Once a week I get to drive the Cockington Clipper instead of the service 500. This is so the full time driver can have a day off now ond then. The departure point is the same for both services, Torbay Road in Paignton. Sixty metres in front of the bus stop is probably the bussiest level crossing in the country and it is common to get stopped at this crossing 2 or three times a day. The Cockington route then goes round in a circle and passes back over the rail line via a slightly less busy level crossing in Sands Rd. This crossing is used mainly by the Paignton to Dartmouth Steam Railway, web page here
http://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/. If you are into steam trains then take a ride between Kingswear and Paignton.
The engine in the photo which I took after being stopped at the crossing is call the Torquay Manor and I haven't noticed it before. The barrier to the crossing goes down well before the train arrives for safetyu reasons so there is plenty of time to stop the bus, switch the engine off and get out and up close to the track. The train then takes a minute or so to pass so getting stuck at both crossings can add 5 minutes to the journey time. Does take a good photo though.
3 comments:
No where near the busiest I'm afraid! Tallington is believed to hold the record. In the rush hour the barriers are kept down 40 minutes in every hour, accounting to around 24 trains per hour.
7800 Torquay Manor is really 7827 LYDHAM Manor the lines long standing Manor class. It is becoming more common for preserved locomotives for special events or for short periods to act as a scrapped stablemate.
David
To Laurence, I hate to drive through Tallington without a good book and a large flask of coffee, it would play havoc with the schedules.
To anon Isn't changing names like that cheating and supposed to bring bad luck.
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