21st December 2022

The end of 1962
Michael L. Roach

THE END of 1962 – PART 7
Plymouth Station
On Christmas Eve 1962 I walked to Plymouth Station in time to see the 3.00pm departure to Cardiff which started here and picked up a portion from Paignton at Newton Abbot Station. The train was hauled by 6935 “Browsholme Hall” of 88L Cardiff East Dock Shed which historically had always been allocated only tank engines. Most of the South Wales to London trains had been dieselised earlier that year but the diesels lacked a proper depot in Cardiff. In September 1962 Cardiff Canton Shed closed to steam to be rebuilt into a diesel depot. The remaining steam engines at Canton were moved to East Dock Shed including main line 4-6-0 express locos. 6935 departed on time with five coaches.
I walked down platform 8 to find small prairie  5569 on the 3.05pm to Launceston and boarded the train for a short return trip to Tavistock South. 5569 was a long term resident of Laira Shed dating right back to nationalisation in 1948. It was now a little over 48 hours since “The Big Freeze” had commenced, and very unusually 5569 took water at Horrabridge Station rather than at Tavistock Station where it had a longer stop and normally took water. I soon learnt that the water crane on the down side at Tavisock was already frozen up and unuseable, I returned from Tavistock on the 4.30pm auto which consisted of two coaches propelled by 6430. Further down the auto coach was the transport correspondent of the Western Morning News Mr. David St. John Thomas (1929-2014) who would become a very well-known author of railway books and a publisher. He co-founded David & Charles Publishers of Newton Abbot who at their peak had 300 employees. When Mr. Thomas addressed a meeting of the Cornwall Railway Society some thirty years later he spoke for more than two hours with stories, anecdotes and amusing incidents about the railway and without a single note to refer to.
MLR / 06 December 2022

5872 6935 “Browsholme Hall” leaves platform 7 at Plymouth Station with the 3.00pm to Cardiff on 24 December 1962. The lighting was very difficult with the setting sun directly behind the train. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5873 5569 stands at platform 8 at Plymouth Station with the 3.05pm to Launceston. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks as usual Mike, looking forward to part eight.
​

Class 31 Southampton
Michael Adams

Hello Roger, Hope you are well and survived the cold,now we have heavy rain !Lovely pics .of Penzance in the snow and of the Western specials. Here is a shot by Michal Adams of 31419 waiting at Southampton with the 14.15 from Portsmouth to Bristol on 30 March 1981. Copyright Michael Adams

Many Thanks Michael

Private owner wagons used by businesses in Cornwall
Andrew McPherson

Hi I am trying to find information on private owner railway wagons used by businesses in Cornwall. I am particularly interested in whether Holmans of Camborne or J and F Pool in Hayle had their own wagons. Does the Cornwall Railway Society have any information or suggestions of where I might look for this information? Thanks. Kind regards Andrew McPherson

Can anyone answer this question

Hi Keith and Roger
I was intrigued by the request from Andrew McPherson about private owner (PO) wagons used by businesses in Cornwall as I was sure that I remembered a list somewhere on the web …

Andrew may well be aware of the following but it could be of interest to your wider audience.
Lightmoor Press have an extensive list of private owner wagons on their website. This indexes an owner’s name to the publication(s) containing a drawing of the wagon. The location of the owner is also listed (where known). The list can be found by searching:

Lightmoor Press Private Owner Wagons & Tankers Index
I’m afraid I cannot find a reference in Lightmoor’s list to Holmans or J and F Pool but there could be others in the list of interest to Andrew.
In addition, S Ellison has created a “Private owner wagons index – searchable” as an Excel spreadsheet which can be found by searching on rmweb. (The chat starts on May 5, 2015).

There is a suggestion in internet forums that much of the output from Hayle left by ship and the main types of Cornish PO wagons mentioned seem to be china clay or coal carriers. Bachmann set 37-081TL for example is three Cornish Coal Trader wagons in OO scale, namely Thomlin and Co of Truro, Rowe of Camborne and Helston Gas Company.

Finally, Hayle Railway Modellers have commissioned a Harvey & Co Ltd coal wagon from Bachmann but as the other offering is a Hayle Railway Modellers van I’m not sure about the accuracy of this wagon – you would have to ask Hayle Railway Modellers!

Hopefully Andrew can find something suitable and let us know the results of his search.

Kind regards

Paul

Many Thanks to you Paul for providing this information which is greatfully appreciated

A delightful spot
Newton St Cyres
Clive Smith

​150233 stops at Newton St Cyres in glorious winter sunlight with the 13.26 Okehampton - Exeter Central on the 9th December. Change here for the Beer Engine ! A very prominent classic British Rail symbol adorns this station on the Exeter - Barnstaple / Okehampton branches. The station is actually located in the village of Sweetham and not Newton St Cyres. This station has suffered over decades with a poor train service to the extent that for many years it just had just one train a day each way to serve commuters  journeying to Exeter for work. With the re-opening of the line to Okehampton from Coleford Junction and commencement of passenger services from Okehampton in November 2021, the number of trains calling here has dramatically increased , particularly with the summer 2022 increase in frequency of the Okehampton service from two-hourly to hourly. Good news for visitors to the adjacent Beer Engine Brewery Pub which was formerly the Station Hotel built in 1850, just fifty yards away and an absolute gem. Popular with drinkers and diners alike, it is well-frequented by locals and visitors with home-cooked food made with locally sourced produce served lunchtimes and evenings.  Not to mention there is the beer brewed on the premises, all with railway themes. On my visit you could sample Rail Ale, Leaves Online, Piston Bitter, Luggage Porter and Whistlemas. They also brew Sleeper Heavy, Golden Arrow, Old Iron Horse, Pullman's Progress, Silver Bullet and Spring Return. Oh and there's a selection of well known railway photographer Keith Strickland's pictures on the wall to view when you need to spend a penny. The Beer Engine at Newton St Cyres is well worth a visit.

Regards, Clive Smith

150 233 calls at Newton St Cyres - its platform well populated with a multitude of signs and notices. 19th December 2022. Copyright Clive Smith

Newton St Cyres 19th December 2022. Copyright Clive Smith

Newton St Cyres - the Beer Engine. A very smart and distinctive building. 19th December 2022. Copyright Clive Smith

Newton St Cyres - the Beer Engine. The local brews on display. 19th December 2022. Copyright Clive Smith

Obviously a very pleasant place to stop off, especially with the more frequent train service.  Many thanks Clive for your report on an enjoyable visit.
​

Bishopsteignton 
Chris Harvey

On a crisp 16th December 2006, the 0730 Paddington - Penzance HST is seen reflected in the Teign at Bishopsteignton, on the approach to Newton Abbot.

Wishing you all the best for the festive season!

Best Regards, Chris.

Bishopsteignton. The 07.30 Paddington to Penzance HST is very nicely reflected in the water of the Teign estuary. 16th December 2006. Copyright Chris Harvey.

Many thanks Chris for a smashing distant view.
​

Today - the 21st December marks the shortest day of the year - hooray - one hopes for better things from now on - roll on 2023.