NINETEEN SIXTY TWO – PART 78
Emergency Communication
Michael L. Roach
Most passengers travelling by train will know how to stop the train in case of real emergency, and if they don't there will be another passenger close by who will know what to do. In steam days there was a chain running the full length of every passenger coach which when pulled would partially activate the brakes throughout the train alerting the driver and guard to the fact that there was an emergency somewhere. Once alerted the engine driver would bring the train to a halt in a safe place and the guard could then set out to find where the cord had been pulled and the nature of the emergency. The first corridor coaches dated from 1882; and the first complete train of corridor coaches was run by the GWR in 1892. Ladies travelling alone would have been very grateful for both the advent of the communication cord and the corridor train.
The attached article from the GWR Magazine explains how the system works.
The attached article from the GWR Magazine explains how the system works.
The article which appeared in the GWR Magazine for October 1906 as part of a larger article in many parts about railway appliances. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The article which appeared in the GWR Magazine for October 1906 as part of a larger article in many parts about railway appliances. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The end wall of a non-corridor coach showing the operating mechanism activated by pulling the communction cord. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks as always for another interesting article, Michael - it is very much appreciated.
View more of Michaels articles by clicking here.
View more of Michaels articles by clicking here.
First freight through the new signals
Jon Hird
I took a trip to Par on my lunch break today (11.03.24) to witness the Goonbarrow - Fowey clay working become the first freight train to pass through Pars new signals.
I was a bit disheartened to see the freight AND a GWR IET roll up together. Historically this would have meant the freight would sit for a while to allow the IET to get out the way before it departed, however I was very surprised to hear the 66's revs pick up less than a minute after the IET had departed. RTT records a 30 second gap between the two trains.
The clay slowed for a signal nearly opposite the entrance to the down goods loop, but soon got on her way up the bank towards Treesmill.
I was very impressed by the slick signalling and the speed at which the two trains got underway.
I notice from looking at Real Time Trains that the Lostwithiel runaround happened very quickly too, 6 minutes from passing Lostwithiel on the 'up' to once again passing it (with the train) on the way to Fowey.
A very well-done is due to the signalling team, as far as I am concerned.
Some images below and an interesting comparison shot of the same working a little under 12 months apart.
I was a bit disheartened to see the freight AND a GWR IET roll up together. Historically this would have meant the freight would sit for a while to allow the IET to get out the way before it departed, however I was very surprised to hear the 66's revs pick up less than a minute after the IET had departed. RTT records a 30 second gap between the two trains.
The clay slowed for a signal nearly opposite the entrance to the down goods loop, but soon got on her way up the bank towards Treesmill.
I was very impressed by the slick signalling and the speed at which the two trains got underway.
I notice from looking at Real Time Trains that the Lostwithiel runaround happened very quickly too, 6 minutes from passing Lostwithiel on the 'up' to once again passing it (with the train) on the way to Fowey.
A very well-done is due to the signalling team, as far as I am concerned.
Some images below and an interesting comparison shot of the same working a little under 12 months apart.
How things can change in a year. The same train/service, in May 2023 and March 2024. CDA's and semaphores in the top image, JIA's and CLS's in the bottom. Copyright Jon Hird.
A simultaneous arrival of DB Cargo 66101 and a GWR unit, both headed east. 11.03.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
From the drone whilst waiting for the IET to depart. Note old signal posts still standing further along the line towards par docks (with their arms removed). 11.03.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Less than a minute after the IET's departure, 66101 got on her way to Fowey via Lostwithiel. The old signal post is still standing beside the cab of the loco. 11.03.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
The train slowed for this signal just East of par, but soon accelerated away again, hot on the heels of the IET. 11.03.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Return to Truro-Par-Lostwithiel-Bodmin Parkway
Andrew Triggs
Andrew Triggs
Hi Keith/Roger/Jon,
With the railway back at work today after the Engineering possession I revisited the locations of Truro, Par and Lostwithiel to photograph the new Colour Light signalling replacements. The enclosed selection shots of the day for CRS
All the Best
Andrew
With the railway back at work today after the Engineering possession I revisited the locations of Truro, Par and Lostwithiel to photograph the new Colour Light signalling replacements. The enclosed selection shots of the day for CRS
All the Best
Andrew
240311a 57605 'Totnes Castle' arriving at Penzance with 1C50 from London Paddington running 46 late at 08.40 Copyright Andrew Triggs
240311b 66101 approaching Lostwithiel with 6G09 12.36 Goonbarrow Junction-Fowey Dock Carne Point JIAs with a small load of 6 Copyright Andrew Triggs
240311c Bodmin Parkway departure with 43004 leading 2P15 12.50 Penzance-Plymouth (43189 trailing) Copyright Andrew Triggs
240311d Fallen Truro Yard Semaphores awaiting removal Copyright Andrew Triggs
240311e Lostwithiel Semaphores no more, again awaiting removal at the end of the Down platform Copyright Andrew Triggs
240311f The new view from Black Bridge, Truro 11.3.2024
240311g The only platform mounted new signal at Lostwithiel CL5802 11.3.2024 Copyright Andrew Triggs
FGW 150238 working the Newquay branch at Par 11.3.2024 Copyright Andrew Triggs
Many Thanks Andrew
Churston & Kingswear
Michael Forward
Michael Forward
Hello Roger, Hope you are well and glad you are getting about to record the scene. Here are a couple of pictures from Michael Adams on the railway to Kingswear. Firstly we see D7535 coming into Churston on 15 June 1981 with a Paignton to Kingswear train Copyright Michael Forward
Roger, Now we see D402 at Kingswear on 20 June 1992 with a train for Paignton. Copyright Roger Winnen
Many Thanks Michael
Machines with Mick
Mick House
Mick has very kindly compiled a comprehensive report of the on-track plant used during the re-signalling project.
It has been added to the engineering plant diary (click here)
And also to the resignalling section (click here)
It has been added to the engineering plant diary (click here)
And also to the resignalling section (click here)
A bulldozer crosses the road crossing at Lostwithiel. Many more images of impressive machines such as this can be found by following the links above. Copyright Mick House.