28th December 2020

The first 'Crompton Cornish Swansong'​
Penzance railtour
Guy Vincent

Good morning Keith,
                             In recent days some interesting images have been posted taken within the confines of Penzance station.  As this is well known as being, quite literally ''the end of the line'' (or, for those of you that live there maybe the beginning?)  would it be an idea over time to add to the "Penzance Gallery''  a sub-section containing  a class by class collection of locos;  steam all types and diesel from 08 to 70.  One good quality image of each class in or close to the station.   As an example there is a super photo of GWR Green 47484 taken on 2nd July 1985.   Many rarities will only have arrived on railtours so photos will likely exist somewhere.   
Just a thought and I'll fully understand if you decide not to pursue the idea as I know you put in a lot of work on a daily basis and the site's capacity has limits!  

I've attached some scans of photos from a miserable October 22nd 1988 when 33211 and 33207 arrived from London Waterloo with Network South East's Crompton Cornish Farewell railtour. These were followed on 29th by 33031 and 33033 with 'The Crompton Cornish Swansong' relief  railtour that ran due to the popularity of the earlier one.  Photos of this train have yet to be scanned.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year

      Guy Vincent     N.B. Received on the 22nd December 2020

Cornish Compton Swansong Railtour arrives at Penzance on a wet miserable day with 33207 and 33211 with the Penzance CCF Railtour 22nd October 1988 Copyright Guy Vincent

Cornish Compton Swansong 33211 & 33207 Copyright Guy Vincent. N.B. The stock has been hauled out from platform 2 and placed in platform 3.

33211 and 207 continue the run-round maneuver. 22nd October 1988. Copyright Guy Vuncent.

Additional views of this railtour kindly supplied by Roger Winnen and Craig Munday

22nd October 1988 Copyright Roger Winnen

The railtour returns through St Erth 22nd October 1988. Copyriight Roger Winnen.

Both 33 s open up as they cross Hayle viaduct to pass through the station and commence the climb towards Gwinear. 22nd October 1988. Copyright Craig Munday.

Many thanks to Roger and Craig.

Greetings from Canada
Chard Branch
Brian Naylor

Hello,
Born and raised in the U.K. I was searching the Web and came across your articles, one especially caught my eye; the Taunton to Chard branch railway, during much of the period from 1938 to 1946 I spent time with my Grandmother whilst my Parents were on war service and I would travel from London to Taunton and catch the Chard train to Thornfalcon, walking from there to Steart Cottages in Lipe Lane. My Grandmother had a Mr.Cox living with her, somewhat of a character who rode a large tricycle and was employed in cleaning out the roadside ditches, he also maintained the many disguised pillboxes with livestock and chimney smoke machines in the area and the cement filled car chassis intended to block the road in the event of an invasion. I have many fond memories of steam trains in England and even collected engine numbers using Ian Allen publications for recording. Thank you so much for your very interesting articles, they  brought back many happy, almost forgotten, memories of a long ago childhood.

Sincerely,
Brian Naylor.

Taunton An 82XXX probably the Chard branch engine . 23rd April 1962 Copyright the late Sid Sponheimer

Arrival at Thornfalcon on the Chard Branch 22nd April 1962 - Copyright the late Sid Sponheimer

Thornfalcon plan Copyright the late John Cornelius. John was signalman here on occasions.

We'd like to hear more - have you any tickets or mementos please.
Many thanks Brian.
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Taunton
Paul Barlow

45137 The Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment on the 1033 Leeds- Paignton 1V86 arrives at Taunton on the 30th July 1981. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul, a lot of freight in evidence.
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