9th January 2024

The last post
20 years ago today!
Roger Winnen & Jon Hird

On 09.01.2004, the last Royal Mail train from Penzance departed. EWS 67007 lead the train into the history books. It's incredible to think that this was 20 years ago already. A very sad day indeed.

040109a The early morning arrival of the last but one Royal Mail to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

040109b Unloading what remains aboard the train. Copyright Roger Winnen

040109b The Royal Mail in the sidings at Penzance Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

040109d Views of the inside prior to departure. Copyright Roger Winnen

040109e Royal Mail staff in conversation. Copyright Roger Winnen

040109f The Last Post being played prior to departure of the last up postal train. Copyright Roger Winnen

040109g 67007 Heads the postal as a large crowd comes to witness the event. Copyright Roger Winnen

040109h Looking down on the scene from the station wall. Copyright Roger Winnen

040109i We have a Virgin Voyager together with the Royal Mail. Copyright Roger Winnen

040109j The Royal Mails awaits departure at 19.35hrs. Copyright Roger Winnen

67007 calls at Truro on her way North with The Last Post. Copyright Jon Hird.

040109k The return of the train on the morning of the 10th January 2004. Copyright Roger Winnen

A letter to myself sent on the last TPO to get the special postmark. I remember seeing many other enthusiasts using the letter boxes on the side of the stock to do the same thing. 09.01.2004, copyright Jon Hird

TPO Memories
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, two of my pictures of the up evening TPO but spaced about 35 years apart.

Firstly D806 ‘Cambrian’ taken in about 1960. Copyright Michael Forward.

Now the evening of 5 May 1995 and 47626 and 47476 head the 19.20 departure . Copyright Michael Forward.

Many thanks Michael, your images compliment Rogers article nicely.

As the sun sinks slowly in the west
The up postal in its Glory Days
March 1952 crossing the Marsh at Marazion
Roy Hart

Many Thanks indeed Roy
Wishing you a Happy New Year

50037 at Newton Abbot
Michael Adams

Hello Roger, Thanks to  you and all those who provided detailed and interesting responses about Penryn station,
Lovely pictures on the site in the sun, its gone in again today—here in Surrey—with snow flurries!
Here is a picture from Michael Adams taken in the sun and warmth at Newton Abbot on 7 July 1984 with the 09.32 Penzance to Paddington.(The loco. was cut up in December 1992 but both cabs survive at separate sites now.)
Thanks and best

Many Thanks Michael

Making the most of the sun
Mark Lynam

Good evening Jon, Keith & Roger,

Below are a few shots taken today (08.01.24) at Largin and St Pinnock viaducts, as well as a shot of Golant of the clay.

Thanks, Mark

43004 + 43156 cross Largin Viaduct working 2C68 1142 Plymouth to Penzance. Copyright Mark Lynam.

150234 + 150263 cross St Pinnock Viaduct working 2P12 1115 Penzance to Plymouth. Usually diagrammed as an IET. Copyright Mark Lynam.

43042 + 43188 at St Pinnock Viaduct working 2C23 1219 Plymouth to Penzance. Diagrammed as a 158 working. Copyright Mark Lynam.

66143 at Golant working 6G09 1236 Goonbarrow Junction Dbc to Fowey Dock Carne Point. Copyright Mark Lynam.

Many thanks Mark - a great set of photos, thank you for sending them in.

Clay in the valley
Jon Hird

Just the one from me today. 66143 leading yesterdays (08.01.24) 6G09 Goonbarrow - Fowey down the Luxuylan Valley, crossing Ponts Mill Viaduct.  I had thought that the sun would be high enough to penetrate the depths of the valley, unfortunately I was wrong!

66143 leading 16 JIA wagons of China Clay down the Luxuylan Valley en route to Fowey Carne Point, 08.01.24. Copyright Jon Hird.