Ash Bridge
Established Member
Pictures and updates very much appreciated @Devonman2014!
Following on from previously post
Sampford Courtenay Stn
No change here except a number of porta cabin sheds, toilets and storage units have appeared, 2 being on the platform!
Okehampton Stn
A lot of works happening here, ainscough crane on site moving sleepers around, a 2nd main base Stn radio van on site (other one was at north Tawton) and geological unit on the tracks testing the ground.
Major change is the station car park is now closed and being used for contractors vehicles only - don’t know if this is a permanent or temporary change.
Correct - just tack renewals , reballasting etc - there is 100% no new track infrastructure.
I'd be interested to see some pictures of the Meldon end of Okehampton, and whether the point has been reinstated to the Bude bay? The stock was removed from there last week, so one would assume so. But was it temporary? The NR Sectional Appendix also shows it as being connected, a statement of intent, perhaps?Okehampton Stn
A lot of works happening here, ainscough crane on site moving sleepers around, a 2nd main base Stn radio van on site (other one was at north Tawton) and geological unit on the tracks testing the ground.
Major change is the station car park is now closed and being used for contractors vehicles only - don’t know if this is a permanent or temporary change.
Correct - just tack renewals , reballasting etc - there is 100% no new track infrastructure.
I'd be interested to see some pictures of the Meldon end of Okehampton, and whether the point has been reinstated to the Bude bay? The stock was removed from there last week, so one would assume so. But was it temporary? The NR Sectional Appendix also shows it as being connected, a statement of intent, perhaps?
How many platforms are there at Okehampton?
OK, thank you, was there a run round look for the Dartmoor railway services to use when they were operating?3. Platform 1 is the Bude bay, - it was originally a through line, but only used for passengers at the Plymouth End. Platform 2 was the down line ( to Plymouth -now an extended siding). Platform 3 is the up line ( with the main station building on it) to Exeter, one way and the Meldon Quarry the other.
Thanks, was that taken today?Hi
Does this help - Meldon end of Okehampton station looking towards Meldon. Signal box on right of pic.
My untrained eye says the bay is not connected but I could be wrong.
Thanks, was that taken today?
There's a photo here (https://www.dartmoor-railway-sa.org/comingsgoings) of the 08 moving the stock from the bay on the 22nd March. Perhaps they craned it out? Or temporarily slewed the rails?
You would need a far bigger crane than the one in the pics to lift anything much bigger than a Wickham Trolley !Photo was taken yesterday at 12:45
Looking at the rails I don’t think any works were done and there’s always a crane in the yard now.
I wonder (don’t know) if was crane out to platform 2 and towed from there ??
Be good to see a pic at Stn to see how it was done - had I known would of popped down !
You would need a far bigger crane than the one in the pics to lift anything much bigger than a Wickham Trolley !
I have this vision of a bobby pulling the lever, which turns on a light in a ganger's hut & a swarm of orange pour out & slew the track...I’ll say!
I believe that NR cut the track, slewed it across and the 08 was then used to drag everything out of the platform.
Thanks for this Mr C, I contacted DRSA yesterday to see if they had any knowledge on how the move was achieved but still waiting on a reply from them as yet. Anyway I know you have a reliable sources of info so that’s good enough for meI’ll say!
I believe that NR cut the track, slewed it across and the 08 was then used to drag everything out of the platform.
I have this vision of a bobby pulling the lever, which turns on a light in a ganger's hut & a swarm of orange pour out & slew the track...
Thanks for this Mr C, I contacted DRSA yesterday to see if they had any knowledge on how the move was achieved but still waiting on a reply from them as yet. Anyway I know you have a reliable sources of info so that’s good enough for me
Yes, you could well be correct there. Though if I do get a response I will definitely advise hereDRSA aren't very good at replying, as in they don't. As is often the case though, it is probably one person letting the side down, not the whole organisation. Hope you get a reply though......
SDR has a (normally) unconnected siding at Buckfastleigh used for long-term stabling of stock awaiting overhaul or other fate and some vans used for engineering parts storage. Loco 4920, Dumbleton Hall, had been parked on the track in question for many years before recent disposal. On the very rare occasions that access is required, the adjacent depot line can be broken and slewed across to join it. It's likely there are other examples of this in preservation, as it saves the expense and maintenance liability of a turnout.I’ll say!
I believe that NR cut the track, slewed it across and the 08 was then used to drag everything out of the platform.
The DRSA all gathered on platform 2 and were chatting with NR staff on Tuesday.Yes, you could well be correct there. Though if I do get a response I will definitely advise here
https://dartmoorline.com/2021/04/new-track-on-north-tawton-bridge/Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership on Twitter: "Work is well and truly underway to get the #DartmoorLine to Okehampton ready to reopen by the end of the year.
Work to get the Dartmoor Line in shape for reopening is proceeding apace. These photos show work from the weekend on North Tawton Bridge where 45 metres of new track has been installed, with 65 new concrete sleepers, new rail and 200mm of fresh ballast.
(Or, possibly, for collecting up small parts of scrap metal - bolts, spikes, chairs etc, for possible reuse or scrapping)
More likely the stackable plastic boxes the temporary lighting equipment was delivered to site in !Drainage catchpits?