14th September 2018

The Northern Belle
​at Exminster
David Tozer

57514 & 57513 pass Exminster at 10.37 on the 14th September 2018 Copyright David Tozer

802003 & 802009 pass Exminster at 10.15 on the 14th September 2018 Copyright David Tozer

The Northern Belle at Par
Richard Kitson 

opped and tailed by 57313 and 57314 the down Northern Belle arrives at a sunny Par prior to the ecs movement to Penzance. 14.34 on the 14th September 2018

The Northern Belle
Winchester to Par and ECS to Penzance
Andrew Triggs Roger Winnen

180914a 57314 arrives Penzance with the ECS of the Northern Belle. Copyright Roger Winnen

180914b 57313 tails the Northern Belle at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

180914c Departing ECS to Long Rock for fuel. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180914d The Northern Belle returning from Long Rock viewed from Ponsandane Footbridge. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180914e The Northern Belle passes Marazion with the 16.26 from Penzance with 57313 leading. Copyright Andrew Triggs

IET Failure
​causes chaos!!!

Total failure of one the new 802 sets caused mayhem on the normally busy main line between Exeter and Taunton.  389 passengers directly affected plus many more intending travellers.  To read all about it  please use the link below.
​http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?board=26.0

4555 at Paignton & Goodrington
Michael Forward

860812a 4555 is seen at Paignton with an Auto Coach. Copyright Michael Forward

860812b 4555 is seen climbing from Goodrington with a heavy load on route to Kingswear. Copyright Michael Forward

Thanks Michael

Reflections on the Visit to 
The Helston Railway
by members of the Cornwall Railway Society
Roger Winnen

The Cornwall Railway Society paid a visit to the Helston Railway on Thursday 13th September, 2018. Approx. twenty members and friends turned out for a most interesting visit to the line now with its extension to Truthall Halt with looked splendid, shining in the autumn sun. Much use was made of the excellent buffet facilities serving bacon rolls and a selection of very nice food and drink.
Many thanks must go to Ken Wood, Barbara Barnes, Peter Galasinni and staff of the Helston Railway for laying on a most memorable visit for our society. Peter is also one of our CRS members.
Many thanks to you all.
Roger Winnen

180913a We are now changing for the Helston Branch at Gwinear Road! False! Copyright Roger Winnen

180913b The Buffet is open! Its worth a bacon roll and a cup of tea. Copyright Roger Winnen

180913c A most enjoyable buffet at the terminus of the Helston Railway. Left to right Richard Horwood, Eric & Diana Dowson. Copyright Roger Winnen

180913d Our guard Peter Galassini watches Ken Wood attach the CRS Headboard. Copyright Roger Winnen

180913e Arrival at Trevarno Station, onboard we see Peter Galassini, Gerry Chandler, Keith and Valerie Jenkin and far right Roy and Nway Hart from Burma, formally from Redruth. Copyright Roger Winnen

180913f The Mk 1 Suburban Coach at Trevarno. Copyright Roger Winnen

180913g The sun came out as the train returned to Trevarno. Copyright Roger Winnen

180913h On the next trip to Truthall Halt we see the construction of the engine shed at Trevarno. Copyright Roger Winnen

180913i On arrival at Truthall Halt Diana Dowson is seen in conversation with the guard. Copyright Roger Winnen

180913j Christine Simmonds looks at the photgraphs inside the pagoda at Truthall Halt. Copyright Roger Winnen

180913k It was nice to see Maurice Dart onboard, darting around on his travels. Copyright Roger Winnen

180913l Alan Burton the Station Master from Truthall Halt aboard the last train of the day returns to Prospidnick. Valerie is looking miles away!. Copyright Roger Winnen

180913m Depsture from Truthall Halt in the afternoon sun. Copyright Roger Winnen

180913n Back at Prospidnick we see Mike Hitchens and Richard Horwood aboard our Diesel Locomotive. Copyright Roger Winnen

180913o John Gallagher and Peter Bragg back in the buffet for refreshment after enjoying a very nice day. Copyright Roger Winnen

Apologies from our Magazine Editors

​The editors of the CRS magazine regret the omission of the name of the author of the article ‘Bere Alston to Meldon - after Closure’ in the Autumn 2018 CRS magazine. This was not intended, but was entirely due to an unfortunate oversight on their part. The author of this excellent article was Tony Hill. The editors sincerely apologise for the omission of his name.”

Newquay HST's
Colin Burges

​The last H.S.T. of the summer timetable will leave Newquay today and the units are unlikely to return next year, other than as specials or run by Cross Country.

What was once a summer Saturday procession was down to two on the last occasion yesterday. I caught the 0857 Plymouth and the 1728 Newquay. Light rain caused wheelslip part way up Luxulyan bank, but the driver managed to get the train up to line speed again. I spoke to him at the "quay" and he told me progress was down to 15 m.p.h., with no sanders to aid traction. I asked him what power was needed on the bank and he replied that notch three or four was sufficient for the 1:37 climb. He had passed out on the Hitachis but didn't know what the future held for Newquay; he said there might be gauge infringement in Luxulyan Tunnel.

For my own web pages, I will be looking at examples of massive development not being matched by the provision of rail transport. Sherford, the new town taking shape to the east of Plymouth is close to Oreston, on the Yealmpton Branch. The massive Airbus factory in Bristol is close to North Filton. And the Duchy's "Poundbury Light," Nansledan, is not far from the Newquay Branch. So on arrival at the quay I headed for the new town (starting price for a "coach house" £250,000) to find a vantage point for a shot.

From an earth heap at the growing Nansledan "urban expansion," the 1130 S.O. Newquay to Paddington, The Atlantic Coast Express, can be seen at middle right crossing Trenance Viaduct. The ocean can be seen at right. 8th September 2018. Copyright Colin Burges

The same train has just passed Trencreek Crossing and is now closer to the camera. 8th September 2018 Copyright Colin Burges

I waited twenty minutes to take this shot and then didn't get the train fully in the frame. The modern-day ACE heading towards Quintrell Downs.th September 2018. Copyright Colin Burges

​With six hours before my train home, I rode out to Trevose Head along roads which aren't for the faint-hearted. I went down to the gates of the lighthouse and then climbed to the coastguard lookout for the fabulous view of the Cornish coastline. On the way back I hesitated at the turning for the lifeboat station but thought I really ought to take a peak. When I looked down from the top of the long flight of steps I realized it was the one on stilts and clad in copper that I had seen many times in pictures. Thinking of the brisk sou-westerly I was going to face on the way back, I hesitated again. Then along came a car and two young ladies in short skirts got out and hurried down the steps. Thinking I should learn more about the work of the R.N.L.I., I locked up my bike and followed.

A little later, after reading some of the many wall displays, I was very glad that I hadn't gone away for it became obvious that a launch was imminent. I do seem to have the good fortune of something interesting happening when I turn up at places.

The radio mast erected, the engines started and the pin is pulled to release the hauser. Picures by Colin Burges. Copyright

​It clearly not being a "shout," I asked an officer about the launch. He told me it was for a christening at Padstow - a lifeboat tradition. "They'll be back in an hour." "There wouldn't have been the two young ladies on board in an emergency," I said rather stupidly. "Oh yes there would," he replied. "They're crew members and sisters."

The 1728 Newquay to Paddington waiting to depart from the emasculated terminus. The train occupies only part of one of the three longest platforms in Cornwall. 8th September 2018. Copyright Colin Burges

Having not thought of it earlier, I asked this driver whether he could tell if the rear power car was slipping. I think the light only warns of wheelslip somewhere. Of course, in theory the rear power car has a cleaner rail.

Remembering that when the 50s bowed out there was a mass outpouring of grief, I have been looking for some interest in these old things whose era has been far longer than the hydraulics or the English Electrics; longer even than the "Kings." Then along came Anthony Christie and a handful of fanciers unknown to me. Newquay had gone back to sleep and there were barely 40 passengers for this last-but-one train.

Cheers, Colin.  Many thanks Colin

Cornish Branch line Survey Part 2 
Clive Smith

British Rail Western Region got on board the railtour bandwagon in 1983 with a superb railtour of load 7 top and tailed by class 37186 and 37 187. The train left Bristol TM at 08.15 and headed via the  now long gone Taunton Goods Line to Carne Point, Parkandillack and Boscarne Junction. This was  advertised as the penultimate passenger  train to Boscarne Junction before  the closure of the freight line from Bodmin Parkway to Wenford Bridge. The next day would see BR run the final train with a DMU from St Austell visiting the same Cornish branches. Many thanks Clive.

Cornish Branchlines Survey Railtour 19th September 1983 37 187 ticks over after having arrived at Bodmin General. Copyright Clive Smith

Cornish Branchlines Survey Railtour 19th September 1983 37 187 on the blocks at Bodmin General, then just part of a soon to be closed freight line. Copyright Clive Smith

Cornish Branch Lines Survey Railtour - 37 186 steaming the train nicely, has now headed the tour to Boscarne Junction. Most of the train's participants seem to be milling around the sidings having risked life and limb to get off the train. Copyright Clive Smith

Cornish Branch Lines Survey Railtour 19th September 1983 - 37 187 waits at the other end of the train. Copyright Clive Smith

Cornish Branch Lines Survey Railtour. 19th September 1983. Boscarne Junction crossing gates. 'The end of the line' or so we thought then. It still is but who knows if trains will return to Wadebridge or Wenford Bridge? Copyright Clive Smith.

The NEXT DAY. The Cornish Branch lines DMU Railtour at Boscarne. 20th September 1983. Many thanks to Mike Roach for this view. Copyright.