'First Devon and Exeter Explorer' HST Special

[whole diary]

[johnneyw]

With the newly reformed Sharpness "Vale of Berkeley Railway" just started, this branch could be a candidate for a new Devon initiative. So many similarities, workable track bed and a possible tourist location, plus future rail diversion for the future. Dreaming? Yes, but a nice dream.

[johnneyw]

BTW^▸ (by the way), I was referring to the Heathfield Branch, I am aware that B'fastleigh is on the South Devon Railway, I go there quite a lot.

[JayMac]

Video footage of the green set visiting the South Devon Railway and Heathfield branch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=761&v=6zFpOyefoQ8

[grahame]

With the newly reformed Sharpness "Vale of Berkeley Railway" just started, this branch could be a candidate for a new Devon initiative. So many similarities, workable track bed and a possible tourist location, plus future rail diversion for the future. Dreaming? Yes, but a nice dream.

Heathfield is a "difficult" dream, I fear.  Ideas sought?   I was on the ACoRP^▸ (Association of Community Rail Partnerships) special on 2nd October that visited the branch, including the bay at Newton Abbott.  An interesting run alongside sections of the older derelict canal, and it's a crying shame to see a line mothballed.  It runs up into an industrial / china clay area, close to the main A38, and I don't see any spectacular views even if opened out.   As a passenger / parkway station the line perhaps doesn't point in the right direction.   As part of a diversionary route (it used to run on to Mortenhampstead, and to Exeter), I understand that the route is tight, includes a long (collapsed??) tunnel and twisted and the trackbed's not all in place.  I wonder if there are already too many heritage railways very close by and a third might not be viable - indeed might dilute customers from the others.

But I did say "ideas sought" and I am aware of at least one other line that was not taken on (by a CRP^▸ (Community Rail Partnership)) on the basis that this extra line would be a potential albatross around its neck which has now become a line with a CRP in its own right and is doing OK.  And looking on the preservation side, whilst there's a lack of sheds / stabling, there remains a single bay at Newton Abbott with the trackbed / space to install a second platform face and loop / centre siding.  And there's already a loop and a (scruffy) platform face at Heathfield.  So perhaps something could be done for this asset?   Commercial care needed - "what can we do with this line?" is a bit like the tail wagging the dog and a risky way to start something ...

[Rob on the hill]

You mentioned ACoRP^▸ (Association of Community Rail Partnerships), special. Was that linked to the ACoRP awards in Torquay the previous day?

Some info here: http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=16279.0

[The Tall Controller]

It was a privilege to be on the train yesterday and despite a fairly low turnout I'm sure lots was raised in aid of the chairity. I stayed on the train throughout the journey and was great to see a huge number of volunteers who never stopped throughout the day.

To see an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) and steam in action side by side was a unique and wonderful experience and to see such differents scenery outside the window kept everybody interested.

Network Rail were busy recently clipping back the vegetation on the Heathfield branch and bar one or two scrapes the HST came away unscathed. Both trips went right down to the buffers at the end of the branch.

VIPs were treated to a Pullman-esque style breakfast with a Travelling Chef making a welcome return to cater for all onboard.

All in all, a great day out and my praise goes to all the volunteers (mostly GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) staff) and organisers who made the whole day possible.

[bobm]

Network Rail were busy recently clipping back the vegetation on the Heathfield branch and bar one or two scrapes the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) came away unscathed. Both trips went right down to the buffers at the end of the branch.

That was one thing that was very noticeable on the trip with GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) in the 150 the previous week - we frequently got showered with leaves, and the occasional small branch, as we made our way to Heathfield.  It was also noticeable going out to Okehampton, which shows how quickly the vegetation had grown back since the last Sunday train from Exeter just under a month before.

I saw NR^» (Network Rail - home page) workmen attacking the bushes at the entrance to the Heathfield branch just to the east of Newton Abbot station last Monday, there was certainly a lot to clear.

[Chris from Nailsea]

I saw NR^» (Network Rail - home page) workmen attacking the bushes ...

They didn't leave too many leaves on the line, did they? 

[grahame]

From Devon Live

Network Rail has said that 'significant investment' would be required before plans to reopen a disused railway line could come to fruition. No passenger trains have travelled on the Teign Valley line between Newton Abbot to Heathfield since 1959, and in recent years, use of the line has dwindled to just the occasional freight train.

Funny - I could have sworn I travelled by passenger train to Heathfield in the autumn of 2015.

[bobm]

Yes - I seem to remember it too.

[LiskeardRich]

Strangely the curve coming onto the branch is now deemed too sharp and no longer permits passenger trains!

It follows a derailment up country on a similar sharp corner. A check(?) rail is required on the curve before any further passenger trains enter the line.

I also gather flood damage has occurred near Teignbridge,

[PhilWakely]

Yes - I seem to remember it too.

Moi aussi