2. Railways

Whiteball to Exeter

The former Great Western Railway route to Plymouth is both scenic and challenging. Several daunting banks feature along this route and Whiteball is one. Ross and I started near Whiteball Summit and headed west to Exeter. 31/7/2001
Read More
  • Burlescombe is located on Whiteball Bank on the climb from north of Exeter to Whiteball Summit a short distance away. 43009 leads 1A36 0622 Penzance to Paddington up the 1 in 115 gradient of Whiteball Bank.

    Burlescombe is located on Whiteball Bank on the climb from north of Exeter to Whiteball Summit a short distance away. 43009 leads 1A36 0622 Penzance to Paddington up the 1 in 115 gradient of Whiteball Bank.

  • Turning around on the overbridge at Burlescombe looking up hill towards the summit and Whiteball Tunnel. 47854 brings a rake of InterCity mkII coaches down grade with 1V35 0605 Derby to Plymouth service.

    Turning around on the overbridge at Burlescombe looking up hill towards the summit and Whiteball Tunnel. 47854 brings a rake of InterCity mkII coaches down grade with 1V35 0605 Derby to Plymouth service.

  • A class 153 and 158 combination come up the 1 in 115 pull with 0905 Exeter St Davids to Bristol Temple Meads. The units are 153305 and 158836.

    A class 153 and 158 combination come up the 1 in 115 pull with 0905 Exeter St Davids to Bristol Temple Meads. The units are 153305 and 158836.

  • Turning around again and the northbound working passes a southbound one. 158867 heads south with the 0800 Cardiff Central to Exeter St Davids Wales and West service.

    Turning around again and the northbound working passes a southbound one. 158867 heads south with the 0800 Cardiff Central to Exeter St Davids Wales and West service.

  • Another northbound HST approaches with a Virgin working that could be heard for a couple of minutes before it appeared. 43087 and 43194 work hard against the gradient and will feel it. The train is 1S71 0719 Penzance to Glasgow Central, the "Cornish Scot".

    Another northbound HST approaches with a Virgin working that could be heard for a couple of minutes before it appeared. 43087 and 43194 work hard against the gradient and will feel it. The train is 1S71 0719 Penzance to Glasgow Central, the "Cornish Scot".

  • For trains coming south it is a different story with very little effort being required to maintain line speed. 43021 and 43010 will be running on less than full power with 1C09 0745 Paddington to Penzance via Bristol. The summit and tunnel entrance is just beyond the bridge seen behind the train.

    For trains coming south it is a different story with very little effort being required to maintain line speed. 43021 and 43010 will be running on less than full power with 1C09 0745 Paddington to Penzance via Bristol. The summit and tunnel entrance is just beyond the bridge seen behind the train.

  • In steam days the fireman would now be refilling his boiler and having a short breather after the gruelling climb of Wellington Bank on the other side of the tunnel. Today the driver of 43185 and 43152 on the rear has no such thoughts, he will just notch back on his control handle without a thought of breaking sweat!!

    In steam days the fireman would now be refilling his boiler and having a short breather after the gruelling climb of Wellington Bank on the other side of the tunnel. Today the driver of 43185 and 43152 on the rear has no such thoughts, he will just notch back on his control handle without a thought of breaking sweat!!

  • A different sound heralds the approach of unique (at the time) 57601 on its regular diagram of 1A43 0920 Plymouth to Paddington with six mkII coaches on the drawbar.

    A different sound heralds the approach of unique (at the time) 57601 on its regular diagram of 1A43 0920 Plymouth to Paddington with six mkII coaches on the drawbar.

  • A pair of type 5 class 67 locos come down the bank with a rake of mail vans in tow. 67028 and 67026 form 5Z74 1012 Bristol Barton Hill to Exeter Riverside empty vans.

    A pair of type 5 class 67 locos come down the bank with a rake of mail vans in tow. 67028 and 67026 form 5Z74 1012 Bristol Barton Hill to Exeter Riverside empty vans.

  • Moving slightly west to Tiverton Junction and 47832 approaches heading for London Paddington with 1A45 0820 off Penzance. The line is falling at 1 in 324 at this point.

    Moving slightly west to Tiverton Junction and 47832 approaches heading for London Paddington with 1A45 0820 off Penzance. The line is falling at 1 in 324 at this point.

  • 43035 leads a down FGW set past the up and down loops at Tiverton Junction. The former branches to both Hemyock and Tiverton diverged from here. The up platform of the old station can be seen in the distance.

    43035 leads a down FGW set past the up and down loops at Tiverton Junction. The former branches to both Hemyock and Tiverton diverged from here. The up platform of the old station can be seen in the distance.

  • Moving again further towards Exeter and the railway passes near to the village of Silverton. A pairing of a class 153 and 150 sprinter units approach climbing at 1 in 243 with 1B32 1012 Penzance to Cardiff Central. The sets are 153373 and 150266.

    Moving again further towards Exeter and the railway passes near to the village of Silverton. A pairing of a class 153 and 150 sprinter units approach climbing at 1 in 243 with 1B32 1012 Penzance to Cardiff Central. The sets are 153373 and 150266.

  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2021 SmugMug, Inc.