2. The journey back-31.08.80

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1980 > 15. August bank holiday weekend in Devon-30 & 31.08.80 > 2. The journey back-31.08.80
Sunday dawned much brighter than the previous day so we struck camp, packed the Austin 1100 (UVJ 129J) and got on with the business of taking photographs! We spent the day not venturing very far from an area centred on Newton Abbot finally heading home at teatime from Cockwood Harbour.
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Images 1-21 of 21 displayed.

Class 43 & GGV, 09.45 Plymouth-London Paddington (1A16), Lillisford Farm SX823647 The 09.45 Plymouth to Paddington HST service passes our campsite at Lillisford farm between Totnes and Newton Abbot. This 1A16 was the first up express service on a Sunday morning and Graham looks suitably unimpressed that it was an HST looking as though he has not raised his camera to capture the scene. Unfortunately, due to some motion blur, I have been unable to identify the power car leading the train Keywords: Class 43 HST 09.45 Plymouth-London Paddington 1A16 Lillisford Farm SX823647
47252, 08.00 Bristol Temple Meads-Plymouth, Lillisford Farm SX823647 47252 descends Dainton towards Totnes leading the 08.00 Bristol to Plymouth (SUo) service. The train is seen in the early morning Sunday sunshine passing where we had spent the night 'rough camping' (with the permission fo the farmer) close to Lillisford farm. As 47747, the loco. survived into the privatisation era becoming an EWS liveried machine and then to Riviera Trains. It was stored for many years being cut up in 2013 by Booths. Keywords: 47252 08.00 Bristol Temple Meads-Plymouth Lillisford Farm SX823647
W51321, W59473 & W51306, 10.05 Plymouth-Paignton, Dainton Tunnel SX852665 Even on a quiet Sunday morning, I would never recommend getting into a position such as this to get a train photograph! I am not at all sure what on earth the driver would have thought but close examination of the scan reveals that he is not even looking at us! A Class 118 DMU, set P464 has just emerged from the eastern end of Dainton tunnel about to pass its up home signal working the 10.05 Plymouth to Paignton service. This train would reverse at Newton Abbot to continue its journey. This would have been the first point where the driver would have a chance to report two trespassers on the line in the days before mobile 'phones. Keywords: W51321 W59473 W51306 10.05 Plymouth-Paignton Dainton Tunnel SX852665 Class 118 DMU set p464
Stoneycombe (Sidings) signal box (GW, 1894) I cannot fully remember how Graham and I got to this position opposite Stoneycombe Sidings signal box, to give it its proper and full name despite what the BR corporate image sign says. I think that it involved climbing some fences and a walk up the line, something that could and should never be undertaken today. Surprisingly, despite appearances, the box was a relatively early construction dating from 1894 and has an unusual flat reinforced concrete roof to protect it from falling stone during blasting. There was a huge hole in the ground just behind it where the stone had been extracted over the years with an even larger one behind where I am standing to take the photograph. Whilst the signal box could still be operated it rarely was being semi-permanently switched out. Amazingly, the box still stands with the widows bricked up and somewhat enveloped in greenery and can be seen, if one is quick, from passing trains. The frame still survives and is in use at the GWR Didcot Railway Museum now fitted to the former Frome North box now named Frome Mineral Junction. Keywords: Stoneycombe Sidings signal box GWR Great Western Railway
47473, 08.25 London Paddington-Penzance, Stoneycombe Quarry 47473 leads the 08.25 Paddington to Penzance service past Stoneycombe Quarry on the ascent of Dainton bank with the summit some mile and half away. This view reveals the up home signal controlled by Stoneycombe Sidings signal box that was permanently switched out at this time probably only being manned when a train moved in or out of the sidings to the right. By this time, there were very few train movements associated with the quarry witnessed by the rusty railheads despite some loaded twenty-four ton 'Dogfish' wagons seen in the distance. The stone conveyor and loading chute have only very recently been removed as it still appears on the latest Ordnance Survey map but has gone when looking at Google Earth with the latter still clearly showing the signal box as seen in the previous photograph. Notice the unusual arrangement of the domino headcode dots on this end of the Class 47 with the left hand one being somewhat out of position! Keywords: 47473 08.25 London Paddington-Penzance Stoneycombe Quarry
W51099, W59416 & W51076, 11.25 Exeter St. Davids-Paignton, Aller SX875689 The 11.25 Exeter St. David's to Paignton service approaches Aller bridge on a quiet Sunday lunchtime. The Class 119 set number P596 has just passed Aller Junction, indeed the signal box can be seen in the distance to the top left just below St. Luke's church tower. While a photograph from this exact position is still possible today the scene is totally different with a number of roads associated with the A380 relief road now crisscrossing the background with the railway disappearing into a short tunnel just behind the large tree on the left that has unfortunately been cut down. Keywords: W51099, W59416 & W51076, 11.25 Exeter St. Davids-Paignton, Aller SX875689
45013, 08.55 Cardiff Central-Paignton (1B18), Aller Junction 45013 nears journey's end at Aller Junction leading the 08.55 Cardiff to Paignton service. It is passing under Aller Junction's impressive four-doll gantry that spans to pair of down lines. With four semaphores either the Paignton or Plymouth down can be accessed from both lines. As D20 45013 was new to service in February 1961 making it nineteen years old when seen here in glorious Devon! It continued in service for another seven years eventually being cut up at Springburn in 1994. Notice the natty Mk. 1 Ford Fiesta passing along the A380 racing the train, with its black vinyl roof and side stripes I suspect that it was an S model making the car a maximum of two years old when this photograph was taken. Keywords: 45013 08.55 Cardiff Central-Paignton 1B18 Aller Junction Peak
50045, 07.45 Kensington Olympia-St. Austell Motorail (1V34), Aller Junction Behind the eight Mk. 1 coaches being hauled by 50045 'Achilles' are a number of Motorail flats that look healthily loaded with some of the finest cars of the era no doubt! The Class 50 (formally D445) is leading the 07.45 Kensington Olympia to St. Austell service past Aller Junction delivering another tranche of holidaymakers and their cars to the south-west for their summer break. The car and caravan combo making its way along the A380 towards Newton Abbot have not taken advantage of the train. According to contemporary records, the car towing the 1970's vintage caravan is a one-year-old Lancia of some kind. There is an audio recording of this event on my youtube channel, see..https://youtu.be/c3yKbZyNRa4 Keywords: 50045 07.45 Kensington Olympia-St. Austell Motorail 1V34 Aller Junction Achilles Class 50 D445
47060, 10.55 London Paddington-Newquay (1B60) & 47129, unidentified Paignton working, Aller Junction The attack of the Duffs at Aller Junction! 47129 has the road on the down Paignton with an unidentified service composed of Mk. 1 stock. Meanwhile, 47060 is being held at the gantry waiting for the road to get the 10.55 Paddington to Newquay away. It is unfortunate that the route is not pegged meaning that the driver will have to make a standing start get away with the line almost immediately beginning its climb of the fearsome but fairly short Dainton bank. By pure coincidence, both these locomotives are still registered and see regular use on the network being owned and operated by DRS. Indeed, 47129 became 47813 and attracted particular attention during the COVID pandemic emblazoned with a large NHS logo, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/29133975204/x47813-11-05-wolverton-centre-sidings 47060 became 57008 in 1999 as one of Freightliner's locomotives. Notice the Mk. 1 Morris Marina racing the train along the A380 road that is painted in one of British Leyland's finest colours 'Harvest Gold' an incredibly optimistic euphemism for beige! There is an audio recording of this event on my youtube channel, see..... https://youtu.be/26Lvlm6_fs0 Keywords: 47129 10.55 London Paddington-Newquay 1B60 47060 Paignton working Aller Junction
50035, unidentified Paignton working, Aller Junction Having been held directly behind the previous Paignton working led by 47129, 50035 'Ark Royal' has just been given the road by the signalman in Aller Junction signal box. The driver has just opened up the power handle on the locomotive to get the train going again but shuts it down after he has passed hot on the heels of the previous train. For many, 50035 was the doyen of the class and would enter Doncaster works two months from when this photograph was taken for its much-needed refurbishment. There is an audio recording of this event on my youtube channel, see..... https://youtu.be/26Lvlm6_fs0 Keywords: 50035 Paignton working Aller Junction Ark Royal
50011, unidentified down working, Aller Junction Unfortunately, the sun has gone behind an errant cloud at Aller Junction. 50011 'Centurion' is well into its stride leading a long rake of Mk. 1 stock as gets a good run at Dainton bank passing under Aller's fine gantry. This locomotive had another seven years in service being the first member of the class to be withdrawn in February 1987. Keywords: 50011 unidentified down working Aller Junction Centurion
50013, unidentified Penzance working, Aller Junction The driver has just opened the power handle on 50013 'Agincourt' at Aller Junction. The train had been held at the signal for a short time so the driver would have been eager to get away heading onwards to either Plymouth or Penzance. 50103 has its high-intensity headlight fitted meaning that it has gone through Doncaster works as part of the Class 50 overhaul programme. Indeed, it had left the plant only two months previously and would remain in service for another eight years receiving its large logo livery in between. There is an audio recording of this event on my youtube channel, see..... https://youtu.be/-QL7oNWtYEg Keywords: 50013 Penzance working Aller Junction Agincourt
Newton Abbot East signal box (GW, 1926) The very impressive Newton Abbot East signal box is seen with the town's racecourse just visible to the extreme right. The box opened in 1926 along with the West signal box. Both were constructed when the station was extensively rebuilt by the GWR as a further effort to speed up its trains to the west. The box had a huge two hundred and six lever frame. The box was so long that it had two coal-burning stoves to keep the interior warm on cold winter nights. The box closed over the weekend on 01-04.05 87 with the newly built Exeter Panel taking over control of the signalling. I am not at all sure how Graham and I got to this position to take this photograph? Keywords: Newton Abbot East signal box
253007, 14.25 London Paddington-Penzance, Parson's Tunnel Just catching a patch of evening sunshine at Parson's tunnel HST set 253007 makes its way along the sea wall working the 14.25 Paddington to Penzance service. Graham and I are quite blatantly the 'wrong side' of the fence (or the wall in this particular case) to take this photograph. We will actually have been standing on the site of the closed Parson's Tunnel signal box that was taken out of use way back in 1964. Unfortunately, I could not identify the power cars of the HST but it would have been one of either W43014 or W43015, both of which now forms part of Network Rail's NMT, see...... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/28656932604/x43013-43014-14-24-derby-rtc-derby Keywords: 253007 14.25 London Paddington-Penzance Parson's Tunnel
25225, 17.50 Paignton-Exeter St. David's, Dawlish station Over the years various motive power was employed in and around Exeter working its local services augmented with by some first-generation DMUs. Class 25s were regular performers and always provided a bit of variety trundling along the sea wall. Unfortunately, 25225 is in the evening shade as it leaves Dawlish leading the 17.50 Paignton to Exeter St. David's service. Some years later, these trains were replaced by wholly inadequate Skippers as they were dubbed in the West Country. Keywords: 25225 17.50 Paignton-Exeter St. David's Dawlish station
46023, 12.05 Leeds-Penzance (1V86), Cockwood Harbour On driving past Cockwood Harbour on the way home the sun was absolutely perfect so I perswaded Graham to stop for a while and take advantage of the superb lighting. 46023 heads west with the 12.05 Leeds to Penzance service formed of a uniform set of Mk. 1 stock. 46023 would continue in service for another three years eventually being cut up at Basford Hall in the spring of 1994. Interestingly, the small boat leaning at an angle on the harbour's mud appears to have lost its For Sale board that was seen yesterday; perhaps the owner sold it, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/29740304004/x50042-13-30-paddington-paignton Keywords: 46023 12.05 Leeds-Penzance 1V86 Cockwood Harbour Peak
45027, 18.10 Paignton-Swansea (1C64), Cockwood Harbour With just six months left in service 45027 passes Cockwood harbour in lovely evening light leading the 1C64 18.10 Paignton to Swansea service. This location was one very much favoured by railway photographers over the years. Trains can still be captured passing this spot but nasty fencing has been erected on the embankment that does spoil the view. Keywords: 45027 18.10 Paignton-Swansea 1C64 Cockwood Harbour Peak
45017, down parcels working, Cockwood Harbour The third Peak working within fifteen minutes passes Cockwood Harbour on a glorious late summer evening. Ex D23 now numbered 45017 heads west chasing the setting sun with a down parcels working. 45017 fared fairly well in the survival stakes having another five years in service and then lasting another six years before it was cut up in 1991. Keywords: 45017 down parcels working Cockwood Harbour Peak
43031 (253015), 16.25 London Paddington-Penzance, Cockwood Harbour Unfortunately, with the failing light and using Kodachrome film meant that I was pushing things a little to capture an HST at speed with no motion blur. 43031 leads the 16.25 Paddington to Penzance service past Cockwood Harbour with the Exe Estuary in the background. Set 253015 entered service in October 1976 initially working between Paddington and Bristol and South Wales. At the time of writing in 2020 it remains in service but in Scotland as part of their super-seven programme. Keywords: 43031 253015 16.25 London Paddington-Penzance Cockwood Harbour HST
Class 43, 18.40 Plymouth-London Paddington, Cockwood Harbour A classic location and a classic train! An unidentified HST power car and set passes Cockwood Harbour with the 18.40 Plymouth to London Paddington train. Unfortunately, even a close examination of the power car does not reveal its number. However, it does reveal the family by the bridge who are fitting themselves up with buoyancy aids that seems odd as the tide is well and truly out making any sailing activities tricky! Keywords: Class 43 18.40 Plymouth-London Paddington Cockwood Harbour HST
47008, up empty newspaper working, Cockwood Harbour The final photograph of the weekend trip to Devon. What is believed to be 47008 heads north along the side of the Exe Estuary leading a train composed of newspaper vans that I presume are empty? The train is passing the classic location at Cockwood Harbour between Starcross and Dawlish Warren. With the light all but gone by this stage in the evening, it was time to face the Austin 1100 eastwards and to head for home. Keywords: 47008 up empty newspaper working Cockwood Harbour

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