The Train at Pla,orm 1 - Home - FoHS
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The Train at Pla,orm 1 The Friends of Honiton Sta6on Newsle9er 14 - May 2021 Welcome to the May newsle0er. This month, we look forward to the possibility of further easing of lockdown regula=ons and, when condi=ons allow, to people being encouraged to travel more widely again. As our photograph demonstrates only too clearly, there is something rather sad about a sta=on and a train without passengers. We all long for the day when we can begin to explore our wonderful rail network again. Photograph: Vernon Whitlock Railways Are An Important Issue, Say Honiton Elec6on Candidates As voters prepare to go to the polls on Thursday, May 6th, the various local poli=cal par=es made clear that the future of our local railways is an important elec=on issue in Feniton and Honiton. In his elec=on address, the Conserva=ve candidate Phil Twiss promised to con=nue to press for the Whimple Loop, which the Chairman has discussed with him on a number of occasions. The project would, Mr. Twiss said, finally unlock the two trains an hour service we have been pressing for. New services would, he believed, improve access to jobs and reduce our carbon footprint.
Transcript of The Train at Pla,orm 1 - Home - FoHS
TheTrainatPla,orm1TheFriendsofHonitonSta6onNewsle9er14-May2021
WelcometotheMaynewsle0er.Thismonth,welookforwardtothepossibilityoffurthereasingoflockdownregula=onsand,whencondi=onsallow,topeoplebeingencouragedtotravelmorewidelyagain.Asourphotographdemonstratesonlytooclearly,thereissomethingrathersadaboutasta=onandatrainwithoutpassengers.Wealllongforthedaywhenwecanbegintoexploreourwonderfulrailnetworkagain.
Photograph:VernonWhitlock
RailwaysAreAnImportantIssue,SayHonitonElec6onCandidates
AsvoterspreparetogotothepollsonThursday,May6th,thevariouslocalpoli=calpar=esmadeclearthatthefutureofourlocalrailwaysisanimportantelec=onissueinFenitonandHoniton.
Inhiselec=onaddress,theConserva=vecandidatePhilTwisspromisedtocon=nuetopressfortheWhimpleLoop,whichtheChairmanhasdiscussedwithhimonanumberofoccasions.Theprojectwould,Mr.Twisssaid,finallyunlockthetwotrainsanhourservicewehavebeenpressingfor.Newserviceswould,hebelieved,improveaccesstojobsandreduceourcarbonfootprint.
SpeakingtotheChairmanwhenhemethimcampaigninginHoniton,theLabourcandidateJakeBone0asaidthathispartywascommi0edtothedevelopmentofDevonMetro,theprojectthatwoulddeliverthisnewtrainservice.HealsosaidthatLabourisinfavourofaDevon“OysterCard”forresidentsusingpublictransportinthecounty.
TheLiberalDemocratsarecommi0edtoimprovingDevon'spublictransportnetwork,helpingpeopletravelaroundthecounty.Theyplantomakeencouragegreateruseoftravelcards.Theyarecommi0edtodecarbonisingtherailways,byexpandingelectrifica=onandreducingtheuseofdieseltrains.TheircandidateinFenitonandHonitonisCathyConnor.
TheFriendsofHonitonSta=onisanon-poli=calorganisa=on.Itdoesnotendorseanyofthethreecandidatesinthiselec=on,norendorsetheplaTorms(punintended)ofanyofthepar=es.
However,wedoencourageourmembersandsupporterstoaskcandidates,andthepar=estheyrepresent,fortheirviewsonthefutureoftherailways,andtovoteinthis(andevery)elec=on.
Finally:SWRGuardsDisputeIsSe9ledAtLast
ItwasannouncedinAprilthatthefouryearlongdisputebetweenSouthWesternRailway(SWR)andtheRMTunionovertheroleofguardshadfinallybeense0led.
SWRannouncedthatguardshadvotedoverwhelmingforthedeal,underwhich,theBBCreported,theirworkingweekwouldbecutfrom42to37hours.
GuardshaveacceptedthatdriverswilloperatethedoorsonSWR’snewClass701Arteriotrains.Therewillbenochangetotheopera=onoftrainsontheExeter-Waterlooline.SWRhaveguaranteedaguardoneverytrainacrosstheirnetwork.
Thedisputeleadto74daysofstrikesbetween2017and2020,witharound800trainsadaycancelled.
AspokesmanforSWRsaid:
“Thisagreementisanimportantmilestoneonourjourneytoprovidinganevenbe7erexperienceforourcustomers,whileprovidingcertaintyforourcolleaguesandthecommuni=esweserve.Allpar=escannowmoveonfromthedisrup=onthisdisputehascausedandfocusonwelcomingourcustomersbacktoamorepunctual,reliableandcustomer-friendlyrailwayinthecomingmonths.”
TheBBC’sSouthernTransportCorrespondent,PaulClicon,wasreportedassaying:
“Bothsideshavecompromised-theyhaveagreedtochangestheypreviouslysaidwereredlinestheycouldnotcross.Inreturnforafundamentalchangeinwhatguardsdo,theunionhasachievedwhatitcalledthe‘guardguarantee’ofsomeoneoneverytrain.“Guardswillspendmore=meoncustomerservice,thecompanythinksperformancewillimprove,andtheunionisdroppingpreviousclaimsthatthiscompromisessafety.
“Bothsidesarekeepingthislowkey.Theunionisinthemiddleofchoosinganewleaderandthetraincompany'semergencygovernmentcontractisabouttorunout.Butwhateveryourview,theendofthislong-runningbutdormantdisputeiswelcomenewsforpassengers.”
EasterEngineeringWorkPreparesRailwaysforReturningPassengers
TrackimprovementandplaTormextensionworksawtheTarkaLinebetweenBarnstapleandCreditonclosedfromSaturday10thtoSunday18thApril.BusesreplacedtrainsbetweenBarnstapleandCrediton.AreplacementbusserviceranbetweenCreditonandExeter.
AtLapfordandKingsNymptonsta=ons,engineersrenewedtheballastthatsupportsthetrack,whilstatEggesfordsta=onplaTorms1and2wereextendedandnewligh=ng,drainageandfencinginstalled.
WorkwasundertakenonanumberofbridgesontheTarkaLine.AtPenstonerepairsweremadetotheunderbridgeincludingreplacingtheexis=ngwrought–irondeckwithanewstandardsteeldeck;nearColefordthetrackandbridgeatBa0esfordwasremovedandtheninfilled;andatYeofordbridgeengineersremovedthetrack,carryingoutsteelworkrepairs,gritblas=ng,pain=ngandwaterproofingthebridge.
GWRSta=onManagerfortheline,MelanieHarvey,said:
“Thisworkisimportanttoensurethatwecancon=nuetoprovideservicespeoplecanrelyonatthis=me,andwethankcustomersfortheirpa=enceinadvance.
“Wehavebeenworkinghardtomakesurethatpeoplecanbeconfidenttotravelsafely,andthatincludesrunningasmanytrainsandcarriagesaswecantomakeextraroom,andreplacementbuseswheretrainscannotoperate,aswellasenhancedcleaningandsocialdistancingmeasures.”Comple=onoftheworkwillallowtrainstorunatanincreasedlinespeed,providinggreaterresilience.PlaTormextensionworkbeingcarriedoutatEggesfordwillalsomakeboardingorleavingthetraineasierandimproveaccessibilityforless-abledcustomers.
Theseimprovementscomeaceramajor=metablechangewasintroducedontheTarkaLineinDecember2019,whichbroughtamoreconsistentandfrequentservicethroughouttheday.
TrainservicesbetweenWestburyandTauntonwerealsoamendedovertheEasterholidaytoallowtrackrenewalandotheressen=almaintenancetobecarriedout.
NetworkRailcarriedoutavarietyofvitalupgradesinSomerset,includingtrackrenewalsatWithamFriaryandSomertonTunnel,signallingupgrades,andreplacingabridgeovertheRiverToneatAthelneylevelcrossinginStokeStGregory.
Direct,fasttrainsbetweenLondonPaddingtonandtheSouthWestweredivertedviaBristol,extendingjourney=mesbyaround40minutes.StoppingservicesterminatedatWestburyorCastleCary,andrantoanamended=metable.
TrainsbetweenBristolTempleMeadsandWeymouthterminatedatWestburyorFrome,wherebusesreplacedtrainstoYeovilPenMill.
G7SummittoCauseRailDisrup6on
AlleyeswillsoonbeonCarbisBayinCornwall,asithoststhe2021G7Summitofmajorna=ons.Businessesacrosstheregionhopethatthesummitwillhavealong-termlegacyforthearea,notleastinpromo=ngthetourismindustry.However,intheshort-term,thesecurityplanforthesummitwillleadtosomedisrup=onfortravellers.
GreatWesternRailway(GWR)hasannouncedthatitwilloperateaRailReplacementBusservicealongtheCornishbranchlineroutebetweenSt.ErthandSt.IvesduringtheG7Summit.Thereplacementservicewillbeinopera=onfromMonday7thJuneun=lMonday14thJuneinclusive.ThisistoallowDevon&CornwallPoliceandthesecurityservicestosetupsecurezonesaroundloca=onsinvolvedinthesummit.
GWRwarnedpassengerstoexpect=metablechangesandsomedisrup=ontoservices.Aspokesmanadded,however,thattherewouldbeaddi=onalbusesontheTrurotoFalmouthLine,tosupplementthetrainserviceduringthesummit.AGWRspokesmansaid:
“WewanttokeeppeoplemovingandshowcaseCornwalltobetheplaceweallknowandlove.”
SWRReassuresPassengersAsTheyPreparetoReturntoRailways
SouthWesternRailway(SWR)hasannouncedtwonewini=a=vesdesignedtoreassurecustomersastheyreturntotherailway.
AnewWelcomeHostsservicewillbetrialledforfourtosixweeksateightsta=onsontheSWRnetworkandwillprovidecustomerswithanewwaytomaketravelenquiriesoraskforadvice.
TheSWRWelcomeHostswillhaveadesignatedareawhichcustomerswillseeastheyenterthesta=onandwillbeonhandthroughoutthedaytoanswercustomerques=ons,providereassuranceand=psforsafetravelontherailway,encouragesocialdistancinganddispensehandsani=ser.Itisan=cipatedthatthemovewillhelptoreduce=cketofficeandgatelinequeues.
Alongsidethisnewservice,apostercampaignisalsobeingtrialledatfivesta=ons.En=tled‘Cleaner&Cleaner’,thecampaignfeaturessta=oncolleaguesandhighlightstheireffortstokeepsta=onscleanandcustomerssafe.Thecampaignalsourgespeopletotakesomesimplestepstoprotectthemselvesandothers.
Thetrialsare=medtocoincidewiththeeasingoftravelrestric=on,whenSWRexpectstoseeasteadyriseinpassengernumbers.
TheWelcomeHostsarebeingtrialledatWimbledon,Richmond,WokinghamandPortsmouth&Southseasta=ons,withbothini=a=vesrunningatClaphamJunc=on,Woking,GuildfordandSouthamptonCentral.TheCleaner&CleanerprogrammeisalsorunningatBasingstokesta=on.
JamesDolling,HeadofCustomerExperienceChangeProgrammesatSWR,commented:
“We’relivingthroughuncertain=messowanttodoeverythingwecantohelpreassurecustomersastheyreturntotherailway.
“WehopetheWelcomeHostswillprovideausefulnewserviceforpassengers,aswellashelpingtoreducetheneedforqueuingat=cketofficesorgatelinesfortravelrelatedques=ons.
“TheWelcomeHostswillbeac=velyencouragingpassengerstomaintainsocialdistancingandwillhavehandsani=serattheirsta=onsforcustomerstouse.”
RailTimetablesSteadilyIncreaseAsLockdownEases
Longertrainsandsomeaddi=onaltrainservicesreturnedtoGWRonMondayApril12th,tohelppeoplereturningtorailtravelaspartofthegovernment’slockdowneasingroadmaptodososafelyandwithconfidence.Servicesreturnedtoabout70%ofpre-Covidlevels,withrisesplannedtoaround90%fromMay17th,whenrestric=onsareplannedtobeeasedfurther.
GWRManagingDirectorMarkHopwoodsaid:
“AsthegradualliOingofCovid-19restric=onscon=nues,wewillbestrengtheningourbusiestservicesandmoreofourlong-distanceserviceswillrunwith9or10carriages.“Wearealsoplanningfurtheraddi=onalservicesinoursummer=metable,whichstartsonSunday16May,whichwillbringusbacktoaround90%ofourusual=metable.Youshouldnowbeabletoseetheseinonlinejourneyplannerssocustomerscanplanfuturejourneysandbookahead.”
IndustrybodytheRailDeliveryGroupreportedthattrainservicesweresettoincreasefromApril12th,asthelateststageoftheroadmapforeasinglockdownrestric=onscameintoforce
MarkPhillips,CEOoftheRailSafetyandStandardsBoardsaid,
“Asrestric=onsease,itisextremelyreassuringthatrailcompaniesaretakingthenecessarystepstoensurepeoplecantravelwithconfidence.
“Whileresearchintothisfieldcon=nues,weknowthatven=la=onsystemsonmosttrainsareeffec=veinreplacingairincarriagesmeaningtransmissionmaybelesslikelyontrainsthaninotherindoorenvironments”
PaulTuohy,chiefexecu=veofpressuregroupCampaignforBe0erTransport,said:“GeYngpeoplebackontopublictransportisessen=altosuppor=ngeconomicgrowthacrossthecountryandavoidinganenvironmentallydamagingcar-ledrecovery.”
Morethan1,000dailyserviceshavebeenaddedtorail6metablessincemid-February,withmanytocome.However,noincreaseintheEastDevonLineserviceisexpectedun6lMay17th.
HappyBirthdayFeniton
Wesentourgree=ngstoTheFriendsofFenitonSta=on,thesta=onstaffandeveryoneinthevillageontheoccasionofthe50thAnniversaryofthere-openingofSidmouthJunc=onSta=onasFenitononMay5th1971.
PhotographbyVernonWhitlock,takeninaround1960atSidmouthJunc6onSta6on(Feniton)
Aswereportedinlastmonth’snewsle0er,theclosureofthesta=onwasoneoftheshortestoftheBeechingeracuts,havingshutwhentheSidmouthbranchlinewasclosedin1967.Sadlyitwastoolatetosavethebeau=fulsta=onbuildingdesigned,aswasthatatHoniton,byWilliamTite.
Ourownsta=onhousesoonfollowedin1971.Atthis=me,wealsolostthedoubletracksec=onswhichwearenowhavingtocampaignsorelentlesslytoreinstate.Howshort-sightedthesecutsnowlooktoday.
Thechairmancontributedar=clestotheMidweekHerald(duetoappearonMay5th)andtoHonitonandVillageNewsabouttheanniversary.
SouthWestMediaCampaignPromotesCommunityRail
March31stsawaconcernedmediacampaignacrosstheSouthWesttopromotetheCommunityRailmovement,andtohighlightitsvitalroleinsuppor6ngtherecoveryoftherailways.
Localcoverageofthecampaignsawanar6clesubmi9edbyourChairmanintheMidweekHerald,whichisreprintedbelow:
FiguresfromCommunityRailNetwork’s‘CommunityRailintheSouthWest’report,sponsoredbytheRailDeliveryGroupandreleasedon31stMarch,showthatmorethan600volunteersgiveover27,000hoursannuallytosupportsocialinclusionandwellbeing,sustainableandhealthytravel,economicdevelopmentandtourisminthearea,valuedat£2.3millionayear.
Sevencommunityrailpartnershipsand70sta=onadop=ongroupsacrosstheSouthWestregionengagelocalpeoplewiththeirrailwaysandsta=ons,workingwithtrainoperators,localauthori=esandotherpartners.
TheFriendsofHonitonSta=onworkwithSouthWesternRailway(SWR)toencourage,planorcarryoutvisualimprovementstothesta=onenvironmentsuchascarryingoutplan=ngprojects.ThegroupalsoseekstomakeHonitonSta=onacommunityresource,byorganisingdisplaysandbypromo=nglocalac=vi=esandeventsusingitscommunityno=ceboardontheplaTorm.
TheFriendsofHonitonSta=onalsopromoterailtravelfromHonitontolocalpeople,forinstancethroughitswebsite,aswellascampaigningforimprovementstorailservices.
Acrosstheregion,sta=onadop=ongroupstakepartincommunitygardening,foodgrowingandbiodiversityprojectsatsta=ons;communityartsandheritageprojectstohelppeoplelearnaboutandtakeprideintheirarea;workwithrailindustrypartnerstowardsimprovementsandintegra=on,suchasshelters,signageorpedestrianandcyclistaccess;andevents,workshopsandac=vi=estopromotesustainabletravel,bringpeopletogether,andcelebratelocalcommuni=es.
CommunityrailacrosstheSouthWestisnowlookingforwardtohelpingourrailwaystobeavitalcomponentofagreener,moreinclusivefuture,aspartofa‘greenrecovery’.
Forinstance,DevonandCornwallRailPartnershipisencouragingpeopletoplansustainabletourismbyrailwhenrestric=onsareeased,showcasinglocalhistories,stories,sightsanda0rac=ons,andhighligh=ngthegreatscenicviewstobeseenfromthetrainwindow.
JoolsTownsend,chiefexecu=veofCommunityRailNetwork,said:“Communityrailworkstomakeourrailwayscommunity-mindedandinclusive,andpromotessustainabletravelbyrail,bringingpeopletogetherandbolsteringlocalprideandwellbeing.
“AcrosstheSouthWest,communityrailpartnershipsandsta=onadop=ongroupshaveadaptedandresponded,suppor=ngcommuni=esthroughthepandemic,maintainingposi=vity,andadvisingrailpartnersonshiOinglocalneeds.”
TimetoTalkAboutRailTrespass
TheBri=shTransportPoliceandNetworkRailarecallingonparents,grandparents,carers,teachersandyouthworkerstotalktoteenagersaboutrailsafetyandthedevasta=ngpoten=alimpactoftrespasstothem,friendsandfamily,andthewidercommunity.
Newfiguresshowasurgeinrecklessbehaviourontherailwayinthesecondhalfoflastyear,whenBritainemergedfromthelockdownlastsummer.Theriseintrespassac=vitycon=nuedrightthroughtotheendofyear.
Alarmingly,thenumbersincreasedmostsharplyintheunder18sagegroup.Therewere2,087childtrespassincidentsbetweenJulyandDecember,a40%increaseonthesameperiodin2019.
Anewfilm:“YouvsTrain-ParallelLines”hasbeenlaunchedtogetchildrentothinkabouttheconsequencestrespassingcanhaveonthem,theirlovedonesandthewidercommunity.Every=mesomeonetrespassesontherailway,theyriskeverythingthatma0erstothem.
NadiaSawalha,televisionpersonalityandamotheroftwo,said:
“Iwassoshockedtodiscovertheriseinyouthtrespassincidentssincetheeasingofthefirstlockdown.IthinkInaivelythoughtthiswassomethingthathappenedmorewhenwewerekidsandhadsomehowmagicallydisappeared.
“Trespassingmightseemlikeharmlessdaredevilfuntosomechildren,butofcourseitmostdefinitelyisnot!That’swhyit’ssoimportantforusasparents,tohavetheconversa=onexplainingthedevasta=ngconsequencesrailwaytrespassingcanhave.
I’vesatdownwithmygirlstomakesuretheyknowthattrespassingcannotonlyharmthemandtheirlovedones,butalsoharmthosetheywouldn’teventhinkof,liketherailstaffwhomightbeleOdevastatedbyanyincident,evenanearmiss.Let’sallhavetheconversa=onguys.Itcouldsavelives.”
EngineeringWorkReport-MayandJune
Saturday1stMayun6lMonday3rdMay(BankHolidayMonday)Importantnote:ThisworkisdifferentfromtheschedulepreviouslyannouncedbySWR
ThelinesbetweenSalisburyandGillinghamwillbeclosedonthesedatesformaintenancework.ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenLondonWaterlooandSalisbury.BuseswillrunbetweenSalisburyandGillingham.TrainswilloperatefromGillinghamandAxminsteronly.
AreplacementbusservicewillrunbetweenAxminsterandExeterSt.David’s.
Saturday8thandSunday9thMay,andSaturday15thandSunday16thMay
ThelinesbetweenSalisburyandGillinghamwillbeclosedonthesedatesformaintenancework.ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenLondonWaterlooandSalisbury.BuseswillrunbetweenSalisburyandGillingham.
ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenGillinghamandExeterSt.David’s.
Saturday23rdandSunday24thMay
ThelinesintheSalisburyareawillbeclosedalldaySaturdayandSundayformaintenancework.ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenLondonWaterlooandAndover.BuseswillrunbetweenAndoverandGillingham.
ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenGillinghamandExeterStDavids.
Sunday30thMay
ThelinesbetweenSalisburyandGillinghamwillbeclosedalldaySundayformaintenancework.ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenLondonWaterlooandSalisbury.BuseswillrunbetweenSalisburyandGillingham.
ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenGillinghamandExeterStDavids.
Sunday6thJune
ThelinesintheSalisburyareawillbeclosedun=lmid-morningSundayformaintenancework.LondonWaterlootoExeterserviceswillterminateatAndover.BuseswillrunbetweenAndoverandGillinghamviaSalisbury.
ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenGillinghamandExeter.
Sunday13thJune
ThelinesbetweenSalisburyandGillinghamwillbeclosedun=lmid-morningSundayformaintenancework.LondonWaterlootoExeterserviceswillterminateatSalisbury.BuseswillrunbetweenSalisburyandGillingham.
ArevisedservicewillrunbetweenGillinghamandExeter.
AccessForAllUpdate
NetworkRailreportsthatitiscon=nuingtoworkhardacrossthenetworktoprovideAccessforAll,fromprovidingstep-freeaccesstothelatesttechnologytogivepassengersbe0erjourneys.TheAccessforAllProgrammeaimstoprovidesanobstaclefree,accessibleroutetoandbetweenplaTorms.Todaytherearestep-free,accessibleroutesatmorethan200sta=onsandNRisworkingonprovidinggreateraccessibilityatevenmore.
Thisyearhasseentheintroduc=onoftwonewfacili=estomaketherailwaymoreinclusiveatNR-runsta=ons.They'llbenefitpassengerswhouseBri=shSignLanguage(BSL)orwhoareblindorvisuallyimpaired.
SignLiveisanaroundtheclocksignlanguageinterpreta=onservice.Thiswillmeanthatpassengerscankeepuptodatewithsta=onannouncementsandsafetyinforma=oniftheyaredeaforhearingimpaired.
RoomMateisanelectronic,wallmounteddevicethatgivesblindandvisuallyimpairedpassengersabespokeaudiodescrip=oninanaccessibletoilet.RoomMatehelpspassengersaccessthetoiletiftheyareblindorvisuallyimpaired.
Thesta=onsofferingSignLiveandRoomMateservicesare:ClaphamJunc=on;Guildford;LondonBridge;LondonCannonStreet;LondonCharingCross;LondonVictoria;andLondonWaterloo.
Closertohome,thereisreportedlys=llnoprogressontheprojecttoprovideanaccessiblefootbridgeatYeovilJunc=on.Thesta=onremainsdifficulttoaccessbypeopleinwheelchairs,whohavetobehelpedacrossthelinebysta=onstafftogettotheplaTorm,whichisonlyotherwiseaccessiblebyaconven=onalsteppedfootbridge.ThelocalFriendsgrouphascampaignedhardonthisissue,andhavemetwithNetworkRail.Wewishthemwellintheirongoingcampaign.
IfasecondplaTormisbuiltatCranbrookaspartoftheproposedimprovements,itisexpectedthatitwillhaveafullyaccessiblefootbridgewithlics.Allnewlybuiltsta=ons,includingthatunderconstruc=onatMarshBartoninExeter,havetoconformtothelateststandards.ThisalsoappliedatAxminsterwhenapreviouslyclosedplaTormwasbroughtbackintouse.
TherearenoimmediateplanstoinstalanaccessiblefootbridgeatHoniton,asthesta=onisofficiallyclassedashavingstep-freeaccesstobothplaTorms.However,toreachPlaTorm2presentlyinvolvesalongdetour,leavingthesta=onviatheChurchHillroadexit,followingtheroadundertherailwaybridge,uptheaccessroadtotherearcarparkandthenusingtherecentlybuiltrampontotheplaTorm.
WhenPlaTorm2comesintomoreregularuseacerthelinehasbeenimproved,weexpecttrainstopasseachotheratthesta=onallday.Therefore,itmaybenecessaryatthat=metore-visittheneedforsuchafootbridgewithlics,similartothatatAxminster.Thisdoesnotcomecheap,butmayproveanecessaryinvestmenttomakethesta=onmoreprac=callyaccessible.
BranchLinesRemembered:BudleighSalterton
Wewererecentlysentsomefascina=ngphotostakenbyLeoDolling,ofBudleighSaltertonSta=on.
OpenedinMay1897,thelinefromTiptonSt.John’stoBudleighSaltertonwasalaterbranchoffthelinethatranfromSidmouthJunc=ontoSidmouth,whichhadopenedin1874.Thesta=onwasoriginallycalledsimplySalterton,itsnamebeingchangedin1898.
Un=l1903,thelinewassingletrack.ItwasdoubledwhenthebranchwasextendedfromBudleighSaltertontoExmouth.
OnthedownplaTormtherewasasinglestoreybricksta=onbuilding,witha=mberwai=ngshelterontheupplaTorm.Atfirst,passengershadtocrossthelinebybarrowcrossingsattheendofeachplaTorm.Afootbridgewasbuiltin1905.
Therewaseventuallyagoodsyard,withthreesidingsandabrickgoodsshed.Thegoodsyardclosedin1964.Thesta=onitselfclosedinMarch1967.
Thelocomo=ve‘BudleighSalterton’,shownabove,wasaWestcountryClass,builtatEastleighinNovember1945.ItspentmostofitsworkinglifeatExmouthJunc=on,althoughitwasalsoseeninBrighton.Thelocowasrebuiltin1958,bywhich=meithadclockedupoverhalfamillionmiles.Itwaswithdrawnfromservicein1965.
ThephotographshowsthenamingceremonyatBudleighSaltertonSta=ononJune26th1946.
Thenameplateandcrest,clearlyvisibleinthephotograph,wassoldfor£21,000inanauc=onin2007.Anameplateandcrest,believedtodatefromthe1958rebuild,isinamuseuminBrighton.
Nameplatesfromtheselocomo=vesarehighlysoughtacerbycollectors.Theyappearinspecialistauc=onsfrom=meto=me,andfetchveryhighprices.
Itisbelievedthattheywereoriginallyofferedtothelocalcouncilsofthenamedplaceswhenthelocomo=veswerewithdrawn.Someareonpublicview,forinstancetheoneatAxminsterTownHall.
Photograph:DavidMansfield
Others,suchasWhimple,canbefoundinlocalmuseumsorheritagecentres.Andsadlysome,suchasHoniton,arebelievedtobelost,goingtothescrapyardwiththeirlocomo=ve.
WebsiteChangesCauseUnexpectedIssueForPar6allySightedUsers
OneunexpectedeffectoftheannouncementofthedeathoftheDukeofEdinburghwashighlightedbyleadingsightchari=es.TheGuardianreportedthatpar=allysightedpeoplehadstruggledtoaccessrailinforma=on,acertheytemporarilyswitchedtoblackandwhiteinordertomarkthePrince’sdeath.NetworkRailandNa=onalRailwebsiteshadbothturnedfromcolourtogreyscaleinatributetotheDukeofEdinburgh.Butthegesturereportedlybackfiredwhencustomerscomplainedthattheywereunabletousethesitesproperly.OneTwi0erusersaid:
“Na=onalRailhavecolouredtheiren=rewebsitegreyto‘mournPrincePhilip’,renderingthewholewebsitecompletelyuselesstopeoplewithvisualimpairments.”
TheRoyalNa=onalIns=tuteofBlindPeoplesaid:
“Goodcolourcontrastonawebsiteisincrediblyimportant.Alackofthismakesitdifficulttoreadthecontentandcausesheadachesandeyestrain.AlthoughIcanunderstandwhyanorganisa=onmightmakeachangetoitswebsiteincircumstancessuchasthis,anychangeshouldbeinclusiveandaccessiblesothatallcustomerscancon=nuetousethesiteasnormal.”
Atthe=me,aspokespersonforNa=onalRailEnquiriessaid:
“TheNa=onalRailEnquirieswebsitehasbeentemporarilygreyscaledasamarkofrespectfollowingthedeathofHRHDukeofEdinburghonFriday.Wearelisteningtofeedbackabouthowpeopleareusingthewebsiteandaremakingfurtherchangestodaytomakeitmoreaccessibletoallourcustomers.”
ANetworkRailspokespersonsaid:“
“WetemporarilymadeourwebsitegreyscaleasamarkofrespectfollowingthedeathofHRHtheDukeofEdinburgh.We’vebeenmadeawarethishascausedproblemsforpeopleaccessingthecontentsoit’snowbacktoitsusuallook.We’resorryit’scausedissuesandwethankeveryonefortheirfeedback.”
SouthWesternRailwaypostedthismessageonthefrontpageoftheirwebsitesoonacerthedeathofPrincePhilipwasannounced.
GWRandNetworkRail,amongotherrailorganisa=ons,alsocarriedmessagesofcondolenceontheirwebsites.TheGWRtwi0erfeedalsoincludedamessageurgingcustomersnottomakespecialjourneysbytraintovisittheroyalpalacestolayflowers.
SWRLaunchesAnnualCommunityRailReport
AttheendofApril,SouthWesternRailwayuseditssocialmediumchannelstopromotethewide-rangingworkofthemanycommunityrailpartnerships(CRPs)andsta=onadoptersopera=ngacrossitsnetwork.
Thecampaigncoincidedwiththepublica=onofSWR’sannualreportonCommunityRailac=vity,whichprovidesaflavouroftherichandvariedworktakingplace.Thereportincludeddetailsofthe160thAnniversarycelebra=onsfortheYeoviltoExeterline,includingourcommemora=vebooklet,whichiss=llavailablefromHonitonLibraryandAllhallowsMuseum(whenitre-opens).
Launchingthecampaign,SWR’sCommunityRailManagerPaulaAldridgesaid:“Iknowthepastyearhasbeendifficult,butyouhaveallcon=nuedtodoanamazingjobenhancingthecommuni=esweserveanddeliveringafantas=ccustomerexperience.
“Iwouldliketothankyouforyourhardworkandpa=ence,andwearealllookingforwardtoaposi=vefuturewithrailtravelattheheartofeverythingwedo.”
SWRIssuesLatestRulesforSta6onAdop6onGroups
ThelatestversionofSouthWesternRailway’srulesforSta6onAdop6onGroupssetsoutrevisedstepstoallowsomeac6vi6estocon6nue,ortorecommence.Version7ofthedocumentstates:
Uptosixpersonsata=memaya0endsta=onstotendandwateroutsideflowerdisplays,withnolimittothenumberofdaysperweek.
Anysta=onadop=onac=vitymustcon=nuetostrictlyabidebytheGovernment’srulesonsocialdistancing,including‘Hands,Face,Space’andcomplywiththerequirementsofthisdocument.
SWRreservetherighttosuspendindefinitelyanyac=vi=esthatareunabletomeettherequirements.
Thecurrentrequirementsforpassengerstowearfacecoveringsatsta=onswillapplyequallytosta=onadopters.
Anyonewhoisexemptfromwearingafacecoveringdoesnotneedtowearone.Theseindividualsmaywishtogainasunflowerlanyard,availablefrommanyofourlargersta=onsorbycontac=ngourcustomerservicesteam.
Sta=onadop=onac=vityworkareasmustbesegregatedfromothersusingthesta=on.Thisincludesgivingpreferencetopassengers,railwaystaffandcontractors.
Inaddi=ontothisdocument,alladoptersmustcon=nuetocomplywiththeusualrulesandregula=onsrela=ngtotheirac=vi=esatsta=ons.
Anygroupwhoispartofana=onalorganisa=on,shouldalsofollowanyaddi=onalrulesassetoutbythem.
Interac6onwithSta6onStaffMinimalinterac=onshouldbeundertakenwithsta=onstaffandinaccordancewithsocialdistancingrequirements.
Alladop=onac=vi=esshouldonlybeundertakenoutsideofthemorningandacernoonpeakperiods.
Beforeandacerworks
Alladoptersmustadvisesta=onstaffoftheirpresenceorsigninandoutusingthe‘Informa=on’bu0ononHelpPointsatsta=ons.
Adoptersmustbringhandsani=sertothesta=onandusethisbeforeandaceradop=onwork.
Considera6onforothers
Whencarryingoutac=vi=esatsta=ons,socialdistancerequirements,including‘Hands,Face,Space’mustbeobservedbetweenadoptersandotherpeopleatthesta=on,asperGovernmentrules.
Adoptersmustgiveprioritytothemovementofpassengers,railwaystaffandcontractors,andstopworkifsocialdistancingrequirementcannotbecompliedwith.
Undertakingwork
Workislimitedtooutsidegardeningac=vi=esonly.
Li0erpickingac=vi=esareallowedtotakeplace.Shouldvolunteerswishtodothistheyarestronglyadvisedtowearglovesanduseli0erpickers.
Noupda=ngartdisplaysandcommunityno=ceboards,orcleaningofhardsurfaces(suchasdoors,windowsandsignage)istotakeplaceun=lotherwiseadvised.
Iftoolsaresharedbetweensta=onadopters,theymustbewipedcleanbeforeandaceruse.
Adoptersmustalwaysbearinmindsocialdistancingandkeepspaceclearforotherstomovearoundthesta=on.
Thismaymeanthatadoptershavetopauseduringtheirworkandmovetoaplaceofsocialdistancetoallowtheflowofpassengersaroundthesta=on,especiallywhentrainservicesarrive/depart.
Bookswapsandgroupproducedleaflets
Theseshoulds=llberemovedfromsta=ons,un=lfurtherno=ce.
SouthWesternRailwaysaythattheywillcon6nuetomonitorthesitua6on,andthatacompleteresump6onofnormalsta6onadop6onac6vi6eswillonlybepossibleoncetheCOVID-19AlertLevelhasreachedLevel1.
ArtCompe66onLaunchedbyNetworkRail:PassTheWordOn
NetworkRailhaslaunchedanartcompe==on,celebra=ngthemarvelofrailtravelandthedes=na=onswe’veallmissedvisi=ngduringlockdown.
The‘WishIWasThere’compe==oninvitesartstudents,aged18andabove,fromacrossBritaintocreateandsubmitpiecesofpostcardsizedartworkthatconjureupimagesoftheplacesthattheyhavebeenlookingforwardtovisi=ng.
Itcouldbeatown,cityorbeach,ashoppingstreetorevenjustapuborapark–aplacethatmeanssomethingspecialtothem.SirPeterHendy,chairofNetworkRail,said:
“Therailway,fromtheverybeginning,hasbeenanintegralpartofbringingpeopleandplacestogether.Fromvisi=ngfamilyandfriends,tothatcherisheddaytriptotheseaside.
“Therailwayhasalonghistoryofcrea=ngworksofarttopromotethedes=na=onsthatpeoplecouldtraveltobytrain,andtheartsubmi7edthroughthiscompe==onwillbecomepartofthathistory,documen=ngwhathasbeenanunprecedented=meforallofus.”
Upto100submissionswillbeselectedandwillbeexhibitedthissummeratmajormainlinesta=onsacrossthecountrybeginningatLondon’sWaterloosta=oninJuly.Therewillalsobeachancethatsomeoftheworkswillalsobedisplayedonlarge-scaledigitalscreensat20ofthebiggestmainlinesta=onsinthecountry.
Poten=alentrantsshouldnotethatthedeadlineforsubmissionsis16thMay.Itisan=cipatedthatthejudgingwilltakeplaceinJune.
Membersandsupportersareaskedtopassthewordonaboutthecompe==on,throughfamily,friendsandlocalnetworks.Thissoundsareallyexci=ngproject,andwellworthstudentsgevnginvolvedin.Experienceshowsthatcompe==onslikethesesome=mesgetfewerentriesthanyouwouldthink.Soitisalwaysworthentering.
Studentscanfindmoreinforma=onbyvisi=ngwishiwasthere.love
TransportCampaignGroupPredictsReturntotheRailways
TheCampaignforBe0erTransport(CBT)ispredic=ngthatfewlonger-termchangestotravelpa0ernswilltakeplaceacerthepandemic,quo=ngasurveyoftransportuserscarriedoutinMarch.Itsaidthatshoppingtripswouldbemadebycarin50percentofcasesandbypublictransportin49percentofthem,whichwasthecasebeforelockdownsbegan.
ButtheCBTpointsoutsomejourneypa0ernscouldchange.Beforethepandemic65percentofemployedadultstravelledtoworkeveryday,butthiscouldfallto53percent,withthegapfilledbymorehomeworking.
Thesurveyaskedwhatwouldencouragerespondentstoincreasetheiruseofpublictransportinthefuture.Lesscrowding(30percent)cametop,followedbycheaper=ckets(29percent),be0erroutes(29percent),andmorefrequent(26percent)andpunctual(22percent)services.
Simplerpaymentop=ons(suchastheabilityto‘touchin’)wouldencourage15percentofrespondents,with12percentsayingbe0eraccesstoreal=meinforma=onwouldmakethemchoosepublictransportmoreocen.TheCampaign’schiefexecu=vePaulTuohysaid:
“Carsarethemaincontributortocarbonemissionsandlethalairpollu=on,soreturningtoacar-dominatedtransportnetworkissimplynotanop=onpost-Covid.OurresearchhighlightsthatunlesstheGovernmentdoesmoretopromotepublictransportandencourageitsuse,wecannothopetoreduceharmfulemissionsorbuildbackinawaythatisfairandsustainable.”
TheRailDeliveryGrouprepeateditscallforfaresreformwithmoreflexiblefaresbeingintroduced,suchaspart-=meseason=ckets.
NewsInBrief
GreatWesternRailwaydispatchedaspecialtrainonApril30th,onanepicjourneyacrosstheGWRnetwork.IntercityExpressTrain800025–whichbearsthenameCaptainSirTomMoore–madeamammoth100stopsatsta=onsinjustover40hours,coveringnearly1,500miles.The‘CaptainTomCentennial’lecLondonPaddingtonat0637,takinginroutestoPenzance,Swansea,HerefordandBristolTempleMeads.
CaptainSirTom’sdaughter,HannahIngram-Moore,said:“Myfatherwouldhavesimplylovedtheideaofthe‘CaptainTomCentennial’trainmakinganepicjourneyaspartofthisspecialevent.HewasveryproudtoleavebehindthegrowinglegacyofhisFounda=onandwouldhavereallyenjoyedwatchingpeopleacrossthecountryuni=ngtohavefunandinspirehopewiththeirCaptainTom100challenges.It’sgoingtobeaveryspecialfewdays.”
Thenew6cketofficeatTauntonSta6onhasopened,markingasignificantmilestoneinthecomple=onofthemul=million-poundsta=onregenera=onproject.Improvementsforthesta=onincludethenew=cketoffice;sta=onentranceandforecourtwithaddi=onalbikespaces;andanewmul=-storeycarpark.
Workhasfinallybegunonbuildingthenewsta=onatMarshBarton,ExeteraspartofDevonMetro.ItwillbeonthemainlinesouthofExeterSt.Thomas.Thetwo-plaTormsta=onwillalsoincludeanewpedestrianandcyclebridgewhichwillconnectthesta=onwithAlphington,MarshBartonandtheRiversideValleyPark.Itisexpectedtoopennextyear.
SWRhasannouncedthattheintroduc=onofnewtrainsontheIsleofWighthasbeendelayed,dueasocwareissuewiththetrains,whichcametolightduringtes=ngonthemainland.Sofar,onlyoneClass484trainhasbeensuccessfullydeliveredbyVivarail.Nonewdatehasbeensetforthenewservicetocommence.TrainshavebeenreplacedbybusessinceJanuary.
Atthesame6me,SWRhasannouncedthattheprojecttouse18refurbishedClass442WessexElectricsmul=ple-units,familiarlyknownas“Plas=cPigs”,foritsLondonWaterlootoPortsmouthroutehasbeenhalted.ThesetswillnowbereturnedtotheleasingcompanyAngelTrains.
TheFrenchrailwayoperatorSNCFhasannouncedathree-monthtrialusingrapeseedoiltoreplacedieselfuelonalltrainsservingtheParis–Granvilleline.Followingtrialswitha30:70mixofrapeseedanddieseloil,theuseofB100oilmadefrom100%rapeseedwasauthorisedforuseintrainsinFrancein2018.Tes=nghasfarfoundthatfuelconsump=onisslightlyhigherthanfordiesel.ItisbelievedthatthenewfuelmaycutCO2emissionsby60%andpar=culatesby80%.
HighwaysEnglandisundera0ackoveraproposaltodemolishorinfillmorethanaround130oldrailwaybridgesandcuvngstoreducemaintenancecosts.Transportandenvironmentalcampaignersprotestedthatsomeareimportantaspartsofheritagetrailsandcycleways.Theyalsopointedoutthatfuturerailwayreopeningplansmaydependonsomeofthosewhichareatrisk.
SWRcustomerswillsoonbeabletoseehowbusyindividualtraincarriagesareinreal-=me,followingthetrialofasystemwhichusesonboardCCTVcamerastoanonymously‘count’thenumberofpassengersineachcarriage.ThesystemiscurrentlybeingtrialledbehindthescenesonSWR’sDesirofleet,whichoperatefromLondonWaterlootoWeymouth.
AndFinally…
Hereisonewaytoavoidthepost-lockdowntrafficjams:driveyourowntrain.VernonWhitlocksentusthisgreatphotographofthedayhelearnedtodriveaClass33attheWestSomersetRailway.Handsupallthosewhoaretotallyjealous…
