Hi from Gunnislake

[whole diary]

[amiddl]

Hi from the Tamar Valley.

I travel regularly up and down Cornwall mainly from Liskeard and up to Bristol and Paddington. Just had a work trip today on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) with a HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) up to Reading and a 180 back to Exeter St Davids (seems strange that if rumours are correct it might have been my last 180 trip).

Andy

[Btline]

Welcome to the forum! 

There are rumours, in fact, that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are keeping several 180s (mainly for the Cotswold Line) so you may ride a few more yet! 

Andrew Haines has refused (understandably) to comment on these rumours currently. 

[Phil]

Welcome aboard, Andy! Unfortunately we have no trolley service at the moment, otherwise I'm sure someone would be along in a moment to offer you a cup of tea and a slice of cake.

[devon_metro]

Most of the Devon branches (and Cornwall) are busy!

Gunnislake is nice but so slow up to Gunnislake itself!!

[Conner]

Indeed, I remember the driver had to keep stopping and sounding the horn at ungated level crossings.

At least he did! On the Newquay branch they hit a couple of cars a year!

[Tinminer]

Most of the Devon branches (and Cornwall) are busy!

Gunnislake is nice but so slow up to Gunnislake itself!!

It's is still much quicker than going by road - there is no direct road from Plymouth to Gunnislake, as there are no road bridges either over the Tavy or the Tamar at those locations - one of the reasons the bridge was not axed by Beeching.

Also, don't forget, the route is a former main line, and with reasonable speeds, between Plymouth and Bere Alston - it is only the Bere Alston to Gunnislake (and, particularly, Calstock to Gunnislake, which has some torturous curves and level crossings) section which are slow.

[smokey]

Most of the Devon branches (and Cornwall) are busy!

Gunnislake is nice but so slow up to Gunnislake itself!!

It's is still much quicker than going by road - there is no direct road from Plymouth to Gunnislake, as there are no road bridges either over the Tavy or the Tamar at those locations - one of the reasons the bridge was not axed by Beeching.

Also, don't forget, the route is a former main line, and with reasonable speeds, between Plymouth and Bere Alston - it is only the Bere Alston to Gunnislake (and, particularly, Calstock to Gunnislake, which has some torturous curves and level crossings) section which are slow.

IIRC^▸ ('if I recall/remember/read correctly') the Bere Alston-Gunnislake line is the ONLY section of line built as a light Railway* that is still open to traffic as part of the National Rail Network.

*Built to light Railway standards which have a Maximum speed of  25mph and some other cost cutting specifications.

[swlines]

Hmm... the Marchwood was built as a light railway and has a 40mph line speed.

[smokey]

Hmm... the Marchwood was built as a light railway and has a 40mph line speed.

Can't say I know where Marchwood is, but a Light Railway Order has (or had) a Maximum Average speed of 25mph.

Under the Newer Transport and Works Act light Railways have a Maximum speed of 25mph.

[John R]

Near Southampton (East side of Soton Water.)  .

[SuperGlam]

Gunnislake - lovely part of the world.  That bridge at Calstock is not for the feint-hearted!

[amiddl]

Just started logging on again. Now living on the Reading - Westbury line, somewhat different to the Gunnislake branch. Getting used to 165/166's rather than my old diet of 153's and 150's

Andy

[grahame]

East of Bedwyn, then [Berkshire] if it's 165 and 166s not HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units))?  Are you commuting to Reading / London, or doing something a bit different?

[amiddl]

Spot on. Nearest station is Newbury, traveling to Theale, Slough and Paddington (doing the same job as in Cornwall). Not an everyday commute but several times a week. Quite impressed with the turbo's - would have been fun in the West Country.