NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 72A
Draw Wood
Michael L. Roach
In Part 72 I wrote how Brunel's wooden viaduct at Draw Wood had been replaced by an embankment and retaining wall and I wondered how it had actually been done and the trains kept running. The answer was quite simple the track (then single broad gauge) was moved on to a new alignment alongside the original viaduct, which was on a gentle curve. The straight at the west end was extended; and at the east end the opposite-hand curve was extended before a very short new straight. The two straights were joined by a much shorter curve of smaller radius than the original curve moving the formation southwards. This left the wooden viaduct intact until the track could be slewed to join the track on the new embankment. The original timber viaduct was demolished but the 17 dwarf piers were left in-situ and 15 of them can be seen on the OS 25-inch published in 1882. The dwarf piers could well be still there in this the 150th anniversary year of the viaduct being replaced. The stone for building the retaining wall and the making the embankment could well have come from the GWR's own Westwood Quarry just a mile and a half away to the east.
The Plymouth Divisional Civil Engineer at the time of the reconstruction of the wooden viaducts was Peter John Margary, who had a very illustrious career. Born in 1820 he started working on railways in 1838 on the Bristol & Exeter; then the South Devon Railway; the Cornwall Railway; and several others. He was Brunel's chief assistant at the time of Brunel's death and tasked with completing all the schemes underway at the time.
The Plymouth Divisional Civil Engineer at the time of the reconstruction of the wooden viaducts was Peter John Margary, who had a very illustrious career. Born in 1820 he started working on railways in 1838 on the Bristol & Exeter; then the South Devon Railway; the Cornwall Railway; and several others. He was Brunel's chief assistant at the time of Brunel's death and tasked with completing all the schemes underway at the time.
Many thanks Mike, this stretch of line is fascinating and the various structures are real engineering triumphs.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
Bath Road 'Grid'
Phil 'Shattered' Smith
56048 awaits its next working on Bristol Bath Road in this 1985 shot from Phil. Copyright Phil Smith.
Many thanks Phil. A great livery for the class.
What's that train?
Martin Scane
This is a rather poor photograph of 47537 taken by me at Dawlish Warren probably early 1980s. That is all the information that I have other than it is an interesting train. Possibly the Laira breakdown train returning home. I believe the locomotive was named County of Gwynned at the time. I wonder if anyone has any more information? Copyright Martin Scane.
Many thanks Martin - it does indeed look to be a breakdown train, but if you can add any more info please drop us an email - [email protected]