Clevedon WC&PR

Good stuff. A definite house style developing between Cheddar and Clevedon - although they are very different layouts and railways of course.

 

I see that Clevedon Saw Mills still exist, that's impressive. 

Good stuff. A definite house style developing between Cheddar and Clevedon - although they are very different layouts and railways of course.

 

I see that Clevedon Saw Mills still exist, that's impressive. 

It's run by a friend of mine. They still own the WW2-era AEC Matador Timber Tractor they bought after the war! His dad remembers the WC&PR being open when he was a lad.

The sawmills did own a traction engine, a Burrell called 'Gladstone', which was later sold and is now preserved.

https://www.farmcollector.com/steam-traction/history-of-a-burrell-gladstone

There was also a stationary steam engine in the sawmill which met a sorry end when the piston hydro-locked and burst!

That's really interesting thanks!

 

It's run by a friend of mine. They still own the WW2-era AEC Matador Timber Tractor they bought after the war! His dad remembers the WC&PR being open when he was a lad.

The sawmills did own a traction engine, a Burrell called 'Gladstone', which was later sold and is now preserved.
https://www.farmcollector.com/steam-traction/history-of-a-burrell-gladstone

There was also a stationary steam engine in the sawmill which met a sorry end when the piston hydro-locked and burst!

 

Good stuff. A definite house style developing between Cheddar and Clevedon - although they are very different layouts and railways of course.

 

I see that Clevedon Saw Mills still exist, that's impressive. 

Thanks Mikkel

Was there a siding for the Saw Mill? I can't seem to find anything about it on the web, and don't have  any WCPR books (just looking for inspiration, in case you're wondering).

Was there a siding for the Saw Mill? I can't seem to find anything about it on the web, and don't have  any WCPR books (just looking for inspiration, in case you're wondering).

There was a trailing siding up towards Clevedon East in the north bound direction for a joinery works but this was further up than the saw mills. When operating we sometimes run a waggon load of timber and a van from the station as a trip working.

There was a goods yard of sorts comprising 3 grounded van bodies between there and the station too.

The WCPR website has detail maps here:

https://www.wcpr.org.uk/Clevedon_1932_OS_map.html

https://www.wcpr.org.uk/Clevedon_East_Detail_Map.html

https://www.wcpr.org.uk/Clevedon_area_map.html

On another matter, I was amazed to find 15 previous unseen photos of the WCPR on Roger Carpenter's stand at Scaleforum yesterday. I've never seen any photos of the joinery siding though. I do have a couple of the gas works sidings and the Peter Strange book has a shot showing the siding and the shed where the Argentine bogie coaches were assembled.

 

edited for accuracy!

I'll tell you a story about a young boy (who will remain nameless)...

 

So the story goes, in the late 1930s a Portishead-bound train was diverted into the Gasworks unexpectedly. The train came to a halt rather quickly (line speed not being particularly high), reversed out and was soon on its way, but a railway employee called around the local businesses demanding to speak to the owners and find out who had changed the points.

The little boy was accused of this misdeed, his father asked him to demonstrate to the railway employee if he could indeed pull the lever. He was clearly not strong enough to do so.

The railway employee left to continue his questioning elsewhere.

 

As it turns out, the little boy could not pull the lever on his own, but 3 boys all pulling together on a rope wrapped around the lever could!

I'll tell you a story about a young boy (who will remain nameless)...

 

So the story goes, in the late 1930s a Portishead-bound train was diverted into the Gasworks unexpectedly. The train came to a halt rather quickly (line speed not being particularly high), reversed out and was soon on its way, but a railway employee called around the local businesses demanding to speak to the owners and find out who had changed the points.

The little boy was accused of this misdeed, his father asked him to demonstrate to the railway employee if he could indeed pull the lever. He was clearly not strong enough to do so.

The railway employee left to continue his questioning elsewhere.

 

As it turns out, the little boy could not pull the lever on his own, but 3 boys all pulling together on a rope wrapped around the lever could!

Ha ha! Not heard that one. I wonder who they could have been?!

Not spotted this in your signature until now Andrew excellent stuff.

Another of my favourites.

Cheers

Ade

Excellent scenics there Andrew. I'm very impressed with the rough grass.