Waterloo to Exeter in the 1980s

Sorting through some of my old 35 mm slides recently, I came across some photographs that I took during the 1980s of trains, mostly hauled by Class 50, on the Waterloo to Exeter line.

So, I thought I would post some of the better ones on the blog, beginning with three photos of Class 50s at Waterloo.

In these three photos we see, from the top, 50003 'Temeraire' and 50050 'Fearless' at the buffer stops both having arrived with trains from Exeter St Davids.

While, in the third photo, 50037 'Illustrious' waits to depart with a train for Exeter.

In this photo we see an unidentified Class 50 about to enter Sandley Tunnel, between Templecombe and Gillingham, with an evening train for Waterloo.

Templecombe station before there was a footbridge, meaning all passengers had to enter and exit via the crossing, just behind the photographer.

Of course the far platform has recently been reinstated meaning that the platform pictured here is now closed to passengers.

While at Templecombe we see the naming ceremony of 33112 'Templecombe, which took place on a very wet day in November 1987. This loco was chosen to be so named because Templecombe is 112 miles from Waterloo.

In better weather we see an unidentified Class 47 departing Templecombe, and crossing over to the down line, with a train for Exeter.

With the sun still shining, we next see 50012 'Benbow' at Sutton Bingham, between Yeovil Junction and Crewkerne.

Down the 1 in 37 from Exeter Central and around the curve into Exeter St Davids station. Oh wouldn't it be nice to have loco hauled nine coach trains on this line now!

Finally we see 50043 'Eagle' at the northern (Paddington) end of Exeter St Davids.

Midsomer Norton Diesel Gala

This weekend (7th & 8th March) saw the Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust's Spring Diesel Gala at Midsomer Norton.

They had arranged for D5343, from the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway, to visit and, thereby, become the first Class 26 to travel along S&D metals. But, unfortunately, she sustained an engine fault and could not appear.

Obviously this was a shame but they still had their own diesel shunters in attendance, namely: 

Class 08 'D4095' and English Electric (ex-NCB) D1120 - although this latter loco also failed on the Sunday. 

Plus they had a visiting Class 03 shunter 'D2128'.

The photographs below were all taken on the Saturday, a cloudy but, thankfully, dry day.

A general view of the station, taken from Charlton Road.

A closer view of the main station building

The first train of the day (10:00 am) is waiting to depart.

The stable block, currently a museum but, one day perhaps, accommodation.

The resident Class 08 at the rear of the train at Platform 1.

Inside the recently acquired (from Swanage Railway) buffet coach.

Outside the same coach and looking along Platform 2.

D1120 and D2128 standing side by side.

The Class 03 is ready to depart.

She departs Platform 1 and commences her journey ...

... up the 1 in 53 ...

... ably assisted by the Class 08.

A view from the train.

The end of the line - for now!

And viewed from the other side of the train.

D1120 and D2128 double-head a departure ...

... with the Class 08 at the rear once more.

A short goods train, a milk tanker and buffet car stand at Platform 2.

Finally, here is a photograph that I took of the station in 1989.

Just goes to show what big difference 30 years and a lot of hard work can make!