Ride the Cornish Branch Lines
27th August 2022
Part 1
Roger Winnen
27th August 2022
Part 1
Roger Winnen
220827a The commencement of our Ride the Cornish Branch lines at Penzance with 57604 with the Night Riviera in Platform 2 at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen
220827b The 06.28 Bristol Parkway to Newquay arrives at Par Station Copyright Roger Winnen
220827c The signal is pulled of for the 09.50 service to Newquay. Copyright Roger Winnen
220827d Through the bushes at St Blazey CDA wagons in St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen
220827e 66172 attached to cda wagons at St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen
220827f Arrival of our train at Newquay. Copyright Roger Winnen
220827g The platform end at Newquay now fenced off. The Signal Box was located at the end of the platform. Copyright Roger Winnen
220827h At the other end of Newquay Station with its modern architecture. Copyright Roger Winnen
220827i Goonbarrow Junction Signal Box through the train window. Copyright Roger Winnen
220827j A sprint to the carriage door to capture the Bodmin Clay at Parkway Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
220827k The Guards Van of the clays train. Copyright Roger Winnen
220827l Arrival at Liskeard for the Looe Branch service. Copyright Roger Winnen
Memories of the condemned coaching stock – Truro 1967/6
Simon Howard
As a young ‘spotter in the late 60’s there long moments of boredom between infrequent trains and so as young teenagers we would have to amuse ourselves when nothing was happening.
Getting down unseen into the old Truro shed was never easy but we made a few trips down there. There was very little of interest in the old shed save for an office at the back which had books of large blueprints which had been left behind.
Of more interest was climbing into the rakes of condemned coaches. I especially remember there were Staniers, Hawksworths and Bullieds as well as early BR Mk1s. I related this to one of the Masters at school who was interested in railways and he said he would pay us for any memorabilia we could liberate.
So armed with a large screwdriver we revisited the rake looking for anything we remove. I can’t remember who my partner in crime was for this expedition, but our targets were mirrors from First Class compartments with SR or GWR logos and the card posters advertising sunny destinations.
To no avail we tried to sever a few of the large leather window straps from the doors but managed to collect a few mirrors and posters. This bounty was duly delivered to school, and we collected the princely sum of 50p for our efforts.
I seem to remember that some time in 1968 the rakes were moved from the sidings next to the shed. I think it was D6322 which performed the task and distinctly remember the red clouds of rust as they moved for the first time in years.
Was it vandalism or liberation? Who knows, but once they were at the scrapyard the preferred method to recover the metals was to torch the carriages first. So at least something still survives - somewhere.
Getting down unseen into the old Truro shed was never easy but we made a few trips down there. There was very little of interest in the old shed save for an office at the back which had books of large blueprints which had been left behind.
Of more interest was climbing into the rakes of condemned coaches. I especially remember there were Staniers, Hawksworths and Bullieds as well as early BR Mk1s. I related this to one of the Masters at school who was interested in railways and he said he would pay us for any memorabilia we could liberate.
So armed with a large screwdriver we revisited the rake looking for anything we remove. I can’t remember who my partner in crime was for this expedition, but our targets were mirrors from First Class compartments with SR or GWR logos and the card posters advertising sunny destinations.
To no avail we tried to sever a few of the large leather window straps from the doors but managed to collect a few mirrors and posters. This bounty was duly delivered to school, and we collected the princely sum of 50p for our efforts.
I seem to remember that some time in 1968 the rakes were moved from the sidings next to the shed. I think it was D6322 which performed the task and distinctly remember the red clouds of rust as they moved for the first time in years.
Was it vandalism or liberation? Who knows, but once they were at the scrapyard the preferred method to recover the metals was to torch the carriages first. So at least something still survives - somewhere.
Many thanks for sharing your wonderful memories with us, Simon. I wonder where the bits and pieces are now?
Par in 1975
Andrew Vines
Hello Keith,
I hope all is well. I've recently managed to rescue a few more of Dad's negs, including this one of Par, taken on 21st May 1975. In typical fashion Dad concentrated on the wider scene, rather than letting the train dominate, and the curve of the track echoes the 'flying arch' bridge as a rather scruffy 'Western Monitor' slows for the station stop with the 09.30 from Paddington. The more open nature of the surroundings make an interesting comparison with the website's recent views at this location.
Best wishes,
Andrew
I hope all is well. I've recently managed to rescue a few more of Dad's negs, including this one of Par, taken on 21st May 1975. In typical fashion Dad concentrated on the wider scene, rather than letting the train dominate, and the curve of the track echoes the 'flying arch' bridge as a rather scruffy 'Western Monitor' slows for the station stop with the 09.30 from Paddington. The more open nature of the surroundings make an interesting comparison with the website's recent views at this location.
Best wishes,
Andrew
D1065 'Western Monitor' slows for the stop at Par on 21.05.1975. Despite the many changes to the scene through the passage of time, the location is still immediately recognisable. Copyright Andrew Vines.
Many thanks Andrew, a wonderful photograph.
Truro Tamper
Joe Birchall
Dear The Cornwall Railway Society
Today we saw the Colas tamper running up from Truro at 9:57, 4 minutes early and receiving a friendly wave from the driver as it went past.
Kind regards
Joe Birchall
Today we saw the Colas tamper running up from Truro at 9:57, 4 minutes early and receiving a friendly wave from the driver as it went past.
Kind regards
Joe Birchall
A Colas Rail track machine heads East from Truro on 16.04.24. Copyright Joe Birchall.
Many thanks Joe - a nice splash of colour on the railway in amongst all the GWR Green!
Holiday Snaps
Malcolm Ashworth
Hi,
Just wanted to say, your website is great, with some fantastic news, photos and information about Cornish railways on there.
Please find enclosed some photos I've taken whilst down in Cornwall on holiday, for possible publication on your site. All photos are my own work, and all taken in position's of safety and with permission of Truro station staff (in regards to Truro station pictures).
Truro, Lostwithiel and Par photos taken Friday 25th August 2023,
Newquay photo taken Thursday 24th August 2023,
St Austell photo taken Friday 19th August 2022
Thanks and Regards, Malcolm Ashworth
Just wanted to say, your website is great, with some fantastic news, photos and information about Cornish railways on there.
Please find enclosed some photos I've taken whilst down in Cornwall on holiday, for possible publication on your site. All photos are my own work, and all taken in position's of safety and with permission of Truro station staff (in regards to Truro station pictures).
Truro, Lostwithiel and Par photos taken Friday 25th August 2023,
Newquay photo taken Thursday 24th August 2023,
St Austell photo taken Friday 19th August 2022
Thanks and Regards, Malcolm Ashworth
A GWR IET approaches Truro with a west-bound service, passing the up starter semaphore - now sadly removed. 25.08.23, copyright Malcolm Ashworth.
A GWR 'Castle' HST set heading East at Truro. 25.08.23, copyright Malcolm Ashworth.
A going-away shot of an IET departing Lostwithiel, heading east. 25.08.23, copyright Malcolm Ashworth.
A GWR 'Castle' arrives at Lostwithiel. 25.08.23, copyright Malcolm Ashworth.
A GWR Class 158 departs Lostwithiel over the level crossing. 25.08.23, copyright Malcolm Ashworth.
Another 'Castle' calls at Par on 25.08.23, copyright Malcolm Ashworth.
A GWR IET unit and a Crosscountry 'Voyager' unit at Par, from the road bridge. 25.08.23, copyright Malcolm Ashworth.
It must be summer as there's an IET at Newquay. 24.08.23, copyright Malcolm Ashworth.
A GWR 'Castle' heads west at St. Austell on 19.08.22. Copyright Malcolm Ashworth.
Many thanks for both your kind comments on the website and for your images, Malcolm - the site would be nothing were it not for people like yourself sending in your photos, so thank you very much.