19th November 2022

Vobster Light Railway
Brain Cuttell

​ Hello,
          I came across your CRS website while looking for photos of the Vobster Light Railway and i can add some details to the Vobster Light Railway section.
          After the VOR closed in 1994 the exhibits were stored in the Radstock area for a few years. Henry & Mary Frampton-Jones moved to Derbyshire and set up the two-foot gauge Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway at Rowsley at the Peak Rail site. They moved their locos and rolling stock from Radstock to Rowsley from 1998 onwards and began running trains at Rowsley in 2004 using ex-Vobster Ruston 487963 & Ruston 393325 'top & tailing' the red coach No2. DDNGR trains were suspended from 2015 due to Henry's health problems and most of the exhibits have since moved elsewhere since Henry passed away a few years ago. However, the ex-Vobster coach No2 remains at Rowsley and has been used by the Ashover Light Railway Society in 2022 who have laid a short narrow-gauge line here.
CRS Photos:
The yellow loco with the 'unnamed gentleman in the VLR vest' - This is Motor Rail 22070 with owner Henry Frampton-Jones in the VLR vest. Henry later moved this loco to Rowsley.
The photo of coach No2 has Henry again visible on the right.
The yellow loco in use with the coach is ex-BR Ruston 393325. Henry is acting as guard on the train.

I hope this info proves of interest,
                                                            Cheers,
                                                                         Brian Cuttell 

The CRS visit to the Vobster Light Railway. The gentleman walking alongside is the late Henry Frampton-Jones in the VLR vest. He was the owner of this short lived railway. Copyright Roger Winnen.

The CRS Special backs along the line. Copyright Roger Winnen.

Many thanks to Brian Cuttell for his up to date information. You will find more coverage of our visit at the very end of the Bristol and North Somerset Railway section.

Cornish Main Line closed
St Austell to Liskeard & Newquay
Roger Winnen

Today and tomorrow we see trains from Penzance terminating at St Austell with bus replacement service direct to Plymouth and also a stopping service calling at Par- Lostwithiel- Bodmin-Liskeard. The crossover at St Austell is operational for crossig from the up to the down main line, which is quite rare these days.

Here we see the return working of the 09.28 Penzance to St Austell using the crossover for the 11.00 to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

Working the ground frame at St Austell. Copyright Roger Winnen

The 10.28 Penzance to St Austell is a five car IET 802022 seen arriving at St Austell, the signalman is about to pull the points. Copyright Roger Winnen

Looking down from the road bridge we see 802022 awaiting the use of the crossover. Copyright Roger Winnen

Crossing over at St Austell. Copyright Roger Winnen

Truro Viaduct
Roger Winnen

With the redevelopment taking place in Truro a new view of Truro Viaduct can be seen at the top of Pydar Street in the city centre

Truro Viaduct 92 feet high 1329 feet long and built with 20 piers on 14th February 1904. Copyright Roger Winnen

Swindon Operations
Colin Pidgeon

Swindon 66517 on 4L32 Wentloog to London Gateway. 18th November 2022. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.

66567 at Swindon on the 6A60 Whatley Quarry to Oxford Banbury Road. 18th November 2022. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.

6Q59 at Swindon on the Transfer to Honeybourne Sidings. 18th November 2022. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.

Many thanks to Colin. Colin has been unwell of late following an operation - we wish him a speedy recovery.  Take it easy.
​