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31st March, 2015 Variety in West Cornwall by Roger Salter

31/3/2015

150331a 08410 Has returned to Long Rock Depot sporting a Brunswick Green Livery. Copyright Roger Salter

150331b 43146 Building a Greater West on the 10.06 Paddington-Penzance. The Cornish Riviera. Copyright Roger Salter

150331c The 15.59 Penzance to Paddington passes Rosevidney adorned with the livery of Plymouth Smeatons Tower. Copyright Roger Salter

150331d The rear power car of the 15.59 service 43146 Building a Greater West. Copyright Roger Salter

More to follow in Inside Stories 'Features Page'

Seeing March out - around about Par Craig Munday

31/3/2015

Hello Keith, What a miserable, windy, cold spell we're having - just as the Easter Hols start. I saw a glimmer of sun today and headed out to finish the month of March with some clay shots. I knew that 6G08 would be short formed of just 11 wagons, an unusual occurrence these days.
The down working was caught briefly between the bare branches at Tywardreath, and then returning along Rundles Walk at Middleway St Blazey. The sun eluded me at Golant unfortunately!
Earlier in the day, I was "collecting" class 153's at Par, with three in the branch platform. A lorry had wedged itself under a road bridge near Bugle, and the first two trips on the branch were cancelled. The other unit had failed the day before and was sorted by the mobile fitter.
Cheers Craig Many thanks Craig

66092 with just 11 wagons trundles alongside Rundles Walk just to the north of Middleway Crossing. 31st March 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

66092 with a return empties working seen here at Treesmill. 31st March 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

Collecting 153's at par. See the note above. 31st March 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

The Railways of Barnstaple, Past and Present by Roger Winnen

29/3/2015

Further to my earlier visit of North Devon a month ago I decided to explore the railways of Barnstaple in greater depth for our CRS Visit on Saturday 6th June, 2015. Looking at google earth a footpath could be seen utilising the track bed of the former connecting line to Barnstaple Victoria Road and crossing the River Taw on the five span bridge viewed as you enter Barnstaple Station through the train window. I decided to explore this option.

150328a The connecting bridge linking the former Great Western line from Barnstaple Victoria Road to Barnstaple Junction

150328b The Exeter St David's 10.27 service heads for Barnstaple viewed from the five span bridge 119 yds in length. Now used as the Tarka Trail cycleway and walkway. Copyright Roger Winnen

150328c The former Barnstaple Victoria Road Goods Depot which closed on the 5th March, 1970. It is now the Grosvenor Church. Copyright Roger Winnen

150328d The London Midland 153 repainted in this bright livery advertising citizensrail.org at Barnstaple on the 15.43 service to Exmouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

See Inside Stories 'Features Page for more on Barnstaple Past and Present

Two tokens for the Parkandillack branch from David Hibberd

29/3/2015

Hi Keith, With your request for further photos of key tokens please find enclosed a photos of BR WR Alloy Tokens. The first complete with end for section “St Dennis JC- Drinnick Mill” and also 'Burngullow to Drinnick Mill', without end from my signalling collection. Regards Dave I have more. More tokens, yes please, and thanks.

St Dennis Jct to Drinnick Mill token - from the collection of David Hibbert, Copyright

Burngullow to Drinnick Mill. - from the collection of David Hibbert , Copyright.

Spring variety on the West Somerset Weekend Gala David Tozer

28/3/2015

Hi Keith, I am unsure if these will be of interest to you for your website. I spent the day at Crowcombe Heathfield and Williton. Dave Many thanks David

3850 at Crowcombe Heathfield 27th March 2015 Copyright David Tozer

5643 runs into Crowcombe Heathfield with a service from Bishops Lydeard. 27th March 2015 Copyright David Tozer

4160 out in the country with a demonstration freight on the second day. 28th March 2015 Copyright David Tozer

For the complete collection of David's pictures of the Spring Gala on the WSR see the features section.

Cannington Viaduct on the Lyme Regis branch Mike Roach

27/3/2015

Hi Keith, A couple of pics of Cannington Viaduct on the Lyme Regis Branch to add to the web if you like.
Its made of mass concrete like the more famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. Mass concrete means there is no steel reinforcement in the concrete. It is not immediately obvious from a distance that the strengthening arches for span 3 are only about one metre wide each side. They were added at the time of original construction. It is rumoured locally that it may have to be demolished because of detioration. Best wishes Mike Many thanks Mike
These and more pictures on the Lyme Regis branch page

Cannington Viaduct on the 22nd March 2015. Copyright Mike Roach

Cannington viaduct on the 22nd March 2015. Note the reinforcing arches are, as Mike says, only a metre or so wide. Copyright Mike Roach

The Red 66 roams the Cornish Rails Ron Westwater

27/3/2015

Hi Keith, Red DBS 66101 worked some freight in the last few days and we rode our luck with getting it in the sun!
Shots at Treviscoe,Gover viaduct and Restormel
Best Regards, Ron Many thanks Ron

66101 provides a splash of colour at Treviscoe. 26th March 2015 Copyright Ron Westwater

The deciduous trees will soon be providing some competition for the pines as 66101 heads east at Restormel on the 26th March 2015 Copyright Ron Westwater.

It's a pity that there are few of the conical clay waste heaps survive these days there is one in this pictures as 66101 crosses Gover viaduct west of St Austell on the 26th March 2015. Copyright Ron Westwater

A colourful visitor Craig Munday

26/3/2015

Hi Keith, 66101 in the revised DBS livery has been a visitor this week. The sun eventually shone as it arrived back at Par after taking the JIA's out to Treviscoe on the Parkandillack branch. on 26th March 2015. The Par Harbour wagons were loaded on the 25th.
The train is seen at St Blazey with the first portion out of the County today 6C43. Cheers Craig Many thanks Craig

66101 stands at St Blazey with 6C43 on the 26th March 2015. Copyright Craig Munday

Donyatt Halt Mike Roach

26/3/2015

This week Mike has been on holiday and sent us a series of pictures of Donyatt Halt. Two are included below and more have been added to our Chard page. Many thanks to Mike.

The statue of Doreen which sits waiting on the platform depicts a young evacuee from London sitting on her case awaiting collection by her carers - more details on our Chard Branch page. Copyright Mike Roach 23rd March 2015

A Spring Morning - pictures from Craig Munday

26/3/2015

Hi Keith An early shift at Penzance was very enjoyable today with a splendid sunrise and some super sunshine. I popped back to Angarrack near Hayle for a daffodil photo opportunity.
Many thanks Craig

The sun starts to strike across Mounts bay towards Penzance signalbox on the 25th March 2015. A very striking and illuminating picture from the box by Craig Munday. Copyright

Probably relief for the driver as 57603 arrives with the sleepers. 25th March 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

A privileged view at Penzance. 150124 arrives back "in town" with the 2A06 coast to coast service whilst FGW HST sits waiting time in plat 4, and 1S47 occupies platform 2. 25th March 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

1C82 Paddington to Penzance HST passes by a moment earlier. Copyright Craig Munday 25th March 2015

150106 passes Angarrack with a lovely field of daffs appearing to go to waste! 25th March 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

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