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Heathfield branch developments


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Lovely photos Tim - lucky to have some good winter sunshine!

If the train isn't leaving until tomorrow (Weds) was it left on site to be loaded or stabled elsewhere?

Train was left on site for training and loading until departure later today.

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Just caught up with this as the loco/wagons were used for the thrice weekly Ribblehead-Chirk past my back door which has now stopped.

 

How long is the contract for at Heathfield, as there's a rumour that the Ribblehead will be running again next year?

 

I notice that the ex-Rover Cube KSA's have been taken out of the formation and the train is all ex-cargowaggon KFA's.

 

Cheers,

Mick

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Just caught up with this as the loco/wagons were used for the thrice weekly Ribblehead-Chirk past my back door which has now stopped.

 

I think the train goes to Ribblehead after unloading at Chirk Mick .. :dontknow:

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Teignmouth is not good in general for photography in the afternoon - the sea wall is in dark shade, and the estuary you're looking into the sun (if it's out). So trying to make a bit of a silk purse out of a sow's ear for this afternoon's return loaded at Shaldon bridge (on time again, barely 25 minutes ago).

 

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Pauline and I (together with many others) have been working to restore the Stover Canal for some years now. The canal, built 1792, runs exactly parallel to the Heathfield branch, actually the other way round I guess, from Sea Lock behind B&Q to the interchange at Ventiford with the old Granite tramway which runs down from Haytor. From time to time there has been enough water in the canal for several of us to paddle our canoes up and down. We have often jested that it would be fun to race a train in a canoe one day, never even dreaming a train would ever actually appear. We were delighted to see the timber train today of course but as you can see not enough water to float a rubber duck. Better luck next time. Challenging photography here as well 10800 - sun in the wrong place - to low - wrong colour- moan moan, Brian. Ps do have a look at the Stover canal website, not too many people know the canal even exists.

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Here are some photos taken at Teignbridge just before departure today, the last two wagons were being loaded:

 

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The next trip is in two weeks time, down to Devon on 20/12/11 and returning on 21/12/11. After New Year it should go weekly.

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Fascinating stuff Cap'n. It's really good to see mothballed branches being brought back to earn revenue.

 

How is the loading done with reference to the length of the train and the level crossing gates?

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I remember that pic from a where's this item (sad lad that i am). Anyhow, what a great sight to see some 'real' freight' alongside the Teign and how brilliant that the Heathfield Branch lives again. Why has it survived by the way?

As an aside, I have driven over that bridge (in the far distance in Cap'n's pic of the station site) thousands of times earlier in my life; happy days.

This is the sort of thing that happens in Poland. They leave lines in situ seemingly for years and years and then there will be a burst of activity. I once went to collect some timber in some long forgotten woody place when driving with the Wolsztyn experience in 2003; that was fun as it was a 2.8.2.

P @ 36E (ex 83D)

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Why has it survived by the way?

 

It's been used on and off for a variety of freight flows. I guess these have been close enough together or there has been the prospect of further flows to justify keeping the branch mothballed when not in use.

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How is the loading done with reference to the length of the train and the level crossing gates?

They load the rear 7 or 8 wagons first, then when the loading is complete, they propel them over the crossing to the north side and stable them. You can see a raft of loaded wagons stabled there in the distance in one of my photos.

 

They then load the remaining wagons and propel them over the crossing to couple up with the first raft. When all coupled up and brake test completed etc., it's 'right away' to Newton Abbot and the North.

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Pauline and I (together with many others) have been working to restore the Stover Canal for some years now. The canal, built 1792, runs exactly parallel to the Heathfield branch, actually the other way round I guess, from Sea Lock behind B&Q to the interchange at Ventiford with the old Granite tramway which runs down from Haytor. From time to time there has been enough water in the canal for several of us to paddle our canoes up and down. We have often jested that it would be fun to race a train in a canoe one day, never even dreaming a train would ever actually appear. We were delighted to see the timber train today of course but as you can see not enough water to float a rubber duck. Better luck next time. Challenging photography here as well 10800 - sun in the wrong place - to low - wrong colour- moan moan, Brian. Ps do have a look at the Stover canal website, not too many people know the canal even exists.

Good news about this Brian, there's plenty of future in Canal Restoration. Something else to investigate next time I'm down that way.

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I believe that the branch also stables the ***** train from time to time as it has good access to one of the major roads though Devon and the place over the water, which probably also helps to keep it open.

 

SS

The historical practice alluded to by the Honourable Poster is understood to no longer be the case.

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why did the train go up the branch with the tail lights on the front?

Er.... (clears throat)..

 

Thank you for asking that question, that's a very good question.....We are very happy to deal with your query. Your questions are important to us ..........

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