31st May 2020

The 2007 Great Britain Railtour heads through Camborne 
Leslie Curnow

070407a 6024 King Edward 1 together with 5051 Earl Bathurst hauls the Great Britain 2007 Railtour through Camborne on route to Bristol Temple Meads. Copyright Leslie Curnow

070407b Plenty of interest at Camborne as the Great Britain heads away. Copyright Leslie Curnow.

Thanks Leslie

Then and Now 
The CRS China Clay Rambler
Roger Winnen

Its now over 30 years ago that the Cornwall Railway Society ran its China Rambler on Saturday 28th April 1990. A lunch break was made at Lostwithiel where our 5 car DMU entered the former branch line platform famous for 1419 running the service from Lostwithiel to Fowey.
To the best of our knowledge the CRS China Clay Rambler was the last train to use the branch platform.
The sidings at Lostwithiel Station has seen little use over the last twenty years as the china clay trains now with over 30 wagons use the loops at the eastern end of the station.

Lunch break at Lostwithiel Station with the CRS China Clay Ramler on Saturday 28th April 1990. Copyright Roger Winnen

The same scene taken yesterday 30th May 2020 with the rails completely overgrown. Copyright Roger Winnen

Can you see yourself as the draw for the raffle which was organised by Peter Butt who can be seen addressing the multituted in hopeful anticipation. Copyright Roger Winnen

Viewed from the road crossing our train is seen stabled in the branch platform. Copyright Roger Winnen

The scene from the same view point yesterday. How things have changed. Copyright Roger Winnen

Two on the
Portishead Branch
Alan Peters

Alan writes :- 

Picture (1) With the light fading, GBRf 66719 'Metroland' is on hire to Fastline Freight at Portbury Dock being loaded with imported coal for Ratcliffe Power Station on 26th January 2009, the rail coal loading facility is well hidden from view by a large bank which prevents coal dust landing on the new stored cars!

Picture (2) Fastline Freight 66303 with a coal train from Portbury Docks to Ratcliffe Power Station stands at the end of the single line staff section at the former Ashton Gate Halt on the 2nd April 2009, the graphitised token hut can be seen on the right.   Both - Copyright Alan Peters 

66719 stands at Portbury Dock loading imported coal for Ratcliffe Power station 16.52 26th January 2009. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

66303 stands at the former Ashton Gate Halt 18.07 2nd April 2009 Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

Many thanks Alan - rare photographs of a rare working long ago.

Mount Gould
Clive Smith

These Laira 37s had just backed on to the rear of the 1Z21 05.15 Crewe - Fowey  railtour. The tour's main loco was 40025 which had brought the train to the platforms of the carriage and washing plant between Laira and Friary. The 37s were just opening up for the climb around Lipson curve to bring the tour onto the main line.

Regards, Clive Smith

37299 and 37206 The Western Whistler at Mount Gould. 19th September 1982. Copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks Clive - another 'rare cop'

West Somerset Railway News.

It is not a pleasure to draw your attention to the problems which the West Somerset Railway is currently facing, however, their rescue fund is growing and there is hope.  We wish them all the very best with that very fine railway.  To see the press release please click here;