Cornwall re-signalling day 1
Martin Duff
Evening admins,
I saw the website entry from John Roberts and thought I’d add some detail for his benefit and your readers. This week, until Sunday late evening the lines are blocked between Burngullow and St. Erth – the main task being trackwork in the Truro area laying the new crossover between Carvedras and Truro viaducts. Unlike the old east crossover which was trailing, the new one will be facing, so a down train may be run to the up platform.
I’m not on site presently, however can confirm all 4 down direction semaphore signals at the west end of Truro (T20 bay, T47 down, T26 up to down and T25 yard) were felled during the day shift today, and much earlier this morning, the up platform inner home signal T6 had been uprooted and put safely in store well before 03.00, so the construction team could get ahead with work on the crossing. Goodness knows how many trains, not to mention loco classes they’ve had pass by them since November 1971.
Until late Sunday, down trains are terminating at St. Austell and starting back to Plymouth direct from the down platform – this will be the last use of the ground frame which has been there since March 1980 when St. Austell SB closed and control transferred to Burngullow (Par from 1986). From Monday week the crossover will be fully signalled and controlled from the workstation.
NRES is correct about what happens next – early Monday 04/03 the block extends to the west end of Liskeard and the Newquay branch, together with the clay lines.
*** The last opportunity to see a clay train running round under the semaphore signals at Lostwithiel will be TODAY – Wednesday 28/02. The 12.36 lunchtime trip from Goonbarrow is due to run. ***
Saturday morning 02/03, the VERY LAST locomotive-hauled working on the Cornish main line under semaphore signals at Lostwithiel/Par is expected to be the Exeter Riverside – St. Blazey clay liner 6V74, due Par 12.21.
Nothing transfers to the workstation until the day the line reopens on March 11. The preceding weekend when the block extends closer to Plymouth, the commissioning will happen.
The CRS website has already been updated about the details of the last train signalled by Truro signal box. As reported the first train when the lines re-open is expected to be the “Golden Hind”, the 05.03 Penzance – Paddington. Clay operations resume the same day, with the 06.14 trip working from St. Blazey to Goonbarrow in readiness for the lunchtime run to Fowey. There are no test trains scheduled in the preceding days.
The electronic version of the "pre-job" appendix is safe for the moment – it won’t update on the public sites for a while.
Enclosed a few photographs from site with programme manager permission – showing the work on Carvedras viaduct and track relay at Penwithers Junction. More soon.
Cheers,
Martin D
I saw the website entry from John Roberts and thought I’d add some detail for his benefit and your readers. This week, until Sunday late evening the lines are blocked between Burngullow and St. Erth – the main task being trackwork in the Truro area laying the new crossover between Carvedras and Truro viaducts. Unlike the old east crossover which was trailing, the new one will be facing, so a down train may be run to the up platform.
I’m not on site presently, however can confirm all 4 down direction semaphore signals at the west end of Truro (T20 bay, T47 down, T26 up to down and T25 yard) were felled during the day shift today, and much earlier this morning, the up platform inner home signal T6 had been uprooted and put safely in store well before 03.00, so the construction team could get ahead with work on the crossing. Goodness knows how many trains, not to mention loco classes they’ve had pass by them since November 1971.
Until late Sunday, down trains are terminating at St. Austell and starting back to Plymouth direct from the down platform – this will be the last use of the ground frame which has been there since March 1980 when St. Austell SB closed and control transferred to Burngullow (Par from 1986). From Monday week the crossover will be fully signalled and controlled from the workstation.
NRES is correct about what happens next – early Monday 04/03 the block extends to the west end of Liskeard and the Newquay branch, together with the clay lines.
*** The last opportunity to see a clay train running round under the semaphore signals at Lostwithiel will be TODAY – Wednesday 28/02. The 12.36 lunchtime trip from Goonbarrow is due to run. ***
Saturday morning 02/03, the VERY LAST locomotive-hauled working on the Cornish main line under semaphore signals at Lostwithiel/Par is expected to be the Exeter Riverside – St. Blazey clay liner 6V74, due Par 12.21.
Nothing transfers to the workstation until the day the line reopens on March 11. The preceding weekend when the block extends closer to Plymouth, the commissioning will happen.
The CRS website has already been updated about the details of the last train signalled by Truro signal box. As reported the first train when the lines re-open is expected to be the “Golden Hind”, the 05.03 Penzance – Paddington. Clay operations resume the same day, with the 06.14 trip working from St. Blazey to Goonbarrow in readiness for the lunchtime run to Fowey. There are no test trains scheduled in the preceding days.
The electronic version of the "pre-job" appendix is safe for the moment – it won’t update on the public sites for a while.
Enclosed a few photographs from site with programme manager permission – showing the work on Carvedras viaduct and track relay at Penwithers Junction. More soon.
Cheers,
Martin D
Trackwork in progress at Penwithers Junction. Copyright Martin Duff/Network Rail.
Track panels being carefully manouvered. Copyright Martin Duff/Network Rail.
Something's missing from Truro viaduct. Copyright Martin Duff/Network Rail.
Many thanks to Martin for the excellent information and images above. Get your Par/Lostwithiel semaphore photos before it's too late!
Summertime at Exeter St. Davids
Paul Barlow
43239 43303 arrives at Exeter St Davids on the 0606 Edinburgh to Plymouth 1V50 15 August 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul, another truly unique perspective. We'll miss the HST's this year.
Eastleigh on 19th February 2024
Andrew Triggs
Andrew Triggs
Hi Keith/Roger
While up in Somerset once more, I made a trip to Eastleigh for a day's Rail photography, some much needed variety as even in Somerset with all the Cross Country and GWR HSTs now no more, pickings can now be far and few between these days sadly, the weather on the Monday was actually pretty decent as the enclosed photos show, and one from Westbury on the 20th when returning back to Taunton by Rail. There's still variety out there, but be prepared to travel to capture it
All the Best
Andrew
While up in Somerset once more, I made a trip to Eastleigh for a day's Rail photography, some much needed variety as even in Somerset with all the Cross Country and GWR HSTs now no more, pickings can now be far and few between these days sadly, the weather on the Monday was actually pretty decent as the enclosed photos show, and one from Westbury on the 20th when returning back to Taunton by Rail. There's still variety out there, but be prepared to travel to capture it
All the Best
Andrew
. Freightliner Class 70 no.70020 approaching Eastleigh working 4O14 05.33 Crewe Bas.HallS.S.M-Southampton M.C.T 19.2.2024 Copyright Andrew Ttiggs
GBRf 69008 with EMU no.701057, having run round in the East Yard, working 5Q76 11.22 Marchwood Mod Gbrf-Eastleigh T&RSMD 19.2.2024 Copyright Andrew Triggs
. Recently preserved Class 313 EMU no.313201 in Eastleigh Works Yard 19.2.2024 Copyright Andrew Triggs
RSS 08511 shunting Network Rail stock towards Eastleigh East Yard from the Station sidings 19.2.2024 Copyright Andrew Triggs
HNRC 'Tractor' no.37607 with associated Test Train formation in Eastleigh station yard, viewed from Eastleigh Road overbridge 19.2.2024 Copyright Andrew Triggs
DC Rail 'Tug' no.60055 'Thomas Barnardo' working 6Z60 08.22 12 Willesden DC Rail Sidings-Merehead Quarry (FHH) approaching Westbury 20.2.2024 Copyright Andrew Triggs
59101 'Village of Mells' departing Westbury working 7A77 12.26 Merehead Quarry to Theale. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Thanks Andrew