Coverack Halt
Michael L. Roach
Michael L. Roach
COVERACK ROAD MOTOR HALT Michael L. Roach
Sometime around 1927 the Great Western Railway commenced a new bus service from Helston Railway Station the 12 miles to Coverack Harbour on the east side of The Lizard peninsula. In the wording of the day it was called a “road motor service.” At first Coverack passengers waited in the open for the bus to arrive. The GWR announced that a shelter was to be provided and a Mr. Francis Roxburgh stepped forward to donate a suitable building for the purpose. Mr. Roxburgh was a retired judge and a frequent visitor to Coverack from his home in London near Paddington Station. The attached photograph of the opening ceremony appeared in the GWR Magazine for March 1928.
SCAN 5289
MLR / 01 December 2021
Sometime around 1927 the Great Western Railway commenced a new bus service from Helston Railway Station the 12 miles to Coverack Harbour on the east side of The Lizard peninsula. In the wording of the day it was called a “road motor service.” At first Coverack passengers waited in the open for the bus to arrive. The GWR announced that a shelter was to be provided and a Mr. Francis Roxburgh stepped forward to donate a suitable building for the purpose. Mr. Roxburgh was a retired judge and a frequent visitor to Coverack from his home in London near Paddington Station. The attached photograph of the opening ceremony appeared in the GWR Magazine for March 1928.
SCAN 5289
MLR / 01 December 2021
Ever heard of it? I hadn't. Many thanks to Mike for the results of his continuing research into railway subjects - the picture a real 'Gem':- Note very smartly attired assembly -handkerchiefs in pockets - everybody wearing hats!
Westerns in Cornwall, Devon & Wiltshire
Hugh Austen
Hugh Austen
740628a D1015 Western Champion slowly crossing the Royal Albert Bridge into Saltash with a Paddington-Penzance train. Copyright Hugh Austen
740622a D1033 Western Trooper passing the site of South Brent Station with a Paddington-Penzance service. The branch to Kingsbridge left the mainline here. Copyright Hugh Austen
740629a D1028 Western Hussar slows for the stop at Totnes with a Paddington -Penzance service. Copyright Hugh Austen
750119a D1040 Western Queen oassing West Lavington Signal Box with the 10.30 Paddington=Penzance train. Copyright Hugh Austen
Many Thanks Hugh
37888 at Reading
Michael Forward
Michael Forward
Hello Roger, I send a picture of another tanker train ,this one coming into Reading on 14 October 1992 behind 37888 ‘Petrolia’.I think the train was from Lindsey to Langley..Class 08 still in use as station pilot Copyright Michael Forward
Michael sends best wishes to One and All for A Happy Christmas
Banking to
Exeter Central
Keith Gale
Exeter Central
Keith Gale
Yesterday news contained a query by Ken Mumford concerning the banking of freight trains from Exeter St Davids to Exeter Central - it is a great pleasure to publish an almost instant reply received from Keih Gale,
Ken was looking fo information regarding the use of diesel locomotives after steam had disappeared to bank trains between Exeter St Davids and Central. Well during the late 1970's and during the 1980's it was almost a daily occurrance. The most regular uses were cement trains to Exeter Central, infrastructure trains along the 'old Southern Railway' and coal trains to Exmouth Junction if the load required it. It was always an exciting event for a young enthusiast - the trains would arrive into the down centre road (since lifted) and wait at the West end of St Davids, whilst the banking loco (which had recessed in the short siding adjacent to Red Cow crossing) joined the back of the train. Usually (but not always) coupled up, and once given the clear road there was a series of 'toots' between the drivers to say everything is ready and off the consignment went! As many know, the 1 in 37 gradient starts almost at the platform end and so it was full power as soon as the locomotives could take it. The skill of the enginemen was always in awe to us.
It was a mixture of traction - larger hydraulics in the early days (Western's, Warship's) and of course the Western's excelled at this with their high tractive effort. In latter days it was Class 50's, class 47's and Peaks etc. I do recall on one occassion that the banking engines were a pair of class 37's for some reason. I always imagined that there was a bit of competition going on between the train loco and the banker - you could tell by the slack or tense couplings which was doing the most work. A perfect balance would of course be half way along the train. In the case of the 37's (as we all know they are spirited engines) and encouraged by the enthusiastic crowd, I suspect they were not only pushing the train but also the leading loco!
Anyway - camera's and film were expensive and by the time I had both, it was a less common event. I did however capture 47535 and 47226 arriving at Exeter Central on 27 May 1986, no doubt taking a breather after their hard efforts!
kind regards, Keith Gale
It was a mixture of traction - larger hydraulics in the early days (Western's, Warship's) and of course the Western's excelled at this with their high tractive effort. In latter days it was Class 50's, class 47's and Peaks etc. I do recall on one occassion that the banking engines were a pair of class 37's for some reason. I always imagined that there was a bit of competition going on between the train loco and the banker - you could tell by the slack or tense couplings which was doing the most work. A perfect balance would of course be half way along the train. In the case of the 37's (as we all know they are spirited engines) and encouraged by the enthusiastic crowd, I suspect they were not only pushing the train but also the leading loco!
Anyway - camera's and film were expensive and by the time I had both, it was a less common event. I did however capture 47535 and 47226 arriving at Exeter Central on 27 May 1986, no doubt taking a breather after their hard efforts!
kind regards, Keith Gale
47353 and 47226 at Exeter Central 27th May 1986. Copyright Keith Gale
Many thanks indeed for your very full reply Keith.
Banker leaves
Exeter St Davids
David Tozer
Exeter St Davids
David Tozer
1682 banks 156 3.1973. Copyright David Tozer
47205 assists engineers train. Copyright David Tozer
Many thanks David.
South Moreton
Ron Kosys
Ron Kosys
47489 passes one of the number of photting locations at South Moreton with 1A71 1343 Bristol to Paddington vans. 19th August 1991. Copyright. Ron Kosys
Many thanks Ron
A very Good Read
The Aeronian X
The Aeronian X
The Editor of the Aeroian Ken Mumford sends us the latest copy of the Aronian X - PACKED full of varied Transport Interest. Please click below to have a good read. Many thanks to Ken - have a rest over Christmas. (I doubt if he will!!)
| aeronian_dec_21.pdf |