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North Devon line (was Eggesford July 2014)


Ramblin Rich
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  • 2 weeks later...

Work has come to a halt today because of the health risk to the workforce, which was planned to be 50+ at the weekend. The project will be delayed by at least six months maybe longer. We now have the surreal sight of the completed replacement bridge sitting in a field in front of our home and remaining there for a long time.

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  • 6 months later...

I got 166 202 still in GWR blue on the Barny branch today. That old livery must be disappearing fast now. 

 

Now on 158 958 GWR green on the way back to Exeter. These are a lot better than the days of 153s.

 

Earlier blue 150 219 was working on its own on the Exmouth Paignton due to a failure. Needless to say it was overcrowded, especially when a load of young RM commandos boarded at the camp. 

 

Terrible day for photography but will see if there's anything worth uploading later. 

 

 

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I suddenly realised that I haven't actually ridden on a train all year and needed a bit of a 'mojo boost'.

A few images of the 'new order' on 22nd October 2020. 3 car class 158 units passing at Eggesford. 158 958 northbound, passing 159 957 southbound.

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A rather grey day so not the best of images, but good to see more nicely appointed units taking the place of the 143/150s - although I'd still like a ride in the front of a 1st generation unit with the blinds up to see ahead!

 

 

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There is now a diagram for one Turbo on the branch on Saturdays and Sundays. It comes down from Bristol ECS early on Saturday, stables overnight at Exeter and returns ECS to Bristol on Sunday evening. The other two weekend diagrams are booked for 158s and all three are 158s M-F, although a 150 can be substituted if a 158 isn't available. On Sunday the three diagrams produced real variety: 150261+143621, 158951 and 166202. GWR's remaining 143s will probably cease operating with the December timetable change, 143611 has recently been stood down and is being stripped for useable parts and only four are required to cover the currently booked work.

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On 28/10/2020 at 05:51, Ramblin Rich said:

although I'd still like a ride in the front of a 1st generation unit with the blinds up to see ahead!

 

Perhaps it's time for an operator to install a webcam and stream the view through the onboard wi-fi - not as good as the old dmu's but better than nothing.

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On 28/10/2020 at 10:24, Mike_Walker said:

There is now a diagram for one Turbo on the branch on Saturdays and Sundays. It comes down from Bristol ECS early on Saturday, stables overnight at Exeter and returns ECS to Bristol on Sunday evening. The other two weekend diagrams are booked for 158s and all three are 158s M-F, although a 150 can be substituted if a 158 isn't available. On Sunday the three diagrams produced real variety: 150261+143621, 158951 and 166202. GWR's remaining 143s will probably cease operating with the December timetable change, 143611 has recently been stood down and is being stripped for useable parts and only four are required to cover the currently booked work.

While the 158s are a big improvement I will be a bit sad to see the end of the 143s, I commuted on them many times to and from Bristol, and also often on the Exmouth/Paignton route after they had been sent west.

 

cheers  

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  • 5 months later...

Work continues at a pace at the Coleford  Junction end of the Tarka line. The whole line from Crediton is closed until 19/4/21. The old bridge is ready to be replaced by the new one that was constructed last year. Today a practice run is taking place with the new bridge moving alongside the old one and jacked up to the same level. After this the track will be removed and the old bridge removed on Monday or Tuesday. The new bridge should be put in place next Friday. So for a while the Tarka line will be cut off from the rest of the network! I hope to post further pictures as the work progresses.

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  • 3 months later...
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A few shots around Crediton on Monday 23rd July 2021. 158 958 forming the 14:35 from Barnstaple to Exeter Central, approaching the signal box for token exchange, then moving into the station. 

 

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158 950 on the right, passing in the other direction forming the 15:14 Exeter Central to Barnstaple.

 

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Token exchange

 

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A nice touch, actually marked on the back as a replica!

 

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Edited by Ramblin Rich
correcting photos
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  • 4 weeks later...

Trip from Umberleigh to Exeter today- even with covid nervousness, loadings heavy on 9.43 to Exeter and 3.15 back to Barney.  Great to see shiny railheads on route to Okehampton.  Exeter Riverside depressingly devoid of freight of any description.

 

A lot has changed in 45 years, but the Tarka line is certainly on the up.  Most convenient way of visiting Exeter from up here near Umberleigh.

 

Cheers.

 

Matt W

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