On Wednesday I was privileged to be invited to see the construction of HS2s Duddeston Jn viaduct up close. It’s an impressive structure that’s being built on a very constricted site. To add to the fun the engineering challenge is made tougher by the viaduct’s changing horizontal curve and 3% gradient, which sees it climb to around 12m above the existing railway.
Built by consortia BBV, the weathering steel structure is made up of 14 spans of around 55m apiece. It’ll weigh up to 6,835 tonnes when complete. Seven spans are being built and pushed out over the existing railway lines whilst the remaining seven spans will be built and craned into place to create a 700m long structure.
Duddeston Junction Viaduct is supported by one abutment, two steel piers, four portals and eight concrete piers. It’s the longest viaduct on the Curzon Approaches by over 400 metres – eclipsing Curzon 1 which measures around 300 metres.
Here’s a selection of pictures from my visit.
A freightliner Class 66 passes where the viaduct will be pushed out over the four tracks of the busy Birmingham to Derby main line. In the background is the Freightliner container terminal whilst the pillars of the HS2 line lead your eye towards the Curzon St No2 viaduct which can be seen peeping out from behind the trees. These two freight lines are new. The originals had to be slewed to provide a space for one of the HS2 viaduct pillars. This involved building a new bridge over Duddeston Mill Rd which can be seen in the picture. The diverted freight lines are to the left of this pillar, which was built on the course of the original formation. The 20m wide gap that was created allowed the bridge pillar to be built. The viaduct is like one giant Meccano set, with the weathered steel being welded (or bolted) together on site. Looking along the viaduct towards Washwood Heath. The constricted nature of the site is evident. HS2 have taken over the warehouse to the right which is used for offices and storage. The weathered steel that makes up the viaduct is shipped in from Portugal, then put together on site. That white line? That’s where two sections have been welded together. Looking along the inside of the viaduct. Unlike other HS2 viaducts at Wendover and elsewhere, this one will be left open at the bottom. The viaduct with Birmingham ROC (Rail Operating Centre) in the background. You can see where sections have been welded together. To the left is the ‘nose’ of the viaduct, which is the guide fitted to it whilst it’s pushed out. The pile cap and wing walls which form the start of the viaduct. This is a massive structure sitting in piles of 1.8 meters in diameter sunk to 20 meters in depth. It’s designed to take the stresses of high speed trains passing over the viaduct.. Looking along the viaduct towards central Birmingham, with the ROC to the right and Curzon St No2 viaduct on the horizon beyond. Building the bridge deck insitu. The size and complexity of the rebar is evident. The bridge deck waiting for the next section to be built so that it can be pushed out further. The curvature is evident. Pillars for the viaduct on the opposite side of the existing railway. One the viaduct is pushed out to bridge the railway the remaining seven spans of the viaduct that will bridge these pillars will be built on site and lifted into place. A telephoto view that gives an impression of the curvature of the viaduct.The back of the viaduct with sections of it being assembled before being joined to the existing structure. The constrained nature of the site is evident. Part of the problem in building the viaduct is the curvature, which means the length of sections that can be built at any one time is limited. In the background is the first of four spans of the new Washwood Heath viaduct, a replacement road bridge. This span will be lifted into place over the railway during a blockade over the August bank holiday. The assembly area for viaduct sections with the gantry crane used for lifting them into position. The steel is brought in by road, which presents its own logistical challenges due to the size and weight of some of the pieces. Sections of the weathered steel in the assembly area. One of the bearings that the viaduct is slid over. This one is capable of being moved to left or right, hence the long pad it’s sat on. Who says no rails have been laid on HS2 yet? OK, admittedly, this is only for the travelling crane!
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One of Merseyrail’s battery fitted Class 777s at the end of the line at Headbolt Lane station which opened in October 2023. This section from Kirkby isn’t fitted with electrified 3rd rail, hence the need for battery-electric trains to bridge the gap. 7 of the 53 strong fleet have been fitted with batteries in order to run the service which runs every 15 minutes, taking just 20 minutes to reach Liverpool Central. The yellow poster with an X on it in the cab window indicates that this unit can’t work in multiple coupled to another set. Meanwhile, over on the Wirral. Here’s Rock Ferry station, which used to be the terminus of Merseyrail electric services until 1985 when the 3rd rail was extended to Hooton, Chester and Ellesmere port. Before then, electric services used the two platforms to the left of the picture (now only used for stabling) whilst a diesel DMU shuttle ran to Chester and Helsby on the centre lines. There used to be six platforms here. On the far right were two more on the old GWR route from Birkenhead Woodside, which closed in 1967. Those lines were still used for freight to/from Birkenhead docks until 1993. They’re now disused. As you can see, the station is about to be fitted with lifts to make the Southbound (Chester) platform accessibleNow here’s a mystery! I spotted this at Birkenhead Central. It looks suspiciously like a trip-cock. A signal protection system used on the London Underground. I’ve never heard of (or seen) these being used on Merseyrail before, so I wonder if any reader can explain. A Northern Class 323 at Liverpool Lime St. These 1992-95 built trains never used to escape the Manchester area to make it as far as Liverpool until recently, when the fleet was strengthened with surplus units transferred North from the West Midlands. Originally, the plan was to keep them in service until the early 2030s. Now they’re all due to be replaced in 2027 as Northern are acquiring the fleet of stored Class 350/2s. Enjoy them whilst you can…The tower and clock of one of Liverpool’s classic palatial pubs – the Vines on Lime St. The interior is even more striking than the exterior.
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Today my time here has taken a slightly different turn as my Sister and her partner have booked a weeok away in Croatia, which means cat-sitting is required. Not at my sisters (there’s cover here) but at Steve’s as he has three moggies which he brought back with him from Saudi Arabia. So, I’m moving into Marshside for a week.
It’s a very differenoljt part of Southport to where my sister lives. This part of town was a late Victorian/early Edwardian extensiojn. Marshside ki are still seeniip as a o typejkimjm of people to ordinary Sandgrounders (the nickname for people from Southport).
Having a place to mkkjpkopopyself (well, if you don’t count the cats) will allow me to finish a load of work I need to do, including a couple of articles for RAIL magazine. As Marshside is pretty isolated, I’ll still have the opportunity to get plenty of steps inip too.
Here’s a few pictures that illustrate the area. I walked there from the centre of town, which was interesting as I discovered things I never knew, like thkje fact Southport once boasted an aerodrome!
The Southport aerodrome existed from 1910-1966, closing when I was a child, but I’d never heard of it. It was only when I was walking to Steve’s that I passed this history board that I discovered its existence. Here’s more about the history of the site. The Marshside fog bell. In 1869 seven men out shrimping got lost in fog and drowned. The community raised fund to build this fog bell so that the tragedy would never repeat itself. You can read more about it here. An old fishermen’s cottage in Churchtown. Tiny, aren’t they?
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Our last day in Devon saw us breaking up into different camps. Clive had to go off to Northamptonshire for work, so the four of us only had the morning together before he left. Dawn and Ann arranged to enjoy a sunny day at home in the garden but I had something more adventurous planned. As much as we’d enjoyed walking the Tarka trail there was a gap in the route which we hadn’t closed, so I planned to go out and complete the section between Bideford and Instow. Dawn decided to accompany me as far as Bideford in order to get her walk in for the day, only to find the shops she was hoping to browse whilst she was there were all closed. Bideford isn’t exactly a hive of activity on a Sunday, to say the least!
I had better luck as I managed to get shots of the old station and its museum in far better light than on my previous visit, which was a bonus. After that I pounded the tarmac on the Tarka trail all the way to Instow. It was a lovely walk as the trail follows the River Torridge all the way. Plus, the sun was in the right position for me to get shots of many of the old ships that litter the riverside as well as the shipyard at Appledore. This yard’s had a mixed history over the years but seems to have gained a new lease of life. In 2024 it was bought by a Spanish company Navantia. Now it’s building Royal Navy ships again, this time supply ships for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (link).
Arriving hot and sweaty (but happy) at Instow I had an hour to wait for the tide to come in so that the ferry across the river to Appledore could start running, Admittedly, sitting on a pier watching the world go by whilst the sun beats down upon you is hardly a hardship!
Once across I had another 90 minute walk ahead of me through Appledore and the quaintly named Diddywell before getting home, where the girls were still chilling in the garden. Still, 27,000 steps on a hot day with a camera bag on my back was an achievement!
Here’s a few pictures from the day…
I did say the weather was better in Bideford!The Tarka trail looking North form BidefordBuilt in 1946 and preserved at Bideford, the SS Freshspring is a former RFA ship and the last of her kind. Appledore shipyard at low tide.The Tarka trail on the approach to Instow from the South.
And so ended our last day in Devon. We’d had a fantastic time exploring places neither of us had seen before and others we’d not visited for yonks, none of which would have been possible without the superb hospitality of Ann and Clive. Thank you!
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With the weather having picked up dramatically day 6 saw us off on another grand tour thanks to Clive, who spent the day driving us around Devon and into Somerset.
Our first port of call was Chelfham, a small village on the route of the old Lynton and Barnstaple railway. The landscape here is dominated by the impressive old viaduct.
Cafe and viaduct
Underneath it nestles an old mill and the ‘crafty cafe’ which is run by a community organisation called the growforward project. They serve great breakfasts as well as other food and drink and regularly hold music events, yoga sessions and all manner of community focussed activities.
Whilst the reborn Lynton and Barnstaple railway hasn’t reached here yet the station’s been beautifully restored and is open on a regular basis.
Pretty Chelfham station.
Our next stop was at the railway proper. The current base for the railway is at Woody Bay. The old station building contains a ticket office, cafe and shop with the rest of the site containing the line’s loco depot and carriage shed. It’s all beautifully kept and a real credit to the volunteers. Trains run along the former line as far as Killington Lane which is roughly a mile away. The trip offers some fantastic views of the Devon coastline – and what better way to see it than in some superbly restored railway coaches hauled by a steam locomotive which is a carbon copy of one of the line’s original engines?
No 762 is a modern recreation of one of the original engines used on the Lynton and Barnstaple before its closure in 1935.One of the beautifully restored old coaches.Clive enjoying 1st Class luxury!
I wish the L&B every success with their ambitious plans to extend the line in each direction as it really is a little gem of a railway.
Our next port of call was the coastal town of Lynton, where we took the funicular railway down to Lynmouth. The funicular has the distinction of being the highest and steepest water worked railway in the world. Lynmouth itself is a pretty little harbour with a torrid past. In 1952 the village suffered a terrible flood which killed 34 people and left the place buried in mud. There’s little sign of the event now other than a small museum which tells the story of the tragedy.
Joining the funicular car at Lynmouth for a trip up to Lynton.When they said the funicular was steep, they weren’t kidding!Lynmouth harbour
Having explored and filled ourselves with ice cream we set off again, this time to Exmoor , where we crossed the border into Somerset. There’s some fantastic views to be had from the moors. You can look across the Bristol channel to South Wales, or along the Somerset coast to spy places like Minehead and Hinkley nuclear power station.
Looking along the coast from Exmoor towards Minehead, with Hinkley nuclear power station in the distance
Having driven back to base the day ended with an evening out at Westward Ho! where we enjoyed a few drinks by the beach before tucking into fish and chips. Well, what else should you eat besides the sea!
Low tide at Westward Ho! with the wind driving the sea onto the rocks.In the opposite direction, surfers hope to catch a few waves.
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The weather here in Devon picked up again on Friday. We still saw mixed skies and the occasional light shower, but sunshine was a constant visitor throughout the day and temperatures were ideal for walking – which is what we did.
Today’s plan was to walk more of the Tarka trail, this time South from Bideford to Torrington, a distance of about 6 miles. Clive had some work to do which left our trio (Dawn, Ann and I) to complete the trek and meet Clive for tea and cake at the other end.
Here’s a few pictures from the walk.
We joined the Tarka trail at Bideford station, where the old signalbox museum was open. Here’s a look inside. The signalling diagram for Bideford station, showing the old track layout. The railway bridge over the River Torridge is a great place to stop and watch the wildlife on land and sea. There’s a short tunnel on the section between Torrington and Bideford which is fun to walk through. It’s well lit, so not too spooky!Inside the tunnel, showing the mixture of construction techniques. There’s plenty of wildlife en-route, including butterflies like this. Torrington is the site of the Tarka Valley Railway. They have a couple of old industrial diesel shunters and an ex- GWR Class 143 ‘Pacer’ DMU. This is a Ruston and Hornsby 0-4-0 built in February 1969 as a 192hp diesel electric shunter. Works number 544998, it was last standard gauge locomotive built by the company. It was delivered new to the Nevils Dock and Railway Company in Llanelli where it continued to work until 1990. Torrington station contains the Puffing Billy cafe which offers a range of snacks, drinks and meals. The station was once an important freight location, sending two daily trains of milk tankers to London Waterloo station.
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The weather finally let us down on Thursday. The rain stayed with us for most of the day with the skies remaining leaden throughout. We even had sea mist nearer the coast, so the plan for a long walk went out of the window. Instead, Clive drove us all to Hartland Quay, a former harbour near the north-western tip of the Devon coast. It’s famous for its rcky outcrops and rough seas, which we had a small taste of. There’s also a hotel and pub, which we took refuge in to enjoy a hot drink and chips after being battered by the wind. The rock formations here are amazing and well worth seeing.
The sea shows off its power.
Our next stop was somewhat more eccentric. The Merry Harriers garden centre, which features something I’ve never encountered before. A Gnome garden! No that wasn’t a typo – it really is a garden full of gnomes – of all different shapes, sizes and poses!
Heading back to base afterwards the rest of the team relaxed whilst I went for another wander into Bideford, where I crossed the river and popped in to the old railway station which is the base of the Bideford railway heritage centre. The group have reinstated a short length of track and have a small Planet diesel locomotive and a brake van which they plan to give rides on.
The old signalbox has been restored, along with a old SR parcels van and a Mk1 coach which is used as a cafe.
The day was rounded off with a visit to a restaurant and bar in nearby Northam. The Crow Bar has only been open for 9 weeks. It’s modern feel and variety of seating makes it an interesting venue. The food is tapas based with the beers locally sourced. The owner has installed their own micro-brewery which isn’t in production at the moment but will be opening just as soon as time permits. We really enjoyed our visit. The food was excellent as was the atmosphere.
A view of the main area and bar which has a mezzanine floor above containing comfy seating.The Spanish style croquettes.Today’s special was a delicious Trout.
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Our third day in Devon was less about trekking and more about touring – although we still managed an old railway walk! Clive drove the three of us over to Tavistock, a lovely old town neither Dawn nor I had ever visited before. Tavi’ has a fantastic indoor market which is well worth a visit. It certainly separated us from some money!
Tavistock once had two railway lines serving the town. Both have been closed. Tavistock South was on a line from Plymouth owned by the Great Western Railway whilst Tavistock North was part of the London and South Western Railway. The LSWR was built above the town, which it crossed on on a high viaduct. This is now part of a cycle and walking trail which offers good views across town.
Moving on from Tavi we had a tour of Dartmoor which is reminiscent of North Yorkshire. After which we called in at Okehampton, where the town was restored to the national railway network in 2021. Here’s a few pictures from our travels…
Inside Tavistock’s Pannier market. There’s a great selection of stalls selling all sorts of stuff, old and new…Need a guitar or ukulele?Bob’s East End cafe in the Pannier market. A great place for an all day breakfast at very reasonable prices. The LSWR viaduct in central Tavi was completed in 1890. It’s 420ft (128m) long and is made up of eight spans; five of 50ft (15m) and three of 32ft, (10m) with a height of 70ft (21m) to the road below. The old station is behind the camera but access is restricted as it’s now a private dwelling.The view from the viaduct looking over town. Walking along the old line. The trackbed has been raised in many places. – hence the low height of the overbridge. Dartmoor. You can see why they built a prison up here…Okehampton station has been restored and repainted in Southern railway colours, although…The Great Western Railway had the last laugh as the current train service to Exeter is operated by the GWR franchise – until it’s absorbed into the nationalised Great British Railways anyway…
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Day 2 of our trip saw us on another long walk whilst visiting some historic places with rich social histories. Clive drove us to Westward Ho! the only place with an exclamation mark in its name. The name came from a Charles Kingsley book, titled Westward Ho! It was a best seller and brought a new wave of tourism to the Bideford area leading to the creation of the village, which has grown considerably in recent years.
Our walk took us along the coast on the trackbed of an old railway that I’d never heard of before. This was pretty unique too as it’s possibly the only standard gauge passenger railway that was never connected to the national network. The Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore railway had a very short life. It opened in 1901 and closed in 1917. Having walked along part of its route along the cliffs I’d have thought it would have made a great preserved railway and tourist attraction, but it never survived World War 1.
The course of the old railway makes a great coastal path. Here it is at Abbotsham Cliffs West of Westward Ho! At this point the old railway swung inland to head towards Bideford. You can see the course of the line and a couple of breaches in the trackbed near the top of the picture. This is a lovely place to stop and admire the coastline. The wind was whipping up quite a few white capped waves during our walk. Here’s the view looking East towards Baggy Point.
Back in Westward Ho! We explored the village and I discovered its link with one of Britain’s most famous authors whom I’ve long admired. Rudyard Kipling. Kipling went to school in Westward Ho! and he’s remembered by plaques and a line of his most famous poem ‘if) being incorporated into the seafront pavement.
Memories of Kipling in Westward Ho!A colourful row of houses in Westward Ho! with several being repainted for the summer season.
Having driven back to Northam we popped into the local church where Ann volunteers at their regular coffee and cake days. I’ve always enjoyed visiting country churches as they often provide fascinating glimpses into British social history and St Margaret’s was no exception. Oh, and the cakes were excellent!
Many a well-to-do family’s line ended like this during the First World War, with the death of the only son.Segregated church services!Coffe with Passionfruit and lemon cake. Yum!
Having returned home to take our ease I couldn’t resist on last wander into Bideford to make the most of the weather in order to get a few pictures.
The most substantial surviving structure of the old railway is the engine and carriage shed in Bideford. Nowadays it’s used as a car-wash. The old bridge in Bideford with the modern bridge in the background.
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Monday was our first full day here in Devon. We’re staying with our friends Ann and Clive here in Bideford, a lovely area on the North Devon coast. I’ve not time to write a full blog so I’m going to leave you with pictures from the days activities which involved a long walk into Appledore, the ferry across the river to Instow and then a hike along the Tarka trail (the old railway) from Instow to Barnstaple before getting the bus back.
Looking across to Lundy Island. Rather poignant seeing as the anniversary of the D-day landings was only a few days ago. Looking back to Appledore as we cross the river Torridge on the little ferry. Instow station on the Tarka trail. The old signalbox and some other rail features have been restored. Heading towards Okehampton on the Tarka trail. The trackbed had been tarmaced, making an easy surface for cycling/walking. The cafe and information centre at Fremington Quay on the Tarka trail. This was once a busy port, transhipping coal and clay from rail to ship. The quay closed in 1969. The cafe here serves a range of food and drink – and great cakes! An abandoned yacht on the edge of the River Taw as we approach Barnstaple.Nice here, innit? Rather bigger than Bigland Towers too…
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Paul Bigland 