28th April 2023

Spring Steam on the
West Somerset Railway
Derek Buttivant

This weekend is the West Somerset Railway's spring steam gala with several visiting engines.  Having lunch in the lovely garden at Stogumber station gave me the opportunity to observe the passing trains - of which I attach a few photos.  The timetables for the four days provide plenty of interest and a good variety of locos and trains - and the weather looks reasonable so let's hope the event is well supported.  I'll be busy on the train myself on Saturday.
Best wishes,
Derek

2999 Lady of Legend arrives at Stogumber Station on route to Minehead.. Copyright Derek Buttivant

34027 Taw Valley at Stogumber Station on route to Bishops Lydread. Copyright Derek Buttivant

Double Headed Manors 7828 Odney Manor leading on a service to Bishops Lydeard. Copyright Derek Buttivant

9466 At Stogumber working a service to Bishops Lydeard. Copyright Derek Buttivant

34027 Taw Valley on the Atlantic Coast Express. Copyright Derek Buttivant

Many Thanks Derek

Thanks, a tribute and identity solved.
Roy Hart

Dear Keith,
I have much enjoyed Mike Roach's series on 1962. The photo published yesterday of the Clay Lines special at St Columb Road features a 'well known enthusiast'. It is the late Larry Crosier, who in fact was the organiser of the tour. Larry was general secretary of the PRC at the time.  He was a signalman at Laira Junction until 1968.
I attended Larry's funeral at Reading, some years back and enjoyed meeting up with Bernard Mills, Maurice Dart and many others from that time in Cornwall.
Roy Hart

Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks Roy, perhaps you have more pictures and more memories stored in Redruth?
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Larry Crosier will be well remembered here at Redruth for his fascinating talks on his signalling days.
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Time goes on, how things change.
Pendavey Bridge
Andrew & Diane Jones

April continues to bring unseasonably cold and wet weather, the garden is all over the show, our magnolia escaped the frost, but we have lost one tree fern and everything appears late!
So I thought a good day to write an article for CRS.
I have attached two photographs of Pendavey Bridge in the now widely used ‘then and now’ format.
The 1977 view looks towards Wadebridge, down the long straight with the North Cornwall Junction just out of sight.
Pendavey Bridge was originally constructed using two 27 feet wooden spans supported by a large centre stone pier.
During a severe flood in 1847 the bridge was washed away and over the years recontructed a number of times culminating in 1887 with replacement cast iron girders resting on the original centre pier, which are still in place today.
The latest photograph taken this week is about to change for ever, with the construction of a large housing estate on the skyline.
Both Wadebridge and Padstow are ranked as very desirable towns and would certainly benefit from reconnection to the rail network, but just as the reconstruction of the Helston Railway is handicapped by subsequent development so would any attempt to navigate Wadebridge.
 
Very best wishes Andrew and Diane

 
 

Pendavey Bridge in 1977. Notice what appears to be a bit of 'Wild Camping' on the bank to the right. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.

Pendavey Bridge taken this week at spring tide. The latest photograph taken this week is about to change for ever, with the construction of a large housing estate on the skyline. 27th April 2023. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.

A most interesting comparison, many thanks to Andrew & Diane Jones.
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A golden oldie -
View from the Fowey branch
Roger Winnen

A nice rural scene A Class 52 running towards Lostwithiel with a freight on 4th April 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many thanks Roger - an interesting composition.
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Marazion Marsh area
Sid Warren

Marazion Marsh 43029, Penzance bound. 6th April 2023. Copyright Sid Warren

43009 Near Marazion. 6th April 2023. Copyright Sid Warren.

Welcome to a new contributor - Sid Warren.
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