March 11th 2008 Continued…
Upon arrival at Dawlish there was just enough time to capture some final low light shots to end the day on…
March 11th 2008 Continued…
Following the coastal path back into the town we stopped to take a few shots of the bridge over the line just before the entrance to the Station. This is the scene from a painting entitled Castle on the Coast by David Weston (more info here) which I have a print of.
Then we headed for the station to take our train back to Dawlish.
These are 2 unrelated pictures, both point in opposite directions down the platform from the same point, however now they are together, it makes a nice effect with the thumbnails.
March 11th 2008 Continued…
We continued onward along the coast line walking on the beach below the sea wall until we could climb up some narrow steps to the top of the sea wall which is part of the original wall built to hold the Great Western Railway and is still the main line today.
The occasional shadow from the cloud cover made for some nice lighting effects, also above South West Trains Class 159 no 159019 makes its way to Teignmouth station and lastly the hilltop stone place name visible from the train.
Above, an EWS Class 66 freignt train no 66070 leaves Teignmouth and heads for Holcombe Tunnel, more of the Sea Wall, the old rusting signal gantry and a Cross-Country service leaving Holcombe Tunnel crossing the bridge over the end of Smuggler’s Lane.
This section of the railway was very busy and provided quite a selection of different trains, more of the Cross-Country (Pendalino?) a First Great Western HST set and a class 142 here.
Back to nature as the strong waves smash against the foot of the sea wall, the angle of the tide causing the water to fly up well above the top of the wall and some 10ft higher than the path, and even above the signal gantry at one point.
Soon it came time to head back along the coastal path to Teignmouth…
March 11th 2008 Continued…
We arrived in Teignmouth some 5-10 minutes later, and headed through the town to the sea front, quite a lot of avian activity here, likely due to the availability of sea creatures being displaced by the storm.
The sea appeared much more calmer here due to the gently slopped beach, although still enough to make a crash on the sand and the wind was still very strong.
At the end of the beach we came across what appears to be an old tower or lighthouse, and behind the Lynton House Hotel.
At the end is the mouth of the river, and the road bridge. We then made our way back along the Sea Front.
Now onward to the Sea Wall between Teignmouth and Holcombe.
Day 2, March 11th 2008.
The original plan was to visit Holcombe and explore this hilltop village, however the high winds and torrential rain made this not so appealing, and we ventured to the Dawlish Sea Front while pondering the next move.
The waves were quite strong and coming up high on the wall, taking a few passers by a little by surprise, 2 were almost washed off the wall right on that very corner. The seagull was not too concerned however.
This one took all of us by surprise, and came a little close, but not enough to get wet however.
We moved a bit further along, and slightly further away from the edge. I should point out that these shots were taken with an certain amount of zoom, and so I was not as close as it appears from the pictures.
Pondering complete, we made our way to the station, the high footbridge provide a good photo op…
We then awaited the South West Trains Service to Paignton, provided by the 3 car Class 159 no 159108. This would take us just one stop to Teignmouth.