29th December 2021

Thanks to all
Ken Mumford

Good morning to the Cornwall Railway Society,
I'm sure that I'm not the only one who appreciates the Boxing Day photos taken by intrepide photographers.
Through the CRS website may I put in writing the appreciation of many like-minded railway enthusiasts - thank you.
Joyeux Noël,
Ken Mumford

Thanks from Roger and KJ too.
​

Repeat picture + Wecome comments
Claverton
Ron Kosys

47543 seen at Claverton in the delightful Avon Valley.. Copyright Ron Kosys

Rons picture published just two days ago brought forth some welcome comment - firstly from Guy Vincent and also from Neil Phillips with an eagle eye.

Re Ron K's photo of 47543 passing Claverton in the Avon valley on Wed 11th May 1988.  This working was in fact 1V70 1410 Portsmouth Harbour-Cardiff Central, due at Bath Spa around 1625.  The photo was taken just a few days before the route was taken over by new class 155 'Sprinter' units with limited success. On the same day 155314 and 155327 had worked the 2V56 0550 PMH-CDF and 1O36 1010 Cardiff-Portsmouth, from Monday 18th April this being the first diagrammed 'Sprinter' turn.    Formerly a class 33 stronghold, at the start of 1988 a couple of diagrams on this route went over to class 47 power with the 1007 Bristol TM - Portsmouth Hbr and 1410 return being one such turn.  

Regards, Guy Vincent

I have seen this morning’s colourful entries but it was Ron Kosys’ photo of 47543 passing Claverton in May 1988 which really caught my eye – a five-coach train with three brake vehicles is a rare thing! If I had been the guard I’d have chosen the InterCity-labelled Mark 2 BFK in the middle.....
 
Best regards, and all the best for 2022 – let’s see how it goes.....
 Neil Phillips

Many thanks Guy and Neil - all the best to you both.
​

All Quiet on the western front at
Long Rock
Mark Lynam

​I have attached some photos of the trains at Longrock depot on Boxing day in the sunshine.
Thanks, Mark Lynam

150239 150238 150216 Longrock TMD (1) 26th December 2021. Copyright Mark Lynam

800304 802101 802022 802021 Longrock TMD (3) 26th December 2021. Copyright Mark Lynam.

800304 802101 802022 802021 Longrock TMD 26th December 2021. Copyright Mark Lynam.

Many thanks Mark - a very pleasant afternoon for a stroll.
​

Cullompton
Paul Barlow

45077 on an un identified special passes the derelict Cullompton station. This area is now occupied by Cullompton motorway se 7th April 1980. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul - Cullompton station closed  5th October 1964.
​

Flood Relief Scheme (1)
Cowley Bridge
Richard Watts

​Dear Keith,
 
We have now completed our video, “Cowley Bridge Junction: Rivers, Railways & Floods”. It is now on YouTube; the link is:
https://youtu.be/KIPyESW5S70
We hope you find it interesting and that you will be able to post the link on the Cornwall Railway Society website. I assume it will be relevant to the Society’s interests!
 
With best wishes for 2022,
 
Richard Watts & John Bolton.

This is an extremely high quality video - well worth watching and is highly recommended. Everything is explained in great detail with pictures of Richard himself and various other significant contractors at various points in the worksite.  Superb quality of the railway and motive power.
​

Flood Relief Scheme (2)
Hele Bridge
David Ward

 Hello Keith

Very interesting.
Network Rail has submitted a planning application to combat flooding of the railway at Hele, eight miles northeast of Exeter.
The application has been submitted to Mid Devon District Council, and if approved, a £7.2m scheme will replace two road bridges and re-profile the floodplain, which will reduce the frequency and duration of flooding and help prevent a vital link to the South West being cut off. The proposals are part of a wider package of work to reduce flooding on the Great Western main line through Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall.
If planning consent is granted, work is due to start on-site in the spring/summer of 2022. The present bridge over the River Culm in Station Road, Hele will be replaced with a viaduct, increasing the flow of water through the structure. A new access bridge to Devon Valley Mill will also be built, subject to agreement with the mill owners.
While the new bridges are being built, Station Road will need to be closed for approximately eight months, with a diversion via Bradninch towards Cullompton and along the B3181.
Network Rail is working with the local bus company to ensure a suitable service is maintained. Access will be provided through the worksite for pedestrians and cyclists to enable them to continue using the level crossing.
The proposals do not involve any work to the railway itself, and train services will not be affected.
“As well as providing more reliable services for passengers and freight as we recover from the pandemic, the scheme will improve Station Road for users and generally cut the frequency and duration of flooding for businesses close to the level crossing in Hele.
“We have been engaging with the community to evaluate options and to review our flood modelling and we would like to thank them for their invaluable input. We are committed to getting this scheme right.
“We appreciate that if the work goes ahead, it will cause disruption for the people of Hele and Bradninch and we’ll do all we can to keep this to a minimum.”
Anyone who wishes to view or comment on the application should do so by visiting the planning section of Mid Devon District Council’s website at http://middevon.gov.uk.
More information on the proposals is available at http://networkrail.co.uk/hele
Very interesting.
David Ward.

It was purely by chance that notice was received by us of two Flood Relief Schemes - one completed and one proposed on the same day.

Many thanks to David Ward who also writes-

• ​​I am back at Hospital on Friday for a Biopsy as the previous procedure was not conclusive. A very quiet Christmas for the first time in many years, no children here or to visit. The weather has been miserable, cold, wet, damp, grey.

May I take this opportunity to Wish You and Everybody Best Wishes Many thanks and bst of luck - from us all.and For A More Hopeful New Year.
David.

Many thanks David and the best of luck.
​