|
|
PHOTO
GALLERY GROUP 31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
145
|
146 |
147 |
148 |
149 |
150 |
151 |
152 |
153 |
154 |
155 |
156 |
157 |
158 |
159 |
160 |
|
Above: Devizes
Tunnel in Wiltshire is now the home to a local rifle club,
as can be seen here. The line through the town was once part
of the GWR's main route from London to Bristol, but faster
cut-off lines marooned it on a rural byway until it closed
on 18 April 1966. The 190 yd. tunnel burrowed under Devizes
Castle, which no doubt explains the crenellations on the portal.
We presume, therefore, that the castle's 19th century owner
was in favour of the railway being built! July 2008. (Ivor
Sutton)
|
|
|
Above: The
approach to Stalbridge station on the former Somerset & Dorset
Railway. The running rails and check rails still remain in place,
while the sign for 'Station Road Business Park' reminds passers-by
that local residents could once catch a train here bound for
either Bournemouth or Bath. However, the second sign – for
Bob's MOTs – proclaims the ultimate victory of the car
in this part of north Dorset. October 2006. (Tom Scott) |
|
|
Above: Staying
with the S&D, this is the trackbed ten miles south of Stalbridge,
just north of Gains Cross. This section of the former railway
is now part of the North Dorset Trailway, seen here at its
junction with the Wessex Ridgeway. Regular visitors to this site
will
be aware
that the North Dorset Trailway is a long term project that seeks
to re-use the southern half of the S&D as a multi-use path. The
photographer is a member of the committee of the Trailway Network,
a local community group
which supports and assists the Dorset local authorities in this
work. Summer 2007. (Graham Rains) |
|
|
Above: The
Ystwyth Trail near the site of Ystradmeurig Castle. This 34 km
trail (ca. 22 miles) is based largely on the former GWR branch
line between Aberystwyth and Tregaron; the railway originally
continued on to Carmarthen. As can be seen, the trail has a good
surface and still looks very new, although the banks will turn
green rapidly as grass and other plants take hold. This was the
site of a small rail-over-road bridge where the local authority
has re-graded the embankment. A lone sheep looks on, possibly
wondering why there's so little grass to eat. July 2008. (Bob
Morgan) |
|
|
Above: Another
view of the Ystwyth Trail, this time on the edge of Ystradmeurig – the
railway path leads off from the centre foreground and then curves
away under the trees in the far left. Ystradmeurig is a very
small and remote community once served by Strata Florida station.
The unusual Latin name ('blankets of flowers') derives from the
local Cistercian abbey, the remains of which are situated about
2½ miles to the south east, beyond nearby Pontrhydfendigaid
on the B4340. July 2008. (Bob Morgan) |
|
|
Above: The
former GWR station at Much Wenlock survives in excellent condition
as 'Station House', as can be seen from this fine study. For
8 miles between Farley and Longville (which are situated either
side of Much Wenlock), the 100 mile Jack Mytton Way uses surviving
sections of the GWR's old Wenlock Edge branch, carefully waymarked
to circumnavigate obstructions and sections where there is no
public access. 20 March 2008. (Bob Prigg) |
|
|
Above: Close
by Much Wenlock station, the former GWR goods shed still stands,
now tastefully converted into residential accommodation. This
building adjoined the town's original station, which
was a terminus on the Much Wenlock & Severn Junction Railway
(Much Wenlock to Buildwas, opened in 1862). A new station was
constructed when this branch became part of a through route thanks
to the Wenlock Railway (Much Wenlock to Craven Arms, opened throughout
in 1867). According to the Much Wenlock online guide, 'The railway
was started in 1850 by Dr. William Penny Brookes, town father,
entrepreneur and founder of the modern day Olympic Games'. Presumably,
the railway referred to here was the MW&SJR, the earlier
of the two companies. 20 March 2008. (Bob Prigg) |
|
|
Above: Still
in Much Wenlock, this former passenger shelter now serves as
the local bowling club's pavilion and club house. The Webmaster
is not sure if this is part of the town's first or second station,
so please get in touch via the e-mail link on our Contact page
if you know the answer. 20 March 2008. (Bob Prigg) |
|