Recent content by Gartcosh

The original colour light installation at Churston, commissioned on 25 June 1979 and controlled by an 11-lever Westinghouse L type frame was installed with the help of some BR staff. Other than for the odd special or through working, the loop was only required for the main peak holiday weeks and...

If not already advertised externally, they will be shortly, vacancies at Crediton Box in Devon. Up to 3 positions likely be available, I believe. Grade 3 box with an interesting amount of work controlling both the Barnstaple Branch and the Okehampton Line re-opened not too long ago.

Well that's that done. A massive thankyou to everybody who came down to Paignton today and supported us on the Four Stroke Explorer. Great day, excellent weather and all loco's and rare track covered as booked. We had some great support from both the mainline and heritage railway sectors and...

Really great to be able to report all the available tickets for the charter have now been sold. To sell out in just over a week is a real achievement and our thanks to everyone who has booked to come along. The final times and routing are being discussed with the railway next week and detailed...

You need to get in very quick as there are now just a very small number of tickets left (single digits). We are absolutely thrilled with the response and bookings and the day will now generate a very good sum for our chosen charity. Lots of work still going on behind the scenes and some great...

Firstly many thanks for the good wishes. It is pleasing to be able to report that after only 24hrs we have sold over 50% of the seats available so we are on target for both a great day out, and more importantly, making a nice donation to our chosen charity. Regrading the brochure a smaller one...

A group of us who work on the mainline have been busy working with the Dartmouth Steam Railway in recent weeks and can now bring you details of what promises to be a great day out. Following the success of a similar venture in 2019, we are again returning to the Paignton-Kingswear line and with...

Heading back to Churston after the SVR gala I believe. Have heard it is likely to return to the ESR again next year as the 2MT will be out of service then for overhaul and 4555 will replace it.

Crediton is on a 12hr roster working either 0700-1900 days or 1900-0700 nights (although staff normally change over around 0645 and 1845 to avoid changing when trains are present at Crediton. Safety Brief Days and LOM Days (Day with Manager) are 07hrs long, one of each every 10 week cycle...

Trains shown as stopping at Colesloggett Halt only in the downhill direction, so a not a very frequent or practical service for the station as things stand at present.

No issues with motive power at Paignton this year with 75014, 5239, 4277 and the S160 all available. If I recall 4555 is also due to return home possibly next year from its hire stint at the ESR. 7827 is now being overhauled at Churston so 3803 will wait at least until that's done, and I'm not...

On the East Lancs Railway the remains of Stubbins station, situated between Ramsbottom and Irwell Vale can clearly be seen. Less remains of Ewood Bridge & Edenfield, situated between Irwell Vale and Ramsbottom, but there are clues to its location still visible. I believe there was also a station...

Britannia Crossing was removed in the late 80's, either the start of 88 or 89 - can't remember without looking the date up. It was removed at the request of HMRI as part of the project which saw the crossing gates replaced with lifting barriers, keeping it would have restricted the view from the...

Back in the mid/late 80's (86 or 87 springs to mind) over several weekends in December British Rail extended a service to Paignton to Kingswear in the morning and evening, in effect creating the chance to catch a direct service from Kingswear to Exeter for Christmas shopping. The services were...