Roger Winnen
And the team send greetings to all readers and contributors to the 'Cornwall Railway Society' website. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2022
The Bodmin Winter Steam Up 2nd January 2010
100102b 5552 at Bodmin Parkway during the Winter Steam Up on 2nd January 2010. Copyright Roger Winnen
100102k Departure to Boscarne Junction with 30587 and 6435 on 2nd January 2010
100102m Locos at Bodmin General 30587 5552 together with an 08. on 2nd January 2010. Copyright Roger Winnen
100102p 5552 at Boscarne Junction. Copyright Roger Winnen
And a big thanks to you Roger for all your work - wishing you a healthy 2022.
A trip to the beach
Severn Beach
Brian Pibworth
Severn Beach
Brian Pibworth
Dear Keith,
Your piece on Clifton Tunnel reminded me of our recent caravan trip on the 9th October 2021 to Bath and an "Awayday" we took from Bath Spa to Severn Beach. We have done the trip several times and have to admit that Severn Beach is rapidly changing from "Southend-on-Severn" to a sought after Bristol commuter suburb . The only reservation we have is that you will need triple glazed windows or poor hearing, or both, as the noise of traffic crossing the "Prince of Wales" bridge is all-pervading. This not withstanding, the area is paradise for birders and in Winter, huge flocks of waders feed on the extensive low tide mudflats or roost in the salt marshes.
The GWR marketing dept have combined the name "Seven Beach Line" with a logo showing the Clifton Suspension Bridge. However, try as I might, I have been unable to see this from the passenger seats as encroaching foliage has narrowed the view. Perhaps a friendly driver could provide a shot for our records?
On our return we passed a red DB Class 66 waiting in Avonmouth Stn for a clear road into SUEZ "Power From Waste" plant and now that the line is to be upgraded to a half-hourly service, there may be opportunities for photography here.
Good wishes to all,
Regards, Brian
Your piece on Clifton Tunnel reminded me of our recent caravan trip on the 9th October 2021 to Bath and an "Awayday" we took from Bath Spa to Severn Beach. We have done the trip several times and have to admit that Severn Beach is rapidly changing from "Southend-on-Severn" to a sought after Bristol commuter suburb . The only reservation we have is that you will need triple glazed windows or poor hearing, or both, as the noise of traffic crossing the "Prince of Wales" bridge is all-pervading. This not withstanding, the area is paradise for birders and in Winter, huge flocks of waders feed on the extensive low tide mudflats or roost in the salt marshes.
The GWR marketing dept have combined the name "Seven Beach Line" with a logo showing the Clifton Suspension Bridge. However, try as I might, I have been unable to see this from the passenger seats as encroaching foliage has narrowed the view. Perhaps a friendly driver could provide a shot for our records?
On our return we passed a red DB Class 66 waiting in Avonmouth Stn for a clear road into SUEZ "Power From Waste" plant and now that the line is to be upgraded to a half-hourly service, there may be opportunities for photography here.
Good wishes to all,
Regards, Brian
1) Busy morning at Severn Beach Station as arrivals on the 11.12 from Bristol Temple Meads read the information boards before setting out for a day's birding. 9th October 2021. Copyright Brian Pibworth
2) The magnificent second Severn Crossing .9th October 2021 Copyright Brian Pibworth
3) Our return service approaches Severn Beach with the power station providing a suitably industrial backdrop.. 9th October 2021. Copyright Brian Pibworth.
Many thanks Brian for your account of your visit to Severn Beach on the 9th October 2021.
We lived at Calne in Wiltshire from 1965 to 69. One of our quite frequent rail trips was from Chippenham to Severn Beach. To a Cornishman, with memories of local Porthtowan beach not knowing what to expect, our first trip was quite an experience. The journey through industrial Avonmouth to the run down fairground at Severn Beach was very different to what we expected. Severn Beach village lies behind a high sea wall with no sea view. As for the beach - no golden sand here just a muddy stretch swept by a vicious tide with one of the highest tidal ranges in the world.
We lived at Calne in Wiltshire from 1965 to 69. One of our quite frequent rail trips was from Chippenham to Severn Beach. To a Cornishman, with memories of local Porthtowan beach not knowing what to expect, our first trip was quite an experience. The journey through industrial Avonmouth to the run down fairground at Severn Beach was very different to what we expected. Severn Beach village lies behind a high sea wall with no sea view. As for the beach - no golden sand here just a muddy stretch swept by a vicious tide with one of the highest tidal ranges in the world.
The west cutting at
Polperro Tunnel
Mark D. Howells
Polperro Tunnel
Mark D. Howells
Morning Keith,
My most recent trip to Cornwall included taking line blockages with our local drainage maintenance team of both the Up and Down main lines in the Polperro tunnel area including the tunnel itself on the 7th December 2021.
All pictures taken from either a position of safety or within planned line blockage with the appropriate signallers.
Two signallers in this instance, the Up line being controlled from Truro signal box with the Down line being controlled from Par signal box.
No train reporting details gathered, although the pictures are dated and time stamped – so I guess with some patience the trains could be identified or at least the service they were operating. I was more focussed on looking at drainage!
Definitely a difference perspective in these pictures.
Kind Regards,
Mark Dennis Howells BEng (Hons) MPWI MIAM
Senior Asset Engineer (Drainage & Lineside)
My most recent trip to Cornwall included taking line blockages with our local drainage maintenance team of both the Up and Down main lines in the Polperro tunnel area including the tunnel itself on the 7th December 2021.
All pictures taken from either a position of safety or within planned line blockage with the appropriate signallers.
Two signallers in this instance, the Up line being controlled from Truro signal box with the Down line being controlled from Par signal box.
No train reporting details gathered, although the pictures are dated and time stamped – so I guess with some patience the trains could be identified or at least the service they were operating. I was more focussed on looking at drainage!
Definitely a difference perspective in these pictures.
Kind Regards,
Mark Dennis Howells BEng (Hons) MPWI MIAM
Senior Asset Engineer (Drainage & Lineside)
Polperrow Tunnel 1 West cutting. 7th December 2021 Copyright Mark Howells
Polperrow Tunnel 2 West Cutting. 7th December 2021 Copyright Mark Howells
Polperrow Tunnel 3 West Cutting. 7th December 2021 Copyright Mark Howells
Many thanks Mark. We are greatly indebted to you for these 'inside the fence' pictures - we look forward to many more.
Pinhoe '92
Bill Elston
Bill Elston
Another photo from Pinhoe, this time it’s 47801 on an Exeter to Waterloo working, about to dive under the M5 motorway,(close to where I lived) heading East. Date, 23 April 92.
The following month, it was renumbered back to 47551, as illustrated today by Ron Kosys’ photo at Oborne, dated 24 May 92, at that time allocated to the
West of England Line.
Hope this is of interest,
Best regards. Bill Elston.
The following month, it was renumbered back to 47551, as illustrated today by Ron Kosys’ photo at Oborne, dated 24 May 92, at that time allocated to the
West of England Line.
Hope this is of interest,
Best regards. Bill Elston.
Pinhoe 47801 passes on an Exeter Waterloo service. 23rd April 1992 Copyright Paul Barlow.
47551 passes Oborne One mile NW of Sherborne 1V08 0815 su Basingstoke-Exeter 24th May 1992. Copyright Ron Kosy
Many thanks to you Bill - all that extra information.
Lower Basildon
Ron Kosys
Ron Kosys
47543 at Lower Basildon 27th April 1990 with 1343 Bristol to Paddington vans. Copyright Ron Kosys.
Many thanks Ron.
Thunderer repaint job
Eastleigh
Tom Blanpain
Eastleigh
Tom Blanpain
50008 sat at Eastleigh Arlington sidings under the very place it received its new paint job. 2nd December 2021
50008 at Eastleigh 22nd December 2021. Copyright Tom Blanpain
50008 at Eastleigh 22nd December 2021. Copyright Tom Blanpain
Many thanks to Tom Blanpain who forwarded the images to Ken Mumford who in turn passed them on to us.