Blog Archives

31st July 2022

31/7/2022

Forgotten Signal Boxes in the South West
Roger Winnen

741130b Truro Cattle Market Signal Box which closed on 7th July 1925 was then used as a PW hut.. Photograph 30th November 1974 Copyright Roger Winnen

760627zss Burngullow Signal Box photographed 27th June 1976. It closed in the Mid 1980s when Par Signal Box took contril of the new single line to Probus. Copyright Roger Winnen

770621c Chacewater Signal Box with the Blue Circle cement silo behind closed 12th June 1977. Track on the platform was for a renewal connection into the cement siding Photographed 21st June 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

771126d Coombe Junction Signal Box. 26th November 1977. This box closed on 9th May 1981. Copyright Roger Winnen

770716a Dereliction Ivybridge Signal Box closed on 17th December 1973, This photograph was taken on 16th July 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

Yesterdays
English Riviera Charter
Paul Barlow, Keith Turley & Martin Duff.

With no trains running at all in Cornwall due to strike action Roger Winnen was stranded at home.

However three valiant supporters turned out - here are three of their pictures - more in Steam and Diesel Railtours 22 onwards. Britannia ran in light steam due to fire risk.

70000 Britannia 47593 {47614 trailing on rear) 0507 Kettering to Kingswear 1Z60 approaches Staffords bridge 30 July 2022. Copyright Paul Barlow

70000 Britannia in light steam passes Cowley Bridge Jct with th Kettering to Kingswear English Riviera Charter. 30th July2022. Copyright Keith Turley

English Riviera Railtour Kingswear 30th July 2022 Copyright Martin Duff

Many thanks Paul, Keith and Martin.

30th July 2022

30/7/2022

Production at
Christow
Colin Burges

Dear Keith,
My coverage of recent jobs outshopped at Christow may be of interest to some of your readers. Collico cases are largely forgotten but they were a product of the innovative thinking of B.R. at the time, which should be recognized.

https://www.teignrail.co.uk/production.php#Collico

The little narrow gauge carriage emerged from the workshop in May, having been generally repaired after 26 years flying around the riverside tramway.
Cheers, Colin

Colin produces an amazing amount of very interesting and highly accurate material of which the above link gives us access to - so please click on the link and enjoy his well spent time. Thanks you ever so much Colin.
Well worth looking at.

Marazion and Penzance
Andrew Triggs

Hi Keith and Roger,
2 shots of today's 4 weekly 1Q18 06.11 Reading Triangle Sidings-Paignton with 43251 and 43290 on duty
All the Best
Andrew

1. Passing Marazion station, running 14 late at 11.38 with 43290 leading. 29th July 2022 Copyright Andrew Triggs

2. Departing from platform 4 at 12.10 (8 late) with 43251 now leading, clearing the pointwork at Penzance. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

Well caught Andrew - many thanks.

Mid Cornwall Trails
Craig Munday

Hi Keith

A spell in the heart of clay country lately, including 66172 working the clay from Goonbarrow to Carne Point. The contractors have been clearing the Newquay branch, and the signals at St Blazey now visible for an up working looking back to Middleway crossing. 66104 is seen by the tuntable with the afternoon JIAs.

The NMT worked in bright sunshine (a rarity in recent months) and just avoided a bank of cloud edging in from the North coast. My intended trip to Coombe curtailed to Burngullow to see 43251/290 in fine light passing the junction.

Also included some recent pictures of Lostwithiel including a lucky grab of two trains side by side and 57306 on the late running down Midnight.
Making the most of the traditional signalling and infrastructure before the inevitable MAS scheme gets under way in earnest in 2023.

Best wishes. Craig

Lostwithiel 57306 1C50 Copyright Craig Munday.

Lostwithiel 15th July 2022. Copyright Craig Munday

Lostwitiel 16th July 2022. Copyright Craig Munday

66172 6G09 Golant 28th July 2022. Copyright Craig Munday

66172 6G09 St Blazey 28th July 2022. Copyright Craig Munday.

1Q18 43290 43251 Burngullow 29th July 2022. Copyright Craig Munday

Many thanks Craig.

Yesterday at Swindon
An interlude by
Colin Pidgeon & Ken Mumford

Colin Pidgoen and I were on Swindon station for several hours yesterday Friday 29th July 2022 and saw several interesting workings.

The attached photos are some of mine and some of Colin's - I have found it an interesting exercise and I'm happy [I haven't asked Colin - yet!!] to repeat it - he helps me and I help him though it's usually he helping me more than I help him!

Photo details:-
Copyright either to Ken Mumford or Colin Pidgeon as listed.

[1] - Taken by Colin - Units 231006 and 231001 [3Q53] have just arrived on platform 1 from Cardiff on a mileage accumulation run via the Severn Tunnel and Badminton. Normally would have come from Cardiff to Gloucester via Lydney [terminating at Gloucester] but travelled from Cardiff to Severn Tunnel Junction then to Swindon via the Severn Tunnel and Badminton because of engineering works between Severn Tunnel Junction and Gloucester. Its driver told Colin that these units had to do 5000 miles trouble-free running before they could enter service.

[2] Taken by Colin - 66793 with the 4B77 Colnbrook to Avonmouth

[3] Taken by Ken - 59202 7B12 Merehead to [Royal] Wootton Bassett going up the centre road and on to the Transfer Yard for the loco to run around this train. We have a photo of it returning through platform 4 for its final few miles. - photo not attached.

[4] Taken by Ken - 66125 6C03 Northolt to Severnside approaching plaform 4. I tried to 'catch' the train between that awkward red siding buffer stop and one of the elecrification masks as an experiment - this is the result!!

[5] Taken by Colin - 66734 [5Q55 Stewarts Lane to Newport Docks] speeds through platform 4 with untis 455833 and 455834.

[6] + [7] Taken by Ken - Engineering unit travelling on the centre road eastwards through Swindon

[8] Taken by Ken - Another engineering unit passing through Swindon eastwards on the centre road.
Kind regards,
Ken Mumford.

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

Picture 4

Picture 5

Picture 6

Picture 7

Picture 8.

47813, 6233 Duchess of Sutherland with support coach 99041 on 5Z30 Rugby to St Phillips Marsh today. 30th July 2022 Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks to both Ken and Colin - you both deserve medals.

29th July 2022

29/7/2022

St Germans Viaducts
Clive Smith

A walk along the A374 back in the winter allowed me to check out these views I'd seen in photos and a pub lunch in nearby Antony in the 'Forgotten Corner' of Cornwall on a bright clear sunny Friday 22nd July gave me the chance to grab a couple of shots.

Regards, Clive Smith.

(1) The recent dry spell has turned the fields yellow which provides a contrast to the drab green GWR livery. This train is the 12.50 Penzance - Cardiff with 43041 and 43158 in perfect conditions crossing the rarely photographed Lynher Viaduct. 27th July 2022. Copyright Clive Smith.

(2) The front power car is 43093 still sporting its unique GWR livery 'Legends of the Great Western' and named 'Old Oak Common HST Depot 1976 - 2018'. The rear is 43156 and the train is the 14.15 Plymouth - Penzance crossing St Germans Viaduct. I'm assuming 43093 is due for a repaint soon as it's looking quite a mess and no doubt this will be a renaming to one of the remaining Castle names left. 27th July 2022. Copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks Clive.

Around Crewkerne
Bill Elston

Hi Keith,

Some passing traffic near Crewkerne,

a) 1L48, EXD - WAT, formed of 159017.

b) 1L29, WAT - EXD, formed of 158888,

c) Route learner, 0O45, 47830, Southampton to Exeter and back.

159017, 28th July 2022 Copyright Bill Elston

158888, 28th July 2022 Copyright Bill Elston

Route learner 47830, 28th July 2022. Copyright Bill Elston

47830, 28 July 2022. Copyright Bill Elston

Many thanks Bill.

Nr Pinhoe
Keith Turley

Hi Keith and Roger.
I tried a different location for todays route learner.
Freightliner class 47 No.47830 'Beeching's Legacy' is seen passing
Exhibition Fields near Pinhoe on 28th July 2022,
working the 0V45 08:35 Southampton MCT to Exeter St. Davids driver route learner/refresher
light engine move.
Keith Turley

47830 'Beeching Legacy' passes Exhibition Fields Exeter. 28th July 2022 Copyright Keith Turley

Many thanks Keith.

Steam Dreams
Swindon
Ken Mumford

Steam Dreams Railtour arriving at Swindon 28th July 2022. Copyright Ken Mumford

Steam Dreams Railtour at Swindon. Looks like the start of a race, however the right hand IET is heading for Cheltenham 28th July 2022. Copyright Ken Mumford

D1935 gets the immaculate Steam Dreams Railtour on the move from Swindon 28th July 2022. Copyright Ken Mumford

Many thanks indeed Ken.

28th July 2022

28/7/2022

The END of
Friary & Cattewater
Paul Burkhalter

Hi,
To add to Roy’s excellent summary (See News of the 27th July 2022) , this is the latest on the Friary and Cattewater lines: wef 26 June 2021, the line beyond MP245m 18ch has been permanently closed. This location is beyond the Laira Depot servicing platform, and means the whole Friary and Cattewater lines are OOU. As EMR no longer ship by rail there's no use for the line.Plymouth City Council want to remove the low bridge over Embankment Road, and this will facilitate this. I didn't realise but this bridge is too low for any tall HGV hence the big Royal Mail vehicles for the Sorting Office (for example) all have to go round through Manadon/Mutley/City Centre.
Cheers, Paul Burkhalter

Many thanks for the above sad news Paul.
Room for yet more houses one assumes.

New Years Resolution Broken
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, Interesting but sad pictures of Friary station ,I never made it there. Here is a picture of 56050 with 50018 ‘Resolution’ dead in train, entering Reading station on 3 January 1983 with the (only 30 mins late) 08.35 Birmingham to Paddington service. Copyright Michael Forward

50018 Resolution leaving Oxford

Roger, Just a few days later we see the revived 50018 leaving Oxford with the 10.34 Manchester to Paddington, 14.05 dep. Oxford,on 20 January 1983.. Copyright Michael Forward

Thanks Michael

Another Castle naming
Bill Elston

Another Castle Class name to report, namely 43156 Maen Castle, within the last couple of weeks.
This is an Iron Age fort near Sennen Please see photos taken today at Taunton.

I also saw pc 43010 pass Dawlish on Monday last with a nameplate attached, name unknown, yet.

Best wishes, Bill Elston.

Taunton 43156 Maen Castle 27th July 22 Copyright Bill Elston

43156 Maen Castle nameplate - seen at Taunton. 27th July 22 Copyright Bill Elston

Well spotted Bill - many thanks.

On a lighter note
Roy Hart

Dear Keith,
I think that this is one of the greatest transformations in Cornwall (though Carn Brea station, nearby might also qualify.)
I'm afraid the Crofty headgear which sfands today is at Cook's shaft and dates from the1960s. The one just visible in the 1952 picture is at Robinson's shaft (where the engine is preserved today).
All the best to everyone,
Roy
P.S. I fancy a pasty. Nway is busy terrifying our supermarket manager to import swedes! (Swede? What's a swede?)

Many thanks for an update on the recent photograph. For our readers benefit Roy, a Cornishman native to Redruth lives out in Rangoon, Burma. His good lady Mway is trying to purchase Swedes (Turnips to us Cornish) to make Roy a pasty. We hope the search is a success Roy.

27th July 2022

27/7/2022

The demise of Plymouth Friary
Roger Winnen

760420a Demolition at Plymouth Friary on 20th April 1976. Copyright Roger Winnen

760420b Demolition at Plymouth Friary. Copyright Roger Winnen

760420c Demolition at Plymouth Friary showing the shell of the former station buildings on 20th April 1976. Copyright Roger Winnen

760830zb Gone is the station buildings at Plymouth Friary. This photograph was taken on 30th August 1976 Copyright Roger Winnen

PLYMOUTH FRIARY - A BRIEF OBITUARY - Roy Hart.

The story of Friary is the story of the London and South Western Railway's attempts to reach Plymouth in the ninteenth century. Exeter was reached in 1860 and by 1874, Lydford. Plymouth was reached by running powers over the GWR Launceston branch, which was converted to mixed gauge for the purpose. Thus LSWR trains came south through Tavistock and Horrabridge to join the GW main line at Tavistock Junction, thence through Plymouth ( nothing at North Road then) to Devonport Junction and on to a short length of LSW double track to a terminus at Devonport King's Road.
All of this was unsatisfactory for a number of reasons: there were constant delays on the Launceston branch, for instance (The GW had no incentive to speed LSW trains along) and the new joint station at Plymouth North Road, which the Board of Trade had insisted upon, was to be built by the GW, who took their time! The resulting mess at North Road lasted until the 1950s.
The LSWR set up a company to build their own line into Plymouth - the Plymouth, Devonport and south Western Junction Railway - and on 1st June 1890 Devonport King's Road at last became a through station. LSW trains terminated at North Road until the new terminus was ready, built on the site of an earlier goods siding known as Friary Gardens. Friary station opened on 1st July 1891.
Services ran to Exeter and to Plymstock and Turnchapel. The vogue for railmotors in the 1900s saw new halts on the LSW at Camel's Head, Albert Road and Weston Mill. LSW motors also stopped at the GW halts at Lipson Vale and Mount Gould. By the 1920s buses and trams had taken their toll and only two halts survived, both closing in 1942.
Wartime saw a revival of sorts at Friary, with a revived Service on the GW Yealmpton line from Friary.
Postwar austerity was broken by the arrival of the Devon Belle Pullman on 20th June 1947. Like the 'ACE' the Belle ran in many parts. The Plymouth segment (4 Pullmans) ceased to run in 1949.
Friary was, for almost its entire history, conrolled by two signal boxes, A and B. B box was at the platform end and A controlled the station throat, engine shed and junction for Plymstock.
The impending completion of the rebuilding of North Road was the death knell for Friary. Turnchapel had closed in 1951 and there were fewer local services. Besides, the place was now under Western Region management.
Friary closed to passengers on 15th September 1958, the buildings were soon demolished to make way for a freight concentration depot. B box closed in 1962 and A followed in 1966.
Today there is no freight to concentrate. RH 29th June 2022

Many many thanks Roy for your brief but very detailed and concise history.

Ivybridge
Clive Smith

The extremely popular 43184 heads the 1S52 12.27 Plymouth - Edinburgh as it rounds the curve at Dinnaton by the golf club and fitness centre located in the west of Ivybridge before the viaduct. 43303 is on the rear. The light had dropped for a few minutes so I was expecting a dull shot but the sun just started to shine as it came into view. In the background is the lunar landscape of Lee Moor China Clay Works. My local Tesco is a few miles down the road so my well executed weekly shop and a slight diversion on the way home produced this excellent result.

Regards, Clive Smith

253 051 seen at Ivybridge - near Dinaton Fitness Centre and Golf Club. 26th July 2022. Copyright Clive Smith

What a smashing picture - I particularly like the snippet of 'lunar landscape' in the background. Many thanks Clive.

Pinhoe
Keith Turley

On 26th July 2022 class 47/8 No.47830 'Beeching's Legacy' approaches Pinhoe station working the 12:35 Exeter St. Davids to Southampton MCT driver route learner/refresher light engine move.

Regards Keith Turley.

47830 'Beeching's Legacy' approaches Pinhoe station on the 26th July 2022 Copyright Keith Turley.

Many thanks Keith, keep up the good work.

26th July 2022

26/7/2022

Mike Hitchens Collection
Part 2

A Class 47 approaching Redruth with the parcels. Mike Hitchens collection.

MH6 A named 45-46 Passes Carn Brea. Mike Hitchens collection

MH5 45-46 at Camborne-Remember the signal here which often meant that passengers were delayed within sight of the station. Mike Hitchens collection

MH4 Class 45- 46 at Gwinear Road. Mike Hitchens collection

MH7 Class 158 Crossing Hayle Viaduct pre Supermarket days. Mike Hitchens Collection

Thanks Mike

You must look at this.
North Dorset
- the S &D

Dear member,
We thought you might like to see the latest film about the North Dorset Railway – ‘Vision to Reality’ which has recently been uploaded to YouTube and is available on the internet by following this link -
Ep5 Flying The S&D - NORTH DORSET RAILWAY (UK) - Vision to Reality - 4K (Ep5 Flying the S&D Vision to Reality)

We are very fortunate to have the film maker James as a volunteer and I hope that you will agree that this is a superb and very skilled piece of film making. You may also be interested in his other railway films on his YouTube channel called ‘rail flicks’.
When you have half an hour free, we wish you happy viewing with thanks to James and all those involved in making this film.
Thank you for your support and best wishes
Colin Fisher
NDR Secretary on behalf of the Trustees

Many thanks to you Colin for sending us the link to this remarkable video. As one of the fortunate passengers to travel the S & D on its last day of public service in 1966 I remember Shillingstone well - this and other works under 'Rail Clicks' are very Well Worth Watching

Record Players in Trains
Richard Giles

Dear Editor,
A regular reader of your excellent CORNISH RAILWAY SOCIETY website particularly the Latest Input, News, Old Pictures etc. Section I was interested to read the seemingly out of place Record players in cars, Radios in Trains item by authors Rebecca Packer/Keith Jenkin. This immediately reminded me of the 1954 built Mark 1 SO coach 3735 which back in 1973 was converted into a SALOON DISCOTHEQUE (classified SD), with all internal seating removed for the dancefloor. I seem to remember seeing the interior pictured in one of the National Magazines around the time with the usual disco lighting and dancing underway by the participants but c’ant remember if there was a DJ present but back then there would have only been vinyl and possibly cassette (both of which are seeing a current revival, the latter even now having a Top 20 chart!!). The coach only saw three years use in this unusual guise but I did manage to note it on 12th December 1976 condemned at Stoke Cockshute sidings during an official visit. The coach running number which was M2990 which it was carrying when I saw it at Stoke.

Hope of interest and possible use, keep up the good work and well done to all the contributors!

Regards, Richard Giles, Clevedon, North Somerset.

Many thanks for your input Richard and for your appreciation of the website. The website keeps on going with our appreciation to our many contributors such as your good self dropping us a line.

Teigngrace
Peter Griffiths

A pleasant walk along the Stover Canal followed by tea and cake at Locksbridge Tea Garden.
It was disappointing to see Nature gradually reclaiming the adjacent Newton Abbot to Heathfield branch line, now mothballed.

And hard to believe that just a few years ago, class 56 and 66 diesels rumbled through here.

Hopefully of interest.
(Photo dated 23 July 2022)

Kind regards
Peter Griffiths

Teigngrace Mothballed. 22nd July 2022. Copyright Peter Griffiths,

'One can only hope she is not dead, but sleepeth'!
Many thanks Peter - enjoy your tea and cakes.

Contributions from Colin
Colin Burges

Dear Keith,

These pieces may be of interest to your readers:

https://www.teignrail.co.uk/scouting/65-return-to-bridport/

https://www.teignrail.co.uk/scouting/67-vale-of-berkeley/

https://www.teignrail.co.uk/scouting/69-return-from-okehampton-ii/

Best wishes from all at Christow, Colin

These delights from Colin which feature in depth coverage of the various routes and surrounding areas also appear in our Features Section 2227 to 2229. Many thanks to Colin - he's and expert with the pen and camera.

Different liveries
Bill Elson

As promised a few days ago, I’m resending a couple of photos of pc 43173;

a ) at Exeter, in Intercity Swallow livery, dated 10th August, 1996.

b ) nr Exeter, in Great Western Trains ‘Merlin’ livery, dated 4th August, 1997, about 6 weeks before its demise in the Southall
crash of 19th September, 1997. It was named Swansea Univercity.

Hope they of interest,
Cheers, Bill Elston

43173, 10th August 1996. Copyright Bill Elston. - Copy

43173, 4th August 1997. Copyright Bill Elston - Copy

Many thanks Bill - hope you enjoyed your holiday.

Well out of our area -
Mysterious Pillar
Alan Mundy

Durham area - mysterious concrete pillar query by Alan Mundy 26th July 2022. Copyright.

Dear Railway Society,
On a recent walk along an old disused railway line in Durham, my friend came across several of these concrete posts off to the side of the trackbed. Would you be able to shed any light on what might have been their purpose?
Alan Mundy

Thank you for your query - but it is well outside our area. Does anybody know please.

25th July 2022

25/7/2022

Old and New at Penzance Station
Leslie Curnow

Good Morning Roger The two 47s D1935 and D 1944 at Penzance having arrived with the Pullman train on Saturday 23rd July 2022 and the modern Hitachi on the other platform. A very bright condition with the light in the train shed from that angle. Copyright Leslie Curnow

Thanks Leslie

Just in our catchment area
Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Rly.
Two of our regular and much appreciated contributors visited the G & W within days of each other.
Guy Vincent

Guy writes - Hello Keith
I guess I'm stretching the boundaries of the CRS site coverage area beyond their limits but yesterday (Sunday) we attended a classic car gathering that was taking place in a large field bordering the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway station and depot at Toddington. This is on the former GWR Birmingham-Stratford on Avon-Honeybourne-Cheltenham through route that was built in the early 1900s to give a faster journey from the Midlands to the West of England. From 1952 until the mid 60s the 0915 Wolverhampton Low Level / 0950 Birmingham Snow Hill - Penzance ran over this route and was named ''The Cornishman'', In the opposite direction ''The Cornishman'' name was applied to the 1030am Penzance - Wolverhampton Low Level.

Two trains were operating on the line which now runs from Cheltenham Racecourse station to Broadway, a distance of around 14 miles. One set was worked by 'Manor' 7820 Dinmore Manor and the other by resident diesel D5081 (24081) immaculate in BR blue with full yellow ends. Delivered new in March 1960, the class 24 was the last member of the class to be withdrawn by BR on 5th Oct 1980 and went straight into preservation at Steamport (Southport), later moving to the Llangollen Railway in 1994 and then Toddington in 1998.

Stay cool and all the best, Guy Vincent

Toddington D5081 (24081) 17th July 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent

and then, 3 days later our local (Penzance) man
Andrew Triggs

Hi Keith/Roger
While on holiday last week, we visited the G&WR and were lucky enough to have a Tour of Toddington Diesel Depot thrown in for good measure, an excellent and very friendly railway indeed. 6 shots for CRS
All the Best
Andrew

1. Visiting No.7820 'Dinmore Manor' arriving at Toddington working the 09.55 Broadway-Cheltenham Racecourse. 20th July 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs

2. Viewed from the pathway by the line at Toddington, in the light drizzle. 20th July 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

3. Inside Toddington Diesel Depot, immaculate 47105 with 37215. 20th July 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs

4. Visiting 55019 'Royal Highland Fusilier' with 24081 outside the Diesel Depot 20th July 2022. Copyright Andrew Trigg

5. 47376 'Freightliner 1995' inside Toddington Diesel Depot. 20th July 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs

6. D6948 under repair at Toddington Diesel Depot. 20th July 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Excellent pictures of a smashing line - many thanks to you both Guy & Andrew- you certainly get about.

Druids Road bridge
Spot the difference - then and Now
Roy Hart - Claire Sheppard

Roy writes - Dear Keith,
Here is the view 70 years ago. Can anyone spot anything which is the same?
Roy

Returning Cornish Riviera Statesman at Duids Lane Bridge. 23rd July 2022. Copyright Claire Sheppard.

Spotting the same - about the only thing in both pictures is. I think, the South Crofty headgear and maybe fence posts. Many thanks to you both.

July 24th, 2022

24/7/2022

The CRS visits Newton Abbot Railway Museum & Dawlish
Roger Winnen

220723b Home and Distant Signals from Newton Abbot Station Roger Winnen by kind permission of Newton Abbot Museum

220723f Peter Bragg pulls a lever. Roger Winnen by kind permission of Newton Abbot Museum.

220723h 4566 The last steam locomotive to be outshopped from Newton Abbot Works, a resident of Long Rock Shed Penzance and now running on the Severn Valley Railway By kind permission of Newton Abbot Railway Museum

Further photographs can be seen in Features
Click on Features April to September 2022
Item 2226

The returning Cornish Riviera Statesman
Druids Road, Pool
Claire Sheppard

The returning Cornish Riviera Statesman as captured by Claire Shepphard from Druids Road overbridge at Pool. 23rd July 2022. Copyright Claire Sheppard.

Many thanks Claire.

24th July 2022

24/7/2022

NHS at Hayle
Keith Martin

In case no-one has sent in any better photos (yet) here is a ragged assortment of shots of 802020 taken at Hayle Station this afternoon. I just happened to be passing as the train pulled in and these were taken on my mobile. Four of the shots are of the lead coach and the fifth is the trailing coach as the train pulled out.

Keith Martin

Thanks for reminding us of the brilliant work done by the NHS - we have much to be thankful for.

23rd July 2022

23/7/2022

Cornish Riviera
Statesman
Keith Turley and Paul Barlow

Cowley Bridge Jct. Cornish Riviera Statesman Derby to Penzance and rtn. 23rd July 2022 Copyright KeithTurley

47805 47501 head past Gissons Exminster on the 0457 Derby to Penzance 1Z45 23rd July 2022. Copyright Paul Barlow

---------------------------------------------------------------
Also at Exminster.

43156 43093 0755 Bristol to Penzance . Gissons Exminster 23 July 2022. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks to Keith and Paul.
More Cornish Riviera Statesman pictures in 'Steam and Diesel Railtours 22 section as they come in.

Celebrities On The Coast
Clive Smith

On Wednesday 20th July in particularly gloomy conditions considering the recent hot weather, Inter City Swallow liveried 43049 July 2022. Copyright Clive Smith

An unusual angle and a smashing picture as D1935 (47805) and D1944 (47501) rush through Teignmouth on Saturday with the 1Z45 04.50 Derby - Penzance 'Cornish Riviera Statesman' on a really gloomy morning. 23rd July 2022. Copyright Clive Smith

Amazingly this was the only bit of sunlight I saw all day in Teignmouth and a gap in the clouds at 17.25 produced a minute or two. 23rd July 2022. Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks indeed Clive.

'Zebedee' where are you?
Mike Hitchens

Little loco 'Zebedee'. Mike would like to know if anybody can spot its location. Copyright Mike Hitchens collection.

Replies - 

Andrew Jones gives the answer to the location. paradisepark.org.uk/attractions/jungle-express-train-zebedee/

Many thanks Andrew and Mike.

Wick
Bill Elston

I was over at Wick (near Langport) today in order to catch a light engine movement from Bishops Lydeard to Southall.
Sadly this did not materialise, but it was not a wasted trip as there was a Cardiff to Ealing Broadway, via Taunton working as 2Z02.
This was inspection saloon 'CAROLINE' being propelled by Colas-operated 37418, named 'An Comunn Gaedhealach' (literally The Gaelic Society)
As can be seen from the photo, it was quite wet.
Best wishes, Bill.

inspection saloon 'CAROLINE' being propelled by Colas-operated 37418, named 'An Comunn Gaedhealach' 22nd July 2022. Copyright Bill Elston

Thanks Bill, it is with many thanks to you and others like you who so kindly report into us that we keep the interest going. Well done - and keep it up.

Roseland Peninsula
Alan Harris

Mr Nick Stechfield made an enquiry about the Roseland Peninsula. In St. Just in Roseland Churchyard. there is a sizeable granite Cornish/Celtic Cross which is a memorial to Charles John Bowen Cooke, 1859 - 1920. He was the CME of the London North Western Railway Co. and the North London Railway Co. If you search for St. Just in Roseland Churchyard Railway engineer online, there is a very interesting article by the Packet Newspaper with photos and a most interesting account of his funeral cortege along the River Fal. This may be of interest to Mr. Stechfield.
All The Best to you and Valerie. Alan and Sue

One learns something new everyday - many thanks Alan for passing that on.

Devizes - station
Progress

Please use the following link for more information https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2022-07-23/the-plans-for-a-devizes-gateway-station-and-how-close-they-are-to-reality

Record players in cars, Radio in trains
Rebecca Packer / Keith Jenkin

Rebecca writes -
Hope you are enjoying your day!
My name is Rebecca and I volunteer with a summer school program. I found your page http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/links.html while looking for car resources to share my recently featured article about the history of record players in cars - www.lelandwest.com/blog/listing.asp?2022/3/the-history-of-record-players-in-cars.
Most people are not aware that once upon a time, record players were installed in cars. I thought sharing my article would be of interest to your visitors. I also think it would make a good addition to your resource page.
Hope you will be interested in adding it to your page and thank you for compiling such wonderful resources - I’m sure your page has helped a lot of people!
Thanks for your consideration!
Rebecca Packer Teacher | Advisor

Rebecca's article on Record players in cars makes very interesting reading although if it weren't for the praise she gives us I might have to decline it I think it is an article not really for a railway society. Thank you Rebecca for your input.
However one thing leads to another - in my youth I found that Lancaster Bombers used trailing aerials to improve their HF communications. Following on from this I did a little experiment trailing an aerial out of a drop down window on a train. This did improve reception somewhat but the wire kept getting chopped off under the wheels of the train. I think the experiment failed when the wire wrapped around an awning pillar at Wrangaton as we raced through. I only dare mention my experiment some sixty years on as regrettably drop down windows on trains are delights of the past and nobody else can try a rather dangerous experiment such as this. KJ

Thank you Rebecca - does anyone know of record players being used on trains - I'd have thought that both in trains and more so on cars there's have been problems with the needle jumping grooves.

More strikes
John Roberts

Keith, transport has suffered strikes, heatwaves, and now . . . more strikes. GW and XC have published their plans for 27th July which show yet again Cornwall abandoned, and on 28th shorter hours and reduced services. These will be uploaded to NRES over the weekend, followed by plans for 30th. John.
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/300839.aspx

Many thanks John for drawing our attention to this item - how very sad. This action is so devastating, One fears for the future of railways - they cannot be relied up on as a means of transport.

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