23rd February 2019

The last hours of
​St Austell Footbridge
Saturday 23rd February 2019
Roger Winnen

The main structure of this 1882 footbridge is scheduled for removal tonight, going to the Helston Railway for restoration. From information gathered today at St Austell today, the supports on the platform for the bridge may be removed later. Farewell to an old friend of 137 years.

190223a The 10.31 Plymouth Penzance service arrives at St Austell. Copyright Roger Winnen

190223b The 10.58 Penzance to Plymouth service arrives under the old footbridge at St Austell. Copyright Roger Winnen

190223c The dismantling process of the bridge which the main section is due to be lifted out tonight. Copyright Roger Winnen

190223d New bolts are securing this bridge prior to its removal to the Helston Railway. Copyright Roger Winnen

190223e Not anymore will two bridges span the tracks at St Austell. Copyright Roger Winnen

Last hours
St Austell Footbridge
Dave Anthony

Please find attached a photo of the old footbridge at St Austell as of 15.00hrs today 22/2/19.
If all goes to plan it will be gone by Sunday morning.
                     Cheers Dave    Many thanks Dave

St Austell Footbridge 15.00 22nd February 2019 Copyright Dave Anthony

St Austell Footbridge
Nick Kiszczuk

Below are a few pictures taken on Saturday 16 February showing the old GWR footbridge in a sorry state of repair, and in process of removal, part of the history of St Austell has been removed to the skip. 

190219a The old bridge taken from the taxi car park Copyright Nick Kiszczuk

190219b The old footbridge taken from the new bridge Copyright Nick Kiszczuk

Thanks Nick

A lovely day at Penzance
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, I hope you are well and enjoying the warm sunshine.a very balmy 15 degrees here today.
I send this picture taken on a warm and sunny 15th June 1985 showing 47594 nearing the end of its journey, at 14.25 on a service from Swansea.
​Best Wishes from Michael.

Many Thanks Michael

Plymouth and the Newquay Branch
Andrew Triggs

1. DBC 66035 'Resourceful' with DBC 66107 arriving at Plymouth working the Sand (6C12) from Burngullow at 11.10. Copyright Andrew Triggs

2. 66127, still in former EWS livery, shunting the CDA's at Goonbarrow Junction, viewed from the passing 2N08 to Newquay. Copyright Andrew Triggs

​3. 150248 approaching Middleway crossing, Newquay branch, working 2N08 to Newquay. Copyright Andrew Triggs

​4. As the sun fades, 66127 approaches Middleway crossing, with 6G12 from Goonbarrow Junction. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Thanks Andrew

Somerset & Dorset 
Closure abandoned
Mick House

The following picture is of a treasure from the collection of Mick House - it features the temporary abandonment of the closure of the Somerset and Dorset Railway.   Final closure came on the 7th March 1966,
Many thanks to Mick for making this poster available to us.

Peterston Jubilee
Mike Roach

​I was interested to read that Adrian King never saw a Jubilee 4-6-0 at Cardiff General as I didn't either. Believe that they normally came off at Pontypool Road or Bristol TM. However Adrian might be interested in the attached photo which first appeared with a story of mine in the Autumn 2018 Newsletter of the WRRC (Welsh Railways Research Circle). The photo shows Jubilee 45662 passing through Peterston Station 7 miles west of Cardiff late afternoon on Sunday 2 September 1962. The mark in front of the left-hand pony wheel is not a flaw but a flower growing in the ballast. Original caption below. Can anyone identify the train from the headcode please.

                       Regards, Mike.       Many thanks Mike  

Jubilee 4-6-0 number 45662 "Kempenfelt" of Shrewsbury Shed passing eastbound through Peterston Station. The loco was withdrawn from service 2 months later in November 1962 and scrapped. Richard Kempenfelt was an 18th century Royal Navy officer. The cattle pens on the left were behind the down platform and were situated between two sidings which constituted the sum total available in the small goods yard which had closed two months earlier. Copyright Mike Roach.

Wearing Two Hats
Clive Smith

Railways have always been my main hobby but once or twice a year I will embark on a bird watching outing. PLease don't call me a twitcher I have enough problems being called a trainspotter. This will either entail an organised boat cruise from Exmouth to Topsham with Stuart Line or some well known RSPB hide usually near a good pub. Thursday 21st February was our date booked months ago and yet again the weather was superb so lending itself to railway photography as well. With both binoculars and camera around my neck and mobile phone on real time trains I attempted to wear two hats at once. Fine in practice however the boat went where the birds and one seal were not the trains  and criss-crossed the estuary looking for them. We spent nearly 15 minutes in glorious light near Starcross station with not one train passing. Similarly as we closed in on Exton with the sun directly behind us again no trains passing. The two pictures I have included are the best of a rather poor effort. The two HSTs that passed around 16.30 were some distance from me and the light was in the wrong place. Or rather the boat was. Perhaps we railway enthusiasts should hire a boat to cruise up the Exe and along the sea wall at Dawlish and Teignmouth. The boat provides a microphone and Roger could provide commentary. Just a thought...oh and bring a good lens. 

    Regards  Clive Smith   Many thanks Clive for something different.

(1) Visit South Devon emblazoned 153333 single car brings up the rear of the 12.23 Exmouth-Paignton at Topsham. 21st February 2019 Copyright Clive Smith

(2) A Cross Country Voyager approaches Cockwood with 1Z54 15.44 Exeter St Davids - Plymouth. 21st February 2019. Copyright Clive Smith

(3) The same unit as the first picture skirts the estuary at Powderham with the 15.53 Exmouth - Paignton.22st February 2019. Copyright Clive Smith

(4) Golden Plovers take flight. The railway is just to the right by the trees (a very tenuous reason for this photo). 21st February 2019 Copyright Clive Smith.

(5) . Just a solitary sunbathing seal . It's amazing what you miss as you speed by on the train. 21st February 2019. Copyright Clive Smith.