47515 - a celebrity 47?
Craig Munday
Craig Munday
Craig writes :- Having just read through the recent news, I was pleased to see a write up for my favourite class 47 appear. 47515 was the last class 47 off the production line as mentioned by Neil. In 1979 i happened to have a cab ride with Barry Opie on the loco from Hayle to Penzance. It has remained my favourite of the class ever since. Allocated to Old Oak Common at the time, it never had a cult status like other members of the class. It was an early withdrawal candidate too.
Here are two further images of the loco in Cornwall. Once having failed rather ignominiously on the mainline and needing a tow from 37674. The other shot shows it stabled at Penzance in BR blue.
All the best for now, Craig.
Here are two further images of the loco in Cornwall. Once having failed rather ignominiously on the mainline and needing a tow from 37674. The other shot shows it stabled at Penzance in BR blue.
All the best for now, Craig.
47515 at Penzance. seen in 1979 Copyright Craig Munday
37674 assisting 47515 seen at Hayle in 1979. Copyright Craig Munday
Many thanks to you Craig.
Hopper Wagon
Neil Phillips
Neil Phillips
Neil Phillips writes :- Whilst looking through my images recently I found the attached, taken just over 50 years ago (even so I can remember cycling like the wind to get to Truro station in time to see this uncommon livery variation, after spotting it passing Penwithers Junction from a distance!) It shows D1723 on what my notebook says was a ‘special’ – since this was the day after Easter Monday the headcode suggests it may have been an up ‘Cornishman’ relief. It departed Truro at 10.25. However it’s the antiquated hopper wagon in the background which has me stumped. These usually only ever made it as far as Liskeard and were a common sight in the west end goods yard sidings. Purpose I think was the transport of granite?
The question is, what was this one (there may have been more than one) doing so far west of there? Does anyone recall a temporary requirement for wagons of this type in West Cornwall in 1970, and what the load was? More granite?!
Many thanks, and best regards, Neil
The question is, what was this one (there may have been more than one) doing so far west of there? Does anyone recall a temporary requirement for wagons of this type in West Cornwall in 1970, and what the load was? More granite?!
Many thanks, and best regards, Neil
D1723 seen here Truro on the 31st March 1970. Copyright Neil Phillips. The object of interest is the hopper wagon seen on the right.
Many thanks for your query Neil - any suggestions.
Penponds Station
John Gabb
John Gabb
John Gabb writes :- Personally, I don't know precisely where it was but it was probably rather 'informal', as stated by Roy Hart. I think it probable that passengers simply got on and off the train when it came to a stand for the inclined plane. Attached is an extract from Colonel Michael Cobb's map of the railway system of Britain which does show a location for Penponds station.
Penponds station on Colonel Michael Cobb's map of the railway system of Britain. Courtesy John Gabb. Closed 18th February 1852.
Many thanks John
Portishead Branch
Peter Maliphant
Peter Maliphant
Dear Member,
I am writing to update you about our next Members’ meeting, scheduled for Tuesday 19th May, which has now been cancelled due to the lockdown. Our AGM on Tuesday 1st December will now be our only meeting this year.
Meanwhile work relating to the DCO is continuing and we can give you some news from a significant update meeting at North Somerset Council on April 29th. This meeting was primarily about confirming further expenditure for the coming year and clarifying the potential impact of Covid-19. Contrary to what you may have read, the budget for the project remains at £116 million!
The meeting approved expenditure of £6.1 million for 2020/21. This covers legal, land, environmental and technical rail work to support the DCO process and address questions and work required by the Planning Inspectorate during the DCO process.
It also approved the procurement during 2020/21 of £7 million of highways and civil engineering work, so that this work is ready to proceed as and when the DCO process is completed. This is also needed for the Full Business Case approval, which will follow as soon as the DCO is approved.
The six stage DCO process continues with Planning Inspectorate civil servants (and the MetroWest team) working remotely etc. during lockdown and a decision from the Secretary of State is estimated as June 2021.
The Construction sector is acknowledged as one of the most effective ways of regenerating the economy after the current crisis passes, so there is every economic reason to deliver the Portishead line. With funding in place, those moneys not transferable to other uses and the risk revenue reversion we’ve explained previously, there is every financial reason to deliver the project too.
Nonetheless, the presence of Covid-19 does add a new risk of currently unforeseeable delays, which has been added to the project’s Risk Register. A worst case sum of £4.8 million has been allocated for that item and it is that figure which has been misquoted in the local press as a likely cost increase. The difference between a cost increase and a worst case risk figure is a very important distinction: one is a fact, the other can be managed downwards.
The top five risks, including Covid-19, have a combined impact of £39 million if nothing at all were done about them. Obviously a lot will be done to mitigate or eliminate these risks and so reduce or avoid a large proportion of those costs. It is a matter of fact that there is already a provision of £22 million to cover all the project risks, included within the £116.4 million budget.
The benefits of delivering the Portishead line are unchanged and remain remarkably attractive compared to other similar infrastructure projects. The DCO process will move at its own pace, outside the influence of MetroWest or North Somerset Council, so we have to be patient for the next 12-15 months and await the outcome.
If you do have any questions, feel free to raise them by e-mail or on the PRG Facebook page and we’ll do our best to answer them.
Regards,
Peter Maliphant Membership Secretary
I am writing to update you about our next Members’ meeting, scheduled for Tuesday 19th May, which has now been cancelled due to the lockdown. Our AGM on Tuesday 1st December will now be our only meeting this year.
Meanwhile work relating to the DCO is continuing and we can give you some news from a significant update meeting at North Somerset Council on April 29th. This meeting was primarily about confirming further expenditure for the coming year and clarifying the potential impact of Covid-19. Contrary to what you may have read, the budget for the project remains at £116 million!
The meeting approved expenditure of £6.1 million for 2020/21. This covers legal, land, environmental and technical rail work to support the DCO process and address questions and work required by the Planning Inspectorate during the DCO process.
It also approved the procurement during 2020/21 of £7 million of highways and civil engineering work, so that this work is ready to proceed as and when the DCO process is completed. This is also needed for the Full Business Case approval, which will follow as soon as the DCO is approved.
The six stage DCO process continues with Planning Inspectorate civil servants (and the MetroWest team) working remotely etc. during lockdown and a decision from the Secretary of State is estimated as June 2021.
The Construction sector is acknowledged as one of the most effective ways of regenerating the economy after the current crisis passes, so there is every economic reason to deliver the Portishead line. With funding in place, those moneys not transferable to other uses and the risk revenue reversion we’ve explained previously, there is every financial reason to deliver the project too.
Nonetheless, the presence of Covid-19 does add a new risk of currently unforeseeable delays, which has been added to the project’s Risk Register. A worst case sum of £4.8 million has been allocated for that item and it is that figure which has been misquoted in the local press as a likely cost increase. The difference between a cost increase and a worst case risk figure is a very important distinction: one is a fact, the other can be managed downwards.
The top five risks, including Covid-19, have a combined impact of £39 million if nothing at all were done about them. Obviously a lot will be done to mitigate or eliminate these risks and so reduce or avoid a large proportion of those costs. It is a matter of fact that there is already a provision of £22 million to cover all the project risks, included within the £116.4 million budget.
The benefits of delivering the Portishead line are unchanged and remain remarkably attractive compared to other similar infrastructure projects. The DCO process will move at its own pace, outside the influence of MetroWest or North Somerset Council, so we have to be patient for the next 12-15 months and await the outcome.
If you do have any questions, feel free to raise them by e-mail or on the PRG Facebook page and we’ll do our best to answer them.
Regards,
Peter Maliphant Membership Secretary