1st December 2021 An early entry for 1st Dec.

1/12/2021

Christmas presents 2021

With Christmas fast approaching you may be at a loss for what to buy yourself or ask for from your nearest and dearest. Here are a couple of suggestions.

1 – ‘Schooled in the steam age’. Written by one of our own members, David Beckett, a widely travelled Camborne man writes in great detail of his early days when the Roskear branch was in operation. I found this section particularly interesting. The whole book deserves a read full of much detail. Black and White 216 pages and over seventy photographs. TR14 8BU
This book is available from David at 41, Roskear Road, Camborne, If you want to collect it personally (Please call in advance) or telephone an order his number is 01209 712073. The cost if you are collecting it is £12 – if you wish it posted then post & packing is an extra £4.

The cover of David Bectketts book.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2 – ‘Diesel Hydraulics - a colour retrospective’ by Andrew Vines. The Vines family are well known as contributors to our website. In particular, the late John Vines took many excellent photographs of the rail system in the west. Andrew has followed in fathers footsteps and presents a unique view of the ‘hydraulics’ many taken in Kernow. Over 120 superb full page colour views with comprehensive and detailed captions.
Including the book on the website in the way you suggest sounds great, and will be much appreciated. With regard to the specifics:

The book retails at £23-95 plus £4-75 postage and packing, so a total cost of £28-70, whether ordering online or by post. Cheques should be made to 'The Titfield Thunderbolt' and sent to:

The Titfield Thunderbolt Bookshop
Studio 4
Tollbridge Studios
Tollbridge Road
Bath
BA1 7DE

The book can alternatively be ordered online via the Titfield Thunderbolt website:
Railway Pictorial & Reference Books (titfield.co.uk)

Further details of the contents of the book can be found here:
Diesel Hydraulics a Colour Retrospective (wildswanbooks.co.uk)

Front Cover of David Vines Book.

(________________________________________________________________________)

A Sign of the Times
To GWR Roche Station in 1976

760710a To GWR Station Roche. Photograph taken 10th July 1976.

Par Docks
Andrew and Diane Jones

Please find attached photograph taken on 1st June 2005. The Par docks branch is rarely used now , but back in 2005 there was a regular visitor collecting bagged clay No 09019 one of a small group of shunters (26 plus 12 conversions) built by BR from 1959 to 1962. The class had a top speed of 27.5 mph but were rated with a lower tractive effort compared to the class 08 sister locos.
The use of dedicated shunting locomotives has diminished over the last 20 years, but 09019 survives on the West Somerset Railway renumbered D4017 and is operational.
The wagon attached is not as I originally thought a VGA variant due to a double bogie arrangement, can anyone put a name to it? I assume it is designed for European railways.
Very best wishes Andrew and Diane