Exeter 1990
Phil Smith
Phil Smith
Phil brings us one from the 1990's taken at Exeter when the view to the right of this picture was rather different to that today. The wooden building to the right subsequently disappeared in a fire. Many thanks Phil.
47052 at Exeter St Davids in 1990 with a mixed consist. Copyright Phil Smith
Redruth Tunnel
Paddy Bradley/Roger Winnen
Paddy Bradley/Roger Winnen
The 47yard Redruth tunnel was opened in 1852 providing a route towards Truro for the West Cornwall Railway. From the extremely small layer of ground above the arch of the tunnel it can only have been constructed by the 'cut and cover' method and is really a long bridge! In Roger Winnen's picture you can almost see the east end of the Redruth's down platform. From the structure of the building on the right hand side of these pictures it is obvious that at one time these were served by the railway. I understand from our good friend Roy Hart that there at one time existed a candle factory on the ground floor with a siding off the main line - perhaps somebody can throw 'some light on this'!! In my childhood I recall being taken by me father to see quite an extensive 'O' gauge railway which once existed on the ground floor. As access to the property, then known. appropriately as 'Tunnel Stores' was at street level on the far side of these pictures. Above the tunnel lies the road junction of Fore Street. Higher Fore Street, Wesley Street and Station Road. I suppose the lowest floor could be considered as a cellar. The railway was operated by a gentleman called', I believe 'Trenbath', I recall in my visit - I could have been maybe five at the time, that there were other young boys, but much older than myself playing with the trains. They seemed to be intent in crashing one train into another - the trains were of a very high standard - perhaps Basset-Lowke! K.J.
The track at Redruth Tunnel gest a routine inspection. From the Paddy Bradley Collection.
Another view from the very same location - this time a class 25 on an up freight occupies the tunnel. Copyright Roger Winnen.