The New GWR Depot at Exeter under construction
Andrew Triggs
Andrew Triggs
Exeter depot redevelopment with the first part of the new building by the refueling point 30.3.2019. Copyright Andrew Triggs
From the station footbridge, the site of the new depot and the remaining 153's due to head for Cardiff on Monday 30.3.2019. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Thanks Andrew
Memories of
Truro
Richard Mills
Truro
Richard Mills
First of all may I pay tribute to the wealth of information on your website. As a Truronian who lived in nearby Clifton Gardens from 1949 to 1976 I [mis]spent my childhood on the Black Bridge and your site brings back many happy memories.
Please may I also add a few pieces of information which might be of interest to others? All relate to the Truro Area: Penwithers to Buckshead page.
First, water columns. In the 50s there were two water columns on the down main, not one. There was an additional water column on Platform 2 [down main] approximately opposite the column situated towards the down end of Platform 3. This column on Platform 2 remained in use when the west end platforms were extended and a further column positioned at the extreme west end of that platform. It is true that most down trains were long enough to need to use the column at the extreme end of the platform. But shorter trains, certainly 4 or less, perhaps 5, would stop short and use the original column. That was a disappointment to me as a schoolboy, because the opportunity was missed to look down into the cab from the Black Bridge and view the various techniques drivers used when starting! The photograph on page 44 of Peter Gray’s book ‘Steam in Cornwall’ shows the column in question and the cut-out in the canopy valance necessary to accommodate the swinging arm.
The picture of Truro shed staff taken in 1960 was particularly interesting. I see that the Shedmaster was Mr Joe Stevens. I believe his predecessor may have been a Mr Taylor. It would be interesting if anyone could confirm that. My mother was hardly ‘slow in coming forward’ and got into many a conversation with the Shedmaster there before her death in 1959 and between them would arrange visits to the shed on Sunday mornings. I seem to recall that the Shedmaster then suffered a heart attack and died suddenly, which brought our visits to an end.
One of my keenest recollections was the incident which brought an end to fly-shunting Falmouth Branch coach sets from Platform 3 to the Platform 1 Bay. I cannot date my memory but I suspect it would have been about 1956/57. The practice until then had been for a train from Falmouth to arrive at Platform 3, the coaches uncoupled and the loco then propelling the coaches down Platform 3 at speed to fly-shunt them across to the down main, clear of the points into the Bay, allowing gravity to take them back into the bay. On this day the coaches either stopped fractionally short or the Truro West signalman was too slow in changing the points and one bogie of the B set straddled them. Not surprisingly, the practice then ceased, the train engine propelling the coaches across to the down main and then coming to a stand and returning to Platform 3, before letting gravity take the set back into the Bay. Again, I would be very interested to know if anyone has more information about this incident. It must have caused considerable disruption.
Richard Mills, Surrey. A warm welcome to our website Richard, your contribution is very much appreciated.
Please may I also add a few pieces of information which might be of interest to others? All relate to the Truro Area: Penwithers to Buckshead page.
First, water columns. In the 50s there were two water columns on the down main, not one. There was an additional water column on Platform 2 [down main] approximately opposite the column situated towards the down end of Platform 3. This column on Platform 2 remained in use when the west end platforms were extended and a further column positioned at the extreme west end of that platform. It is true that most down trains were long enough to need to use the column at the extreme end of the platform. But shorter trains, certainly 4 or less, perhaps 5, would stop short and use the original column. That was a disappointment to me as a schoolboy, because the opportunity was missed to look down into the cab from the Black Bridge and view the various techniques drivers used when starting! The photograph on page 44 of Peter Gray’s book ‘Steam in Cornwall’ shows the column in question and the cut-out in the canopy valance necessary to accommodate the swinging arm.
The picture of Truro shed staff taken in 1960 was particularly interesting. I see that the Shedmaster was Mr Joe Stevens. I believe his predecessor may have been a Mr Taylor. It would be interesting if anyone could confirm that. My mother was hardly ‘slow in coming forward’ and got into many a conversation with the Shedmaster there before her death in 1959 and between them would arrange visits to the shed on Sunday mornings. I seem to recall that the Shedmaster then suffered a heart attack and died suddenly, which brought our visits to an end.
One of my keenest recollections was the incident which brought an end to fly-shunting Falmouth Branch coach sets from Platform 3 to the Platform 1 Bay. I cannot date my memory but I suspect it would have been about 1956/57. The practice until then had been for a train from Falmouth to arrive at Platform 3, the coaches uncoupled and the loco then propelling the coaches down Platform 3 at speed to fly-shunt them across to the down main, clear of the points into the Bay, allowing gravity to take them back into the bay. On this day the coaches either stopped fractionally short or the Truro West signalman was too slow in changing the points and one bogie of the B set straddled them. Not surprisingly, the practice then ceased, the train engine propelling the coaches across to the down main and then coming to a stand and returning to Platform 3, before letting gravity take the set back into the Bay. Again, I would be very interested to know if anyone has more information about this incident. It must have caused considerable disruption.
Richard Mills, Surrey. A warm welcome to our website Richard, your contribution is very much appreciated.
Photograph from the Derek Brooks Collection. (Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society). Platform 2, the down main is on the right with the Falmouth bay extreme right.
A tribute to some of the staff at Truro Shed. This picture dated 22nd July 1960. Copyright Transport Treasury, permission to use obtained by David Cook. The staff present are :- Standing left to right 1) Alf Darke (Fitter) overalls and cap. 2) Frank Lord (Foreman?) overalls, hands behind back. 3) Phillip Matthews (Shed office) wearing sports jacket. 4) Gordon Reddaway (Driver) stood behind Phillip Matthews. 5) It is suggested that the gentleman wearing dust coat, tie and right hand in pocket was called Collins. 6) Chris Coombes (Shed office/booking on clerk?) right hand across stomach. 7) Joe Stevens, (Shedmaster) wearing bowler hat. 8) Clifford Webb (Chargehand cleaner/labourer?) cap well back on head. 9) Tom Smale (ATC mechanic/electrician). Crouching left to right : 1) Garfield Bellamy (Fitters mate) left. 2) Graham Commons (Apprentice fitter/turner) centre. Graham was 19 years old when this photograph was taken! 3) John Coker (Apprentice fitter/turner). Right, over to you. With best wishes, David Cook (4566 Group) A further note :- 4566 was the last engine to pass through Newton Abbot Works. It left there the previous Friday - 15th June 1960. 4566 was based at Penzance shed and must have worked up for this photograph to be taken. It was a regular on the St Ives and Helston branches. 4566 moved to Laira shed in September 1961 and was withdrawn in April 1962. It now enjoys a continued life on the Severn Valley Railway.
Truro Track layout.
West Somerset Mineral Railway
Gupworthy
Robert Lindley
Gupworthy
Robert Lindley
Robert has recently been out and about and added yet more pictures to the collection, many thanks Robert. Please click here to go to our section on the West Somerset Mineral Railway.
A shot of Gupworthy Terminus Station house, now a private dwelling There were two tracks in the Station. The picture was taken from the road with the owners permission. 24th March 2019 Copyright Robert Lindley
Gupworthy Terminus, The station lies beyond. 16th August 2018 Copyright Rob Lindley
Gupworthy, the weighbridge house. Taken with the owners permission. 24th March 2019 Copyright Robert Lindley
Gupworthy Station WSMR. From 25 inch map -1904 Courtesy National Library of Scotland