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Shaugh Bridge Halt Can anybody help Brian Willis

30/9/2013

Dear Keith, I recently came across this picture at Shaugh Bridge, one of my old haunts. Does anyone recognise the shed in the background? I am familiar with the usual pagoda but this is the first time I have seen this building. It must be fairly old considering the rolling stock but at least the 44xxT(?) has the number behind the cab and not in the middle of the tank. Any revelations would be most welcome! Brian Willis Gig Bay USA N.B. Reference to the Middleton Press book on the line doesn't give us a clue - the original platform was timber - the pagoda was moved back when a more permanent platform was provided.

Ref Special delivery an up-date

30/9/2013

On the 21st of September 2013 a single coach off the night sleeper was returned to Laira during the day. Look back at the article on this movement to discover the reason.

Autumn is here! Leaves are falling and the last steam for the season is passing Roger Winnen

29/9/2013

66081 and the gleaming Railhead Treatment train arrives at Par at 15.22 on Sunday 29th September 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen.

Roger predicts that this will not be this clean for long - watch future reports this autumn. 15.23 29th September 2013. Copyright Roger Winnen

Just to whet your appetite - see the Steam Railtours section for 29th September 2013 to see more. Here is 34046 Braunton passing the semaphores at Par at 16.49 to join its train. Copyright Roger Winnen

Cornwall Railway Society Visit to the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway 28th September 13

29/9/2013

Our last outdoor event of the season took place on Saturday and was a visit to the Lynton and Branstaple Railway Gala at Woody Bay. The party joined the 06.50 off Penzance at various points. At Exeter St Davids we changed onto the 10.27 to Barnstaple. Various forecasters predicted a dry day, or one with thundery showers - you takes your choice. In the event we had a dry start, some rain at Exeter but by the time we had reached Barnstaple we had just occasional drops. Our bus arrived from Lynton and rapidly set off again very heavily laden forming the 12.20 service. As we climbed up onto Exmoor we encountered mist which stayed with us throughout our visit, but at least it was dry. Arrival at Woody Bay was on time at 12.59.

The party at Exeter St Davids on platform 3 awaiting the arrival of the 10.27 service. Unusually, Roger Winnen is included in this picture, he is on the extreme right. Valerie Jenkin was the camera operator - as can be seen the party numbered eleven including Valerie.

This is the ticket, and what a wonderful souvenir of a truly unique occasion.

On arrival at Woody Bay the first object of interest was an exhibits tent, we noted that one of the exhibits was a replica nameboard - 'Lyn'. Here is 'our' 'Lyn' with the nameboard. 28th September 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen.

The spledidly appointed signalbox at Woody Bay is extremely smart - something for the railway to be proud of. 28th September 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

The special attraction at the Gala was a visit by 'Prince' from the Ffestiniog Railway. This was the first tender locomotive ever to operate over the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway. Here it is seen arriving from Killington Lane on an earlier service. 28th September 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen.

Here is 'Prince' having arrived making ready to run round for the 14.00 departure on which all of our party travelled - we were allowed to make one journey behind 'Prince' and an unlimited number of return runs on other trains. 28th September 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

Prince is seen here having just arrived at Killington Lane and passengers are bailing out of the immuculate coaching stock to take their pictures - amongst these is Trevor Tremethick seen, extreme left. The wreath bares in the famous inscription "Perchance It Is Not Dead But Sleepeth" 28th September 2013. Copyright Roger Winnen

'Prince' running round at Killington Lane 28 Sept 2013. Copyright Trevor Tremethick. 'Prince' eases away from the stock and makes ready to run round. The first stage of the extension of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway will be towards Parracombe. The extension line will cross Killington Lane - the new metals being to the left alongside the existing trackwork. 28th September 2013

'Axe' departing Woody Bay. 28th September 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

The German well tank Sid. Anyone seen Sid? 28th September 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen.

'Emmet' is seen approaching Woody Bay passing Prince which is making ready for another departure. Copyright Roger Winnen

Immaculate is perhaps the only word suitable to describe the appeance of this rake of coaches seen here as 'Prince' makes its way to the head of the train for another run to Killington Halt. 28th September 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

Another cause for celebration was the running of the first mixed train since 1935. 'Emmet' is leading the train and 'Axe' can be seen bringing uo the rear. 28th September 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

At Woody Bay along the higher ground between the station at the road a miniature railway demonstration track has been laid. Rides along this 100 yard long line were available for a small donation to the L & B.

The Cornwall Railway Society have much to be grateful for, we made all our connections satisfactorily, the weather, although not perfect could have been a lot worse.

The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway have every reason to be proud of their railway - everything we saw was in perfect order, a tribute to the dedication of the army of volunteers. Congratulations. We found plenty of interest and would have liked to have spent more time there the the three hours we had. With many thanks to the L & B, long may you prosper and extend.

An interlude at Chelfam Trevor Tremethick

28/9/2013

After joining us on the Cornwall Railway Society visit to the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway at Woody Bay Trevor and Barbara Tremethick called to look around Chelfam which was open to the public on the occasion of the gala. We are most grateful to T & B for the following most interesting pictures - if only we'd had the time!

Chelfham Station L & B, 28 Sept 2013. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

Recast running-in board at Chelfham Station L & B, 28 Sept 2013. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

Trackbed just north of Chelfham Station L & B, 28 Sept 2013. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

Chelfham Viaduct L & B, 28 Sept 2013. Copyright Trevor Tremethick N.B. - from Trevor. Re the viaduct, I had forgotten (until I revisited my old Bradford Barton book) that the parapets were removed after closure and have been rebuilt.

Chelfham Viaduct L & B, 28 Sept 2013. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

Chelfham Viaduct from the main road, L & B, 28 Sept 2013. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

Bodmin & Wenford Diesel Gala 28th September 2013 Mike Bojko

28/9/2013

Hello Keith
These pictures were taken late this afternoon between 17.20 and 17.50 Regards Mike Bojko

47306 (D1787) The Sapper climbing out of Bodmin Parkway at 17:20hrs. Copyright Mike Bojko

33110 (D6527) standing at the throat of Bodmin General 28th September 2013. Copyright Mike Bojko

37142 ( D6842) poses for its picture at Bodmin Road. 28th September 2013. Copyright Mike Bojko,

Weekly Oil Train Mike Bojko

27/9/2013

The down full tank train passes Marazion Marsh then under the bridge though the old station and into the depot. At about 09.00 on 27th September 2013. Copyright Mike Bojko

66067 rests having delivered its full train. Copyright Mike Bojko.

The depot shunter assisted in the operation of shunting the tanks. 27th September 2013

Having shunted the full tabks into the siding 66097 is now coupled to the empties. 27th September 2013 Copyright Mike Bojko

66067 departs east with the empties. 27th September 2013. Copyright Mike Bojko

Reinstatements at Falmouth and Kernick Nigel Tregoning

26/9/2013

From a report received from Nigel Tregoning (as read in the 'Railway Observer'), it is understood that the number 1 and 2 ground frames were re-opened to good traffic in May. The branch metals down toward the docks have yet to be cleared. For what purpose the change of mind is not known as the removal of the run round facility at the Falmouth had been scheduled for the winter months.
It is also likely that the siding at Methrose (Burngullow) will be closed and the loading facility for aggregates be transferred to Kernick old siding on the Parkandillack branch.

Steam on Sunday - timings

26/9/2013

Steam to Par this coming Sunday (29th September 2013)

1Z37 08.28 Bristol TM to Par. Loco reported to be Braunton (not confirmed)

Plymouth     12.58 / 13.08
Liskd                13.37
Par                   14.01

Usual trip around to St Blazey

Returns 1Z39 17.45 Par to Bristol TM

Liskd                    18.25
Plymouth         18.55 / 18.59
Bristol TM              22.25

Special Delivery 21st Sept.13 Craig Munday & Roger Winnen

21/9/2013

57602 having brought the sleeping car train down to Cornwall, was summoned for an extra duty taking one of the day coaches off this train to Plymouth - it was expected to return later in the day. See below for a reason for this movement - from a reliable source.

It is seen here at 13.26 passing the site of Carn Brea station on 21st September 2013. Copyright Roger Winnen. N.B. The building just seen to the left is Cowlins Mill. The road seen to the right of the train is going to be considerably changed as it is to become part of the inner relief road,

The same train was photographed a little later passing the golf course at Carlyon Bay. With many thanks to Craig Munday for this one. 21st September 2013 Copyright

The reason why - (From a very reliable source)
The seating carriages get very heavy use and some refurbishment is needed. With the sleeper train now being so popular - including the seating vehicles - there are no readily available spare vehicles. One of these carriages has been taken out of the train for a couple of weeks to allow some repairs and refurbishment to take place at Laira. One of the two train sets will therefore be one vehicle short during that period and seat bookings will not be taken for that coach. This is, of course, complicated because the set concerned works in opposite directions on alternate days! It is not known whether other vehicles will be removed in turn: that will depend on whether they have sufficiently serious defects to make removal necessary.

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