26th March 2022

Last Tuesday at 
Par 
Paul Barlow

43088 43040 arrives at Par on 1515 Penzance to Plymouth passes FGW blue liveried 150238 22nd March 2022 Copyright Paul Barlow

This picture dramatically demonstrates the falling gradient from St Austell compared to the Chapel Siding. Many thanks Paul. 
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B&WR
GWR Victorian Bogie Saloon Coach
Chris Bellett

Hi Keith, Some news from the B&WR for you:

"The South Devon Railway and Bodmin and Wenford Railway are pleased to announce that GWR First Class Saloon 9044 has arrived at Buckfastleigh for recommissioning work and use on the railway during the summer.

The carriage was built in 1881 and is believed to be the oldest surviving GWR bogie coach in existence. Originally used as a family saloon for the high society, it has supposedly seen passengers such as King Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, and opera singer Madame Patti. In 1936 it was converted to a Civil Engineers Saloon and was travelled in by officers of the Great Western Railway and then British Railways until it was withdrawn in the 1960s. The carriage was restored to use in 2013 and has since operated on special days from it’s home at Bodmin station, Cornwall.

Whilst at the South Devon Railway, recommissioning work and maintenance will be carried out on 9044 before it is used for a period during the summer season. It’s debut on the SDR is expected to be during the lines 150th Anniversary event between the 30th April and 2nd May, where passengers will be able to experience what travel was like over 140 years ago.

David Nelson-Brown, Chairman of the Bodmin and Wenford Railway PLC said “ We are delighted to be able to enter into this partnership with our friends at the South Devon Railway. Covid created backlogs in our workshop has side-lined this historic vehicle for too long and this loan to South Devon will see the carriage back in traffic much quicker than at home. We are looking forward to seeing it in action this summer across the River Tamar and are already making plans for its use in Cornwall next year.

Kind Regards, Chris Bellett. Retired S&T Engineer, CRS Member

Many thanks Chris, and good luck with the restoration to all concerned.
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A reply concerning
CMS 5 or GMS 5
Simon Hickman

A Tramway, possibly somewhere in Cornwall - any ideas. Mark Graham Query EM 15.05 24th March 2022 -

Hi there,
 
Long time admirer of your website.
 
I was interested in Mark Graham’s picture on your website of the construction site with a stone tower behind. The stone building looks more like a former windmill tower to me, than anything connected with mining. I’m not aware of any tramways in the vicinity of the well-known surviving Windmill towers on the Lizard (https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1004397?section=official-list-entry), or the one at Carlyon near Rock (https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1124733?section=official-list-entry)
 
But there’s a less well-known one at Fowey – see https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1290443?section=official-list-entry. The windmill is alongside the (former?) waterworks, could the picture be of reservoirs under construction?
 
All just guesses of course, and the photo might not be in Cornwall.
 
Kind regards,
 
Simon Hickman
Principal Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas
Historic England South West Office
Direct Dial 0117 975 0717
Mobile 07766 364540
 
https://historicengland.org.uk/southwest
 
1st Floor - Fermentation North | Finzels Reach | Hawkins Lane | Bristol | BS1 6JQ
 

Many thanks Simon for your rapid response together with detailed links on Windmill Towers to Mark Grahams query. I hope that viewers will take a look at your links and that your letter leads to further correspondence.
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B & W Reopens
Sunday 27th March

We are due to reopen on 27th March 2022, Mothers Day!
To celebrate reopening on 27th March, mums will be able to travel free on that day. To claim this offer, add a family of 3 or a family of 4 ticket bundle to the basket and use the discount code MUMSFREE2022.

Bodmin Branch  '73
The late John Vines

With the re-opening of the Bodmin and Wenford this coming Sunday it seems to be a very good time to include a few of the pictures marvellous  taken by the late John Vines, Andrews Dad.

Hello Keith,
I trust all is well, and Cornwall is starting to feel a taste of Spring.  Attached are some pictures taken by Dad in the 1970s, for which I've been able to scan the negs, and which may be of interest.
Best wishes
Andrew Vines

The Bodmin General 'down' distant signal, a fixed wooden arm (fixed for good reason!) on a wooden post, still surviving on 30th September 1975. In answer to Andrew and Diane Jones' recent query, R A Cooke's track diagram book notes the Walker Lines siding here as opening for Messrs Fulford Trumps on 29th April 1973. Copyright the late John Vines

Bodmin General, still virtually complete except for the signals in February 1973. What a shame that so many of the structures visible did not survive between the first preservation phase and the second. Copyright the late John Vines.

A threatening sky at Boscarne Junction with a healthy rake of loaded clay wagons awaiting collection. The adjacent railwaymen's cottage is smartly painted; February '73., Copyright the late John Vines. Note also the flame burning brightly in the gate lamp.

The concrete remains of Grogley Halt, including the name board in Feb '73, but what is the former apparatus visible at the end of the platform? Copyright the late John Vines.

Grogley again - Andrew queries what may have been the purpose of the 'lamp' perched on the post - there seems to be a bracket for the platform light adjacent to the nameboard.

The check-railed reverse curves at Polbrock. Note the very well kept ballast, even at this late date in February '73. Copyright the late John Vines.

Many thanks for your Dads pictures Andrew - thanks to him these memories will be kept and revived.
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