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Western Champion to Penzance Saturday 28th June 2014

27/6/2014

Sat 28th June Mazey Day at Penzance – Just one through Charter this year
1Z07 05.00 Tame Bridge to Penzance   D1015 Western Champion
Exeter SD 08.45 N Abbt 09.09 Plymouth 09.47 / 57
Liskd 10.21, Lostwithiel 10.36 Par 10.41 Truro 11.00
St Erth 11.29 / 32 Penzance 11.40

1Z08 16.11 Penzance to Tame Bridge
St Erth 16.19 /21 Truro 16.48   Par 17.15   Liskd 17.37
Plymouth 18.02 / 32   Exeter SD 19.50

Steam to Par on Sunday 29th June, 2014

27/6/2014

The Royal Duchy to Par which is running this Sunday will unusually run direct to Plymouth Friary via Laira and Mount Gould Jct. The engine will then be turned using the triangle and from there on the engine will run tender first to Par

Timings:- Laira Junction Jct 12.03, Mount Gould 12.11, Plymouth Friary 12.21 - 12.42, Mount Gould 12.46, Plymouth Station 12.59 - 13.34, Liskeard 14.10, Lostwithiel 14.33, Par 14.40.

Return working:- Par 17.45, Liskeard 18.25, Saltash 18.44, Plymouth 18.55 - 59.

1Z37 08.12 Bristol TM to Par 'The Royal Duchy'

Steam tour operated by West Coast Railways

This train is expected to run via Plymouth Friary to turn the loco. This will result in the train running tender first Plymouth to Par. There may be a pleasant announcement regarding St Blazey turntable, but watch this space......

Exeter SD 09.59 / 10.50 N Abbt 11.15 Plym Friary 12.21 / 41
Plymouth 12.59 / 13.31 Liskd 14.10 Par 14.40
Train shunts to Upside and loco runs to St Blazey for watering: then returns,
1Z39 17.45 Par to Bristol TM
Liskeard                18.25
Plymouth         18.55 / 18.59
N Abbt                  19.43
Exeter SD        20.15 / 20.41

'Plymouth livery' unveiled Report by Derek Buttivant

27/6/2014

Hello Keith. The unveiling in Plymouth on Wednesday 25 June of HST power car 43163 in a special livery to promote Plymouth. The power car was hauled into platform 8 from Laira by 43086 and unveiled by Tudor Evans, Plymouth City Council Leader at 11.30. Pictures show the loco being prepared for the unveiling and Councillor Evans pressing the button to drop the red curtain to reveal the special livery. Pictured in the cab with Councillor Evans is Dan Okey, Regional Development Manager for FGW. Best wishes, Derek Many thanks Derek

140625a Preparation for the unveiling, a sneak preview. Copyright Derek Buttivant

140625b Councillor Tudor Evans has made his speech and pressed the button to drop the curtain. Copyright Derek Buttivant

140625c Smeatons Lighthouse Tower on Plymouth Hoe is prominent in this picture. The tower now safely on Plymouth Hoe was the second lighthouse on the Eddystone Reef. Copyright Derek Buttivant

140625d Pictured in the cab of the HST are Councillor Tudor Evans and Dan Okey, Regional Development Manager for FGW. Copyright Derek Buttivant

140625e A three quarter front view of the new livery taken whilst the curtain scaffolding was being dismantled. Copyright Derek Buttivant

Well spotted - from Victor Menhennet, Waterloo, Ontario

26/6/2014

Steam trains to travel backwards through Cornwall. Click the following to read the excellent article in the Cornish Guardian http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/Steam-trains-travel-backwards-Cornwall/story-21282822-detail/story.html

Going going, almost gone A last shot by Martin Duff

26/6/2014

Hello Keith, Slightly further afield this one, but with all the changes happening on the Great Western main line, this event deserves a mention I think. The horizon at Didcot Parkway will change early on 27 July when the three cooling towers at the power station are razed to the ground. Here is the view at lunchtime, Wednesday 25/06 as a Class 66 hauled freight liner waits departure. Kind regards, Martin Many thanks Martin

A last view of Didcot Cooling Towers taken hours before demolition. This view at 12.44 on 25th June 2014 Copyright Martin Duff

Late turn at St Erth. Roger captures the first CWR train on the St Ives branch

26/6/2014

Our faithful reporter Roger Winnen was out late last nigh and very early this morning to see the first ever train of continuously welded rail leave St Erth and head out along the St Ives branch.

140627a The CWRail Train arrives St Erth at 00.02hrs Copyright Roger Winnen

140627c With the points set for the branch Network Rail has possession with the flashing stop signs. Copyright Roger Winnen

140627d With 66140 on the other end, a meeting takes place in the cab before departure on to the branch. Copyright Roger Winnen

140627e The long train of cwr,this being a first as the branch is entirely laid with bullhead track except for a few yards at the St Ives terminus. Copyright Roger Winnen

140627f Awaiting the right away for the branch. Copyright Roger Winnen

140627g The last train to Penzance the 00.35 arrives as the 66s gain access to the branch. Copyright Roger Winnen

Double COINCIDENCE Input from Roger's Salter and Winnen

26/6/2014

On the 24th June the two pictures at the bottom of this article by Roger Winnen were published.
However although neither of them were aware the time both RS and RW were about. RS at the station and RW on ground level by the viaduct. So here they are, pictures taken seconds and yards apart - many thanks to both of you.

140623a 57305 enters Hayle Station on a perfect June morning copyright Roger Salter

140623b About to leave Hayle copyright Roger Salter

140623c Another view of the Night Riviera crossing Hayle Viaduct copyright Roger Salter. Note how 'structural problems' are apparent from the line of the railings.

140623a The race to Penzance as 57305 Heads the sleeper at Hayle. Copyright Roger Winnen SAME TRAIN AS ABOVE!!

140623b Crossing the old A30 twice as 57305 leaves Hayle. Copyright Roger Winnen Roger Salter is at the current station up to the right, the original Hayle station of the Hayle Railway was located about where the two white cars are - the roadway was much narrower at the time.

Railtour timings

24/6/2014

Western times for Saturday
Depart Plymouth 09.57, Truro 1100 , Penzance arrive 11.40
Penzance depart 16.11, Lostwithiel 17.22 and Plymouth 18.02 - 32
Many thanks for these times to Roger Geach

News from Maurice Dart

24/6/2014

This news from two sheets supplied by Maurice Dart, rather than re-type his sheets they have been scanned. It is hoped that this time saving format is acceptable. This information is copied with the full approval of Maurice, many thanks to him for his time and trouble in the preparation.

What a coincidence - another from Hayle

24/6/2014

140623a The race to Penzance as 57305 Heads the sleeper at Hayle. Copyright Roger Winnen. Comment, a lovely picture, not often one gets the chance for a shot like this. With the doors shut the bus is on the move as is the train. Well done Roger. I guess the train got to Penzance first!!

140623b Seconds later. Crossing the old A30 twice as 57305 leaves Hayle. Copyright Roger Winnen. The current Hayle station is to the right at a high level. The first Hayle station, that of the Hayle Railway, lay more or less where the two white cars are. The HR line towards Redruth heading alongside the road which bears to the left under the viaduct.

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