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Eclipse Peat (Catcott)


Chris Nevard

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7369839898_2b9a52171c.jpg

nevard_120614_catcott_DSC_5845, a photo by nevardmedia on Flickr.

 

I haven't typed a 'Billy ######' page for ages, so here goes a snippett of parallel universe 'faction'.......

Click on the photo above if you think it's pretty and want to see a bigger one!

 

In 1966 Eclipse Peat (Catcott) upgraded its loading facility with the ability to handle the loose product as well as bagged. In August 1969, diesel hydraulic No. D6313 is captured propelling wagons under the loading hopper. On loading days, the tractor seen in the shot, endlessly pottered to and fro with loaded trailers of peat from the works seen just behind the loco.

 

Windy days, not that uncommon due to the proximity with the nearby Bristol Channel, would often create a peat storm, so loading frequently couldn't take place under such conditions, this making it unsuitable for rail transport with its rigid time table. In 1971 the rail transfer facility was withdrawn in favour of more flexible road haulage. The hopper here can still be seen; lorries now reversing under collect their load instead of railway wagons. Nowadays without the railway in the way, the hopper is fed by a 1500 yard continuous conveyor from the peat moor.

 

The old SDJR 'Branch' which shut as a through line in March 1966, remained open as far as Catcott and was worked as a long siding from Highbridge. The lack of run-around facilities meant that loaded trains were propelled backwards as far as the creamery siding at Bason Bridge, where the loco then ran around its train to travel further afield.

 

When rail transport from Catcott ceased in 1971, the railway was lifted back to Bason Bridge, which in turn shut in October 1972. One of the reasons for closure of the final section was the building of the M5 motorway which breached the line just east of the former Highbridge Locomotive Works.

 

This shot is totally un-manipulated. I hope that the typeface appeals to MRJ readers ;)

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Any plans for some 2 foot gauge track and a Lister to bring the peat from the works?

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  • RMweb Gold

At last we have an explanation for some of those D63XX failures which could never be solved at the time - loose peat in the air intakes etc. (and a good pic of it too - glad you could get down there at the time)

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Cheers!

 

There is a 2ft 3" gauge line running along behind the platform halt, and around the same time a preservation group relaid a couple of hundred yards of track so they could run trains two or three times a year on it calling themselves 'The Moors Light Railway'. Sadly the move to road transport made it inconvenient fo the preservationists to be there, and they disbanded around 1970/71. It's not known what happend to their loco, rumour has it that it was turned into Austin Allegros (baby poo coloured ones).

 

Here's a rare photo (of the engine, not baby poo)

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nevardmedia/3230413439/in/set-72157612020895249/

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Excellent modelling, of a standard that one can only dream of. I don't know if you are aware but there is quite an extensive 2 foot gauge railway at the Westonzoyland Pumping Station http://www.wzlet.org/index.htm down on the Somerset levels. There is a Lister engine there which they say came from Fisons Peat Works so perhaps the Allegro's didn't get it. Keep up the good work. The railway has not always been there so my guess is that a lot of the track came from there as well.

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