Great Western Coffee Shop

A nice walk in the country. But where is this former railway location?

(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0B8VBuNEcQ7EgcDhIakdYQ3hHcnM)

Shepton Mallett ?.

Sorry, no.

Somerset

Far too vague. And no.  ;)

The "and Dorset" element ... somewhere on the way from Bath to Broadstone?

Sorry, no.

Tipton St John? Bridge just to the north of the cricket ground?

Correct! The viaduct over the River Otter on the Sidmouth Railway branch off the LSWR mainline to Exeter. Just before Tipton St Johns station, after which there was a branch off the branch, to Exmouth via Budleigh Salterton.

One of those country locations where today it's hard to imagine just how busy with trains it once was. Expresses between Waterloo and Sidmouth/Exmouth would split/join at Tipton St Johns. Up to 50 train movements a day in the summers of the early-mid 20th century. There were even services to Sidmouth/Exmouth from the East Midlands, via the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway to Templecombe, then LSWR to Sidmouth Junction.

Another view of the viaduct.
(https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0B8VBuNEcQ7EgazJLd3VwZ2JHTms)

A regular dog-walking location for me and my little white westie. Up until a few years ago, the trackbed of the Sidmouth branch to the south Tipton and up through Harpford Woods was also a very pleasant walk, but has become very overgrown of late.

You could have done with being near the cricket ground in Taunton supporting Somerset’s bid to avoid the drop!

Very divided loyalties unfortunately. With me having been a Zummerzet supporter for many years and my nephew Alex now captaining Northants, I would like to see the two counties playing each other in the County Championship. So, I would like to see both counties win their final matches and meet in Division 1 next season. Sadly, after today's play (or lack of) it looks as though both will meet next year, but in Division 2.  But there is still time  :)

It was mathematically a big ask. And after the first days play it's all but impossible for Somerset to avoid the drop. Their only chance is to skittle Middx cheaply tomorrow to avoid them racking up batting bonus points.

I've found some cine footage online of a 1st generation DMU trip from Sidmouth to Sidmouth Junction via Tipton St Johns. A dire voice-over but interesting footage nonetheless.

Part 1: https://vimeo.com/34498799
Part 2: https://vimeo.com/34500436

Somerset are making a fight of it. They did skittle the opposition, for just 142. So no batting points for Middx. A precious 3 bowling points for Somerset.

If Somerset win the match, and my maths are correct, they will stay up, one point ahead of Middx in the table. Meaning the result of the other team facing possible relegation, Hampshire (v Warks), is irrelevant.

No rain please... 

I brought these to the attention of a colleague who lives in that area.  He was delighted to see the films and has now found part three.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHZkq-q7ACU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHZkq-q7ACU)

He also passed the links on to his brother, who relayed them to a friend who, it turns out, was the nephew of the person doing the commentary and was absolutely over the moon to see them again.  So thanks to BNM!

You're welcome.

Amazing what can come of a spur of the moment decision to seek out an old railway line.  ;D

I'd driven to Exmouth to take Finn for a seaside walk and decided to go home via Budleigh Salterton, popping down to Ladram Bay - a place we holidayed as a family when I were a nipper.

On driving out of Exmouth on the Budleigh road I noticed there was a disused line to my left. Jogged my memory of reading about the 'other' line to Exmouth. I pulled over and did some Googling. Tipton St Johns*, being a junction, seemed the best place to have a stroll with the dog and see what was left of the line. So off I went there instead of Ladram Bay.



*Now, does anyone know why the railway station was 'St Johns' but the village 'St John'?