Postscript to Exploring the Honeybourne Line in 1981

Following on from my original article, it turned out that the photo of the old Goods Shed at Winchcombe had been taken by Andy B (who was at the time a volunteer with our Permanent Way gang) in 1984, three years after the exploration of the line made by my friend Alan and myself. Andy has since sent another six photos and very kindly said that they can be published. They show scenes at Winchcombe in 1984, 1986 and 1987.

In 2012 the Railway suffered the major embankment collapse at Chicken Curve, just north of Winchcombe. While this was being rebuilt, the trains ran between Winchcombe and Cheltenham, and Carriage and Wagon became the Railway's loco shed and yard. 

For the first time since the mid-80s, there was once again a lengthy section of bare trackbed. Having seen this between Cheltenham and Honeybourne 30 years before, I never thought I would ever see it again. I personally found it a somewhat strange and unwelcome sense of deja vu.

 

Beginning with a repeat of Andy's excellent photo of the old Winchcombe Goods Shed taken in April 1984. There is a JCB parked behind the shed as the GWSR volunteers had started clearing the site by then. 

25th April 1984 - the view north from the Winchcombe Station site with activity around the Goods shed.

 25th April 1984 - Winchcombe Station site looking south

30th November 1985 - the second sponsored track laying approaching Winchcombe

1st November 1986 - the signalbox from Hall Green begins to rise

1st December 1986 - the rebuilding of Winchcombe Platform 1 begins

1st February 1987 - Winchcombe Signalbox with the ground level looking fairly complete

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Moving on to 2012 and the sight I never expected to see again

 

17th May 2012 - the start of Chicken Curve looking north - but for the fresh ballast, this could be January 1981 again.

 17th May 2012 - turning on the spot to take the view back towards Winchcombe Yard

I don't know who took this final photo when a group of us from our Thursday gang walked along to see progress

L-to-R : Malcolm, John, Ron W., myself, Ron B., Dave H., Robin, and Rod