8. A day on the L&SWR & the Devon coast-30.05.81

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1981 > 8. A day on the L&SWR & the Devon coast-30.05.81

I spent a day on the L&SWR and the South Devon coast with my former teacher Mr. Brush and a new railway acquaintance Paul who of the three of us was the only one who drove! We travelled down from Bradford-on-Avon is his 'W' registration Austin Metro that would have been almost brand new at this time. Unfortunately, the weather, for the last Saturday in May, was really poor with a lot of grey dullness with the coast enveloped in sea mist for the entire day. However, the weather was more than made up for with the variety of traction seen and photographed not that I would have probably recognised this so much at the time!

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Images 1-32 of 32 displayed.

Ex SR trespass sign, Whimple SY047974
The Southern Railway was established as part of the 1923 grouping and operated in that guise until nationalisation in 1948. At its very youngest, when this cast sign was photographed at Whimple station in 1981 it would have been thirty-three years old but at its oldest closer to sixty! There would have been thousands of cast signs of various types all around the country most of which simply disappeared but some would have been saved and now are part of private collections.
Keywords: Ex SR trespass sign Whimple SY047974 cast iron

Ex BTC regulations & conditions notice, former goods shed, Whimple
We explored the former goods shed adjacent to Whimple station with impunity on this quiet Saturday morning with the doors open and the gates to the yard having been removed! Inside the dark interior, we stumbled across this vintage paper notice stuck to the boarding. Posted by the British Transport Committee it lists the conditions of carriage that today would be referred to as Ts&Cs! The BTC was established as part of Nationalisation in 1948 being abolished in 1962 under the chairmanship of the infamous Dr. Richard Beeching.
Keywords: BTC regulations & conditions notice former goods shed Whimple

Class 116 DMU set P319, unidentified down service, Whimple good yard
I was under the impression that DMUs were not particularly common on the L&SWR route between Salisbury and Exeter the route more normally being associated with locomotive-hauled services. A Class 116 DMU set number P319 is seen arriving at Whimple with a service heading towards Exeter. If anybody can advise me as to what service this could have been please do get in touch via the contact me link at the bottom of the page. This is not a very good quality photograph but in fairness it was one that I rescued from the reject box largely due to its subject matter.
Keywords: Class 116 DMU set P319 down service Whimple good yard

50038, 07.38 Exeter St. David's-London Waterloo (1O06), Whimple goods yard
I am not a particular fan of 'going-away shots' but this particular one of 50038 'Formidable' leaving the Devon village of Whimple is interesting. Leading the 1O06 07.38 Exeter St. David's to Waterloo the Class 50 is passing the entrance to Whimple's good yard that still saw occasional use and was largely intact. Notice the telegraph poles carrying the wires that linked the signal boxes that were still in control of this once very important trunk route. By this stage in 1981, its importance was much diminished with long blocks between signal boxes and with it singled for large sections. It was earmarked for closure by BR but remarkably it survived and is very much on the ascendency.
Keywords: 50038 07.38 Exeter St. David's-London Waterloo 1O06 Whimple goods yard Formidable

Ex SR bench, Whimple station
A general air of decay and a lack of care had enveloped Whimple station with it in receipt of a very poor level of service by this stage in 1981. A survivor from pre-Britsih Railways days appears to be this bench painted in a somewhat faded Southern Railway green paint with the station's name hand-painted. It was located on the down platform that has now been removed and the area flattened with the single track now serving the former up platform.
Keywords: Ex SR bench Whimple station

47185, 06.32 Salisbury-Exeter St. David's (2V54), Whimple station
47185 leads the 06.32 Salisbury to Exeter St. David's service into the tiny Whimple station. The photograph reveals the superb former Southern Railway good shed that was still in very limited use at this time with transportation of silica stone from nearby quarry evidence of which can be seen with the white dusting on the tracks of the loading bay. There was also an occasional Wagonload service for the village's Whitways Cider company that itself closed in 1989. Unfortunately, the goods shed was demolished in 1990 in an act of absolute vandalism and something that would be unlikely to occur today with the goods yard now occupied by the inevitable housing estate! Notice the various items of prefabricated concrete in this photograph, including the footbridge on which I am standing, all products of the Southern's concrete plant located fairly close at Exmouth Junction.
Keywords: 47185 06.32 Salisbury-Exeter St. David's 2V54 Whimple station

47082, 09.00 Paignton-Newcastle (1E36), Teignmouth
47082 'Atlas' accelerates away from Teignmouth station, the end of the down platform of which can just be seen, working the 09.00 Paignton to Newcastle service. With the verticals of the bridges appearing to be plumb the extreme camber of the track is clear to see rather than me, the photographer, having tipped the camera! Atlas survived in service until 2007 after being renumbered 47626 being cut up at EMR's facility at Kingsbury. Notice that somebody appears to have purloined the work's plate from just below the second man's window!
Keywords: 47082 09.00 Paignton-Newcastle 1E36 Teignmouth Atlas

45045, 10.20 Paignton-Manchester Piccadilly (1E72), Teignmouth sea wall
Looking relatively smart 45045 'Coldstream Guardsman' leads the 10.20 Paignton to Manchester 1E72 service along the sea wall near Teignmouth. As can be seen, the weather was particularly poor on the penultimate day of May with a heavy haar enveloping the coastal strip of South Devon.
Keywords: 45045 10.20 Paignton-Manchester Piccadilly 1E72 Teignmouth sea wall Coldstream Guardsman

50034, 07.57 Penzance-Liverpool Lime Sreet (1M85), Teignmouth sea wall
50034 'Furious' heads along the sea wall through the mist leading the 1M85 07.57 Penzance to Liverpool. The Class 50 would lead the train as far as Birmingham New Street where an AC electric would take over the train to its destination. It would be another year (almost to the day!) until 50034 would head to Doncaster for its much-needed refurbishment emerging back into service again in October 1982.
Keywords: 50034 07.57 Penzance-Liverpool Lime Sreet 1M85 Teignmouth sea wall Furious

31131, unidentified up working, Teignmouth
With the rather ornate tower of Teignmouth's St. Michael the Archangel church largely obscured by the haar drifting in from the sea 31131 makes a racket as it accelerates away from the town's station on to the sea wall. It is passing a curiously positioned home signal some distance from the box that was located at the far end of the station. Also, notice the treddle operated track greaser on the down track and the jauntily angled sixty miles per hour speed limit sign. Unfortunately, I have not been able to identify the working but given the motive power and the stock I suggest that it may be some sort of local from Paignton; perhaps the enthusiast hanging from the first droplight may be able to advise me if he ever comes across this image!
Keywords: 31131 up working Teignmouth sea wall

50047, 07.45 Kensington Olympia-Newton Abbot & St. Austell (1V34), Teignmouth
Watched by a group of 'normals' out for a promenade on the rather damp and foggy sea wall at Teignmouth 50047 'Swiftsure' makes a fine sight as it passes at such close quarters. 50047 was a refurbished member of the class identified by its centre-fitted headlight having been one of the earliest to be so treated entering back into service just under a year previously. It is leading the 1V34 07,45 Kensington Olympia to Newton Abbot and St. Austel Motorail service the flats of which can just be seen towards the rear of the train. The Newton Abbot portion of the flats will soon be detached on arrival in about ten minutes' time hopefully with the respective car owners doing the same! The remains of the train would then continue on into Cornwall.
Keywords: 50047 07.45 Kensington Olympia-Newton Abbot St. Austell 1V34 Teignmouth Swiftsure Motorail

45061, 07.28 Derby-Paignton (1V62), Parson's Tunnel
One of my favourite photographs of a Peak! It shows split head coded 45061 emerging from Parson's tunnel leading the 1V62 07.28 Derby to Paignton now covering the final few miles of its journey as it heads along the sea wall towards Teignmouth. The split headcoded examples of the Peaks were a favourite type in my eyes and I was always pleased when I captured one on film including another example (45024) dominating the home page of this website. I have always been curious about the three people standing at the top of the rather slippery and small steps on to the sea wall in this scene, they appeared to be enthusiasts but are taking no notice of the passage of this train probably uninterested due to it being hauled by a rather boring and mundane Peak on some Mk. 1 stock; what they would give for that scene today!
Keywords: 45061 07.28 Derby-Paignton 1V62 Parson's Tunnel Peak split headcode

50042, 09.15 Penzance-Manchester Piccadilly, Parson's tunnel
A dramatic photograph taken using my 135mm telephoto lens attached to my Pentax ME Super shows 50042 'Triumph' approaching Parson's Tunnel on the South Devon sea wall leading the 09.15 Penzance to Manchester service. Unfortunately, by using the telephoto I have managed to crop out the rear of the train something that I also managed to achieve of a Class 50 hauled train at the same location two years previously, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/26669851004/x50011-13-48-plymouth-london-paddington .
Keywords: 50042 09.15 Penzance-Manchester Piccadilly Parson's tunnel Triumph

Cast street sign, Mere Lane Teignmouth
A superb example of a vintage piece of street furniture in Teignmouth. This cast sign in the town's Mere Lane will have dated from the start of the twentieth century with its placement precipitating the moving of the previous street sign looking at the recess in the stonework of the building behind that I believe today is the Thornhill Hotel.
Keywords: Cast street sign Mere Lane Teignmouth

50027, 13.20 Paignton-London Paddington (1A25), Shaldon Bridge
The placing of the buffet/restaurant car directly behind the locomotive would usually identify this service as one departing from Paignton with this example being no exception as it left the town a little earlier at 13.20. The 1A25 service to Paddington is seen passing Teignmouth's Shaldon bridge with 50027 'Lion' leading the train as it heads into the sea fog. Looking at the photograph in a little more detail appears to reveal no passengers sitting at the tables in the Mk. 1 coach at this side at least.
Keywords: 50027 13.20 Paignton-London Paddington 1A25 Shaldon Bridge Lion

50016, 14.20 London Paddington-Newquay, Newton Abbot station
A nicely framed photograph of 50016 'Barham' as it approaches Newton Abbot station leading the 14.20 Paddington to Newquay service. The GWR era infrastructure is very much in evidence from the impressive East signal box to the grand signal gantry with its timber dolls. Notice also the larger British Railways (WR) flanged enamel sign at the end of the platform ramp.
Keywords: 50016 14.20 London Paddington-Newquay Newton Abbot station Barham

45003, 08.38 Manchester Picadilly-Paignton (1V32), Newton Abbot station
45003 leads the 1V32 08.38 Manchester to Paignton service away from Newton Abbot just a few miles from its desitnation. The locomotive is passing under the superb six doll gantry that was controlled by the West signal box just off to the right. Notice the attached set of calling on arms at the base of the dolls permitting drivers to pass the main arms at danger at extreme caution as far as the next stop signal.
Keywords: 45003 08.38 Manchester Picadilly-Paignton 1V32 Newton Abbot station

47098, unidentified down working, Newton Abbot station
47098 makes a typical smokey departure from Newton Abbot leading an unidentified down service that I suspect was heading on to Cornwall rather than to Paignton due to it being on the down main rather than the relief. This photograph has had a lot of Photoshop treatment as it was rescued from the reject box due to chronic under-exposure. If anybody can advise what the Cardiff based Class 47 was working on this particular day it would be appreciated.
Keywords: 47098 down working Newton Abbot station

50014, 11.30 London Paddington-Paignton (1B68), Newton Abbot station
50014 'Warspite' makes a row as it departs from Newton Abbot station leading the 1B68 11.30 Paddington to Paignton service. The gantries above the stock supported lights that illuminated the extensive carriage sidings in the yard adjacent to the station. The sidings formed part of the relatively new and purpose-built diesel depot constructed at the end of steam ostensively to service the diesel-hydraulic fleets that replaced the Kings, Castles and Halls. The new depot itself did not last very long closing the year that this photograph was taken with all servicing now moving to Laira. A large industrial estate now occupies most of the site.
Keywords: 50014 11.30 London Paddington-Paignton 1B68 Newton Abbot station Warspite

45061, 14.15 Paignton-Oxford (1A45), Newton Abbot station
Seen a little earlier on the sea wall, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30023741506/x45061-07-28-derby-paignton-1V62 split headcode 45061 returns from Paignton with the 1A45 14.15 service to Oxford. It is seen entering Newton Abbot's past the West signal box and the absolutely magnificent down gantry controlling westward movements from the station. This is strange working and I am not at all sure of its routing and if the Peak takes the train to whole way. I suspect that the Peak would have come off at Bristol and then the service would continue along the GWML to take the Didcot West curve with Class 47 in charge; advice anybody?
Keywords: 45061 14.15 Paignton-Oxford 1A45 Newton Abbot station Peak

47060, 12.35 Penzance-Cardiff Central (1C52), Aller Junction
47060 passes Aller Junction just west of Newton Abbot leading the 12.35 Penzance to Cardiff Central service. I saw and photographed the same Class 47 at the same location, albeit going in the opposite direction, the previous summer but since then it has been in the works for its headcode panel to be plated over, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/29751820604/x47129-10-55-london-paddington-newquay
Keywords: 47060 12.35 Penzance-Cardiff Central 1C52 Aller Junction

50017, 10.23 Manchester Piccadilly-Plymouth (1V82), Aller Junction
This image of 50017 'Royal Oak' is a little spoilt by some motion blur but presents an impressive sight as it passes under Aller Junction's six doll (with four still in use) down gantry. The Class 50 was leading the 10.23 Manchester to Plymouth 1V82 service that the girl on the bike riding along the adjacent A380 appears to be racing! 50017 was the third member of the class to be refurbished at Doncaster re-entering service on 05.02.80.
Keywords: 50017 10.23 Manchester Piccadilly-Plymouth 1V82 Aller Junction Hoover Royal Oak

45112, 08.00 Newcastle-Newquay (1V83), Aller Junction
An unusual angle at Aller Junction shows a more side-on view of 45112 'The Royal Army Ordnance Corps' working the 1V38 08.00 Newcastle to Newquay service. I photographed the same Peak last summer operating on its more natural route, the Midland Mainline passing Wellingborough, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/29653197204/x45112-up-working-wellingborough
Keywords: 45112 08.00 Newcastle-Newquay 1V83 Aller Junction 'The Royal Army Ordnance Corps'

46051, 10.39 Manchester Piccadilly-Paignton (1V85), Aller Junction
The eleven coach 10.39 Manchester Piccadilly to Paignton 1V85 would have been electric hauled as far as Birmingham New Street where 46051 took over working seen here passing Aller Junction. Earlier in the day, 46051 had worked south to Birmingham from Leeds leading the 1O13 07.50 to Weymouth.
Keywords: 46051 10.39 Manchester Piccadilly-Paignton 1V85 Aller Junction Peak

50014, 16.40 Paignton-Newton Abbot (2B31), Aller Junction
Having earlier in the day worked the 1B68 from Paddington 50014 'Warspite' is seen again passing Aller Junction. Rather than simply running as an empty stock move BR actually operated the Mk. II stock from the down Paddington service as a service train making good use of resources, this time as the 2B31 16.14 Paignton to Newton Abbot stopper. On arrival, the stock would go to the carriage sidings for servicing.
Keywords: 50014, 16.40 Paignton-Newton Abbot (2B31), Aller Junction

45111, 09.50 Bradford Exchange-Paignton (1V86), Aller Junction
45111 'Grenadier Guardsman' looks particularly smart having just been released from an overhaul at Derby Works as it approaches journey's end leading the 1V36 09.50 Bradford Exchange to Paignton service. This Peak survived in service for another six years so I suspect that the recent work's visit was probably its last apart from routine maintenance and repair.
Keywords: 45111 09.50 Bradford Exchange-Paignton 1V86 Aller Junction Grenadier Guardsman

45013, unidentified Paignton working, Aller Junction
Unfortunately, try as I might I have been unable to identify what train 45013 was leading as it approached Aller Junction on this dull afternoon on the last day of May. The signal on Aller's fine gantry indicates that it was heading towards Paignton and the Mk. I stock would tend to indicate that it perhaps was coming from the northeast, can anybody help out with the service please? Formally D20, 45013 stayed in service until April 1987 carrying the unofficial name 'Wyvern' and some other embellishments applied by the enthusiastic staff at Tinsley towards the end of its life.
Keywords: 45013 unidentified Paignton working Aller Junction Peak

50045, light engine to Laira, Aller Junction
50045 'Achillies' is pegged to head off up and over the Devon banks (the first being Dainton a short distance away from here at Aller Junction). It will have an easy time of it running as an unidentified light engine movent to Plymouth Laira. Despite all the room in the world I have not managed to frame this photograph quite correctly, no luxuries then of high-speed continuous shooting with just one chance to expose a single Kodachrome slide on my superb Pentax ME Super!
Keywords: 50045 light engine to Laira Aller Junction Achillies

46051, 17.02 Paignton-Newton Abbot, Aller Junction
Having seen 46051 heading in the opposite direction a short time earlier completing its journey from Birmingham New Street it is seen returning again with the same stock now operating as a local stopper, the 17.02 Paignton to Newton Abbot service. The train has just passed Aller Junction's signal box where the line further west towards Plymouth and Penzance diverges from the route to Torbay and Paignton.
Keywords: 46051 17.02 Paignton-Newton Abbot Aller Junction Peak

50018, 14.25 London Paddington-Plymouth (1B02), Aller Junction
The final picture of the thirty-two that made the cut (there were a few that did not make it out of the reject box) from my superb day out with David and Paul shows 50018 'Resolution' getting up to speed at Aller Junction leading the 1B02 14.25 Paddington to Plymouth service. As soon as the train pulls away and clear of the junction it starts the assault on the fearsome Dainton bank so drivers were always keen to get a clear signal on leaving Newton Abbot in order to build up some speed. A class fifty should have plenty of power to haul a mixture of Mk. II stock along with a Mk. I Buffet/Restaraunt and the ubiquitous Mk. I BG tagged on at the rear up and over the gradients of Devon even if the air conditioning fitted to some of the stock would sap some of its power.
Keywords: 50018 14.25 London Paddington-Plymouth 1B02 Aller Junction Resolution

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