26th January 2022

Bodmin General Bridges
13 & 13a Rebuild
Chris Bellett

A few update photographs taken today (26 January 2022) of the progress on the rebuilding of Bridges 13 and 13A at Bodmin General. These  photographs were taken trackside by myself deemed competent to work on the track on the B&WR and I may remind other photographers that they should not attempt to trespass on the railway to take similar photographs.
Take Care,
Chris Bellett
Retired S&T Engineer
CRS Member

All photographs are the Copyright of Chris Bellett

Many Thanks Chris

47522 Near Oxford
Michael Forward

Hello Roger,Once again a picture by Ron Kosys has inspired me to send you one of my own and it shows 47522 ‘Doncaster Enterprise’ heading away from Oxford at Port Meadow bridge on 24 June 1989 with the 11.40 Poole to York,14.04 from Oxford. Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael

Exeter St David's
David Tozer

Good Morning Gents,
According to my latest ALRUG Magazine GWR have got funding for the extension of the former Exe Valley bay platform(No 2) at Exeter St David's. This will enable five car IET's to layover.
I suspect that this will see the two buildings demolished in due course.

Copyright David Tozer

Thanks David

A 31st anniversary picture
​Lavrean 
Roger Geach

50015 Valiant hauls the Cornish Centurian on the Par - Newquay branch Lavrean (Goonbarrow) 26th January 1991 Copyright Roger Geach

This was the 'Cornish Centurian Railtour - for many more details see eth excellent
​www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/90s/910126pt.htm Six Bells Junction Website. https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/90s/910126pt.htm 

Many thanks Roger - memories of a great day out chasing - the good old days.
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Little Petherick Creek
Martin Scane

We had a trip over to Padstow today and took a walk along the cycle path which is, of course, the old track bed of the Wadebridge to Padstow line. I wonder if these two photos of the magnificent bridge over Little Petherick Creek are of interest. Note the Queen Victoria Jubilee monument overlooking the bridge. We waited patiently but, alas, no sign of a T9, an N Mogul or a Bulleid light pacific I’m afraid.  Martin Scane 

Little Petherick Creek Bridge. Very nicely composed with the Queen Victoria Jubilee monument overlooking the bridge, a high tide, and a nice clump of gorse. 25th January 2022. Copyright Martin Scane.

Little Petherick Creek Bridge 25th January 2022. Copyright Martin Scane

Many thanks Martin for your record of a good day out.
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GW and National System Maps
Barry Jones

A few days behind the news but the cover of the GWR network map folder is indeed near Trerulefoot in Cornwall looking towards St Germans at what Network Rail describe as “Probathic Road” overbridge although I suspect the correct spelling would be Polbathic!  Network Rail also have some quite bizarre bridge names in the western suburbs of Plymouth.

The cutting-back of the last year or two has opened up this view once more.  Even in 1982 it was quite overgrown.   The brochure photo was perhaps taken in the winter of 2019/2020.

Best wishes, Barry Jones

158765+158763, Polbathic Road Bridge (2C20 1117 Plymouth to Penzance), 21st July 2020 Copyright Barry Jones

50006 at Polbathic Road Bridge near Trerulefoot, 31 May 1982, 19825062N Copyright Barry Jones

Many thanks Barry for your observations - keep up the good work.
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Naming of bridges
GW and National System Maps  Clive Smith

Further to Barry Jones's article yesterday (Above)  and the naming of road bridges. A good friend of mine who is a resident of Polbathic and who regularly walks the lanes there has informed me that it is  called Probathic Road overbridge to differentiate from the Polbathic Road underbridge some 200 yards east.  Network Rail apparently don't like to have the same name for bridges hence, the slight difference in name.
Regards
Clive Smith

Thanks for that Clive - now we know.
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Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Shaugh Tunnel
Clive Smith

A dog walker emerges from the southern portal of Shaugh Tunnel . There are some lights at one side of the tunnel wall just above the ground but no lights above. Quite dark compared to tunnels on other cycle routes.

The tunnel was built in 1859 on the the Plymouth to Tavistock South railway that was later extended to Launceston. It was closed on the 29th December 1962 and now forms part of the Plym Valley Cycle Trail Sustrans Route 27.

Regards, Clive Smith

Shaugh Tunnel. 25th January 2022, A quite remarkable picture. Copyright Clive Smith.

An excellent picture Clive for which many thanks. A reminder to all to get out and about and take a walk.
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