Diesels in the far West
16th April1976
Roger Winnen
16th April1976
Roger Winnen
760416c A Class 50 50007 at Long Rock Depot. Copyright Roger Winnen
760416d Double Headers on the Penzance to Birmingham D1001 Western Pathfinder and a Class 47 . Copyright Roger Winnen
760416e D1070 Western Gauntlet on the 09.20 Relief Paddington to Penzance at Long Rock. Copyright Roger Winnen
760416f 47147 on the 09.30 Paddington to Penzance at Marazion. Copyright Roger Winnen
760416g 45005 on the Cornishman passing Long Rock Shed. Copyright Roger Winnen
The big resignalling job
Martin Duff
Evening Admins, I think Mick House might be interested in this little collection. Early this morning we took a RRV from Truro - Liskeard to inspect the lines for any fallen trees etc following the blockade and the recent storms. We left Truro just after 6 and after stops at St Austell and Par we were clear just before 10.00 (max speed 15mph). A new 3 aspect colour-light signal has also been installed on the down platform at Lostwithiel - for movements off the Fowey branch, it will route 4 ways, that’s both loops, the up line and what will be a new limit of shunt signal / fixed red on the down line near Brown Queen tunnel. The possession is due to hand back at 5 o’clock Monday morning.
12th November 2023 Copyright Martin J Duff.
Work at Truro. 12th November 2023 Copyright Martin J Duff.
Work at Par. 12th November 2023 Copyright Martin J Duff.
Lostwithiel - new signal in position but not in use. 12th November 2023 Copyright Martin J Duff.
Many thanks indeed Martin - we hope every aspect of the operation was a complete success. Time for a rest for you.
Drone to
Pontsmill
Jon Hird
Pontsmill
Jon Hird
Par and the sea from above the railway at St Blazey. 11th November 2023, Copyright Jon Hird.
St Blazey and the CDA dismantling area. 11th November 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
The drone - Jons wonderful flying machine.11th November 2023. Copyright Jon Hird,
Pontsmill from the Drone. 11th November 2023, Copyright Jon Hird.
Pontsmill from the Drone. 11th November 2023, Copyright Jon Hird.
Pontsmill from the Drone. 11th November 2023, Copyright Jon Hird.
Pontsmill from the Drone. 11th November 2023, Copyright Jon Hird.
Hello Keith and Roger,
Keith, a few weeks ago you suggested taking a look at Ponts Mill with my drone. Today, with very little wind, I thought I’d have a go.
It wasn’t the easiest of flights, I had to pick my way through the trees and electrical cables to get above the ‘canopy’. Once up there, I was pleased to see the footprint of the dries were still relatively clear.
However, it crossed my mind that it would be difficult for anyone viewing the images to orientate themselves, so I recorded some video too. I’ve uploaded to YouTube, you can view it here -
https://youtu.be/eHgqCqU1CFI
I added some subtitles to the video detailing the history of the site. This is information both from your website and Wikipedia. I was stunned to read that ships of up to 80t could once reach Ponts Mill via the Par River - I guess that was massively narrowed to form the canal we have today? You’d struggle to get a kayak up there nowadays!
With it being such a nice still day and with another battery charged, I stopped in at St. Blazey on my way home to have a quick CDA ‘headcount’! No further wagons have been cut since last week - although there are also no engines on shed, so I suppose they’ve been unable to shunt any more over to the disposal siding. This means that right now as I type, there are 38 complete CDA’s in St. Blazey.
The view from Middleway crossing looking towards the yard is interesting - you can see the lines original alignment going straight ahead where it now curves to the right and over the metal bridge, following the waterway. Granite sleepers are still in the ground here.
Finally a view from 120m above (the max legal height I can reach) which shows 2 stations, St. Blazey and Par, along with a distant view of Par Harbour and the mainline dissecting the scene.
Any suggestions or requests (from yourselves or your readers) for where to go next?
All the best, Jon
Keith, a few weeks ago you suggested taking a look at Ponts Mill with my drone. Today, with very little wind, I thought I’d have a go.
It wasn’t the easiest of flights, I had to pick my way through the trees and electrical cables to get above the ‘canopy’. Once up there, I was pleased to see the footprint of the dries were still relatively clear.
However, it crossed my mind that it would be difficult for anyone viewing the images to orientate themselves, so I recorded some video too. I’ve uploaded to YouTube, you can view it here -
https://youtu.be/eHgqCqU1CFI
I added some subtitles to the video detailing the history of the site. This is information both from your website and Wikipedia. I was stunned to read that ships of up to 80t could once reach Ponts Mill via the Par River - I guess that was massively narrowed to form the canal we have today? You’d struggle to get a kayak up there nowadays!
With it being such a nice still day and with another battery charged, I stopped in at St. Blazey on my way home to have a quick CDA ‘headcount’! No further wagons have been cut since last week - although there are also no engines on shed, so I suppose they’ve been unable to shunt any more over to the disposal siding. This means that right now as I type, there are 38 complete CDA’s in St. Blazey.
The view from Middleway crossing looking towards the yard is interesting - you can see the lines original alignment going straight ahead where it now curves to the right and over the metal bridge, following the waterway. Granite sleepers are still in the ground here.
Finally a view from 120m above (the max legal height I can reach) which shows 2 stations, St. Blazey and Par, along with a distant view of Par Harbour and the mainline dissecting the scene.
Any suggestions or requests (from yourselves or your readers) for where to go next?
All the best, Jon
For those you who can get You Tube Jons views are fantastic - almost out of this world - take a look. Thanks ever so much Jon - a new dimension to our viewing.
Mainline Blockade a miserable day
Andrew and Diane Jones
Andrew and Diane Jones
Dear Keith and Valerie,
As the relentless modernisation of the local rail network progresses, I decided to venture out during the blockade to capture, perhaps for the last time a glimpse of our railway heritage about to disappear.
Liskeard looked very sad today, no trains and heaps of replacement buses. The rails were rusty, the signal box switched out with warning beacons protecting the permanent way on the outskirts of the station in each direction.
It felt very lonely as I photographed the remaining infrastructure.
Just as the light was failing I decided to pop down to Combe Junction, it was hard to imagine that I had not stepped back in time, witnessing a 1960’s closed station with the undergrowth fast taking over the Moorswater branch.
All a bit depressing! So I picked up Diane from her Lino cut card making course at Pensilva and went home to light the wood burner and relax for the evening before writing this article. I feel much better now!
Very best wishes Andrew and Diane
As the relentless modernisation of the local rail network progresses, I decided to venture out during the blockade to capture, perhaps for the last time a glimpse of our railway heritage about to disappear.
Liskeard looked very sad today, no trains and heaps of replacement buses. The rails were rusty, the signal box switched out with warning beacons protecting the permanent way on the outskirts of the station in each direction.
It felt very lonely as I photographed the remaining infrastructure.
Just as the light was failing I decided to pop down to Combe Junction, it was hard to imagine that I had not stepped back in time, witnessing a 1960’s closed station with the undergrowth fast taking over the Moorswater branch.
All a bit depressing! So I picked up Diane from her Lino cut card making course at Pensilva and went home to light the wood burner and relax for the evening before writing this article. I feel much better now!
Very best wishes Andrew and Diane
Liskeard 1 - Mainline Blockade a miserable day. 11th November 2023. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones. The waiting rooms have been repainted.
Liskeard 2. Replacement buses are no substitute with lengthy detours 11th November 2023. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.
Liskeard 3. Looking towards Plymouth 11th November 2023. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.
Liskeard 4 Combe Junction looking forlorn 11th November 2023 although the ...ainted. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.
Liskeard 5. A last look at the impressive signalling 11th November 2023 . 11th Novemner 2023. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones
Many thanks Andrew and Diane for your full coverage of the day - a very nice picture of the semaphores at Liskeard.
Terras Crossing
Mark Lynam
Mark Lynam
I have included a few shots below from Terras Crossing on Friday during high tide, although no reflections as it was fairly windy,
1) 50244 at Terras Crossing working 2L83 1346 Liskeard to Looe.
2) Going away shot of 150244 at Terras Crossing working 2L83 1346 Liskeard to Looe.
3) 150244 with the return working 2L84 1418 Looe to Liskeard.
All pictures copyright Mark Lynam
1) 50244 at Terras Crossing working 2L83 1346 Liskeard to Looe.
2) Going away shot of 150244 at Terras Crossing working 2L83 1346 Liskeard to Looe.
3) 150244 with the return working 2L84 1418 Looe to Liskeard.
All pictures copyright Mark Lynam
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Many thanks Mark - a lovely day.
Lorry stuck under the bridge
Trerulefoot
Trerulefoot
Motorists using the A38 at Trerulefoot this evening are being warned of possible delays. The road is blocked after a lorry struck a bridge and is reported to be stuck.
Traffic and travel monitoring system, Inrix, reports the A38 is partially blocked in both directions at the A374 Trerulefoot roundabout.
Inrix says: "A38 in both directions partially blocked, queueing traffic due to bridge struck by vehicle at A374 (Trerulefoot roundabout). The lorry Is stuck under the railway bridge."
The incident was first reported at around 6pm.
Traffic and travel monitoring system, Inrix, reports the A38 is partially blocked in both directions at the A374 Trerulefoot roundabout.
Inrix says: "A38 in both directions partially blocked, queueing traffic due to bridge struck by vehicle at A374 (Trerulefoot roundabout). The lorry Is stuck under the railway bridge."
The incident was first reported at around 6pm.
Newquay Cornwall 00 gauge Exhibition layout.
The layout is based on Newquay, Cornwall, operating in the late 1950’s to early 60’s. The layout gives a fair representation of the station at Newquay.
The layout is based on Newquay, Cornwall, operating in the late 1950’s to early 60’s. The layout gives a fair representation of the station at Newquay.
Newquay Model Railway 1
Newquay Model Railway 2
Newquay Model Railway 3
This exhibition layout is offered for sale - details from Roger Speck
07-746-764-986
07-746-764-986