RMweb Premium DLT Posted August 10, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 10, 2016 Not sure if this has already been mentioned, but there are lots of photos of Bude station and wharf branch on the Railway page of the "Bude Past & Present" website here: http://bude-past-and-present.org.uk/category/railway/ Cheers, Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 2ManySpams Posted August 10, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 10, 2016 Not sure if this has already been mentioned, but there are lots of photos of Bude station and wharf branch on the Railway page of the "Bude Past & Present" website here: http://bude-past-and-present.org.uk/category/railway/ Cheers, Dave. Some interesting shots there Dave. Not sure what the Merchant Navy, show of Exeter or Okehampton are doing there though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted October 1, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 1, 2016 Great to acknowledge a significant date, but slightly concerned about the hour of your posting! Also pleased to note the new thread. Well done, Nigel! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted October 2, 2016 Share Posted October 2, 2016 Bude was slightly unusual in having two pieces of rolling stock placed on short isolated sections of track: 0001.jpg From an original picture by Chris Knowles-Thomas / http://www.semgonline.com The first was a Crane situated between the Turntable and canal branch which, as far as I am aware, was used to tranship goods between rail and road vehicles, the latter gaining access by means of the road leading to the Gasworks. R6004.jpg In connection with this, I've have always been struck by the remarkable similarity between the crane at Bude and this model of an engineers crane produced by Hornby, Cat No R6004. The crane is one of a number built by Cowans-Sheldon of Carlisle during the early part of WW2, and intended to provide increased cranage capacity at strategic locations around the UK- they were of 6.5 or 10 ton capacity, several times greater than many fixed yard cranes. The majority seem to have gone to the LMS, and its successor, but it would seem a couple of examples went further south. Paul Bartlett's site shows one at Exmouth Junction wagon works in 1979, and another at Tonbridge West Yard- this one was still in use at the beginning of this century. The Hornby one can provide the basis of a decent model. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted October 2, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 2, 2016 The Last Train. 99 - RmWeb - BHC_25_299ed A.jpg Copyright Bude Heritage Centre; http://cornishmemory.com/item/BHC_25_299 WR Single Car DMMU No 55012 waiting to leave Bude with the 19:35 to Exeter Central on Saturday 1st October 1966. Great photos in this and your previous post Nigel, but they throw up a little mystery for me - neither end of the "last train" seems to have any exhaust pipes. Is it possible that it wasn't in fact a single car? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted March 7, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 7, 2017 Post any photos you have please, don't worry about quality, particularly if it's not a common angle. Don't worry about the quality, all information is good! And a bit of Photoshoppery gives us these: Bude post-19996-0-70674100-1438799173 shopped.jpg Bude post-19996-0-82204400-1438799171 shopped.jpg Whats the van, is it a Bedford Doormobile? Cheers, Dave. My dad had a Ford Prefect exactly like that, same colour as well, OBO 914. The Bedford is an 'ordinary' van, but they were available in crewbus and open versions as well. A Dormobile is a conversion with a lifting panel in the roof to convert it to a motor caravan, seen on Bedfords, VWs, and Commer Cobs as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DLT Posted June 4, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 4, 2017 Just come across a slide-show on Youtube, showing a lot of colour photos of closed stations. Bude features, as does Whitstone & Bridgerule. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFTNDVSHJ04 All very sad, Dave. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted June 4, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 4, 2017 Whilst researching the demise and closure of the line, I came across this locally produced film about the Bude Branch which may be of interest. Untitled.jpg See: http://cornishmemory.com/item/BHC_15 At one point during the film, (at approx 13min) the narrator talks about the regular delivery of newspapers to Grills Farm at Trelay. This was carried out by the Guard of the first up train who would throw out a rolled up copy of the paper, which was caught and taken into the house by the farm dog. D17, Last paper delivery at Trelay.jpg Copyright Grills Family Collection / Adrian Abbott Here, having made his throw, Guard Claude Daniel can be seen waving from the van window as the dog waits in the field to retrieve the paper. Actually, I think Guard Daniel has been captured on film in the act of throwing the rolled up paper, which is the white thing gracefully arcing through the air in front of the bridge abutment, and it looks as if Rover is about to be hit on the nose by it; Rover is probably a Border Collie by the look of it, a breed far to bright to be hit on the nose in this way. My imaginary version of the next 2 seconds involves Rover very satisfyingly catching the paper in mid air and bounding joyfully back to the farmhouse where hopefully his master will reward him with at least a biscuit! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Johnster Posted June 5, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 5, 2017 (edited) That is something I would very much like to see. Following Royal Mail delivery vans in rural Mid Wales might provide you with an opportunity! Edited June 5, 2017 by The Johnster Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Morris Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 The last train was likely to be W55012 and W55016 according to this excellent analysis. It would be interesting to know the other two units on the Wadebridge section. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Morris Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 On the same day a railtour ran to Bude formed of a three car class 120. Does anyone have information on or pictures? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium St Enodoc Posted August 26, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 26, 2017 As has already been alluded to in an earlier post, apart from the three sets in use for the service trains, there was another DMMU running on the last day: The unit in question was operating the Great Western Society North Cornwall Lines Farewell Tour, which ran over a circuitous route from Plymouth to Okehampton via, Bodmin Road, Bodmin General, Bodmin North, Padstow, Halwill and Bude. From Okehampton it then returned to Plymouth via, Halwill, Wadebridge, Bodmin General, and Bodmin Road. Whilst it has not been possible to unequivocally identify the unit in question, a photograph taken at Tresmeer clearly shows the DMBC to be W51581, which, according to available records, suggests it was Set No 560. This was a 3-car Swindon built Class 120 Cross-Country Unit which was allocated to Laira between June 1962 and June 1968, the other two vehicles being TS W59587 and DMS W51585. GWS 001 - Ticket No 0045 {Mike Roach}.jpg Copyright Mike Roach: http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/features-page-july-to-december-2016.html Surprisingly perhaps, photographs of the railtour are not that common and I would like to thank both Keith Jenkin and David Hawkings for allowing me to use some of the pictures they took on the day. Permission to use these photographs has been granted specifically for the purpose of illustrating this topic and copyright remains with the original owners. GWS 002 - Plymouth.jpg Copyright Keith Jenkin: http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/features-page-july-to-december-2016.html Attaching the headboard at Plymouth North Road. Fortunately, as the train was scheduled to reverse no less than nine times during the day, someone had the foresight to produce two headboards, on for each end of the unit. GWS 003 - Timings.jpg Copyright Keith Jenkin/Great Western Society The full timings for the farewell tour, as issued to passengers on the day. See GWS 003 - Timings.pdf for a downloadable pdf copy. GWS 004 - Halwill.jpg Copyright Keith Jenkin: http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/okehampton-to-launceston-excl--dunsland-x--ashbury-pre-1980.html On arrival at Halwill, because the up platform was not signalled for departures towards Bude, the train was shunted out of the station towards Okehampton and then set back into the down platform. GWS 005 - Halwill.jpg Copyright Keith Jenkin: http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/okehampton-to-launceston-excl--dunsland-x--ashbury-pre-1980.html The train standing in the down platform at Halwill ready to depart for Bude. GWS 006 - Halwill - 6345347562_e56ca69f5a_o.jpg Copyright David Hawkings: https://www.flickr.com/photos/12549538@N08/6345347562/in/photolist-aEHyLb-bfhhGK-bgJvgV And looking back the other way. GWS 007 Last BR Timetable - GWS Spl.jpg This is a copy of the timetabled service for the last day, which has been adjusted to include the timings of the GWS Farewell Tour. See GWS 007 Last BR Timetable - GWS Spl.pdf for a downloadable pdf copy. GWS 008 - Holsworthy.jpg Copyright Keith Jenkin: http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/okehampton-to-launceston-excl--dunsland-x--ashbury-pre-1980.html At Holsworthy the special was booked to cross the 15 20 from Bude to Okehampton. GWS 009 - Whitstone & Bridgerule.jpg Copyright Keith Jenkin: http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/north-cornwall-line-including-route-to-bude-and-okehampton.html On the way down to Bude the platform at Whitstone & Bridgerule was probably busier than it had been for some time. The original LSWR name board has survived right through to closure. GWS 010 - Bude.jpg Copyright Keith Jenkin: http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/north-cornwall-line-including-route-to-bude-and-okehampton.html On arrival at Bude, with no timetabled services about, the special was able to use the main platform. GWS 011 - Bude.jpg Copyright Keith Jenkin: http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/north-cornwall-line-including-route-to-bude-and-okehampton.html The schedule only provided for a three-minute turnaround, which would be ambitious at the best of times. However, with a trainload of passenger wanting to stretch their legs and take photographs timekeeping was always going to suffer and a late departure was inevitable. GWS 012 - Bude.jpg Copyright Keith Jenkin: http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/north-cornwall-line-including-route-to-bude-and-okehampton.html Having delivered the single line token and explained the revised crossing arrangements to the Driver, the Signalman walks slowly back to his box. GWS 013 - Whitstone & Bridgerule.jpg Copyright Keith Jenkin: http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/north-cornwall-line-including-route-to-bude-and-okehampton.html Now running rather late, on the way up to Okehampton, the special crossed the 16 00 from Halwill to Bude at Whitstone & Bridgerule instead of Holsworthy. By way of a postscript, there was a moment of high drama on the return journey from Okehampton. With an additional train shown in the special traffic notice, passengers had been allowed to travel up on the 18 40 from Wadebridge with the intention of returning on the 19 06 from Delabole - the GWS Tour. In the event they were unable to board the return service, so how they actually got home remains something of a mystery. What a wonderful post Nigel. May I humbly suggest that you arrange with the Cornwall Railway Society to place it in its entirety on their website where it will have a much wider circulation? Separately, the first thing that struck me about the timings was the very limited provision for Personal Needs Breaks (not for the crew, for the passengers). I wonder how they coped? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 May I add a note of caution re the dmu set numbering? The region-wide system was not finally in place until the early 70s and prior to then sets were numbered individually by their designated depot. Laira had a distressing tendency to renumber its allocation following movements in and out, of which there were many during the 1960s. In addition, at the time of the end of the Withered Arm there had been some temporary re-formations whereby some suburban sets swapped cars with Cross-Country sets to ensure that there was at least one toilet fitted vehicle available on the lengthy journeys on which the units were deployed. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 I've done a bit of digging. The Railway Observer for December 1965 has a piece on the dmu allocation for the Western Region as in mid October 1965. At that time 51581 was part of set LA502. The article states that 51590 from that set had been temporarily exchanged with 116 motor second 50921. I then looked at notes from 1962 which inter alia suggest that those power cars arrived from Tyseley with trailer 59587 in early 1962 as one of the first three Cross-Country sets allocated to Laira. Now a lot can happen to a dmu formation in four and a half years, not all of which was recorded - there is a limit even to the diligence of the scouts working for the Royal Corps of Train Spotters. Power cars tended to stick together and swap trailers, either as a make-do-and mend measure or more permanently. This cannot be definitive but it is the best I can do! Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted August 27, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 27, 2017 (edited) On my screen the image is 16" wide. If I were to be asked what number I think is on that vehicle, I would say 51590. Edited August 27, 2017 by Oldddudders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted August 29, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 29, 2017 "Notice : Engines must not be ----- without ----- authority" Not a lot of help, I agree! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
37409 Posted August 29, 2017 Share Posted August 29, 2017 "Notice : Engines must not be removed without ----- authority" is the best I can come up with. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted August 30, 2017 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 30, 2017 (edited) 'Shedmaster's' is likely to be the missing word, perhaps. But the whole sign is ridiculous - who would take an engine without authority, not least from the signalman? Edit : Or had there been cases of locos being borrowed, maybe for a spot of shunting, e.g. on the Canal Branch? Edited August 30, 2017 by Oldddudders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 'Shedmaster's' is likely to be the missing word, perhaps. But the whole sign is ridiculous - who would take an engine without authority, not least from the signalman? Edit : Or had there been cases of locos being borrowed, maybe for a spot of shunting, e.g. on the Canal Branch? Ian, Drivers would take an engine without authority. In the 80's when there were loco's at Dover, Ashford, Tonbridge etc it was not unknown for the Ashford 'Foreman' to send someone over for a loco and it wasn't there... later found sitting at Tonbridge... Track Access as now didn't exist, just get on the SPT and ring out as 'Light Loco for Tonbridge' and off you went.... I'm sure you know of such things... nod nod wink wink Ernie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 I suggest the first word is ASHES Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Morris Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 Returning to the 1Z10 The North Cornwall Farewell Railtour and pulling together all available information, it was formed of DMBC W51581 and DMS W51590 (definites) with a strong possibility of the TS (centre car) being W59587 and a slim chance that it could have been W59582. We may never know! History is easily lost! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 (edited) An interesting possibility and not one that had occurred to me. post-19996-0-00141100-1504009528.jpg There was a problem at Bude with the prevailing winds blowing ash from the loco depot across the station. In an attempt to alleviate this, the concrete fence seen to the left of the sign was erected by the Southern in the 1920s. If it is indeed Ashes, then maybe it was the Stationmaster's permission that was required in order to ensure the work was only undertaken on a calm day. Looks more like 'signalmans' than 'stationmasters' Edited September 15, 2017 by Echo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo Posted September 15, 2017 Share Posted September 15, 2017 I would agree. However, if the first word is ashes, it's inconceivable that anyone would need authority from the signalman before removing them. Had another look. The best fit for the first word is definitely 'ASHES'. I am pretty sure now that the other mystery word is 'STOREKEEPERS' Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium NCB Posted November 26, 2017 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 26, 2017 Fascinating building. Cries out to be modelled! Couple of thoughts. The station house doesn't seem to have anything resembling a bathroom; did the scullery do duty as that? Also, no sign of a station master's office; would the ticket office or porters' room provide that function? Fourth pic down; think the chimney on the right can't serve the refreshment room, but maybe the kitchen? Cheers Nigel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted April 26, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 26, 2021 6 hours ago, bude_branch said: Having dug very deep into the records I think it is Swindon built WR Cross Country Set P558, comprising MOCB (DMBC) W51580, TS (TSL) W59586 and MOS (DMSL) 51589. Can anyone confirm please? That would tie in with the information shown here. https://www.railcar.co.uk/data/vehicle/51589 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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