Trains to and from Meldon Quarry

Situated near Okehampton in Devon, Meldon Quarry still saw a fair amount of stone trafic throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s. These trains were largely worked by the Southern Region's class 33 locomotives and the Western's Class 50 locos which as the declined in numbers, found themselves working such odd turns. Here featured in this video are examples of such workings at various points both on the North Devon line and nearby main line locations to the east of Exeter. The dates of recording were August 1989.

[@Thornaby37]

Great footage 👍

[@craigsibley8161]

Nice footage 👍👍👍

[@foretrak]

Thanks 👍

[@avalon7902]

Railway history captured!

[@paulshepherd1348]

I didn't know Class 50s were ever put on freight duties? 🤔

[@Peak45115]

Very common in their latter years, a number were specifically for engineers trains. They often worked freight throughout their career.

[@andrewoverton5170]

Originally fitted with slow speed control for MGR working on the LMR.

[@paulshepherd1348]

I did not know that.. I think because I never saw it, plus they were an express class locomotive rated at 100mph, and they all got Royal Navy battle ship names, it gave tge impression they were passenger haulers only... especially that there was a huge fleet of 56s and 50 58s purpose built for freight. Interesting to know though.