Radstock to Frome branch (pics)

MKC · Post by **MKC** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 6:19 pm

Went for a ride along the Cycle path next to the old Radstock to Frome GWR branch.... and took some pics.

Here are a couple:

The old site of the Radstock Station:

The old Marcroft wagon works at Radstock:

Original track is still in place along side the cycle path:

An old Brakes van sits half way along the line rusting away:

My Brother takes the opportunity for a quick flail!!! (just need a loco, could be waiting a while..........)

More details of the line can be found here:
http://www.northsomersetrailway.com
http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/content/a ... ture.shtml

Pete, I have loads of other pics and i'll email them all to you - I assume your email address in your profile is valid?

tonyperks · Post by **tonyperks** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:04 pm

Is the branch still conected to the network, and when was the last train along the line. Is the brake van still on the TOPS system?

MKC · Post by **MKC** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:41 am

The majority of the track is still in place, but there are a few gaps, and bits of rail missing - but wouldn't take much to connect it all up again imo! (just have to cut all the trees that have grown up through the sleepers!)

I think the last train that run left the wagon works in Radstock in 1988.

Not sure about the brake van.

Splodge · Post by **Splodge** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:24 am

I rode along this path last summer, the line at one point has been cut & moved about 2 feet over, all you'd need to do is move it back & then the whole line is complete.

Anyone know why they have left this line in place?

Post by **madhattie** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:05 pm

Hey up, great photos. That brakevan is a find. Looks like it was fitted with a buckeye coupling.

My email is valid, but if you could possibly send me the photos out of work hours I'd appreciate it. Much better to have them on my home computer than here in work!

John Ball · Post by **John Ball** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:50 am

Has the Radstock rail project been definitley abandoned? Thanks to Sustrans.

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:01 pm

It's still alive (see www.northsomersetrailway.com) but I don't know how realistic their plans are.

Rich_Eason · Post by **Rich_Eason** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:37 pm

Anyone know why the brake van has a buckeye fitted to it with duplicate air pipes mounted in non standard posistions?

Does anyone knows its background?

Sad I know but this is the sort of stuff that I like

BristleGWR · Post by **BristleGWR** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:58 pm

If it helps the number on the side of the van is PR4919.

Click on photo for full res version.

Rich_Eason · Post by **Rich_Eason** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:06 pm

Thanks for the pic

As I suspected it looks like this is some sort of barrier/copuling conversion wagon as the other end has a standard draw hook...although buffers have since been removed.

Going to have a bit of a delve about and see what the history of the wagon is....