Most serendipitous, Alan. So lovely to see the greenery... probably because of all the rain I'm reading about. It never fails to surprise me that the steep nap out of Goodrington should be so obvious, or that it is negotiable. But of course it was built that way. I always have a deep pride that the GWR was built by Brunel, and in particular this branch with its viaducts and cuttings... they were pointed out to me as a child, and I've been enthralled ever since. Thankyou for the good coverage... your camera-craft has improved over the years.
Hi Peter and many thank yous for your kind and interesting comments. My Grandfather was what Canadians might call "the linesman" for the stretch between Goodrington Halt and Churston and he was allowed to continue walking the line well after retirement. I remember him telling me of one hot summer when all trains on the climb featured here were brought to a standstill by a huge migration of catapillars crossing the tracks, all services to Kingswear had to be cancelled! Best regards, Alan
Hi and thank you for your kind and much appreciated feedback. I can assure you that I was entirely alone and there was no-one by the lineside but I met late comers who missed everything as I was leaving. Best regards, Alan
Hi folks, the shots turned out better than the fraught circumstances gave me a right to expect! Always great to get your kind support. Best wishes, Alan
Well done Alan, knowing your way around the local roads also paid off & mode of transport must help .. 😉 .. 😎 So pleased you were not stuck in the mud in the Teign Estuary .. 😂 Thanks as always for sharing, enjoy the weekend. atvb t .. 👍
He Terry, always nice to get your kind input. I made a brilliant purchase from Lidl of all places: Waterproof walking boots for 20 quid! I wear them on all my expeditions and they have never let in any water!! Best regards, Alan
Hello Brian. I remember as a youth trainspotting at Exeter St Davids that the re-builds were always the most impressive as they seemed to have much better traction than the Spam Cans. Many thanks for your valued and much appreciated feedback. Kind regards, Alan
North Devon in South Devon and doing herself proud, cracking stuff. Count yourself lucky Alan with those timings I hung around for 2 hours to see Mayflower the other day - not impressed🤬 A spot of gym membership and some running shoes is called for (or wellies if Goodrington looks as sticky and slimy as it did!) Thanks Alan, it's all kicking off again now thank goodness. Kind regards Sir👍👍🚂
Hi Bob, looking forward to "The Big One" on Friday and Saturday as I gave up on the non-event of a single "5" being pushed over the Devon Banks yesterday. Always great to hear from you. Best regards, Alan
Hi and thank you for your kind and much appreciated feedback. To be fair, the Saphos trains always have a diesel on the back to supply the kitchen car with power, other than that it usually just accounts for its own weight on climbs. It was useful at the end of the climb of Goodrington Sand though when 34046 lost her footing! Best regards, Alan
Sorry Finley I have been away from my phone and only just got your request. You need to use the farm crossing to get to that location. Technically you are not trespassing on the railway although you are trespassing on the farmers field but I know he's o.k. about that if there is no livestock present. Alan
Even if you followed it on Realtime as I did it just kept getting ahead before the next report! It was pathed as 60m.p.h. max. but travelled at 75 whenever it could which meant that it didn't have to pull in anywhere as scheduled to let faster services through. Alan
