OLD DEVONPORT . UK
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©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth
Webpage created: September 05, 2020
Webpage updated: September 05, 2020

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RAILWAYS IN OLD DEVONPORT  |  MAIN LINE, PLYMOUTH STATION (MILLBAY) TO LISKEARD STATION

SALTASH TO WEARDE DOWN GOODS RUNNING LOOP

A Down Refuge Siding existed at Wearde Signal Box.  Running behind Defiance Platform, which ceased to be used on and as from October 27th 1930, it was capable of taking 37 wagons plus engine and brake van.

In April 1943 it was converted into a Down Goods Running Loop by extending the eastern end to just short of the Combe-by-Saltash Viaduct at Saltash.  Access was controlled by the Saltash Signal Box.

The District Traffic Manager, Mr J S P Pearson, issued instructions in June 1945 for "The running round engines of empty coaching stock trains and shunting of coaches for stabling at Wearde".

'The Down Goods Running Loop may be used, when practicable, for the purpose of running round the engine of empty coaching stock trains.  In the event of this course being necessary, or in order to preclude the necessity of providing two engines to facilitate the shunting of coaching stock to Wearde Carriage Sidings, as referred to in the Instruction headed "Stabling of Coaches Wearde, Loop Siding" the following instructions must be carried out:

1.  The provisions of Double Line Block Regulations 10A must be observed.

2.  The Signalman at Saltash and Wearde must arrive at a clear understanding and must ensure that a second train or engine is not admitted to the Goods Running Loop following the empty stock train until the working covered by BT Regulation 10A has been completed.

3.  In cases where it is desired to send empty coaching stock trains to Wearde, which consist of more vehicles than shewn [sic] in the instruction "Stabling of Coaches, Wearde. Loop Siding" which necessitates the use of two engines for shunting, the Station Master concerned must ascertain from the Signalmen at Saltash and Wearde whether they will be in a position to allow the Goods Running Loop to be used for running round the engine.  If so, it will not, for shunting purposes, be necessary to attach an additional engine but a competent Traffic Department man, in addition to the Guard, must accompany the train, who must, when the propelling movement from the Goods Running Loop is made, ride in a suitable position in order to transmit the Guard's hand signal to the Driver.'

The Wearde Carriage Sidings were taken out of use by British Railways on November 2nd 1964.  The western end of the Down Goods Running Loop near Wearde Signal Box was taken out of use on October 31st 1965, the same date upon which Wearde Signal Box was closed.  The eastern end of the Down Running Loop, which had become a dead end siding, was taken out of use in October 1972 when the Saltash Goods Depot was removed.