All change
Craig Munday
Craig Munday
Hi Keith
It's been a busy March with a nice variety of MOM and box shifts lately. From Clay Country to St Erth, it's been great to travel the Duchy, even if 12 hour shifts are now the norm in most cases.
I also dipped into Devon as the 50s made a fine sight up at Okehampton on 26th.
Some sheep on the line saw me visit Moorswater on Mothering Sunday, and a fine hedgerow of buttercups and primroses made a super foreground for a GWR service (800312 1C77) on the beautiful viaduct.
Mon 28th I was at St Erth noting 57603 on the down sleepers and also my first visit since the new branch platform extension had been completed. A five car unit will certainly be nearer the signal when these operate.
From the mainline to the branch next shift, and a decidedly colder start than those of late saw day break with 66165 looking rather desolate in the sidings at Goonbarrow behind the box as the sun made the thinnest of appearances.
Best wishes, Craig.
It's been a busy March with a nice variety of MOM and box shifts lately. From Clay Country to St Erth, it's been great to travel the Duchy, even if 12 hour shifts are now the norm in most cases.
I also dipped into Devon as the 50s made a fine sight up at Okehampton on 26th.
Some sheep on the line saw me visit Moorswater on Mothering Sunday, and a fine hedgerow of buttercups and primroses made a super foreground for a GWR service (800312 1C77) on the beautiful viaduct.
Mon 28th I was at St Erth noting 57603 on the down sleepers and also my first visit since the new branch platform extension had been completed. A five car unit will certainly be nearer the signal when these operate.
From the mainline to the branch next shift, and a decidedly colder start than those of late saw day break with 66165 looking rather desolate in the sidings at Goonbarrow behind the box as the sun made the thinnest of appearances.
Best wishes, Craig.
50007 at Okehampton 26th March 2022 Copyright Craig Munday
Moorswater 800312 1C77 27th March 2022 Copyright Craig Munday
St Erth on the 28th March 2022. Copyright Craig Munday
St Erth, note lengthened platform. 28th March 2022. Copyright Craig Munday.
Goonbarrow 66165 at rest. 29th March 2022. Copyright Craig Munday
Many thanks for your round up Craig - very interesting material.
Departing
Plymouth
Nick Trudgian
Plymouth
Nick Trudgian
The sun makes for a striking view as 50011 'Centurion' leaves Plymouth North Road with a 9-coach train inc a parcels Mk1 BG. Copyright Nick Trudgian.
Many thanks Nick.
Combe Jct. Pt 2
Andrew and Diane Jones
Andrew and Diane Jones
The Looe Valley Line has always ranked high up in my listings, for retention of those GWR characteristics which were abundant in the 1960’s but have largely disappeared from the modern network.
Photograph 1, depicts the current advertising, so reminiscent of Stanhope Forbes famous original art works, complimenting the chocolate and brown woodwork frame and sums up those pre war lazy days of ‘Castle and Kings’ , Cornish crabbers and ice cream. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.
Photograph 2, illustrates the solitary nature of Combe platform, stripped of much of the daytime service, its no wonder that its claim to fame is one of the UK least used stations, but local supporters have tried to up its profile and it remains defiant to faceless railway accountants! Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.
hotograph 3, The shape of things to come, (possibly???) my fully electric Vauxhall Mokka parked next to Victorian infrastructure, which will probably out last the governments half hearted approach to the green revolution. Vauxhall claim my car will do 200 miles on one charge but don’t tell you that if you turn the heating on, drive above 50 mph and the winds in the wrong direction you will be lucky to cover 100 miles, Brunel would turn in his grave! Opps! I digress, Combe Junction platform has two entrances this one is at Lamellion. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.
Photograph 4, Here is the other entrance, adjacent the site of the original signal box. I wonder why warning signs still carry illustrations of long gone steam locomotives, surely confusing for younger generations! The gates now form an occupation crossing and rely on manual opening and closure. Up until 1956 these gates were wheel operated from inside the signalbox. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.
Coombe Jct looking north with the signamans motor bike parked under-the steps. Note the Crossing Gate wheel can be seen inside the box. 1948 Copyright the late John Vines
Many thanks Andrew - we look forward to parts 3 & 4.
Bodriggy Bridge
Paul Roach
Paul Roach
Bodriggy Bridge. 22nd March 2022. Copyright Paul Roach.
Bodriggy Bridge. Not much in the way of a low bridge warning. 22nd March 2022. Copyright Paul Roach.
The vandalised bridge location sign. Bodriggy Bridge. 22nd March 2022. Copyright Paul Roach.
The much clearer new sign. Bodriggy Bridge. 22nd March 2022. Copyright Paul Roach.
Bodriggy Bridge is actually two independent bridges located side by side.. 22nd March 2022. Copyright Paul Roach.
And finally a view of Bodriggy bridge from and up Cross Country train. Bodriggy Bridge. 22nd March 2022. Copyright Paul Roach.
Many thanks Paul - thanks for your coverage.Hope you had a good visit to Birmingham.