2nd October 2022

46 years ago - the last western to Newquay 
Newquay.
Roger Geach

Saturday 2nd October 1976 will always be recalled by myself as the date the last service train was worked out of Newquay by a Western. This was the very last Summer Saturday of the timetable. 1058 Western Nobleman did the honours that day and myself a few others were on board the 16.58 Newquay to Par local. Formed by the stock off the 1b95 09.50 Paddington to Newquay which 1058 had worked from Plymouth. I was on board this from Par departing at 14.50. I recorded the stock as load 9 vacuum mk1s. This really was the end, I felt very sad knowing that next year 1977 there would be no more Westerns to Newquay or anywhere else. 1056 Western Sultan  worked the China Clay Railtour on Saturday 4th December but that was not a service train. 1041 Western Prince  would have been the very last western up the Newquay branch on clays but only to Goonbarrow Junction during February 1977 as the last Western to work off St Blazey . I last saw 1041 working clay on the 10 Feb 1977. The sun did shine at Newquay for us too which was a surprise as most of Cornwall and most of the branch was in cloud that afternoon. Where has the time gone? 46 years ago now
Cheers

Roger Geach

1058 at Newquay after arriving with the 0950 Paddington - Newquay runs round the stock. 2nd October 1976. Copyright Roger Geach.

Many thanks indeed for your reminder Roger - nearly half a century ago.
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Sixtieth Anniversary Celebrations - not to be missed
Helston Railway
​Colin Savage

We thought we would let you about a plan we have at Helston Railway for November.

On November 3rd it will be the 60th anniversary of the last passenger train to leave Helston but also the 20th anniversary of the setting up of the preservation group who have been working to bring the branch back to life.

We intend to run steam hauled passenger trains during the day as well as a demonstration goods train at selected time for photographers. At 6pm we will have a special train from Prospidnick to Truthall Halt where a band will be performing 1960's music and refreshments will be available. At the exact time of class 22 diesel No. D6312 left Truthall in 1962 our train will be waved off to run back to Prospidnick. Souvenir tickets reproduced from an original will be on sale on the day for this service.

This anniversary gives us the chance to reflect on the past but to also look to the future as we progress further on reviving the line.

Kind regards, Colin Savage,  General manager Helston Railway 

Reminders of that last day - pictures from Michael L. Roach

Class 22 D6312 arrived at Helston with the 10.55am from Gwinear Road. Saturday 3rd November 1962. Copyright Mike Roach

Waiting outside the station was this fine Bristol ready to provide the bus link to The Lizard. The station had been built as a through station with a rail extension to the Lizard in mind. 3rd November 1962 Copyright Mike Roach.

6312 now sits at the head of the train waiting for the return journey to Gwinear Road at 1.15pm. 3rd November 1962 Copyright Mike Roach

Mike travelled down from Plymouth to Gwinear Road on the 7.45am train which had left Paddington at 11.50pm the previous night. The cost was 14 shillings for a day return ticket. The train was hauled by 5934 Kneller Hall with 7 coaches.  From Gwinear Road he caught the 10.55am to Helston on a cheap day return ticket costing 2 shillings and 6 pence. All tickets were collected during a 5 minute stop at Nancegollan. After some 2 hours at Helston he caught the next train back, the 1.15pm as far as Praze where he alighted, using a cheap day return ticket costing 2 shillings and 4 pence. He stayed there long enough to see the 2.10pm from Gwinear Road go through at about 2.17pm. Mike then walked the two and a half miles to Nancegollan along the B3303. He made his last trip on the branch that day on the 3.44pm from Nancegollan to Gwinear Road. Daylight was fading fast as he returned to Plymouth on the 4.42pm from Gwinear Road, the 4.20pm off Penzance, which comprised 8 coaches hauled by an early "Warship" in the D600 series.

These pictures and a lot more are available from our website - Helston Branch.

Nodding donkeys
Cornish Railways
​Guy Vincent

Hello Keith, Keeping the Cornish Railways topic going here is a leaflet advertising the delights of travelling around Cornwall, possibly on a brand new class 142 unit, in 1986. With best regards Guy Vincent

More from the Guy  Vincent Treasure Trove. Many thanks.
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