Chacewater - Newquay line.
Railtour on Treamble Branch
Derek Brooks
Railtour on Treamble Branch
Derek Brooks
This is the last of the current sequence of pictures kindly sent for our use by Derek Brooks, Recorder of the Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society.
These pictures feature Mr. Brock who was once Foreman on the maintenance gang of the Chacewater to Newquay line and of course the Treamble Branch. We cannot date these pictures accurately but it was officially closed wef 1st January 1952. The last revenue earning traffic being carried on the 8th August 1949. The branch was lifted wef 31st March 1956. Whether Mr Brock and his gang were having a last trip (Railtour) on the line after closure and before lifting is not known. It is understood that the line did have at least one troop train during WW2,
These pictures feature Mr. Brock who was once Foreman on the maintenance gang of the Chacewater to Newquay line and of course the Treamble Branch. We cannot date these pictures accurately but it was officially closed wef 1st January 1952. The last revenue earning traffic being carried on the 8th August 1949. The branch was lifted wef 31st March 1956. Whether Mr Brock and his gang were having a last trip (Railtour) on the line after closure and before lifting is not known. It is understood that the line did have at least one troop train during WW2,
Mr. Brock on an inspection trolley, we are just on the Treamble branch - the distant bridge provided access to a farm. Copyright Mrs, Brock.
Another shot of Mr. Brock this time seated on a Wickham Trolley. Behind the Wickham shed can be seen the back of the Newquay bound platform at Shepherds station. Copyright Mrs. Brock.
The 'gems' continue as Mr. Brock and his gang are photographed probably somewhere on the Treamble branch. Copyright Mrs. Angela Brock.
Mr, Brock again, this time on the inspection trolley carrying a passenger - maybe a member of the public - a friend. The rails are very rusty. There were several bridges on the line quite where this one is is not known. Copyright Mrs. Angela Brock. Note Inside 'Keyed track' and also in the middle distance other signs..
Almost a 'stop press' item from Roy Hart received at 06.10 on the September 2019 as this entry was being prepared. Many thanks Roy.
These pictures illustrate the 'Motor trolley system of maintenance' introduced by the GWR between the wars for the efficient maintenance of quieter single lines. At every signal box (and at intervals in between) was a key instrument, not unlike a tiny token machine. Once the key was withdrawn, the ganger had full occupation for that stretch of line, the token machines and often the signals too, were electronically locked until the occupation key was replaced.
The pictures show the trolley for the Perranporth to Tolcarn section, which lived in a hut at Shepherds. Indeed, the first two pictures show it at Shepherds station, a few yards down the branch. There was no electric key system for the Treamble branch, they just took the wooden staff for the branch with them.
This system was employed on all the Cornish branches, including Drinnick Mill. It enabled fast access in emergencies and allowed for a small group of men to cover longer stretches of line than would otherwise be possible.
Roy
These pictures illustrate the 'Motor trolley system of maintenance' introduced by the GWR between the wars for the efficient maintenance of quieter single lines. At every signal box (and at intervals in between) was a key instrument, not unlike a tiny token machine. Once the key was withdrawn, the ganger had full occupation for that stretch of line, the token machines and often the signals too, were electronically locked until the occupation key was replaced.
The pictures show the trolley for the Perranporth to Tolcarn section, which lived in a hut at Shepherds. Indeed, the first two pictures show it at Shepherds station, a few yards down the branch. There was no electric key system for the Treamble branch, they just took the wooden staff for the branch with them.
This system was employed on all the Cornish branches, including Drinnick Mill. It enabled fast access in emergencies and allowed for a small group of men to cover longer stretches of line than would otherwise be possible.
Roy
In an attempt to find out the type of motor trolley on which Mr. Brocks gang were riding I contacted Colin Burges, an expert on such matters who in fact owns a Wickham. Colin kindly replied.
As Tony Hill rightly says, the machines are P. Way motor trolleys. One is for the ganger to make his routine inspections and the other is for the gang to go to sites of work on the branches. I'm unable to identify the small trolley, although it could be Wickham manufactured, but the larger one is almost certainly a Wickham Type 17. These were introduced in 1930 and became the most commonly supplied trolley, normally with a roof and covered ends. Here's Winston Churchill seated on one in Dover during the war. (Sorry unable to copy this photo).
For some reason, the standard trolley shed, like my replica at Christow, built from sawn sleepers, is positioned alongside the Treamble Branch. The area outside the shed and between the rails is timbered to allow the trolleys to be lifted or bumped around to get them on the line; there would have been no need to use the Type 17's turntable if one were carried.
It's possible that a short length of the Treamble Branch was left as a siding at Shepherds when the line was closed, but it's safe to say that the Wickham trolley dates the picture to the branch's second incarnation from 1926.
After final closure of the Treamble Branch, the trolley shed was moved to the Perranporth end of the Down platform, where it can be seen in your gallery shot of a "63" entering the station. In a later demolition shot, the timbers can be seen but the shed has gone.
You saw the train on the branch in the year before I was born!!
Best wishes,
Colin
As Tony Hill rightly says, the machines are P. Way motor trolleys. One is for the ganger to make his routine inspections and the other is for the gang to go to sites of work on the branches. I'm unable to identify the small trolley, although it could be Wickham manufactured, but the larger one is almost certainly a Wickham Type 17. These were introduced in 1930 and became the most commonly supplied trolley, normally with a roof and covered ends. Here's Winston Churchill seated on one in Dover during the war. (Sorry unable to copy this photo).
For some reason, the standard trolley shed, like my replica at Christow, built from sawn sleepers, is positioned alongside the Treamble Branch. The area outside the shed and between the rails is timbered to allow the trolleys to be lifted or bumped around to get them on the line; there would have been no need to use the Type 17's turntable if one were carried.
It's possible that a short length of the Treamble Branch was left as a siding at Shepherds when the line was closed, but it's safe to say that the Wickham trolley dates the picture to the branch's second incarnation from 1926.
After final closure of the Treamble Branch, the trolley shed was moved to the Perranporth end of the Down platform, where it can be seen in your gallery shot of a "63" entering the station. In a later demolition shot, the timbers can be seen but the shed has gone.
You saw the train on the branch in the year before I was born!!
Best wishes,
Colin
Also HIGHLY RECOMMENDED is Colin Burges's .Gang Car' full of valuable info. on Wickhams and other things.
http://www.teignrail.co.uk/production.php#gangcar
http://www.teignrail.co.uk/production.php#gangcar
The CRS aboard the Colin Burges's restored Wickham at Cristow, Exeter and Teign Valley Railway . 3rd June 2017 Copyright Roger Winnen. This was a grand day out.
The new 'Wickham Shed' at Christow. Copyright Colin Burges. Viewers are recommended to visit the Exeter and Teign Valley Railway at Christow - many things of interest.
Maintenance at
Penzance
Roger Winnen
Penzance
Roger Winnen
A class 50 has brought a parcels train just about as far as it can go stopping short of the red flag alongside Platform 3. The work seems to be associated with the crossover points from platforms 3 to 2. 10th December 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen