11th September 2023

A change of Motive Power from Penzance to Plymouth this morning
Roger Winnen

Most probadly in connection with the line closures in Cornwall yesterday two London bound services were replaced by Castle Class sets to Plymouth where passengers transferred into IETs to complete their journey. Both HST Castle Class sets then moving off to Laira Depot. One wonders if these sets are due for withdrawal as only three sets are working today for the rest of the day.
The 08.15 Penzance to Plymouth worked by GW12 43016 Powderham Castle and  43189 Launceston Castle
The 09.10 Penzance to Plymouth worked by GW02 43094 Dunster Castle and 43122 St Mawes Castle.
Time will only tell.

230911a 43016 Powderham Castle working the 08.15 Penzance to Plymouth then Laira. Copyright Roger Winnen

230911b 43189 Launceston Castle brings up the rear of the 08.15 Penzance to Plymouth then Laira Depot. Copyright Rower Winnen

230911c 43122 St Mawes Castle heads the 09.10 Penzance to Plymouth then to Laira. Copyright Roger Winnen

230911d 43122 St Mawes Castle under the station roof at Penzance tailing the 09.10 to Plymouth & Laira Copyright Roger Winnen

Many thanks to you Roger.

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4555 Livery
Trevor Tremethick

I have been reading Mike Roach’s interesting piece about 4555 and also Roy Hart’s livery comments. Roy’s description of “an absurd parody of Great Western livery” I would say is pretty much on the money. I attach a detail from a picture I took back in July when 4555 was bunker-first up Goodrington Bank and you can see how the lining wraps around the bunker  - half way up! – and actually seems to cut through where the yellow power classification disc should be (only there isn’t one). The bunker overhang is individually lined. I recall they put a copper cap on 4588 when they had it. What is it with this railway?
 
4555 went to St. Blazey for a very short time (less than two months) before moving to Laira. I was very lucky, at age ten, to have had a run down the Falmouth branch with 4555 which must have been covering for a DMU. My parents and I got off at Penmere and they took me to look at the engine during the brief stop. The number was unmistakeable, and it is a memory that has stayed with me.
 
Best wishes. Trevor Tremethick.

4555 detail Goodrington Sands 12th August 2023. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

Michael's article has certainly stirred up many memories and comments, very favourable of his article but not so of the current livery,  Many thanks Trevor for your excellent photograph and comments. 4555 seems to have been almost everywhere - thank heavens it is still going and in fine fettle.

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Another
Mystery Photograph 
Andrew Jenkins

Unknown station. Picture owner and copyright Andrew Jenkins.

As you helped with the above image could I be cheeky and ask you another which has also stumped the Photo group and Railway history Groups.
This one shows a World War 1 soldier bidding farewell to his sweetheart on from an LSWR station. It was photographed by an anonymous local photographer and posted from Morwenstow near Bude in 1916. A match to local stations in the Bude area has not been found.
I have had this in my collection for many years and would love to know which station this is.
Please feel free to publish on your web page but please acknowledge me as owner of the original photo.
 
With many thanks for your continued help
Andrew Jenkins
 

Many thanks Andrew - please continue to be cheeky - we are very pleased to be able to help with your  'Saying goodbye at a station'. This one brings back memories to me when I bid goodbye to Valerie at Redruth station I was going into the unknown posted on active service in the RAF for the Borneo Confrontation in 1964. Luckily for me being away for a years solitary was the only unpleasant part.

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The Transfer Shed at
Exeter
Mick House

Exeter Transfer Shed 1) 3rd September 2023. Copyright Mick House

Exeter Transfer Shed 2) 3rd September 2023. Copyright Mick House

Exeter Transfer Shed 3) An unidentified IET passes by. 3rd September 2023. Copyright Mick House

Exeter Transfer Shed 4) 3rd September 2023. Copyright Mick House

Many thanks Mick - it seems a great pity that some use cannot be found for this elegant listed building - it stands there in isolation neglected although slightly spoilt by some idiot with a spray can.

​Simon Hickman writes - Hi there,
 You ask on the latest input section of the CRS website for more details of the Exeter St David’s transfer shed. There’s a good summary on Historic England’s list description, here: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1268441?section=official-list-entry
 
Historic England are encouraging people to upload photos and information to records of listed structures via the missing pieces project, so perhaps you could encourage your members to participate? It’d be great to see some more pictures of the South West’s listed railway structures on there.
 
Kind regards, Simon Hickman.
Principal Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas
Historic England South West.  07766 364540
 
Historic England / Fementation North / Hawkins Lane / Finzels Reach / Bristol / BS1 6JQ


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Advance notice of a superb evening.
Plym Valley Railway
Two routes to Tavistock
Presented by Bernard Mills

I was wondering whether you would be able to put the attached poster advertising Bernard Mills’ slide show on your website, as there may be a few of your members who live in East Cornwall and remember the two lines to Tavistock who might be interested in attending. As you will read all proceeds are for a good cause.
 
If you have difficulty opening the attachment then please do get in touch with me.
 
Many thanks. Kind regards, Keith Vyvyan,  Hon. Chairman & Curator,
Plym Valley Railway Association. 

Further information on this excellent show. 
I’d be grateful if you would be willing to put up the attached poster to advertise the event in the library and to the Friends of the Railway Studies Collection. Bernard Mills, the well known Westcountry railway photographer and author, who is a past Chairman of the Plym Valley Railway Association, will be showing a selection of slides, from his very extensive collection, of the two routes to Tavistock. This will include our line, the former Plymouth to Launceston Branch. The majority will be from the days of steam and also some of the early diesels. All proceeds from the evening will go towards the ‘SOS’ Appeal for the railway to purchase its resident working locomotive Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 ‘Albert’ whose private owners will be putting it up for sale in January 2024, but have kindly given us first refusal.
 
We have included the locations used by sat navs and ‘What3Words’ to the Scout Hall which is located behind Plympton Police Station. Tickets priced £5 and include tea/coffee and cake, can either be purchased in advance via our website ‘Plymrail’ or on the door. All are welcome.
 
Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
Kind regards,
Keith Vyvyan, Hon. Chairman & Curator,
​Plym Valley Railway Association  

Thank you for this invite Keith -
​this will be a good evening.