Warminster
Ron Kosys
Ron Kosys
A short break from work for a quick look at Warminster station on 6th June 1984 produced a few photographs, including this one of the Merehead to Eastleigh hauled by 56055.
Pity the sun didn’t play ball. Still a super photograph Ron, many thanks.
An unusual view of Warminster - from the Salisbury end. 56055 Warminster 06.06.84 Merehead-Eastleigh. Copyright Ron Kosys
message from Andrew and Diane,
Bridge rail from Mulberry Pit, near Ruthernbridge
Andrew Jones
Bridge rail from Mulberry Pit, near Ruthernbridge
Andrew Jones
Dear Keith, just back from Lanzarote, an island not noted for railways! When I am travelling away from home the Cornwall Railway Society never fails, with up to the minute content and marvelous archive photographs of past years in the Duchy and our broader region. The photography recently has reached extraordinary levels and your contributors should be very proud.
My neighbour Peter Wilson, a retired tea planter, recently found this length of rail in his garden and I wonder if any members could forward any information about it.
The profile is of a type called Bridge Rail. It weighs approx 10 pounds per yard, so is unlikely to be anything to do with the mainline from Wadebridge to Bodmin, which was initially laid with rail weighing 35 pound per yard.
I have attached a photograph of the rail which is drilled every yard and I am not sure if the if the sleepers would have been as standard practice or running parallel with the rail as was the norm in broad gauge.
I think it more likely that the rail came from Mulberry Pit, just south east of Ruthernbridge.
I have included a rail from my proposed 7 ¼ gauge railway to give an idea of the size of the Bridge Rail, which I intend to lay through our woodland for about half a mile.
Having lived at Grogley for 35 years and hoped that steam trains would by now pass our property, after my trackbed campaign in the early 80’s, I have no option but to try and lay my own line on the other side of the river as time will eventually run out!
Unfortunately Diane thinks that because I am an engineer it can be done for no expense….fingers crossed 2020 will bring some sort of railway back to the valley!
Best wishes to all at the Cornwall Railway Society and a very happy new year!
(hopefully the new government will see the sense in re opening the Okehampton to Bere Alston route, now that would be a brilliant Christmas present!)
Andrew and Diane
My neighbour Peter Wilson, a retired tea planter, recently found this length of rail in his garden and I wonder if any members could forward any information about it.
The profile is of a type called Bridge Rail. It weighs approx 10 pounds per yard, so is unlikely to be anything to do with the mainline from Wadebridge to Bodmin, which was initially laid with rail weighing 35 pound per yard.
I have attached a photograph of the rail which is drilled every yard and I am not sure if the if the sleepers would have been as standard practice or running parallel with the rail as was the norm in broad gauge.
I think it more likely that the rail came from Mulberry Pit, just south east of Ruthernbridge.
I have included a rail from my proposed 7 ¼ gauge railway to give an idea of the size of the Bridge Rail, which I intend to lay through our woodland for about half a mile.
Having lived at Grogley for 35 years and hoped that steam trains would by now pass our property, after my trackbed campaign in the early 80’s, I have no option but to try and lay my own line on the other side of the river as time will eventually run out!
Unfortunately Diane thinks that because I am an engineer it can be done for no expense….fingers crossed 2020 will bring some sort of railway back to the valley!
Best wishes to all at the Cornwall Railway Society and a very happy new year!
(hopefully the new government will see the sense in re opening the Okehampton to Bere Alston route, now that would be a brilliant Christmas present!)
Andrew and Diane
Bridge Rail and comparison with a length of 7 and a quarter inch gauge rail. Copyright Andrew Jones
The trackbed of the proposed railway from Grogley to Polbock 7 and 1 quarter gauge. Copyright Andrew Jones.
The view from our balcony, The Wadebridge to Bodmin railway lies across the River Camel. Copyright Andrew Jones.
Dear Andrew and Diane, Many thanks for your long letter together with a request for information and the pictures. While I hope we can help with information what is extremely interesting is your proposed seven and a quarter in railway. We hope that everything goes well with your project - maybe one day we can come and visit. HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND BEST WISHES FOR 2020.
Pencarrow water tank
Brian Pibworth
Brian Pibworth
I'm sure we aren't alone in finding this diminutive watering point fascinating. Recently we cycled up the track-bed from Bodmin and despite reading that "nothing now remains", at least found the site of the tank by reference to the stream, milepost and sleepers in the bank. On return we scoured the CRS archive for pictures to confirm our view, intending to build the structure in 4mm scale. There are plenty of side views and even one in colour, but nothing from end on to give any clue to width and depth. After all, most photographers were on special trains and the loco would be in the way. I wonder if any CRS members have first hand memories of the Branch and could recall the approximate width of the tank (metric or imperial accepted) and have a guess at the colour, as SR Malachite Green has been mentioned! Any information would be much appreciated. Copyright Brian Pibworth.
Pointed topped sleepers where the water tank legs once spanned the bank. Very good detective work Brian. Copyright Brian Pibworth.
Pencarrow Watering tank this picture taken in September 1963 Copyright Mike Roach
Many thanks to Mike Roach for the use of this picture (already on the CRS Website) of the Pencarrow water tank. The tanl was fed with water from a stream which tumbled down the hillside to the left and passed under the trackbed, A pipe which kept the tank continouly topped up can be seen through the trees to the left of the tank. The water bag which topped up thirsty engines can be seen hanging from the tank.
Now we take a look at the filling operation actually in progress taken by the late Sid Sponheimer. The loco is 30567, originally number 298 - built in 1874. The bag appears to be in the tank, Is that shadowy figure apparently kneeling and wearing a cap possibly the fireman? And who is the lady seemingly talking to the driver - is it Mrs. Christine Sponheimer?
If you want to know anything which doesn't seem to be recorded elsewhere the best avenue I find is to ask Roger Winnen, He has a mass of pictures and a lot of gen.
Using the picture from Mike Roach, next but one above, and measuring the track gauge of 4' 8.5 inches and marking this on a sheet of paper then 'pacing' it out along the length of the tank I find it to be about 14'. We do not appear to have a picture taken end on of the tank however the picture below shows 'yours truly' plus somebody; Using my leg in the picture above and measuring from my 'current knee; with a tape measure the height of the tank would seem to be almost exactly 2'. I recall that the tank was about 2' wide and from Rogers picture below which is slightly oblique this would appear to be the case.
The Pencarrow Tank plus two 'inspectors'. Sorry but we do not recall the name of the gentleman to the left but the person to his right is R,K,J, The picture was taken on the 7th December 1974, Copyright Roger Winnen.
The Shortest day of the year'
The shortest day of the year occurs when the Earth's axis rotate leaving the North ... The winter solstice will occur around 4.19am in the UK on Sunday and there - good to get that over with isn't it?
The shortest day of the year occurs when the Earth's axis rotate leaving the North ... The winter solstice will occur around 4.19am in the UK on Sunday and there - good to get that over with isn't it?