1. Exeter to Totnes-30.08.80

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1980 > 15. August bank holiday weekend in Devon-30 & 31.08.80 > 1. Exeter to Totnes-30.08.80
We drove directly from Wiltshire (home) to Exeter via Shepton Mallet, Taunton and thence the M5 to Cullompton. After a cloudy start, the sun soon came out and we enjoyed some pleasant late summer weather. Lunch was taken in the grounds of Powederham Castle (ex GWR 4-6-0 4080 of course!)
Click here to search The Archive Files


Images 1-14 of 14 displayed.

50020, 09.32 Penzance-Wolverhampton (1M39), Exeter Middle I don't know how Graham and I managed to get ourselves into this spot directly in front of Exeter Central signal box in full view of the signalman? With the glorious trio of shunting disk signals in the foreground, 50020 'Revenge' leaves St. David's station with the 1M39 09.32 Penzance to Wolverhampton service. There is an audio recording of this event on my youtube channel, see...https://youtu.be/SUcFbgXnVK0 Keywords: 50020 09.32 Penzance-Wolverhampton 1M39 Exeter Middle Revenge Class 50
50001, 12.10 Paignton-London Paddington (1A01), Exeter Middle 50001 (ex D401) now named 'Dreadnought' leaves Exeter St. David's with the 1A01 12.10Paignton to Paddington service. It was easy to identify particular services at this time as it was policy (on the Western Region at least) to place the reporting number in the windows of the BG, in this case using stick-on labels. Of course, reading these labels when a train was running at speed was all but impossible! In this 'going away' photograph the former goods depot can be seen with an impressive array of mechanical signalling controlled by Exeter Middlel box. Just visible in the distance is Exeter Riverside box and beyond that 47060 is seen approaching with the 10.27 Paddington to Paignton. There is an audio recording of this event on my youtube channel, see...https://youtu.be/rYJk-LTtHO0 Keywords: 50001 12.10 Paignton-London Paddington 1A01 Exeter Middle Dreadnought warship Class 50 47060 10.27 Paddington-Paignton
Graham, climbing fence, Exeter Basin This is how to get access to difficult to get to signal boxes! However, back in the 1980s fences were lower, there were no CCTV cameras and there was a more tolerant approach so have things improved with time....I'll let you decide! The purpose of this bout of fence climbing was to get access to Exeter City Basin signal box, a tricky box to capture but one with an interesting history nonetheless. I must make it clear that I do not condone such behaviour. Keywords: Graham, climbing fence, Exeter Basin
Exeter City Basin signal box (BR, 1962) The rear of Exeter City Basin signal box is seen in some welcome sunshine This was one of the Western Region's 'plywood' boxes as they were often referred to being similar to others at Evesham and Onibury. This one was built in 1962 to British Railways and it is nice to see that even on the rear it retains a cast plate. This was as far as Graham and I dared get to the box as it was manned and we were the wrong side of the fence. The rusty tracks in the foreground led down to Marsh Barton but originally were at the start of the Great Western 'inland' route to Newton Abbot via Heathfield. With the continual pressure of the present sea-wall route today serious consideration is being given to the re0opeing of this route. Notice the magnificent Exeter Cathedral on the skyline. City basin box survived the initial resignalling of the Exter area in 1985 surviving on another year until November 1986 to permit railway access to Marsh Barton with the demolition gang moving in during February 1987. Keywords: Exeter City Basin Signal Box
47497, 08.39 Manchester-Newquay (1V42), Exeter City Basin SX917915 A photograph marred slightly by some motion blur but one that I have included for its rarity value. There are precious few pictures taken at Exter City Basin due to it being a tricky place to access. Against a dramatic sky, 47497 leaves Exeter leading the 1V42 08.39 Manchester to Newquay service. However, I stand to be corrected on this as it would be unusual to see air-conditioned stock on this train. The down home bracket signal has been shorn of its submissive arm that would have permitted access to the stub of the former inland route to Newton Abbot but by this time was just a withered arm leading into the Marsh Barton industrial estate that saw infrequent use. Keywords: 47497 08.39 Manchester-Newquay 1V42 Exeter City Basin SX917915
Ex GWR lamp (Thorlax), Starcross station A remarkable survivor on Starcross station back in 1980 was these former GWR lamps on each platform. They were manufactured by Thorlux who are still making electrical lighting and fittings today at their state of the art factory in Redditch. I suspect that their catalogue today does not contain such elaborate or ornate products like these fine lamps! Keywords: Ex GWR lamp Thorlax Starcross station
50042, 13.30 Paddington-Paignton (1B84), Cockwood Harbour Back in the days when Cockwood Harbour could be photographed without the scourge of fencing spoiling the view! With an array of small boats sitting on the mud, including one for sale if you call Exeter 66058, 50042 'Triumph' passes leading the 13.30 Paddington to Paignton. 50042's paintwork looks a little faded and was another two years until it got the call to head north to Doncaster for rebuilding. Keywords: 50042 13.30 Paddington-Paignton 1B84 Cockwood Harbour Triumph
46044, 09.08 Newcastle-Paignton (1V87), Cockwood Harbour A regular route that the Class 46s could be found on was the NE (Newcastle) to SW (Paignton, Plymouth and Penzance) with both Gateshead and Plymouth having an allocation of the class for such services. Indeed, 46044 seen here was a Gateshead locomotive from May 1973 until it was condemned in April 1984. It is seen passing Cockwood harbour between Starcross and Dawlish Warren leading the 1V87 09.08 Newcastle to Paignton train. Unfortunately, since the previous photograph was taken the sun has gone in behind some heavy cloud that has completely changed the quality of the image. Keywords: 46044 09.08 Newcastle-Paignton 1V87 Cockwood Harbour Peak
25225, 17.25 Exeter St. Davids-Paignton (2B34), Dawlish Warren station The Dawlish Warren station seen in this photograph was opened in 1912 by the GWR replacing a much smaller station slightly further west where the 1873 footbridge, that is still in use today, is located. The station's purpose is to serve the adjacent holiday parks and enjoyed a great deal of use during the heyday of British staycation period during the mid-twentieth century. 25225 brings the 2B34 Exeter St. David's to Paignton stopper into the station passing the GW signal box. Notice the line of vintage Thorlux lights stretching the length of the up platform that would have probably been installed during Great Western days Keywords: 25225 17.25 Exeter St. Davids-Paignton 2B34 Dawlish Warren station
50035, 16.15 St. Austell-Kensington Olympia Motorail, Teignmouth sea wall Unfortunately, by the time Graham and I reached Teignmouth, it was late afternoon and the sun had disappeared behind the landward side of the famous sea wall thus making decent photographs tricky. 50035 'Ark Royal' leads the 16.15 St. Austell to Kensington Olympia Motorail service away from Teignmouth no doubt taking holidaymakers and their cars home after their holiday in the South-West. Once again I have failed to capture one of the Motorails without the actual car flats being in the photograph! I like this particular photograph due to the personal interest element to the left illustrating the enduring attraction that trains have with adults and children alike. Also, on view, are a number of deck chairs have been placed right next to the line so that people, as well as looking out to sea and enjoying their sandwiches and flask of tea can be close to the trains! Keywords: 50035 16.15 St. Austell-Kensington Olympia Motorail Teignmouth Sea Wall Ark Royal
Class 45, unidentified down working, Teignmouth Sea Wall In the late afternoon, an unidentified Class 45 or 46 Peak heads along the sea wall commencing it journey inland as it approaches Teignmouth. I am surprised at the almost complete lack of people out taking the sea air on this late summer bank holiday weekend? A recording made at the same location of an up service can be heard on my Youtube channel at... https://youtu.be/m4SfL_YeTNs Keywords: Class 45 unidentified down working Teignmouth Sea Wall Peak
Teignmouth signal box (GW, 1896) Teignmouth signal box catches the early evening sunshine located at the western end of the down platform. The 1896 GWR box retains many of its original features in this photograph taken some six years prior to its closure. Keywords: Teignmouth signal box GWR Great Western Railway
Totnes signal box (GW, 1923) After dinner, Graham and I took a short drive to Totnes station. The impressive GW box dating from 1923 is seen on the up platform if a little blurred even when using Graham's tripod. Despite closure in 1987 the box still survives today and is now home to a busy and popular café that Andy and I sampled on our 2017 tour of Devon and Cornwall, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/24745323604/andy-43170-1c76-signal-box-cafe Keywords: Totnes signal box GWR Great Western Railway
Platform 1 (down), Totnes station Wreaking of the former GWR, Totnes' down platform 1 is seen in the dark on this chilly September night. Yes, I know that there are fluorescent lights, modern benches and BR corporate image signage but is heritage is unmistakable. There were once more buildings on this, the down platform, but they were destroyed by a Luftwaffe air-raid in October 1942. In addition, the original footbridge seen here to the left of the [photgraph was destroyed by a crane involved in track renewals in 1987 to be replaced by a modern example that itself was removed in 2019 to be replaced by one that has lifts and is fully compliant with accessibility legislation. Keywords: Platform 1 down Totnes station

Images 1-14 of 14 displayed.