Blog Archives

A couple of Classics from Chris Osment

30/9/2015

Chris has recently discovered these classics of the old Barnstaple to Ilfracombe line. Many thanks Chris.

A Warship having towed its train across the long bridge at Barnstaple runs into Barnstaple Town station. The signalbox at the end of the platform is still in existence. Copyright Chris Osment

Heddon Mill level crossing sees its last train - Chris is not sure whether this was on the way out or back but at least three people are there to witness this sad event. 3rd October 1970 Copyright Chris Osment

Two more from Roger Geach.

30/9/2015

An apology to Roger Geach - a very regular contributor to our site but usually of 'golden oldies'. It was my mistake, due to lots of web work in hand, that I delayed dealing with these pictures until long after I received them. Sorry Roger, and many thanks. KJ

57605 heads the 1540 Long Rock to Laira ecs at Forder Viaduct on Saturday evening 19th September 2015 Copyright Roger Geach

66230 on the Treviscoe to St Blazey working seen at Burngullow on Wednesday 23rd September 2015 Copyright Roger Geach

Remember when 08's went on the main line instead of by road. A classic memory from Roger Geach

30/9/2015

Here is a long ago shot of 08576 being hauled to La by 25215 at Bolitho , Liskeard 15 11 1977. Thats when the 08s went by rail and not road . Many more 08s at work in Cornwall those days
Cheers Roger Geach Many thanks for this smashing picture.

Roger Geach captures a moment in time, years ago, when the 08.s were hauled at a pedestrian rate along the main line to Laira for servicing

The Cornwall Railway Society visit to the Plym Valley Railway on Sunday 27th September, 2015. A report by Roger Winnen

30/9/2015

When planning our 2015 timetable of outdoor events nothing was known of any line closures on four successive Sundays during September and October between Par and Liskeard. However with a bus replacement service from St Austell to Plymouth made the trip more interesting, going outward via Stenslees, Bugle and Bodmin and returning via East,Middle and West Taphouse, Lostwithiel and Par. Everything ran rather smooth and all connection were meet with Plymouth City Bus to and from Royal Parade to Marsh Mills.

150927a Albert at Marsh Mills a product of Andrew Barclay of 1948 waiting to propel the train to Plym Bridge Platform. Copyright Roger Winnen

150927b Albert built 1948 on the 13.00 train from Marsh Mills to Plym Bridge Platform. Copyright Roger Winnen

150927c Approaching Plym Bridge Platform with Albert propelling at the rear. Copyright Roger Winnen

150927d Approaching the terminus at Plym Bridge Platform. Copyright Roger Winnen

150927e This is the terminus at Plym Bridge Platform, the end of the line is right behind the photographer. Copyright Roger Winnen

150927f 13002 in the original black livery of 1952 This was the third Diesel Electric shunter of the 08 Class built. Copyright Roger Winnen

150927g The former footbridge which connected the two platforms at Tavistock North Station. Will the line to Tavistock every reopen I wonder! Copyright Roger Winnen

150927h Our return train from St Austell being the 18.10 Par Penzance service taken from the new footbridge. Note the dent in the platform roof on the right, this occurred when part of the former footbridge roof blew off landing on the then new station building. The former footbridge looks in a deplorable state, how long will it remain! Copyright Roger Winnen

Demolition of Newquay station From Roger Winnen

29/9/2015

You'll find the complete set of five of these in the Par to Newquay section of Cornish Branch lines. Time goes by - nearly a quarter of a century!

Demolition of the buildings and reducing the platform length. 14th February 1992 Copyright Roger Winnen

Newquay station demolition from the outside. 14th February 1992. Copyright Roger Winnen. Where else would one want to be on St Valentines Day!!!

Mike Morant's pictures.

29/9/2015

You'll find a dozen of these in the features section and also more of the same in Bristol station and Harbour Railways section.

An old friend in an unusual location. Here we see Class 117 B430, more familiar to us on the Cornish branches, most particularly on the St Ives branch. Here it is at Wapping Wharf_8th June 1985 Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Isn't this nice - a Castle waits for the 'right away' from Temple Meads to start its journey to London. Courtesy Mike Morant

The Green HST on the return working up the country. Craig Munday

29/9/2015

Hi Keith, I hope you have a nice gallery of this working this morning. Here's the St Austell entry!
10.00 Penzance to Padd GWR service at Carlyon Bay.
Cheers, Craig Many thanks Craig - I expect more in addition to Roger Winnens entries.

From Martin Duff this evening

29/9/2015

Hello Keith, Sorry to be brief earlier. The photograph was sent live "as it happened", and I was heading for Bishops Lydeard. The train was 5Z63 09.40 York NRM - Bishops Lydeard. DCR 56312 hauled 60163 Tornado + POB to the WSR ready for the autumn steam gala. After departure from Taunton, the train reached BL at 18.55. Tornado + POB propelled in to the Up Sidings and the 56 left the WSR at 19.03. 56312 is the third 56 to visit the WSR, EWS 56119 was first in December 2001 (Crewe - Minehead and back) and BR blue 56006 in June this year (gala). Kind regards, Martin

Many thanks to Martin for this picture taken today 29th September 2015

Today at Taunton - en route to the WSR presumably, Copyright Martin Duff

Just in Time! What happen was! by Roger Winnen

29/9/2015

I received a text this morning at about 08.25hrs saying that the Great Western Railway refurbished HST in green livery was on the 07.03 from Plymouth to Penzance, this being the first known run into Cornwall. How could I get a photograph on the way down with only 30 minutes to spare. I hurriedly went to the station and purchased a return ticket to St Erth on the 08.44 service which would give me about 7 mins before the down service was due. On entering the train I suddenly became aware that I had left the sim card of my camera in my computer for down loading photographs of the societies visit to the Plym Valley Railway on Sunday. Racing from the train back to my house to put in the sim card in the camera and returning to the station I only had a minute to spare. Out of breath but still living to tell the tail.

150929a The first known visit to Cornwall of the Great Western Livery HST on the 07.02 Plymouth Penzance, known as the school train arrives at St Erth. Copyright Roger Winnen

150929b On arrival at Penzance this train formed the 10.00 'The Cornishman' to London Paddington which was looking very smart indeed. Copyright Roger Winnen

150929cc The close up of the leading power car which looks very attractive. Copyright Roger Salter

150929c The power car 43187 with its number on the luggage van end and GWR in raised lettering. Copyright Roger Winnen

150929d The mirror like finish of the rear power car as it stands under the station roof. Copyright Roger Winnen

150929bb The Great Western Railway livery on the HST carriage looking very smart indeed. Copyright Roger Salter

150929e A few minutes after departure from Penzance the train was seen passing through the former Marazion Station on its way to Paddington. Copyright Roger Winnen

150929g The Cornishman heads through the former Marazion Station with only the booking office standing top right. Copyright Roger Salter

150929f The Great Western Railway 43179 awaiting departure from Camborne. Copyright Leslie Curnow

Cornwall Expo 2015 a special report. By Mick House.

29/9/2015

Held in Aerohub`s largest hanger at Newquay Airport on Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th September. Cornwall Expo 2015 is an exhibition and conference focusing on infrastructure, business, tourism and skills. This event is run by Cornwall and Isles of Scilly local economic partnership, Cornwall Council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly. I must apologise for the quality of some of my photos this is due to the amount of light in the hall. I would like to thank the staff on site for their help in allowing me access to photograph the exhibits.
By Mick House.

Night Riviera Sleeper Coach 10612 viewed from the conference area. Photo by Mick House.

Coach 10612 viewed from the dining area. Photo by Mick House.

One end of coach 10612 to the left, the conference area to the right, the dining area. Photo by Mick House.

New GWR branding. Photo by Mick House.

Sleeper compartment configured for daytime running. Photo by Mick House.

Mock-up of sleeper compartment configured for night-time running. Photo by Mick House.

Mock-up of buffet/dinning car, view of second class end bar looking towards first class. Photo by Mick House.

Mock-up of buffet/dinning car, view of first class bar looking towards second class. Photo by Mick House.

Mock-up of buffet/dinning car, view of first class swivel seating. Photo by Mick House.

Mock-up of buffet/dinning car, view of first class fixed seating. Photo by Mick House.

Mock-up of buffet/dinning car, view of first class sofa seating. Photo by Mick House.

Mock-up of buffet/dinning car, view of first class general seating layout view. Photo by Mick House.

The new first bus livery. Photo by Mick House.

I would like to say this was the old first livery but it`s not. Early days of GWR, GUY single decker bus. Photo by Mick House.

General view of the hall. Photo by Mick House.

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