6th October 2020

Re 'The Westerns'
Andrew Todman

Dear Keith, Having just stumbled across this youtube clip, I thought you might be interested in adding it to the references on the Cornwall railway Society youtube page. Although it is silent, it resonated very much with me as it rekindled many memories from my childhood in the hydraulic era.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WM5Gee0UtM

By the by, I notice that the last time we corresponded it was concerning a query I had concerning the identity of the Westerns at the 1972 Laira Open day. I am delighted to say that I found my own copy of the event programme for that same event, almost 50 years ago now. Just for fun,
Wishing you well, Andrew Todman

Many thanks for writing Andrew - the video taken in 1974 by Nick Tozer  is interesting and worth a look just to see what changes have occurred. There is also attached a further video of a ride from St Ives to St Erth from the cab of a DMU,

The Rilo Train at Cockwood
Roger Salter

66846 on the Westbury to Goodrington passing Cockwood Harbour during a slight break in the weather

66846 Copyright Roger Salter

66846 with the RILO fugro equipment attached passes Cockwood Harbour. Copyright Roger Salter

Todays News - Lifting
Weymouth Street Tramway

Work started today 5th October 2020 on removing Weymouths Street Tramway. For those of us who rode on it or followed the trains, another piece of history is on its way out.
A quote from BBC Teletext :- A 155 year old railway line in Dorset is being "wiped out' without a good bye" a campaigner has said.
Weymouth Harbour's tramway tracks which have been disused since 1999, are being lifted.
Train driver Andy Christie wanted to run a velocipede - a pump bicycle? - a 'pump trolley' along the rails before they were pulled up but said that this event was not supported by Dorset Council. The authority said that organising such an event would take 13 weeks!!! One cannot see why such an event would take more that a few hours to organise !!!

You will find a very interesting piece on the Weymouth Street Tramway courtesy of Wikipedia if you click here.
Or maybe take a look at the range of pictures on this website - click here.

 Dawlish Warren Yesterday
Roger Salter

641A 08.24 Newton Abbot West Junction to Eastleigh West Yard passing Dawlish Warren. Copyright Roger Salter

Photograph Copyright Roger Salter

Photograph Copyright Roger Salter

Thanks Roger

Classic scene near
Bedwyn
Roger Geach

Near Bedwyn/ 35028 with the 08.45 London Victoria to Bath Pullman. alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal. Wednesday 13th May 2015 Copyright Roger Geach

Footnote - The steam is taken about  one mile out of Great Bedwyn heading towards Crofton Pumping engines on the Crofton road from Bedwyn and beside the canal. It is past Mill Bridge and not far from where Brail Farm is on the Hill . It is about half a mile still further on to Crofton roughly.
Glad you like it. No hurry with these as when you have time. They did a good job getting the canal restored.  Roger G - at 08.17 this morning.

Many thanks Roger.
​You'll be delighted to hear that there are more to follow.

Road relief coach at
Meeth Halt
Roger Winnen

A coach stands alongside Meeth Halt on the 30th December 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen.

Many thanks Roger. 
​N.B. Rail services withdrawn w.e.f 1st  March 1965.