7th April 2023

The Devon Quarryman at Okehampton
Michael Adams

Hello Roger, Thanks for dealing with the last pictures. Here is a second shot of the railtour , by Michael Adams, which ran from London Euston to Meldon Quarry on 24 November 1984.and is seen here at the then closed Okehampton station.The locos. were 40118and 40086. We thought nothing then of an early start, late finish and probably work the next day! More pictures next week,best wishes for the easter weekend, Michael. Copyright Michael Adams

Many Thanks Michael  Wishing you A Happy Easter

Test Train at
Pinhoe
Keith Turley

On 6th April 2023 Colas operated, EMR liveried class 43 power car No.43274 with classmate No.43257 on the rear approach Pinhoe station, working the 1Q23 05:56 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter Riverside yard
Network Rail test train. Regards Keith Turley. 

Test train at Pinhoe on the 6th April 2023. Copyright Keith Turley

Many thanks Keith
​

More on historic
Steam Workings
Bryn Pitcher

Hi Keith

Thank you for posting John's detailed findings. 

I remember reading that, pre WW2, down trains to Cornwall that didn't stop at North Rd station changed locos at Devonport Jn. I expect that was resumed for a time after the war but must have ceased by, at least, 1957. To delve a little deeper, I went back to my 1960 summer WR public timetable and extracted details of the undermentioned Saturday trains which were not shown as stopping at Plymouth. I also compared these with the summer 1957 working timetable times, between Plymouth & Cornwall stations, in the ‘Operation Cornwall’ book. From the latter, I noted the times for the corresponding trains at Plymouth and, especially, the BR convention of putting a ‘/’ between hours & minutes to indicate passing times.
 
DOWN
10.05pm FO Padd -> Pz & St Ives (10.12pm in 1957) 
Newcastle/Sheffield -> Newquay arr 5.45am (5.50 in 1957)
10.45pm FO Padd -> Pz (10.35 in 1957)
10.30am Padd -> St Ives & Pz
 
The first three were overnight trains and Operation Cornwall shows their times of departure from Plymouth – all were without ‘/’ which indicates that they stopped (presumably to change locos) despite not being advertised. The fourth does have the ‘/’ for the time at Plymouth which is in line with what we know, ie. locos were changed at Newton Abbot and the train passed Plymouth non stop.
 
UP (departure times were same in 1957 & 1960)
8.15am Perranporth -> Padd
8.35am Falmouth -> Padd
10.00am Newquay -> Padd
 
Operation Cornwall shows all three as having the ‘/’ passing symbol for the Plymouth time. In the narrative for the Perranporth train, mention is made of locos being changed at Laira but there is nothing similar about the other two however it is highly likely that they did the same.
 
Incidentally, contrary to John’s note, in both of the above mentioned years the 9.20am ex-St Ives was advertised to stop at Plymouth.
 
Best wishes, Bryn

Another helping from 
Fremington
Roger Winnen

We continue to dive into Rogers very extensive library with more at the waterside station at Fremington.

Clay arrives at Fremington. 1st April 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen

This view at Fremington Station gives a good idea of the track layout. The clay train is in the distance. There appears to be some rolling stock in the staion yard. 1st April 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen

Bridges at Fremington. The route and indeed this bridge is incorporated into the South West Coastal Path. Seen here on the 1st April 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many thanks Roger we look forward to your next helping.
​

Managers Special Train - this weekend
Researched by 
Roger Winnen

Managers Train Saturday 8th April 2023

06/55 Bristol East to Truro

Motive power for this train will be a pair of Class 37s possibly top and tailed

Plymouth arr 09.26/10.02
Saltash 10.10
Liskeard 10.23
Bodmin Parkway 10.34
Lostwithiel 10.39/10.41
Carne Point 10.54/11.22
Lostwithiel Down Loop 11.38/12.05
Par 12.16
Truro 12.48

Train then runs as ECS to Penzance
Truro 12.50
Redruth 13.02
Camborne 13.06
St Erth 13.14
Penzance 13.24/13.39
Penzance Slopers Siding 13.42/15.00

Train then runs as ECS to St Austell
Penzance 15.30
St Erth 15.38
Camborne 15.47
Redruth 15.58
Truro 16.03
St Austell 16.24

Train then runs with passengers to Kingswear
St Austell 16.34
Bodmin Parkway 16.50
Saltash 17.27
Plymouth 17.37
Newton Abbot 18.20
Paignton 18.49
Kingwear 19.20

Sunday 9th April

Kingswear 09.10
Paignton 09.48
Newton Abbot 10.16
Plymouth 11.02/11.17
Liskeard 11.42
Bodmin Parkway 11.52
Par 12.02
Truro 12.24
Train then runs to Penzance as ECS

Truro 12.29
Redruth 12.40
Camborne 12.45
St Erth 12.53
Penzance 13.02/13.17
Penzance T&R SMD 13.22

Sunday Evening

Penzance T&R SMD 18.40
Penzance Station 18.47/19.35
St Erth 20.08
St Ives 20.38

Train stays the night at St Ives

Monday Morning

St Ives 06.09
Penzance 07.09? to T&RSMD
Penzance T&RSMD 13.07
Penzance 13.14/13.29 ECS to Camborne
St Erth 13.37
Camborne 13.46/14.00 Train to Kingswear
Redruth 14.10
Truro 14.17
Par 14.40
Lostwithiel up Goods Loop 14.50/15.10
Bodmin Parkway 15.14
Liskeard 15.28
Plymouth 15.52
Newton Abbot 16.38/16.47
Paignton 17.02/17.10
Kingswear 17.42

Tuesday Morning

Train departs Kingswear 08.45 for London Euston