Western limit of SR 4-6-0s

[Guest Jack Benson]

My apologies if this subject has been previously raised, I have recently been asking TM of this parish if he was aware of a limit of SR 4-6-0s west of Exeter. GM recently uploaded an image of a Maunsell Goods Arthur passing Cowley Bridge en route with a goods working to Plymouth however did the S15 reach Friary or was the train remarshalled at Yeoford Junction and the Plymouth portion worked forward to Okehampton where the loco was detached and turned in order work a ballast turn to Woking?  If so, what worked the goods to Friary, were all goods turns west of Exeter worked by Ns?

 

There are not many images of goods turns on the Withered Arm, most ran at night in order to provide paths for passenger traffic in daylight hours and of the few images, most are milk, refrigerated meat from the abattoirs near Okehampton, ballast from Meldon and slate dust from Delabole. 
 

Sorry to have chuntered on but goods on the SR western division is a personal interest, because it is a neglected subject.  
 

Cheers and Stay Safe

 

 

 

 

[chris45lsw]

Basically Maunsell 4-6-0s were not permitted to cross Meldon Viaduct so Meldon Quarry was as far as an S15 could normally go. This restriction was only breached during WW2 in 1944.  On 16/6/44 N 1833 went off the road at Halwill ending up in the Beaworthy Road.  Two attempts to drag it back to the rails using an S15, USA S160 2-8-0 and an N failed but a third try using Two King Arthurs (inc 453 "King Arthur") and three Ns succeeded.  Special dispensation was granted to allow the 4-6-0s and

2-8-0 to cross the viaduct.

 

Chris KT 

[Guest Jack Benson]

OK, thanks. 
 

A very interesting anecdote, can anyone confirm what worked Plymouth bound goods trains forward from Okehampton? Were S15s turned at Okehampton and the goods remarshalled at Yeoford Junction?
 

Thank you