European Railroad Discussion > Crofton

Date: 05/16/15 16:02
Crofton
Author: 86235

About 70 miles west of London, on what is known as the Berks & Hants (today the mainline from London Paddington to the West of England), is the curve at Crofton which requires high speed trains to reduce from 100 mph to 70 mph. For some 50 miles from Reading to beyond Pewsey the railway follows the canalised River Kennet and the Kennet and Avon canal, here at Crofton the canal swings from running roughly SW-NE to a SE-NW orientation, the railway following suit. Today, on account of enginering work closing the Bristol and South Wales mainlines west of Swindon, Bristol bound HSTs and a trio of freight trains which would normally follow the traditional route through Swindon were diverted over the Berks and Hants. It was a lovely spring day.

The 12:06 Paddington to Bristol HST passing Lock 60

It was followed some 30 minutes later by 60063 on the 6B33 Theale to Robeston empty tanks

And a further hour behind that is 60076 on the 6V62 Tilbury to Llanwern empty steel. The chimney poking above the trees is that of the Crofton Pumping Station - water levels were always a problem on the Kennet & Avon - which lifts water from Wilton Water, a reservoir built expressly to provide water for the canal. It contains two operational beam engines, one of which is the oldest working steam engine in the world. They are steamed over six or seven weekends a year and can still lift water from Wilton Water into the canal, although this is usually done by electric pump. The summit level, at Savernake is a couple of miles to the west.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/16/15 23:41 by 86235.