23rd October 2021

Shell Cove Dawlish
Roger Salter

My recent visit overlooking Shell Cove & Clerk’s Tunnel at Dawlish

2C24 1127 EXETER ST.DAVID’S-PENZANCE. Copyright Roger Salter

2T15 1057 EXMOUTH-PAIGNTON, NO.166216 EXITING CLERK’S TUNNEL. Copyright Roger Salter

652A 0920 BRISTOL KINGSLAND ROAD-LISKEARD GROUND FRAME Copyright Roger Salter

Many Thanks Roger

50 years ago today
Truro Resignalling
Chris Bellett

Another local anniversary today, Saturday 23 October.  50 years ago this weekend, and for the following week to 07 November, saw the remodelling of the Truro area including the closure of Truro West, Penwithers Junction and Penryn signalboxes. A new (second hand that is) 51 lever, 4in centres, 5-bar vertical tappet lever frame was installed in Truro East signalbox (renamed as plain Truro) and a new barrier level crossing was provided at the Plymouth end of the station giving access to Truro full loads sidings.  Colourlight signals and motor points were provided at Penwithers Junction worked from Truro signalbox to control access to/from the Falmouth branch and trains then ran along the Down Main line to/from Truro as they do today.

Hope that is of interest.

Take care.
Chris Bellett
Retired S&T Engineer
CRS Member

Truro West S B - From the late Patrick English collection Copyright

Truro East Box interior July 1973 [visit by permission of the signalman] Copyright Trevor Tremethick

Many thanks Chris, and also thanks to Trevor Tremethick.
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Long Rock
Dennis Clarke

08645 St Piran in charge of stock movements.. 22nd October 2021. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

St Erth
Dennis Clarke

43004 at the rear of retreating Penzance bound service at St Erth 22nd October 2021. Dennis Clarke

150 219 takes its turn with a service to St Ives, St Erth 22nd October 2021. Dennis Clarke

The NMT receiving the all clear creeps past the signalbox at St Erth 22nd October 2021. Dennis Clarke

Many thanks Dennis for both the Long Rock and St Erth Pictures.
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Aller Junction  '85
Clive Smith

A very different scene back in 1985 on the 7th July as 50045 heads the Sunday 1C49 14.45 Paddington - Plymouth. Parallel to the railway is the old A380 that was replaced in 2015 with the new A380 Kingskerswell by-pass radically transforming the area. The four railway tracks, bridges  and Aller Junction were themselves drastically changed in 1987 with the Newton Abbot resignalling and rationalisation. I had been out to Aller to photograph the 'Great Western Limited' B.R. steam train from Paddington to Plymouth with 4930 & 5051 following their half hour stop in Newton Abbot station. The steam tour had passed here at 17.55 and I had photographed them from the other side of the tracks in the sun when it was possible to use one of the farm track or road bridges across the railway that existed then. On my way back along the road I snapped 50045. The steam tour was the second attempt by BR to return steam to Devon and all was well at Aller but both steam locos stalled on Dainton Bank and had various attempts to get going without success. 50045 was detached from its train and then came on the rear and banked the train from milepost 217 to 218 adjacent to Dainton Tunnel signal box. 50045 was detached there then followed to Totnes where the train was terminated rather than running through to Plymouth as booked. The  14.45 Paddington - Plymouth was abandoned somewhere on Dainton Bank and then eventually rescued by the returning 50045.

Regards

Clive Smith

50 045 Achilles at Aller Jct. 7th July 1985. Copyright Clive Smith.

With every picture there's an interesting story as indeed is  the case here. Many thanks Clive.

Radley
Ron Kosys

A somewhat ‘tired’ looking 47500 ‘Great Western’ passes Radley 20th June 1989, with a charter from Manchester to Ascot (for Ladies Day?).
With the exception of the first vehicle, the train is formed of First Class stock. Note the two Restaurant cars inserted into the formation.

4Z126O 7500 seen at Radley on the 20th June 1989. Copyright Ron Kosys.

Many thanks Ron.
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