Western Sunset
Established Member
Indeed; with 72010 "Hengist" being built at Swanage. What's happened to that project?
Clan 72006 came south to Old Oak Common, and worked a special from Paddington to Swindon on 9/12/63.I meant MN 35028, 'Clan Line', yes, she worked an RCTS tour from Waterloo, which ran down to Poole and then up the S&D (how far?) but I have seen a pic of her passing Henstridge. I wasn't referring to a 'Clan' (72xxx) class, although didn't 72004 come south (possibly to the SR, but not S&D specifically) on some one off occasion, or is my memory playing tricks?
I can confirm that 34044 Woolacombe worked over the Dorset in rebuilt form at least once;
John34006, 008(R), 013(R), 015, 018(R), 025(R), 028(R), 029(R), 036(R), 037 (R), 039(R), 040(R), 041, 042(R), 043, 044(R), 045(R), 046(R), 047(R), 048(R), 049 (as 21C149), 057, 067, 079, 092, 093(R), 094, 095(R), 096(R), 099, 102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 108(R), 109(R) and 110.
This project is still going very well with the build now taking place in Sheffield at CTL Seal (- together with the B17 Spirit of Sandringham project).Indeed; with 72010 "Hengist" being built at Swanage. What's happened to that project?
I remember seeing parts for it at Herston Works in Swanage. Glad it's making progress.This project is still going very well with the build now taking place in Sheffield at CTL Seal (- together with the B17 Spirit of Sandringham project).
I don't think many would. Not only was it a narrow, tight-fit bore, completely unventilated, but it lay at right angles to the prevailing wind so didn't get much assistance from any smoke from the previous train being blown out.That said, I wouldn’t have fancied going through Combe Down Tunnel.
Just as well nothing had to follow the double headed Bulleid Pacifics (34013+34057) through, on the last day of service on 6th March 1966.I don't think many would. Not only was it a narrow, tight-fit bore, completely unventilated, but it lay at right angles to the prevailing wind so didn't get much assistance from any smoke from the previous train being blown out.
Quite so, but to my mind Devonshire Tunnel appeared to be even tighter. There are numerous pictures taken from near the tunnel mouth facing NW of trains climbing out of Bath, but not so many taken from Maple Grove bridge facing SE towards the tunnel mouth. I think I read somewhere the clearance from chimney top to tunnel roof (Devonshire) was a mere 6 inches or so. Certainly looked almost impossibly tight in photos of same. There is a documented (somewhere - I'm typing from memory at the mo) of an Up freight with a 7F I believe, may be in the 1920's(?) where the crew became overwhelmed in the longer Combe Down tunnel, and as a result the train ran away down the bank in to Bath, and (again from memory of reading somewhere) the fireman was killed I think in the resulting derailment at Bath Junction.Not only was it a narrow, tight-fit bore, completely unventilated
Thank you kindly. will add that to my (unwritten) list of MN's!Has mention been made of 35023 working light engine over the S&DJt on 28/3/65
That'll be the one I remember reading about, thank you.On 23 November 1929 2-8-0 89 (now preserved) ran away and derailed in Bath Yard due to the crew being overcome.
The whole line from Radstock to Bath has now apparently been turned into a cycleway/walkway. I haven't seen it, but one day when in the area again I will put my bicycle in the car and go for a ride along the whole length and back (as I have done on the comparable path from Weymouth towards Portland). There are various videos of it on Youtube.Quite so, but to my mind Devonshire Tunnel appeared to be even tighter. There are numerous pictures taken from near the tunnel mouth facing NW of trains climbing out of Bath, but not so many taken from Maple Grove bridge facing SE towards the tunnel mouth. I think I read somewhere the clearance from chimney top to tunnel roof (Devonshire) was a mere 6 inches or so. Certainly looked almost impossibly tight in photos of same ...
My last memories are of walking through part of Combe Down back in the late 70's, long before it became a cycle way (is that correct??), but Devonshire tunnel, although open (at the time, at the SE end) was completely land filled at the Bath end. Maple Grove bridge, one could still walk under, but from then on the infill rose upwards to completely bury the tunnel mouth. Shame in a way as the walk through to Lyncombe Vale in today's world could be a very pleasant setting. I'm well out of touch with the area now.
Having read your comments, I took a gander at Giggly earth, and although not (as yet) a comprehensive view of the line (from ground level) as it is today, for those of us who know the route, it is easy to follow. Must say, I am a bit gobsmacked that Devonshire tunnel has been re-opened. Combe Down was always a possible in the days I was last there, so all credit to those who have been involved in keeping the route alive.The whole line from Radstock to Bath has now apparently been turned into a cycleway/walkway
34006, 008(R), 013(R), 015, 018(R), 025(R), 028(R), 029(R), 036(R), 037 (R), 039(R), 040(R), 041, 042(R), 043, 044(R), 045(R), 046(R), 047(R), 048(R), 049 (as 21C149), 057, 067, 079, 092, 093(R), 094, 095(R), 096(R), 099, 102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 108(R), 109(R) and 110.
JohnDerek Cross' 'Double Headed Trains -1 South' affords photographic evidence that 34025 Whimple and 34036 Westward Ho did traverse the line in rebuilt form (1960 and 1959 respectively).