14th September 2020

Cornish '66' Fest
13th September 2020
Andrew Triggs

66175 clagging well leading 6W01 15.00 Lostwithiel-Westbury Down T.C empties at Respryn running 29 early at 14.41. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Having cleared Respryn Road overbridge, 66085 trails 6W01 heading for Bodmin Parkway, the 'Four Foot' here being very overgrown. Copyright Andrew Triggs

GBRf 66752 leads 6G73 12.08 Westbury Down T.C-Lostwithiel autoballasters (with 66761 on the rear) at Restormel, running 36 late at 16.15. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Having arrived at Lostwithiel Down Goods Loop 66761 is at the rear of 6G73 from Westbury Down T.C, for Fowey branch ballast drop Copyright Andrew Triggs

Thanks Andrew

Cheston Bridge
Clive Smith

GBRf 66752 top and tails with 66761 on the rear of the 6G73 12.08 Westbury - Lostwithiel autoballasters in preparation for work on the Fowey branch this week. A glorious afternoon in South Devon and a perfect time for the sun at 15.08 at this location in full sun which is directly behind. This spot is on Primrose Lane between Brent and Wrangaton.  Regards Clive Smith.

From Cheston Bridge 66752. Brent hill in the background 13th September 2020. Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks Clive - lovely day.

Cogload
Bill Elston

​Good afternoon, Keith A busy period at Cogload today produced; a) 158957 ecs Bristol TM to Exeter b) 43097 leading 1312 2U18 Taunton to Bristol , c) GBRF 66752 leading a rake of loaded autoballasters from Westbury to Lostwithiel Down Goods Loop. This was tailed by 66761, however, I didn’t get a going away shot as I’d filled the memory card! (drat). A lesson to be learned I think. d) DBC 66112 working from Lostwithiel to Westbury empty autoballasters, running some 2 1/2 hours early. Please see photos. Stay safe, Bill

43097, 43097 leading 1312 2U18 Taunton to Bristol 13th September 2020 Copyright Bill Elston

66752, GBRF 66752 leading a rake of loaded autoballasters from Westbury to Lostwithiel Down Goods Loop. This was tailed by 66761 13th September 2020. Copyright Bill Elston.

66112, DBC 66112 working from Lostwithiel to Westbury empty autoballasters, running some 2 12 hours early. 13th September 2020. Copyright Bill Elston.

Many thanks Bill, a busy session.

Bescot
Driver Alan Peters

​A reply from driver Alan Peters -  Parkandillack - Bescot I have been asked how far my route knowledge extends, I often work to Bescot in the West Midlands where DB liveried 66128 is pictured in the Down Sidings with the clay from Parkandillack, the other end of the long journey from Cornwall to Bescot on the 11th September 2020, of note the sidings have recently been de-wired and the yard is expected to be redeveloped for a new electric depot for West Midlands Trains - Alan Peters

Although well out of our normal reporting region we are delighted to include this picture by Alan Peters, and an answer to the question of his route knowledge posed by Mike Roach. Copyright Alan Peters.

Many thanks Alan for your answer and the photograph.

An interesting story
Purton Crossing 1
​Trevor Hancock

12th September 2020. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Hi all, It's ironic that Ken's attached photos were taken at Purton Common, and mostly of this wonderful steam train. Many years ago (I apologise to those who have heard it before) my grandfather John Hancock had a job cutting the grass next to the track near Minety, where in fact my dad was born. My grandad's scythe slipped and dug into his leg! Bleeding profusely, he keeled over and collapsed next to the line. A steam train came down the line - this was probably slower than the one in the picture. The driver saw my grandad and put the brakes on. They picked him up, and no doubt stemmed the flow of blood somehow, then got him to a doctor or hospital. As he couldn't do the grass-cutting anymore because he now had a bad leg, he was offered the opportunity to be a Level Crossing Keeper - which he took up. This job was at Purton, I would imagine less than 200 metres from where this picture was taken! (Thus, so far as we are concerned, the picture has come full circle!) Of course there is no gated level crossing at Purton now, but the Level Crossing Keeper's cottage is still there - and as someone has told me, this has now been extended. This cottage is where my dad grew up (Bob Hancock, later apprentice in the Swindon Railway Works, followed by Drawing Office and Track Testing work). It's also true to say that if my grandad had not moved to Purton, my dad would not have been travelling as a schoolboy up to secondary school in Swindon, and would not have met my mum, also travelling to school on the same trains. Purton Station was ideal for these children and other people from Purton to commute to Swindon. I hope this anecdote was interesting to those who hadn't previously heard, or had not heard the full story. Magazine guys - you are welcome to use this story in your publications. Do please contact me if you need to know any more. Best wishes and stay safe, Trevor Hancock

Many thanks Trevor, a very interesting story.

Purton Crossing 2
Roy Hart

Dear Keith, To add a little to this story:  there were two crossings at Purton, one to the north of the station (Purton Common crossing) and one to the south (Collins Lane crossing). Both were under the supervision of the Purton signalman, being within his signals. Common crossing was closed to vehicular traffic on 12/5/81; Collins Lane was closed 9/7/67. This whole stretch (Swindon to Kemble) was singled in an act of corporate lunacy in 1968: subsequently, of course, it has had to be re-doubled at colossal expense. Roy

It is always a pleasure to include comment received from far away Burma where Roy lives. Not only does it come from such a long distance but it also comes within minutes of the original being posted. It's great to have such a knowledgeable proof reader 'close by'.  Many thanks Roy.

More on Purton Common Crossing
​                    and Collins Lane Crossing.

The Collins Lane crossing is in operation now as an "automatic half barrier" crossing. Roy is no doubt correct in saying that this crossing "closed" on 9/7/67, but presumably as an attended crossing, the road across the line remains there. The Purton Common crossing, now with no vehicular access as Roy says, has dwindled to a rather more scary foot crossing. I can still remember going over this crossing as a child with my dad years ago to visit Hills Brickworks, and entering what seemed to me a huge kiln, still warm. The brickworks are now taken over by the small industrial estate shown in Ken's photos, but Hills still run a recycling depot there. More memories!  Trevor Hancock.