FEATURES JAN to June 2017

Features page covering the period
January to Mid May 2017

Note Features are added at the top of this page i.e. The most recent comes first.

Articles in this section :-
More on 'All Change' at St Erth. Roger Winnen
More on the visit to Long Rock TMD by the Cornwall Railway Society
More on the Visit to the Gartell Railway 1st May 2017 by the CRS
The path to Yealmpton - updated - Andy Rigler
The British Belmond Pullman The Cornish Weekend
Great Britain Railtour X 6th & 7th May 2017
Porthmister viaduct - St Ives branch - reconstruction. By Laurence Hansford
The Steam Railmotor to Looe. Sunday 18th November, 2012 Peter Murnaghan & Roger Winnen
The Cornwall Railway Society Visit to the Launceston Steam Railway 13th April, 2017 Photographs by Sid Sponheimer and Roger Winnen
Swanage Spring Gala 2017 John Cornelius & Roger Salter
More on the Spring Visit to the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway 27th March 2017 Roger Winnen
Secret Tunnels at Box - the third portal. by Karl Hewlett
Ince Castle by Trevor and Barbara Tremethick
Taking a look at the proposed sea wall alignment at Teignmouth in March 2017 By Colin Burges
Hymek celebrates a 40th Anniversary - an article by Neil Phillips
Harry patch back in service - Guy Vincent
An unusual working Devonport Dockyard to Exeter Riverside via Penzance
The New Exeter (St Davids).
Western Tribute
The Westerns bow out 40 years ago an article by Neil Phillips
Dainton Tunnel Signal Box and Westbury Iron Works Guy Vincent
South Devon Steam Gala Saturday 18th February 2017
Removal of the Camborne Station Footbridge. Roger Winnen and Mick House
Celebrity 37057 stables at Bristol TM. 4th February 2017 Guy Vincent
Track renewals between Redruth and Truro.
Looking at Stations on the Exmouth Branch

More on 'All Change' at St Erth.
Roger Winnen

170514i The planning notice wrapped around a post outside the station. Copyright Roger Winnen

170514j The side on view of the Main Station building. Copyright Roger Winnen

170514j The station as it stands on Sunday 14th May, 2017 - Copyright Roger Winnen

170514k Looking across from the down platform of the station buildings. Copyright Roger Winnen

170514l Looking down from the footbridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

170514m Eating their lunch outside of Platform 4 buffet. Copyright Roger Winnen

170514n The closed Ticket Office at St Erth which reveals the covered up ticket window on the far right. Copyright Roger Winnen

170514o The ticket hall with the cast iron fire grate and toilet facilities. Copyright Roger Winnen

170514p Welcome to St Erth says the poster. Copyright Roger Winnen

170514q Food for thought at St Erth Platform 4 Buffet. Highly recommended! Copyright Roger Winnen

Visit to the Long Rock Train Maintenance on Saturday 13th May,2017 by the Cornwall Railway Society
Roger Winnen

170513oa We are gathered together at Long Rock depot on Saturday 13th May 2017 - Copyright Roger Winnen

170513p Plans of the depot enlargement are before us on the table. Patrick Grobbelaar the Depot Manager talks us through the large extension programme in great detail. Copyright Roger Winnen

170513qa A close up of the plans for the Long Rock end of the depot. Copyright Roger Winnen

170513s Crossing over the truncated piece of line which ran around the back of the depot used by HSTs departing from the reception sidings to Penzance Station. Copyright Roger Winne

170513b Entering the depot from the Long Rock end. The Night Riviera is standing in the shed. Copyright Roger Salter

170513c Climbing up the steps to the Night Riviera. Copyright Roger Salter

170513j The refurbished Sleeper compartment. Copyright Roger Salter

170513u A walk through the Night Riviera gives us a glimse of the Sleeping Car Cabins, upgraded and looking very smart from what it use to be. Copyright Roger Winnen

170513va The stewards cabin providing the essentials. Copyright Roger Winnen

170513xa The refurbished lounge day cars on the Night Riviera. Copyright Roger Winnen

170513k One of the refurbished coaches of the sleeper. Copyright Roger Salter

170513ya An existing vehicle in the set. Copyright Roger Winnen

170513l Are you changing the nappies Roger! Copyright Roger Salter

170513za The door is unlocked, please shut the door. The up to date toilet facilities. Copyright Roger Winnen

170513wa Through the corridor connection window of the sleeper we see the empty yard. At night it is very different. Copyright Roger Winnen

170513za01 After alighting from the Night Riviera we walk alongside to the Penzance end of the shed. Copyright Roger Winnen

170513ze Daylight enters the building after the demolition of the attached ancillary buidings. Copyright Roger Winnen

170513zda 57604 Pendennis Castle surrounded by a protection shield used for removing many tons of asbestos from the 40 year old building. Pipes situated to the right of this building, however not in view will be removed during the next week and replaced by stainless steel ones. Copyright Roger Winnen

170513d Outside of the new extension with the existing water tank high above on the right. Copyright Roger Salter

170513f Patrick addresses members of the CRS. Copyright Roger Salter

170513zfa We exit to the outside and see the new extension of two additional roads. To allow for overhead cranes to lift rolling stock for bogie changes etc this building has been designed with a higher roof level than the existing HST building. However this roof will be extended over to cover the existing HST building and when fully roofed over the existing roof of the present building will be removed giving an additional headroom inside and the raising of the sides of the depot. The whole building will be fully recladded. Copyright Roger Winnen

170513zga Outside of this building we see the oil tanks on the left, This site dates back from the introduction of the first diesels in the county arriving in 1958. D3514 was the first 08 to be allocated to Penzance. 59 Years later we have the 08 08410 as the shunter. - Copyright Roger Winnen

170513zha Back inside the new two road shed with its roof going on is the staff accommodation on the right. with the stairs going to the upper level. - Copyright Roger Winnen

170513zia Building the foundation for the new track inside the depot for shed road 1. Copyright Roger Winnen

170513zja With its close proximity to The Eastern Green Beach, sea water penetrates this area of land, remedial work is underway to rectify the situation. The area from Marazion Station (Closed in 1964) through to the outskirts of Penzance was a marsh up until the late 1950s it was however filled in by the Borough of Penzance, used as the rubbish tip from the bin collection. Copyright Roger Winnen

170513zla This will be the administration entrance to the depot at Long Rock. Copyright Roger Winnen

Visit to the Gartell Railway at Templecombe Bank Holiday Monday 1st May 2017 Roger Winnen and the CRS

170501h Templecombe Station Signal Box. Copyright Roger Winnen

170501h The Pines Express on the Somerset & Dorset crossing Common Lane. Copyright Roger Salter

170501f Amanda with its driver awaits its next turn of duty. Copyright Roger Salter

170501b The train with Tony Brokenshire at Tower View on the trackbed of the old S & D. Copyright Roger Salter

170501c No 2 Hauls the train to Tower View. Copyright Roger Salter

170501e Members of our party aboard the train. Left Tony Brokenshire Right Andrew Triggs Behind Roger Samways with hand on face and yours truly. Copyright Roger Salter

170501g Mr G tops up with water at Common Lane. Copyright Roger Salter

170501k Mr G departing from Common Lane. Copyright Roger Winnen

170501l The Pines Express coaches at Common Lane. Copyright Roger Winnen

170501n Pinesway Juction Signal Box has been adapted from the redundant Wyke Level Crossing Box between Sherborne and Yeovil Junction. Its frame having 30 levers. Copyright Roger Winnen

170501o An approaching train from Tower View arrives at Pinesway Junction. Copyright Roger Winnen

170501p The complex of lines at Pinesway Junction. Copyright Roger Winnen

170501q Mr G runs arounds at the junction. Copyright Roger Winnen

170501r This train awaits for a simultaneous departure from the Junction. Copyright Roger Winnen

170501s N0 2 Andrew an 0-4-0 Diesel Hydraulic built in 1973 arrives at Park Lane. Copyright Roger Winnen

170501zb No 6 running around at Park Lane. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170501zc After running around its train Mr G couples onto its train with yours truly RW watching. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170501zl The end of the line at Park Lane with No 1 running around. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170501zk When is the next train to Bournemouth West! The CRS on Tour.Left to Right Roger Samways Tony Brokenshire Roger Salter and Roger Winnen Copyright Andrew Triggs

170501zd Amanda departing Common Lane under the signal gantry. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170501ze No1 running up the grade to Pinesway Junction. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170501zh Double departure for Tower View and Common Lane. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170501zj Andrew running around at Tower View. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170501zi No 6 passes through Pinesway Junction for Park Lane. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170501m Coach set 102 is steel bodied, finished in dark prussian blue the livery used by the Somerset & Dorset railway up to 1930. Copyright Roger Winnen

170501za No 6 Mr G awaiting departure from Common Lane. Copyright Andrew Triggs

The path to Yealmpton
An update by Andy Rigler

It is now possible to walk from the bridge over the Plym at Laira in the direction of Yealmpton to a point just beyond the bridge shown in the first image.From this point it is necessary to retrace your steps either back to the Plym crossing or to walk into the new housing estate being built on the old Blue Circle cement works. The sign at the end of the current path suggests an extension towards Billacombe due to open in Summer 2018. The trackbed to the site of Billacombe station is largely intact, although overgrown. From Billacombe the trackbed is largely lost due to quarrying activities in the area. The next station would have been Elburton but the site, although recognisable using the road which runs alongside as a reference, has been infilled and redeveloped for housing. A little further on from the station site the trackbed now forms part of Sustrans Route 28. While easily found (if you know where to look!) this route is little used as far as I can see, despite the work undertaken in rebuilding a bridge and paving the trackbed.

Route 28 takes you past Brixton station heading towards Steer Point but ends just past the garden centre by the station. From this point it is possible to follow the path some way towards Steer Point but a brickworks has obliterated the trackbed near to Steer Point itself. Once at Steer you can again pick up the route but the route to Yealmpton is interrupted by the missing bridge over a creek inlet. Over the years there have been suggestions of a new bridge and full cycle route back to Yealmpton itself but there have been issues around gaining the permission of the local landowner, as I understand it. Around Yealmpton there are reminders of the line, bridge abutments, embankments and cuttings but the station itself has been completely redeveloped into housing.

Looking back towards the bridge over the river Plym. The newly opened section is behind us. Copyright Andy Rigler

The current end of the cycleway/walkway ends just after this bridge. Copyright Andy Rigler 2017

Standing on the bridge approach looking east. Copyright Andy Rigler

The future - the extension to Broxton Drive - approx half a mile. 29th April 2017 Copyright Andrew Rigler

Broxton Drive which is where the next extension to the new path will end. The old trackbed went L to R across the middle of the image just in front of the yellow van. Copyright Andy Rigler

Turning about the reverse view looking towards Plymstock Copyright Andrew Rigler

A nice feature alongside the new path - a section of old track. Copyright Andrew Rigler

All that remains at the old Plmstock station site - some concrete fencing. The station masters house, considerably modified stands nearby. Copyright Andy Rigler

Shows the driveway leading up to the redeveloped Plymstock station masters house Copyright Andy Rigler

Finally a shot looking towards the Turnchapel branch from near Plymstock station site. Copyright Andy Rigler

The British Belmond Pullman The Cornish Weekend
Andrew Triggs Craig Munday & Roger Winnen

170506a What a nice summers day to ride this luxury Pullman Train to Bath. Penzance Station at 07.45 on Saturday Morning. Copyright Roger Winnen

170506zb The 09.10 dep from Penzance to Bath and return. Copyright Roger Winnen - Copy

170506b236-67006-and-67022-running-through-marazion-in-todays-mizzle-with-the-charter-to-bath-6th-may-2017-copyright-andrew-triggs_orig[1]

170507za What a differance to the weather on Sunday morning at Penzance as the pullman is stabled in slopers siding. Copyright Roger Winnen

170507zb The luxury train photographed from the 08.30 service to London Paddington. Copyright Roger Winnen - Copy

170507zb The Belmond British Pullman awaits departure from Penzance to Truro and London Victoria. Copyright Craig Munday

170507 zc The British Belmond Pullman is sean approaching Rosevidney near St Erth after leaving Penzance. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170507zc This was the return working from Truro at 12.25 to London Victoria seen passing Starcross. Copyright Roger Winnen

170507zd Skirting the Exe Estuary as she makes her way back to the Capitol. Copyright Roger Winnen

The Great Britain Railtour X
6th and 7th May 2017
Compiled from various sources many thanks to all .

Saturday 6th May 2017

The Great Britain passing Laira 06.05.17 '34052' and 46100. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

170506a 34052 Lord Dowding and 46100 Royal Scot heads the Great Britain X into Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

170506b Arrival at Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

170506c A change of motive power at Plymouth was the order of the day, as the steam locomotives were running light engines to St Blazey for turning. Copyright Roger Winnen

170506PJM Lord Dowding and Royal Scot aproaching Liskeard, crossing Bolitho viaduct 6th May 2017 Copyright Peter Murnaghan

170506PJM Lord Dowding and Royal Scot crossing Liskeard viaduct, with the 1324 Class 153 to Looe approaching. 6th May 2017 Copyright Peter Murnaghan

The locos and support coaches pass through a damp and dismal Liskeard. 6th May 2017 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

170506d Arrival at Loswithiel on route for St Blazey, the engines entered the down loop to enable an HST and the Diesel Hauled Great Britain to overtake. Copyright Roger Winnen

170506e A very good vantage point from the old Lostwithiel Dairy as the engines were stabled in the down loop. Copyright Roger Winnen

170506f The 13.00 Penzance to Plymouth departs Lostwithiel as the Great Britain X hauled by 47746 Chris Fudge overtakes 34052 and 46100. Copyright Roger Winnen

170506g The light engines leave the loop at Lostwithiel bound for St Blazey Depot. Copyright Roger Winnen

170506h The pair of engines going away from Lostwithiel towards Par and St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen

170506i 34052 Lord Dowding on the turntable at St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen.

170506j Two steam locos at St Blazey which is quite rare these days. Copyright Roger Winnen

170506k Working hard to turn 34052 Lord Dowding at St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen

170506l Turning 46100 Royal Scot at St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen

The GB Railtour now diesel hauled by West Coast Class 47 approaches a small crowd waiting at Trevingey Crossing Redruth. 6th May 2017. Copyright KJ

170506m The two engines with their support coaches cross Hayle Viaduct at 18.23 on route to Penzance. Luck was on my side at Hayle as a T1 Bus for Penzance arrived at Foundry Square at 18.28, passing St Erth the steam was held for the through St Ives to Penzance train. My arrival at Penzance was 15 minutes before the steam arrived. Copyright Roger Winnen -

170506n Under the awning of the ASDA Superstore at Hayle we see 34052 Lord Dowding leading with 46100 Royal Scot on the rear. Copyright Roger Winnen

170506o Arriving at Penzance for their overnight stay. Copyright Roger Winnen

170506p 46100 Royal Scot awaits to pull forward to the long siding, then reversing into the station yard sidings. Copyright Roger Winnen

170506q Repositioning the support coaches for tomorrows run to Plymouth, Bristol and London. Copyright Roger Winnen

Sunday 7th May 2017

34046 'Braunton' (running as 34052 'Lord Dowding') with 46100 'Royal Scot' in the stabling sidings at Penzance, viewed from platform 4. Copyright Andrew Triggs

The Locos propelling back into Platform 1 to rejoin the 'Great Britain X' tour stock Copyright Andrew Triggs

170507k The Great Britain awaits its 08.53 departure from Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

The Tour passing Marazion on a stunning Cornish morning in Mounts Bay Copyright Andrew Triggs

- And away they go, what a marvellous sight as the pair head across Marazion Marshes. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Later in the morning at Rosevidney road bridge, 67006 with 67022 working the 10.45 Penzance Slopers siding-Truro ECS Copyright Andrew Triggs

170507l The Great Britain X approaches Camborne. Copyright Roger Winnen

170507 Sunday morning entertainment at Camborne Station with the Great Britain X on route to Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

170507j The lengthy Great Britain X stops at Camborne for a few minutes. Copyright Roger Winnen

Trevingey Level Crossing 7th May 2017. Copyright Valerie Jenkin. A much nicer day.

Approaching Liskeard - Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Approaching Liskeard 7th May 2017 Copyright Peter Murnaghan (I'll leave you to judge who took it first!!)

170507f The Great Britain X at Plymouth Station prior to its departure at 11.54 Copyright Roger Winnen - Copy

'The Great Britain' near Cornwood '34052' and 46100 Copyright T Tremethick (You can almost hear it!!)

'The Great Britain' near Cornwood Copyright T Tremethick

170507g 34052 Lord Dowding and 46100 Royal Scot at Newton Abbot, Copyright Roger Winnen

170507m An early departure from Newton Abbot as 34052 Lord Dowding and 46100 Royal Scot heads for Exeter St David's. Copyright Roger Winnen

170507h The Great Britain X heads for Riverside Yard, Exeter allowing passengers a brief look at Exeter. Copyright Roger Winnen

170507i 47746 Chris Fudge tails the train into Exeter Riverside yard. Copyright Roger Winnen

Portminster Viaduct Reconstruction
A very detailed article by
Laurence Hansford.

Having told you about the end of signalling as well as the supply of loco water at St Ives, I thought I had better tell you about the viaduct just outside the station.

Today it consists of seven short spans bridged by longitudinal parallel pre-stressed reinforced concrete beams and three long spans of pairs of chunky steel “I” beams which support a reinforced concrete “trough” pre-cast in short sections. Reinforced concrete side walls are then continued across the short spans to complete this “trough”, which holds the ballast in place. Hand-rails were then grouted in from end to end on both sides and there are refuges “cast-in” at regular intervals. The three long spans are at the St Erth end.

The construction is more complicated than it appears because the whole thing is curved as well as being bell mouthed at the town end. This is because the points leading to the sea siding (the engine run- round in the station) were actually on the viaduct. Since all the concrete parts fit each other accurately a lot of effort must have gone on in the drawing office to work out how this was going to be achieved.

Now, you are probably wondering what was there before the era of reinforced concrete. The answer is a construction with a lot of similarities to the recently refurbished Hayle Viaduct; in other words timber and iron sitting on granite piers. As far as I am aware it was the original, dating from the opening of the line in 1877. Given the date, the iron work could have been steel or wrought-iron but my guess is that it was the latter as it was still in widespread use and probably cheaper.

Basically the bridge decking was big baulks of timber with the track laid on top. The seven short spans were all timber but the long spans, on the other hand, rested on longitudinal iron beams like in the “new” bridge, the difference being that, whilst they had larger overall dimensions, they were fabricated in a very flimsy trellis-work style, all riveted together. It was pretty obvious that these were puny by comparison with their replacements. All the granite piers extended upwards on each side of the viaduct as pillars which served as short walls to the refuges. Handrails were fitted between these on cast iron stanchions bolted to the timbers and that was about it. These granite pillars had to be removed during the reconstruction to make way for the concrete trough but you can still see what they were like as those on the abutments at each end were retained.

So, how do I know all this? Well, when I was 9 or 10 there was only one other child living on Draycott Terrace and he happened to be another boy of about the same age. We used to pool our pocket money and go and buy Woodbines but we then had to find somewhere “secret” to go and smoke them. The answer was to climb up the stone wall and up onto the bridge abutment from the Primrose Valley roadway where it passes under the viaduct (the end nearest the engine shed). With our feet on the ledge at the bottom of the “I” beam and clinging on to the trellis work, we could then clamber across either girder to the next pier, and the next, and the next. The two intermediate piers provided perfect hidey-holes from where we could see what was going on but not be seen.

This procedure was not without its risks. As far as we were concerned, the main one was that the iron-work was protected by a thick layer of bituminous paint and where engine oil had seeped through the timber this had turned into a black sticky goo. In the first place you had to be careful where you put your hands but, more importantly, it was wise to keep it off your clothes as it was the very devil to get off. This did not go down well with one’s mother! Fortunately you could always blame it on “tar” picked up on the beach, from which it was indistinguishable. (In those days it was common practice for large ships to steam clean the residues left in their empty oil bunkers many miles out at sea, where they were well out of sight, before entering port. Under certain tidal and storm conditions in the winter time this would end up being washed ashore by which time the volatile component had evaporated leaving big lumps of…evil black sticky goo.)

Although we were careful, the fact that we could fall off whilst in transit was thought about and promptly dismissed! As I said, we were just careful.

During the summer of 1954 I was surprised to find workmen digging deep holes alongside several of the granite piers. On enquiry I was told that they wanted to see if the piers were sitting on sand or bedrock. Having discovered bedrock, they filled their holes and disappeared. Clearly, something was going on. Asking around on the station, I discovered that the viaduct was to be re-built.

Then in early 1955 notices appeared on the station announcing that rail services on the branch would be suspended from Saturday 2nd of April until Monday 16th May; this was, indeed, because the viaduct was going to be re-built. In the meantime the service would be maintained working on a broadly similar time-table using buses. (So what’s new about bustitution?)

I was looking forward greatly to this exciting event. Come the day, calamity struck – I caught measles and was confined to bed for a fortnight and not allowed out of the house for another week. Because my parents ran a Guest House and it was out of season I was moved into a bedroom at the front of the house. At least I could see much of what was going on and, when nobody was around, I would sneak up to the windows on the top floor, from where I got a much better view.

Anyway, they replaced everything except the granite piers one span at a time, starting from the St Erth end using a pair of steam cranes, one of which was more or less “marooned” around the station. The one at the St Erth end was a proper breakdown crane whereas the other was a bit smaller and I believe came from the Civil Engineers Dept.

To start with they built a very substantial timber trestle over the Primrose Valley roadway, ultimately up between the two main girders. Whilst this was going on the track just over the span was removed, followed by the timber-decking, leaving the girders exposed. Then in unison the two cranes lifted the first girder out and placed it at an angle on the other girder and the temporary wooden structure. This was followed by hard work as the old girder was manhandled using crowbars until it was at right angles to the track & close to the abutment at the St Erth end from where it could be lifted out and placed on a waiting bogie waggon next to the breakdown crane. When the waggon was loaded it was taken away to St Erth by a waiting engine which later returned, pushing another waggon. Obviously a bit of re-arrangement of the wooden trestle was necessary before the second girder could be taken away but the procedure was basically the same. As soon as the girders were out, masons set-to to prepare the stonework to receive the new girders, presumably using quick setting cement.

At this point it is worth mentioning that throughout the rebuilding, several different activities would be going on at the same time –it had obviously been well planned.

When everything was ready, the new girders were put into position using a reversal of the process just described. However, being much heavier, it was much harder work and I seem to remember that the cranes were used to help drag them into a position from where the two cranes could lift them into their final resting place. I believe two cranes were necessary because one on its own was not man enough to dangle a girder over the centre of the span. I suppose they couldn’t let the crane get too close to the abyss, for fear it might topple in.

If my memory is correct, the next job was to lay the sections of concrete “trough” across the new girders on top of which a short length of temporary track was laid, allowing the breakdown crane to move forward and get at the next span. Hunks of timber were placed underneath the sleepers to bring the rails up to the correct height for coupling to the old track. The presence of the new concrete “trough” sections must have made life more difficult because it would have prevented the breakdown crane from slewing other than over a very restricted angle. This whole process was then repeated for the other two girder spans.

As for the 7 short spans I can’t now be sure that both cranes were involved and anyway most of it was annoyingly blocked from my view by the hotels then down Primrose Valley (Pothvale and Trevessa) but on balance I think they were. Certainly temporary track was laid, span by span, and a very temporary water pipe was run across the top of the piers so that the marooned crane could be replenished from the engine shed water tank.

The “bustitution” service was provided by Western National using their ubiquitous double-deckers, although I noted that they were using their oldest pre-war vehicles, rather than their shiny new ones. Of course they were all Bristols.

The buses actually drove down Station Road from the Malakoff and waited just by the station building from where I suppose passengers got their tickets. Of course they took the main road to St Erth but I am not sure if they deviated and made the awkward journeys to Carbis Bay and Lelant stations. As I said I don’t know, but on Friday, April 15th, 1955, the St Ives Times’ main front page headline read:

Trainless Eastertide, But Crowds Came By Road
HOTELS AND CAFES HAD BRIEF HARVEST

This is the relevant part of the article:

For the first time since the local railway station was opened in 1877, St Ives has had a Bank Holiday week-end without trains.
But while engineers were hard at work this week-end on their six-week task of rebuilding the viaduct at Porthminster Beach, Easter “week-enders” and day-trippers were streaming into the town by road.
Ten extra double-deck ‘buses on Easter Monday augmented the shuttle road service to bring train passengers into St Ives from the main line at St Erth and 15 ‘buses were available to take them back again.

By the time I could get out to see for myself at close quarters what was happening, the temporary track had been laid from end to end allowing rail access to the station once more and both steam cranes had gone home. In their place a pair of identical and archaic hand-cranked cranes complete with match trucks had appeared. To me they looked so ancient I presumed they were of Broad Gauge origin (does anybody know?). My recollection is that they were marked up in hand-painted script as belonging to Newton Abbot and being of 7 ½ ton capacity (but after 60 years I could very easily be wrong).

For a week or two these were employed in laboriously placing the concrete side walls on all seven of the short spans, starting from the station end. Unfortunately I can’t now be 100% certain of the precise procedure used – in my defence I was only 11 at the time. Anyway, it is pretty obvious that the temporary track would have to have been lifted at some stage, section by section, and replaced by the new track, with 60 ft. rails. I say ”new”, but, as you probably know, in those days less important branches were re-laid with new sleepers but the chairs and (bull-head) rails were normally second-hand but good condition recovered from main lines converted to flat bottom.

When everything was ready they ran a ballast train into the station, dropping ballast as it went, which was spread by a team of men with shovels. Somehow, they extracted the now unwanted timber from under the sleepers and levelled off the ballast.

Obviously, as well as the track, the three sets of points actually located on the viaduct had to be replaced. While they were at it, all the rusty old round point-rodding around the station was swept away and replaced by new square galvanised rods and out went most of the old GWR ground shunting signals which were replaced by the then current pattern.

The signal post with the bracket for the Engine Shed signal had to be put back on the outside of one of the granite piers. The old post was rotten and renewed and I did wonder why they didn’t use tubular steel but I think it was probably because of the way the timber was fixed to the granite; in other words it was lees trouble to simply shape the bottom of the new post to fit the existing iron hoops.

All the wooden signal-arms around the station were replaced by enamelled iron and worn-out components renewed although the timber posts were retained. I thought the replacement for the rather nice shunt signal with a big S screwed to its arm was now a bit on the boring side. Curiously, though, the fixed distant on the approach to St. Ives retained its wooden board and remained rather rickety; ironically it outlived all the others. (This, of course, was not in its current position but close to the footbridge on the St Ives side of Carbis Bay Viaduct.)

I don’t know exactly what they were up to in (or under)the Signal Box as I couldn’t see what went on except what was visible from the path behind, when the door was open. What I do know, because I could see it, is that the old and rather elegant floor-standing electric staff machine which stored its spare staffs up the slender pedestal was ripped out to be superseded by a comparatively utilitarian electric tablet machine.

Whilst I can be pretty adamant about what was done I can’t say the same about when the signalling work was done. In my mind’s eye it was all done as part of the same job. However, some of it must have been done over a prolonged period after normal traffic resumed because Roy Hart tells us that the electric staff machine went the following year, on 28th June 1956.

Now, looking back on it, the preparatory hole digging was probably to make sure that they couldn’t experience settlement like we now know was taking place on the Hayle Viaduct. Once bitten twice shy!

As for everything going to plan, well, it was better than that, as BR were able to reopen the line a couple of weeks earlier than expected as the following article on the front page of the St. Ives Times of Friday April 29th 1955 tells us:

LINE TO REOPEN A FORTNIGHT SOONER
By working from early morning until dusk, men of the engineering department of British Railways have cut down by a fortnight the time estimated for the reconstruction of the Porthminster Viaduct.
In consequence, the branch line from St. Erth to St. Ives will now be re-opened to traffic on Monday, instead of on May 16, as originally envisaged. Normal passenger and freight services will then be resumed to replace the shuttle ‘bus service which since April 2 has been taking rail passengers in and out of St. Ives and the road transport service that has been dealing with freightage and parcels.
SACRIFICED HOLIDAYS
Time allowed in the viaduct reconstruction programme for possible delays due to bad weather has not been required. This factor, coupled with the high pressure work put in by the men engaged on the viaduct, who sacrificed their Sundays and the whole of the Easter holiday period, has been responsible for cutting down so substantially the interval allowed for renewing the structure.

And then an article complete with photo of a steam crane (which I have scanned for you) in the St Ives Times of Friday May 6th celebrated the fact with the following:

‘ON THE RAILS’ AGAIN
Normal rail services were resumed to St. Ives this week, after the reconstruction of Porthminster Viaduct, one of the quickest large scale engineering jobs ever performed by British Railways. The line was re-opened a fortnight ahead of schedule and here engineers are seen re-laying the line on one of the final sections.

I think there may have been a spot of hyperbole here – I can believe that it might have been the quickest job ever performed by BR in Cornwall but in the whole country, I doubt! All the same, the finished structure looked really smart and business-like although it didn’t have the same “Emett like” rustic charm of the old one.

Undoubtedly it was a great deal more substantial than its predecessor and if one was underneath when a train went over, all that could be heard was a muted rumble, unlike the old one which creaked and groaned. In fact, if we happened to be in transit across one of the girders, not only could we feel the movement but we could actually see it flexing. Although it was somewhat unnerving, there didn’t appear to be any loose rivets or anything like that. I presume it was designed to allow for a certain amount of “give” within the elastic limits of the metal.
On asking around, I was told that the viaduct had been rebuilt to the latest standards and was now capable of taking any locomotive running in Cornwall. With hopeful anticipation I therefore kept an eye open for the appearance of something heavier than a 45XX; perhaps a 41XX larger prairie and I was even pretty certain that the Engine Shed head-shunt was long enough to water a Grange or a Manor but nothing ever came. Evidently a case of “plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose”.

An extract, courtesy the St Ives Times.

St Ives station with two Class 22's on a heavy train. 7th September 1963 Copyright Laurence Hansford

A Class 22 with a substantial freight at St Ives, An unusual view taken over the engine house and water tower. A real 'Gem' from the past. many thanks to Laurence Hansford. Copyright

More photographs on the Steam Railmotor to Looe
Peter Murnaghan Roger Winnen

121118f Plenty of steam as the Railmotor awaits departure from Liskeard. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118g The preserved Western National bus FJ 8967 Built June 1933 allocated to Exeter, withdrawn in 1957 and sold to a showman prior to restoration is parked in the station yard at Liskeard, prior to running a trip to Looe. Copyright Roger Winnen

121111a The Railmotor departs Coombe Junction for Liskeard on Remembrance Sunday 11th November, 2012. Copyright Peter Murnaghan

121118h Rounding the curve on the approach to Terras Crossing upstream from Looe. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118i Number 93 heads for Looe. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118j Approaching Looe. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118k Arrival at Looe Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118l The Steam Railmotor sits in Looe Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118m The 1930s Preserved bus arrives at Looe. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118n Awaiting departure from Looe. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118o Reflections in the water at Looe. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118p Departure to Liskeard from Looe. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118q Reflections on the approach to Terras. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118r No 93 approaches Terras Crossing on its journey to Liskeard. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118s Approaching the road crossing at Terras. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118t Tranquil scenes near the branch line. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118u Looking down from on high as the train approaches Terras Crossing. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118v The last train of the day to Looe. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118w The last train of the day heads for Liskeard. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118x Crossing the crossing at Terras. Copyright Roger Winnen

121118y The Railmotor on route after leaving Terras Crossing. Copyright Peter Murnaghan

121118za Racing the train near Sandplace, restored Western National FJ 8967 of 1933 heads for Liskeard, its like the good old days! Copyright Peter Murnaghan

More on the Cornwall Railway Society visit to the Launceston Steam Railway on
13th April 2017
Photographs by
Sid Sponheimer and Roger Winnen

170413g Lilian moves forward to couple to its train at Launceston. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

170413h Not always seen in the photographs as he is normally behind the lens of the camera. Roger Winnen at Launceston. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

170413i Departure for New Mills. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

170413j If you were not familiar with this location you might think that this was a mountain railway. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

170413e Familiar faces of the CRS, Andrew Alway expecting rain, aboard the return journey to Launceston with Tony Brokenshire to the right and John Gallagher right back. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413k Hunts Crossing Station, however the crossing loop has been removed. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413l 'Lilian' runs around her train at Newmills. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413m Running around its train at Newmills. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413n The guard pulls the points at Newmills. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413o Under the canopy at Newmills Station, alight here for a Childrens Pleasure Park. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413p Back at Launceston Station we have Keith Jenkin on the left speaking to Sid Sponheimer a regular contributor to this website standing outside the old Gas Works building at Launceston. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413q Inside of this building we have an original London Post Office Railway vehicle used on their ungerground system from Paddington to Whitechapel which closed in 2003. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413r Another view of this vehicle at Launceston. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413s Built for Queen Victoria visit to the slate quarries of North Wales. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413t Built for Queen Victoria. Was she amused I wonder! Copyright Roger Winnen

170413u We received an invitation to visit the shed,Covercoats is seen together with a railcar creation under construction. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413v Another view inside the shed. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413w Vertical boiler 'Perseverance' is also seen in this photograph. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413x This is Priory Shed with an engine protruding. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413y Here was see Velinhelp at the back of the shed. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413z Rails in the yard of the Old Gas Works. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413za Possibly old MOD vehicles here at Launceston. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413zb The last departure of the day 16.00 to Newmills awaits its passengers. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413zd Under the awning at Launceston which originally came from Tavistock North Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

170413ze We bid our farewell to Nigel Bowman thanking him for a most interesting day at Launceston. After this returned to Plymouth station by bus, and thence train home. Copyright Roger Winnen

Swanage Railway Spring Gala March & April 2017
Pictures by John Cornelius & Roger Salter

Swanage Railway Gala 1st April 2017 Copyright John Cornelius

170331l 80146 Stands outside the shed at Swanage. Copyright Roger Salter

170331m 30053 Stands as a standby locomotive at Swanage. Copyright Roger Salter

170331n 80146 awaits its next departure from Swanage. Copyright Roger Salter

170331o 80146 Stands by the turntable at Swanage, alongside is 34092 City of Wells. Copyright Roger Salter

170331o Photographers at the ready. 80146 at Swanage. Copyright Roger Salter

170331q 34081 at Swanage together with 34092 City of Wells. Copyright Roger Salter

170331r 34081 with the goods train and 80146 station pilot at Swanage. Copyright Roger Salter

170331s 34053 Sir Keith Park at Swanage. Copyright Roger Salter

170331t 34092 City of Wells at Nordon from the River Frome. Copyright Roger Salter

Many thanks John & Roger

A Spring Visit to the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway 27th March, 2017

170327f One of the buses advertising the steam trains and the boat trips run by the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway at Churston Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327g Churston Station with a Morris Minor, it could be the 1950s except for the modern car sneaking in on the right. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327h The other side of this building. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327i Churston opened as Brixham Road displayed on the station building. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327ii 75014 Braveheart arrives at Churston with the 13.00 Kingwear to Paignton service. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327j The 03 and 04 shunters grouped around the turntable at Churston. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327jj 7827 Lydham Manor is seen stabled at Churston. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327k Looking down from the Banjo and the road leading to Kingswear Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327l One of the view remaining Brunel type stations with its overall roof is Kingswear. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327m Kingswear Station is looking very smart after its repainting. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327n D7535 Mercury arrives at the station with a possible route learning or test train, the engine then runs around before positioning the train in the adjacent platform. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327nn The train is now seen backing into the other platform as the 14.15 service from Paignton is due. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327nnn The service from Paignton arrives behind 75014. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327o D7535 is seen later arriving at Goodrington. I departed after this engine left Kingswear by bus but arrived at Goodrington Station prior to its arrival. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327p D7535 Departing Goodrington for Paignton. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327r 75014 is seen arriving at Goodrington on the 15.15 from Kingswear. Copyright Roger Winnen

170327s This train was held at Goodrington for 10 mins, no doubt awaiting a platform road at Paignton Copyright Roger Winnen

170327t 75014 departs for Paignton. Copyright Roger Winnen

The Secret Tunnels at Box
Links that lead to very valuable information.
By Karl Hewlett.

Dear Keith.
Regarding the article on the myth of Box Tunnel and its secret railway, here are some links for the underground bunker the third tunnel at Box goes to, each are certainly worth a look:

http://www.angelfire.com/mn2/Oubliette/Boxhill.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2005/12/14/burlington_nuclear_bunker_feature.shtml

https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/box-tunnel-east-portal-sidings-to-tunnel-quarry-and-cad-wiltshire-february-2015.t94218

http://www.nettleden.com/venues/box-tunnel/

http://www.burlingtonbunker.co.uk/emergency-wartime-broadcasting-service/

The link bellow is an rare image of steam locomotive shunting at the third portal which the caption states it was taken in 1979, I am not sure if this date is correct? I first thought the loco was a J94, but looking at the image again I am beginning to wonder now if it is a Peckett? Certainly not any GWR, 8F or BR standard loco as rumored to be in there, if any other CRS member can identify at least the manufacturer? But a very interesting image indeed if proven untouched by any digital trickery:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hvUhl4wUU4/VfAWUJgOepI/AAAAAAAABjo/EBL32QfK46c/s640/box-tunnel.jpg

Onto the some images of the stone shute when the tunnel was used for quarrying:

http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/kevinr6665/media/Tunnel%20Quarry/sc_cad1_war_157_zps84d19e47.jpg.html

http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/kevinr6665/media/Tunnel%20Quarry/Box-Bath-Stone-Mine-Archive-Album-001_zps8b452a77.jpg.html

Now to Corsham, the bellow is a link for Corsham Signal Box diagram:

http://www.s-r-s.org.uk/html/gwb/S571.htm

Kind Regards Karl (Friends of Penmere).

With very many thanks to Karl for his considerable effort in researching the information and links above.

Ince Castle
by Trevor Tremethick

As it happens I was about to email you because we went to Ince Castle today (second visit in a few months - it is only open three or four times a year). Ince Castle is owned by Viscount and Lady Boyd. As you will know, Ince and Trematon castles are quite close to each other near the River Lynher and both are the names of 'Castle' 4-6-0s that worked in Cornwall. 'Trematon Castle' (5020) was a Laira and then Penzance engine (I travelled behind her a couple of times) and 'Ince Castle' (7034) was a Bristol engine, although I am reliably assured that she was seen in Cornwall.
I was fortunate to purchase, many years ago, a cabside numberplate from 'Ince Castle' (not for sale before anyone asks!) and I attach a photo of the plate mounted on my bookcase. I was surprised to find one of 7034's nameplates bolted onto an outbuilding at Ince Castle (see my picture). I asked Viscount Boyd about the history of the nameplate and he confirmed that it is an original from 7034, bought directly from BR. Although it has suffered a little from being in the open, it is shielded from the prevailing winds in its current position.
When I mentioned to Lord Boyd that I have the numberplate, he went into the house and gave me a large stamp (my third picture) showing 7034 on the 'Bristolian', evidently taken from a Don Breckon original. Location looks like Box Tunnel. When we went back today I took with me a picture of my numberplate and showed it to Lord Boyd.
I would recommend Ince Castle as a thoroughly nice day out, especially if you like beautiful gardens. In this case, there is the added attraction of being able to view a locomotive nameplate as well!
Many thanks Trevor for this fine article and pictures - check for open days on Google before visiting.

'Ince Castle' namplate at Ince Castle. 26th March 2017 Copyright Trevor Tremethick

'Ince Castle' stamp - owned by Lord Boyd As show to Trevor Tremethick Copyright 26th March 2017

The immaculate 'Ince Castle' numberplate. The property of and copyright of Trevor Tremethick.

For the location of Ince Castle as shown on an 1895-1902 OS map courtesy National Library of Scotland click below http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15&lat=50.3889&lon=-4.2555&layers=168&b=1

Taking a look at the proposed sea wall alignment at
Teignmouth in March 2017
By Colin Burges

It wasn't the best weather for a refresher on the sea wall but I wanted a grey day when there wouldn't be many people about. I had planned to catch the 1109 stopper from Starcross but I missed it by ten seconds (my bike clock was three minutes slow) so instead of starting at Teignmouth and working up, I dropped down from the main road at Smugglers' Lane and walked in the other direction.

One of the solutions proposed by Network Rail along the length of line where the cliffs are seen to be the greatest threat is a new alignment further out on the foreshore. This would diverge from the existing within Parson's Tunnel and emerge from the cliff seaward of the present portal. It would then run above a new sea wall of modern design. 23rd March 2017 Copyright Colin Burges

I was just estimating where the new sea wall might go when I spotted the day's freight passing Sprey Point, so I scurried back up to track level. 23rd March 2017 Copyright Colin Burges

The Moorswater empties were running at reduced speed for some reason. 23rd March 2017 Copyright Colin Burges Note the mesh covering the cliff face and the steel girder work,

The Moorswater empties continue eastwards heading into Parsons tunnel. 23rd March 2017 Copyright Colin Burges

Tell-tale monitors linked to signalling give warning of the slightest movement of the cliff face; presumably the columns are wired 23rd March 2017 Copyright Colin Burges

Passing traffic. 23rd March 2017 Copyright Colin Burges

The signalling provides for two way working on the up line. Collin's bike rests against the wall. 23rd March 2017. Copyright Colin Burges

The new alignment would take in most of Sprey Point.23rd March 2017 Copyright Colin Burges

The sea has been very unkind to the breakwater at Sprey Point 23rd March 2017 Copyright Colin Burges

And from here the new alignment would rejoin the existing at the end of the sea wall. 23rd March 2017 Copyright Colin Burges

The old boys used to tell me that even on what might be thought as level road, a long unfitted freight could be on three different gradients along here and would require skilful work on the part of the guard to prevent 'buffering and snatching'. 23rd March Copyright Colin Burges

And this is where the new alignment would sweep in from the sea. 23rd March Copyright Colin Burges

The eastern portal of East Teignmouth Tunnel, opened out into cutting in 1882, was at the end of the wall. 23rd March 2017 Copyright Colin Burges

Who remembers trains taking the full length of the down platform? 23rd March 2017 Copyright Colin Burges.

Lower Brimley Rd bridge once wesern portal of Teignmouth East Tunnel 23rd March 2017 Copyright Colin Burges.

Hymek celebrates a 40th Anniversary
- an article by Neil Phillips

Another week, another anniversary! I was (am!) a big Hymek fan so when a group announced it was planning to preserve one I had to join. Nice to think my donations helped save it…..from memory it cost the DEG £3,510.

Being a member of the Diesel & Electric Group at the time (since renamed Diesel & Electric Preservation Group) I was invited to the West Somerset Railway to participate in Hymek D7017’s first passenger train working in preservation on 19th March 1977 – 40 years ago this Sunday. D7017 has now spent over three times longer in preservation than it did in BR service! It was also the first ex-BR diesel locomotive saved for preservation by a group. For reasons now not entirely clear I travelled from Swindon to Taunton via Reading, this took me past Didcot Railway Centre (on still almost-new HST set 253001) where I noted classmate and now shedmate D7018 standing outside the depot. Unfortunately the bright and sunny conditions which had greeted the ‘Western Tribute’ final special 3 weeks earlier had long gone, but at least the rain just about held off.

Should I try to make this more relevant to Cornwall? OK, here goes….. Although D7017 has paid at least one visit to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway since preservation, it is known to have visited Cornwall on two occasions while in BR service – one day in autumn 1967 I discovered it parked in Truro’s bay platform (I was surprised, I’d expected either D7029 or D7088 – again!), and it powered the Kensington Olympia – St Austell Motorail service on 12th June 1971 (this was the closest Hymeks ever got to regular diagramming in Cornwall, for peak Summer Saturdays 1970 & 1971, with the loco stabled at St Blazey all day). Also, after being secured for preservation D7017 was towed to Taunton on 31st July 1975 via the Berks & Hants line by 25152 - as D7502 this Class 25 was used for crew training on the type between Penzance and Truro in January 1972 (as per my photo in ‘Truro – Gallery 2’). OK, I admit that’s a more tenuous link…..!

Best regards, Neil Phillips Many thanks Neil

D7017 prepares to depart Minehead at the head of the ‘Quantock Flyer’, its first passenger working in preservation. 19th March 1977 Copyright Neil Phillips

D7017 en route to Williton on the ‘Quantock Flyer’.19th March 19th March 1977

D7017 after arrival at Williton – its new home for the next 40 years (and counting!) 19th March 1977 Copyright Neil Phillips

D7017 runs round at Williton. 19th March 1977. Copyright Neil Phillips

A depressing scene at Taunton the same day, as withdrawn Westerns D1058 Western Nobleman, D1070 Western Gauntlet and D1033 Western Trooper await a tow to Swindon Works for scrapping. 19th March 1977. Copyright Neil Phillips.

Harry patch back in service.
Guy Vincent

43172 'Harry Patch' was quickly repaired at Laira following it's extended stay at Castle Cary in February. The power car was moved up to Westbury with a pair of wheelskates applied at a maximum speed of 10mph on the night of 14th, Colas loco 70809 being used. By 10am on 15th 'Harry' had been loaded onto an Allelys low-loader and was removed via the A350, M4 and M5 to Laira depot where the necessary work was quickly undertaken. 43172 returned to normal traffic on Monday morning, February 20th and has performed well ever since. On the murky morning of March 16th it called at Westbury atop 1C74 0706 Paddington-Penzance, running exactly to time.

Westbury yard 43172 15th February 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

Westbury 43172 15th February 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

Back in service 43172 Westbury 16th March 2017 1C73 0706 Paddington - Penzance Copyright Guy Vincent

An unusual working Devonport Dockyard to Exeter Riverside via Penzance
Roger Salter Andrew Triggs Roger Winnen

170309e An unusual working with DRS 66s in Cornwall. Copyright Roger Winnen

170309l The train heads away over Redruth Viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen

170309l The same train taken further down the station wall. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170309m Propelled back into the slopers siding for run around purposes. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170309n 66301 and 66424 then runs back into the station.before running to slopers siding via Ponsandane to couple up to its train. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170309o Here we see the two engines running to Ponsandane, then reversing back into Slopers Siding for its train. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170309b 66301 & 66424 on a route learning trip after delivering a Nuclear Flask to the Navel Base. Copyright Roger Salter

170309g Looking very smart as the pair awaits departure following the 13.03 Penzance to Paddington service. Copyright Roger Winnen

170309h Viewed from the temporary footbridge the train slows and draws to a halt awaiting line clearance to Truro. Copyright Roger Winnen

170309m The crew were out in force at Camborne photographing their train whist waiting for the barriers to lower. Copyright Roger Winnen

170309j Right away as the train crosses the main road to Beacon and Troon. Copyright Roger Winnen

The NEW
EXETER (St Davids)

Press release Friday 24 February

New £40 million rail depot planned for Exeter

Planning consent for a new rail depot at Exeter has been submitted by Network Rail on behalf of GWR [today]. This submission forms part of a wider programme of rail improvements to increase rail capacity in the South West, including new and refreshed trains and station improvements.

The train operator GWR is looking to improve the existing Exeter Olds View Depot train maintenance facility in Exeter to accommodate an increase in fleet size in the Devon and Cornwall area which will lead to more seats, and more frequent services.

GWR Regional Development Manager West, Dan Okey explains:

“With brand new electric trains coming to suburban London services and bi-mode Intercity Express Trains on the mainline in Devon and Cornwall, this will allow us to move part of our existing regional fleet to Exeter - providing more carriages, and more frequent services to the area.”

The new depot is situated alongside existing facilities next to Exeter St.Davids station and will provide enhanced modern servicing, cleaning and maintenance facilities necessary to support these trains. The plans include office and welfare facilities for staff and the depot is designed to provide improved facilities for train maintenance.

GWR is seeking to begin the new depot, subject to planning consent being secured, in Spring 2018 and will complete in mid 2019.

New electric trains in London and Thames Valley area, and new Intercity Express Trains across the GWR mainline network will enable GWR to provide significant improvements in capacity on mainline, regional and local suburban services.

These changes are part of the wider franchise improvements that GWR is delivering and is one of the largest fleet upgrades that the Great Western network will see in a generation.

Notes to editors
Great Western Railway (GWR) provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services. We help over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year - across South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, and large parts of Southern England.
We’re currently seeing the biggest investment in the network since Brunel so we can offer more trains, more seats, and shorter, more frequent journeys and continue the network’s heritage of helping connect more businesses to new and prosperous markets. Through a series of initiatives we aim to be a good neighbour to the communities we serve and are committed to making a positive social impact in those regions. Learn how we're Building a Greater West at GWR.com. GWR is a FirstGroup company.

James Davis | Media Relations Manager | Great Western Railway
External Communications | Milford House | 1 Milford Street | Swindon | SN1 1HL
E: james.davis@GWR.com | T: 0845 410 4444 | M: 07703 890 711

The above picture was first shown to CRS Members at the meeting held on Saturday 11th February 2017 in a detailed presentation given by John Saville Fleet Manager West for GWR.

Western Tribute
Roger Aston, John Cornelius, and Roger Winnen

READING

Looking immaculate D1023 Western Fusilier and D1013 Western Ranger (With the red nameplates) at Reading 26th February 1977. Copyright Roger Aston

Hardly room to spare on the platform as 1013 and 1023 wait to set off on the next leg to Swansea. 26th February 1977 Copyright Roger Aston.

Smoke billows as 1013 and 1023 roar away. Besides the interest from Readings platform there is also interest from the leading coach of the train on the right. Note also every available window on the railtour is occupied! 26th February 1977. Copyright Roger Aston.

D1010 Western Campaigner and D1048 Western Lady - the back up, follow through.

Good Morning Keith, I went on the 'western tribute railtour' on 26-2-1977. My goodness how time flies.
I travelled up to London on the overnight train from Taunton. The trip was superb throughout with sunshine all day until it got dark. i managed to grab a couple of pics at Paddington before we started and few at Swansea. Not wishing to have a second overnight trip travelling back from London,I left the tour at Taunton on the way back, when it stopped to change crews.
I stood for a while on the platform listening to the two locos as they powered away into the distance, sheer magic. cheers JOHN C.

SWANSEA

EXETER

The 'Western Tribute' approaches Exeter over Row Cow Level Crossing. 26th February 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

The support locomotives D1048 Western Lady and D1010 Western Campaigner 26th February 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

Western Lady and Western Campaigner straddle Red Cow crossing. 26th February 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

D1048 and D1010 passing through Exeter St David's. It is worthy of note that D1010 was the only loco ever to have completed a non stop Paddington to Penzance run. This picture 26th February 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

PLYMOUTH

The scene at Plymouth prior to the departure of the 'Western Tribute' for Paddington. Crowds at to watch the final Western departure. 26th February 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

D1023 Western Fusilier and D1013 Western Ranger await departure from Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

The return working prior to dep at Plymouth Station with D1023 Western Fusilier leading. 26th February 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

The WESTERNS BOW OUT
40 years ago today 26th February 1977
- an article by Neil Phillips

Any diesel-hydraulic fanatic worthy of the title will know that this Sunday, 26th February, marks 40 years since the end of the Western Class 52s and also, of course, the Western Region’s 19-year diesel-hydraulic era. The final day saw D1013 + D1023 haul the Paddington – Swansea – Plymouth – Paddington ‘Western Tribute’ special throughout, with D1010 + D1048 shadowing the tour partway as back-up. All four survive in preservation.

The photos show the first two legs of the tour - it was dark by the time the train was on the third and final leg although I was in position on the surviving footbridge at the site of the former Patney & Chirton station on the Berks & Hants line to witness its passing. The day had thankfully been bright and sunny, although by 22.15 it was bitterly cold! Vision may have been impaired by then but the still clear night air meant the sound of 4 Maybachs working flat out could be heard for miles in both directions.

The Western Tribute final farewell special passes Little Somerford on its way to Swansea with D1023 leading D1013 on 26th February 1977. Copyright Neil Phillips

The Western Tribute special passes Bedminster Park, Bristol, now with D1013 leading D1023 heading for Plymouth. Copyright Neil Phillips

D1013 leads D1023 past Bedminster Park and into the sunset – literally and metaphorically! Copyright Neil Phillips

Turning the clock back eight months to the day, bitter cold was certainly not an issue as the great heatwave of 1976 had just arrived and Cornwall was still all go on the Western front! I was only a visitor to Cornwall by then but I managed to pick the week the heat started. Of all my Western photos this one of D1072 blasting out of Truro westbound with the driver clearly enjoying himself is my favourite. Western Glory indeed! By the time D1072 was on its return run I had decamped to Tomperrow (we knew it as Hugus) and this photo would be my very last one of a Western in Cornwall. Well, until 9th August 2003 anyway…… This location was magic on Summer Saturday afternoons when the Warships were still in traffic, as they had to work harder than the Westerns to lift 12 coaches uphill from Penwithers Junction. Happy days!

D1072 Western Glory departs Truro in fine style on 26th June 1976. Copyright Neil Phillips

D1072 Western Glory heads an up Paddington service past Tomperrow on 26th June 1976. Copyright Neil Phillips

Dainton Tunnel Signal Box and Westbury Iron Works

- an article by Guy Vincent

Dainton Tunnel Signal Box was a later pattern BR (WR) timber box and it was commissioned on 14.02.1965. Some may be aware that following closure on 02.05.1987 the box was not destroyed but instead carefully dismantled and removed to Westbury in Wiltshire where it is used by West Wilts Youth Sailing Club as a club recreational facility and store. Until the woodwork was repainted a couple of years ago the outline of the original name board was clearly visible. One change from BR days is that the external staircase is now at the opposite end. Similar 'Plywood Wonders' were located in Devon at Eggesford and Exeter City Basin. The Dainton 'box is just off Station Road in Westbury at the bottom of Station Approach and opposite the Railway Inn, next to a large lake. The lake came about due to the digging of a large pit in the later part of the 19th century for the extraction of iron ore. Iron ore was discovered during the building of the Wilts Somerset and Weymouth Railway in 1847-8 and the Westbury Iron Co. started production in 1857. The ore was used at the Westbury Ironworks which stood adjacent to Westbury station (where the large car auction site is today) until the late 1930s. Once ore extraction ceased the 'minehole' was allowed to fill with water and is one of three close to the railway. Demolition of the works was completed by 1939.

G Vincent 15.02.2017 Many thanks indeed for your article and pictures

Does the building look familiar? Dainton Signalbox - now at Westbury boating lake. 15th February 2017. Copyright Guy Vincent.

The signalbox originally at Dainton now serving as boatclub house at Westbury Boating lake. As seen on the 15th February 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

Westbury Station & Iron Works c1905 From the Guy Vincent Collection

Westbury

Go to maps http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore
Type in ‘Westbury’ and Select OS Map 25” 1892 – 1905
On the North West side of the station you will find the Iron Works.
Note the sidings and in addition a tramway extending about a mile to the south west, the far end of the tramway passing under the main line into Westbury. The tramway also extends to the north east, one leg passing under the main Westbury – Trowbridge line.
At this time there is no Westbury avoiding line – this wasn’t opened between Fairwood and Heywood Road Junction until 1933. Note that the current main line east of Westbury is shown as ‘under construction. There is no chord line between Hawkerbridge Junction and Westbury East junction, this wasn’t opened until 1942.
Note the large Minehole Lake. The open cast mining left the lakes below the Ham known as the mineholes and tunnels for the tramway under Station Road and Hawkeridge Road. How the current boating lake, one time quarry was connected to the Iron Works on the far side of the station is not known.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE TRAMWAY CONNECTION FROM THE IRON WORKS TO THE MINEHOLE.
Hello Keith,
Thanks for your interest in the photos of Westbury Minehole and the ex Dainton signal box. Having never given much thought to the layout of the Ironworks tramway system I had a look in several of my books but was unable to find anything pre 1920. As you know, Westbury station was completely rebuilt in 1898-99 prior to the opening of the direct line to Patney and I think this provides the answer. Try www.old maps.co.uk and you will see on the OS County Series for Wiltshire 1890 that the Minehole in front of the station was indeed connected by a tramway that passed under the station approach road and main line just to the west of the bridge carrying Station Road. At a guess I would suggest by 1898 that particular pit was no longer being worked so the tramway was removed/infilled and other pits as shown on later maps were used instead.

A book I have on Westbury states that limestone was also dug out locally for use at the Ironworks, water was extracted from the juvenile River Biss and coke was brought up by rail from the North Somerset Coalfield around Radstock.

There is another mystery about Westbury I have pondered over for many years. The large iron bridge at the end of the station was built in 1899 but on the town side of that is/was another bridge made of stone and similar in appearance to those between Thingley and Frome and built between 1846 and 1850. This bridge was at completely the wrong angle for the original line out towards Trowbridge, too far over and of the wrong era to serve the Stert extension. Post-1899 it took the road over a couple of sidings leading into a small yard that was closed c1968. It is my belief that when the line was first built this bridge was located approximately where the iron bridge is today and then in 1898-9 it was dismantled and rebuilt in the later position. In the late 1960s the road was widened and realigned as the bridge had a 'dog-leg' alignment and today only the station-side parapet wall is visible in the embankment, the remainder having been completely infilled/demolished. I'll send some pics at a later date on this subject.
Cheers for now, Guy.

PS I've been enjoying the Bridport branch feature recently. I remember seeing the closure notice for the line being posted up on one of the large blue British Transport Advertising boards at Bradford-on-Avon station in the spring of 1975, just as I was getting into the hobby that has been both a delight and a right pain at times ever since!
Many thanks Guy - it's amazing what interest the Bridport branch has created - it's with many thanks to our contributors that the lines history is recorded for all to see.
With regard to the tramway extension from the Iron Works and under the main line and station approach road it is suggested that you consult the 25" map of Westbury. There was one line running the length of the 'Minehole' with a short siding.

The South Devon Steam Gala
Saturday 18th February 2017
Roger Salter David Tozer & Roger Winnen

170218d Its 09.45 on a dismal Saturday morning at Totnes as 30587 prepares to haul the 09.50 for Buckfastleigh. Copyright Roger Winnen

170218e Staverton Station looking deserted, we were held awaiting the failure of a motor operated point at Bishops Bridge loop. Copyright Roger Winnen

170218f Visiting 5542 in the loop at Bishops Bridge with the 09.50 Buckfastleigh to Totnes. Copyright Roger Winnen

170218g David Hunt a well known Railway Photographer speaks to the signalman at Buckfastleigh. Copyright Roger Winnen

170218h 6412 Departs Buckfastleigh as the sun comes out for the 10.35 departure to Totnes. Copyright Roger Winnen

170218i 3205 A stalwart of the South Devon Railway arrives with the 10.35 from Totnes. Copyright Roger Winnen

170218j 30587 departs with the 11.07 clay to Bishops Bridge. Work is seen underway on the new carriage depot at Buckfastleigh together with new sidings laid. Copyright Roger Winnen

170218k 30587 departs with the clay to Bishops Bridge Copyright Roger Winnen

170218zza 5542 A guest engine of the Gala stands at Buckfastleigh. Copyright David Tozer

170218zzc Contrast in Auto Trailers at Buckfastleigh. Copyright David Tozer

170218l As we approach Staverton Station the clay is seen in the Dock Siding. Copyright Roger Winnen

170218m Double headers from Staverton on the 12.05 Buckfastleigh Totnes service. Copyright Roger Winnen

170218w 30587 and 1369 leaves Staverton on the 12.05 service from Buckfastleigh for Totnes. Copyright Roger Salter

170218x The duo 30587 and 1369 leaves Staverton for Totnes. Copyright Roger Salter

170218n 3205 Emerges from the trees after passing Nappers Halt on the 12.45 from Totnes. Copyright Roger Winnen

170218y 3205 on the 12.45 from Totnes running 16 mins late as it approaches Staverton. Copyright Roger Salter

170218o The 13.35 from Totnes has 30587 and 1369 tailed with 5542. Copyright Roger Winnen

170218r 30587 and 1369 Approaches Staverton on the 12.45 from Totnes. Copyright Roger Salter

170218p 5542 tails the train on the previous photograph as it approaches Staverton .Copyright Roger Winnen

170218s 1369 Runs around its train at Totnes. Copyright Roger Salter

170218r The duo arrives at Totnes on the 15.05 from Buckfastleigh with the BR boundary gate visible. Copyright Roger Winnen

170218t 6412 with 30587arrives at Totnes with the 15.05 from Buckfastleigh. Copyright Roger Salter

170218u 6412 uses the run around loop at Totnes. Copyright Roger Salter

170218v Time to take water at Totnes. The 1874 engine is rather thirsty. Copyright Roger Salter

170218s A Cross Country Voyager arrives at Totnes on the 16.17 service to Plymouth seen passing the boundary gate between the two railways. Copyright Roger Winnen

Celebrity 37057 stables
at Bristol Temple Meads.
4th February 2017

Evening Keith,
While at Bristol Temple Meads yesterday I was fortunate enough to be able to take a few shots of Colas Rail's 'retro' class 37 no 37057 resplendent in it's original British Railways green livery. The loco is obviously very well cared for with clean paintwork and absolutely no signs of rust anywhere! Particularly nice touches are the working headcode boxes and authentic builders plates on each cabside (4 in total). Also notice the frost protection grilles over the radiators.

You will be interested to know that 37057 with it's structure gauging train consisting of coaches 9708 977985 and 977986 is due to cover lines in Devon and Cornwall this coming week.
With best regards
Guy V

The structure gauging train due to visit Cornwall and Devon in the coming week. Photograph by Guy Vincent 4th Funerary 2017. Copyright

No detail spared on this fine looking locomotive - looks like a model. Taken at Bristol Temple Meads by Guy Vincent on 4th February 2017

The makers plates for this immaculate locomotive. Guy Vincent 4th February 2017. Copyright.

One last look. at this 55 year old loco. 4th February 2017 Bristol Temple Meads. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks to Guy Vincent for his detailed coverage - four more pictures on the 'Latest News' for the 4th February 2017.

50 Years Ago today 28th January, 1967 the final timetabled services ran from Bodmin Road to Wadebridge and Padstow
Roger Winnen

170128i The restoration of Bodmin Parkways Footbridge is underway as I cross to the bus stop for service to Bodmin, Wadebridge & Padstow. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128j Waiting for refreshments at Bodmin General. A very nice Refreshment Room, well recommended. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128k After a kindly invite I had a look around Bodmin General. Class 08 08444 is seen with the works train. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128l 4247 and 4612 at rest in the shed. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128l The Camel sits undercover. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128m Reflections of the Brake Vans after the heavy showers. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128n After photographing the Steam Crane and Signal Box I then headed for the next bus to Wadebridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128o The goods shed and the Station Buildings at Wadebridge now known as the John Betjamin Centre. To the left of the goods shed is the bus station. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128p Looking back to the station from the Padstow direction. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128q The alignment of the line with the Station in the background and the original railings to the right seems possible. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128r The restoration of Padstow Station for the Council and a Museum complex. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128s Looking from the platform side of the building. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128t The station building viewed from the entrance gate. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128u This old telephone box is also being restored in due coarse. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128v Leaving the station area with the platform railings still in situ we head for the harbour. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128w At the far end of the harbour standing outside The Shipwrights Arms we see Milepost 259.25 removed from Padstow Station, this being the mileage from London Waterloo. Copyright Roger Winnen

170128x Before we leave Padstow we look up to the Metropole Hotel where building work commenced in 1900 and was completed in 1904 at the cost of £12000,.as this was the time that the railway arrived at Padstow. It was owned by John Cory the Ship Owner. Copyright Roger Winnen

Major Work in Wiltshire January 2017
Avoncliff tracks being refettled
Guy Vincent

Avoncliff Relaying Job 22.01.2017 (Week one of two)

nb This is the main email on this subject, email 2 contains a further 9 images.

Today (22nd) Network Rail contractors were engaged in a 28 hour possession, the first of two, removing contaminated ballast and installing a liner on the Up Trowbridge line through Avoncliff Aqueduct and Halt on the Bath-Westbury line, a distance of around 100 yards. New ballast was laid, the previously used steel sleepers (about 20 years old) were relaid and new rails put in place including a pre-assembled IBJ for signalling purposes. A fair amount of preparatory work was necessary prior to this work so here is a brief account.

1. New long welded rails and a pair of insulated block joints were dropped off at the site some while ago.

2. Considerable vegetation clearance was undertaken on both sides of the line around the site and beyond, this was done Nov 2016-Jan 2017.

3. Smaller items of equipment necessary for the job were delivered to the site January 2017 together with materials. Larger equipment, machinery etc was delivered to Bradford-on-Avon station car park 1.25 miles away and moved to the site by rail at the start of the possession (all large machinery being road-rail equipped).

4. Due to very limited parking at Avoncliff some of the 'Orange Army' workers were moved to and from Bradford on a rail-mounted caged trolley hauled by one of the site excavators.

An engineers train consisting of approximately 20 empty spoil wagons and 20 loaded with ballast, top and tailed by DBS locos 66019 and 66030 arrived from Westbury on the down line and was split into two portions. The spoil wagons were positioned beyond the aqueduct towards Freshford and the loaded ballast wagons on the Bradford side of Avoncliff Mill user worked crossing.

Due to the constraints of the site (platform clearance and narrow, single bores of the aqueduct bores) it was necessary to remove the spent ballast into small road-rail wagons hauled by road-rail excavators and then move it down to the spoil wagons, here a second excavator was in position with another empty road-rail wagon and the spoil was transferred into this before final unloading into the JNA wagons for disposal.

Once the old ballast was out and the ground levelled off a 'tracktex' liner was rolled out with a mesh layer then placed immediately on top of it. Fresh ballast was brought down in the road-rail wagons, unloaded by excavators and levelled off by bulldozer.

With the ballast in place (and after darkness had descended) the previously used steel sleepers were put back down and the old cut rails removed. The new rails were then installed and temporarily fixed into position with fishplates, tamping then taking place overnight prior to reopening to traffic at 0510hrs on Monday morning. The spoil and empty ballast wagons left the site around 0500hrs this morning (23rd) for Hinksey, Oxford.

Next Sunday should see a further short stretch similarly treated from the platform end towards Bradford. The work is necessary as when the last relaying was done around 1997 a liner wasn't used and the ballast has degraded with 'wet beds' starting to form. The gradient changes here with the line rising towards Bradford so hopefully the work done now will ensure it is many years before any further attention is needed.

Very many thanks to Guy Vincent for this detailed coverage.

Making the site safe at Avoncliff 22nd January 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

Clear notice of work periods at Avoncliff 22nd January 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

A frosty morning in the Avon Valley as 66019 handles the Spoil train 22nd January .2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

The worksite at Avoncliff. 22nd january 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

The orange army at work. Avoncliff 22nd January 2017. Copyright Guy Vincent

The track is removed from under Avoncliff Aqueduct 22nd January 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

All track removed - the sight at Avoncliff 22nd January 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

66030 on the ballast train at Avoncliff. 22nd January .2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

Putting down the underlay on the east bound track at Avoncliff. 22nd January 2017. Copyright Guy Vincent

The public highway provides an excellent 'ringside seat' for the operations at Avoncliff. 22nd January 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

The 'Orange Army Transporter' at Avoncliff. 22nd January 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

Looking along the down line showing the tightness through the arches. Taken on the 13th March 2013. Copyright Guy Vincent

The next day - 23rd January 2017

Avoncliff as seen around 1400 hrs on 23rd. Only 24 hours before these pictures were taken there had been no track in place but a full service was reinstated as planned from 0510 hours this morning. Engineering equipment remains in place for next week's job with some clamped rail joints in evidence and a 20 mph temporary speed restriction in force. Follow-up work will include joining, stretching and welding the rails into continuous lengths so that the 60mph / 70mph Sprinter line speed can be re-applied once the job is completed.

In this view apart from the fresh ballast one would never know anything had happened! 23rd January 2017. Copyright Guy Vincent

150 295 samples the new track at 20MPH on the 23rd January 2017. Copyright Guy Vincent.

The site looking nice and tidy and safe, ready for next weekends work. 23rd January 2017. Copyright Guy Vincent

Avoncliff, 'pretty as a picture'. Note the temporary joint in the track. 23rd January 2017. Copyright Guy Vincent

Many thanks to Guy Vincent for this extensive coverage of a very good days work by Network Rail.

More on the Removal of the Camborne Station Footbridge
Roger Winnen and Mick House

170121q The footbridge prior to removal. Copyright Mick House

170121r Work to strengthen the bridge prior to lifting. Copyright Mick House

170121s Having relaxation prior to the bridge removal. Copyright Mick House

170121t The heavy lift crane arrives at Camborne Station. Copyright Mick House

170121u Setting up and preparing the crane for the lift. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121v The light is fading as the evening draws in, people are gathering to watch the event. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121w The light fades as a burner cuts away the housing attached to the top of the bridge which once supported the lights. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121x The lift gets underway of the housing attached to the top of the bridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121y The straps are attached to the bridge with personal using this vehicle to gain height. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121z The crane is getting ready for the lift. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121za We are nearly there! Copyright Roger Winnen

170121zb The scene is set for the lift. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121zc Up she rises early in the evening. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121zd The lift is underway. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121ze Up she goes, the bridge rises. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121zf Is there a train due, the barriers are down! Don't panic there are no trains running here today or stopping at Camborne on Wednesdays! Copyright Roger Winnen

170121zg The barriers have been raised to let the Extended articulated lorry through for the next part of the bridges journey. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121zh The High Leval Bridge at Camborne. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121zi Loading on the lorry. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121zj The Globetrotter soon to get underway. Copyright Roger Winnen

170122zm The Crane leaves Camborne on a dismal Sunday Morning, a job well done! Copyright Mick House.

The final day of track renewals between Redruth and Truro.
Week three, day two of work between Wheal Bois and Scorrier 22/01/2017.
By Mick House.

Photos will be added when they come in.

Visual access to the public is very poor on this part of the work site unless we are fortunate in getting some official photos.

Driver Alan Peters bring the first of two ballast trains in to Truro today with 70 806 at the head. Copyright Mick House

On its first run through the work 70 806 is laying ballast. Copyright Mick House

70 806 departs the site after discharging all of its ballast. Copyright Mick

70 805 is back again today this time on the second ballast train. Copyright Mick House

On the rear of the second ballast train is 70 809. Copyright Mick House

The second ballast train has dispensed all of it load and is heading wrong line back towards Truro. Copyright Mick House

170122a 70806 Stabled at Penzance overnight which formed the 16.00 St Erth to Westbury on Sunday 22nd January. This train departed at 07.10 Monday morning. Copyright Roger Winnen

Track renewals between Redruth to Truro.
Week three, days one and two, work is moving on and we are between Wheal Bois and Scorrier 21 & 22/01/2017.
By Mick House, Alan Peters and
Graham Mann, Andrew Triggs & Roger Winnen.

Photos will be added when they come in.

170121e The redundant track panels are arriving at the former Scorrier Station to be loaded onto the awaiting train. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121f Lifting the track panels at Scorrier. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121f Track above the trackless Portreath Tramroad one of the very early tramroads of Cornwall which opened in 1815 through to 1865 Copyright Roger ~Winnen

170121g 70805 seen over the low bridge at Scorrier. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121h A scene truly Cornish with 66846 at Hallenbeagle Crossing with Wheal Busy in the background. Copyright Roger Winnen

170122i 70805 with its track panels passes Truro Station at 14.59hrs. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121j 70805 passes through Truro Station. Restoration work appears to be on going to the canopy. Copyright Roger Winnen

170121a 70805 at Scorrier with the track panels awaiting departure. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170121b 70805 viewed by the Chapel at Scorrier. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170121c Viewed from the bio park 66846 and the mine stack at Wheal Busy. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Track panels being removed. Copyright Graham Mann

Scarifying the formation. Copyright Graham Mann

Loading surplus spoil into wagons. Copyright Graham Mann

Sleepers are in place and new rail being inserted. Copyright Graham Mann

70 809 is on the spoil train today I think this is a first for this part of Cornwall. Copyright Mick House

70809 with the spoil train, the loco will detach and then take the second half of the track panels from Burngullow to Westbury. Copyright Alan Peters

The slide show above depicts 70 805 with its VKA Salmon wagons of track panels advancing over the A3047 rail bridge at Scorrier. Copyright Mick House

70 805 at the old site of Scorrier Station with its VKA Salmon wagon train loaded with track panels. Copyright Alan Peters. Many thanks Alan.

In the above slide show, 70 805 crawls past the old site of Scorrier Station with its track panel train; you can clearly see part of the old platform in some of the shots.
Copyright Mick House

70 805 stands on East Scorrier bridge, South side. Copyright Mick House

70 805 stands on East Scorrier bridge, North side. Copyright Mick House

Bogie VKA Salmon wagon stands ready to receive its last track panel. Copyright Mick House

Twin jib rail crane 78226 about to place the final track panel on the bogie VKA Salmon wagon. Copyright Mick House

Bogie VKA Salmon wagon with it final track panel in place. Copyright Mick House

Both cranes in formation their days work done. Copyright Graham Mann

Colas driver Alan Peters, in charge of 70 805 today. Copyright Mick House

70805 with loaded track panels waiting to depart for Burngullow where the train divides and continues to Westbury with half of train. Copyright Alan Peters

66 846 stands at Wheal Busy Crossing. Copyright Mick House

66 846 stands at Wheal Busy Crossing with 70 805 and its train of VKA Salmon wagons loaded with track panels. Copyright Mick House

Above is a sequence of shots showing 70 805 with its train approaching Wheal Busy Crossing and coming to a stand next to 66 846.
Copyright Mick House

70 805 powers off towards Truro on its way home to Westbury. Copyright Mick House

Sorry but 70 805 has taken most of the limelight today

Track renewals between Redruth & Truro.
Week two, day two between Cardrew and Wheal Bois 15/01/2017.
By Mick House.

Photos will be added when they come in.

First ballast train of the day with 70 805 on site dropping ballast at Wheal Bois. Copyright Mick House

Two of the generator wagons back to back on the ballast train at Wheal Bois. Copyright Mick House.

On its first pass the ballast train deposits the load in the centre of the track. Copyright Mick House.

Ballast train two arrives with 70 806 in charge, at Apex Bridge. Copyright Mick House.

Ballast train two has 66 846 at the rear. Copyright Mick House.

Got a bit dull but managed to get a shot of all of the train at Hallenbeagle. Copyright Mick House.

Ballast train two starts to drop its load, a crowd had gathered and there was not a lot of room along the fence back at Wheal Bois. Copyright Mick House.

Ballast is deposited on the track. Copyright Mick House.

Track renewals between Redruth & Truro.
Week two, day one between Cardrew and Wheal Bois 14/01/2017.
By Mick House Roger Salter & Roger Winnen.

Last week was the start of a number of weeks of Network Rail renewing track between Redruth and Truro.
Today we are heading from Cardrew under the A3047 road bridge near Treleigh Community Primary School towards Wheal Bois.

Again as last week we have Two class 70s this time 804 & 807 and a selection of plant and machinery including two twin jib rail cranes and an assortment of road rail excavators with various attachments are in the possession area stretching from Truro to St Erth.
70807 arrived last night with an empty spoil train and the two twin jib rail cranes, this was followed by 70804 and a train of empty wagons to remove track panels. Words & Photos by Mick House.

70 804 stands at the head of its track panel train. Copyright Mick House.

The sequence photos above depicts DRC 78226 Loading a track panel on to the train and moving off.
All photos Copyright Mick House.

The sequence of photographs below are from the Roger Salter & Roger Winnen collection

170114a Leveling the ballast snd layin the steel sleepers at Treleigh. Copyright Roger Winnen

170114n Heavy machinery dozing the old ballast and loading into trucks Twin jib crane attached but stowed DRC 78235 Copyright Roger Salter

170114o 70807 at Treleigh on the second weekend of possession of the Cornish Main Line from Truro to St Erth. Copyright Roger Salter

170115p Lifting new steel sleepers into the laying machine at Treleigh. Copyright Roer Winnen

170114b Work in progress on the approach to Treleigh Bridge. This section was the last to be doubled to complete the Cornish Main Line with double track from Saltash to Penzance in 1930. Copyright Roger Winnen

170114c Viewed from the first crossing east of Treleigh Copyright Roger Winnen

170114e 66846 Parked at Scorrier Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

170114f 66846 Parked at the end of Scorrier Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

170115q 70807 with a snall amount of old ballast east of Treleigh Bridge. Copyright Roger Salter

170114g 70807 at Wheal Bois with its old ballast train. Copyright Roger Winnen

170114m With the footpath closed east of Treleigh Bridge the track is removed. Copyright Roger Salter

170115r On the embankment east of Treleigh. Copyright Roger Salter

Track renewals between Redruth and Truro.
Day two at Cardrew 08/01/2017.
Mike House, Andrew Triggs, and Roger Winnen

Yesterday we had the concreted track being removed and a top layer of the old ballast, then over night new steel sleepers and Continous Welded Rail (CWR).
Today we have two trains of Ballast, the first hauled by 70 802 and the second top and tailed by 70 805 & 70 807
Photos By Mick House and Roger Winnen.

170108b Heading for Treleigh 70802 with Network Rail auto ballaster wagons. Copyright Roger Winnen

170108c 70805 Passing Truro with the 09.00 Westbury Down T.C. to Truro, heading for the blockade. Copyright Roger Winnen

170108e 70805 is tailed by 70807 seen leaving Truro for Treleigh, Redruth. Copyright Roger Winnen

170108f Arriving at Treleigh by public transport one could see 70805 framed in the railings. Copyright Roger Winnen

170108g The rear part of the train is seen from the A3047 being the old Redruth Bypass. Copyright Roger Winnen

170108h Looking in the other direction we see the front of the train with 70805. Copyright Roger Winnen

170108i 70805 is stabled alongside Cardrew Industrial Estate, Redruth. Copyright Roger Winnen

70802 bring the train into the section to be ballasted. Copyright Mick House.

70802 approaches the end of the freshly laid section of track. Copyright Mick House.

A 360 machine ploughs the ballast before the second train arrives. Copyright Mick House.

70805 with 70 807 at the rear takes the train over the section of freshly ballasted track to another part of the site to lay more ballast. Copyright Mick House.

170108k Just about the complete train in this view shedding its load. Copyright Roger Winnen

70 807 is at the rear of the second train. Copyright Mick House.

JJA self discharge generator ballast wagon. Copyright Mick House.

HQAG self discharge ballast wagon. Copyright Mick House.

170108o 70802 Taken from the station wall approaching Penzance Station. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170108l The light is going as the train approaches Penzance for its overnight stay. Copyright Roger Winnen

170108m Once in the platform the train reversed to slopers siding to run around before departing at 07.10 Monday morning. Copyright Roger Winnen

Track renewals between Redruth and Truro. Day one 07/01/2017.
Mike House, Roger Salter, Andrew Triggs, Roger Aston, and Roger Winnen.

170107b Looking towards the buffer stop on Platfrom 1 at Penzance the time is 00.03 Copyright Roger Winnen

170107c Activity at Redruth Drump Road, the old track has been lifted and steel sleepers laid for the new rail. Copyright Roger

170107d Quattro Rail Road machine stabled at the former Redruth Drump Road. Copyright Roger Winnen

170107e 70805 Stabled alongside Cardrew Industrial Estation with its spoil wagons. Copyright Roger Winnen

170107f Looking back on the train from Cardrew Industrial Estate. Copyright Roger Winnen

170107g Loading the redundant track panels at Treleigh. Copyright Roger Winnen

170107h Awaiting departure. copyright Roger Winnen

170107i loading the track panels copyright Roger Winnen

170107m 70807 With the track panels at Treleigh Bridge. Copyriht Roger Salter

170107n Replaceing the track near Drump Road. Copyright Roger Salter

170107p Waiting to depart from Treleigh with the track panals. Copyright Roger Salter

170107q Loading the track panels aboard the return train. Copyright. Roger Salter

170107r Loading the track panels. Copyright Roger Salter.

170107s 70807 with its train at Trelegh. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170107t 70807 Alongside the milepost at Treleigh. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170107u Lifting the track around the bend. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170107v Lifting the track at Treleigh. At this point Andrews car got struck in the lane by Treleigh School and had to be pushed out by some of the rail workers on site. Many Thanks to them who saved the day. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170107w The massive crane for the lifting of the track panels. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170107y 70806 at Treleigh with the crane and train Copyright Roger Aston

170107z 70807 Moving the crane and train. Copyright Roger Aston

Looking at Stations on the Exmouth Branch
5th January 2017
Roger Winnen

170105aa Exmouth Station was reconstructed and opened on 2nd May, 1986. A former 4 Platform Station was reduced in size to one single platform ultilising part of the former Platform 2. Alongside Exmouth Station was the Stagecoach Bus Garage which has recently been demolished, in its place a large building is under construction. Copyright Roger Winnen

170105c At Lympstone Village 150265 on a service to Paignton. Copyright Roger Winnen

170105e The viaduct at Lympston is longer than you think when viewing it close up. Copyright Roger Winnen

170105f The approaching train crosses the Lympstone Viaduct once double track on its journey to Exeter and beyond. Copyright Roger Winnen

170105h Both trains passing at Topsham Station. The lady is certainly stepping it out!. Copyright Roger Winnen

170105j The stations buldings looking towards Exmouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

170105k The rear of the Signal Box, the crossing barriers together with the Church of the Holy Cross makes this an interesting photo. Copyright Roger Winnen

170105l The formation of the Topsham Quay Branch. Copyright Roger Winnen

170105m Crossing over the former Topsham Quay Branch which left the station on the side of the station buildings and ran down to the quay.. Copyright Roger Winnen

170105o This was the route under the bridge in the background to the quay at Topsham. Copyright Roger Winnen

170105mm We are now back at the station looking at the Signal Box and the Station from the Exmouth platform side.Copyright Roger Winnen

170105n Coming off the branch at Exmouth Junction as we head for Exeter. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many thanks John & Roger

The final day of track renewals between Redruth and Truro.Week three, day two of work between Wheal Bois and Scorrier 22/01/2017.By Mick House.

Track renewals between Redruth to Truro.Week three, days one and two, work is moving on and we are between Wheal Bois and Scorrier 21 & 22/01/2017. By Mick House, Alan Peters andGraham Mann, Andrew Triggs & Roger Winnen.

Track renewals between Redruth & Truro.Week two, day one between Cardrew and Wheal Bois 14/01/2017.​By Mick House Roger Salter & Roger Winnen.

Track renewals between Redruth and Truro.​Day two at Cardrew 08/01/2017.Mike House, Andrew Triggs, and Roger Winnen

The final day of track renewals between Redruth and Truro.
Week three, day two of work between Wheal Bois and Scorrier 22/01/2017.
By Mick House.

Track renewals between Redruth to Truro.
Week three, days one and two, work is moving on and we are between Wheal Bois and Scorrier 21 & 22/01/2017.
By Mick House, Alan Peters and
Graham Mann, Andrew Triggs & Roger Winnen.

Track renewals between Redruth & Truro.
Week two, day one between Cardrew and Wheal Bois 14/01/2017.
By Mick House Roger Salter & Roger Winnen.

Track renewals between Redruth and Truro.
Day two at Cardrew 08/01/2017.
Mike House, Andrew Triggs, and Roger Winnen