A busy day in October 2021. Craig Munday
The Cornwall mainline capacity is a subject which fascinates me. As a youngster spending time in the area, Drivers nearing retirement would regale a gloomy long-term forecast for the railways west of Plymouth, stating that it will most likely become a branch line from Plymouth. This was, in part, justified by the singling of Probus to Burngullow in 1986 when the panel was installed in Par box, adding yet another single line pinch point along the route.
I reflect 35 years later, with many of those characters sadly no longer with us, how they would envisage today’s busy timetable? With the half hourly timetable and increased journey destinations. Direct Plymouth to Penzance services are now in the minority. Exeter and Cardiff are now more in vogue, and the Paddington direct services have actually increased from the mid 1980s. Only Cross Country services seem to have stalled since Covid, and one hopes these vital long distance services may return at some point in the future.
I have no doubt that the men sat around the table with Brylcream In their hair and horned rimmed glasses musing over their plans for rationalisation of the Penzance area in the early 1970s had an equally bleak prognosis for the mainline as the final 2 miles into the terminus was singled from 1973.
I did some musing of my own recently working Penzance box and presided over a remarkably busy period between Marazion and Penzance. Between 12.36 and 14.18 nine trains passed over Long Rock crossing. This included an unscheduled pair of class 150s from St Erth as the branch units had developed a fault and required returning to Penzance. Here's a resumee of the action.
The 06.55 from Gloucester 158747 arrived at 12.44. The 12.50 to Exeter departed shortly after 150232.
The 08.04 from Paddington 802009 arrived at 13.08, followed closely by the 13.15 departure to Plymouth - 158747 off again.
A small lull then til 13.40 when 08.00 from Cardiff arrived with GW11 Castle set which promptly departed again at 13.50 to Plymouth
The pair of empty units were waiting at PZ1 signal at Marazion which arrived in the oil sidings at 14.01, The 12.17 from Plymouth was right behind this arriving at 14.11.
Finally the 14.15 departed eastbound to Paddington at 14.15.
Best wishes, Craig
I reflect 35 years later, with many of those characters sadly no longer with us, how they would envisage today’s busy timetable? With the half hourly timetable and increased journey destinations. Direct Plymouth to Penzance services are now in the minority. Exeter and Cardiff are now more in vogue, and the Paddington direct services have actually increased from the mid 1980s. Only Cross Country services seem to have stalled since Covid, and one hopes these vital long distance services may return at some point in the future.
I have no doubt that the men sat around the table with Brylcream In their hair and horned rimmed glasses musing over their plans for rationalisation of the Penzance area in the early 1970s had an equally bleak prognosis for the mainline as the final 2 miles into the terminus was singled from 1973.
I did some musing of my own recently working Penzance box and presided over a remarkably busy period between Marazion and Penzance. Between 12.36 and 14.18 nine trains passed over Long Rock crossing. This included an unscheduled pair of class 150s from St Erth as the branch units had developed a fault and required returning to Penzance. Here's a resumee of the action.
The 06.55 from Gloucester 158747 arrived at 12.44. The 12.50 to Exeter departed shortly after 150232.
The 08.04 from Paddington 802009 arrived at 13.08, followed closely by the 13.15 departure to Plymouth - 158747 off again.
A small lull then til 13.40 when 08.00 from Cardiff arrived with GW11 Castle set which promptly departed again at 13.50 to Plymouth
The pair of empty units were waiting at PZ1 signal at Marazion which arrived in the oil sidings at 14.01, The 12.17 from Plymouth was right behind this arriving at 14.11.
Finally the 14.15 departed eastbound to Paddington at 14.15.
Best wishes, Craig
Yet another service arrives at Penzance - seen from the box by Craig Munday. Copyright
Many thanks Craig.
Penzance Observations
Diane and Andrew Jones
Diane and Andrew Jones
Firstly please except my apologies for trespassing down west today! Diane and I had to do some shopping in Sainsburys and took the opportunity to park in their extremely handy car park which overlooks the railway.
Castle Class 255 formed of Rougemount Castle 43155 and Kingswear Castle 43158 was stabled in the washing siding, although judging by the rust on its disc brakes it didn’t look like it had moved for a while although 43158 was idling. Topically I am not sure with world leaders discussing climate change, how long they will allow these super power sets to exist! Ride them while you can!
At least they carry proper nameplates which I have attached two photographs unashamedly.
The 13.15 Derby built dmu 158798 passed under the footbridge on time heading for Plymouth while Diane took our Deer Hound ‘Flinty’ for a walk along the coast path.
Best wishes Andrew and Diane
Castle Class 255 formed of Rougemount Castle 43155 and Kingswear Castle 43158 was stabled in the washing siding, although judging by the rust on its disc brakes it didn’t look like it had moved for a while although 43158 was idling. Topically I am not sure with world leaders discussing climate change, how long they will allow these super power sets to exist! Ride them while you can!
At least they carry proper nameplates which I have attached two photographs unashamedly.
The 13.15 Derby built dmu 158798 passed under the footbridge on time heading for Plymouth while Diane took our Deer Hound ‘Flinty’ for a walk along the coast path.
Best wishes Andrew and Diane
43155 Rougemont Castle seen at . Penzance 1st Nov 2021 Copyright Diane and Andew Jones
Castle Class set stored in the washing sidings Penzance. . 1st November 2021. Diane and Andrew Jones.
43158 Kingswear Castle seen at Penzance. 1st November 2021. Copyright Diane and Andrew Jones.
Derby built 158798 departs Penzance for Plymouth. 1st November 2021 Copyright Diane and Andrew Jones
Many thanks Andrew and Diane - glad you enjoyed your visit to the very Far South West.
Virgin Red at
Didcot
Phil Smith
Didcot
Phil Smith
Phil sends us this rather striking view of the Virgin Red HST departing Didcot in 2001. The yard looks quite busy with all manner of stock. Phil also send best wishes for Xmas.
43195 in Virgin livery 2001 departs Didcot Copyright Phil (Shattered) Smith
Many thanks Phil for your picture and also too for your best wishes - and the same to you.
An idyllic evening
Lostwithiel 1987
Martin Baker
Lostwithiel 1987
Martin Baker
A few more photos from my archive depicting an idyllic summers evening at Lostwithiel in June 87.
37196 & 120 have just run round a train from either of the Goonbarrow or Parkandillack branches and will then set back into the down sidings.
50010 then arrives with a down express from Paddington, I couldn't quite sprint fast enough up to what was once the site of the old goods shed to get a complete shot of all three, a vantage point now lost completely.
Kind Regards
Martin Baker
37196 & 120 have just run round a train from either of the Goonbarrow or Parkandillack branches and will then set back into the down sidings.
50010 then arrives with a down express from Paddington, I couldn't quite sprint fast enough up to what was once the site of the old goods shed to get a complete shot of all three, a vantage point now lost completely.
Kind Regards
Martin Baker
Lostwithiel happenings 1 Summer 1987 37196 and 120 have just run round and will set back into the down sidings. Copyright Martin Baker
Lostwithiel happenings 2 Summer 1987 50010 Monarch arrives with a down express. Copyright Martin Baker,
Lostwithiel happenings 3 Summer 1987 50010 departs. Copyright Martin Baker
Lostwithiel happenings 4 Summer 1987 50010 is seen departing. Copyright Martin Baker
Many thanks Martin
Kingskerswell
Ron Kosys
Ron Kosys
47463 seen at Kingskerswell on the 1A42 09.05 Saturdays only Paignton to Paddington. 5th August 1989 Copyright Ron Kosys.