RMweb Gold Popular Post Re6/6 Posted November 22, 2012 RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted November 22, 2012 Also posted in the 'Railways of Devon' SI section (Railways of Plymouth) A few snaps taken about 10 years ago of the track near the entrance area of the Cattewater bitumen depot. The tanks were usually shunted down the branch with an 08 and collected by the bitumen loco at the gates. I understand that class 66s made a few appearances on this dodgy track. It would have been interesting to see that. The depot has closed and I believe that the track has now been removed. I have a few more of the depot and locos if anyone would like to see them. I would love to create some 4mm trackwork like this but would no doubt be a disaster! Note the tie bars to keep it to gauge. Looking towards the tunnel. Check out the checkrail gap. Definitely not to P4 standard! 26 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted November 22, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 22, 2012 I've got an old video lurking somewhere which has a good length of film of this branch. Anybody want to borrow it (if you have one of those old VCR type things hidden away) P @ 36E Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Looks like my track, interesting pics thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Harrap Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Also posted in the 'Railways of Devon' SI section (Railways of Plymouth) A few snaps taken about 10 years ago of the track near the entrance area of the Cattewater bitumen depot. The tanks were usually shunted down the branch with an 08 and collected by the bitumen loco at the gates. I understand that class 66s made a few appearances on this dodgy track. It would have been interesting to see that. The depot has closed and I believe that the track has now been removed. I have a few more of the depot and locos if anyone would like to see them. I would love to create some 4mm trackwork like this but would no doubt be a disaster! Note the tie bars to keep it to gauge. Looking towards the tunnel. Check out the checkrail gap. Definitely not to P4 standard! I like the standard/ broad (7ft) gauge track at the far end, got any pics of that John. Brian 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSB Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 (edited) This was certainly a fascinating area to explore. There is an interesting picture looking across the Esso depot and Plymouth Tar Works c.1952 in 'Steam Around Plymouth' (page 120) by Bernard Mills (Tempus Publishing Limited, 2003) which really brings home how much has vanished.Howard Edited December 29, 2012 by HSB 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gary H Posted November 23, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 23, 2012 (edited) I was involved in the major upgrade of that line about 5 or 6 years ago. We renewed all the rail from the boat yard area, about half a mile before Cattedown itself and renewed most of the S&C in the sidings inside the terminal, not to mention several hundred sleepers that were changed between there and Friary yard. We even dug out that road crossing to renew the sleepers and rails through it with new tarmac. Not 2 years after all that work and money, the line was shut for good and lifted. Indeed some of the guys that carried out those renewals were also instrumental in ripping it out although not me on that occasion! A great shame IMO. This is a picture i took on my phone on its penultimate day of existance looking toward the road crossing from the direction of the boat yard. By dinner time that day, it had gone. Looking towards the boat yard. Both taken on 10-2-2010. Edited November 23, 2012 by Gary H 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gary H Posted November 23, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 23, 2012 One tiny positive outcome of its demise was that 2 of the crossing booms and pedestals from the Shapters Way crossing were donated to the Life Centre in Bodmin. They were used to reproduce an indoor railway crossing to edjucate school children on the evils of crossing mis-use and railway tresspass dangers. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Interesting read,nice pictures... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
R A Watson Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 I like the standard/ broad (7ft) gauge track at the far end, got any pics of that John. Brian Brian, I don't think there was any broad gauge down there as the Cattewater branch was L &S W R not G W although it was dual gauge where it passed under the Laira bridge, due to the reduced clearance it was interlaced with the 4'6" Plymouth & Dartmoor (later Lee Moor Tramway) which terminated on the quayside adjacent to the bridge. Some time ago there were photographs in, I think, Railway Bylines of mixed gauge track on the corner of the dock but that was crane track not real railway as we know it. To the best of my knowledge that is still in situ but under the present concrete. There is a short length (about two feet) of original mixed gauge quayside track still on the Barbican but it is normally covered by cars, if you go to the marina original wooden pier then return northwards about fifty feet towards the harbour office there is a turnout in the cobbles, adjacent to the crossing nose you will find the extra rail. Wally 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Harrap Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 Brian, I don't think there was any broad gauge down there as the Cattewater branch was L &S W R not G W although it was dual gauge where it passed under the Laira bridge, due to the reduced clearance it was interlaced with the 4'6" Plymouth & Dartmoor (later Lee Moor Tramway) which terminated on the quayside adjacent to the bridge. Some time ago there were photographs in, I think, Railway Bylines of mixed gauge track on the corner of the dock but that was crane track not real railway as we know it. To the best of my knowledge that is still in situ but under the present concrete. There is a short length (about two feet) of original mixed gauge quayside track still on the Barbican but it is normally covered by cars, if you go to the marina original wooden pier then return northwards about fifty feet towards the harbour office there is a turnout in the cobbles, adjacent to the crossing nose you will find the extra rail. Wally Yes it was the crane trackage I was naughtily referring to. Still fascinating stuff and no less modelable, I have some pics from 20 or so yonks ago, Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted December 28, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 28, 2012 ....., I have some pics from 20 or so yonks ago, Brian Do put them up if you can find them Brian! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Popular Post Re6/6 Posted December 28, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Popular Post Share Posted December 28, 2012 The last few snaps of end part of the Cattewater Branch. This time some images of the bitumen depot and 'Cattewater' Sentinel shunter OOU at the end of a siding. This has been preserved and restored (at East Somerset Rly) and somewhat surprisingly on the Hornby 'new' list. The snaps show the weathering and drip stains of the bitumen tanks (TTAs?) and concrete weathering. To create these tanks are there some 'conversion' bits available for the Bach TTA or would it be an incorrect base wagon? Shows a good weathering effect for old concrete. These tracks did extend to Sutton Harbour but had stop blocks closing them off. Don't know if any of these still exist. I suspect that they've gone under the new harbour development. Pics of these loks are here http://www.eastsomersetrailway.com/gallery.php?gid=294 Will be buying one these of course! 22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernman46 Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Genesis kits do end-caps for conversion of standard TTA's to bitumen tanks................. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Harrap Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 The last few snaps of end part of the Cattewater Branch. This time some images of the bitumen depot and 'Cattewater' Sentinel shunter OOU at the end of a siding. This has been preserved and restored (at East Somerset Rly) and somewhat surprisingly on the Hornby 'new' list. The snaps show the weathering and drip stains of the bitumen tanks (TTAs?) and concrete weathering. To create these tanks are there some 'conversion' bits available for the Bach TTA or would it be an incorrect base wagon? img019a.jpg img020a.jpg Shows a good weathering effect for old concrete. These tracks did extend to Sutton Harbour but had stop blocks closing them off. Don't know if any of these still exist. I suspect that they've gone under the new harbour development. img021a.jpg img022a.jpg img023a.jpg img024a.jpg img025a.jpg img026a.jpg Pics of these loks are here http://www.eastsomersetrailway.com/gallery.php?gid=294 Will be buying one these of course! Hornby Cattewater lok.jpg Wheelbase looks short compared to your proto photo above, Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium HillsideDepot Posted December 28, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 28, 2012 Yes, I've been thinking that too, Brian. I think they have used an existing power bogie - that looks like a continental style coupling at the short bonnet end.Still, a useful addition for many who aren't confident at kit building.I really like those Cattewater photos, great inspiration for a layout, cliffs at the back, water at the front. Hmmmm....Adrian 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted December 28, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 28, 2012 Wheelbase looks short compared to your proto photo above, Brian I was waiting to see who spotted that! On reflexion we were very lucky to go on that Saturday morning to find some shunting going on. Very shortly after that it all came to an end. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbles2 Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Cattlewater at the East Somerset Rly this summer. ">http:// 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Brian Harrap Posted December 29, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted December 29, 2012 Do put them up if you can find them Brian! Some pics of the pseudo dual gauge (7' 1/4"crane track) at Cattewater taken in 1989. Since the cranes (gone by the time I got there) ran on the common rail I never have been able to work out how they got loaded/unloaded wagons around the cranes. A bit limiting otherwise methinks, Brian. 26 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Ray Posted December 29, 2012 Share Posted December 29, 2012 (edited) I found the images of the depot look pretty interesting. Also interesting, looking at both Bing.com & Google Maps images of the area, all views seem to show the depot in full operation - long rakes of tanks on the sidings, numbers of tanker trucks at the racks, and so on. Now, I was reading in the "Changing Face of Plymouth" thread that this facility (along with the Marsh Mills clayworks loading facility) had closed in 2008, so clearly those aerial views are way out of date. The questions I have are: Why did the Esso Bitumen Depot close in the first place? Seemed like a busy facility from the views. I didn't read any reason in either thread so far? Also, is Bitumen the same as Asphalt, the near universal road paving material around here in NY? You'd think there would still be a need for that. Finally, why did the Marsh Mills clay works stop loading? According to the Face of Plymouth thread, that and the Esso Bitumen facility shut down killed traffic on the branch (excluding a scrapyard, which apparently loaded wagons right on the single track of the branch...) Edited December 29, 2012 by Sir Ray 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post HSB Posted December 30, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted December 30, 2012 I've found the negs for some pictures I took 20-odd years ago when I went there with Brian a couple of times (he can be seen in the last shot studying a Proto12"-to-the-Foot point) Howard 23 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted December 30, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted December 30, 2012 Lovely pics Howard. It's all making it an irresistable thing to model! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernman46 Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Genesis kits do end-caps for conversion of standard TTA's to bitumen tanks................. They also do the rivetted end-caps for conversion of TTA's to LPG tanks also 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 There was/is an article in RMJ...somewhere....about converting either Hornby, or Airfix/Dapol, tanks into bitumen tankers....as a cheapo alternative to Bachmann items? http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/43680-esso-bitchumin-tanks-rebuilt-using-airfixdapol-kit/ above is one local link I have found.. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alastairq Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 I never have been able to work out how they got loaded/unloaded wagons around the cranes. A bit limiting otherwise methinks, Brian. Hi..would the cranes have been used as shunters? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthesnail96 Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Thanks for the photos- always intended to explore this when I was down there- used to go over the Shapter's Way crossing quite often. Then one day it wasn't there any more Considering the amount of railway that used to be around the centre of Plymouth, there's not only much left but often very little sign it was ever there. I've only just managed to work out where Millbay was! Had heard it mentioned but never thought to look, turns out it was where I sat my finals... Took me a while to work out I lived within what would have been earshot of Friary as well! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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