Blog Archives

Liskeard viaduct early in the morning Ron Westwater

30/4/2015

Until I saw this picture, taken early, very early on Monday morning I didn't realise just how far round the sun rose. Illuminating the up side is quite amazing.

57303 heads over Liskeard viaduct with the down sleeper 1C99 MO 2350 Sun Paddington - Penzance on the 27th April 2015 N.B. If running to time this train was due at Liskeard at 06.22, this picture taken at 06.53 Copyright Ron Westwater

Another early shot making the best of the clear air in the Fowey valley as 66092 heads down with the morning trip Fowey from Goonbarrow 27th April 2015 Copyright Ron Westwater.

Terras Crossing in April Ron Westwater

30/4/2015

A Looe bound Class 153 crawls to a stand before Terras Crossing - the time is 15.02 on the 29th April 2015. There is just a glimmer of a reflection from the cottage across the mud. Copyright Ron Westwater

Two minutes later the unit continues its journey towards Looe beside the ruffled waters of the East Looe river. Spring leaves are just emerging on some of the trees. 29th April 2015 Copyright Ron Westwater.

Just enjoy the view - Perranwell Station Craig Munday

30/4/2015

Perranwell Station is the name of the village which nestles in the valley below the Falmouth branch - trains going to the left are Falmouth bound and those to the right are for Truro. Perranwell Station Station is about a third of a mile up the hill that commences at the right hand bend in the road. N.B. There was another Perranwell on a Cornish branch line but not another station with the name. Perranwell viaduct was between Perranporth and Goonhavern.

In this very attractive shot by Craig Munday the caption reads 'Two 153's make their noisy way towards Falmouth on the 30 minute interval service. 30th April 2015. The village shop is just off picture to the right and the Pub 'The George' off to the left.

Penryn to gain extra facilities Mike Roach

30/4/2015

Hi Keith , On Thursday 23 April 2015 the West Briton reported that planning permission has been granted by Cornwall Council to Mr. Andrew Robertson for a cafe, kitchen and toilet in the forecourt of Penryn Station. Quite by chance we travelled to Penryn by train on the same day and spotted another facility in the forecourt of the station in the shape of a mobile bank. Car parking now costs £1.30 a day, which is relatively cheap by modern British standards. On our return journey our train on the branch consisted of 2 x 153s. Pictures attached. Best wishes Mike Many thanks Mike.

Penryn station car park. Copyright Mike Roach

The two 153 units have a few minutes break before another journey to Falmouth. Copyright Mike Roach Note :- from the absence of passengers on the down platform it would seem that the 16.26 to Penzance was running to time and has taken away the hoards who usually join this service at Truro.

The Great Britain Day 2 A report by Roger Winnen, Keith Jenkin, Craig Munday, Trevor Tremethick and David Tozer..

29/4/2015

150429b Passengers joining the Great Britain 8 as the 09.40 departure for Manchester Piccadilly leaves Penzance station. Copyright Roger Winnen

150429c 66122 awaits departure at 10.06 for Bristol. Copyright Roger Winnen

150429d Looking through the coach door window. As the 10.00 to Paddington departs Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

150429e The Great Britain 8 is held at Camborne awaiting the road to Truro. Copyright Roger Winnen

150429f Looking down from the footbridge at Camborne with 66122 on The Great Britain 8. Copyright Roger Winnen

Drump Lane Footbridge used to be a fascinating spot to watch shunting in the yard underneath the bridge but now with the yard gone and trees taking over the eastern aspect it's not so good. 66122 passes in front of the view of a distant Carn Brea. The signalbox at Drump lane was on the up side of the track behind the first coach of the train. 10.46 29th April 2015 Copyright Keith Jenkin

A 'going away' shot as GB8 heads for Truro. There once was a complicated track layout visible from this bridge, The block of houses behind the locomotive are more or less on the site of the Bacon Factory. which itself was served by a siding. 29th April 2015 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Craig Munday gets a smashing 3/4 front view of the gleaming GB8 train as it plunges down the grade past Carlyon Bay Golf Course. 29th April 2015 Copyright .

Great Britain VIII Plympton 29th April 2015. Copyright T Tremethick This view was taken from a footbridge between Tavistock Jct and Plympton, it looks as if 70000 is pushing hard. Shame it was behind 66122.

We are now up past Exeter and approaching the site of Silverton station. It was surprising the 66122 was still in charge of the train, however it was rumored that due to poor coal 70000 was not performing too well. 29th April 2015 Copyright David Tozer.

The Great Britain 8 Steam and Diesel. A report by Roger Winnen

28/4/2015

Day 1 Of the Great Britain 8 Railtour saw 70000 Britannia top and tailed by 66122 arrive at Exeter St David's from London Victoria via the West London Extension through Kensington Olympia, down the Berks and Hants with water stops at Newbury Racecourse and Frome. Much of this years tour will be diesel hauled owing to operational problems affecting West Coast Railway Co.

150428a 70000 Britannia heads The Great Britain 8 into Exeter St David's from London Victoria. Copyright Roger Winnen

150428b Looking a fine sight at Exeter where Britannia will set back into Riverside Yard assisted by the Class 66122 attached to the rear of the train, Copyright Roger Winnen

150428c Proud to be British! "Britannia" built 1951 during the Festival of Britian Year, the first of the British Railways Standards. Copyright Roger Winnen

150428d The Class 66 hauls the stock to Riverside Siding before running around and heading the train to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

150428e 66122 without a headboard hauls the Great Britain 8 through Totnes on route to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

150428f Britannia with its support coach heads through Totnes for Tavistock Junction and Plymouth for turning, prior to Day 2 of The Great Britain 8. The Class 66 will head the train from Penzance and steam wil take over from Plymouth to Bristol. Copyright Roger Winnen

GB 8 Railtour flashes through Stoke Cannon David Tozer

The GB8 railtour at stoke Canon . 28th April 2015. A still from Dave's video camera. Copyright David Tozer.

GB8 at Buckshead Tunnel Pictures from Craig Munday

28/4/2015

Evening Keith, The Cornish leg of the GB8 tour was diesel hauled due to the WCR operating constraints. DBS class 66/0 no. 66122 was provided and worked the train from Exeter St Davids on 28th April 2015. The train is seen emerging from Buckshead Tunnel on the outskirts of Truro. A class 150 (102) was pictured eastbound with 2E88.
The cutting has only recently had the vegetation cleared, but see how quickly the flowers flourish? The bluebells and primroses look pretty against the brooding tunnel mouth.
Taken with the land owners full permission. Best wishes Craig
Many thanks Craig, very interesting to get a private view of the tunnel mouth, and the train as well.

Buckshead tunnel - the west end as 150 102 heads into the darkness of the 320 yard tunnel. 28th April 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

What Craig has been waiting for - GB8 bursts out of the tunnel behind 66112. As Roger Winnen said - it's a pity there was no headboard. 28th April 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

66112 and its spotless train commences to coast down towards Truro. As Craig says, bluebells and other spring flowers add very welcome colour to the scene. GB8 28th April 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

Nearing the end of its run to Penzance as the Great Britain 8 approaches Marazion. A report by Roger Salter

150428g A dramatic photograph with a telephoto lens by Roger Salter of the Great Britian 8 railtour crossing under the A394 Marazion Bypass with only a couple of miles to the terminus Copyright Roger Salter

150428h Taken from the same location the foot crossing on Marazion Marsh. Copyright Roger Salter

150428a Berthed in slopers siding prior to departure on Tuesday morning 29th April, 2015. Copyright Roger Salter

Saltash station - demolition?? Stephen Jensen

27/4/2015

Dear Sirs, As I'm sure you are aware, the Saltash railway station buildings are currently in private ownership and in a state of disrepair. The current owner is rumoured to be planning an application to build 4 x 4 storey dwellings on the site, and this will obviously mean demolition of the old railway station buildings. Some of us think this would be a shame, so will be objecting should such an application for demolition be placed.
An online petition has been started in the hope that it may assist our cause should such a the time come. I have attached the link herewith in case any of your members would like to sign it.
Stephen Jensen

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-saltash-station-building-2

Privileged Pictures at Penzance a Consignment from Craig

27/4/2015

Hi Keith, A long day at Penzance was rewarded with a visit from the VSOE set hauled by two class 67s from DBS. Royal locos 67005 & 67026 made a fine sight in the sunshine, which eluded other parts of Cornwall until much later on. The first picture is the down sleeper arriving at Penzance on the 25th April with 57604.
Cheers Craig. Many thanks Craig.

Down sleeper hauled by 57 604 arrives at Penzance on 25th April 2015. From the signalbox. 25th April 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

Royal locos 67005 & 67026 made a fine sight in the sunshine on the 26th April 2015 - another privileged view from the signalbox. Copyright Craig Munday

Another very privilaged view of 67005 & 67026 which have run round their train and are standing at platform one ready for the departure. 26th April 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

When there is nothing else to look at you've always got this. St Michael's Mount from the signalbox at Penzance. 26th April 2015 Copyright Craig Munday.

Introducing Ian Bunnett

26/4/2015

It always gives me great pleasure to receive offers of pictures and stories of life on the railways none less that the experiences of Ian Bunnett who for quite a short time worked on the Somerset & Dorset quickly gaining a position on the footplate as fireman, something we’d all like to have done.

Ian says :- “I started work at the age of sixteen on 4th June 1962. They took me on as a cleaner and then I became a fireman.

March 7th 1966 is a date I remember well says Ian. My eldest son was born on that day so it’s a day I’ll never forget. It was also a quiet day on the S & D – it had died, the last trains, enthusiasts specials, had run on Sunday the 6th March and the last public trains on the 5th. (March the 7th is the day after the last trains ran on the Somerset and Dorset, the final public service day had been on March 5th)

During those almost four years working on the S & D Ian had a lifetimes experience which many of us would envy. He was teamed up with Driver John Stamp and had a very great respect for this gentleman who passed away a few years ago.

After Green Park station had shed closed Ian got a job on the permanent way which he suffered for a time but nothing could replace the footplate for Ian and sadly he left the railways in 1969. One of his jobs was as a Newspaper packer travelling on the 02.15 from Paddington to Bristol (most days he’d finished packing and was able to get off at Bath) and it was through this contact that he struck up friendships with drivers from Old Oak Common. With these contacts he somehow secreted himself on to the footplate of a high speed train and during the journey the driver (Now it can be said) offered him a go!

This is also a tribute to Ian’s mentor, the late, John Stamp who was not only an excellent driver, but also a fine friend and a keen and expert photographer. Most of the rare photographs you will see added to this site are the work of the late John Stamp. We are most grateful to Ian for passing on his memories and allowing his collection of photographs to be used.

Over the next few weeks Ian’s photos and stories will be added to the website.
We continue in the Features Section with a collection with some snow scenes in the winter of 1963

It's four o'clock in the afternoon at Bath Green Park and Ian Bunnett leans from the cab of 80041 on his last day of duty on the Somerset and Dorset. Sadly he was to miss the last two days of the S & D - see above. This picture copyright of the late John Stamp

A photograph which fortunately somebody had the foresight to take of Ian accepting the token at Bath Junction at the start of the long climb out of Bath to Devonshire tunnel. He's on the S & D proper now and looking forward to the run to Templecombe and Bournemouth West.

We cannot start off our collection of Ian's pictures without this one from his collection, taken by Driver John Stamp's camera of 34057 Biggin Hill. The two gentlemen are Driver, the late John Stamp, teamed up for the day with fireman T. Davis. The late John Stamp was Ian's driver from whom he learnt a lot during his short time on the footplate. John was also an expert cameraman who developed his own pictures. Copyright Driver, the late John Stamp

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