You might recognise it now - Weymouth Quay - of course the tracks have been out of use for a number of years.

​ Good morning Keith, Here's a couple of pics I took of Lympstone commando halt  back in September, when I had a couple of sessions photographing the branch stations.
Trains only they stop there if army personnel require to alight or join the train. The day I took these pics I was lucky as the trains I was on stopped in both directions. I stood ready by the door and as soon as the train stopped, I opened the door and got a couple of quick pics from the doorway,  I  did not venture onto the platform.  cheers JOHN C.  
                              You deserve a medal - thanks

Now that there is public access between the camp's security gate and the Exmouth Branch, it seems odd that the halt is still restricted.

A few years ago, while ticking off the 104 operational stations in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall (out of the 490 there were), I got myself off by claiming that Lympstone Commando was not a network station. Nevertheless, just to cover it both ways, I stopped one day and asked the security officer if I could use the halt, explaining my obsessive mission. He said that I could and stupidly I rode on, thinking that I would catch the train later. When I returned, there had been a shift change and the relief told me that no matter what his colleague had advised, he could not allow a civvy to go through the gate. He pointed to the cameras and said that he would be shot if he were seen.

So, always take an opportunity when it presents itself.

Actually, the halt is railway property so theoretically there is nothing to stop someone getting off and staying there.

The branch now having an extra stop at Newcourt, with another planned for Hill Barton (Met. Office), it would not be outlandish to consider the closure of Lympstone Commando. The camp's perimeter fence is so close to Exton Station and the River Exe path now connects the two. Though it is a closure I would accept, I am not going to be the one to promote it!

​Here are some photos of 43185 working 5A89 out shortly to form 1A89 1339 to London Paddington. I was very lucky with the sun today as it was very much sunshine and showers. Will only put a couple of shots up as I did see Andrew there as well, and I have noticed he has put some up as well! As a bonus we also have 75406 'Eric Machell' in the sunshine in Truro Yard and colourful Ex London Midland duo 153325 and 153333 on the Falmouth. Many Thanks, Jamie                                Many thanks to you to.

​28 JANUARY 2017 marks 50 years since the last trains ran from Padstow to Bodmin Road, and up to Bodmin North as well. This was a Saturday. There were no trains on the Sunday. There were 3 Southern National buses advertised on the Sunday. Not all trains travelled the full 16.5 miles from Padstow to Bodmin Road. Some travelled Padstow - Bodmin General only; some Wadebridge - Bodmin Road, and some Padstow - Wadebridge There were only 2 trains each way up to Bodmin North Halt in the last timetable. 

Bodmin North was briefly served by a railbus from Boscarne Exchange Platform but in the end even this arrangement ceased with two trains a day on the Bodmin Road to Padstow service revesring at Boscarne Junction to run up to Bodmin North before continuing on to Padstow.

Christow was part of the original Exeter Railway and although this name lives on today with, of all people, the Highways Agency, it was never as far as I know the "Exeter Branch," even colloquially. Certainly after 1923 it was generally referred to as part of the Teign Valley Branch.  Colin Burges

Hi Keith
A tip off that celebrity 43185 was leading 1A81 08.44 from Pnz had me rushing my porridge as I planned to get this power car at Coombe as I did with 43002 recently. 
The sky was clear over the sea behind me, but a bit gloomy "over Truro way".
Nevertheless the light held and the train ran by in grand style, with some colour in the gorse coming through too. 
All the best for now,  Craig 
Many thanks Craig, we had a surprise when the 'celebrity'  crossed Redruth viaduct this morning as we went shopping. 

Good Morning Keith,

Roger Winnen's evocative picture of the Western Postal in the 1970s raised a distant echo from my former life in academe.

I must issue an initial disclaimer as to perfect accuracy of this tale but it was certainly accepted at the time.

In the distant past, when primary schools were administered by Local Authorities, Somerset County Education Department dispatched their admin letters, every Friday afternoon, in a brown A4 known as the "Weekly Envelope"  which would usually reach places like Chard on the following Monday or Tuesday - but not always.  From time to time schools would wait several days for the delivery and when it came the envelope would have rubber stampings from Bristol or Derby of all places.

When we made enquiries about this roundabout route we were told that weekend second class bulk mailings were put on the Down mail at Taunton to be sorted on the way to Penzance. They were then dropped off from the up train to be picked up at Taunton and distributed in the normal way.  This presumably took pressure off Taunton Sorting Office at weekends and provided more business for the mail train.  Unfortunately if  bags and packets missed the drop at Taunton they ended up at the train's final destination and then did the reverse journey a few days later, so causing some poor demented headteacher to fend off demands from County as to why he or she hadn't responded to some "important" letter which "must" have arrived in the Weekly Envelope.

It seemed a good explanation at the time but maybe it was just County Hall coming up with an ingenious excuse for missing the post.  My only regret was being too busy to check out the railway aspects at the time, although the idea that the pile of bumf had enjoyed a weekend in Cornwall had a certain charm.  Perhaps someone with insider knowledge could shed  light on the realities?

With kind regards, Brian
A lovely story Brian, I'm sure it's true.  Many thanks for writing in.  e-mails are bit faster than 'snail mail' !

​Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Sunday 12 March 2017: General Station, Bodmin, PL31 1AQ, (SX073664).  https://goo.gl/CYWIZI  Our third visit to this lovely and very friendly 6m 14ch standard gauge railway. If you were on either or both of the previous trips in November 2013 and November 2014 there will be extra track to help complete our coverage. A fourth trip is not likely in the foreseeable future so come on this one while you can. Starting Bodmin Parkway at 12.15 (connection from Bristol Temple Meads 08.28 and at 09.47 from Penzance) and expected to finish 16.30. Maximum party 60; £20 BLS and PLEG members (£22 non-members) including a hot Cornish pasty, stock list, detailed track map and souvenir ticket. Travelling in three brake vans, with ex-BR Class 08444, Industrial P403D 'Denise' and (as part of 50th Anniversary of the class) 50042. Real ale will be for sale on the train. Route, subject to availability, includes the full length of the Refuge Sidings, Loco Shed No3 Road, Parkway Shed roads (including inside one), Parkway end of line/run-round, Boscarne Jn end of line/run-round, Bodmin General run-round. Please apply to Kev Adlam, 53 Kemble Close, Wistaston, CREWE, CW2 6XN,  enclosing a cheque payee 'Branch Line Society' or CPA with an email address or SAE (and a second SAE if an immediate acknowledgement is required).