Station Name: HALWILL[Source:
Martin James]
old5.jpg) A DMU enthusiasts’ delight at Halwill, very likely on the same day as the view of No.W55031 in the down bay, seen here in the left background. At the down platform another Pressed Steel Co single-unit displaying headcode 2C61 on its rear is seen; this was the code for Okehampton - Halwill. In the Torrington bay another single-unit stands, this time one of the Gloucester RC&W cars, later Class 122. This view can therefore be dated to the 1963-65 period. Entering the up platform and either coming off the North Cornwall line or from the sidings is a 3-car DMU of what became Class 116. On the up platform is a mix of railway staff, ordinary passengers and railway enthusiasts. Whilst the latter might suggest the Class 116 is operating a railtour, there are not enough enthusiasts present for this to have been the case so the DMU is most likely on a normal service to Okehampton. The water column, right, still has its bag, suggesting steam in the area has not yet come to an end. On the wall of the station building adjacent to the Ticket Office sign is affixed a clock and a Southern 'target' nameplate. Under magnification the clock is displaying either 10.15 or 14.50. Whatever the time of day, once the flurry of activity seen here was over Halwill station would retreat into peaceful slumber for a couple of hours until the rasps of the next DMUs to arrive and depart reverberate around the surrounding countryside - and perhaps with the occasional clatter of a goods train in between.
Photo by Rev. Peter Westall |
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