pb_devon

It can only be conjecture as to what would have become of the old line. At best it would have been downgraded to a freight only line, but would not have survived very long after WW2.

The access to the Looe branch at Liskeard is tortuous, and unsuitable for through running from the main-line. When the Government offered cheap money in the mid 1930s to create jobs, the GWR developed some schemes to use this. The direct Looe line was one of them. See here for futher info http://brucehunt.co.uk/south%20east%20cornwall/proposed%20short%20cut%20to%20looe.html

Brian, If you look on the Plymouth City Council website: https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/parkingandtravel/transportplansandprojects/woolwellgeorgejunction You'll see they are planning a capacity increase for the A386, albeit peicemeal. So far from a co-ordinated transport policy, our 'leaders' still follow an ad-hoc short-term route. Paul

What a totally misleading report! The accompanying images include a pic of a fully completed railway station, with no mention in the caption that it's not Okehampton! Any casual reader would think the station is already there.

Don't get too excited! What Mr G actually said was: “We have instructed GWR to prepare plans to introduce regular train services to Okehampton, with the objective of securing a credible and costed plan for delivering an all-week, all-year train service between Exeter and Okehampton as soon as reasonably practicable." That seems a little short from being able to board a train! Still good news though. However you need to understand there is some political background as a group of local Tory MPs have refused to back the HS2 bill unless some money comes to the South West.

Correct... 50% discount.

Which begs the question.....what about freight use of this line? If I saw a banker in 1966 what freight passed this way then and when did it end?

When I started work in the city in 1966, I regularly saw a banker (08 or similar) in the short siding north of Farringdon, as seen in this video. Thanks for posting this gem.

Force Ten from Navarone and Devonport Dockyard The Columbia Pictures film made in 1978, entitled “Force Ten from Navarone”, included a long sequence filmed in Devonport Dockyard utilising the dockyard railway. In February of that year the film team and the starring cast, including Robert Shaw, Harrison Ford and Edward Fox, used the area around the South Smithery in South Yard as a wartime location depicting a port in Yugoslavia under German control. One of the Hibberd Planet locos and a rake of BR and Dockyard trucks played a large part. The loco carried a German swastika but the original truck numbers appeared in the background, giving away the game. At the end of the ten minute sequence the actors climbed into one of the trucks, and the train headed north towards the tunnel to emerge into the Yugoslav hills. Otherwise it was a terrible film!

Hi Brian, Your new eyes are working overtime! The gate and track are to the Wrangaton goods siding. Nothing more exciting than that. Pb

I drove along the the Embankment yesterday, so If I'd known you were fiming I would have waved!

Thank you CK for this mention....all are welcome to come and 'meet the author' this coming Saturday. The book will be on sale.

Here is a 1950s film including Brixton: https://www.britishrailways.tv/train-videos/2014-05/southern-steam-in-london-at-brixton-clapham-and-wandsworth-road-in-the-1950s/ The Urban75 website has old images: http://www.urban75.com/ London Metropolitan Archives have images around London: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/london-metropolitan-archives/images-film/Pages/default.aspx

From the Swiss Railways yahoo group. Today at about half past eleven HGe 4/4" 5, coming from Disentis, should run round its train after having arrived on track 2. But instead of going to track 1 it went straight on back to its train where it pushed into B 2284. Around 100 passengers, among them 65 pupils, had already boarded the train at that moment. Result was around 30 injuries. No damage can be seen on the rolling stock. Speed of the locomotive was indicated with between 15 and 20 km/h. .

Not main-line, but Devonport Dockyard had 0-4-0 industrial steam running across wagon turntables from 1860s onwards.

To explain what brianusa refers to: Plymouth station stabbing: Murder investigation as man dies http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-40862325 While the police closed off the concourse, a side entrance was opened (where red star used to be IIRC). Booking office and ticket machines were inaccessible, so onboard purchase was permitted.

All good suggestions T_T. I'd add one more - the crossover wasn't operable, hence keeping to the down. However (based on my experience operating the branch), I'd go with the first two. If the latter, they'd just keep the loco on the dockyard branch until it was suitable to move out. I have bad memories of freezing winter nights hanging around at the Junction in such situations!

It would be interesting to know why the loco went to Saltash for reversal. There is a crossover at Keyham North GF specifically for movements from the Yard.

See also the CRS July 2017 headlines page for inside pics... http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/headlines---latest-reports-and-photographs

In the meantime here is the news item in todays Herald: http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/sailors-celebrate-as-train-named-in-honour-of-plymouth-warship-hms-argyll/story-30434752-detail/story.html The loco was stabled at the south end of Drake Platform, a short distance down the branch.

That "yardee" would have been me three or more years ago!! I will see if the MoD PRO can oblige.

Wide/large buffers are required where there are sharp curves, to avoid buffer lock.

A joint study by Plymouth City, South Hams, and West Devon Councils to see if there is a demand. http://plymouthnewsroom.co.uk/study-look-future-demand-railway-station-plympton-area/

My 25 yr old model has a loose axle (on the driven axle). Looking for a set of wheels with rods, or a running chassis (analogue). Model no 11001.

As a footnote, the Twelveheads Press website says the book is 'under consideration for reprinting'. Also they did a book 'Rail & sail to Pentewan' by a former loco fireman and his father driver, which could have the answer. Both are OOP. See the Twelveheads webpage for their OOP books, which gives details.