29th September 2019

70807 & 70812 at Crediton
Alan Peters

 On the night of Saturday 21st September Colas Rail Freight class 70's visited the Barnstaple Branch with ballast for Umberleigh, seen waiting for the engineering possession at Crediton is 70807 top and tailed with 70812 with 15 loaded Falcon wagons. Alan Peters.
                          Many thanks Alan

70807 with 15 loaded Falcon and 70812 out of view on the rear at Crediton station. Copyright Alan Peters

Today
Westbury
Guy Vincent

​There was an unexpected bonus at Westbury today when one of the GWR slam-door 'classic' short-set HST formations was sent this way due to engineering works at Uphill Junction.  43156 with 43172 'Harry Patch' working 5Z55 1218 Bristol St Philips Marsh-Laira slowly approaching the north junction where a halt is made to allow a class 158 through on a Cardiff-bound working.

                           Guy Vincent            Many thanks Guy  

Hawkeridge sees 43156 & 43172 on the 5Z55 1218 St Phillips Marsh - to Laira. on the 29th September 2019. Copyright Guy Vincent.

43156 approaches Westbury North with the 5Z55 the 12.18 St Phillips Marsh to Laira with 158955 on the 1Z16 12.48 WMN to Cardiff working. 29th September 2019. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Today
​RHTT to Falmouth
Mark Lynam & Mick House

​Today saw the first RHTT working down the Falmouth Branch of the season in typical Cornish mizzle.
Thanks,   Mark Lynam. 
Congratulations Mark & Mick for the first sighting on our website for this autumn.

66 160 passes through Truro Station with the RHTT having come from St Blazey on its way to Falmouth. Copyright Mick House.

66 168 on the rear of the RHTT passing through Truro Station. Copyright Mick House.

66160+66168 working 3J15 0805 St Blazey LIP to Par via Falmouth Docks, approaching Trewedna Lane overbridge. 09.04 29th September 2019.Copyright Mark Lynam,

150246 at Perranwell working the first passenger service of the day 2F73 the 0909 Truro to Falmouth Docks. 09.18 29th September 2019, Copyright Mark Lynam

66 168 about to pass through Perranwell Station with the RHTT on its way back to St Blazey,note the pigeon that was spooked by the train to the far right of the shot. Copyright Mick House.

66160+66168 passing Perranwell on their return journey. It's 09.41 on the 29th September 2019. Copyright Mark Lynam.

66 160 on the rear of the RHTT as it passes through Perranwell Station with Mark Lynam in blue standing on the bridge having taken the last shot. Copyright Mick House.

Lynton & Barnstaple Gala
Roger Winnen

A group of four went to the Lynton & Barnstaple Steam Gala on Saturday 28th September 2019.  The weather forecast was not good for the afternoon however we had sunshine most of the way to Barnstaple by train. Leaving Barnstaple on the Filers Bus to Woody Bay the heavens opened for our 40 minute journey.  On arrival at Woody Bay the rain ceased for the remainder of our visit only to return on our journey back to Barnstaple for the 17.10 to Exeter and the 18.46 Cross Country service Exeter St David's to Penzance which terminated at Plymouth owing to a shortage of train crews. An hour was spent in the blustery conditions at Plymouth awaiting the next train home at 20.46 hrs. However it was a day to remember!

190928a On arrival at Woody Bay we see Lyn built in 2017 departing with the 12 noon train to Killington Lane the present terminus. Copyright Roger Winnen

190928aa 188 Lyd based at the Ffestiniog returns with the mixed train at Woody Bay. Copyright Roger Winnen

190928b 188 Lyd arrives at Killington Lane with the 13.00 service from Woody Bay. Copyright Roger Winnen

190928bb 762 Lyn awaits departure from Killington Lane. Copyright Roger Winnen

190928c Woody Bay Station with the engine shed in the distance. Copyright Roger Winnen

190928d Oiling the motion of Lyd prior to departure at Woody Bay. Copyright Roger Winnen

190928e A nice departing scene of Lyd. Copyright Roger Winnen

190928f The engineering trains stabled on the approaches to Woody Bay Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

190928g Lyn bearing a wreath with Isaac on the next train to Killington Lane. Copyright Roger Winnen

190928h Departure to Killington Lane. Copyright Roger Winnen

190928i Activity on the station yard with Axe giving rides for a fiver. Copyright Roger Winnen

190928j Awaiting our bus back to Barnstaple Railway Station we see the 14.52 arrival. Copyright Roger Winnen

Davey's Bridge
Clive Smith

Colas 70810 passes Daveys Cross to the east of Ivybridge station with the 6C36 07.55 Moorswater - Aberthaw cements. Although cloudy, drizzly and blustery there was some bright sun between the clouds. Camera light levels were constantly varying as the clouds rolled along and the sun peeked out now and again. Fingers crossed from some sun and glorious autumnal colours in the coming months.  

              Regards,  Clive Smith.    Many thanks Clive.

Cement, Daveys Bridge Ivybridge 70810 26th Sept 2019 Copyright Clive Smith

Reflections on Names
Karl Hewlett

In regards to the recent article and the statement 'although not used a far more appropriate name would be 'Carn Brea Castle', there actually was a Carn Brea Castle, 7015 was it's running number!  The reason why the GWR and the later BR built examples used names of castles that were a considerable distance away from any running line, was the fact Swindon were vastly running out of actually castles in their territory to name their engines despite having running powers to Birkenhead.  Some of these castles were no more than a few stones of ruin, but as they are within the GWR boundaries were used.  Another trick the GWR did was to re-use nameplates taken off one engine and reuse it later on another, the wartime renaming of some engines such as 5072 Hurricane from Compton Castle is one example and the earlier renaming of Earl's, such as preserved 5051 Earl Bathurst are another.  Take 5051 for example originally named Drysllwyn Castle, renamed Earl Bathurst, but later BR built 7018 took up the name Drysllwyn Castle!  There are one or two exceptions such as 7007 renamed Great Western, this was done because it was the last express passenger engine built by the GWR.

This was problem of running out of 'local' names partially due to the publicity stunts the GWR like to do using building's such as Manors, Granges and Halls, in fact some of the Hall names used the building itself was actually in a county far away from the GWR such as Yorkshire, well into GNR and NER territory!

   Regards, Karl (Friends Of Penmere Station).   Many thanks Karl

Also see    http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_cas_castle7.htm

North Cornwall Demolition
Michael Manning

CRS member Mike Manning has asked whether anyone can supply dates of track lifting on the North Cornwall Railway and on the Okehampton-Bude line.  He's happy for his request to appear on the web site and for his email address to be given:
[email protected]

Further to the above
Tony Hill

​Many thanks to Tony Hill who copied to me his reply to Michael Manning Please if you can supply additional help it would be very much appreciated by Michael Manning.

I am pretty sure the line from Meldon Jn towards Hawill Jn  etc had been lifted by the time the Meldon Jn to Bere Alston track recovery by Engrs trains for reusable and scrap rails, scrap chairs and concrete sleepers ( wood slprs despatched by lorry to merchants for agricultural etc use) started in about Aug 1969.

I remember seeing in about 1967 lots of open wagons in Okehampton Up ( Military) sdgs being loaded with sleepers from the North Cornwall line recovery, possibly for reuse elsewhere.

Shortly after the N.Cornwall lines  closed in Oct 66, the BR Plymouth Dist Engr organised the recovery by Engrs train about 1/4 mile of concrete sleepered track (that had only been laid a few years earlier )  on the Wadebridge side of Halwill Jn for reuse elsewhere.   I have read of this somewhere.

I have also seen pics of recovery trains in 1967  between Halwill Jn and Wadebridge worked by a BR 204hp class 03 DSL shunter.
see ' Launceston Then ' website .

Possibly contact the Cornwall Rly Soc and Google/ contact the Launceston Rly Circle  as some members may have more info etc.

I have copied this to Keith Jenkin of the CRS as he / other 'seniors' of the CRS may well have some info and even
Photos of the North Cornwall lines track recovery and associated Engrs trains etc.

Regards,  Tony Hill.

It's nice to be referred to as a 'senior', thanks for that Tony, I personally don't have any other material on those lines other than that which is already on this web site.  KJ