Ernesettle Freight

[whole diary]

[Umberleigh]

Some of you may be interested to know that the MOD still run occasional freight trains to these private sidings:

http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/1/post/2013/01/mod-traffic-in-cornwall-nathan-stockman.html

These sidings are on the Tamar Valley line to Gunnislake, shortly after you pass under the Tamar bridge. So the Gunnislake branch gains the (rather sad) distinction of being both a) the only branch line in Devon to carry both passengers and freight, and b) the only remant at of the Withered Arm to see freight traffic.

Let's hope that maybe BARS can bring Okehampton back into the picture.

[Pb_devon]

Thanks for posting.
I'm always interested in the byways and oddities of the plymouth scene.

[eightf48544]

How are the sidings worked there appear to b to ground frames. Do they require the train to have the St Budeaux - Bere Alston token or is there a short token enabling the train to be locked in and passed by the passenger train? Otherwise moves would  have to be done after the last passenger train.

[Pb_devon]

I hope one of our signalling experts will jump in here to give a definative answer.  There's no signalling on the branch so I'm assuming an Ernesttle freight can work during passenger hours, but the token will only release for departure from St Budeaux if no other token is 'out'. And v v the branch has to be clear before a freight can exit the sidings to return.

[SandTEngineer]

There are two ground frames, Ernesettle North and Ernesettle South.  Both are released by a key that forms part of the Gunnislake Branch Train Staff.  There is no facility to 'Lock' a train into Ernesettle sidings whilst the branch shuttle is running.  The same key releases the ground frame at Bere Alston.  The Train Staff is normally housed in a cabinet at St.Budeaux Victoria Road station and is released by the Plymouth Panel signaller (only when a train is stood in the platform).

Here is a photograph of the old Gunnislake Branch wooden train staff (since replaced by a new metal one)

Image (c)2013 SandTEngineer

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for posting that picture of local railway memorabilia, SandTEngineer. 

Purely out of curiosity on my part: what is the text on that brass plate - I can't make it out?

[Pb_devon]

Thanks ste, most helpful.
So, back to eightf's question.  There seems not enough time during the day, except that there's a much longer 'slot' in the evening. Is there a path, or just runs on request?

[SandTEngineer]

Thanks for posting that picture of local railway memorabilia, SandTEngineer. 

Purely out of curiosity on my part: what is the text on that brass plate - I can't make it out?

GUNNISLAKE BRANCH

[Chris from Nailsea]

Many thanks, SandTEngineer - I was merely curious, as I believe the wording on the new, rather bland, metal token is somewhat different. 

[SandTEngineer]

Many thanks, SandTEngineer - I was merely curious, as I believe the wording on the new, rather bland, metal token is somewhat different. 

It is similar to this one (unfortunately I cannot find my photograph of the Gunnislake one) but annotated 'St Budeaux Victoria Road/Gunnislake'


Image (c)2013 SandTEngineer

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks again, SandTEngineer - the wording 'St Budeaux Victoria Road/Gunnislake' is what I have seen, on the new 'bland' metal version. 

I do prefer the old wooden-handled tokens - they have so much more character! 

[Umberleigh]

Incidentally, another substantial scrap metal train ran from the Alphington spur earlier in the month, despite a rumour late last year that the facility in question had ceased operations.