11. The Brewer's Droop-13.05.78

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1978 > 11. The Brewer's Droop-13.05.78
A local trip out on my bike from home. I rode the relatively short distance to Melksham to see 'The Brewer's Droop' railtour that ran from Paddington to Yeovil Junction and then back via Basingstoke to Waterloo. It was hauled throughout by the yet to be named 50036.
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Images 1-5 of 5 displayed.

Looking south towards Melksham, Dunch Lane A scene of decay and dereliction at Melksham taken from the bridge at Dunch lane. During this time, the line was under threat of closure even though it was a useful diversionary route when the GWML was closed. It carried very little freight. The former station was located in the very distance just before the next overbridge. However, today things are brighter for this Wiltshire line, it is firmly open again with a passenger service and some freight. It has also been extensively used as a diversionary route during works associated with the electrification of the GWML The scene is very similar today except the line is now singled and there has been a lot of vegetation growth. Keywords: Looking south towards Melksham Dunch Lane
50036, outward leg of The Brewer's Droop, London Paddington-London-Waterloo-(via-Salisbury), Melksham Dunch Lane 50036 brings the The Brewer's Droop railtour into Melksham taken from Dunch Lane just to the north of the town. The train had stopped for 2½ hours at Swindon and is about to do the same here at Melksham arriving at 12.45. 50036 was not quite ten years old when this photograph was taken, and was named 'Victorious' just three days later. It was a shame that this didn't happen in time for its railtour duties! Keywords: 50036 The Brewers Droop, London Paddington-London Waterloo Melksham Dunch Lane
50036, outward leg of The-Brewers Droop, London Paddington-London Waterloo (via-Salisbury), site of Melksham station Well done driver; what a smashing place to pull the train up so as to spoil the picture! 50036 sits under the A365 Bath Road bridge in Melksham whilst its passengers wander off into the town to sample some beer on offer, hopefully finding some local brews from Wadworths and Ushers. The Lea Valley Railway Club organised the appropriately named 'Brewer's Droop' from Paddington to Waterloo via Yeovil Junction (reversal) and Salisbury. The stock is standing where Melksham's station used to be located and also where it was re-built a few years after this picture was taken in 1985. Keywords: 50036 The-Brewers Droop London Paddington-London Waterloo site of Melksham station
50036, outward leg of The Brewers Droop, London Paddington-London Waterloo (via Salisbury), Bradford Junction As The Brewer's Droop railtour had a layover of some 2½ hours at Melksham to enable the passengers to 'take lunch' it gave me the opportunity to ride my bike to Bradford Junction. As I lived a couple of houses from the signalman on-duty, he allowed me access to this spot just in front of Bradford Junction signal box. 50036 is bringing the train slowly past with the secondman about to throw out the token for collection. Keywords: 50036 The Brewers Droop London Paddington-London Waterloo Bradford Junction
50036, outward leg of The Brewers Droop, London Paddington-London Waterloo (via Salisbury), Bradford Junction Having concluded his business with the signallman after the single line journey from Thingley Junction near Chippenham, the driver has the road away from Bradford Junction. The Lea Valley Locomotive Club's 'Brewer's Droop' railtour from Paddington to Waterloo via Yeovil Junction heads off towards Trowbridge and Westbury over Bradford South Junction lead by 50036. At Yeovil Junction, the 50 would run round and lead the train back to Waterloo via Salisbury. Keywords: 50036 The Brewers Droop London Paddington-London Waterloo Bradford Junction

Images 1-5 of 5 displayed.