19th June 2021

19/6/2021

An exception to the rule
Royal Blue in Cornwall
Peter Murnaghan

1207 Royal Blue run through Liskeard, July 2012, Copyright Peter Murnaghan.

Roger/Keith. Knowing that your interest extends beyond trains, I thought I'd give you an update on tomorrow's Royal Blue run through Cornwall. Sorry that it's short notice.
Our friends at the Thames Valley and Great Western Omnibus Trust are running another of their marathon long distance coach runs. This year it's from Harlow to Stroud, via Southampton and Truro, surely a long way round ! Tomorrow they will leaving Plymouth, after an overnight stop, at 0900, passing through Liskeard town at around 1005, St Austell at 1155, into Truro coach park at 1230. Then on to Newquay at 1335, Wadebridge 1405, Launceston 1515, Bideford 1645 and on to Barnstaple for an overnight stop, arriving at around 1710.
More details on their website http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/event-royalblue2021.htm which also has more details on the routeing. As in previous years, the cavalcade tries to follow the old roads, rather that using modern bypasses. It looks a though up to 20 coaches will be on the run.
You might be interested to see one of my many photos taken on the run in 2012, passing through Liskeard.

Memories of the past - thank you Peter. The Link gives you all the details.

CRS instrumental in saving another bus.
Uffington Sta to Yorkshire.
Ken Mumford

This afternoon I saw this ex-Thamesdown Transport double decker [was 174 in that fleet] and some photos were taken of it in the yard of the fromer Uffington Station which are attached. I understood from a gentleman [who lives nearby] that someone from Yorkshire saw this bus on the Cornwall Railway Society website and is going to tow or put on a low loader to take back to Yorkshire to restore it. Date of move - unknown. Some seats are missing as when bought from T.T. I hope to get further details soon. Kind regards, Ken (Mumford)

Thank you Ken. For fear of getting the 'sack' I think that will be enough on buses for the time being.

D1067 Western Druid at Penzance
Roger Winnen

751221d D1067 Bleached stained Western Druid backs on to the 11.00 Penzance to Paddington on 21st December 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen

Bodmin to Bodmin

Via Bere Ferrers
Roger Winnen

210617a The arrival of the first passenger train of the day as the 10.30 from Bodmin General arrives at Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Winnen

210617b Jimmy James tells some facinating railway stories, today he was with the oiling of the fishplate gang on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. Copyright Roger Winnen

210617c Awaiting departure from Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Winnen

210617c With Austerity 75178 the 10.30 Bodmin General to Bodmin General via Bodmin Parkway blos off steam. Copyright Roger Winnen

After photographing this departure I headed for Bere Ferrers on the Gunnislake Branch

210617h One of the two 150 units with Great Western in blue livery works the branch. Copyright Roger Winnen

210617e After leaving Bodmin an hour was spent at the Tamar Belle centre at Bere Ferrers. the newly painted Earl of Mount Edgcumbe was looking very smart indeed. Copyright Roger Winnen

210617f Lord St Leven awaits restoration at Bere Ferrers. Copyright Roger Winnen

210617g Well worth a visit if you are in the area Chris Groves made me very welcome over a glass of ale and talked about old times. Copyright Roger Winnen

Returning to Bodmin Parkway in the afternoon

210617i The nacco wagons on route to Exeter Riverside conveying clay to the potteries passes Bodmin Parkway at 15.42hrs. Copyright Roger Winnen

210617j An afternoon departure at 16.25 leaves Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Winnen

Floods at Penzance
Chris Bellett

Talk of all the potential storms last Thursday and again this Sunday reminded me that its not only Dawlish that suffers. Two views of Penzance during the storm on 27 October 2004.

Kind Regards,
Chris Bellett
Retired S&T Engineer

An interesting reminder - they say that water finds its own level. Here the metals at platform one show above the surface whereas at platforms 2 & 3 they are for the most part under water and well, as for platform 4!! Note the levels in the shunting DOCK. 27th October 2004. Copyright Chris Bellett.

Now looking east one can see where all the water is coming from as the metals get a wash. 27th October 2004. Copyright Chris Bellett.

Many thanks Chris for your reminders of times when Penzance was awash - lets hope that Sundays weather doesn't produce similar conditions.

37s at Didcot
Michael Forward

Here we see 37185 at Didcot on 27 October 1995 with a p/way train for Acton yard. On the stabling point are 37167 and 60083. The 60 still survives.just. in the dump at Toton depot but the 37s were withdrawn in 1999 and 2005 respectively. The power station still functioned.happy days. Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael

Observations at
Cullompton
Keith Turley

Freightliner class 66/5 No.66561 with class 66/9 No.66951 on the rear at Cullompton on 17th June 2021,working a very late running 6X08 05:30 Totnes to Fairwater Yard Taunton engineers. Copyright Keith Turley.

A rare visitor to the Westcountry on 17th June 2021 saw GBRF class 66/7 No.66708 'Jayne' passing Cullompton working the 6G97 04:30 Par to Westbury Down TC engineers, with a rake of empty LWR wagons. Copyright Keith Turley.

Many thanks to you Keith.

Observations at Broomhay
Bathpool Crossing
Bill Elston

66561 on the 0835 Taunton to Westbury trip working running an hour late,
66708, Par to Westbury rail delivery train, 45min early,
950001, the class 150-based test train, returning to Derby R T C. from Truro
150207 ecs Bristol to Exeter, not often seen in this area now.

Other passing traffic was the usual prosession of IETs, Castle HST sets and Voyagers

Best wishes, Bill.

66561 Bathpool Crossing. 17th June 2021 Copyright Bill Elston

66708, Bathpool Crossing. 17th June 2021 Copyright Bill Elston

950001 Bathpool Crossing, 17th June 2021 Copyright Bill Elston

150207 Bathpool Crossing, 17th June 2021 Copyright Bill Elston

A busy time but a nice day Bill, many thanks.

Observations from
Compton Beauchamp
Ken Mumford

Ken took a several shots from this location east of Ashbury Crossing yesterday of the late running test train. We've picked two.

From Compton Beauchamp roadbridge 17th June 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

From Compton Beauchamp roadbridge - the test train at last. 17th June 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken.

Estervarney Grange
Adrian King

Mike Roach has once again sent in another excellent article and photographs regarding the much missed 6800 Class Grange locomotive this week and in particular No. 6836 Estervarney Grange, I thought to send the attached photograph. Although I have sent the photo to CRS previously (I didn't take it unfortunately but bought it in a shop in New George Street Plymouth in 1962) as it shows the very same Estervarney Grange double-heading with Castle No. 5036 Lyonshall Castle leaving Newton Abbot on a summer Saturday in 1959 when steam still reigned supreme. Take care
Cheers Adrian

As you say Adrian - a most interesting article by Mike Roach - we have a lot to thank him and his camera for.

Signal Finials & Manhole covers
Richard Holladay

-- My brothers and I have been recollecting the comments our Dad might have made when we were much younger and pre 1979 when Garton & King's Foundry at Tan Lane closed - whilst Dad acknowledged that the foundry often melted old railway line chairs (a good source of scrap) for recasting - doubtless into Manhole Covers ! he did mention that the company - I cannot recall when - made signal Finial Tops for the GWR - I know there is a collection (Malcolm Stone) of these at Launceston Raiway Museum but if anyone has access to any information / documentation that refers to the system of Codeing cast into the GWR (I don't think it was L & SWR or SR that G & K cast for) finials that relates to the source foundry and consequently can confirm this tale I would like to hear from them - can you 'spread the word' please.
One other point - on the English Heritage Blog about Manhole Covers - see
https://heritagecalling.com/2021/06/03/walking-on-history-surprising-secrets-of-manholes/

G & K gets really good coverage - one of the oldest covers which I have got Nicky Hughes, the author, to include is literally 'Just over the border' into Devon and is , together with an identical twin - in the forecourt of Bere Alston Station and is as old as the Station itself and is the first image on The Blog.
Perhaps if your members should cast their eyes downwards on Railway Station Property within Devon & Cornwall and see a Cover without LTD attached to the Garton & King name they are looking at a bit of pre 1925 history - I.d be please to see an image and confirmation of location.
Trust you are keeping safe
Regards

Oh, G & K had a contract to supply, in the early 1960s, Pick Up Shoes for the London Underground - details appearing on the www.exeterfoundry.org.up website shortly!

Thanks for your query, can anybody help Richard - eyes down please.

Royal Train Formation
Guy & Cathy Vincent

Following the recent visit of the Royal Train to Cornwall it is perhaps an appropriate time to take a closer look at the formation and vehicles used.

1Z95 1210 Windsor & Eton Riverside - St Austell was formed : 67006 2921 2903 2904 2922 2923 2916 2917 2915 2920 10546 67005

1) 2921 Royal Household Couchette, Kitchen and Bathroom. Previous numbers 14107 17107 Converted 1986

2) 2903 HM The Queen's Lounge, Bedroom & Bathroom. Previous number 11001 (TF) Built 1972 as part of the prototype HST set 252001. Converted in 1977.

3) 2904 HRH The Duke of Edinburgh's Lounge, Bedroom & Bathroom. Previous number 12001 (TS) Built 1972 as part of the prototype HST set 252001. Converted in 1977.

4) 2922 HRH The Prince of Wales's Sleeping Car. Purpose-built in 1987

5) 2923 HRH The Prince of Wales's Saloon. Purpose-built in 1987

6) 2916 Royal Family Dining Car / Kitchen. Previous number 40512 (TRFK) Converted 1986

7) 2917 Royal Household Dining Car / Kitchen. Previous Number 40514 (TRFK) Converted 1986

8) 2915 Royal Household Sleeping Car. Previous Number 10735. Converted 1985

9) 2920 Royal Household Couchette Diesel Generator & Brake Van. Previous Numbers 14109 17109 Converted 1986

10) 10546 Sleeping Car DB Cargo Owned

The train made a delightful sight as it made its way west through the Somerset countryside. Sadly for linesiders the return was under cover of darkness although an hours break was taken at Westbury where the water tanks on the coaches were replenished.

Photo of full train headed by 67006 taken by Cathy V. Remainder (of the stock passing Berkley Marsh) taken by myself. Final image of the return in P2 at Westbury taken by 'A.Driver' who wishes to remain anonymous.

Best regards

Guy V

Berkley Marsh 67006 1Z95 11th June 2021 Copyright Cathy Vincent. 1210 Windsor & Eton Riverside - St Austell was formed : 67006 2921 2903 2904 2922 2923 2916 2917 2915 2920 10546 67005