Ashton Meadows and Western Fuels

[Wilson]

Hello all

I'm 28 years old so this site has been a goldmine for me. Most of the great stuff on here is just on the edge of my memory so I'm always asking my Dad for info about stuff.

I am really interested in Ashton Meadows and the line up to Western Fuels on the docks. I was wondering if anyone had any info on these questions.

How did the operations of coal into Whapping Wharf occur?
What was the purpose of the sidings at Ashton Meadows?
What was the purpose of the civil engineer sidings at Ashton Meadows?
What workings were there to Ashton Meadows?

Hope you can help me. I was born too late and now have to deal with rather boring trains and stupid governments. Many thanks.

Paul

[carpetcone]

Mainline locos used to take the coal trains all the way up to Wapping Wharf but,presumably the condition of the track? later resulted in them only going to the Ashton sidings where Western Fuels own loco would then haul the wagons to Wapping Wharf.

[Wilson]

What kind of mainline diesels? Do you know if it was a daily train or more? I had heard about the shunter tripping the wagons up to the docks. Must have been a fantastic sight. Many thanks