Blog Archives

28th February 2023

28/2/2023

Castle at Respryn
Alan Peters

GWR 43097 'Castle Drogo' is captured at Respryn Bridge just shortly after leaving Bodmin Parkway with 2C69 from Cardiff Central to Penzance on 27th Feburary 2023 Copyright Alan Peters

Many thanks Alan.

Long weekend at St Germans
Andrew Triggs

We've just returned from an excellent stay in the T.P.O at Railholiday, St Germans, which unsurprisingly, allowed for some photography around and about the area, with blue skies in general, but bitterly cold conditions
All the Best, Andrew Triggs.

1. 43016 leads 2U24 12.50 Penzance-Cardiff central (with 43154) into St Germans with the Railholiday converted T.P.O no.841 in the former Dock, where we stayed Friday to Monday. 25th February 2023. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

2. 43027 (with 43004) arriving at St Germans working 2C73 11.00 Cardiff Central-Penzance 25th February 2023. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

3. From Quay Road, St Germans, 800315 heads eastwards across the viaduct working 08.15 Penzance-London Paddington 26th February 2023. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

4. 43187 with 43094 working 2U16 08.49 Penzance-Cardiff Central catches the morning sunshine as it heads eastwards across the Viaduct 26th February 2023. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

5. 158951 crossing St Germans viaduct, working the heavily delayed 1C70 08.38 Exeter St Davids-Penzance, running 115 late due to signalling issues near Teignmouth 26th February 2023. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

Many thanks Andrew - lucky old you!!

27th February 2023

27/2/2023

Nineteen Sixty Two
Part seven
Michael L. Roach.

Centenary of the Castle Class Steam Locomotive

The year 2023 will see the 100th anniversary of the production of the first of the Great Western Railway's Castle Class 4-cylinder Express Steam Locomotives. The first one rolled out of Swindon Works in August 1923 and was an instant success. There was no prototype because the design was an updated and enlarged version of the 4-cylinder Star Class of 1906. The Star class was designed by Churchward and the Castle by his successor Charles Collet who were both Chief Mechanical Engineers of the Company. The design brought together all the best features of current GWR loco design and the Castle class were well proportioned, attractive to look at and highly competent. This was shown by the fact that 171 were built from 1923 to 1950.
In 1962 the number of Castles was in rapid decline as more and more diesels were coming off the production line including the first of the Western Class diesels in December 1961. On 1 January 1962 there were 151 Castles nominally in traffic but by the end of 1962 the number was down to just 54. The last Castle was withdrawn in December 1965. Laira Shed had just 5 on the books on the 1 January 1962 but by the year end there was just one left and that was 7022 Hereford Castle. There were a couple of Castles at Newton Abbot and then there were none until one reached Bristol, Reading and London. I had two trips behind Castles in 1962 both over the South Devon Banks from Newton Abbot to Plymouth. One was a good trip and the other best forgotten.
MLR / 24 February 2023

4892 5052 is seen at Newton Abbot on Saturday 17 June 1961 with a Manchester to Penzance train. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5964 Laira's own 7022 Hereford Castle approaches Saltash Station (where it did not stop) cautiously slowing to 15mph for the crossing of the Royal Albert Bridge. The train is the 1.50pm Penzance to Paddington which was the last daytime train that would get passengers to London the same day. The date is Saturday 24 February 1962. Copyright Michael L.Roach.

4072 7029 Clun Castle is seen passing through Uffington at speed with the return leg of a railtour from Birmingham to Swindon on Saturday 3 April 1965.. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Steam in action. Three classic Castle photographs for which we are extremely grateful. Many many thanks Michael.

Ken Mumford visits the
Swindon & Cricklade

[1] The backs of 3135 and the Taffy Tank [5637]

[2] and [3] The Taffy Tank - front and back. I wonder if I ever saw this loco when I lived in Gwent for the first 20 or so years of my life? Must try and check!

[4] The front of partly dismantled 3135.

[5] A sort of general view of part of the area.

Picture 1 Swindon and Cricklade. 26 February 2023 Copyright Ken Mumford.

Picture 2 Swindon and Cricklade. 26 February 2023 Copyright Ken Mumford.

Picture 3 Swindon and Cricklade. 26 February 2023 Copyright Ken Mumford.

Picture 4 Swindon and Cricklade. 26 February 2023 Copyright Ken Mumford.

Picture 5 Swindon and Cricklade. 26 February 2023 Copyright Ken Mumford.

Ken, Many thanks for the record of your visit on the 26th.

26th February 2023

26/2/2023

St Erth Station on Sunday Morning not a soul in sight
Roger Winnen

230226a 43098 Walton Castle arrives at St Erth Station passing milepost 321 forming the 09.49 service from Penzance to Plymouth Copyright Roger Winnen

230226b If you look at milepost 321, between that milepost and the station footbridge a large number of trees have been recently felled for the new footbridge with lifts to be installed later in the year. Copyright Roger Winnen

230226c Looking down from the footbridge of the felled trees. Copyright Roger Winnen

230226d 43040 Berry Pomeroy Castle brings uo the rear of the 09.49 from Penzance to Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

230226e 43040 Berry Pomeroy Castle departs for Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

230226f The Lands End coaster awaiting for passengers, however none turned up. Copyright Roger Winnen

A Computer generated image of the new St Erth Footbridge with lifts to be installed later in the year
By courtesy of RailUK
Dennis Flood

Late at night at
St Austell
Jon Hird

If you’d have told me 5 years ago that I would be one day heading out at 10pm to photograph a HST, I’d have been concerned about the mental state of my future self!!
Yet here we are in 2023 and the attraction of a (nearly) full size HST in Cornwall was just too much for me to pass up.
Here’s a photo taken at 22:25 of 43239 standing at St. Austell on its way to Plymouth and it’s bed for the night, working 2C80 in place of the booked Voyager.
It’s had a busy day, having worked its way down from Scotland already.
All the best, Jon Hird.

Cross Country HST at St Austell 24th February 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

A very nicely framed and dramatic shot - well done and thanks Jon.

Chasing the HST's
Paul Barlow

Paul Barlow surveys the diminshing fleet of Castle Class units.

43005 and 43010 waits time at Plymouth on the 07.00 Gloucester to Penzance. 24th February 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43156 and 43029 arrive at Par on the 1050 Penzance to Cardiff 24th February 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow

43005 and 43010 at Par on 0700 Gloucester to Penzance 24th February 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43005 and 43010 leave Par on the 07.00 Gloucester to Penzance 24th Feb 2023

43093 43192 leave Exeter on 0650 Penzance to Cardiff 43005 and 43010 have ...b 2023

Very sadly 43005 working its final train, the 19.00 Cardiff to Plymouth waits at Exeter St Davids. This picture received at 23.43 on the 24th February. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul as you sample these wonderful trains on their last journeys.

Marsh Mills
Tramway Crossing
Paul Burkhalter

Michael L. Roach has passed on to us two very recent pictures taken at Tramways Crossing by our good friend Paul Burkhalter. These have been added to our feature.

Additional pictures at Tramways Crossing Marsh Mills taken by Paul Burkhalter on the 23rd February 2023. Copyright.

Latest demolition on the
Yealmpton Branch
Paul Burkhalter

Occupation bridge between Steer point and the Cylinder Bridge - taken by Paul Burkhalter on the 20th February 2023. Copyright.

Many thanks Paul.

25th February 2023

25/2/2023

Progress at Bath
Green Park
Paul Negus

A couple of shots taken today (23rd February 2023) at Bath Green Park on a somewhat dull day. The main progress has been with the scaffolding. The outer part of the overall roof is almost clear now, just the odd bit of scaffolding left as a general tidy up takes place. The inner part is ready for work to start, note the substantial tie bars at floor level to keep the whole temporary structure from moving!

Kind regards, Paul.

Bath Green Park - progresss. Inner part, work still in progress - note tie bars to keep scaffolding rigid. 23rd February 2023. Copyright Paul Negus.

Bath Green Park - progresss. Outer part nearly complete. 23rd February 2023. Copyright Paul Negus. (All traces of steam engine grime gone!!)

Many thanks Paul.

Marsh Barton Progress
Colin Burges

The solid fence panels that have hidden much of the site were gone yesterday.

Marsh Barton - Clapperbrook Lane towards the estate. 24th February 2023. Copyright Colin Burges.

Marsh Barton. Looking towards the canal. Copyright Colin Burges.

Marsh Barton - the entrance to the downside and its six space car park. 24th February 2023. Copyright Coiln Burges

Marsh Barton - 24th February 2023. Copyright Colin Burges.

The new signage for the Falmouth and St. Ives branches was in the Pinhoe factory.

Many thanks Colin.

St Blazey Shed
Mike Gregory

Way back in 1989 with a view to making a model Mike Gregory took a number of photographs as a record.

A plan of the shed with dimensions and an indication from where all the photographs were taken.

All photographs are copyright Mike Gregory and are numbered in sequence - left to right and down in rows.

To see an enlargement of the photographs please click on the image.

With many thanks to Mike Gregory.

24th February 2023

24/2/2023

A computer generated image of the new St Erth Footbridge
Dennis Flood
by Courtesy of RailUK

Hayle 75
Roger Winnen

Class 52 D1069 Western Vanguard with the 11.00 Penzance to Paddington crosses Hayle Viaduct.. 15th March 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen Many thanks to Guy Vincent for indentifing this Western.

Thanks to developments no longer can you get this view. Many thanks Roger.

Unique - last day pictures on the
Portishead Branch
Michael Bussell

Saturday 5th September 1964 saw the last passenger trains to run on the Portishead branch line into Bristol Temple Meads. (More than half a century later the residents of ‘Posset’ – as the town is affectionally known locally – and particularly its commuters who work in Bristol, still await the restoration of this valuable public transport link.)
I made a misty journey from Portishead to Ashton Gate and back on that last morning, and photographed what was by then an unstaffed station. Later in the day I returned to Portishead station to watch the last train depart as both darkness and rain were falling – not an ideal time for me to take photos, then lacking a ‘flashgun’ for my camera.
As with so many branch lines, much more has been published since the line closed than was written about it when open. ‘Reflections on the Portishead Branch’ by Mike Vincent (Oxford Publishing, 1983) was succeeded rather more recently by ‘The Bristol to Portishead Branch with the Bristol Harbour Railway and Canon’s Marsh Branch’ by Colin G Maggs (Oakwood Press, Locomotion Papers 247, 2020), its lengthy title acknowledging that a line branching off at Ashton Gate, the first station on the Portishead line, was built in 1906; it headed east across the River Avon and the so-called ‘Floating Harbour’ to carry goods traffic to and from the city quays and the GWR Canon’s Marsh Depot.
Here are my photos of Ashton Gate and Portishead on that last day.

Ashton Gate

1 A misty and deserted Ashton Gate station looking south. The open-lattice girder platform footbridge is unusual, while the platforms – a mixture of hard surfacing and grass – are still gas-lit. The station served the nearby Bristol City Stadium, and saw busy times during home football matches. Copyright Michael Bussell.

2. Another view a northward panorama has the Harbour lines behind the up platform fence. Behind the down platform, there was a siding for the Ashton Vale Iron Co Ltd from 1909 to 1942. Copyright Michael Bussell

3. Another view from slightly further south. On the left can be seen the 1906 goods traffic lines leading to the Harbour and Canon’s March Depot. To the right, a path leads up from the ‘down’ platform to the modest (and in 1964 disused) station office at road level. The bridge immediately beyond it carries the busy A370 Bristol to Weston-super-Mare road. The station nameboard on the right is slightly out-of-date, as the ’Platform’ appellation was officially dropped in 1928! Copyright Michael Bussell.

4. A typical GWR diminutive corrugated iron ‘pagoda’ waiting shelter on the ‘up’ platform. Copyright Michael Bussell.

Portishead

The loco having brought the penultimate train in pulls forward to the buffers and commences the run round. Copyright Michael Bussell.

A view forwards from the train still at the platform. The loco appears to be taking water at a column in the sidings area. Copyright Michael Bussell.

The pannier tank loco, having watered, heads back towards the station past the water tower (whose size recalls that rail-borne freight traffic to and from Portishead, with a busy dock and later two power stations, once warranted numerous sidings and generous fuelling facilities for locomotives – not least the coal trains from Somerset collieries that complemented coal shipped across the Bristol Channel from South Wales). The loco having taken water at the large tank on the tower now returns to head the final train out of Portishead to Bristol Temple Meads. Copyright Michael Bussell.

The train starts to pull out of Portishead Station, whose passenger facilities had been relocated only ten years earlier, with a new station building and platforms. This was made necessary when a second, oil-fired, electricity power station was built on the site of the original passenger station next to an earlier, coal-fired, power station on the north side of Portishead Dock. (Both power stations are now long gone.) The two water columns on the platforms would seem to have been disconnected, otherwise why would the pannier tank loco have needed to take water elsewhere, as in the photo above? Copyright Michael Bussell.

The last train departs into the rain and gloom. Copyright Michael Bussell.

This gas lamp will not be needed again. (And would now be very ‘collectable’.) Copyright Michael Bussell

Many thanks Michael - your pictures form a valuable record.

Ashton Gate and Portishead

Two slightly more recent pictures at Ashton Gate and Portishead may make it easier to position Michael's Photographs.

It's the 18th November 1968 and we're aboard the Cheddar Valley Railtour en route to Portishead. We've just passed Aston Gate Signalbox - the lines to Wapping Wharf drop away to our right and ahead lie the platforms of Ashton Gate. Copyright Keith Jenkin.

Portishead station on 18th November 1968. From the Cheddar Valley Railtour. Copyright Keith Jenkin.

23rd February 2023

23/2/2023

Liskeard to Looe
& back
Andrew and Diane Jones

Dear Keith and Valerie,
I have just come across a youtube video of the Liskeard to Looe Branch Line which has been used for Driver Awareness by GWR.
It has a very informative voice over with a host of historical facts including the running away of passenger coaches that demolished Moorswater Shed and the part that the Coombe Junction signalman played in averting loss of life. Well worth checking out.

https://youtu.be/KOLmjgQXNaY

very best wishes Andrew and Diane

As you say Andrew this is very well worth checking out - porfessional footage of the branch there and back. A 'must' for our viewers.

Coombe Junction
The late Sid Sponheimer

Not from the above training video but an intersting view taken by our very good friend the late Sid Sponheimer of Coombe Junction. This was taken after the run round cross over was taken out in 1963 but before the line to Moorswater was moved to pass by the platform at Coombe. Copyright the late Sid Sponheimer.

In memory of Sid.

37250 at Exeter
Michael Adams

Michael Adams captured 37250 arriving at Exeter St. David’s on Saturday 4 July 1987 with the 10.15 Paignton to Glasgow service . The 37 came off there in favour of a class 47,much to the disappointment of railfans on board I expect.Copyright Michael Adams

Many Thanks Michael

Swindon Area
Dennis Clarke

230222a 47614 at Swindon running from Gloucester to Gloucester, via Didcot. I believe it was a Locomotive Services Limited driver refresher run Copyright Dennis Clarke

230222b 47614 at Swindon running from Gloucester to Gloucester, via Didcot. I believe it was a Locomotive Services Limited driver refresher run. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

230222c Kemble. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

230222d Kemble. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

37884 at Didcot hauling 317339 and 318340 from Ely Papworth to Newport Docks for scrapping, Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Many Thanks Dennis

Many thanks Dennis

Kens mis-guided walk.
Ken Mumford

Hello, friends,
A good friend [is he still after me following his guide?] helped me [that's questionable!!] to find a new locationfrom which to take train photographs in the Purton area
This is MY photographic record of following his advice:-.
Take the humour with a'pinch of salt' -
Thanks for your 'CHALLENGING' guide, Tom,
Kind regards
Ken.

Tom's guide to photography in Purton area. Park your car near the crossing, [1] Copyright Ken Mumford.

Picture 2 First obstacle! Why are you (Ken Mumford) trespassing on my land? Copyright Ken Mumford.

Picture 3 second problem. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Picture 3 Got to the recommended site. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Galatea/Serra Leone/Alberta passes the hard reached spot. Copyright Ken Mumford.

A going away shot as Galatea/Serra Leone/Alberta passes the site of Purton Station, its exhaust being dispersed as it passes under the road bridge just before that former station. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Should have worn boots not slip offs. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Glad you had a good walk Ken.

22nd February 2023

22/2/2023

Nineteen Sixty Two
Part six
Michael L. Roach.

By Road to Meldon Viaduct
A near 30-mile road journey took me along the west side of Dartmoor from Plymouth to Meldon Viaduct which once carried a double track railway from Plymouth to Exeter via Okehampton. In fact the viaduct is located just over two miles south west of Okehampton. For a very small hamlet Meldon is well-known for three things: its railway viaduct, its dam and reservoir, and its hard rock quarry which once supplied ballast for almost the whole of the Southern Railway. The date of the visit was 14 April 1962 and the journey had taken me well over an hour because of going off the direct route to see 4591 enter Lydford Station with the 10.15am Launceston to Plymouth train.
Meldon Viaduct is in fact two viaducts side-by-side completed in 1874 and 1879 and built of wrought iron. Steel had already been invented and if the viaducts had been built just a few years later they would probably have been built of steel. The Forth Bridge was designed in the early 1880s and the contract for its construction was let in 1882. The Forth Bridge was the first major structure in Britain to be made of steel. Both Meldon and Forth bridges have lasted well with regular maintenance. Meldon is one of only two wrought iron viaducts remaining in the country:- the other is at Bennerley, Ilkeston in a completely different situation on the edge of an urban area. Bennerley is three times the length of Meldon but only half the height. Of course there is an even more famous partly wrought iron bridge (as opposed to viaduct) only some 25 miles away and that is the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash. Meldon Viaduct has been a Scheduled Monument since 1976.
I took a couple of photos of the viaduct, including a train crossing it and then moved on to take some lineside pictures much closer to Okehampton Station. In all I took photos of three trains and all were headed by rebuilt Bulleid light pacifics of the WC/BB class. The class had been common on the lines from Okehampton to Plymouth and Padstow for many years but it is believed that after being rebuilt the class had been forbidden at first.
The WC/BB locos seen that day were:
34056    Croydon          An Exmouth Junction loco for the previous 7 years, the loco lasted until May 1967
34062    17 Squadron    An Exmouth Junction loco for the previous 10 years; it was withdrawn in May 1964
34098    Templecombe An Exmouth Junction loco although it moved to Eastleigh the following month, May 1962
After trains ceased to cross the viaduct in 1968 the track was lifted and a roadway built across on one side. The viaduct became a haul road for lorries taking aggregate to the site of Meldon Dam during its construction perion 1970 to 1972. Later the roadway became a cycle track as it still is. What does the future hold for Meldon Viaduct and will the rail route across the viaduct be restored one day. It is possible that private car ownership could decline with the gradual takeover by electric cars and their attendant high battery costs and the difficulty of charging car batteries outside some properties. I think the railway will be rebuilt one day, although it is probably some years off. Tieing the two viaducts together at track formation level would enable a single line to be laid down the centre of the available width with the cycle path retained on one side.

MLR / 20 February 2023

6988 A view of the viaduct looking north east towards Okehampton on 14 April 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

6989 34062 heads across the viaduct with one GUV and ten coaches on the 11.10am Plymouth to Brighton train. Copyright Michael L. Roach

6990 Looking skywards from the middle pier showed the delicate tracery of the structure's wought iron members. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

6991 On the long gentle curve to the west of Okehampton Station 34098 heads up the gradient with six coaches on the 11.47am Exeter Central to Plymouth. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

6992 Just eight minutes later at the same location 34056 heads downhill with three coaches on the 11.46am Plymouth to Waterloo. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks Michael - will Meldon ever see trains again - one hopes so.

37669 at Par
Michael Adams

Hello Roger, I am glad to see you are getting about including sprinting over footbridges! I have been lucky to receive some more pictures from my good friend Michael Adams and here is the first of them. This shows 37669 arriving at Par with CDA wagons on 29 April 1988. All the best, Michael

Many Thanks Michael

Hayle Harbour
Roger Winnen

Hayle Wharves seen on 15th March 2023. Copyright Roger Winnen. Deliveries by rail have ceased. There was once a passenger feryy across these water landin by the cottges on the far side - there is a low bridge under the railway giving access to the Lelant Golf Course area. Copyright Roger Winnen.

Thank you Roger. Unfortunately this interesting industrial scean has been replaced by a terrace of modern homes.

21st February 2023

21/2/2023

Advance notice - something to do.
Open Day at
Whatley Quarry
Dennis Flood

I would be grateful if you would put this notice on the CRS Website, please. There may be some CRS members who would be interested in going. I may do so myself. Best wishes, Dennis Flood.

I don't know how practical it might be for members from Cornwall to attend this interesting event - perhaps Roger can advise.

Whatley Quarry
and the Class 59 locos
Dennis Flood

The last time I was at Whatley Quarry was in the 1991 when I was involved with ARC Class 59 locomotives, which the Amey Roadstone Company (ARC) had purchased from Electro-Motive in the US. I was at Newport Docks when they arrived and oversaw their move from there to Whatley Quarry. The ship carrying the four ARC Class 59s from the US docked in the early hours and work commenced in lifting them out of the hold of the ship at first light. We had to be off the dock by no later than 1800 on the day in question, which was a Saturday. Easy, we thought - but not quite.! After several issues with the unloading we finally got off the Newport Docks at 1740. The Severn Tunnel was going to close at 1800 for engineering work… Talk about a close run thing.! ARC had erected a large marquee at Whatley for their staff and families to view the locomotives on the following day, which was a Sunday. Thank goodness we got there.!! Best wishes, Dennis.

Many thanks Dennis for your recollections of a significant moment.

Pinhoe
Keith Turley

On 20th February 2023 Network Rail class 150/0 DMU No.950001 passes Exhibition fields Nr. Pinhoe, working the 2Q08 03:50 Derby RTC to Plymouth Network Rail test train
Regards Keith Turley.

950001 at Exhibition Fields Near Pinhoe. 20th February 2023 Copyright Keith Turley

Many thanks Keith - an unusual location and angle for your photograph.

The Newbury Blockage
Driver Alan Peters

There is currently a blockade at Newbury for track works affecting passengers between Saturday 18th February and Thursday 2nd March, Colas Rail 70805 is seen on the new S&C at Newbury Racecourse on the 19th February 2023, note the Colas Kirow 1200 crane in the sidings
Colas Rail 70805 has now moved to Newbury Racecourse station with 6F05 which will return to Westbury loaded with scrap rail, the 'Up' line has been removed pending renewal, taken during T3 conditions on 19/02/23
Driver Alan Peters

Newbury 19th February 2023. Copyright Driver Alan Peters. Note the Colas Kirow crane in the sidings.

A moist unusual view at Newbury Racecourse. 19th February 2023. Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Many thanks indeed Alan for your crystal clear views of happenings at Newbury Racecourse.

Jubilee at
Kemble
Ken Mumford

The water supply at the ready, Copyright Ken Mumford.

The waiting criwds, Copyright Ken Myumford.

Many thanks Ken, your patience was rewarded.

20th February 2023

20/2/2023

The Wedding Belle
and 5553 at Bodmin
Roger Winnen

It was a stroke of luck getting to Bodmin yesterday to photograph the Wedding Bell arriving at General Station. Originally I planned to catch the 08.49 service to Bodmin only to find that it terminated at Par, this I found out later replaced a Newquay bound service. I boarded the 09.18 London service which then had technical problems and departed late at 09.34, we arrived at Bodmin Parkway at 10.54 giving me one minute to catch the number 26 Bus to Bodmin General. Darting across the footbridge I just anaged it as the bus was about to pull away. Failing that the first train would be at 12.30.

230219a The Wedding Belle arrives at Bodmin Parkway behind the newly arrived 5553. Copyright Roger Winnen

230219b 5553 Looking immaculate on its arrival at Bodmin. Copyright Roger Winnen

230219c Here comes the bride. Copyright Roger Winnen

230219d 5553 Departs on the 12 noon departure to Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Winnen

230219e 5553 Arrives at Bodmin General on the 12.30 service from Bodmin Parkway passing the Sentinel loco and Clay Hoods parked in the sidings. Copyright Roger Winnen

230220f 08359 stabled at Bodmin General. Copyright Roger Winnen

230220g 5553 about to depart on the 13.35 to Boscarne Junction. Copyright Roger Winnen

230220h The last train of the day arrives at Bodmin Parkway Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

230220j A scene not changed much over the last 60 years. Copyright Roger Winnen

230220k Buying a return ticket from Penzance to Plymouth is the same price as a return to Bodmin so I headed for Plymouth after seeing 5553 depart. It was a good day. Soon to be a thing over the past a Castle Class set parked in the through road at Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

Newquay Branch Activities
Andrew Triggs & Jon Hird

Evening Keith/Roger,
43092/189 with GW02 set substituted on 3 runs to Newquay today due to problems with the class 150 fleet earlier in the day, until later replacement by 150244. Myself and several other enthusiasts (and lineside photographers) took advantage of the deputising Castle set, in the twilight of their long service in the South West as the enclosed show
All the Best
Andrew

1.43189 leading 2N04 13.15 Par-Newquay prior to departure at Par
2. 43092 trailing 2N04 at Par
3. On arrival at Newquay 43092 will now lead 2N05 14.25 Newquay-Par
4. 43189 at Newquay following arrival with 2N04 from Par
5. 43189 from behind the currently disused platform 1
ATB Andrew Triggs

Par 43189 19th February 2023. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

43092 at Par. 19th February 2023. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

43092 at Newquay 19th February 2023. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

43189 at Newquay 19th February 2023. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

43189 at Newquay. 19th February 2023. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

I was planning a lazy day today, but after news broke of the HST working to Newquay I thought I’d better make an effort to get some shots of it on the branch.

I keep trying to get excited about these now that they’re on borrowed time, but with them having been around the whole time I’ve been interested in Railways, it’s difficult to get into them. They’ve been a part of the scene for so long it just feels like they can’t ever be removed. I guess I’m in for a reality check once they are abolished to history.

It was nice to visit some old spots along the Newquay line again, it feels like ages since anything interesting went down there!

All the best, Jon Hird

A familiar view from a familair location - Treffry viaduct. 19th February 2023; Copyright Jon Hird.

Many thanks to Andrew and Jon.

B & W Visitor 5553
Chris Harvey & Jon Hird

Visiting loco 5553 on the 14.05 Boscarne Jct to Bodmin General - seen at Kirland 19th February 2023. Copyright Chris Harvey.

5553 on the 19th February 2023 Copyright Jon Hird

5553 climbing the bank. 19th February 2023 Copyright Jon Hird

Many thanks to Chris and Jon.

19th February 2023

19/2/2023

Bringing down the wages
an inside story from
Craig Munday, Steve Curtis

Hi Keith
I was watching a talent show recently. and an escape artist brought out a wooden trunk, complete with chains to elaborately release himself. The box looked exactly like a mysterious box that used to come down on the "Murphy" mid morning on Thursday. Nowadays PAYE is almost universally used across large organisations and most transactions cashless these days. I thought some younger readers in particular may be fascinated about this charming ritual. I caught up with Steve Curtis and we had a natter about this weekly delivery. He picked up the story...
During the1980’s/90’s when I worked on the Railways, Thursdays was a very important day. On the down ‘Murphy’, the 05:45 from Barnstable in 1986, but could have been from Bristol TM in earlier days. A heavy wooden cash box chained to the metal bars would be put on at Plymouth usually in the rear Full Brake for stations to Penzance. The trunk contain the wages for BR staff in a leather pouch placed inside the box. Each station had their own key, and at larger stations the Chargeman would go in unlock the wooden safe box and retrieve their stations bag and sign the book. Smaller Stations that had a Booking Clerk, would retrieve the bag from the box. I remember at Camborne Frank Trythall, the Booking Clerk there would meet the train on Thursdays and retrieve the wages bag from the box. Smaller stations like Hayle, where there were only two staff, one early one late, a mere Leading Railman would collect the bag. There was definitely a sense of trust in those days, as anyone could retrieve someone else's bag and pocket the money, but in those days Railwaymen were ‘Family’ and you don’t steal from Family.

The Box would return to Plymouth on the same stock working the dinner time stopper from Penzance to Plymouth. This was of course in the days on Loco Hauled trains and of course you also had to retrieve any parcels or mail bags for your station too while passengers boarded and alighted the train. BR envelopes could be circulated around the Country with OCS in the top corner (On Conditional Service).
Look out if it was worked by a DMU, you’d have to clamber over parcels and mail bags just to get to the safe box! But that was rare.

Kind regards, Craig Munday / Steve Curtis

50033 makes a 'Glorious;' site crossing the viaduct at Hayle with a down service, it's 1987. Copyright Craig Mjunday

Very interesting, many thanks to you both, memories (and cash) are precious. I suppose the money comes by bank transfer these days!

Additional -
Sending back the takings
Dave Anthony

‘morning all,

If I could add... “ and sending away the takings”

A similar travelling safe was also used to send the stations takings, if I remember correctly, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Under BR in the mid 80’s this was to Plymouth then later I think, to Bristol Temple Meads.

In the nineties under privatisation, in Cornwall, the Plymouth and Bristol options were no longer available so all station and on train accounts except Penzance and St Erth, were sent daily, in the safes to Truro. The collated cash was then collected by a well known courier but cheques & credit card slips had to be taken down town to be paid in at the bank

Eventually commercial couriers were brought in for all delivery of wages and collection of each station’s own cash & accounts and the safes were taken out of use. This was probably a good idea as by then the newer units were being used and it was usual to find the safe chained to a passenger handrail by the door of a 150!

Cheers
Dave Anthony

Very useful again - inside information - many thanks Dave.

Travelling Safe /
Strong Box
(ref. Craig M’s piece 19th February 2023)
Guy Vincent

Morning Keith An interesting piece by Craig this morning set me off on a quick search to find a picture of a BR Travelling Safe. I discovered the attached courtesy of ‘the antique kitchen.co.uk’ and although unfortunately (for me!) it was sold some time ago the description and photos are excellent. It was advertised at only £245, a bargain in my opinion and with a strong local connection. I hope that with due acknowledgment given to the seller you may feel able to include the safe on the site for the historic interest it holds. With my regards Guy Vincent

A very clear example of a 20thC Painted Railway Strong Box. From the catalogue of ‘the antique kitchen.co.uk’

A very clear example of a 20thC Painted Railway Strong Box. From the catalogue of ‘the antique kitchen.co.uk’. In this view bottom right it is clearly shown that the lid could only be lifted by a small amount to reveal a tray below.

The above inforamtion is obtained from a catalogue of the ‘the antique kitchen.co.uk which can be sourced at ’ - https://www.google.com/search?q=%E2%80%98the+antique+kitchen.co.uk%E2%80%99&rlz=1C1VDKB_en-GBGB990GB990&oq=%E2%80%98the+antique+kitchen.co.uk%E2%80%99&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i22i30.11554j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 obviously an excellent site for sourcing many items of potential antique furnishing.

Goodbye old friend
Exeter
Paul Barlow

43198 43160 leave Exeter on 05.40 Penzance to Cardiff 2U10 18th February 2023 Copyright Paul Barlow

43198 43160 on 05.40 Penzance to Cardiff wait on platform 5 while 43040 and 43122 arrive with the 0725 Bristol to Penzance Exeter St Davids 18th February 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43198 43160 leave Exeter on 0540 Penzance to Cardiff 2U10 18 February 2023 This was 43160s final day in service before withdrawal in the evening. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Welcome back Paul.
He's been on a rather long holiday, we hope it all went very well.

Taking a flight of fancy at
Weston super Mare
Andrew Hickson

Hello Keith. Following your features about station cats. How about station pigeons?! This attractive tame pigeon joined me today whilst I waited for my train at Weston Super Mare. It looked very much at home sitting on this nicely varnished bench.
Andrew

Thank you Andrew. Good job there were no felines about - it would have been a catatastrophe !!

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[1] The backs of 3135 and the Taffy Tank [5637][2] and [3] The Taffy Tank - front and back. I wonder if I ever saw this loco when I lived in Gwent for the first 20 or so years of my life? Must try and check![4] The front of partly dismantled 3135.[5] A sort of general view of part of the area.

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