CORNWALL RAILWAY GALLERY
MAIN LINE - Scorrier to Lostwithiel
Order of listing
In this section, we travel from Scorrier to Lostwithiel including depots and sidings directly off the main line.
Credits, Many thanks to all contributors - please see a list on the home page.
If you do not see what you require
Go to the Links page and select Cornwall Centre, then on their home page select 'Cornwall Image Bank'. There is a selection of photographs by John Vaughan, Arthur Trevan, George Ellis and others.
You could always visit the Cornwall Centre at Alma Place, Redruth. Very near the station.
You could always visit the Cornwall Centre at Alma Place, Redruth. Very near the station.
N.B Click on picture to obtain an enlargement and further details
Scorrier

Just prior to Scorrier station lay the bridge over the former A30 road. KJ can remember the excitement when in the late 40's the road under this bridge was lowered and double decker buses commenced service on the Porthtowan route. Here a Western crosses the bridge on its way towards Penzance. This picture dated 14th February 1976 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Scorrier station closed 5 Oct 1964. Main line between here and Drump Lane was single track until 13 Apl 1930 when the signal box at this location closed.

The former A30 crosses the picture, the bridge, which featured in the first picture of this section is to the right. Scorrier woods form a backdrop. D1038 Western Sovereign approaches Scorrier station site. The pathway to the left marks the route of the Portreath to Poldice mine tramway which passed under the main line just off the picture to the left. Copyright Sid Sponheimer.

Just to the east of the former Scorrier station site lies a bridge over the road adjacent to Scorrier Chapel. Here is an interesting working caught by Sid Sponheimer of Class 22 6317 on an engineers train standing on the down main. Scorrier station is in the background. The work appears to be the replacement of the bridge over the road. Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
Wheal Busy, Hallenbeagle, and Apex summit
Eastwards of Scorrier station the main line climbs towards the a summit at Apex. There is a road under bridge just east of Scorrier station site and a further bridge over a lane just beyond the Chapel. Beyond there were at one time two downside loops. The facing points serving these were removed 11 Feb 62 and the resulting siding disconnected on 24 Nov 63. The siding served a purpose of stabling football specials on occasions. The signalbox which controlled the loops and a level crossing was closed 10 My 64.
With the construction of new A30 alongside the railway the location at the summit has changed considerably - the original bridge spanning the cutting being blasted away and replaced by a steel bridge crossing both the railway and the new road. An excellent spot for photographs but a bit noisy for video's.
Eastwards of Scorrier station the main line climbs towards the a summit at Apex. There is a road under bridge just east of Scorrier station site and a further bridge over a lane just beyond the Chapel. Beyond there were at one time two downside loops. The facing points serving these were removed 11 Feb 62 and the resulting siding disconnected on 24 Nov 63. The siding served a purpose of stabling football specials on occasions. The signalbox which controlled the loops and a level crossing was closed 10 My 64.
With the construction of new A30 alongside the railway the location at the summit has changed considerably - the original bridge spanning the cutting being blasted away and replaced by a steel bridge crossing both the railway and the new road. An excellent spot for photographs but a bit noisy for video's.

A lovely shot of Hallenbeagle engine house with a D1033 Western Trooper nicely framed - it's got a couple cement wagons in tow - probably empties from Chacewater. Today the A30 merges in alongside the railway at the summit which is but a couple of hundred yards in the background. This picture dated 17th June 1973 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Another Western, this time 1055 Western Advocate on an up service hammers past Hallenbeagle engine house. The land to the left of the engine was one time occupied by a loop line which extended towards Scorrier. There was a wide level crossing here with the gates operated by Wheal Busy Signalbox - the box was located on the right at the crossing, about the third telephone pole away from the photographer. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Hallenbeagle. D803 Albion with obvious front end damage leads D804 Avenger. Summer 1968 Copyright Sid Sponheimer For several reasons this view is no longer possible - the loading gauge is long gone, however the cottages seen to the right were demolished in a land reclamation scheme on 22nd November 2013. The trees have also vanished as have the telegraph poles and we haven't seen a Warship down this way for many a year.

Two of the mighty Westerns pass Hallenbeagle on an up service. Note the yellow destination boards on the waistline of the coaches. It's amazing that the loading gauge has stayed there long after the tracks it served have vanished. Date and numbers to be advised. Copyright Sid Sponheimer. Note by Smon Howard From 1966-69 I was made to attend St George's Methodist Chapel, just under the viaduct which spans St George's Road. If I nipped out pronto at the end of Sunday School I would catch the up Cornishman, almost always double-headed by two Westerns, with all four Maybachs roaring as it left Truro.

An interesting view of later industrial developments at Hallenbeagle. In 2013 the area in the background, other than Hallenbeagle Engine House has been completely cleared in preparation for further development.(See below) The lady in the picture is the, then, future Mrs. Christine Sponheimer. Copyright Sid Sponheimer. Additional information kindly supplied by Roger Geach - The locomotive is D847 in this summer 67 shot of the 19.00 Penzance - Paddington Postal train. N.B. The gate in the foreground fence is not that of Wheal Busy Crossing, the back of the mail train is just about on it.

Dramatic changes - a picture taken on 6th June 2014 shows the scene at Wheal Busy Crossing on that date. Hallenbeagle mine engine house is being restored and the land on this side, and in fact on the other side too has been cleared for use as an industrial site. One can just see the approach to the crossing. Copyright Craig Munday

A Western and train have just topped the summit and are dropping down towards Chacewater. Note the growing village of Blackwater in the middle ground, Mithian Church behind it and a line of trees in front of the village which denotes the embankment which carried the Chacewater to Newquay branch. The earthworks to the right indicate the location of an embankment which formerly carried a direct route (The west curve) from the main line to the Chacewater to Newquay branch - this was closed 5th May 1919. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Close by the site of the Blackwater triangle, lay, looking east, on the right, some mine workings which formed a handy vantage point for passing trains by Sid Sponheimer. Mr. Tony Clark was approached and has very kindly furnished the following information concerning Boscawen Mine.
Because of the embankment, and because the train is going uphill, I'm pretty sure
that it is part of what is nowadays referred to as Boscawen mine.
This is just to the east of Hallenbeagle mine, on the south side of the hill going down from Scorrier to Blackwater, and the line passes close to the old site before reaching Hallenbeagle section on the flat at Scorrier.
Boscawen (like Hallenbeagle) worked for copper.
For many years it formed the northern part of the very extensive sett of the old Great
Wheal Busy.
1790s- Known to have been working, for copper.
1831 - 1845 - Worked for copper with another mine, called Wheal Andrew.
1840s - worked under the name 'Hallenbeagle', and included the section at Scorrier.
1861 - Was split off from Great Wheal Busy, and the 70-inch engine from the western
part of Great Wheal Busy was taken down and re-erected at Boscawen.
1864 - Still working for copper, and sold 1,239 tons for £5,905. 11s. 0d. (plus £7 worth of
mundic).
1865 - According to Spargo, still going, and employed 92 men, 15 females and 19 boys
(the two latter almost certainly on ore dressing duty).
1866 - In January 1866 the 70-inch engine was to be sold to the restarted Ellen United
(near Porthtowan), but was never, in fact, removed, and remained for sale at
Boscawen (by this time a-parently re-named 'Hallenbeagle and East Downs.'
18?? - Mine probably hardly active after 1866, but not sure when it officially ceased to exist.
Regards, Tony Clarke - Many thanks for this Tony.
Because of the embankment, and because the train is going uphill, I'm pretty sure
that it is part of what is nowadays referred to as Boscawen mine.
This is just to the east of Hallenbeagle mine, on the south side of the hill going down from Scorrier to Blackwater, and the line passes close to the old site before reaching Hallenbeagle section on the flat at Scorrier.
Boscawen (like Hallenbeagle) worked for copper.
For many years it formed the northern part of the very extensive sett of the old Great
Wheal Busy.
1790s- Known to have been working, for copper.
1831 - 1845 - Worked for copper with another mine, called Wheal Andrew.
1840s - worked under the name 'Hallenbeagle', and included the section at Scorrier.
1861 - Was split off from Great Wheal Busy, and the 70-inch engine from the western
part of Great Wheal Busy was taken down and re-erected at Boscawen.
1864 - Still working for copper, and sold 1,239 tons for £5,905. 11s. 0d. (plus £7 worth of
mundic).
1865 - According to Spargo, still going, and employed 92 men, 15 females and 19 boys
(the two latter almost certainly on ore dressing duty).
1866 - In January 1866 the 70-inch engine was to be sold to the restarted Ellen United
(near Porthtowan), but was never, in fact, removed, and remained for sale at
Boscawen (by this time a-parently re-named 'Hallenbeagle and East Downs.'
18?? - Mine probably hardly active after 1866, but not sure when it officially ceased to exist.
Regards, Tony Clarke - Many thanks for this Tony.
Chacewater Approach

Here, in 1985 we see a Peak approaching Chacewater station site on an up service - the village of Blackwater lies in the background. The Newquay branch, after running for a quarter of a mile parallel to the up line, turned north across the valley to head for the horizon near the distant trees. 1985 Copyright Mike Roach
Chacewater
The Perranporth line closed on 4 February 1963. Chacewater station closed to passengers 5 October 1964 Even after its closure to passengers Chacewater station was retained for goods traffic for many years, latterly for Blue Circle Cement which was know to have been in operation in 1987

50029 Renown visits the Blue Circle depot at Chacewater on 16th February 1977 Copyright Sid Sponheimer 50-029 Renown 43rd Class 50 to be withdrawn went into preservation. Two years after its withdrawal, 50029 was finally moved to the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway by Operation Collingwood where it then sat outside for a number of years. In July 2002 the Renown Repulse Restoration Group purchased 50029 to prevent its scrapping following the demise of Operation Collingwood. They were both subsequently moved to Rowsley at Peak Rail, where they now reside.
More shunting at Chacewater
It may seem curious that the six arch Blackwater viaduct is so named as it is adjacent to Chacewater station. The five arch Chacewater viaduct is approximately 500 yards away, nearer Truro. However from the train, the village of Chacewater is visible from Chacewater viaduct and the village of Blackwater from Blackwater viaduct.
East of Chacewater lies a summit after which the line drops towards Truro
Any name for this summit please, maybe Penstraze?
Any name for this summit please, maybe Penstraze?
Newbridge
Penwithers viaduct
The original of372 feet long and 54 feet high. The replacement structure of seven arches was completed 1887. On a slightly different alignment to the original structure and was slightly higher at 68 feet.
The original of372 feet long and 54 feet high. The replacement structure of seven arches was completed 1887. On a slightly different alignment to the original structure and was slightly higher at 68 feet.
Views from on top of Truro Tunnel
Penwithers Junction & Highertown tunnel (70 yards)
The Cornwall Railway opened from Saltash to Truro to passengers on 4th May 1859 and to goods on the 10th October 1859. However it wasn't until the line was extended through the 70 yard Truro tunnel to Falmouth - this opened to passengers 24th August 1863 and to goods on 5th October 1863.
Leaving Truro station trains faced a stiff climb of approximately 1 in 60 up to the tunnel, at both ends of the tunnel there were deep cuttings, a short one at the west end but a long and very deep on at the east end. These cuttings are largely hidden from public view these days as the abandonment of steam traction has demanded far less vegetation control and quite large trees are apparent. However the following three pictures one can see the views, firstly to the west and then to the east.
Leaving Truro station trains faced a stiff climb of approximately 1 in 60 up to the tunnel, at both ends of the tunnel there were deep cuttings, a short one at the west end but a long and very deep on at the east end. These cuttings are largely hidden from public view these days as the abandonment of steam traction has demanded far less vegetation control and quite large trees are apparent. However the following three pictures one can see the views, firstly to the west and then to the east.
Looking West

A class 22 is seen bringing a goods off the Newham branch on to the Falmouth branch. Here the loco would have to run round before taking its train to Truro Yard. The run round itself was hampered in that the loco would have to enter the up main line and then using the crossover gain the down main and then the Falmouth branch. Whether it would have propelled its train up the Falmouth branch and then come forward to join the up main or simply have used the crossover is not known. In the foreground is a cutting which, if track were laid, would have provided direct access to the Newham branch. The original West Cornwall Railway, from Penzance passed behind the signalbox and crossed the then broad gauge Falmouth line as it headed to its terminus at Newham. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Looking East
Other views in the Truro tunnel and Penwithers Junction area
Crew-training on the Class 46s continued into the first four months of 1970, with green-liveried Peaks well outnumbering blues ones during this period. D155 - the regular engine on 1C30 for the first half of April - is seen leaving Highertown Tunnel on the approach to Penwithers Junction. The gorse in the foreground grows on the earthworks for a direct link onto the Newham branch which was never completed. On April 23 this train produced D127, Cornwall's first Class 45.

A view from the base of Penwithers Junction signalbox as a Class 52 Western emerges from the tunnel and bears to our left along the main line with a service to Penzance. The double track entry to the Falmouth branch is to the right foreground and from this the single track Newham branch can be seen heading away east. This picture is undated but the pristine condition of the County Hall in the background gives one a clue. Copyright Mike Hitchens.
Truro Steam Shed

A most interesting view from Dobbs Lane out over Truro Shed. A class 47 hauls a down train away from the station towards Truro Tunnel. Truro West Signalbox is still in use - it closed 7th November 1971. All of the many sidings are still in situ. An 08 busies itself under the black bridge. It is understood that Truro Shed was difficult to gain access to - the notice stating 'No Admittance' is clearly visible. This shed closed to steam in early March 1962. An undated picture by Sid Sponheimer Copyright Comment from Neil Phillips - Going back a bit now, but Roger Geach drew my attention to Sid Sponheimer’s photo of a Brush Type 4 pulling out of Truro on a down train, taken from Dobbs Lane over the roof of the old steam shed. I don’t think that Sid had intended to obtain the earliest known photo of one of these locos on a passenger train to Penzance but that is what he achieved! The year must have been 1967 – full yellow ends on green Class 47s first appeared in Spring that year, and the coach behind the loco is one of the three Hawksworth SKs (W1719/2135/2283W) painted in blue/grey livery – I believe that these and Truro’s resident Class 08 pilot had gone by early 1968.

The signbal in the picture above is in the foreground, the 60 MPH limit at the platform end is very unlikely to be exceeded other than by the rare through train. A light class 50 approaches down the steep downgrade around the bend from the tunnel. Beyond lies the Cornwall Farmers Depot on the site of the old steam shed. 1986 Copyright Mike Roach
Truro - Gallery 1
Reference pictures 7 & 21 Trevor Tremethick makes the following notes.
(7) D800 ‘Sir Brian Robertson’ it was taken after a cab ride on the up afternoon perishables from Truro Station, Platform 3, out over Carvedras Viaduct and setting back to the yard. She is pictured beside the old steam water column (partially in shot). Date was between February 1966 and 14 July 1966. I never found out the name of the driver (I had a couple of cab visits with him) but I remember that he had a ‘military’ bearing and sat up very straight in his seat. All single–manning by then of course. On the way out of Platform 3 on the shunt we were passed by D1066 ‘Western Prefect’ going into Platform 2 on a down express; D843 ‘Sharpshooter’ arrived at Platform 4 with an up stopper (pictured) when we were on the yard. D800 was based at Laira 84A.
(21) D1041: ‘ She had caught fire the previous week and failed the day before. I travelled down with her from Truro to Penzance and she only just made it, having taken four minutes to get from Truro station up to Highertown Tunnel on one engine. She needed the assistance of 50028 Tiger to pilot her back from Penzance to Plymouth; thence to Laira where she was condemned’. See Penzance Gallery 2 for a picture of the last departure of 'Prince' from Penzance.
(7) D800 ‘Sir Brian Robertson’ it was taken after a cab ride on the up afternoon perishables from Truro Station, Platform 3, out over Carvedras Viaduct and setting back to the yard. She is pictured beside the old steam water column (partially in shot). Date was between February 1966 and 14 July 1966. I never found out the name of the driver (I had a couple of cab visits with him) but I remember that he had a ‘military’ bearing and sat up very straight in his seat. All single–manning by then of course. On the way out of Platform 3 on the shunt we were passed by D1066 ‘Western Prefect’ going into Platform 2 on a down express; D843 ‘Sharpshooter’ arrived at Platform 4 with an up stopper (pictured) when we were on the yard. D800 was based at Laira 84A.
(21) D1041: ‘ She had caught fire the previous week and failed the day before. I travelled down with her from Truro to Penzance and she only just made it, having taken four minutes to get from Truro station up to Highertown Tunnel on one engine. She needed the assistance of 50028 Tiger to pilot her back from Penzance to Plymouth; thence to Laira where she was condemned’. See Penzance Gallery 2 for a picture of the last departure of 'Prince' from Penzance.
Truro - Gallery 2
Additional information on the pictures above. (Reading left to right and downwards)
Brush Type 4 D1928 waits to depart Truro Platform 4 with an up inter-regional service in April 1969. Two years later such a departure became impossible when this road was converted into a dead-end siding. In the yard behind, the driver of D1024 Western Huntsman - one of the more camera-shy members of the Class 52 fleet - makes sure to load the all-important flask of tea!
Twenty four hours after becoming the first recorded Peak to reach Penzance, Class 46 D151 returned on the same train and is seen waiting to depart Truro (and causing some excitement) just after 14.00 on December 31 1969. The steam-heat boiler appears to be working well the 0830 Paddington - Penzance.
D1929 shunts bogie bolster wagons during the remodelling of Truro station and yard in late April 1971, aided by a heavy-duty crane whose runner is just visible on the right. This was the first of three Class 47s to perform these duties, the others being D1596 (still sporting silver buffers from its appearance at the St Blazey Open Day) and D1917, each doing fortnightly stints. It is not known why these were employed instead of local diesel-hydraulics, but suspect a slow speed fitted loco was required for the work. In late May, Hymek D7014 was noted clearance testing the new formations and was seen mid-afternoon departing east light engine coupled to D1917. Platform 4 already appears to be out of use.
D6319 only spent three months in traffic in blue livery so photos are uncommon. Denied preservation due to a simple BR communication failure in late 1972, the unfortunate machine stands near Truro East Box (very shortly to have the "East" painted over, having become Truro's only operational signalbox) awaiting its next turn of duty on July 8 1971.
Class 22 D6339 looks fully occupied shunting Truro yard on October 1 1971, while D807 Caradoc waits to head west with a freight. Truro steam shed beyond has finally been swept away and Truro West Box will follow within days. The 'mineral' wagons are loaded with turnips!
D6334 stands in Truro yard on October 14 1971 - despite having been officially withdrawn on October 3! D6330 was another Class 22 observed living on borrowed time, due to non-availability of Class 25s at Laira. One week later D7676 arrived in Truro and these two NBLs were not seen again. A clean recently ex works
Class 25 D7502, having arrived at Truro on a crew-training run from Penzance, has run around its rake of condemned goods vans and stands 'wrong-line' waiting to depart back west in January 1972. An additional learning curve for Cornish drivers on these locos was use of the Gresham & Craven equalising vacuum brake system ("VB EQ" on the loco's data panel, which on D7502 is at the wrong end.
Fresh out of Derby Works, D7573 stands at Truro with local area Inspection Saloon DB999508 in April 1972. This loco, later renumbered 25223, became the longest-serving Class 25 in the South West. The saloon is still in service with Network Rail as a track recording coach and has recently been seen all over the country, but is due to be retired in 2012
D1017 Western Warrior awaits its next move in the recently remodelled and busy Truro Yard in April 1972. D1017 was released from Swindon works on the 3rd March 1972 after overhaul . The hugely improved road access enabled the 2 1/4-mile branch line from Penwithers Junction to Newham Goods to be closed.
This photo is rarer than it appears. W55001 was transferred to Departmental stock in early 1970 and briefly renumbered DW55001 before becoming DB975073. It was then realised that this stock number had already been issued so it was renumbered again, to DB975023. It's seen parked at Truro on 25/8/70 during the brief time it carried the duplicated number. It still exists in preservation. 853 Thruster also waits in the yard with an up freight service.
Trevor Tremethick writes - 'Mammoth' was taken on a very grisly day but I have attached it as it was the time I went shunting on her in Truro yard at the driver's invitation. The train was described to me at the time as the 'Return Bristol Goods' and I presume this was correct.
Brush Type 4 D1928 waits to depart Truro Platform 4 with an up inter-regional service in April 1969. Two years later such a departure became impossible when this road was converted into a dead-end siding. In the yard behind, the driver of D1024 Western Huntsman - one of the more camera-shy members of the Class 52 fleet - makes sure to load the all-important flask of tea!
Twenty four hours after becoming the first recorded Peak to reach Penzance, Class 46 D151 returned on the same train and is seen waiting to depart Truro (and causing some excitement) just after 14.00 on December 31 1969. The steam-heat boiler appears to be working well the 0830 Paddington - Penzance.
D1929 shunts bogie bolster wagons during the remodelling of Truro station and yard in late April 1971, aided by a heavy-duty crane whose runner is just visible on the right. This was the first of three Class 47s to perform these duties, the others being D1596 (still sporting silver buffers from its appearance at the St Blazey Open Day) and D1917, each doing fortnightly stints. It is not known why these were employed instead of local diesel-hydraulics, but suspect a slow speed fitted loco was required for the work. In late May, Hymek D7014 was noted clearance testing the new formations and was seen mid-afternoon departing east light engine coupled to D1917. Platform 4 already appears to be out of use.
D6319 only spent three months in traffic in blue livery so photos are uncommon. Denied preservation due to a simple BR communication failure in late 1972, the unfortunate machine stands near Truro East Box (very shortly to have the "East" painted over, having become Truro's only operational signalbox) awaiting its next turn of duty on July 8 1971.
Class 22 D6339 looks fully occupied shunting Truro yard on October 1 1971, while D807 Caradoc waits to head west with a freight. Truro steam shed beyond has finally been swept away and Truro West Box will follow within days. The 'mineral' wagons are loaded with turnips!
D6334 stands in Truro yard on October 14 1971 - despite having been officially withdrawn on October 3! D6330 was another Class 22 observed living on borrowed time, due to non-availability of Class 25s at Laira. One week later D7676 arrived in Truro and these two NBLs were not seen again. A clean recently ex works
Class 25 D7502, having arrived at Truro on a crew-training run from Penzance, has run around its rake of condemned goods vans and stands 'wrong-line' waiting to depart back west in January 1972. An additional learning curve for Cornish drivers on these locos was use of the Gresham & Craven equalising vacuum brake system ("VB EQ" on the loco's data panel, which on D7502 is at the wrong end.
Fresh out of Derby Works, D7573 stands at Truro with local area Inspection Saloon DB999508 in April 1972. This loco, later renumbered 25223, became the longest-serving Class 25 in the South West. The saloon is still in service with Network Rail as a track recording coach and has recently been seen all over the country, but is due to be retired in 2012
D1017 Western Warrior awaits its next move in the recently remodelled and busy Truro Yard in April 1972. D1017 was released from Swindon works on the 3rd March 1972 after overhaul . The hugely improved road access enabled the 2 1/4-mile branch line from Penwithers Junction to Newham Goods to be closed.
This photo is rarer than it appears. W55001 was transferred to Departmental stock in early 1970 and briefly renumbered DW55001 before becoming DB975073. It was then realised that this stock number had already been issued so it was renumbered again, to DB975023. It's seen parked at Truro on 25/8/70 during the brief time it carried the duplicated number. It still exists in preservation. 853 Thruster also waits in the yard with an up freight service.
Trevor Tremethick writes - 'Mammoth' was taken on a very grisly day but I have attached it as it was the time I went shunting on her in Truro yard at the driver's invitation. The train was described to me at the time as the 'Return Bristol Goods' and I presume this was correct.
Truro - Gallery 3
Truro Gallery 4
Truro Cattle Pens siding and the viaducts
Note that 'Western Enterprise' had deeper nameplates than standard. This is quite evident when you compare with 'Western Lancer', also seen at the Cattle Pens
Tregagle Viaduct 297miles 7 chains
Probus and Ladock
Grampound Road
Station closed 5 Oct 1964, goods traffic had previously been withdrawn on 1 June.
Trenoweth Safety in numbers - a triple headed class 22 train 63xx X 3 about to pass under the bridge at Trenoweth , east of Grampound Road station site. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Combe St Stephens The viaduct here is 738 feet long and 70 feet high. The broad gauge line was diverted onto the new structure from 11th July 1886.
Crugwallins
Burngullow
There have been two stations at this location, the first, nearer St Austell closed 1 Aug 1901, the second located at the junction with the Parkandillack branch closed 14 Sep 1931
The first two views below came to light stuck on the wall of Carn Brea Village Institute. Right away one can see that the caption is incorrect. If anybody knows where this picture has come from or its copyright holder I will gladly remove it if necessary.
A story :- During WW2 when blackouts were in force and station names were removed the only clue was the calling out of the station name by the guard. However, on this occasion regular passengers used to stopping at Probus and Ladock and Grampound Road were brought to a stand at the signal seen in this picture. Many, thinking it was St Austell, de-trained at the station closed several years earlier, whereupon the signal to cleared and the train moved off leaving them behind!!
A story :- During WW2 when blackouts were in force and station names were removed the only clue was the calling out of the station name by the guard. However, on this occasion regular passengers used to stopping at Probus and Ladock and Grampound Road were brought to a stand at the signal seen in this picture. Many, thinking it was St Austell, de-trained at the station closed several years earlier, whereupon the signal to cleared and the train moved off leaving them behind!!

Two memories of the past. 37 669 enters the single line section to Probus with the fuel tanks for Penzance, Long Rock on 16th March 1998,
Both the fuel tanks and the single line section are things of the past, sadly in the first case, and thank heavens for the re-doubled track.
16th March 1988 Copyright Roger Geach
Gover viaduct
St Austell

Its the 8th May 1979 as a 47, possibly 499, hauls away a down service. Note the black engineers train in the sidings. Also the siding, once one of four running into the station goods yard, The rest were removed 1965, there had been a siding on the up side but this was removed to permit a platform extension in 1971 Copyright Mike Roach
* Roger Geach writes re Picture 10 :- I have found a picture taken at 0610 in the morning which shows the down newspapers and vans at St Austell. This ran as the 1B85 00.35 Paddington to Penzance news and parcels . This service was booked to depart Plymouth at 0504 and called at the main Cornish stations dropping off the newspapers and parcels timed to arrive at Penzance at 0732. 1034 Western Dragoon was in charge on the morning of the 6th May 74 with only three vans then. Booked St Austell 0612 to 0617, these times from the 1973 WTT .
Many newsagents would await this train and take the morning papers from the station back to their stores. If the train was late then the papers were late.
This train followed the down morning TPO the 1B75 2225 Paddington to Penzance postal due off Plymouth at 0415 hours due Penzance 0633. The down line was very busy in them days as along with the freight there were also two overnight sleepers which followed the newspapers through the county.
Many newsagents would await this train and take the morning papers from the station back to their stores. If the train was late then the papers were late.
This train followed the down morning TPO the 1B75 2225 Paddington to Penzance postal due off Plymouth at 0415 hours due Penzance 0633. The down line was very busy in them days as along with the freight there were also two overnight sleepers which followed the newspapers through the county.

St Austell Goods yard
This dates from 1932 If anyone can advise the closure date it would appreciated. After the yard closed much of the track from the station to the yard was retained for the purpose of turning back trains at St Austell when the line was blocked east of the station. In the most recent picture by Julian Stephens it can be seen that the 50's had gone about as far as possible - this was during engineering works west of Burngullow.
This dates from 1932 If anyone can advise the closure date it would appreciated. After the yard closed much of the track from the station to the yard was retained for the purpose of turning back trains at St Austell when the line was blocked east of the station. In the most recent picture by Julian Stephens it can be seen that the 50's had gone about as far as possible - this was during engineering works west of Burngullow.
Carlyon Bay (Golf Course) and Par Bank
Par

This is a very interesting picture. 50 149 Defiance, temporarily modified for trials is seen here passing through Par with a train of CDA's on the 27th June 1988 Note how there have been problems with the track of the up main line here two areas of ballast have been removed where the track has been 'pumping' - there would appear to be a definite dip in the track while 049's rear bogie passes over it. In the background a DMU has been placed in Chapel sidings. 27th June 1988 Copyright Andy Stace.
Picture 1 :- D1640 waits to depart Par with the rarely-photographed Freightliner service to Park Royal, London on April 2 1970. Ran asthe 4A64 1525 Par to Park Royal . With hindsight, one of several missed opportunities to photograph the whole train in its siding alongside the station.
Few pictures exist of this train which ran for only a short period of time , around two years only. The return working ran at night as the 4c64 0136 Park Royal - Par arriving at 0715 hours.
Picture 2 :- The well-trodden path from Par station to St Blazey, with D1929 departing Par in fine style on May 2 1972 on the 0800 BTM -PZ. As with so many lineside locations, vegetation has now dramatically changed this view
Treesmill

Treesmill, a delightful spot to spend a few hours. Here, a beautifully lit shot, as 47145 heads up the grade towards Treverrin Tunnel with a full load bound for Carne Point on the Fowey branch. One wonders if the bungalow adjacent to the bridge is owned by a railway enthusiast? This picture taken in September 1985 Copyright Mike Roach
Near Treverrin The 565 yard tunnel lies at the summit of the line between Par and Lostwithiel
Treverrin Tunnel
Milltown

Enthusiasts were delighted when in the summer 2014 loco haulage of the day stock of the night sleeper was introduced. The train ran empty stock to Par and thence carried passengers from there to Exeter and worked a return service later in the day to Penzance. Here the train is seen at Milltown on the 24th August 2014. Copyright Craig Munday
Lostwithiel Fowey branch junction. The Fowey branch originally ran right in to the bay platform. However in 1972 the direct connection to Lostwithiel station was taken out and the branch connected to the main line beyond the river crossing enabling the branch bridge over the river Fowey to be removed.

140809d The 07.36 Paddington-Newquay passes the junction with the Fowey Branch at Lostwithiel. Copyright Roger Winnen Lots of interest in this picture, the branch to Carne Point, formerly Fowey turns off to the left to follow the river Fowey whereas the gradient of the main line as it commences the climb towards Terverrin tunnel can clearly be seen.
Lostwithiel

50039 Implacable on the 0835 Penzance to Paddington at Lostwithiel 22 july 1976. The downside buildings have been demolished and building work is ongoing , it is just a simple tation now. Note the clay hoods in the former Fowey bay - these sidings are disused in 2014 and had been for sometime - due to be lifted soon. Copyright Roger Geach

Lostwithiel Buildings
Yes, the wooden building was the main up side structure. Being listed BR had an obligation not to destroy it but no obligation to maintain it. So, apart from setting up some timber baulks to stop the canopy sagging it eventually got in such a dangerous state that they were allowed to demolish it on safety grounds. The downside buildings went, I think, in 1974 and caused a big outcry from the townsfolk and enthusiasts. Nick Trudgian
Yes, the wooden building was the main up side structure. Being listed BR had an obligation not to destroy it but no obligation to maintain it. So, apart from setting up some timber baulks to stop the canopy sagging it eventually got in such a dangerous state that they were allowed to demolish it on safety grounds. The downside buildings went, I think, in 1974 and caused a big outcry from the townsfolk and enthusiasts. Nick Trudgian
Lostwithiel Goods Shed.
Here we see three views of the old shed, it looks pretty disused. Perhaps within months of these photographs being taken the shed was dismantled and transported to Lanteague (Close to Shepherds on the old Chacewater to Newquay branch). The idea was that it was to provide accommodation for a railway preservation project envisaged there. However, sadly the project came to nothing and the shed was burnt - a terrible shame. These pictures are from the Pat English Collection.
Here we see three views of the old shed, it looks pretty disused. Perhaps within months of these photographs being taken the shed was dismantled and transported to Lanteague (Close to Shepherds on the old Chacewater to Newquay branch). The idea was that it was to provide accommodation for a railway preservation project envisaged there. However, sadly the project came to nothing and the shed was burnt - a terrible shame. These pictures are from the Pat English Collection.
For Pictures from Lostwithiel to Plymouth look in the next section