Whiteball to Starcross-01.08.79

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1979 > 15. West of England Bike Tour-29.07-04.08.79 > Whiteball to Starcross-01.08.79
A fairly long day. After striking camp at Whiteball, I ambled my way down towards Exeter and then rode out as far as Starcross where I found a little spot to camp next to the line to the north of the village. I treated myself to some chips for my dinner! The weather had improved and whilst there was some cloud it was a sunny and warm summer's day.
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Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.

50021, 06.24 Penzance-London Paddington, Whiteball ST082173 In the early morning summer sun, 50021 'Rodney' makes a heck of a racket as it ascends Whiteball from the west with the 06.24 Penzance to London Paddington. This picture is taken from a field close to where I camped just behind the signal box. This was a very remote and quiet spot with just the sounds from the signal box for company. The small village of Burlescombe can be seen in the background above the bridge. Keywords: 50021 06.24 Penzance-London Paddington Whiteball ST082173
50008, 08.34 Penzance-London Paddington, Tiverton Junction station Tiverton Junction Station was situated some five miles from the town of Tiverton. It was actually located in the village of Willand, a quiet place until the arrival of the M5 motorway no doubt! 50008 'Thunderer' takes the centre road through the station with the 08.34 Penzance to London Paddington. Behind the engine, the large signal box is seen on the up platform. The station was not particularly well placed and after steady rationalisation over the years, it was eventually closed in 1986. The new Tiverton Parkway was opened some three miles north of the old station but, ironically, now even further from the town of Tiverton! Keywords: 50008 08.34 Penzance-London Paddington Tiverton Junction station
50015, 11.30 London Paddington-Penznce, The Cornish Rivera, Hele & Bradninch With not a vehicle in sight on the M5 in the background, 50015 'Valiant' comes around the curve approaching Hele and Bradninch with the 11.30 London Paddington to Penzance, the down ‘Cornish Riviera’. The sidings to the left mark the point where the old station yard used to be. Note the milepost in the foreground showing 185 miles from London via the Bristol route. Keywords: 50015 11.30 London Paddington-Penzance, The Cornish Rivera, Hele & Bradninc
50046, 09.50 Penzance-London Paddington, Hele & Bradninch I did not quite get the positioning right in this photograph but I was using my agricultural Zenith EM camera with all its limitations, not least was its 1:500 /sec. maximum shutter speed. 50046 'Ajax' approaches Hele and Bradninch level crossing with the 09.50 Penzance to Paddington. As can be seen, the sun is out at last but, I am the wrong side for this train, perhaps I was caught out when the gates went down? Keywords: 50046 09.50 Penzance-London Paddington Hele & Bradninch
50038, 12.23 London Paddington-Penzance, Stoke Canon crossing The small village of Stoke Canon once boasted a station that closed on 13th June 1963. The signal box was located at the level crossing that was just behind me to my right. 50038 'Formidable' approaches the level crossing with the 12.23 London Paddington to Penzance sweeping into the reverse curve. In classic style, the two children on the far side of the line out on their bikes with their gran. watch the train pass. Just behind them is a large blue unidentifiable 1960's car of some kind along with a far more familiar red two-door Triumph Herald. Keywords: 50038 12.23 London Paddington-Penzance Stoke Canon crossing
50012, 13.48 Plymouth-London Paddington (1A03), Stoke Canon 50012 'Benbow' is seen passing the Stoke Canon Signal Box and level crossing with the 1A03 13.48 Plymouth to London Paddington. 'Benbow' was one of the five class 50s that ended up at Vic Berry’s scrap yard in Leicester. I am not sure it was ever at the top of the infamous stack of scrap engines that feature in so many contemporary photographs. It looks like I am in for a soaking if the black cloud rolling in from the west is anything to go by! Keywords: 50012 13.48 Plymouth-London Paddington 1A03 Stoke Canon
Stoke Canon Crossing signal box (B&ER,1876) Stoke Canon Crossing signal box was a small affair built very early in 1876 by the Bristol and Exeter Railway to a design by Saxby and Farmer. It was unusual in having a row of toplight windows. It is seen here still bearing its GWR cast ‘plate. Note the ground signal in the foreground protecting the cross-overs. At the time of writing in 2019, the box still stands but looks very sorry for itself but as the last surviving Bristol and Exeter signal box it is grade II listed by Historic England.... see..... https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1262013 Keywords: Stoke Canon Crossing signal box
50040, 12.20 Penzance-London Paddington, Cowley Bridge junction As the farmer in the adjacent field attempts to 'make hay while the sun shines' 50040 'Centurion' is seen approaching Cowley Bridge Junction with the 12.20 Penzance to London Paddington getting up to speed after its stop at Exeter St. David's. Cowley Bridge is the point where the present day Tarka Line diverges off towards Barnstable. In the past, it was a much busier junction as the former LSWR line also diverged here as it continued west being an alternative and, some say, a better route to the rest of Devon and Cornwall. This image clearly illustrates the shocking state that the class 50s had been allowed to get in prior to their extensive overhaul at Doncaster Works. Not only is 50040 in poor external condition but it is smoking badly as it gets up to speed. Keywords: 50040 12.20 Penzance-London Paddington Cowley Bridge junction
50011, 15.01 Penzance-London Paddington, Exeter St. David`s station I arrived at Exeter St. David’s just in time to see 50011 leading the 15.01 Penzance to London Paddington leaving the station. This 50 was the penultimate to be named and, in July 1987, was the first to be withdrawn. It is seen at the northern end of St. David’s Station from the level crossing just in front of Exeter Middle signal box. The level crossing was extremely busy, straddling all the lines in the throat of the station and was controlled by the box but a further member of the railway staff controlled the separate pedestrian crossing. He had a small hut at the foot of the main box and could always be seen in his hi-vis waistcoat about the crossing area. Keywords: 50011 15.01 Penzance-London Paddington Exeter St. David`s station

Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.