I am now 84 and lived in the area during and after WW2. When my Father came home from Army service in 1945, I was 10 years old and he was employed on the GWR as a plate layer. Following the war the Admiralty raised concerns at Govt level about the possibility of storm damage to the main line at Dawlish cutting off its main fleet base at Plymouth from re supply of ammunition / fuel and Stores etc. As a consequence in 1946 and 1947 my Father and other Staff were employed, in gangs of 12 men, every weekend for 2 years in bringing the Teign Valley line - from Newton Abbot to Exeter St Thomas, via Lustleigh and Trusham up to main line standards ! With the expectation of heavy ammunition trains the existing line - mostly single track with passing loops at Stations - was deemed to not be up to those specifications ! So every under bridge and drainage culvert and embankment was strengthened to be able to cope with extra weight plus passing loops were lengthened. The Teign Valley line was closed to traffic at the time of Beeching cuts but after then it was occasionally used for the Royal Train to be stabled at night when on tours of the West Country, until the track was finally lifted. Had it been kept ready on a care and maintenance basis - as many military bases were, the West Country could have had continuous traffic during the recent period of closure. I remember my Father and his mates cycling home after a gruelling days work with pick and shovel absolutely worn out and this went on for 2 years. It is a prime example of the folly of Government short sightedness when Beeching was brought in ! PGH
I'm glad I watched this, most people didn't know what was going on down there on the sea front. All I remember was the endless traffic congestion that seemed to last forever. Looks like you did a good job so hopefully that wonderful train journey along the sea front can stay where it is.
I wish there was commentary that explained what was being done and how these measures are meant to protect the line in future storms. I guess I can google it.
True, but considering it was originally built with 1840's technology, they did a hell of a job. 160-170 years of the sea relentlessly pounding it and all the previous storms.
Why do production companies feel the need to blast our ears off with crap music 😡😡 it's a sign of a bad producer and editing team... A crap production puts music everything because it hides how s*** they really are...
Stanley T. Brunel was one of the greatest Engineers who has ever lived. If you care to read up about the route of the railway you will see Why it was the only place it could be Built due to the Terrain and the Budget allowed for the west coast line. Try doing some research on the subject before making Inane comments on something you obviously know absolutely nothing about.
He was of the greatest engineers of our time. He had no choise but to put it there, there's a sodding great hill in the way. Think before you speak and insult my hero, please.
I am now 84 and lived in the area during and after WW2.
When my Father came home from Army service in 1945, I was 10 years old and he was employed on the GWR as a plate layer.
Following the war the Admiralty raised concerns at Govt level about the possibility of storm damage to the main
line at Dawlish cutting off its main fleet base at Plymouth from re supply of ammunition / fuel and Stores etc.
As a consequence in 1946 and 1947 my Father and other Staff were employed, in gangs of 12 men, every weekend for 2 years in
bringing the Teign Valley line - from Newton Abbot to Exeter St Thomas, via Lustleigh and Trusham up to main line standards !
With the expectation of heavy ammunition trains the existing line - mostly single track with passing loops at Stations -
was deemed to not be up to those specifications !
So every under bridge and drainage culvert and embankment was strengthened to be able to cope with extra weight plus
passing loops were lengthened.
The Teign Valley line was closed to traffic at the time of Beeching cuts but after then it was occasionally used for the Royal Train to
be stabled at night when on tours of the West Country, until the track was finally lifted.
Had it been kept ready on a care and maintenance basis - as many military bases were, the West Country could have had continuous
traffic during the recent period of closure.
I remember my Father and his mates cycling home after a gruelling days work with pick and shovel absolutely worn out and this went on for 2 years.
It is a prime example of the folly of Government short sightedness when Beeching was brought in !
PGH
Wow! thanks that was marvellous to watch👍
I'm glad I watched this, most people didn't know what was going on down there on the sea front. All I remember was the endless traffic congestion that seemed to last forever. Looks like you did a good job so hopefully that wonderful train journey along the sea front can stay where it is.
Wow!
I know the line very well,from the 70s onwards.
Remember the storm & closure reports, but omg!
Great footage, thank you!
What a magnificent job ..Well Done
I wish there was commentary that explained what was being done and how these measures are meant to protect the line in future storms. I guess I can google it.
Amazing video, enjoyed it immensely
It was fascinating to watch the rebuild on the Dawlish beach webcam..the Orange army did a good job and quickly !
Great video ignore the twats that say they don't like the music. Anybody with half a brain knows how to use a volume control!
amazing video . the cost is massive , but the alternative was unthinkable . run a new railway route behind the town .
MAYBE SO CRANE OPERATIONS LOOKED AWESOME
Fighting a losing battle with that one
However hard you try ,the sea will eventually win the war
True, but considering it was originally built with 1840's technology, they did a hell of a job. 160-170 years of the sea relentlessly pounding it and all the previous storms.
Should be called Dawlish the Storm Damage and Repairs as there is no footage of the storm itself
poxy music driving us nuts
Lucky nobody was hurt
For what not closed captions ,please...OK
Unfortunately Mother Nature always wins .
Why do production companies feel the need to blast our ears off with crap music 😡😡 it's a sign of a bad producer and editing team... A crap production puts music everything because it hides how s*** they really are...
I agree totally especially when it goees bump bump bump. It shouldbestopped forthwith!
Interesting topic , narration with facts and figures would have been better than the bloody awful music , got pissed off and turned it off .
Love the music. What is it please?
Never was a good idea to put a railway there. Silly, really.
A great subject but completely lost in this mess of a video, dramatic music, out of sync with the visuals and lacking any proper narration!
One wonders what goes on in the minds of these video makers, the mur is to loud to much and unnecessary!!! Ruins the video.
Hate the music!
I'd rather hear a commentary than this stupid music.
Brunel was overrated. Stupid place to put a railway
Stanley T.
Brunel was one of the greatest Engineers who has ever lived. If you care to read up about the route of the railway you will see Why it was the only place it could be Built due to the Terrain and the Budget allowed for the west coast line. Try doing some research on the subject before making Inane comments on something you obviously know absolutely nothing about.
He was of the greatest engineers of our time. He had no choise but to put it there, there's a sodding great hill in the way. Think before you speak and insult my hero, please.