RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 1, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 1, 2012 A thread for occasional visits to the Waveney Valley line, from Tivetshall to Beccles - this will document whatever I can find remaining. The line was opened in 1862, becoming part of the Great Eastern, and progressing through the LNER to BR(E). It closed to passengers in 1953, freight was withdrawn form the Harleston - Bungay section in 1960, Ditchingham - Bungay went in 1964 and Beccles - Ditrchingham quickly followed in 1965. The final remaining section, Tivetshall - Bungay closed in 1966. Tivetshall was the junction for the main line from Norwich - London, the line is still open but the station site has been razed (I use the level crossing at the site twice a day), Beccles is (still open) on the East Suffolk line from Ipswich - Lowestoft. Source of most of the information Tivestshall - Beccles, Middleton Press, ISBN 1 904474 411 Anyway enough of the history for now. I was working at Clays (book printers) last week, this is built close to the site of Bungay station which has awakened my interest in the line, I had to pass through Harleston to/from work so eventually I stopped and took some shots. The main buildings still remain, now a builders merchant. Looking along the platforms Looking back from the (widened) level crossing, to the right were mills, and to the left were malthouses, my car is parked slightly off the line of the railway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium cnw6847 Posted April 1, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 1, 2012 There is a bridge pier the Bungay side of the Waveney river at Beccles with LNER and a date stamped in it and you can see the former tracked bed when you walk along the Waveney river. The bridge before Geldeston (Beccles side) is still there as is the station. The stations at Ellingham & Earsham are still there also the remains of the maltings that were rail served at Ditchingham. The good shed which is now a car garage is still at Homersfield. Pulham Market Station exists. I have a photo of bridge pier at Beccles at track bed, will post them later. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 1, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 1, 2012 My lovely lady and I decided - well I did anyway - to explore the remains of the line, from Tivetshall - Starston. This is what we found Tivetshall The modern RETB sets the scene The site of the signal box, (where the larger bush on the far right grows) abolished when Colchester PSB took control of the area. X50 means 50mph limit when working wrong line. From the other side of the line, the Waveney line curved away to the left where the blossom tree stands. Close up of the yard building A general view looking towards Diss The station site, to the left was a single platform, to the right was an island platform, the Waveney line had it's own platform face The site of the island platform, a third track crossed the road here. The site of the down platform A view from roughly the site of the ramp on the island platform looking across the station site. A sympathetic name on the local pub 170206 on 1G24, 13:36, Stowmarket - Norwich (engineering works at Ipswich meaning short working) Passing the station - no passengers waiting sadly. Note the guard with a camera (!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 2, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 2, 2012 Bumped due to editing previous post, meaning thread does appear in VNC list Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Harvey Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 You will be on Norfolks most wanted now Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin46 Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 You will be on Norfolks most wanted now Dave. Hi Pete he his only 'most' wanted by Jill Tim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium cnw6847 Posted April 9, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 9, 2012 Sorry for the delay in getting some pics on, i've been trying to find them. The LNER Bridge pier at Beccles on the west of the Waveney River Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium cnw6847 Posted April 9, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 9, 2012 The Beccles side of the Waveney River. The old track bed has been built on. Geldeston Station Building & Former goods shed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 13, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 13, 2012 Some more photos Site of a level crossing at Star Lane, Tivetshall The buildings The railway runs from right to left, following the pole route. Looking from Star Lane crossing to the A140 along the site of the railway. The crossing keepers house on the A140, zoomed in, visible in the above photo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 15, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 15, 2012 Moving back towards Tivetshall we find the crossing at Green Lane, this is about 200 yards away from Star Lane (above) and about 200 yards further on is Hall Road (visited but difficult to work out where it was, the land levels have changed, more research and then another visit) - the overheads in all of these no doubt accelerated the railways demise. From Green Lane looking along the railway to Hall Road (the building in the distance is part of the crossing keepers cottage but has been altered and the levels have altered so it's very hard, on the ground, to trace the route, another visit will ensue) (and the route is not as obvious as the hedges !) From Green Lane looking back to Star Lane Green Lane, the railway crosses at 90 deg to the road, where my partners car is parked. The house - "Crossing House" - some kids were playing to the left, so (sadly) I didn't feel it appropriate to take any more photos, I'll go back when they aren't around. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted April 15, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted April 15, 2012 Moving on towards the Pulhams the next interest is the A140 crossing, with another (sadly repossessed) structure stll standing The railway passed behind the building (in these views), the A140 is in front of me The side where the railway passed, the Middleton Press book has a nice photo of a 31 standing next to this building, the "lean to" style of extension on the right hand wall was not present when the railway was open although it doesn't encroach on the actual track bed. Cars meet on the (widened) site of the level crossing A sneaky view from the site of the railway at the back of the building, the A140 is on the other side of the structure. The railway ran roughly where the trees are to the left. Looking along the railway, towards Pulham Market, the church is just visible to the left, note how the pole route more or less follows the line here. Looking back towards Star Lane - the buildings in the posts above are visible to the lower right of the pylon, note how the railway has been infilled. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium cnw6847 Posted April 25, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 25, 2012 Ellingham bridge, the road to the right is Station Road, interesting to see the pill box next to the bridge. This view is of the old trackbed looking in the Beccles direction. This time looking from bridge towards Ellingham Station Looking through to bridge Ellingham Station from bridge Ellingham Station Another Ellingham station view of track bed from Station towards the Bridge Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold beast66606 Posted May 19, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted May 19, 2012 I forgot to finish uploading the photos from the first excursion Pulham Market The present owner has gradually been restoring a railway feel to the place, a friendly chap who was (justifiably) proud of his domicile. Looking towards Pulham St Marys The signal post comes from Tivetshall (see the first location in this thread, recovered when Colchester PSB took control of the area), it once signalled the branch trains onto the main line and off towards Norwich, and the arm from Mellis (where the Eye branch once left the Norwich - Ipswich line) The owner has installed a replacement canopy, not correct but still looks good Pulham St Marys - this station is completely demolished. Looking towards Pulham Market About the best view possible looking towards Starston The general site of the station - the house is called "Station House" but is not an original structure Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Very interesting read and photos!! nice to see photo with pilbox next to railway bridge... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERGE Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 svr + 2011 265.jpg Sorry for the delay in getting some pics on, i've been trying to find them. The LNER Bridge pier at Beccles on the west of the Waveney River What's the story behind the rebuilt abutment? Looking on Where's the Path? there appears to be a short branch at Pulham St Mary. What the story there? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium cnw6847 Posted December 3, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 3, 2013 Not sure why the abutment was rebuilt. The current footpath follows the river Waveney to Geldeston. There is no access to the top of the abutment, its signed private property. Will have to check out the books about the Pulham branch. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTW501 Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 I live nearer the Beccles end of the line and have been photographing the remnants over the last few years. My upload medium is Flick where I am also known as RTW501. I particularly like these shots of the part of the line between the Pullhams and Tivetshall. Especially the ones of the station building on the A140. I have included a couple of links. 1 - This is know as an “album”, a “set” until recently. In here will be all my uploads. They include my own photos of recent times, older ones of the working line by other people, a few maps and shots of tickets. I do my best to credit the shots that are not my own:- https://www.flickr.com/photos/rtw501/sets/72157628163229983/ 2 – This is a “group” started by myself. Included in here will be the shots in the “album”, but also some by other Flickr members. There are some interesting ones of old Ditchingham Station and Tivetsall as well:- https://www.flickr.com/groups/1832220@N24 I have more to upload in good time. Happy for feedback on Flickr or this blog. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTW501 Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 FEB 2013 - The Beccles to Tivetshall Trains would normally terminate at Platform 1. This is the brick face nearest the camera. Grass has completely overgrown the track bed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTW501 Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 DOCTORS LANE CROSSING WAS SITUATED BETWEEN STARSTON AND PULHAM ST MARY. All taken Nov 2011. Crossing keepers cottage Looking towards Startson Looking towards Pulham St Mary Part of old gate in garden of cottage. Not sure of it's origin. Another view of garden. Once more, not sure if this was the original gate. Two views of balcony on the north side of the gate keepers cottage. However, I am certain they are imported from Midland & Great Northern Railway, M&GN. The Great Eastern Railway would have covered this area and later London North Eastern. Part of 1921 OS showing route of Waveney Valley Line More information and photos of the Tivetshall to Beccles disused Railway Line:- https://www.flickr.com/photos/rtw501/sets/72157628163229983/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium cnw6847 Posted April 14, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 14, 2017 My Wife and I had a walk from Beccles to the Geldeston Locks Pub today. I managed to photo the bridge near the marina at Geldeston. Its to the Beccles side of the village Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RANGERS Posted April 14, 2017 Share Posted April 14, 2017 I'd guess the brackets supporting the veranda came from Yarmouth Beach. The building and canopy there survived to serve the coach station until it was finally demolished in the late eighties, the brackets were sold off via a dealer. Some were M&GN dating from the extension of the station, most were Eastern & Midland from the original construction of the canopy and buildings in the 1880s. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold russ p Posted April 15, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 15, 2017 Just come across this thread very interesting, on the subject of Yarmouth beach brackets there were quite a few stolen from Weybourne twenty odd years ago.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium cnw6847 Posted December 27, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 27, 2018 Yesterday my wife and I walked from Beccles to Geldeston along the River Waveney. I noticed two former Railway bridges I hadn't seen before. There appears to have been a bit of clearing and a couple of new paths so they are a bit more obvious. The first was on Gillingham Marshes approx 1/2 mile from the Beccles bridge remains. IMG_1370 by Richard Doe, on Flickr IMG_1369 by Richard Doe, on Flickr IMG_1364 by Richard Doe, on Flickr There is some of the trackbed in place just a little further west from the bridge IMG_1375 by Richard Doe, on Flickr The second was east of Geldeston marina about 10 mins walk. Its similar to the previous bridge but on private land so I could only get a photo from a distance. Its a poor photo but you can just make out the railings in the near the base of the tree in the centre of the photo. IMG_1379 by Richard Doe, on Flickr The next photo is the trackbed heading to Geldeston from near the last bridge IMG_1382 by Richard Doe, on Flickr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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