5th November 2022

An unusual view of shadows in the Carnon Valley
​Falmouth Branch
PJ

It’s the 4th November 2022 as a class 150 (See its shadow) providing the 08.15 Truro to Falmouth service crosses the 756’ long and 96’ high Carnon Viaduct. The shadows formed by the current viaduct, constructed in 1930 can be seen on the valley floor and additionally the shadows of Brunels original Cornwall Railway viaduct. The original (Class A2) timber viaduct deck was supported on a fan of timbers originating from the top of the masonry pillars. (For further information and photographs please see ‘Brunels Cornish Viaducts; by the late John Binding). Below can be seen the waterlogged valley once an extension of Restronguet Creek which at the time of first viaducts construction was already clogged with sand to a depth of 200’. The Redruth and Chasewater Railway was the first railed traffic in the area carrying ore from the mines at it upper end and timber in the reverse direction from the port of Devoran. The course of this line which is not easily discernible in this view was along the left hand side of the valley floor and is now a tarmacked road. This railway opened in 1825 and closed in 1915. The photograph taken from the train was the best possible though the glass – oh for the return of drop down windows! Copyright PJ.

The Pirates of Penzance
Fragonset Charter
Lancaster to Penzance
Leslie Curnow

21st July 2001 45112 Royal Army Ordnance Corp approaching Penzance on the Pirates of Penzance Railtour from Lancaster which departed at 04.30. Copyright Leslie Curnow

45112 On Platform 1 at Penzance. Copyright Leslie Curnow

In the siding at Long Rock receiving attention. Copyright Leslie Curnow.

45112 at the stop blocks on Platform 1 at Penzance. The driver that day was Nick Perrin who died recently being a volunteer on the South Devon Railway and a Plymouth Argyle fan. His last journey was on the South Devon Railway. Copyright Leslie Curnow

Fragonset 31459 Cerbemus tailed the train from Lancaster and is seen at Long Rock before returning with the the railtour assisting from the rear when the Peek failed in the Bristol area. This tour was then terminated at Crewe. Copyright Leslie Curnow

31459 At Long Rock. Copyright Leslie Curnow

Many Thanks Leslie

Then and now at 
Millbrook
Mick House

In these two views we see the old concrete footbridge which once spanned all of the tracks at this location and the replacement bridge.

Millbrook 17th November 2018 Copyright Mick House

Millbrook 1st November 2022 Copyright Mick House

The QM 2 at 
Millbrook
Mick House

A couple of shots of Queen Mary 2 from Millbrook station. Taken 1st November 2022.
1) Queen Mary 2 with 66 777 ANNETTE passing.
2) Queen Mary 2 in the middle of a freightliner set.
Regards Mick

2. Queen Mary 2 seen though a gap in a passing freightiner set. 1st November 2022. Copyright Mick House

Totton & Redbridge Junction
Mick House

Last two offerings of the day, RHTT. Both shots taken 1st November 2022.

1) DR 98977 with DR 98927 at the rear, they have just come from Weymouth with the crew changing ends at Totton station and are now crossing from the up line to the down, as they pass Totton yard heading for the Fawley branch.
2) Having traversed the Fawley branch the pair are crossing Redbridge Junction, this time with DR 98927 leading and DR 98977 on the rear, as they head for Southampton.
Regards Mick 

1) DR98977 1st November 2022. Copyright Mick House

2) DR98927 1st November 2022. Copyright Mick House

Many thanks Mick for all six of your views taken when you returned to your old haunts.
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