RMweb Premium rab Posted September 4, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 4, 2014 I added this post to the Clan Line to Barnstaple thread but suspect it may have become buried so hope I'm not breaking any forum rules by starting a new thread. I see from UKSteam that the ACE return journey on 8th includes Exeter St. Davids to Central with a banker. This is obviously going to be something worth seeing but not knowing the area very well I'm wondering if anyone could recommend any good locations for viewing/videoing. (Mods: sorry if this is in wrong place) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted September 4, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 4, 2014 Have a look at Google earth. I can't recommend anywhere, as the last time I watched anything coming up the bank was in 1963 so things have changed somewhat. P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 4, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 4, 2014 If it's a good place to watch or photograph the banking, then one of the best places is at the Exeter Central end of the tunnel, from a cul-de-sac serving new housing/flat development (there is a footpath connection from that road to Queen Street). See the plan shown here. Queen Street bridge is also OK, but the parapets are fairly high. Exeter Central station is probably otherwise the best place. And when the train has passed, The Model Shop, Exeter (St Davids Hill, near the old Iron Bridge) is very close by, and you can go and spend lots of money with Dave Harding! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivercider Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Other than the good captains suggestion if you want a different view of things how about looking up from below? From Bonhay Road there is a view looking up to the bridge part way up the bank, I have seen a number of photos taken from the road. When I was in Exeter some time ago I took a couple of photos as I walked underneath, the locos would be working hard here Looking towards St Davids with a class 150 unit on the bank, 29/8/2013 cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Belgian Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 I was once early enough to have time to knock on a door of a house which overlooks the line just next to the entrance to the tunnel and the householder was kind enough to invite me and a couple of others into the house to get a magnificent view right the way from the start at St Davids into the tunnel. Things may have changed since though, but it could be worthwhile asking. JE Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium rab Posted September 6, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted September 6, 2014 Thanks for your help and suggestions Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivercider Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 I had to visit Exeter yesterday and decided to walk up the hill from St Davids. I walked in through Richmond Court the location suggested by Captain Kernow, there is a lot of greenery growing up the fence which will present problems it is also a private road, so residents parking only. Here is a photo taken from the Queen Street Bridge outside Exeter Central, I am 5'11" and was able to look over the parapet without stretching, you can see Richmond Court on the right of the line, I assume the car park on the left is Network Rail property, and as such out of bounds? cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianusa Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 It would appear that the down line is the only on in use these days. Is this so? Also being next door to a NR facility, they could have pruned back that bush! Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted September 6, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 6, 2014 There used to be extensive carriage sidings both sides of the tracks there back in steam days Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivercider Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 It would appear that the down line is the only on in use these days. Is this so? Also being next door to a NR facility, they could have pruned back that bush! Brian. A trick of the light makes the up line look rusty, both lines are in use (3 trains an hour up and down the bank for much of the day) cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted September 7, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 7, 2014 There used to be extensive carriage sidings both sides of the tracks there back in steam days The larger carriage sidings were to the left (now Nwk Rail Yard) and the other side was really only a headshunt (and?) a siding with wagon turntables to a timber yard I think it was. There were other coach sidings (and a shed) and proper wagon yards (coal and general goods) to the east of the station on the down side. On the up side, more to the side of the station there were also sidings, the cement facility, the Fyffes Banana 'shed' and the Goods Shed. What I hadn't cottened on to back then was how busy the extensive sidings were out at Exmouth Junction. It was here that the main train sorting got done, (mainly at night) with any WR stuff having come up from the WR yards north east of St David's. I think SR engines used to 'trip' the inter-regional stuff, but I believe the loco, on the Cement that came down from Westbury on the WR, worked up to Central. (I think this was usually a Hall working). I know of several folk on here that have quite extensive knowledge of that time late 50s and early 60s and what went on goods wise. P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gary H Posted September 8, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 8, 2014 I captured the pair passing Tavi Junction today. The pic just doesn't do them justice. They were taking a good run at the bank and were moving pretty quickly! Very impressive to see for this old diesel crank! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted September 9, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 9, 2014 Gary, I would like to copy this pic to 'A Nod To Brent' if I may - just for fun (you may see what I mean if you go over there). Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gary H Posted September 9, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 9, 2014 Mallard60022, on 09 Sept 2014 - 10:28, said: Gary, I would like to copy this pic to 'A Nod To Brent' if I may - just for fun (you may see what I mean if you go over there). Phil No problem Phil, be my guest! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 9, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 9, 2014 you can see Richmond Court on the right of the line, I assume the car park on the left is Network Rail property, and as such out of bounds? Until recently, you could have walked right up to that fence, although it's been a railway car park for many years. Now, however, as part of a property development, the NR car park now has a brand new electric sliding security gate and new palisade fencing around it. Sorry about that! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted September 9, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 9, 2014 Being unable to attend in person I've managed to find youtube footage - the train was almost crawling as it got into Exeter Central, although Tangemere seemed to have plenty of steam! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted September 10, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 10, 2014 I think they were having to be really cautious with Braunton 'banking' that didn't look as if it was working very hard at all. The last time two steam engines worked up there (double headed though) they stalled if I remember correctly. Back when the banker would have been going full throttle. Neat driving by the Tangmere crew. Both loco's look absolutely magnificent too. Happy memories for me of Summer days at Central in 1961/2. Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ramblin Rich Posted September 10, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 10, 2014 Antony Christie (aka Oguage83A) has posted some very nice images on his blogger site - see thread An ACE weekend Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium rab Posted September 10, 2014 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted September 10, 2014 I think they were having to be really cautious with Braunton 'banking' that didn't look as if it was working very hard at all. The last time two steam engines worked up there (double headed though) they stalled if I remember correctly. Back when the banker would have been going full throttle. Neat driving by the Tangmere crew. Both loco's look absolutely magnificent too. Happy memories for me of Summer days at Central in 1961/2. Phil I know that for operational reasons Braunton had to be tender first but I couldn't help wondering what effect if any this had on her performance. Running tender first up hill would have meant the boiler would have had to be kept pretty full Would this have affected the ability to produce steam?. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 10, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 10, 2014 I know that for operational reasons Braunton had to be tender first but I couldn't help wondering what effect if any this had on her performance. Running tender first up hill would have meant the boiler would have had to be kept pretty full Would this have affected the ability to produce steam?. Interesting point. I suspect it wasn't a problem, and over so short a distance. They should have had sufficient time to fill the boiler and bring her up to the mark while they were changing locos in Riverside Yard. I'll check with West Coast next time I speak to them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PhilH Posted September 10, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 10, 2014 As it happens I was on the footplate of 34046 for the banking operation. The fact that we were running tender first isn't really here nor there, in fact you have a better idea of water level as as long as the water is in sight with the regulator open you are ok - when the regulator is closed the water comes back, conversely when running chimney first an artificially high water level is displayed, when the reg is closed it drops quite alarmingly on a big boiler. Believe me we were trying, full back gear, 200 lb in the steam chest. That is one stiff climb with a sharp curve to boot! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted September 10, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 10, 2014 Believe me we were trying, full back gear, 200 lb in the steam chest. That is one stiff climb with a sharp curve to boot! And I'm very glad that you made it! 'Not making it' would not have resulted in a pretty aftermath... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted September 10, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 10, 2014 Yes actually this was a big train to get up there with even two Pacifics. 'Back then' it would have been 2 on front and two on the back; especially good when it was Zs! Well done Phil, Braunton does look in top nick. She looked beautiful up Gamston a few months back. P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gary H Posted September 10, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 10, 2014 PhilH, on 10 Sept 2014 - 19:42, said: As it happens I was on the footplate of 34046 for the banking operation. The fact that we were running tender first isn't really here nor there, in fact you have a better idea of water level as as long as the water is in sight with the regulator open you are ok - when the regulator is closed the water comes back, conversely when running chimney first an artificially high water level is displayed, when the reg is closed it drops quite alarmingly on a big boiler. Believe me we were trying, full back gear, 200 lb in the steam chest. That is one stiff climb with a sharp curve to boot! We couldn't really see what was going on at the rear with the banker so its excellent to hear first hand what it was like 'from the coal face' so to speak. Thanks, Phil. There's a lot of drag from tread brakes and the curvature no doubt! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Mallard60022 Posted September 10, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 10, 2014 On that U Tube link I hope you all enjoyed the sound of Tangmere galloping away from Central and being heard for about two minutes and then on another clip, Braunton really racing back down to St David's. Also, hasn't Central been made to look smart at last. Well done whoever owns it, not as good as in 1960 but looking tidy at last. Phil (ex 72A) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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