6th April 2021

6/4/2021

Stunning views
St Ives Branch
Mark Lynam

150238+150244 pass Lelant working 2A14 1053 St Ives to St Erth. Copyright Mark Lynam

150238+150244 above Porthkidney Sands beach working 2A20 1233 St Ives to St Erth. Copyright Mark Lynam

Many Thanks Mark

Ponsandane Signal Box
May 1973
Roger Winnen

730505a Barriers installed at Pondandane Sinal Box with old railway equiptment visible. Ponsandane & Long Rock Signal Boxes closed on 23rd June 1974 when the main line was signalled from Penzance to Marazion Copyright Roger Winnen

730531b Ponsandane Signal Box. Copyright Roger Winnen

Cowley Bridge
Ron Kosys

33106 at Cowley Bridge Jct on the 5th July 1988 with the 7O70 the 11.20 Meldon-Eastleigh Ballast. Copyright Ron Kosys

Many thanks Ron.

Westbury Depot & Recycling
Guy Vincent

Another visit to the locked gate at the secondary exit from the up yard at Westbury on the site of the former stabling point buildings. Diesel 56094 was present, stabled in the exact spot where 30 plus years ago it was normal to find these locos between duties. The newly relocated refuelling tanks are to the left of the '56' while to the right and beyond are more sidings and the Network Rail Recycling Yard. Here redundant track components are delivered from across the country for reuse or recycling. A sizeable ballast 'virtual quarry' is at the far end next to the line as it curves away towards Fairwood Junction. New ballast is currently received from Cliffe Hill Stud Farm Quarry in Leicestershire and then loaded onto trains for delivery out to where it is needed. Portions of the Fairwater (Taunton) based HOBC sets generally arrive here 3-4 times a week for refilling. This yard sent out most if not all of the new materials used during the recent major renewals in west Cornwall and received back the old track and ballast for disposal.

Waste ballast is brought in and unloaded by excavators onto a large heap in the 'new' sidings at the south end of the down yard. It is screened, cleaned and graded then sold back into the construction and aggregate industries. Much goes out by road but some departs by train. Southampton Up Yard (Bevois Park) and Willesden South West Sidings are both destinations currently receiving deliveries with DC Rail (owned by the Cappagh Group of companies) dealing with the Willesden traffic with their fleet of new JNA box wagons and recently overhauled class 60 locos. The latter can almost be considered as new, so high is the standard of finish. Plenty more waiting to be treated at Toton...

Guy Vincent