Meldon Quarry trains, 17th - 19th September 1991

Yet more low quality VHS from the archives...this one is of a few days spent linesiding trains to and from Meldon Quarry on the remains of the L&SWR main line to Plymouth. Track ballast from the quarry is moved by train to various points across the UK, all of the trains heading north will come from the quarry to Exeter Riverside Yard to reverse then head toward Taunton and then on to Westbury. By 1991 locomotives used for this work were allocated to the Civil Engineering department and were painted in their Yellow/Grey livery. Trains to the quarry run on the southerly track from Crediton to the site of the former Coleford Junction, the northerly track carries the remaining passenger service to Barnstaple. Between Cowley Bridge Junction [just north of Exeter] and Crediton both passenger and freight services use the same line.

The first scenes are on the bridge next to Yeoford station, which is about half a mile to the southeast of the site of Coleford Junction.

On 17th September 1991 37038 & 37191 pass with a train of "Seacow/Sealion" 40 ton bogie ballast hopper wagons.

The next day at the same location 33108 leading a 33/0 and 37, is seen with a train comprised of fixed wheelbase ballast hoppers with a single bogie ballast hopper.

The same day the same pair of 33s return light to Meldon then return with a loaded train a couple of hours later, the location is near Gunstone Mill.

On 19th September 1991 33009 & 33002 are seen arriving and departing from Crediton station after a mixed rake DMU arrives from Barnstaple. Later the same pair are seen passing the bridge on Langford Road as they head back toward Exeter, followed by the same pair entering the yard under Cowley Hill Road bridge a few minutes later. 37038 then leaves the yard.

A couple of hours later the same pair of 33s are seen passing on their way to Westbury at Rewe.

Later the same day, a pair of 33s, the leading one being 33202, the trailing one possibly 33106, are seen leaving the site of the former "Tiverton Junction" station at Willand with a train of empty bogie ballast hopper wagons. This view is from the bridge on Lloyd Maunder Road.


Apologies for the quality, though I think its worth sharing pre-privatisation Class 33 video.