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Items added on June 30th 2016                                                                                  Those added most recently come first

30/6/2016

 
Mike Morant visits
BR South Devon 1
Picture
A lovely shot courtesy of the Mike Morant collection. Malachite liveried Bulleid West Country Pacific n0. 34020 'SDeaton' with the first style branding skirts the Teign Estuary at low tide circa 1948/9. Southern engine crews in the west country were required to have route knowledge of the GWR route from Exeter to Plymouth and this shot depicts such a training exercise with 34020 in charge of a motley selection of mixed GWR rolling stock. 160601_S_BR_34020_DKJ

Items added on June 29th 2016                                                                                  Those added most recently come first

29/6/2016

 

More Moorswater Colas class 70 809 Photos by Alan Peters
​Many Thanks for that Alan

Picture
1) At Coombe Junction Halt
Picture
2) In the Depot
Picture
3) Southwest Colas crew (Left to Right: Kev Samways, Ian 'Rocketman' Stephenson, Alan Peters, Mark Fabiano and of course stood next to the engine is Southwest Colas ground staff Paul Rundle)

Moorswater Rebirth.
By Mick House

The morning of 28th June 2016 and I was very surprised that more people did not turn up to see the rebirth of the Moorswater branch beyond Coombe Junction Halt and the first ever arrival of a class 70 locomotive.
On the 7th March 2013 the last Cement train with Freightliner 66 230 hauling, arrived at Moorswater three years and three months later we see Colas 70 809 arrive light loco on an assessment, gauging and training run in readiness of the reinstatement of cement traffic up the branch. 
This joint venture with Tarmac supplying the Cement, loading/unloading facilities and Colas the locos and stock will resume in July of this year.
70 809 departed Tavistock Junction at 08.32, 8 minutes early and arrived 13.00 at Tarmac, Moorswater 147 minuets late having had to go to Lostwithiel first to clear the line for service trains to pass, to make things even more difficult she was almost called upon to rescue the up Cornish Riviera Express that developed a fault and ran 35 minuets late out of Liskeard.  I have no reported timings of 70 809 leaving Tarmac Moorswater but she departed Liskeard at 15.25 67 minuets early arriving at Tavistock Junction 15.59, 83 minuets early.   
My thanks go to Martin Chiswell site Manager, Tarmac and his staff and Huw Phillips Traction & Rolling Stock Engineer, Colas Rail and his staff.

All text and photos by Mick House.
Picture
1) 70 809 at Liskeard Station.
Picture
2) 70 809 being brought to a stand by the Colas shunter at the Moorswater road crossing.
Picture
3) Starting to cross the road.
Picture
4) About to cross from Network Rail metals to Tarmac metals.
Picture
5) Clearance checks, will she miss the wall.
Picture
6) More clearance checks, will she miss this wall.
Picture
7) The final clearance check, with just millimetres of clearance.
Picture
8) After passing all the clearance checks, 70 809 stands ready for her trip back to Tavistock Junction.
Picture
9) This is the tractor that was used to shunt the wagons and will be used again in the future.
Drat it - Missed it!
Sid Sponheimer

Afternoon Keith,
I arrived home this afternoon from the office in time to read about the return of the Class 70 test run  from Moorswater and although it was "rather inclement " decided to leave my comfortable armchair and go and photograph it especially as, believe it or not I haven't even seen a Class 70 yet alone photograph one.
Arrived 15.02 and hung around until 15.25 with no engine in sight so wended my way up to the station to be told by a Network Rail employee that it left "2 minutes ago" !!
As some form of compensation I attach the last pictures I took of that end of the branch many moons ago and unfortunately undated.
Sid.    You'll get a 70 one day Sid- thanks anyway
By the way the 70 did visit Moorswater - we're hoping for pictures.

Picture
37415 Mount Fuji approaches Moorswater China Clay works. Undated. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Picture
Crossing the road to enter the Dries. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Picture
37415 has entered the depot and run round and is heading back onto its train. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Picture
Within the depot. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Picture
37415 backing up to take charge. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Picture
37416 returns to Liskeard with its load. Undated, Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Items added on June 28th 2016                                                                                  Those added most recently come first

28/6/2016

 
John Cornelius
- been busy!

Hi all,    Yesterday I finished scanning my collection of 6x6cm negs.
having bought the scanner  in mid-April,it has taken me ten weeks to
complete. A total of 3,355 negs were scanned, captioned and tidied up and all stored on my little Toshiba back up gadget,in case of a computer crash.
  Here's pics of the first and last ones scanned.
Picture
Copyright John Cornelius Collection
Picture
Copyright John Cornelius Collection
Picture
Copyright John Cornelius Collection
Picture
Copyright John Cornelius Collection
West Cornwall Gems 11&12
Mike Morant
Picture
7806 Cockington Manor on the climb from St Erth to Arch Lane bridge. Courtesy the Mike Morant collection 160320_W_BR_7806_MB360
Picture
5998 Trevor Hall. There is some doubt about the location of this picture - Roger Winnen suggests that it could have been taken at Rosevidney about half a mile west of Arch Lane Bridge. Courtesy the Mike Morant collection.
Tomorrow we move to Devon with Mikes pictures, for which many thanks.

Items added on June 27th 2016                                                                                  Those added most recently come first

27/6/2016

 
Part 2 of the new Great Western Green Livery HST 43041 Meningitis Trust
Andrew Triggs
Picture
160627e The 07.02 Plymouth-Penzance with 43041 Meningitis Trust runs adjacent to the Eastern Green, Penzance. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Picture
160627f 43005 brings up the rear of the 1C40 the 07.02 Plymouth -Penzance. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Picture
160627g Taken from Tescos flat roof with kind permission of the management 43005 departs Penzance with the 10.00 to London Paddington. Copyright Andrew Triggs
STOP PRESS
​Martin Chiswell
Colas will be running a class 70 loco in to the Tarmac cement depot in Moorswater tomorrow 28th June 2016 between 10:30 and 12 and leaving at 15:30,this will be engine for test before the full cement train commences again in mid July. I run the depot and thought this information would be of use to you.
Regards
Martin Chiswell       Many thanks Martin
An interlude at St Blazey
Colin Moss

Colin Moss has very kindly submitted a number of pictures of class 37's resident at St Blazey Depot - these together with very detailed captions can be found in our St Blazey - Par Harbour collection. Many thanks to you Colin.
Picture
ugust 1989, 50 149 ( 049 ) “ Defiance “ reposed between duties on BZ. This was during the short lived period when this now preserved loco passed to the freight sector for trialling with different gearing and traction motors. Working was mainly concentrated on clay traffic in Cornwall. Note the ‘ general user’ decals and unusual yellow nameplate. Copyright Colin Moss
 A second HST in Great Western Green Livery 43041 leading arrives at Penzance on 27th June, 2016
Roger Winnen & Roger Salter
Picture
160627c The 07.02 Plymouth-Penzance crosses the marsh at Marazion on its run into Penzance. Copyright Roger Salter
Picture
160627d Passing the former Marazion Station on its run into Penzance. Copyright Roger Salter
Picture
160627a 43041 named Meningitis Trust arrives at Penzance with the 07.02 from Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
160627b This power car was named on 1st July,2011 at Stroud to mark the 25th Aniversary of the founding of the Meningitis Trust. Copyright Roger Winnen
A case of 'Mistaken identity'
The facts from Mike Roach
For several years the picture below, taken by Mike Roach, has appeared as 'an auto service returning from Menheniot'. Little else was known about it other than it was taken in June 1965. Sherlock Holmes (Roy Hart) pointed out the error and we referred it back to Mike Roach.
His reply is :- About the only thing that is correct is the date; it is June 1965 (12th to be precise). I was on a day trip from Plymouth to the S&D at Templecombe. Then going north to Bath and right through to Poole. So its Templecombe on my way south on the 16.20 from Bath behind 80146 of Bournemouth Shed. We came into Templecombe with 4C and went out with 7C. The pilot loco assisting my train out is pannier tank 4631 of Templecombe Shed. It was withdrawn the same month. The time is 17.47 and I had just 5 mins at Poole before coming back to Templecombe behind 76026. I eventually got back to Plymouth Station at 00.50 next morning. I had stamina in those days; couldn't do it now !
Best wishes,  Mike.

 This picture has now been transferred to the S & D section - many thanks Mike, a very good day out.
Picture
Templecombe 12th June 1965. Copyright Mike Roach
West Cornwall Gems 10
Mike Morant

Picture
4906 Bradfield Hall climbs away from St Erth with a service bound for Penzance - from the signals an up service is expected soon. From the Mike Morant collection. 160320_W_BR_4906_MB253

Items added on June 26th 2016                                                                                  Those added most recently come first

26/6/2016

 
Driver Training
Robert Lindley

Picture
1010 Western Campaigner running round its train at Bishops Lydeard 25th June 2016 Copyright Robert Lindley
Leslie Curnow visits Par
Saturday 25th June, 2016
Picture
160625l 43002 Sir Kenneth Grange at Par with an Empty Stock move from Penzance to form the 09.46 service to Newquay. Copyright Leslie Curnow
Picture
160625lm Twin Voyagers 220 and 221 Class forms the 09.35 Newquay- Dundee service. Copyright Leslie Curnow
Picture
160625n 66070 on the Mazey Day 'Cornishman' heads for Penzance. Copyright Leslie Curnow
More Class 68's to Cornwall
Karl Hewlett

Dear Keith/Roger.
Karl's good deed for today.  This week sees the return of what would be Network Rail's NMT HST diagrammed cycle to the South West, but as this set is in for scheduled maintenance the test will be handled by a pair of T&T class 68's hauling the Plain Line Pattern Line Recognition Train 2 (PLPR2), instead.  The booked locos are 68004 'Rapid' and 68020 'Reliance'.

Thursday 30th June (to Devon):

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U35535/2016/06/30/advanced

Friday 1st July (to Cornwall):

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U35538/2016/07/01/advanced

Regards

Karl (Friends of Penmere).                                        Many thanks Karl
Sir Kenneth goes to Newquay
Gareth Thornton

Picture
Sir Kenneth Grange in original HST livery approaches Goonbarrow 25th June 2016 Copyright Gareth Thornton
Picture
Hoping the passengers have had a good holiday in Newquay we see Sir Kenneth Grange in original HST livery approaching the duty signalman Gareth Thornton at Goonbarrow Junction 25th June 2016 Copyright Gareth Thornton
Mazey Day in Devon !!
David Tozer

Nicely caught at Powerderham on its way to Cornwall we see the sole Mazey Day charter.  Many thanks David
Picture
Caught just at the right tim eas 43193 on an up service passes 66070 Powderham 09.03 25.6.2016 Copyright David Tozer
Picture
Taken from just under the new footbridge at Powderham as the charter gets nearer.43193 pass 66070 Powderham 09.03 25th June 2016 Copyright David Tozer
West Cornwall Gems 9
Mike Morant

Picture
1023 County of Oxford has just crested the climb from St Erth at Arch Lane bridge which is clearly visible, 160320_W_BR_1023_MB329 Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

Items added on June 25th 2016                                                                                  Those added most recently come first

25/6/2016

 
Pathfinder Railtours
The Cornishman to and from Penzance

Roger Salter, Roger Winnen & Andrew Triggs
Picture
160625d The Mazey Day Charter approaches Dolcoath Crossing, Camborne. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
160625a Arrival at St Erth of The Mazey Day charter amongst the weeds and rusty footbridge of this Grade Two listed building. Copyright Roger Salter
Picture
160625b The 05.26 Pathfinders Railtour -Eastleigh Penzance calls at St Erth. Copyright Roger Salter
Picture
160625h The arrival at Penzance of the Mazey Day Cornishman. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Picture
160625i Entering Penzance Station viewed from Ponsandane Footbridge. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Picture
160625e Servicing the train in Platform 1 at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
160625f Prior to departure the train is serviced at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
160625k Viewed from the station wall. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Picture
160625c The return working to Eastleigh departed Penzance at 16.08 and is seen passing through Marazion. Copyright Roger Salter
Picture
160625g The 16.08 Penzance to Eastleigh is seen passing through Hayle Station on its return run. Copyright Roger Winnen

66 070 on The Mazey Day Cornishman.
By Mick House

The Mazey Day Cornishman Departed Eastleigh at 05.27 this morning hauled by DB Schenker 66 070 heading for Mazey day in Penzance, it arrived at 12.09. I photographed it at Apex bridge, I noticed that the driver had an extra set of eye to act as lookout in the form of a gnome suitably dressed in a high visibility suit. The return leg departs on time from Penzance at 16.08
Picture
DB Schenker 66 070 hauls The Mazey Day Cornishman with Mr Gnome on the dashboard. Photo Mick House on Apex Bridge
Picture
DB Schenker 66 070 hauls The Mazey Day Cornishman heading home to Eastleigh. Photo Mick House on Apex Bridge
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DB Schenker 66 070 hauls The Mazey Day Cornishman heading home to Eastleigh. Photo Mick House on Apex Bridge
Buffers at Burnham
Robert Lindley
Hi Keith Please see the photos below of the buffer stops installed at Burnham-on-Sea to mark the end of the S&D branch, although the line did used to extend down onto the pier at one time. Cheers Rob Lindley
                                                                               Many thanks Rob
Picture
Almost the end of the line at Burnham, the line at one time used to extend out on to the pier. Copyright Robert Lindley
Picture
The buffers looking back towards Higbridge, Evercreech and of course the South Coast. Copyright Robert Lindley The plaques denote that it is item 1 on the Burnham Trail - they were probably installed earlier this year.
West Cornwall Gems 8
Mike Morant

Picture
6934 Beachhamwell Hall has is climbing out of St Erth and has reached Arch Lane road bridge situated at the summit of the climb for Penzance. _160320_W_BR_6934_MB267 Courtesy the Mike Morant collection.

Items added on June 24th 2016                                                                                  Those added most recently come first

24/6/2016

 
Trespass at Westbury
John Pibworth 

Good afternoon Keith,

Looking at Michael Forward's excellent pictures of semaphore signals at Westbury set me thinking 1) That I should have switched to colour photography earlier and 2) Somewhere in my catalogue there was a pic of a Western at Westbury - in colour!

Herewith attached the result of my search which was taken at Westbury on 27 April 1974.  The Class 52 appears to have lost its name plate but the steam loco is  "Clan Line" on her first official railtour returning to Basingstoke after a few hours being crawled over by all and sundry in Westbury Station.  The picture is not great by modern standards and if I recall correctly was taken on home processed "Barfen" colour transparency stock which could be stewed during development to boost the ASA rating to 400 - at the price of heavy grain.

Of particular interest, in the light of trespass problems with "Flying Scotsman", is the way in which enthusiasts and families camped out on the shed sidings with not an orange jacket to be seen.  This was not an altogether happy situation for BR and subsequently several railtours were cancelled because of fears about co-lateral damage to spectators.  At the time I was making sound recordings and recall having to edit out a long sequence of Ma, Pa, a toddler and baby in a push-chair clanking and cursing their way across the lines in order to have a good view.  In the end we had to move back to the position shown and in doing so made a better recording but a somewhat distant image.

With Kind Regards,

Brian                                         Many thanks Brian - the good old days!
Picture
Clan Line at Westbury 23rd April 1974 Copyright Brian Pibworth An excellent view we can no longer get for many reasons - it includes the signalbox
Royal Duchy in 1995
Audrey Mills
The Royal Duchy Explorer ran down on Saturday 14 Oct 1995. The train powered by 70000 disguised as a regular Cornish engine 70019 was assisted by 7802 Bradley Manor. Unfortunately Bradley Manor developed a hot box and was removed at Plymouth. The Britannia carried on alone and was observed climbing past Carlyon Bay Golf Course at a good speed. However later in climb it stalled prior to St Austell on the 1 in 60 gradient. Rumour has it that the regulator was closed too soon.  

Many thanks to Audrey Mills for adding these two smashing shots for all to enjoy.
Picture
Bradley Manor and Brittania storm Dainton with spectacular clag, on their way to Penzance on the 14th October 1995 Copyright Audrey Mills
Picture
The Royal Duchy with Brittania on it's own taking the train onwards to Penzance. 14th October 1995 Copyright Audrey Mills
West Cornwall Gems 7
Mike Morant

Picture
A lovely shot from the Mike Morant collection of 5098 Clifford Castle in charge of a rake of LMSR stock as it climbs away from St Erth to Arch lane bridge.

Items added on June 23rd 2016                                                                                  Those added most recently come first

23/6/2016

 
John Cornelius remembers
7909 Heveningham Hall at Swindon

Last year The West Somerset Railway marked the 50th Aniversary of the closure of Taunton Shed, renaming two locomotives on their gala, 4936 Kinlet Hall was renamed and numbered 4932 Hatherton Hall and 6960 Raveningham Hall was renamed and numbered 7909 Heveningham Hall.
These are some pictues of the real 7909 ex works at Swindon on the 13th October, 1963 with some of the Yeovil Railfans beside and on it.
Also a picture of the Yeovil gang prior to a tour of Swindon Works 14th October, 1962
Thanks John

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
St Ives Water Supply
Lawrence Hansford

More memories of Water Columns
 
As a result of the recent piece about locomotive water at Praze and Gwinear Road I thought that it might be a good idea if I wrote down what I discovered as a nosey schoolboy when I lived in St Ives back in the days of steam.  I don’t think I have ever seen anything about it and I doubt there are many people who now know.
 
Penzance, obviously, had to be well supplied with good water and I believe had a proper treatment plant which pulled water from its own Artesian Well.
 
St Erth had no water column and I was told that it was because the GWR were unable to find any of acceptable quality under their land.  The adjacent dairy needed lots but they got their supply via a pipeline from an abandoned clay pit near Nancledra (I believe) which had previously been used to carry clay slurry to the old clay dries taken over by the dairy.  It seems the railway were loath to buy water when they could usually find it on their property for nothing.
 
Hayle did have a supply (I seem to remember it was a cylindrical tank similar to that at Praze) but the locomen were very reluctant to draw water from it because it was brackish and did the boiler no favours.  They would only use it if they had no choice.
 
St Ives, on the other hand, was blessed with a copious supply of excellent water; hence the large rectangular tank sitting on columns on top of the coaling stage.  This was fed straight from fissures in the blasted rock-face exposed when they excavated the area occupied by the Engine Shed via a wooden launder which bridged the gap.  If one looks carefully, this can be seen in some photos.  So the tank was always full of lovely clean soft water filtered through the granite and greenstone, even in the driest summer.  I assume that this was evident as a spring coming out of the cliffs before the railway was built and do wonder if this influenced the choice of site for the facilities.  It seems to me just too much of a coincidence that they happened to find a handy supply in exactly the right spot just as they were building the Engine Shed!
 
The overflow from the tank ran into an underground cistern on the opposite side of the Shed track, near the ash dump.  This constituted the No 1 reserve supply, which fed a pair of quite large 3 phase electric pumps which pumped the water back to the top of the main tank through a couple of iron pipes of about 2 ins up the outside rear corner nearest to the shed.  These pumps lived in their own brick house and replaced the previous steam pump some time either just before or just after the war and were turned on and off by a float switch which dangled into the tank.  The electric meter was fixed to the rear wall of the little office at the back of the Engine Shed but the electric supply was used for no other purpose - lighting of the shed, coaling stage and platelayers’ “office” being by gas.  Incidentally, mains electricity was not connected anywhere else on the branch except at St Erth.
 
More water oozed out of a number of fissures in the rocks and most of this was collected in a sort of drain near rail level.  This went to waste and I don’t believe that there was any provision to harvest this for loco use.  Well, actually, it wasn’t entirely wasted because it supported a small colony of watercress plants on the rock face, giving the locomen their own secret supply for livening up their sandwiches.
 
The heavy traffic on summer Saturdays usually meant that the pumps would be in action to top-up the tank quickly but they were otherwise rarely in action.
 
The No 2 reserve supply instead dated, as far as I know, to the original building of the line and was not immediately obvious; well, certainly not the source.  What was obvious looking down from the end of Draycott Terrace was the enormous ball-cock sitting in the middle of the main tank, with a long arm and a copper float bigger than a football.  The float made an excellent target for a catapult and was peppered with dents!  This was attached to a 3 or 4 ins pipe which emerged from the floor of the coaling stage and went up straight through the bottom of the tank.  This was controlled be a large wheel-valve, normally kept closed.
 
So where did this water come from?  As small boys we used to go out on the cliffs near Porthminster Point, climb through a rotten wire fence to collect frog-spawn, tadpoles, newts, etc. from an overgrown pond full of weeds a bit above the railway line.  This was fed by a trickle of water from another spring.  Around about 1954, when the viaduct was rebuilt, the pond was cleaned out and properly fenced.  When it was empty we could not believe how large and deep it was – it looked like a swimming pool and an adult could easily have drowned in it, hence the fencing.  As far as I know nobody ever fell in.  Things like that just made you careful.
 
At the bottom was a bed of gravel under which was a pipe which fed the ball-cock by gravity.  Living on Draycott Terrace I did see it in operation on numerous occasions but the engine men only used it if the electric pumps were out of action. They were not keen on the pond-life which ended up in their boilers.  Again, the fencing could be made out on some photos of the line above Porthminster Beach.  I think the pond must be still there but I should image it is really overgrown by now, or filled in for safety’s sake; maybe someone might like to go and have a look?
 
The inexhaustible supply of water at St Ives was taken full advantage of by the locomen.  The branch engine was always kept well topped up and visiting engines invariably visited the Engine Shed to fill up.  It was quite usual to find that the branch engine had been changed for no apparent reason and I believe this was because a swap had been done with another 45XX which was running dry after shunting St Erth or Hayle Wharves.  I have no idea if this was rostered or an informal arrangement – I’m afraid I was never at St Erth at the right time to see what went on.  It may sound odd now but Hayle Harbour was far more interesting.
 
Anyway, it’s all in the distant past now but at least the line itself is still alive and thriving, albeit without its fine granite buildings.
 
Laurence Hansford      
       Many thanks for that most interesting article Lawrence.
West Cornwall Gems 6
Mike Morant

Picture
Looking towards Penzance Hall class 4-6-0 no. 5985 Mostyn Hall approaches Arch Lane bridge, St Erth. The piers of a small aqueduct crossing the line still remain. 160320_W_BR_5985_MB287 Courtesy the Mike Morant collection

Items added on June 22nd 2016                                                                                  Those added most recently come first

22/6/2016

 
Westbury with its Semaphore Signalling 21st March, 1982 Part 1
Michael Forward

Picture
820321a 33102 Arrives with the 12.56 to Portsmouth Harbour. Copyright Michael Forward
Picture
820321b Now we see 37272 on a lovely mixed freight, including what looks like clay wagons. No record of this working, no Freightmaster or Real Time Trains back then. Copyright Michael Forward
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820321c Even better 37265 and 37148 arrive with stone wagons, wonderful signals and a lovely box. Copyright Michael Forward
Picture
820321d Now we see 45074 passing more great signals,the box showing 'Up Loop' . Copyright Michael Forward
Another 57 'Drag'
Craig Munday

Hello Keith
Out on the patch today and caught 57605 involved in another HST drag. This time GWR HST set with 43143 Stroud 700 was in trouble at Camborne working 1A77 05.41 from Penzance. The train returned to Penzance and 57605 worked another rescue mission taking the set to Laira passing Par after 11.00. 
The loco is seen returning west at Liskeard some time later. 
Cheers  Craig                                                            Many thanks Craig
Picture
57 605 hauls the defective HST set to Laira, seen here at Par. 11,00 21st June 2016 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
57 605 returns to Penzance - seen here passing Liskeard Box. 21st June 2016 Copyright Craig Munday
West Cornwall Gems 5
Mike Morant
Picture
With Arch Lane bridge and the aqueduct in the background we see 6837 Forthampton Grange as it descends towards St Erth with an up train from Penzance 160320_W_BR_6837_MB273 Courtesy the Mike Morant collection.

Items added on June 21st 2016                                                                                  Those added most recently come first

21/6/2016

 
Remembering the Bristol  LG5 Single Deckers
Michael Forward
There was an interesting response to Michael Forwards photograph of a Bristol LG5 at the former Padstow Railway Station in an earlier article.
The Bristol LG5s were built between 1938 and 1954 a class totalling 3289 built between those years and seen throughout the country. Western National had an allocation of 157 to be seen throughout the West Country.
DOD 518 (Fleet Number 333) was built in July, 1940 and rebodied in March, 1950 by Beadle. In November 1961 it was converted into a service vehicle and lasted until. 1971 This bus 333 is now preserved with the 333 Society at Cheltenham. This bus spent many years at Plymouth then later working from Kingsbridge Depot.
KFM 767 was built in March 1950 and entered service with Crossville Motor Services. In January, 1967 it was also converted to a service vehicle (tow bus) It is now in service with Crossville Motor Services, Weston Super Mare.

Picture
Now 76 years old, DOD 518 is seen at the Didcot Rally on the 5th June, 2016. Copyright Michael Forward
Picture
KFM 767 Now 66 years old is seen at the Brislington Rally amongst many old favourites. Michael states that the Brislington Rally was like Heaven on Earth. Copyright Michael Forward
Mazey Day Special Timings
Karl Hewlett

Dear Keith/Roger.
Below are the timings for the Mazey Day charter to Penzance on Saturday 25th June.  Only one charter booked this year for Mazey Day and the in-exotic traction of a single DB Cargo class 66.  Only a few years ago and we had class' 56, 37, 40 and Deltic on these charters. 

Out: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U69511/2016/06/25/advanced
Return: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U69514/2016/06/25/advanced
Regards  Karl Hewlett (Friends of Penmere).                  
Many thanks
Steam is Back
Audrey Mills

Welcome to a new contributor Audrey Mills. You will all know Bernard Mills, well this is his 'other half' Audrey.  Audrey has kindly offered to share with us some of the views of railtours which she has taken over the years.  Welcome to another husband and wife team. On this occasion we see her views of Clun Castle on the journey to and from Truro on the 6th September 1985 which celebrated the breaking if the Steam Ban in Cornwall.                                                 Many thanks Audrey.
Picture
A glorious shot of Clun Castle on Moorswater viaduct on the downward run 6th September 1985 Copyright Audrey Mills
Picture
Clun Castle on the return run crosses St Stephens Coombe viaduct on the 6th September 1985 Copyright Audrey Mills
West Cornwall Gems 4
Mike Morant

Picture
Collett Hall class 4 - 6 - 0 5926 Grotrian Hall is climbing out of St Erth and passing under Arch Lane road and heading for Penzance. 160320_W_BR_5926_MB151 Courtesy the Mike Morant collection.
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