Blog Archives

Today at Pinhoe - from David Tozer

28/2/2014

Keith, Once a month the former LSWR route gets a visit from Network Rail’s NMT HST. It normally runs on the last Thursday in the month starting at Old Oak Common at 0448. Today however it started at 0559 from Westbury via Salisbury – Yeovil Junction – Exeter St David’s and return by the same route. It’s usual reporting number is 1Q23, however it ran as the 1O31.
I took the attached photograph of it passing Pinhoe.
Regards Dave Many thanks David

The early morning sun at Pinhoe at 09.10 on the 28th February 2014 catches the Network Rail’s NMT HST Copyright David Tozer

Todays helping. From Roger Winnen

28/2/2014

Yesterday Roger said he was probably off to the St Austell area to have a look at the Trenance Valley branch - or what remains of it. However, due to some very heavy showers this expedition was abandoned and a visit made to Plymouth instead. You can't tie the man down - not that we'd want to!!! Many thanks Roger.

Possible storm damage to the wraps on The Royal Albert Bridge, this work is now in its fina; stages. 27th February 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen

The next service to St Erth. 27th February 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen

Plymouth station departure board - only one train advertised - looks more like a bus station!!! 27th February 2014. Copyright Roger Winnen

Sporting 'The Severn Rail Partnership' vinols is 150 130 seen here parked in Park Sidings, Plymouth. 27th February 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen One wonders how long it will be before this unit will be seen in its home area once more.

A parallel corridor to the normal subway access was formerly used by Royal Mail for access to their depot. Passengers have right of way to the lifts via the zebra crossings. 27th February 2014. Copyright Roger Winnen

Building stands in the yard at Liskeard. A plaque on the building says 'Built by British Railways Exeter'. 27th February 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen

The Blue lake of Treviscoe Craig Munday

27/2/2014

Here is a picture of 66006 drawing its train out of Kernick dries at Treviscoe on the Parkandillack branch. The train is viewed from the lagoon, famous for its blue sunlight reflection.

Train details 6P24 Drinnick to Fowey on 25th Feb 2014.

66006 draws its train out of Kernick dries at Treviscoe on the Parkandillack branch. The train is viewed from the lagoon, famous for its blue sunlight reflection. Train details 6P24 Drinnick to Fowey on 25th Feb 2014. Very many thanks for this colourful picture from Craig Munday Copyright

Meanwhile back at the station (Penzance) Clean up work continues

27/2/2014

From post received last night referring to 26th February 2014. The days pictures from Roger Winnen.

Clearing up the debris from the Valentines day storm at Penzance station. 26th February 2014. Copyright Roger Winnen

Another problem being solved. Salt water is a conductor and the immersion of these metals, sleepers and ballast in salt water for days has caused low resistance paths between the rails and consequent failures of the track circuits. Here we see the track being washed out using high pressure jets. ALSO of interest, although not railway, note the gaping hole Lighthouse Pier wall and the attendant crane. 26th February 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen. N.B.The last time this pier was damaged a considerable portion of the granite stones were dislodged and that happened on Ash Wednesday storm of 1962/1963?

Another rare shot - by Douglas Nicholls

26/2/2014

This is Wadebridge from the footbridge which at least provided continous passage for pedestrains along Molesworth Street whilst vehicular traffic had to wait the passage of trains to and from Padstow and also the Wadebridge Quay. Trains to Padstow ceased w.e.f 30th January 1967 whereas traffic to Wadebridge Quay continued until 2nd April 1973. This picture dates from September 1988. Copyright Douglas Nicholls

They are very busy at Penzance Roger Salter

26/2/2014

Roger has been out and about again early today and many thanks to him for todays pictures.

An interesting shot of a roadrail vehicle parked overnight at Ponsandane 07.59 26th February 2014 Copyright Roger Salter

Things have changed at Penzance, gone is the heliport and what looks at first sight to be a fun fair ride is the new Sainsbury's. It is understood that there is a good view from the restaurant. In the foreground more civil engineering equipment. Its the morning of 26th February 2014. Copyright Roger Salter

Large boulders unloaded at the site of the former Marazion station are ferried to the beach and carefully placed to reinforce the protection for the coast path and railway. Morning of 26th February 2014. Copyright Roger Salter

At 08.38 a Cross Country set prepares to leave Long Rock on its empty coaching stock run to St Erth. 26th February 2014 Copyright Roger Salter

The points off the main line (single at the location, Long Rock crossing) remain fixed to provided access or egress from the depot. The main line looks very rusty. 26th February 2014. Copyright Roger Salter

Mike Bojko brings us the todays pictures from Dawlish

25/2/2014

Hello Keith
Whilst out and about in Devon today I managed to take these pictures. There is no access to the repair site. All local paths and the station road are closed off and signed no entry. The station road is manned by security staff. Regards Mike Bojko
Many thanks for keeping us right up to date Mike

Dawlish station area 25th February 2014 Copyright Mike Bojko. Note the new concrete sleepers lying on the down main line on the station approach

Dawlish station area 25th February 2014. Copyright Mike Bojko Note shows the repair site with the badly damaged containers.

Dawlish station area 25th February 2014. Copyright Mike Bojko Note shows the East of the station and repair site. Repairs in progress to the platform supports.

New picture - Chacewater in 1973

25/2/2014

It is always a pleasure to welcome somebody new to our site. Roger Geach introduces Doug Nicholls.
Evening Keith
Here is a very nice picture from my friend Doug Nicholls . It shows Chacewater as it was in April 1973 . Note the Preflos wagons , signals and trackwork. He says you can post this on the CRS web page but please credit him. Hope you like it , I do Cheers Roger Geach Welcome Doug

Chacewater in April 1973. Note the Preflos wagons , signals and trackwork. Although the up platform buildings have been remeoved it looks as if the surface is still there, it was later covered with spent ballast. Copyright Doug Nicholls

Penzance reports By Roger Salter and Roger Winnen

25/2/2014

With both Rogers sending reports today,and to both of them I am very grateful, I will try and sort out a report, using pictures from them both.

The first picture of the day, taken at 08.13 is by Roger Salter and shows the unloading of very large boulders in the former Marazion station area - these will be used to repair the sea defences in the Long Rock area. 25th February 2014. Copyright Roger Salter.

Teams from Network Rail and Sub Contractors start work at Penzance. 09.28 25th February 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen

Work on digging out the waterlogged ballast and repairs to lineside equipment gets underway. Morning 25th February 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen

Later in the day Roger Salter takes a look at work in progress at the platform end of platforms 3/4. The edging stones of which were lifted by the sheer force of the waves coming in over the sea wall. 25th February 2014 Copyright Roger Salter

Work in progress in one of the signalling cabinets. 25th February 2014 Copyright Roger Salter

Heavy work in progress at the reconstituted end of platform 3/4. 25th February 2014 Copyright Roger Salter

The early bird catches the worm!! Or just misses it!!!

25/2/2014

CONVOY FROM OKEHAMPTON
I am most grateful to Martin Duff and David Tozer for making the effort and photographing the occasion. What a pity David missed his chance at Taunton.
Both of their e-mails are copied below:-
From David Tozer
Keith,
20142/20189 working the 0745 0Z20 Okehampton – Derby Gas Tanks Siding conveying 47769, 31459 ’Cerebus’ and 47375 ‘Tinsley Traction Depot’. The 20’s had left Taunton 51 minutes earlier then booked, so a hasty drive to Crediton at which point they arrived outside a few minutes early and had to wait the 0700 Barnstaple to clear the single line section to Cowley Bridge. At least the sun came out rather than the liquid variety.
Dave Tozer.

From Martin Duff
Morning Keith
An interesting and colourful convoy of engines could be seen in Devon this morning. The 3 engines (47375 in BR blue, 47769 in Virgin livery and a Class 31 in DCR colours) had been at the Dartmoor Railway for the Polar Express season. Now the use of the engines is finished, it’s time for them to leave the line. Yesterday (24/02) a pair of class 20’s (20142 in all over BR banger blue and 20189, a colourful London Transport livery) ran from Barrow Hill to Taunton (0Z47) where they stayed for the night. First thing this morning (25/02) they continued to Okehampton to collect the 3 diesels.

Just before 07.30, 0Z20 left Okehampton for Derby and at 08.12 appeared at Crediton. Two photographs are attached for consideration on the web site 1) the convoy leaves the Dartmoor line and approaches Crediton level crossing and 2) the convoy in the station waiting for the 07.00 Barnstaple to clear the section toward Cowley Bridge Junction.
Regards, Martin

143619 and 14361 at Crediton at 08.05 (The 07.00 from Barnstaple) on the 25th February 2014 25th February 2014 Note this pair had to clear the section to Cowley Bridge before the convoy could enter the platform. Copyright David Tozer

The convoy leaves the Okehampton line at Crediton on the 25th February 2014 Copyright Martin Duff

The convoy coming to a stand at Crediton 20142,20189,47769,31459,47375 25th February 2014 Copyright David Tozer

Another view of the colourful convoy at Crediton. Note the 2nd class 20 in LT colours. 25th February 2014 Copyright Martin Duff

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