Penultimate Weekend of
HST's on the Newquay branch
Clive Smith
HST's on the Newquay branch
Clive Smith
A busy day of photography on Saturday 1st September 2018. Many pictures and videos taken recording for posterity the 08.57 Plymouth to Newquay and return 11.30 Newquay to Paddington. Honours were provided by power cars 43191 and the colourful 43027.
(1) Refreshments are loaded into a proper buffet car at Plymouth station as the 08.57 to Newquay is displayed on the indicator.
(2) The service has the road from the Newquay platform at Par. The signal box and semaphores are nicely reflected on the side of the HST.
(3) The token has been collected from St Blazey box.
(4) The HST passes under Treffry Viaduct on the climb through Luxulyan valley.
(5) Crossing the 09.35 Newquay to Newcastle Cross Country voyager at Goonbarrow Junction as the signalman transfers the token between trains. Will XC still be running HSTs to the resort next summer ?
(6) 43191 on the blocks at Newquay amidst the palm trees.
(7) View of the 11.30 to Paddington from the concourse at Newquay.
(8) The much changed Newquay station with now solitary platform. Gauging tests have been completed by Network Rail and the station awaits its first IET in the near future.
(9) 43027 with its 90 Glorious Years transfers leads the 11.30 to Paddington.
(10) Passing the 09.46 Exeter St Davids to Newquay at Goonbarrow Junction. This train is a double sprinter set running in the path of a former Paddington to Newquay service. Could GWR Castle 2+4 sets appear at the resort in the future ?
Regards Clive Smith Many thanks Clive
(1) Refreshments are loaded into a proper buffet car at Plymouth station as the 08.57 to Newquay is displayed on the indicator.
(2) The service has the road from the Newquay platform at Par. The signal box and semaphores are nicely reflected on the side of the HST.
(3) The token has been collected from St Blazey box.
(4) The HST passes under Treffry Viaduct on the climb through Luxulyan valley.
(5) Crossing the 09.35 Newquay to Newcastle Cross Country voyager at Goonbarrow Junction as the signalman transfers the token between trains. Will XC still be running HSTs to the resort next summer ?
(6) 43191 on the blocks at Newquay amidst the palm trees.
(7) View of the 11.30 to Paddington from the concourse at Newquay.
(8) The much changed Newquay station with now solitary platform. Gauging tests have been completed by Network Rail and the station awaits its first IET in the near future.
(9) 43027 with its 90 Glorious Years transfers leads the 11.30 to Paddington.
(10) Passing the 09.46 Exeter St Davids to Newquay at Goonbarrow Junction. This train is a double sprinter set running in the path of a former Paddington to Newquay service. Could GWR Castle 2+4 sets appear at the resort in the future ?
Regards Clive Smith Many thanks Clive
Picture (1) 1st September 2018 Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture (2) 1st September 2018 Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture (3) 1st September 2018 Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture (4) 1st September 2018 Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture (5) 1st September 2018 Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture (6) 1st September 2018 Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture (7) 1st September 2018 Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture (8) 1st September 2018 Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture (9) 1st September 2018 Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture (10) 1st September 2018 Copyright Clive Smith.
Next weekend will be the last for GWR HST's on the Newquay branch, but please not a rush to send in your pictures at the same locations as above.
Victorian Trainspotting
Roy Hart
Roy Hart
How many travellers on the Cornish main line (railway enthusiasts among them) are aware of what was the ultimate trainspotting venue?
On the up side, three quarters of a mile or so beyond the site of Grampound Road station, is the ancient Barton of Trenowth, still the site of a busy farm today.
In 1859, the landowner, fascinated and taken by the prospect of the trains which now regularly passed his property with the opening of the Cornwall Railway, decided to build for himself a permanent structure in which to sit and watch the trains.
A Victorian folly with pointed roof, decorative corbels and finials stands to this day among the trees of Barn Wood, part of the extensive Trenowth woods, only about 40 yards from the up main. Today it is roofless and invisible from passing trains –obscured by the vegetation which has blanked off so much of the lineside view in recent decades.
Imagine, if you will, an old Victorian gentleman retiring to his woodland hideaway, - just to watch the trains!
On the up side, three quarters of a mile or so beyond the site of Grampound Road station, is the ancient Barton of Trenowth, still the site of a busy farm today.
In 1859, the landowner, fascinated and taken by the prospect of the trains which now regularly passed his property with the opening of the Cornwall Railway, decided to build for himself a permanent structure in which to sit and watch the trains.
A Victorian folly with pointed roof, decorative corbels and finials stands to this day among the trees of Barn Wood, part of the extensive Trenowth woods, only about 40 yards from the up main. Today it is roofless and invisible from passing trains –obscured by the vegetation which has blanked off so much of the lineside view in recent decades.
Imagine, if you will, an old Victorian gentleman retiring to his woodland hideaway, - just to watch the trains!
I am most grateful to Roy for sending in this item and did a little bit of research myself using what maps are available but I'm afraid that I can find not a trace. If anybody can enlighten us as to the actual location I would be delighted to hear from you. KJ
Meldon 69
John Thorn
John Thorn
Meldon from underneath when it was still carrying trains - June 1969. Copyright John Thorn
Steam Yesterday
Clive Smith
Clive Smith
Following a troubled day on Sunday's Royal Duchy, 34046 with support coach passes Totnes station. The masquerading West Country class handed the return train over to 37668 from Plymouth and retired to Laira for the night. 3rd September 2018. Copyright Clive Smith
Goonbarrow Jct.
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius. Note the long rake of clay hoods in the background.
Copyright John Cornelius. Many of the structures which form the background to both these views have been demolished,