Calstock on the Tamar Valley Line

Here are some photos from a trip we made last week to Calstock in Cornwall, on the Tamar Valley Line from Plymouth to Gunnislake.

We have been to Gunnislake before and walked down into the village, which is about half a mile away down a very steep hill - great for going down but a heck of a slog to walk back up!

Calstock is also downhill from the station but it is not as far and definitely not as steep!

We travelled to Plymouth on one of the new Class 800 trains, the HST's now having been withdrawn.

These trains are fast and smooth enough but the seats are like sitting on wooden planks. They are much too hard for long journeys. The arm rests are also too low, such that they are useless for doing what their name suggests.

We also miss being able to go to the buffet car whenever you want since you now have to wait for a trolley to pass by. This, of course, could be at any time and might even be just as you are about to alight from the train!

Also, a word of warning to those of you travelling to stations with shorter platforms, like Ivybridge, for instance. If you are on a train consisting of two five-car sets, which most are from Plymouth to Paddington, make sure you are in the correct set because, as at Ivybridge, the doors of the rear set do not open and there is no way you can move to the front set.

So, you will just have to travel on to Totnes and catch the next train back again! 

There are warnings given on the train but, if you board the train at the last minute, you might miss the announcement (as a couple did on the one that we were on) and, once the train is underway you are stuck!

Anyway, back to our journey and over on Platform 3 was our train to Gunnislake.

This was the usual two-car Class 150 and our train left Plymouth at 12:54 for the 45 minute journey up the branch.

After stops at Devonport, Dockyard, Keyham, St Budeaux Victoria Road and Bere Ferrers the train pulls into Bere Alston, above.

Here the line once continued to Tavistock North, Brentor and Okehampton. 

Indeed there was talk of reopening this line following the gales of 2014, which damaged the track at Dawlish but nothing has come of it. 

For some time there has also been the possibility of reopening the section just to Tavistock but, again, nothing has happened yet.

So, for now at least, all trains into Bere Alston must reverse and travel up what was the branch line to Callington but which now terminates at Gunnislake.

On the approach to Calstock station you traverse the 120 foot high Calstock viaduct with views up and down the River Tamar, as shown above.

Here we see the line crossing the viaduct from just before Calstock station.

Turning around, the line is seen curving round to the station just beyond.

Our train is photographed departing for the two and a half mile journey to Gunnislake.

The viaduct, as viewed from Calstock village.

And from the other side.

And from directly underneath.

After our visit to Calstock we caught another train on to Gunnislake, above, where the train waits for about five minutes before commencing its return journey to Plymouth.

During which I took the two photographs above.

This truly is a lovely line that is well worth a visit if you have never travelled along it.

It was, of course, listed for closure in the Reshaping of British Railways Report.

However it was saved from closure, apart from the section between Gunnislake and Callington, due to the fact that the roads in the area are so poor.

And thank goodness for that, say I!

Swanage Diesel Gala 2019

This weekend was the annual Swanage Railway Diesel Gala and Dorset Beer Festival. The theme this year was Railfreight and the loco line-up was as follows:

Class 25 D7535

Class 26 26007

Class 31 97205

Class 33 33111

Class 33 D6515

Class 50 50007 'Hercules'

Class 59 59003 'Yeoman Highlander'

Class 73 73119 'Borough of Eastleigh'

Class 44 44004 'Great Gable' was also due to appear but, sadly, had to withdraw due to a mechanical issue.

Here are some of the photos that I took during a visit on Friday.

Upon arrival I took this photograph of the line, looking towards Corfe Castle, with the ruins of the old castle in the background.

Corfe Castle distant signal with the castle ruins behind.

Class 50, 50007 'Hercules' resplendent in GBRf livery, waits to depart Corfe Castle with the, already delayed, 10:57 to Swanage.

While, at the other end of the train, we have Class 31, 97205. 

This loco had taken the train to the River Frome Bridge, which is the extent of the Swanage Railway and which is about half a mile from the junction with Dorchester to Wareham main line.

With no runaround facility at the Bridge, trains were topped and tailed from Corfe Castle and it was doubtless this procedure that led to ever-increasing delays during the day.

Here the Class 31 has been uncoupled to allow the Class 50 to take the train on to Swanage.

Class 25, D7535 is seen standing beside the Class 31, having just arrived at Platform 1 with the 10:39 train from Swanage.

While, at the other end of that train, Class 33, 33111, has just been coupled up to top and tail the train to the Bridge over the River Frome.

This locomotive is one of the Swanage Railway's home fleet of locos and this is made obvious by the fact that she is dirty while all of the visiting locos are nice and clean!

As this train departs she passes the Class 31, which will now head to the sidings to await her next top and tailing duties.

And here she is, about to cross over to the siding while, in the background is Class 26, 26007. Unfortunately, and much to my annoyance, this was the only photograph that I managed to get of this loco!

Class 73, 73119 'Borough of Eastleigh' now stands at Corfe Castle with the 13:15 service to River Frome Bridge, which was running a bit late!

Meanwhile, at Swanage, I managed to capture BR Standard Class 4MT, 80104 and LSWR Drummond Class T9, 30120 while both were standing on shed.

Hercules stands at Platform 1 having earlier arrived with the delayed 15:39 from Corfe Castle.

While D7535 stands at Platform 1 having recently arrived with the delayed 15:32 from River Frome Bridge.

Class 50, 50026 'Indomitable' is seen in the sidings at Swanage. 

I am not sure why she was there as she was not part of the Gala but she did look rather good in her NSE livery.

Here are a couple more shots of the Class 25, awaiting departure from Swanage. I believe this was meant to have been the 17:15 to Norden although, by then, any semblance of a timetable was out the window, really.

The Class 73 at Swanage having arrived with the late running 17:39 from Corfe Castle.

The Class 73 had worked this train n tandem with Class 59, 59003 'Yeoman Highlander', seen here at the buffer stops.

Another view of the Class 59, standing beside a Class 08 and the station's Bird's Nest Buffet Car.

A final view of D7535, standing at Norden, having arrived with the much-delayed 18:45 from Swanage.

A Somerset Tractor

We paid a visit to the West Somerset Railway on Saturday and, to my surprise, there was a visiting Class 37 in charge of the 11:00 train to Minehead.

This locomotive is owned by the Growler Group and is based at the Gloucester Warwickshire Steam and was visiting the WSR as part of a tour around the country.

The loco, formerly numbered 37248, arrived Toddington in 2010 and has since undergone an extensive refurbishment, including the provision of steam heating, a return to BR green livery and renumbered as D6948.

Here we have a few photos of the immaculate-looking 37, awaiting departure from Bishops Lydeard.

Finally, a couple of photographs of two of West Somerset Railway's resident locomotives, resting at Minehead.

Firstly the S&DJR 2-8-0 53808 seen after being on duty during the day. 
We hope to travel behind this loco in a few weeks' time on a special being run by the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust.

Finally we see Class 33, D6575 - formerly 33057 Seagull, in the company of a brake van at the buffer stops. This loco was not in use that day.