Good morning everybody - wishing a Happy and Healthy Christmas to one and all.
The end of 1962
Michael L. Roach
Michael L. Roach
THE END of 1962 – PART 11
Last trip to Launceston
The date is Thursday 27 December 1962 and the Launceston Branch was due to close to passengers in a little over 48 hours; and most stations to goods as well. I got up very early (for me) and made my way to Plymouth station in the freezing conditions in order to catch the first train of the day to Launceston at 7.10am. This was not the first passenger train down the branch as there had already been the 5.45am auto to Tavistock South. In fact it was the fourth train down the branch, the other two being freight trains – to Launceston and separately to Tavistock and return. This trip was meant to be my penultimate trip to Launceston and back with the last one to be on Saturday 29 December, but as it turned out the last train never got further than Tavistock because of the apalling weather conditions on the Saturday evening.
The 7.10am left Plymouth on time consisting of small prairie 4574 with two corridor coaches. 4574 had been a regular ever since it arrived at Laira in July 1962. Since nationalisation the loco had been at Penzance, St. Ives, Truro, St. Blazey and Newton Abbot sheds. We were delayed a few minutes at Bickleigh to cross the late running 6.40am Tavistock to Plymouth auto consisting of just one coach (W255) being propelled by 6400 running a half hour late The train should have been off the branch before we reached Marsh Mills. At Horrabridge 4574 took water making us a couple of minutes late. As we ran into Tavistock South 4555 could be seen shunting the goods yard having arrived with the 5.15am Tavistock Junction (Up Yard) due to arrive Tavistock at 6.10am. We were now delayed another couple of minutes waiting for 4591 with 2 coaches on the 7.05am Launceston to Plymouth; and we were now 11L leaving Tavistock South. We now had a clear run to Launceston taking 32 mins. The present bus takes 52 mins.
We were at Launceston for about 80 minutes. 4574 took the two coaches out to the east end and than did some shunting in the goods yard on the south side of the station. We walked up the hillside to photograph the station area from the hillside. 4574 took two trucks out to a siding on the west side of the station and then brought the two coaches back into the other platform ready for departure. During all this activity by 4574 the engine of the Lanson Goods was nowhere to be seen because it had not yet arrived there. The Lanson Goods was scheduled to leave Tavistock Junction (Up Yard) at 6.25pm and pass through Marsh Mills at 6.40am just 38 minutes before the 7.10am passenger train from Plymouth which would overtake the goods train en route, but I failed to record where. We left Launceston a minute early and crossed the outward goods train at Lifton where 5569 was at the head of 15 trucks possibly having completed the shunting of the empty and loaded trucks for the traffic from the adjacent creamery as the goods train was scheduled to have arrived in Lanson at 10.05pm and it was now 10.23am. The crews of 4574 and 5569 changed footplates at Lifton. 4574 took water on the upside at Tavistock South without problem. The only train passed en route was 6400 with its one autocoach at Horrabridge. Mid-way between Clearbrook and Shaugh Bridge the train stopped for 10 seconds at Goodameavy to drop off two permanent way workers; the track was still being maintained. We reached Plymouth 6L after being 11L all the way from Horrabridge to Marsh Mills. My exploits on this day will continue tomorrow.
MLR / 11 December 2022
Last trip to Launceston
The date is Thursday 27 December 1962 and the Launceston Branch was due to close to passengers in a little over 48 hours; and most stations to goods as well. I got up very early (for me) and made my way to Plymouth station in the freezing conditions in order to catch the first train of the day to Launceston at 7.10am. This was not the first passenger train down the branch as there had already been the 5.45am auto to Tavistock South. In fact it was the fourth train down the branch, the other two being freight trains – to Launceston and separately to Tavistock and return. This trip was meant to be my penultimate trip to Launceston and back with the last one to be on Saturday 29 December, but as it turned out the last train never got further than Tavistock because of the apalling weather conditions on the Saturday evening.
The 7.10am left Plymouth on time consisting of small prairie 4574 with two corridor coaches. 4574 had been a regular ever since it arrived at Laira in July 1962. Since nationalisation the loco had been at Penzance, St. Ives, Truro, St. Blazey and Newton Abbot sheds. We were delayed a few minutes at Bickleigh to cross the late running 6.40am Tavistock to Plymouth auto consisting of just one coach (W255) being propelled by 6400 running a half hour late The train should have been off the branch before we reached Marsh Mills. At Horrabridge 4574 took water making us a couple of minutes late. As we ran into Tavistock South 4555 could be seen shunting the goods yard having arrived with the 5.15am Tavistock Junction (Up Yard) due to arrive Tavistock at 6.10am. We were now delayed another couple of minutes waiting for 4591 with 2 coaches on the 7.05am Launceston to Plymouth; and we were now 11L leaving Tavistock South. We now had a clear run to Launceston taking 32 mins. The present bus takes 52 mins.
We were at Launceston for about 80 minutes. 4574 took the two coaches out to the east end and than did some shunting in the goods yard on the south side of the station. We walked up the hillside to photograph the station area from the hillside. 4574 took two trucks out to a siding on the west side of the station and then brought the two coaches back into the other platform ready for departure. During all this activity by 4574 the engine of the Lanson Goods was nowhere to be seen because it had not yet arrived there. The Lanson Goods was scheduled to leave Tavistock Junction (Up Yard) at 6.25pm and pass through Marsh Mills at 6.40am just 38 minutes before the 7.10am passenger train from Plymouth which would overtake the goods train en route, but I failed to record where. We left Launceston a minute early and crossed the outward goods train at Lifton where 5569 was at the head of 15 trucks possibly having completed the shunting of the empty and loaded trucks for the traffic from the adjacent creamery as the goods train was scheduled to have arrived in Lanson at 10.05pm and it was now 10.23am. The crews of 4574 and 5569 changed footplates at Lifton. 4574 took water on the upside at Tavistock South without problem. The only train passed en route was 6400 with its one autocoach at Horrabridge. Mid-way between Clearbrook and Shaugh Bridge the train stopped for 10 seconds at Goodameavy to drop off two permanent way workers; the track was still being maintained. We reached Plymouth 6L after being 11L all the way from Horrabridge to Marsh Mills. My exploits on this day will continue tomorrow.
MLR / 11 December 2022
5884 4574 takes water at Launceston one minute after arriving with the 7.10am from Plymouth. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
5886 Birds-eye view of 4574 shunting the goods yard at Lanson. It can be seen that there is a turntable there but generally it was not used and with one exception the prairie tanks travelled out from Plymouth chimney first and returned bunker first. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
5889 In this view looking west 4574 has completed shunting the wagons in the goods yard and returned to the platform with its coaches. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
5890 There is still half an hour to departure time but 4574 is ready to leave Launceston with the 10.15am to Plymouth. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Many thanks Michael, we're now looking forward to Part 12 tomorrow.
Snow at Swindon - a Christmas Card scene at
Swindon
Colin Pidgeon
Swindon
Colin Pidgeon
43078 & 43091 on 1L46 Bridgend to Paddington runnig non stop through Swindon. Copyright Colin Pidgeon
What a difference a bit of snow makes, it takes ones eyes off the rather ugly overhead wires. Many thanks Colin.
Also wishing Colin a speedy recover - he has not been too well of late.
Also wishing Colin a speedy recover - he has not been too well of late.
Handing over now to Roger to complete the day with his fine coverage of winter scenes.
Roger Winnen
Wishes all readers and contributors to this website a very Happy Christmas
Wishes all readers and contributors to this website a very Happy Christmas
860216h 16th February 1986 Platform 4 Penzance with telephone Box, Godfrey Davis Car Hire and the Motor Rail Terminal. What a change today as most things have been swept away.Copyright Roger Winnen
781231f 31st December 1978 Class 50s on the milk and also another Class 50 in Platform 2 Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen
860216a 16th February 1986 47509 plus Class 50s and an HST at Penzance Station.. Copyright Roger Winnen
781231n 31st December 1978 Chyandour Road the old A30 and Railway into Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen
790101h 1st January 1979 The St Ives Unit leaves Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen
790101k 1st January 1979 HST at Ponsandane. Soon we may see Castle Class HSTs in the new sidings created at this location. Copyright Roger Winnen
790101l 1st January 1979 Marazion Station in snow showing the former Station Masters house and the six pullman coaches. Copyright Roger Winnen
790106c 6th January 1979 The down Cornishman at Camborne prior to the down platform being lengthened. Copyright Roger Winnen
Many thanks Roger for your fine collection of cold wintery scenes.