Craigs Report - never a dull moment!
A week at work
Craig Munday
A week at work
Craig Munday
Hi Keith
As we slowly emerge from the dreadful lockdown, the lineside and railways seem to be coming to life once again.
First news of a Locomotive Services Limited (LSL) private charter operating over the Easter period. The Chairman's own train will be running in Cornwall on 2nd / 3rd April as part of a Route wide tour. The 7 coach train will be worked a pair by LSL class 37s (from the pool of 37521 / 667 / 668). The train will travel down to Penzance on Easter Sunday, then operate between Truro and Penzance on Mon 3rd. The train heads back east on Wed, and will make a colourful addition to the mainline over the period. Timings are on Real Time Trains.
The last fortnight has seen us operating Single Line Working between Par & Lostwithiel over the Down main line whilst the Fowey upside river bridge was replaced. For operational purposes, as Pilotman we worked between Par & Bodmin Parkway. I covered the early and night watchman shifts. It was super to witness the class 57s on the Night Riviera in action. The Sleepers called at Lostwithiel, with the train using the down platform, of course which was a rare opportunity to grab some pictures. Some trains were retimed and the clay had an 11.11 departure from Goonbarrow and is seen at Middleway on 24th with 66150.
Finally, a work related trip took to the Midlands last week. This allowed a chance to see the EMR celebrity power car 43102 in action at Leicester. The nearby depot is a haven for vintage locomotives, a hark back to the 1990s with class 37s, 47s, 56s, and 58s in abundance.
Cheers for now, Craig
As we slowly emerge from the dreadful lockdown, the lineside and railways seem to be coming to life once again.
First news of a Locomotive Services Limited (LSL) private charter operating over the Easter period. The Chairman's own train will be running in Cornwall on 2nd / 3rd April as part of a Route wide tour. The 7 coach train will be worked a pair by LSL class 37s (from the pool of 37521 / 667 / 668). The train will travel down to Penzance on Easter Sunday, then operate between Truro and Penzance on Mon 3rd. The train heads back east on Wed, and will make a colourful addition to the mainline over the period. Timings are on Real Time Trains.
The last fortnight has seen us operating Single Line Working between Par & Lostwithiel over the Down main line whilst the Fowey upside river bridge was replaced. For operational purposes, as Pilotman we worked between Par & Bodmin Parkway. I covered the early and night watchman shifts. It was super to witness the class 57s on the Night Riviera in action. The Sleepers called at Lostwithiel, with the train using the down platform, of course which was a rare opportunity to grab some pictures. Some trains were retimed and the clay had an 11.11 departure from Goonbarrow and is seen at Middleway on 24th with 66150.
Finally, a work related trip took to the Midlands last week. This allowed a chance to see the EMR celebrity power car 43102 in action at Leicester. The nearby depot is a haven for vintage locomotives, a hark back to the 1990s with class 37s, 47s, 56s, and 58s in abundance.
Cheers for now, Craig
150238 calls at Bodmin Parkway forming the 2C44 on the 23rd March 2021 Copyright Craig Munday
Single line working 57604 powers the 1A50 at Lostwithiel 23rd March 2021 Copyright Craig Mumday
Single line working 57604 is seen on the 1A50 at Bodmin Parkway on the 23rd March 2021 Copyright Craig Mumday
24th 66150 Middleway 6G09 24th March 2021 Copyright Craig Munday
Definitely out of our area but being Craig we'll allow it! Leicester depot on the 26th March 2021 Copyright Craig Munday
We're sure that nobody would want Craigs Job - but many thanks anyway!!!
Almost 10 years ago on the WSR
Autumn Gala 2011 (3)
Paul Barlow
Autumn Gala 2011 (3)
Paul Barlow
34070 Manston on shed and 5542 1340 to Dunster 29th September 2011 Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul
Manston in
Barry Scrapyard
Phil Smith
Manston at Barry Copyright Phil Smith
Many thanks Phil.
News on Manston
Following collision damge it is hope to get Manston back in service for 2021 - please click on this link for details
Rewe
Ron Kosys
Ron Kosys
33110 seen at Rewe on the 3rd May 1989 with the 7O70 the 16.30 Meldon to Tonbridge. Copyright Ron Kosys
Many thanks Ron
Inny Valley Railway
Andrew and Diane Jones
Andrew and Diane Jones
Dear Keith and Valerie, Please find attached two photographs of the Inny Valley Railway, situated at Trebullet near Launceston. Diane was milk recording at the time and I went along for the ride, which often took us to some amazing places in the early hours.
Both photographs were taken in 1981 and I had forgotten all about them until checking through some paperwork and notes last week.
The railway was established by James Evans who built the private railway in 1968 to the gauge of 1 feet 10 ¾ in 1968.
Two steam locomotives were based at Trebullet, Velinheli built by Hunslet in 1886 and Sybil built by W.G.Bagnall in 1906, originally from Dinorwic Quarry.
On closure in 1987 both locomotives and a carriage were transferred to the Launceston Steam Railway.
Information about the railway is scarce, research online shows a visit by Plymouth Railway Circle in 1978 who travelled in a wagon fitted with old church pews!
Although only 400 metres in length, I remember there were some sidings which you can see in the photographs with a ground signal and a 10 mph speed limit, unfortunately the vegetation had taken over somewhat.
Does anyone have any memories or more photographs please ?
Best wishes Andrew and Diane
Both photographs were taken in 1981 and I had forgotten all about them until checking through some paperwork and notes last week.
The railway was established by James Evans who built the private railway in 1968 to the gauge of 1 feet 10 ¾ in 1968.
Two steam locomotives were based at Trebullet, Velinheli built by Hunslet in 1886 and Sybil built by W.G.Bagnall in 1906, originally from Dinorwic Quarry.
On closure in 1987 both locomotives and a carriage were transferred to the Launceston Steam Railway.
Information about the railway is scarce, research online shows a visit by Plymouth Railway Circle in 1978 who travelled in a wagon fitted with old church pews!
Although only 400 metres in length, I remember there were some sidings which you can see in the photographs with a ground signal and a 10 mph speed limit, unfortunately the vegetation had taken over somewhat.
Does anyone have any memories or more photographs please ?
Best wishes Andrew and Diane
Inny Valley Railway entrance gate 1 1981 Copyright Andrew Jones.
The sign on the gate. Copyright Andrew Jones,
Inny Valley Railway. 1981. Overgrown sidings - note buffer stop. Copyright Andrew Jones.
Try this link for more pictures particularly the 'Pew seat wagon'
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Inny_Valley_Railway
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Inny_Valley_Railway
Many thanks Andrew and Diane - no milk today!!!
Any more memories or pictures please.
Any more memories or pictures please.
N.B. If you are registered for Flickr here is a link to a picture of the pew carriage. https://flic.kr/p/fCkZyv Many thanks Andrew.
David Ward draws our attention to this sad news.
HELSTON RAILWAY VANDALISED
HELSTON RAILWAY VANDALISED
A charity that has been struggling to survive during the Covid-19 pandemic has become the latest target for vandalism in Cornwall.
The Helston Railway, run by the Helston Railway Preservation Society, was hit by the anti-social behaviour when a small group of young people trespassed onto the railway and caused damage to a number of buildings and carriages.
The culprits, who were caught on the railway's CCTV cameras, smashed the windows of carriages, engines and the crew room as well as graffitied bridges and let off fire extinguishers after breaking in to get them.
Perhaps most upsetting though is the smashing of a slate memorial to a past driver of the branch back in its working days.
Police have been informed of the incidents and are in possession of various photographs and other evidence.
Unfortunately, this unacceptable behaviour has come at a time when the Helston Railway has been working to ensure its survival through the Covid-19 pandemic, having just received a a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The grant, which was described by general manager, Colin Savage, as a 'lifesaver' has given the charity the means to pay for utilities as well as some limited standing costs.
Not only that, but the money has also provided the means to carry out vital maintenance and repairs to locomotives, rolling stock, plant and equipment
It will also enable Helston Railway to refurbish items such as boiler tubes for the steam locomotive, William Murdoch, and obtain new panels, paint and window rubbers for a diesel rail car as well as engine work to diggers and dumpers.
While the charity did have some funds left after being forced to close due to coronavirus restrictions, the grant has helped towards other costs for training, professional services and transport for items of rolling stock.
This has now enabled the railway to not just survive but also to be in a good position to face the future and reopen as soon as possible.
With regards to incident, Colin said: "What we would like to see and would very much welcome is youngsters joining us and getting involved in all aspects of running a railway.
"There are great skills to learn and some of our younger group have gone on to university studying rail engineering and suchlike.
"The rail industry is continuing to grow and even the likes of Network Rail recognise our input."
"Looking to the near future we hope to reopen the railway to the public in late June as long as government rules permit.
"There is a new steam loco due to arrive before then which should allow us to have two coach trains and with a new extension to our line the popular buffet cars will be located adjacent to our car park and will be open for longer periods.
"Our own fund raising efforts have not stopped and everyone is working hard to keep income rolling in so that we can keep on growing."
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is a scheme set up to distribute a share of National Lottery funding towards helping a range of heritage projects across the UK.
The Helston Railway, run by the Helston Railway Preservation Society, was hit by the anti-social behaviour when a small group of young people trespassed onto the railway and caused damage to a number of buildings and carriages.
The culprits, who were caught on the railway's CCTV cameras, smashed the windows of carriages, engines and the crew room as well as graffitied bridges and let off fire extinguishers after breaking in to get them.
Perhaps most upsetting though is the smashing of a slate memorial to a past driver of the branch back in its working days.
Police have been informed of the incidents and are in possession of various photographs and other evidence.
Unfortunately, this unacceptable behaviour has come at a time when the Helston Railway has been working to ensure its survival through the Covid-19 pandemic, having just received a a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The grant, which was described by general manager, Colin Savage, as a 'lifesaver' has given the charity the means to pay for utilities as well as some limited standing costs.
Not only that, but the money has also provided the means to carry out vital maintenance and repairs to locomotives, rolling stock, plant and equipment
It will also enable Helston Railway to refurbish items such as boiler tubes for the steam locomotive, William Murdoch, and obtain new panels, paint and window rubbers for a diesel rail car as well as engine work to diggers and dumpers.
While the charity did have some funds left after being forced to close due to coronavirus restrictions, the grant has helped towards other costs for training, professional services and transport for items of rolling stock.
This has now enabled the railway to not just survive but also to be in a good position to face the future and reopen as soon as possible.
With regards to incident, Colin said: "What we would like to see and would very much welcome is youngsters joining us and getting involved in all aspects of running a railway.
"There are great skills to learn and some of our younger group have gone on to university studying rail engineering and suchlike.
"The rail industry is continuing to grow and even the likes of Network Rail recognise our input."
"Looking to the near future we hope to reopen the railway to the public in late June as long as government rules permit.
"There is a new steam loco due to arrive before then which should allow us to have two coach trains and with a new extension to our line the popular buffet cars will be located adjacent to our car park and will be open for longer periods.
"Our own fund raising efforts have not stopped and everyone is working hard to keep income rolling in so that we can keep on growing."
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is a scheme set up to distribute a share of National Lottery funding towards helping a range of heritage projects across the UK.
We would hope that the able bodied of our readers will come forward and offer some help - please do so. Thank you.