My panoramic view of the Laira is dated from 21st. Septeember, 1966 and was taken from Astor Park at Mount Gould and shows an abandoned steam shed with part of the new Diesel Depot on the extreme right.
The back of the former coaling facility is on the right, with the Running Shed on the left, with fuel storage tanks on what was known as the "Oil Line" immediately in front, this facility dating back to the days of experimental oil fuel burning locomotives, the line later being used for refuelling the two Gas Turbines in the 'fifties.
The Triangle, known by enginemen as the "Speedway", whereby engines coming off shed made their way up to North Road station or via the Southern line into Friary station can just be made out although the track is overgrown with weeds.
The litle hut visible in the fork is where the telephone was housed by which enginemen could contact the signalman at Lipson Junction for permission to come off shed and up on to the Southern line.
The dark and sinister looking water on the right was known as the "Mullet Pond ", its origin unknown, as were its contents, whilst the houses on the skyline at Efford formed part of the first post war rehousing development in the City of Plymouth.