Blog Archives

Items added on the 11th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

11/8/2016

The Lappa Valley Railway
Andrew Triggs

160808f TSO S4039 now a carriage cafe car at East Wheal Rose. Copyright Andrew Triggs

160808g N0 2 Muffin being turned at Benny Mill. Copyright Andrew Triggs

160808h Muffin departs East Wheal Rose for Benny Mill .Copyright Andrew Triggs

160808i Ni 1 Ruby about to exchange the token for the single line to East Wheal Rose. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Many Thanks Andrew

Wadebridge Puzzle
John Ball

Wadebridge 8th August 2016 Copyright John Ball.

Hi, Keith
This was taken early in August 1965. It wasn't a timetabled train, and I believe the stock was generally used on school trains at the time. As it was in the school holiday (and I can't remember who got out of it), I was and remain puzzled. It came in from the Padstow direction but I can't remember what happened to it after arriving at Wadebridge. I do remember it being fairly late afternoon

If anyone else can cast any light on it, I'd be glad to hear.

Regards, John.
Many thanks John for your photo and query - we'll see what comes of it.

And here's a reply from Karl Hewlett for which many thanks -

Dear Keith.

Can partially help my colleague at Penmere John Balls request with his photo taken at Wadebridge in August 1965. The loco is one of the North British class 22 hydraulics (known as baby warships or baby sad eyes amongst other names both are pretty explanatory), a blow up of the image has identified it as D6306.

One of the most common ways to try and identify the working is by looking at the headcode, which in John's image is 9B88. This is where it gets interesting, the Western Region (WR), four digit character headcode introduced in summer 1960 and updated again on the 18th June 1962, works from left to right so to start off 9: class of train 1 being an express, 2 being ordinary passenger, 6's onwards generally freight e.t.c. B: in which area this train/loco is going to/from. 88: is the actual reporting number of the service. According to the headcode the train is a class 9 working, a mineral and empty wagon freight train including untimetabled local trip workings and pilot engine workings, B which is Bristol district (later for West of England but not until the 70's). The service 88 is trying its hardest to allude me, however from my searches there would seem to be a lot of WTT class 9 freight, mineral and trip workings with headcodes very close to 9B88 trundling around the Bristol and Wiltshire area in the 60's, which tallies in with D6306's headcode.

So unless someone else knows more, that's as far as I managed to gleam. I wouldn't go too much on the reporting number as I believe this to be wrong, not a totally uncommon to see incorrect headcode. It could be anything from the headcode blind/s slipping a common occurrence (although it does look neat and tidy in John's image), to a lazy driver simply not altering it from a previous working! It is certainly not right for a passenger service. One thing I did notice, the third coach, one of the doors is open so presumably taking on passengers, could it be an additional untimetabled working to/from Bodmin being summer, or an excursion? The plot thickens!

Regards

Karl (Friends of Penmere).

Rare visitor-Truro Sidings
Kyle Greet

Hi Keith,
As a result of the fire in St Erth, XC Voyager 220031 spent the night in the sidings at Truro. I believe it worked the 1M49 to Manchester Picadilly about an hour after I took this photo.

Noted in the evening but not photographed was 43172 'Harry Patch' on the 1C84 from Paddington.

Additionally, I'm sure there was a specially marked Class 43 on the tail of a down service that passed by the train I was on near Par at about 10am, if anyone has any information?????????

Cheers,
Kyle Many thanks Kyle

The rare visitor in Truro Sidingstaken on the morning of 9th August 2016. Copyright Kyle Greet

Somerton
John Cornelius

Somerton long after the station had closed to passengers, however the 'up side' building shorn of its awning can still be seen behind this engineering train. Copyright John Cornelius

Exmouth Juct. Shed
Mike Morant

S_BR_34015_GWRA130729_slide6D18 January 8th, 1966 saw the final act of Bulleid original West Country pacifics in charge of departures from Exeter Central when no. 34015 Exmouth was the chosen motive power for the Exeter Flyer rail tour which was hauled by 34015 from Salisbury to Exeter and return. This shot was taken at Exmouth Junction mpd where servicing took place but the sad fact of the matter is that the tour wasn't the "flyer" that it was intended to be as the Salisbury - Exeter - Salisbury legs both lagged behind schedule and it wasn't (allegedly) the loco's fault.
[Mike Morant collection

Items added on the 10th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

10/8/2016

Thornfalcon
Rob Lindley

Hi Keith With the recent photos on your website of Thornfalcon nr Taunton, I found this crossing gate beside the dual carriageway, still being used for the footpath. Which side of the railway it was on I have no idea as no trace of the track bed survives. I have taken a photo of each side. Cheers Rob Many thanks Rob, I can see from an old map that a footpath crossed the railway to the south of the station. Anybody else any ideas?

Foot crossing gate at Thronfalcon. Copyright Rob Lindley

Footpath crossing Thronfalcon. Copyright Rob Lindley

Somerton
John Cornelius

A beautifully framed view, from Somerton signalbox taken by one time signalman here John Cornelius. He is looking west over the area once occupied by the Goods shed. Copyright John Cornelius. This station, opened on 2 July 1906, was officially known as "Somerton (Somerset)" to avoid confusion with "Somerton (Oxon)". It lay partly in a cutting. The main building was on the eastbound platform with the goods shed at the west end of this platform. Somerton box opened with the 'Berks and Hants' in 1906. During world war two the facilities were expanded with new goods loops. This required a new lever frame in the box, which was installed on 20th December 1942. The box was a standard GW type 7 (the signalling record society classification- Truro and St Blazey are of this type. Type 7 were built roughly between 1895 and 1923).

Leaving Exeter Central for
Exeter St Davids
Mike Morant

An incredible picture - full of interest. Many thanks to Mike Morant for this and all other pictures from his fascinating collection.

S_BR_31842_30955_Exeter_AJ0714 The magnificent steeple of Exeter's Anglican church of St Michael and All Angels in its entirety dominates the background to this shot taken from close to Central station as maunsell 'Z' class 0-8-0T no. 30955 pilots 'N' class 31842 in charge of a passenger train descending to St. David's station at river level. The image is brimming over with interest beyond that of a Southern double-header with those wagon turntables in the right foreground and the carriage sidings beyond the main line both centre and left of picture. The signal gantry in the foreground is a nice touch even if it partly obscure the 'Z' and I wonder if there was once another signal arm directly above the post. Chris Osment informs me that this semaphore controlled the exit from the Up Sidings onto the Up Local (platform line).
[Mike Morant collection

Items added on the 9th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

9/8/2016

Citzens Livery in Devon
Jamie Dyke

153325 with 153329 working the 1341 Penzance to Exeter St David's on Sunday 7th August Copyright Jamie Dyke

153325 entering the depot at Exeter St David's on Sunday 7th August Copyright Jamie Dyke

153325 entering the depot at Exeter St David's on Sunday 7th August Copyright Jamie Dyke

Derrycombe Viaduct
Chris Harvey

A 'Green Scene' as the 11.25 Par to Plymouth crosses Derrycombe viaduct. 30th July 2016. Copyright Chris Harvey

St Erth Station on Tue 9th August, 2016
Over fourteen hours since the great fire took hold at St Erth
Roger Winnen

A visit to St Erth Station this morning saw the fire brigade still fighting the fire with a overhead platform in operation together with many other appliances. The tyre recycling centre contained a large amount inflammable materials which added combustion to this fire.
All train services have been suspended and replaced by buses at least until 14.00hrs. Consult realtime trains advanced for updated informatiom

160809d St Erth Station at 10.00hrs. Still the great fire burns behind the St Erth Signal Box. Copyright Roger Winnen

160809f Fighting the fire at St Erth. Copyright Roger Winnen

160809e The Emergency services at St Erth. Copyright Roger Winnen

Duchess of Sutherland heads for Cornwall on the
Royal Duchy Express from Bristol

The first ever visit of a Coronation Pacific to Cornwall took place on Sunday 7th August, 2016 when 46233 Duchess of Sutherland headed the Royal Duchy from Taunton to Par and return. A large number of railway enthusiast were out to witness the event.
We would like to thank our photographers for supplying these photos taken to record the event.
David Tozer, Andrew Triggs. Clive Smith, Trevor Tremethick, Craig Munday, Emma Shard, Sid Sponheimer, Ross Griffiths, Jamie Dyke and Roger Salter.
Many Thanks Roger Winnen

160807b 46233 Duchess of Sutherland heads The Royal Duchy pass Powderham on route to Par. Copyright David Tozer

160807bb Duchess of Sutherland - Dainton Bank 7th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

160807e 46233 Duchess of Sutherland is seen cruising through Totnes prior to tackling Rattery Bank. Copyright Roger Winnen

160807c 46233 Duchess of Sutherland passes Laira Bridge Junction hauling the Royal Duchy to Par. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

160807g Only a small number of enthuiasts were at Liskeard to witness the first appearance of a Coronation Pacific in Cornwall. Copyright Roger Winnen

160807v. 46233 crosses over the mainline to the Newquay line for St Blazey Copyright Emma Shard

More Photographs of the Duchess visit to Cornwall will appear on the Features Pages

Ilton
John Cornelius

Ilton bridge has succumbed to the demolition gang. Beyond the bridge site the road to the left is for Chard and the main road is for Taunton. Copyright John Cornelius

Exeter Central
Mike Morant

_ S_BR_30955_34107_Exeter_26-6-62 A hefty load of track panels is depicted here passing through Exeter Central station on the Up relief road in the charge of Maunsell 'Z' 0-8-0T no. 30955 piloting Bulleid original West Country pacific no. 34107 Blandford Forum. The date of this shot is 26/6/62 which means that 30955 has only another six months of service as withdrawal came at exmouth Junction shed in the December of that year. Blandford Forum had been allocated to Exmouth Junction since March 1959 and would continue in service there until withdrawal in September 1964.
[Mike Morant collection

Items added on the 8th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

8/8/2016

Fire stops trains.
Roger Winnen

It was reported to us that a serious fire adjacent to St Erth station has caused the cancellation of all train services. The sleeper tonight will now start from Plymouth. Further reports are expected from Roger who is proceeding at this moment (21.00) by bus from Penzance to St Erth station. Up-dates expected later.

Roger phoned at 21.20 from St Erth Car Park - as near as he could get. He reported that St Erth signal box has been evacuated - the fire, which is still raging is right behind it. Nobody is allowed on the station premises. Roger hopes to catch the 21.54 bus back to Penzance and will report later, maybe with photographs

160808a On lookers watching the fire at St Erth, the St Ives Train going no where and the signals pulled off for an up train which would not be running. Copyright Roger Winnen

160808b Its like the London Blitz at St Erth. The former Western Growers site housed tyres which appeared to have gone up in smoke. Copyright Roger Winnen

160808c Blaze away at St Erth. Copyright Roger Winnen

160808d A nightime spectacle for the residents of St Erth and surrounding districts. Copyright Roger Winnen

160808e Five appliances were fighting the fire. The signal box can just be seen behind the signal in the middle of the picture. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many Thanks to Martin Duff for advising me of the fire, and a young lady who took some of my pictures standing on crash barriers at St Erth Station

An Interlude at Plymouth Station whilst waiting for the Royal Duchy Express
Roger Winnen

160807tu An interlude at Plymouth Station whilst waiting for the steam. 08641 Laira together with a coach and a HST Power Car 43056 The Royal British Legion makes a return trip to Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

160807v Departing back to Laira Depot the train is passed by the incoming Voyager as it enters Mutley Tunnel. Copyright Roger Winnen

Tornado with The Torbay Express in Somerset & Devon
David Tozer & Andrew Triggs

160807zf 60163 Tornado departing Taunton with the Torbay Express to Kingswear. Copyright Andrew Triggs

160807a 60163 at Powderham on the Torbay Express to Kingswear. Copyright David Tozer

160807aa 60163 Returns with The Torbay Express seen passing Silverton on route to Bristol Temple Meads. Copyright David Tozer

Many Thanks David

Craig let loose in Devon
Craig Munday

Hi Keith
Had a most enjoyable shift covering the Exeter MOM. Added bonus were the two steam runs in the County. I would love to have got the locos at Tiverton Loops as one overtook the other being watered there.

I headed off around the Torbay area, visitng Dainton bank first to see 46233 Duchess of Sutherland powering up the bank in fine style.

I headed out to Cowley Bridge Jn, Exeter in the evening for Tornado with the Torbay Express.

Also pictured was 143611 looking rather snug in Exeter Depot in the morning.

Kind regards

Craig We are green with envy - many thanks Craig.

46233 Duchess of Sutherland - Dainton Bank 7th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

N.B. Roger Winnen is making an extensive collection of pictures of the above railtour for publication tomorrow (9th August) - please send your pictures to Roger. You can use my own Email address [email protected]

Using his privileged position Craig gets this wonderful ground level shot of Tornado with the Torbay Express approaching Cowley Bridge. 7th August 2016. Copyright Craig

143611 looking rather snug in Exeter Depot in the morning. 7th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday.

Ilton, Chard branch
John Cornelius

Yes, it's just a bridge, it was on the Chard branch, but what a study of perfectly cut stone. Ilton Halt closed 10th September 1962, this picture was taken almost twenty years after the last train. Further information is that Ilton Halt was served by a footpath which emerged onto the public highway on the left just where the car is parked. The road straight ahead is for Chard, to the left for Taunton. Copyright John Cornelius.

Exeter Central
Mike Morant

S_BR_30925_Exeter_1-9-62 During the Summer of 1962 a Maunsell Schools class 4-4-0 was often rostered for the 10.15 SO Waterloo to the West of England and, according to “Locos of the SR Part 1” / RCTS, on Sat 1/9/62 30925 Cheltenham had the job. With a load of 10 corridors, 30925 arrived at Exeter Central 3 minutes early. It returned to Waterloo on the 11.00 service the following day.
My thanks go to Chris Knowles-Thomas for the above background data which, I have to say, came as a surprise to me.
[Mike Morant collection

Items added on the 7th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

7/8/2016

Going greener
Jamie Dyke

Hi Keith, Yesterday I made a day of going out on the loco hauled 57 (known as the vegex). Firstly I travelled on 1A83 to Par before jumping on the 57 behind it to Plymouth. Had an hour at Plymouth before travelling to and getting off at Dawlish and walking the sea wall. What made my day though was the amount of green GWR traction I seen on the day and I even captured some rare shots of it together in some places! Regards Jamie
You had a good day in good weather - well done.

143005 LA164 arrive at Plymouth with 1A85 with 57603 'Tintagel Castle' in GWR green in platform 6. 6th August 2016 Copyright Jamie Dyke

57603 'Tintagel Castle' waits to depart Dawlish with the 1335 service from Plymouth to Exeter St David' 6th August 2016 Copyright Jamie Dyke

While waiting for it to depart GWR green 150247 joined in adding more green at Dawlish 6th August 2016 Copyright Jamie Dyke

150247 + 153368 head towards the Warren with the 1513 Paignton to Exmouth service 6th August 2016 Copyright Jamie Dyke

Steam comes to
Helston

STEAM COMES TO HELSTON
Fantastic news – our Chairman, James Packman, has completed negotiations with the GWR Preservation Group in Southall to have the William Murdoch, a Peckett shunter built in 1949, join us at the Railway as soon as transport can be arranged.
This is “imminent” – in August.
Details are on our new mobile friendly web site - http://www.helstonrailway.org/steam-comes-to-helston/
Where you can also make a donation to help fund her transport costs.
You can also see a video of William Murdoch running at Southall – follow this link - William Murdoch Video
NEW MEMBERS
The arrival of steam at HRPS will be transformational and we are hoping for a jump in membership – and so please forward this email to your friends and family in the hope that they will sign-up as a new member.
ALSO IN THE NEWS
We continue to make good progress with our project to reconstruct the platform at Truthall Halt. Follow this link for an update - http://www.helstonrailway.org/project-news/
The Railway is also being visited by the Chairman of Network Rail, Sir Peter Hendry, at the end of the month for a ceremony “Cutting of the First Turf” for Truthall Halt – details are posted on the new web site - Chairman of Network Rail Visit
YOU CAN POST DIRECTLY TO THE NEW WEB SITE
By the way - you can contribute directly to the blog pages on our fundraising web site www.helstonrailway.org. This is how Terry loaded the video of William Murdoch.
If you would like to make a posting directly to the site, please let me know and I will send you the link.
Best regards.
Dick
Richard Belton
Funding Volunteer
Helston Railway Preservation
www.helstonrailway.org
Phone – 07917 416 766

Going on Holiday
Roger Aston

Roger, en-route to Scotland for a holiday called on the WSR en-route - many thanks Roger. And have a good holiday.

4936 blasts out of Bishops Lydeard 4th August 2016 Copyright Roger Aston

Added bonus SD&JR Pecket passes through Bishop Lydeard on way to steam Festival at Norton Fitzwarren. 4th August 2016 Copyright Roger Aston

Five classes of diesels seen at Williton 4th August 2016 Copyright Roger Aston

4936 Kinlet Hall running into Stogumber with an down train 4th August 2016 Copyright Roger Aston

Pure Somerset and Dorset 53809 waits for 44422 to run into Crowcombe-Heathfield 4th Aug 2016 Copyright Roger Aston

Preston to St Ives
The Pirates of Penzance
Sid Sponheimer

On the 17th May 1997 rare traction ran in Cornwall when the 'Pirates of Penzance' Railtour ran from Preston to Penzance and then with 37674 leading visited St Ives. The traction was 31-407&466. This view is of course of the down working at Truro. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Tiny at Newton Abbot
John Cornelius

Copyright John Cornelius

Tiny was built by Sara and Company. It has a vertical boiler and was similar to four locomotives that later worked in the docks at Falmouth.
After withdrawal it was used at Newton Abbot where it was used to power machinery in the workshops there. In 1927, no longer required for this purpose, it was displayed on the platform at the station opposite the workshops. It is now resident in the Museum of the South Devon Railway Trust at Buckfastleigh. Reference Wilkipedia

Seaton Junction
Mike Morant

S_BR_30831_Seaton_Junction Maunsell S15 class 4-6-0 no. 30831 draws into Seaton junction station with a stopping train from Exeter to Salisbury. 30831 was a Salisbury engine from nationalisation until withdrawal in November 1963.
[Mike Morant collection

Yet another one from the marvellous collection of Mike Morant. Today just a single line passes through the site. The station buildings remain on the up side in private use as does an extremely long footbridge carrying a public footpath across the site. The branch to Seaton closed 6th January 1966 and the Junction station followed soon after on the 7th March 1966. Goods traffic remained until 8th May 1967.

Items added on the 6th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

6/8/2016

Chacewater - Newquay line
Blackwater bridge

Somewhere there's a photo of a train going over this bridge on the Chacewater-Newquay line, taken from the old A30 road. It's such an obvious picture to take. Many must have been taken. But I haven't found one. Do you know of any? Brian Jones 20 Masefield Crescent Abingdon OX14 5PH Tel: 01235 525295 Can anybody help please?

We only have pictures of the bridge referred to by Brian Jones being demolished. This one taken by Valerie Jenkin, shows that I was once young!! The very young man being shown by Dad what was going on is another contributor Kevin. Just to think that the bridge was demolished to improve the A30 alignment - and that wouldn't be necessary nowadays - the new A30 cuts through the Blackwater Triangle about 200 yards away.

A slip of the pen!!
Keith Jenkin

A note sent to me concerning an error in my caption to one of Sid Sponheimers historic photographs brought forward comment from Ross Griffiths and since publication of that two more times of post. This post brought forward additional information which is much appreciated. KJ

Dear Keith.
I just looked at the CRS website this morning and I noticed that a couple of images were bringing some attention. One that caught my eye was the shot taken by Sid Sponheimer of a train passing the junction of the Bull Point branch, which one of your readers, Ross Griffiths, questioned is it a D63xx Hydraulic or a D600 Warship? Well I have blown the image up and it is definitely a D600 Warship, as Ross pointed out the difference in the nose end and clincher is the loco has co-co bogie's as apposed to the D63xx bo-bo bogie's. Now which one is it? Without a date my guess is the shot was taken in the late 1960's, towards the end of their service, so I think this 'likely' rules out D600 and D602 as they were in BR Blue quite early; so that leaves D603, 604 and 605. Some more sleuthing work, the image seems to a have a light coloured blob on the nose corner (drivers side), which I believe to be a lamp. I have seen another image of Warship at Plymouth station, D603 in BR Green and this loco is carrying a white lamp in the same position and on the same nose end as per the loco in Sid's shot. The use of lamps on first generation diesels wasn't uncommon especially when they were first introduced, but by the mid to late sixties it was a less common practise, but the D600's were notorious for a lot of niggling problems so perhaps a fault with the lights at that end of the loco hence the use of the lamp. So my 'guess' using the above information collated, it is a D600 Warship and it could well be D603 'Conquest', unless Sid can provide further details?

Regards

Karl (Friends of Penmere). Message received at 02.15 6th July 2016

Many thanks to you Karl for your time and trouble.

Afternoon Keith, If you have the time please advise Ross that he is of course correct in noticing the caption error. I expect like me as we predated the TOPS system you're probably also unfamiliar with the class numbers later allocated. It is of course a Class 41 Warship not Class 22 but unfortunately despite tracing other prints taken in the same area ( even on the same day) I seem to have misfiled that photo. I would suggest I didn't have the number to provide in the first place. As a matter of interest Ross might not have noticed that you also entered the same photo under the Cornwall Section covering the last bit into Plymouth. In that section and right next to the photo in question is another Class 41 at St. Budeaux travelling to Plymouth with a Hymek coming towards the station and in this case I have found the print that tells me the number of the Hymek but the Warship number was not noted !! ( It's what I always term an example of " sodding Sid's law"! )
All the best. Sid.
This letter received yesterday afternoon. Many thanks to you Sid for both this letter and your irreplaceable pictures.

One letter leads to another!
Roy Hart

Dear Keith,
I can give an approximate date for Sid's picture: The signal is St Budeaux down home with fixed distant for Royal Albert box. The lower arm reads across the wartime emergency connection to the Southern. The distant signal on the doll is for St Budeaux Victoria Road. The picture therefore pre-dates the closure of the SR line into Devonport (1964).
The D600 warships were notoriously unreliable and the decision was made (after many embarrassing failures) to confine them to west of Plymouth where, I suppose, it was thought they would do less harm.There was a rule in the early diesel years that failures could not simply be shunted into sidings ( for PR reasons, one supposes) and I recall seeing one of them shunted into Camborne goods shed after failing!
I remember seeing the whole class (I think) lined up for scrap at Laira..

Roy. As usual a brilliant source of information - many thanks Roy.

A couple from Lostwithiel
Jamie Dyke

1A83 10:00 Penzance to London Paddington pass formed off 43012 and 43148 on the rear in 'Bristol 2015' vinyls. 5th August 2016 Copyright Jamie Dyke

150131 rolls into Lostwithiel with an up service 5th August 2016. Copyright Jamie Dyke.

Thornfalcon
John Cornelius

Thank heavens John had the forethought to stop and take this shot before the bulldozers removed it from the scene. Copyright John Cornelius

On the Chard branch, just three and a half miles, or six minutes from Taunton lay Thornfalcon. The B&ER opened a station to serveThornfalcon village in 1871. Originally named 'Thorne Falcon', it was renamed 'Thorn' by the GWR in July 1890, but was renamed again to 'Thornfalcon' on 1 January 1902.

Mike Morant at
Exeter St Davids

S_BR_30726_slide180 Drummond T9 4-4-0 30726 at Exeter St. David's in August 1958.
[Slide taken by Mke Morant]

A delightful colour shot of a T9 at Exeter St Davids many thanks to Mike for this and other amazing views from his collection..

Items added on the 5th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

5/8/2016

57603 Tintagel Castle stands alone at Penzance
Andrew Triggs

160803a 57603 at Penzance, following a return run from Laira (via Penzance with 5Z77 defective power car move. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Craig Munday
Goes home to Hayle

Hi Keith
Bumped into our own Roger Winnen in Hayle this evening as I visited my home town to see the Man Engine paraded in Foundry Square as part of the 10th anniversary. 150247 provided some up to date entertainment on the viaduct as the Man Engine "strutted his stuff" below. Very impressive it was too.
43148 in the attractive Bristol livery glided over the viaduct with the flowers in bloom & a high tide, making a very colourful sight. Other trains during the evening are also featured. Such clear light - a perfect end to an August evening.
Earlier in the day 66023 departed Lostwithiel with 6G07.
Kind regards, Craig
Many thanks Craig- this came in a little late for yesterdays news.

A very pleasant scene at Hayle - Penpoll Terrace. 4th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday.

Sometime later from the opposite bank. 4th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

Underneath the arches. A GWR 150 crosses Hayle viaduct, but hey, what's that beyond the arches? 'THE MAN ENGINE' 4th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday.

A fine view of the 'Man Engine' against a perfect sky. 4th August 2016. The puppet, now the largest in the world is said to be as high a three double decker buses. Copyright Craig Munday

And finally the GWR liveried 150 returns across Hayle Viaduct making a fine sight in the evening light. 4th August 2016

Bull Point Query
Ross Griffiths

Hello all,
As always, thoroughly enjoying the site.

Having a peruse of the Bull Point branch page today and something caught my eye - the picture that is captioned 'A class 22 with a long freight Copyright Sid Sponheimer' struck me as unusual as there's something about the nose of the locomotive that doesn't seem quite right for a 22 - on closer inspection I think this may actual be a Class 41? Which makes the picture even more of a gem as only 5 were produced so quite a rare loco to spot!

According to Wikipedia all five Class 41's were eventually based at Laira and towards the end of their working life were largely constrained to only working West of Plymouth, which would correlate with the location in the picture.

Be interesting if we could narrow down the exact number but alas that may be a stretch too far. Can anybody help?

Hope this is of use - if in fact I'm correct!

Best regards, Ross.

Another chance for us to see this Gem from Sid Sponheimer - any error in the caption is mine - KJ. The Bull Point branch in the foreground. Thanks for your query Ross.

A class 41 heads a lengthy freight past St Budeaux Junction. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Bodmin Road Query
Andy Kirkham

Good day

I wonder if you would be able to answer a question about Bodmin Road station.

In this picture taken by me:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52554553@N06/10419625864/in/album-72157636828119615/
(and also on one picture on your own site showing the opposite end of the station) it is apparent that the nameboard has a sliding panel which presumably conceals some text intended to be visible only intermittently.

Do you have any idea what the text was? I posted the question on www.rmweb.co.uk/, but nobody knew the answer for certain. Someone suggested it might be "For Lanhydrock House"; someone else, more romantically inclined, suggested "For the Lost Land of Lyonesse".

I would be very interested to know for sure.

Best wishes Andy Kirkham
Many thanks to Andy for his letter and suggestions - can anybody help please. See below.

Within minutes here's a reply from Roy Hart (Rangoon) - many thanks Roy.
Dear Keith,
After the closures of the mid-sixties there was an attempt by BR to reduce the number of stops in Cornwall, in order to speed up services. One wheeze was to run Newquay services to and from Bodmin Road. This would avoid some main line trains stopping at Par. The Newquay DMU would run up to Bodmin Road (thus serving Lostwithiel as well) and terminate there. Between trains, the DMU was shunted into the up refuge (today's Bodmin and Wenford exchange siding).
The nameboard at Bodmin Road was adjusted according to whether there was a Newquay connection at that time. The mystery words are
AND NEWQUAY
Roy

Chard Junction
The runaway train
John Cornelius

Chard Junction - the runaways call for a pint! From the John Cornelius Collection of newspaper cuttings - the original picture taken by David Wheadon . Further pictures taken some time after the incident by Brian Pibworth can be seen in our section covering Chard Junction.

Reference the above a 20 ton brake van and a wagon which escaped from a shunting operation at Chard Town in 1962 and survived the runaway journey, over several miles of curving downhill track, to hit the blocks at Chard Junction Branch station at about 35 mph. The wagons demolished the blocks, careered across the road and the van embedded itself in the side of the Chard Road Tavern. The tracks remained in the tarmac for several decades but those across the road have now gone and the pub and car park are now part of a private house. A full account of this incident (which had no casualties apart from the wagons and pub wall) can be found on pp 82/83 "Working the Chard Branch"by Derek Phillips and R Eaton-Lacey pub Fox & Co. Yeovil. From an earlier entry by Brian Pibworth.

Exmouth Junction shed
Mike Morant

LSWR Drummond T9 'Greyhound' class 4-4-0 no. 30712 at the side of Exmouth Junction shed on 28/5/57. No. 30712 had been allocated to EJ since December 1950 and would remain there until withdrawal in November 1958.
I actually rode behind this loco on a railtour in terrible weather that took us around the LSWR route to Plymouth.
[Mike Morant collection

Items added on the 4th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

4/8/2016

A Mixture of Diesel and Man engines at Hayle
Roger Winnen

160804a One of remaining HSTs still in the Bristol 2015 livery crossing Hayle Viaduct on the 19.13 Penzance to Plymouth stopper during the celebration of the Man Engine at Hayle. Copyright Roger Winnen

160804b This Man Engine brought large crowds to Hayle to witness this fascinating creation. Hayle itself was in the forefront of the Industrial Revolution sweeping the country in the 1800s. Copyright Roger Winnen

160804c With the crowds thinning out I headed for Hayle Station and photographed this scene through the dirty windows of the 17.55 Plymouth-Penzance stopper crossing Hayle Viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen

160804d A close up of the Man Engine. Copyright Roger Winnen

LMS Coronation Class 8P 46233 Duchess of Sutherland is programmed to work the Royal Duchy to Par on Sunday

Most probably the first visit of a Duchess to Cornwall takes place this coming Sunday when 46233 heads the Royal Duchy from Taunton to Par.
The timings to date Taunton 10.00 Tiverton Loop 10.26/11.19 Exeter St David's 11.37 Newton Abbot 12.03 Totnes 12.16 Plymouth 12.47/13.13 water Liskeard 13.41 Par 14.05 Return working Par 17.40 Plymouth 18.51/18.54 Totnes 19.31/19.48 Dawlish Warren 20.16/20.26 Exeter St Davids 20.44/20.47
With the amount of interest that is likely to be shown in the visit of the Duchess to Cornwall we intend to place the complete gallery of photographs taken to our website on Tuesday. So please send in your pictures by Monday evening at the latest

Icy track at Chard Junction
John Cornelius

A real Gem from a Newspaper Cutting.

Back in the 1930's 0-4-2 No 5812 arriving on a passenger train from Taunton slipped on icy rails, failed to stop, slid through the platform and demolished the buffers, the force of the impact stopping the loco from going into the road.Photo taken by the late Peter Kirkland - from the John Cornelius Collection,

Lyme Regis
Mike Morant

S_BR_30583_Lyme_Regis-2 Former LSWR Adams Radial 4-4-2T no. 30583 at Lyme Regis station. This loco was sold out of service to the Bluebell Railway following withdrawal in July 1961. The Bluebell restored 30583 as LSWR 488 and I remember it well as the Bluebell was not a great distance from home in the 1960's and early 70's.
[Mike Morant collection

Items added on the 3rd August 2016 Those added most recently come first

3/8/2016

Westbury in the days of the semaphore signalling
Michael Forward

820521e 47056 is seen at the east end of the station,with 33016 in the background. Copyright Michael Forward

820521f 45074 Waiting for the road with a London bound work. Copyright Michael Forward

W

820521g A loaded ballast train arrives behind 31316. Copyright Michael Forward

820521h Now we see an 08, a once familiar sight. This is 08935 with another lovely set of signals in the shot. Copyright Michael Forward

Portreath Branch Bridge
Stewart Frazer

Portreath branch bridge - it lies of an footpath off Spar Lane. July 2016 Copyright Stewart Frazer

Okehampton Celebration
Paul Martin

As Duty manager for Dartmoor Railway I took this shot of 47828 at Meldon with commemorative headboard. The special train ran to celebrate long time DR driver/Duty Manager Graham Isom serving 50 years to the day on the railways. The white buffers and cockney sparrows were a nod to his time at Stratford depot. The event kept secret from Graham saw family and friends and lots of railwaymen (ex and current) travelling down to help him celebrate. The train then travelled down to Okehampton where Graham was unaware of its impending arrival.
Thanks Paul Martin Thank you Paul and congratulations to Graham.

Looking very smart indeed 47828 with the commemorative headboard. Congratulations to Graham Isom. July 2016 Copyright Paul Martin

Athelney 5
John Cornelius

Copyright John Cornelius

Lyme Regis branch
Mike Morant

Today we return to Lyme Regis Courtesy of the Mike Morant collection.

S_BR_30583_Lyme_Regis-1 Former LSWR Adams Radial 4-4-2T no. 30583 on the approach to Lyme Regis. This loco was sold out of service to the Bluebell Railway following withdrawal in July 1961. The Bluebell restored 30583 as LSWR 488 and I remember it well as the Bluebell was not a great distance from home in the 1960's and early 70's.
[Mike Morant collection

Items added on the 2nd August 2016 Those added most recently come first

2/8/2016

Craig looks back
to the weekend.

Craig turns the clock back a few hours to look at July 30th - Saturday - a fine day.

57605 is seen arriving at St Erth with 5P70 GWR empty coaches for Par. The signal section not yet cleared through to Roskear following 1A83 - so brought in "board to board". 30th July 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

The down Belmond Pullman empty stack to Penzance. Just a few weeks ago these fields were full of golden daffodils. 30th July Copyright Craig Munday

Looking towards Grampound Road we see a Cross Country set working the down 1V48 07.45 York to Penzance. 30th July 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

An HST en route by the summer fields. 30th July 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

The Belmond Pullman makes its way back up country. 30th July 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

No trains in this one as Craig retreats to Perranporth at the end of a perfect day. Many thanks to you Craig. Copyright Craig Munday

Athelney 4
John Cornelius

N.B. This is the 56 pictured in Athelney 3, yesterday. Copyright John Cornelius

Exmouth 1953
Mike Morant

S_BR_30199_Exmouth_DKJ Adams O2 class 0-4-4T 30199 in sparkling condition passing the signal box at Exmouth . This negative sin't dated but believe that it was taken on 12/4/53 when 30199 participated in an Ian Allan railtour.
[Mike Morant collection

Its not only the loco that looks smart in this picture, there is a complete absence of clutter. On the left hand side of this picture the line to Tipton St John and Sidmouth Junction can be seen commencing the climb to Littleham, this route closed 6th March 1967. Many thanks to Mike for another Gem from his collection.

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