Tarka Line - Exeter to Barnstaple: services, facilities, incidents and events

[whole diary]

[plymothian]

The 05.50 EXD^▸ (Exeter St Davids station )-BNP^▸ (Barnstaple station (in the context of the railways)) ran over 4 concrete troughing lids this morning around Newton St Cyres, which were placed on the rails.  Luckily, the train demolished all 4, but remember what can happen by such wanton behaviour.

[grahame]

The 05.50 EXD^▸ (Exeter St Davids station )-BNP^▸ (Barnstaple station (in the context of the railways)) ran over 4 concrete troughing lids this morning around Newton St Cyres, which were placed on the rails.  Luckily, the train demolished all 4, but remember what can happen by such wanton behaviour.

It's work quoting from that page here

On 25 June 1994, the 22:45 from Wemyss Bay to Glasgow, in Scotland, derailed and smashed into a bridge after hitting concrete blocks placed deliberately on the railway

...

The leading bogie of the EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) derailed and the train immediately collided with the solid structure of the overbridge, crushing the driver's cab, killing driver Arthur McKee, 35, and also killing passenger Alan Nicol, 21

...

After a trial by the High Court, the culprits, Gary Dougan and Craig Houston, two 17-year-olds from Greenock were each imprisoned for 15 years for culpable homicide

[plymothian]

Once again the 05.50 has run over objects placed on the track.   This time a road sign.

[grahame]

Once again the 05.50 has run over objects placed on the track.   This time a road sign.

This morning:

05:50 Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple due 06:55 This train will be terminated at Crediton.
This train will no longer call at Yeoford, Copplestone, Eggesford, Umberleigh and Barnstaple.
This is due to a train fault. Last Updated :25/05/2015 06:16

Co-incidence?

[bobm]

Not this time - a pair of 143s having a range of technical problems.

[Palfers]

Just travelled to Barnstaple on a 143 first time for a while. I forgot how smooth the track  is in places! Had to hold on tight to my coffee. Cant be good for those trains to bounce around like that?

[plymothian]

BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) appeal

http://www.btp.police.uk/latest_news/objects_placed_on_line.aspx

[plymothian]

It's been nearly 2 years since these incidents, and I hope that yesterday's incident is not the problem flaring up again.

2B70 struck a road sign placed on the track near Lapford, disabling the train and causing 3 return trip cancellations.

[plymothian]

2B70 has struck road signs YET AGAIN.  This time at Yeoford on Monday 15th May.

http://www.devonlive.com/someone-keeps-putting-road-signs-in-front-of-moving-trains-in-devon/story-30340455-detail/story.html

[bobm]

I gather they were not just chucked on the line but whoever was responsible went to the effort to actually stand them up in the four foot.

Totally mindless.

[Umberleigh]

Well worth a read:

https://www.railengineer.uk/2018/01/09/a-short-story-of-a-railway-and-its-river/

[RichardB]

Great article about a great scheme.  A significant long term threat to the railway removed in grand style.

[TonyK]

Very good article indeed! Although a "surfeit of lampreys" isn't always a good thing.

[SandTEngineer]

Yes, very good article.....and I learnt a new word.....Geomorphology

Geomorphology is the scientific study of the origin and evolution of topographic and bathymetric features created by physical, chemical or biological processes operating at or near the Earth's surface.

...or put another (clearer) way....

Geomorphology is the study of landforms, their processes, form and sediments at the surface of the Earth (and sometimes on other planets). Study includes looking at landscapes to work out how the earth surface processes, such as air, water and ice, can mould the landscape.

[RobT]

And here's the work in progress courtesy of a recent Google maps image



Edit note: Link to map image fixed. CfN^▸ (Chris from Nailsea, an administrator on this forum).