12th October 2013

Branch Line Society / The Locomotive & Carriage Institution
The Great Western Tracker II

DMU Used 150927 (57127+57209+52127)

Route:
2Z10 : Bristol Temple Meads to Exeter St. Davids
2Z11 : Exeter St. Davids to Plymouth
2Z12 : Plymouth to Goodrington Carriage Holding Sidings.
2Z13 : Goodrington Carriage Holding Sidings to Bristol Temple Meads

DMU Route
57127 Leading Bristol Temple Meads - Bedminster (2)
52127 Leading Bedminster - St. Philips Marsh Depot Loop - North Somerset Jn - Bristol Temple Meads (through line) - Yatton Down Loop - Weston-Super-Mare - Taunton (3) - Fairwater Yard - Tiverton Down Loop - Exeter St. Davids (3)
57127 Leading Exeter St. Davids - Red Cow L.C.
52127 Leading Red Cow L.C. - Hyde Park Siding
57127 Leading Hyde Park Siding - Waterloo New Yard 1 - Shunt Spur (End of Line)
52127 Leading Waterloo New Yard, Shunt Spur - Waterloo New Yard 3 (End of Line)
57127 Leading Waterloo New Yard 3 - Waterloo New Yard, North Points
52127 Leading Waterloo New Yard, North Points - Waterloo New Yard 2 - Exeter St. Davids - Dawlish - Teignmouth - Newton Abbot - Tavistock Junction G.F.
57127 Leading Tavistock Junction G.F. - Tavistock Junction Up Refuge Siding (End of Line)
52127 Leading Tavistock Junction Up Refuge Siding - Laira Jn - Laira Depot Lipson Sidings 3 (Nightstar Compound) (End of Line)
57127 Leading Laira Depot Lipson Sidings 3 - Laira Jn
52127 Leading Laira Jn - Laira Depot Embankment Sidings 2 - Mount Gould Jn - Friary Jn - Plymouth Friary (End of Line)
57127 Leading Plymouth Friary - Speedway Jn - Lipson Jn - Plymouth Dock 3
52127 Leading Plymouth Dock 3 - Sutherland Road Down Siding
57127 Leading Sutherland Road Down Siding - Plymouth - Keyham - Keyham West G.F. (4) - Saltash
52127 Leading Saltash - Keyham West G.F. - Keyham Yard - Plymouth Through Line - Hemerdon Up Goods Loop - Totnes (UPL)
57127 Leading Totnes (UPL) - Totnes Up Siding (West End Turnback Siding)
52127 Leading Totnes West End Turnback Siding - Totnes - Totnes Up Refuge Siding
57127 Leading Totnes Up Refuge Siding - Totnes (3)
52127 Leading Totnes - Newton Abbot - Heathfield (End of Line)
57127 Leading Heathfield - Newton Abbot Motorail Platform
52127 Leading Newton Abbot Motorail Platform - Heathfield Branch (Clear of Points)
57127 Leading Heathfield Branch (Clear of Points) - Newton Abbot - Torquay - Paignton - Goodrington Carriage Holding Sidings (Reception Line to Headshunt)
52127 Leading Goodrington Carriage Holding Sidings - Paignton - Torquay - Newton Abbot - Exeter St. Davids (3) - Tiverton Up Loop - Highbridge Up Goods Loop - Weston-Super-Mare - Yatton Up Loop - Bristol Temple Meads (through line) - Bristol East Jn
57127 Leading Bristol East Jn - Bristol Temple Meads

Notes :
(1) A joint venture between The Locomotive & Carriage Institution, The Branch Line Society and First Great Western, which raised over £1550 for charity, split between The Railway Children & The Railway Mission.
(2) Permission to travel along the Carriage Lines between Bristol East & Bedminster refused by the signalman.
(3) Due to a faulty toilet, additional stops were made at Taunton & Totnes with extended stops at Exeter St. Davids to use the facilities.
(4) Despite several attempts, the ground frame at Keyham could not be operated due to an earth fault.

Sources : Alan Sheppard & Jim Sellens

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Alan Sheppard)

M.C

Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual

M.C

0.00
Bristol Temple Meads 07.40d [P15] 07.43½d [P4][UR-UM-DM-DT]   20.43a [P1] 20.44½ [P9]
317.17
0.27
Bristol West Jn 07/42 [CL] 07.45 ~ 07.51½ [DT-DM-UM]  
0.71
Bedminster 07.43½ ~ 07.47½ [CL] (East) 07.55 ~ 07.58 [UM]  
?
Bristol West Jn 07/49½ [CL] 08/00  
1.45
St Philips Marsh H.S.T.D. 08.01½ ~ 08.09½ 08/08½  
1.75
North Somerset Jn 08/19½ 08/12  
2.30
Bristol East Jn 08/20½ [DM] 08/13   20.36 ~ 20.41 [UDR] 20.40 ~ 20.43 [UFM]
317.01
2.60
Bristol Temple Meads 08/21½ [DT] 08/15 [DT]   20/35 [UT] [UDR] 20/38½ [UT-UFM]
?
?
Bristol West Jn 08/22½ 08.17 ~ 08.18   20/33½ [UR] 20/37
316.33
3.51
Bedminster ? 08/19½   ? 20/36
?
4.44
Parson Street ? 08/20½   20/31½ [P2] [RL] 20/35
?
15.34
Yatton Loop 08.35 ~ 08.57 [DPL] 08.33 ~ 08.58½   20*09 ~ 20*21 [UPL] 20.18 ~ 20.23½
304.63
19.40
Worle Jn 09/18 09.05 ~ 09.16   20/04 20/10½
300.00
21.62
Weston-Super-Mare 09c21 ~ 09c22 [P1] 09.20½ ~ 09.21½ [P1]   20/01 [P2] 20/07 [P1]
297.58
23.34
Uphill Jn 09/25 09/25   19/58½ 20/05
?
-
Highbridge Loop   19*50½ ~ 19*50½ [UGL] 19/55½
288.30
36.77
Bridgwater 09/36½ [P1] 09/36½   19/44 [P2] 19/48
?
44.00
Cogload Jn 09/42 09/42   19/38½ 19/43
275.67
48.42
Taunton 09.46½ ~ 09.46½ [P2][UDR] 09.47a ~ 10.04½d [P2]   19/34½ [P4] 19c37½ ~ 19c38 [P4]
?
49.30
Fairwater Yard 09.50½ ~ 09.56½ 10/07 [Gds Recp]  
50.38
Norton Fitzwarren 10/00½ 10/09   19/33 19/35½
?
58.43
Whiteball 10/09 10/19   19/25½ 19/28½
?
62.58
Tiverton Parkway 10/12 [P1] 10/22   19/22½ [P2] 19/25
?
64.40
Tiverton Loop 10.15 ~ 10.15 [DPL] 10/25½ [DPL]   19.20 ~ 19.20 [UPL] 19/23½ [UPL]
255.00
78.02
Cowley Bridge Jn 10/28 10/38   19/06 19/09
?
79.22
Exeter St Davids 10.31a ~ 10.34d [P2] 10.41a ~ 10.53d [P2]   19.00a ~ 19.03d [P5] 19.01a ~ 19.07d [P5]
?
-
Exeter St Davids (North) ? 10.55 ~ 10.55½  
-
Exeter St Davids (Hyde Park Sdg) ? 10.57½ ~ 10.59 [HP Sdg]  
79.77
 
 
Exeter (WaterlooNew Yard) 10.36 ~ 10.58 (via Road 1) 11.02½ ~ 11.03  
(Shunt Spur) 11.07½ ~ 11.10 (EoL)  
(Road 3) 11.17 ~ 11.18½ (EoL)  
(Rd 1 / Rd 2 points) 11.20½ ~ 11.22  
(via Road 2) 11.24 ~ 11.30½  
80.52
Exeter St Davids 11.00 ~ 11.12 [P3] 11.33½ ~ 11.35½ [P3]  
91.17
Dawlish Warren 11/22 11/48 [DT]   18/48½ 18/52
?
92.67
Dawlish 11/23½ [P1] 11/49½ [P1]   18/47 [P2] 18/50½ [P2]
?
95.50
Teignmouth 11/26½ [P1] 11/53½ [P1]   18/44 [P2] 18/47 [P2]
?
100.65
Newton Abbot 11/32½ [P1] 11/58½ [P2]   18/39 [P1] 18c41½ ~ 18c41½
220.05
-
Newton Abbot West Jn   18/35 18/40½
?
-
Torquay   18.24 ~ 18.24 [P2] 18/34 [P2]
?
-
Paignton   18*15 ~ 18*20 [P2] 18/30 [P2]
?
-
Paignton South   ? 18.20 ~ 18.28  
-
Goodrington C.H.S.   17.47 ~ 18.10 18.14 ~ 18.16½
211.30
-
Paignton   17.31½ ~ 17.41½ [P1] 18.07 ~ 18.09 [P1]
210.62
-
Torquay   17.27 ~ 17.27 [P1] 18/02½ [P1]
208.49
-
Newton Abbot West Jn   17/19 17/54½
203.13
-
Newton Abbot   17.13 ~ 17.18 [P3] 17.52a ~ 17.53½d [P3]
202.55
-
Heathfield Branch (Clear of Points)   ? 17.48½ ~ 17.50
?
-
Newton Abbot Motorail Plat   ? 17.47 ~ 17.47½ [P9]
?
-
Heathfield E.C.C. (End of Line 4m07ch)   16.30 ~ 16.50 17.17 ~ 17.20½
197.79
-
Newton Abbot   16.07 ~ 16.10 [P3] 16.55 ~ 16.56 [P3]
193.23
101.23
Newton Abbot West Jn 11/33½ 11/59   16/05 16/53½
?
104.43
Dainton Tunnel 11/37 12/03   16/01½ 16/50
?
109.46
Totnes 11/42½ [P1] 12/11½ [P1]   (15*42) ~ 15*55 16.34½a ~ 16.44d [P2]
184.42
-
Ashburton Jn   ? 16.28 ~ 16.33  
-
Totnes URS   ? 16.24 ~ 16.26
184.16
-
Totnes   ? 16/22
?
-
Totnes West End Turnback Sdg   ? 16.17½ ~ 16.19½
?
-
Totnes UPL   15*42 ~ (15*55) 16.15 ~ 16.16
183.70
?
Aish Emergency Crossover 11/52 12.25½ ~ 12.27½   15/33½ 16/05½
?
121.07
Ivybridge 11/56 [P1] 12/32½   15/29½ [P2] 16/01½
?
125.73
Hemerdon 12/00 [DM] 12/37½   15*23½ ~ 15*23½ [UGL] 15/55½ [UGL]
167.27
130.15 Tavistock Junction G.F. ? 12.43 ~ 12.46  
?
Tavistock Junction Dn Refuge ? 12.51 ~ 12.53 (EoL)  
?
Tavistock Junction G.F. ? 12.56 ~ 12.56½  
?
Laira Jn (243m 28ch) ? 12/59½ [DM]  
149.51
Laira Jn (243m 67ch) 12.39 ~ 12.41 13/01 [DG]   ? 15/50
162.69
150.09 Laira T&RSMD (Nightstar Compound) 12*45 ~ 13*05 13.06 ~ 13.17 [Lipson Siding 3] (EoL)  
150.47 Laira Jn (c.243m 75ch) ? 13.20½ ~ 13.21½  
151.00
Laira T&RSMD 12*45 ~ 13*05 13.25 ~ 13.29 [Through Sdg 2]  
151.21
Mount Gould Jn 13.10 ~ 13.10 13/32 [Up Dep]  
151.36
Friary Jn ? 13/33 [Up Dep]  
?
Turnchapel Branch Jn ? 13.35 ~ 13.35½  
151.78
Plymouth Friary S.S. 13.18 ~ 13.28 13.39½ ~ 13.42 (EoL)  
?
Turnchapel Branch Jn ? 13.43 ~ 13.44½ [Up Dep]  
?
Friary Jn ? 13/47 [Up Dep]  
152.55
Mount Gould Jn 13.38 ~ 13.38 13.49½ ~ 13.50  
153.00
Speedway Jn ? 13/51 [Up]  
154.01
Lipson Jn 13/40 13.52 ~ 13.56½   15/17 15/49
162.21
155.41
Plymouth 13.45a [Dock 2] ~ 14.06½ ~ 14.07½ [Dock 3]  
 
155.61
Sutherland Road Dn Sdg ? 14.09½ ~ 14.10  
156.01 Plymouth ~ 14.30d [P4] 14.11a ~ 14.31d [P4]   15*02 ~ 15*14 [TL] 15.46 ~ 15.46½ [TL]
160.61
?
Keyham 14.34½ [P1] 14/35½ [P1]   14.42 ~ 14.57 [Up Yard] 15p20½a ~ 15p37d [Up Yard]
158.44
158.31
Keyham Sig.P127 14.35 ~ 14.36 ~ 14.56   ~ 14.40 15/18
158.31
DIV
St Budeaux Ferry Road DIV ?   DIV 15.08 ~ 15.16 [P2]
DIV
DIV
Saltash DIV 15.01 [P1]   DIV 15.03 [P1]
DIV

Note : Mileages in table above taken from Tour Brochure. Only to be used as a rough guide as it does not take into account additional reversals and has a twenty mile discrepancy in the Plymouth area. Also does not include the brief visit to Cornwall.
Mileage of 154.01 at Lipson Jn was via a traversal of the Speedway Curve & a reversal at Laira Jn of 153.33 - That was the route taken on the first FGW Tracker tour, but on this occasion the booked route was to be direct via the rare Up Plymouth Loop Line from Speedway Jn to Lipson Jn.

Mileages Provided by Jim Sellens

From
To
M.C
Bristol Temple Meads Bedminster Up Main, adj to Pylle Hill GF 0m 51ch
Bedminster Up Main Exeter St Davids 78m 55ch
Exeter St Davids Exeter New Yard Road 1 0m 19ch
Exeter New Yard Road 1 Exeter St Davids Hyde Park Siding 0m 19ch
Exeter St Davids Hyde Park Siding New Yard Shunt Spur 0m 60ch
New Yard Shunt Spur New Yard Siding 3 0m 41ch
New Yard Siding 3 New Yard Shunt Spur Crossover 0m 12ch
New Yard Shunt Spur Crossover Tavistock Junction Ground Frame 49m 37ch
Tavistock Junction Ground Frame Tavistock Down Refuge Line 0m 32ch
Tavistock Down Refuge Line Lipson Siding No.3 1m 64ch
Lipson Siding No.3 'Sea Wall' Loop 0m 29ch
'Sea Wall' Loop Plymouth Friary EOL 1m 42ch
Plymouth Friary EOL Plymouth Dock No.3 2m 69ch
Plymouth Dock No.3 Down Siding 0m 17ch
Down Siding Saltash 4m 37ch
Saltash Totnes 27m 26ch
Totnes Totnes West Siding 0m 13ch
Totnes West Siding Totnes East Siding 0m 58ch
Totnes East Siding Totnes 0m 39ch
Totnes Heathfield ECC EOL 12m 62ch
Heathfield ECC EOL Newton Abbot Motorail Bay/Plat 9 3m 76ch
Newton Abbot Motorail Bay/Plat 9 Clear of Points, Heathfield Branch 0m 14ch
Clear of Points, Heathfield Branch Goodrington Carriage Sidings Headshunt 8m 73ch
Goodrington Carriage Sidings Headshunt Bristol East Jn 105m 53ch
Bristol East Jn Bristol Temple Meads 0m 23ch
TOTAL
302m 61ch


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