photos show the current reinstatement of the former No.1 platform's progress, new rails have been dropped between the current lines on the active platform for its full length
All the Best
Andrew
Visited Newquay today with FGW Blue liveried 150238 (in need of a visit to a wash plant it has to be said) on duty. The enclosed photos show the current reinstatement of the former No.1 platform's progress, new rails have been dropped between the current lines on the active platform for its full length
All the Best
Andrew
Ongoing works with the new build section of Newquay's second platform reinstatement Copyright Andrew Triggs
Ongoing works with the new build section of Newquay's second platform reinstatement. Copyright Andrew Triggs
The former concrete raised platform section beyond the rebuilt section lingers on. Copyright Andrew Triggs
The relaid ballast base on the end of Newquay Station, Sleepers are stacked beyond the platform, with track sections and Points sections either side of the active running line Copyright Andrew Triggs
150238 following arrival with 2N06 12.13 Par-Newquay Copyright Andrew Triggs
Externally grubby 150238 viewed from the station concourse, will the existing and reinstated line be extended closer to the concourse? Copyright Andrew Triggs
Another view of the reinstated section from the concourse Copyright Andrew Triggs
Many Thanks Andrew
Class 31s
Michael Adams
Michael Adams
Hello Roger, I hope you are well,I enjoyed the pictures of the freight working at Bodmin Road, a valuable record which modellers will have appreciated. Here are two pics. from Michael Adams showing class 31s working and and awaiting scrap. Firstly we see 31405 at Oxford with a relief---those were the days—from Derby to Basingstoke on 7 April 1988. Copyright Michael Adams
Now we see 31264 and 274 at Swindon works on 6 June 1981 awaiting their end. Copyright Michael Adams
Many Thanks Michael
Swindon Scenes
Ken Mumford & Colin Pidgeon
6A77 Avonmouth to Theale stopped on UML and left 13 LATE headed by 66620. Approaching is 1B15 Paddington to Swansea running 5 LATE. 11.11.2024, copyright Ken Mumford.
3S29 [Moreton-on-lugg to Swindon Transfer] arrived 25 LATE and stated for some time on the UML. 11.11.2024, copyright Ken Mumford.
Freight that was in Swindon East Loop leaves via platform 4 with 3S29 still on the UML. 11.11.2024, copyright Ken Mumford.
Freight that was in Swindon East Loop leaves via platform 4 with 3S29 still on the UML. 11.11.2024, copyright Ken Mumford.
59204 passes on the UML but, I'm very sorry, I cannot find this working on RTT - my time of passing = 1505. 11.11.2024, copyright Ken Mumford.
Colin Pidgeon's photo of 37800 hauling unit 321321 from Ilford EMUD to Newport Docs - working 5Q76. 11.11.2024, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Colin Pidgeon's photo of 66107 with 6C03 [Northolt to Sevenside Sita]. 11.11.2024, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks Ken & Colin, great to see Swindon so busy.
Rewe Engineers
David Tozer
Rewe on 12.11.2024 - GBRF Class 66 66765 ‘Julie Carn’ passes with the 2058 6G72 Westbury Down T.C. to Westbury Down T.C via Penzance. Copyright David Tozer.
Many thanks Dave, fantastic November lighting.
Paddington in Swindon
Ken Mumford
11.11.2024 - 9-car IET set 802106 passed at a reduced speed [enabling me to get some reasonable photos] via platform 3 some 4 minutes LATE - Paddington hadn't eaten enough of his marmalade sandwiches! Copyright Ken Mumford.
802106 at Swindon on 11.11.2024. Copyright Ken Mumford.
802106 at Swindon on 11.11.2024. Copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks, Ken - Paddington gets around!