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Items added on 31st October 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

31/10/2017

 
Stock move  2 
David Tozer
Picture
Same day and loco and stock. David Tozer catches the action a little while later. 31st October 2017. Copyright David Tozer
Stock move 1
Clive Smith
Picture
68 025 caught this morning on a 'pretendolino' stock move between Ivybridge and Bittaford near the former Western Machinery factory site. Little hazy ,so unfortunately not the bright autumnal colours of yesterday. 31st October 2017 Copyright Clive Smith
Many thanks Clive
Dunmere Junction
Andrew jones

The first of a 'Now and then on the Wenford' - a new series compiled by Andrew Jones
​  I am working through my 1970/80s photographs of the Wenfordbridge branch.
This month I have included the start of the, I suppose, lengthy siding just south of Dunmere Platform, to Wenford.
The locked gate in the foreground, of this October 1980 photograph, provided secure protection to the branch and performed faultlessly throughout its lifetime.
 The branch to Bodmin North had been lifted many years before, but regular freight trains were still evident, with the rails well polished.
    There is a permanent way trolley, adjacent the original concrete post fence and the building to the right of the gate, once housed the original gangers trolley.
  Unusually the railway continued past the gate on a shared access with the houses and for the most part, caused very little inconvenience to the owners or railway.
   I was surprised to see how the view has changed in 37 years.  As you can see in the second photograph, taken on the 28th October 2017, vegetation has encroached from all sides, bushes have now become trees and the busy Camel trail now utilises the Bodmin North Branch, the land beyond the gate is now a private access lane.
Cyclist now regain access to the Wenford branch by a path a few metres north beyond Dunmere Platform, thus avoiding the original level crossing and busy main road.
  I am preparing a number of Now and then photographs of the Wenfordbridge branch and will forward them over the coming months. I have a complete pictorial record of the branch taken just before closure and if anyone needs a particular section I am sure I can assist.
Many thanks indeed Andrew - we look forward to your comparisons.


Picture
The locked gate in the foreground, of this October 1980 photograph, provided secure protection to the branch and performed faultlessly throughout its lifetime. The branch to Bodmin North had been lifted many years before, but regular freight trains were still evident, with the rails well polished. There is a permanent way trolley, adjacent the original concrete post fence and the building to the right of the gate, once housed the original gangers trolley. Unusually the railway continued past the gate on a shared access with the houses and for the most part, caused very little inconvenience to the owners or railway. Copyright Andrew Jones
Picture
37 years later - the site of Dunmere Junction on the 28th October 2017. Copyright Andrew Jones. N.B It looks like the same gate.
Helston
Roger Winnen

Picture
A sad picture - it's Helston station in May 1972 many years after closure the foreground filled with rubble and weeds it awaits its fate! Copyright Roger Winnen
Swanage
John Cornelius

Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 30th October 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

30/10/2017

 
Congratulations & 
Many thanks

The Cornwall Railway Society funds have benefited considerably to the tune of £314 from the efforts of Christine Simmonds and Roger Winnen who spent two full days at the Bodmin Model Railway Exhibition on our bookstand - many thanks to you both for a wonderful effort. Thanks are also due to Gerry Chandler who provided transport for Christine and the books on Saturday and also to Tony and Sue Wright who returned Christine and the book stock home on Sunday. Thanks also to Mr & Mrs Fred Elton who provided transport for Roger.
Picture
Roger Winnen and Christine Simmonds at the CRS Booksales table at Bodmin Model Railway Exhibition on Saturday 28th October 2017.
A tale of the Poldice Tramway
Roy Hart 

In the 1950s my late father (Leonard Hart) was curator of the Holman Museum at Camborne. The museum was the brainchild of the late Treve Holman, Managing Director of Holman Bros.
Treve Holman devised the plan to buy and re-erect the Cornish beam winding engine from Rostowrack china clay works and re-erect it running under compressed air, at Camborne. Holman’s plan was to have the beam and wheel exposed over the outside street, but the Council vetoed it, fearing road crashes from distracted drivers! Dad and the team rebuilt the engine though, but inside, in 1953.
In about 1957, a wagon (sometimes called the ‘directors’ wagon, because it had seats) from the Poldice to Portreath tramway was discovered in a barn at Scorrier and Treve Holman gave it a home in the Holman Museum. It had to be mounted on track, so Dad and a colleague (and me) were dispatched in a Holman van with picks and shovels to Mawla, to dig up sufficient granite setts to make a stretch of genuine tramway in the original style. There is no closing date for the Poldice to Portreath tramway, but we know from newspapers and other sources that it was abandoned and unused by about 1866. The granite setts on which the ‘plates’ were laid are still visible in many places today.
Holmans’ foundry made the appropriate ‘L’ shaped rails (‘plate’, I suppose, is the proper term = platelayers) and the wagon stood resplendent in the museum until it closed in the 1970s. The wagon (and ‘our’ track) now reposes at Truro museum.
The Holman museum was a sad loss: the Rostowrack engine seems to have been lost, too.
 
Roy Hart 
​Many thanks for that Roy - I remember your father, he used to do quite a bit of walking - usually to Tesco's to keep fit. This article is, in a way, a tribute to him.  Any idea from anybody where the Rostowrack engine is?  
Hayle Wharves
Roger Winnen

Picture
Hayle Wharves with a Ground Frame Cast Iron Sign attached to the hut on the left. May 1972 Copyright Roger Winnen
​Roy Hart advises that this is the ground frame which protected the north end of the swingbridge. Centre right is the gate which was closed and bolted when the bridge swung. Out of picture to the left was the catch point protecting the bridge from the wharves direction -normally kept in the closed position, of course. The GF had the annett's key which when the gate was bolted and the catch point opened, released the bridge to swing. Many thanks for the info Roy.
Swanage
John Cornelius
Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 29th October 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

29/10/2017

 
A scene which has greatly changed at Hayle
Michael Forward

This photograph taken on 18th September 2000 shows a Great Western HST crossing Hayle Viaduct, most probably the 17.36 Penzance to Paddington. Much has changed since 2000! no longer will you get reflections in the puddles as the new Asda Stores encroaches on the view of this 38 span viaduct.
Picture
000918a A scene now greatly changed at Hayle as an HST working crosses Hayle Viaduct. Copyright Michael Forward
Eastleigh Works Visit
John Cornelius

Hi Keith. Today (28th October 2017) members of the Yeovil Rly. circle and friends,visited Arlington Engineering at the former Eastleigh loco works ,
where they overhaul, repair and carry out maintenance to locomotives, wagons and carriages for rail companies around the country. Of note today, the long awaited wheel sets for the Swanage Rly. 'bubble' cars have finally arrived.
Also it was a surprise to see preserved London transport electric
loco  No 12 'SARAH SIDDONS' in the works awaiting attention.
The following loco's were in and around the works environs.
01508[works shunter], 08567, 08879,08887,07007[works shunter],
E6016, 73133, 73141, 47771, 47818, 47841, 50021, 57003, 57011, 57307. No 12 'SARAH SIDDONS', 35005 'CANADIAN PACIFIC'.
A very enjoyable 90 minutes was spent touring the works.
Cheers JOHN CORNELIUS.
     Many thanks John - Eastleigh Works is just within our boundary.
Picture
28th October 2017 Copyright John Cornelius
Picture
28th October 2017 Copyright John Cornelius
Picture
28th October 2017 Copyright John Cornelius
Picture
28th October 2017 Copyright John Cornelius
Picture
28th October 2017 Copyright John Cornelius
Picture
28th October 2017 Copyright John Cornelius
Many thanks to the Arlington Engineering
Clun Castle Rededicated
Nick and Alec Gaskell

Clun Castle will be remembered to us in the far west as the locomotive which hauled the first special to beat the 'steam ban'.  It hauled a charter down through Cornwall pausing to turn on St Blazey turntable after which it made a rather undignified approach to Truro, backwards. So although way out of 'our region' we bring you pictures taken by Nick and Alec Gaskell on the day prior to the official rededication which takes place today 29th October 2017.  Many thanks to the Gaskell's for these pictures - these were received yesterday however, unfortunately I wasn't at home. 
Picture
7029 at Tyseley 28th October 2017 Nick and Alec Gaskell
Picture
7029 at Tyseley 28th October 2017 Nick and Alec Gaskell
Let's hope that before too long 7029 'Clun Castle' comes back to Cornwall again continuing past Truro right down to Penzance.  Many thanks to the Gaskells for the pictures. 
One snippet from yesterdays re-dedication, straight from the Director of the Tyseley Loco Trust, and that is that the Plymouth to Bristol record, which was taken from Clun Castle by Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, is considered "Unfinished business", and is very much in their sights in the near future.
Autumn Colours
Craig Munday
A few from recent times. The blustery nature of a named storms, and some welcome late October sunshine today. 
I was out-based in West Cornwall for high tides on the Southern coast for the named storms of Ophelia & Brian. The latter seemed blown out by the time it reached our shores, but I took a picture of the down Night Riviera passing Long Rock, and the white class 153 hugging the coast at St Ives on the 21st Oct.
Today (27th Oct.) saw balmy temperatures, and some lush late afternoon sunshine. As the clocks go back over the weekend it was narrow window of opportunity to get 66206 on the causeway at St Blazey. The river side vegetation has recently been cleared - giving a superb view of up branch trains. 
I then headed up to Lostwithiel to get a departure shot from the fields above the town. Both vantage points lost to early evenings next week.
Kind regards,  Craig                         Many thanks Craig
Picture
A stormy day as the night sleeper approaches Long Rock Crossing. 21st October 2017 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
Lelant - the white 153 on the 21st October 2017 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
A well lit 66206 approaches Middleway Crossing on the 27th October 2017 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
66206 glimpsed from 'on high' as it passes through the ever expanding town of Lostwithiel on the 27th October 2017 Copyright Craig Munday
Two nights on the 'Up Beds'
Jamie Dyke
Picture
57602 Restormel Castle makes a striking picture at St Austell on the 25th October 2017 Copyright Jamie Dyke .
Picture
The next night hired in 57310 heads the up train ready to depart from Penzance. 26th October 2017 Copyright Jamie Dyke
Yeovil Junction
John Cornelius

Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 28th October 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

28/10/2017

 
The Bodmin & Wenford Railway's
newly acquired Bubble Car
Derek Buttivant

The Bodmin & Wenford Railway's newly acquired Bubble Car, No 121020, was towed from Bodmin General down to Bodmin Parkway on Wednesday morning, 25th October. The railway's class 08 shunter moved the railcar because the vehicle must have some main-line running equipment disabled before it can be started and run under its own power.
Picture
171025a Pressed Steel Bubble Car 55020 together with 08444 At Bodmin General. Copyright Derek Buttivant
Picture
171025b 55020 at Bodmin General. Copyright Derek Buttivant
Many Thanks Derek
Poppy Appeal
Roger Aston

Picture
4247 pulls in to Bodmin General with the train to launch Cornwall Poppy Appeal Launch 2017 of the Royal British Legion yesterday Thursday 26th October 2017. WEAR YOUR POPPY WITH PRIDE Copyright Roger Aston
Many thanks to Roger Aston for this picture.


Portreath - Poldice Tramway
Portreath
Keith Jenkin

Nearly every week we catch a number 47 bus to Portreath and take a stroll on the marvellous beach down there.  From Bridge almost to the outskirts of Portreath the bus route and tramway share the same valley, the tramway being about twenty feet higher. It is now part of the 'Coast to Coast' path which can be enjoyed on foot or bicycle. At Portreath the tramway route veers away from the bus route and as such we don't follow it. However down that way by car we took a back route via Sunnyvale Road and noticed in Greenfield Gardens an excellent replica of a  Portreath - Poldice tramway wagon which stands proudly on a very short piece of plateway. It's been there for eight years and I've not seen it before!!
Picture
Greenfield Gardens entrance off Sunnyvale Road. 27th October 2017 Copyright Keith Jenkin
Picture
The replica wagon stands on the 4' gauge plateway in Greenfield Gardens. 27th October 2017 Copyright Keith Jenkin
Picture
Picture
Safely secured by chains the wagon has been kept in immaculate condition. Note the 'L' shaped plateway track laid on granite setts. Copyright Keith Jenkin
Picture
The commemorative plaque set in the grass, the finishing touch to an excellent memorial. 27th October 2017/
Picture
Portreath 1892 1905 Reproduced from a 25 inch map with permission for the National Library of Scotland. The Poldice to Portreath Tramway was close by the road from Redruth to Portreath which can be seen coming in from the right hand side of the map. The tramway turned slightly north away from the main road and now is marked by the course of Sunnyvale Road which makes a direct line to the harbour. Greenfield Gardens are formed alongside and to the south of Sunnyvale Road just to the east of the gardens of a terrace of cottages.
Long Rock
Roger Winnen

Picture
No doubt accompanied by his dog, 'Sooty' Roger takes a stroll along the beach path and with his Instamtic camera catches D1049 Western Monarch passing Long Rock Shed on its way east. March 72 Copyright Roger Winnen
Yeovil Junction
John Cornelius

Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 27th October 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

27/10/2017

 
Pride of Cumbria seen at Rosevidney
Andrew Triggs

Picture
171026a 57310 Pride of Cumbria approaching Rosevidney Bridge with the 0Z79 a driver training run from Par at 12.30 to Long Rock Copyright Andrew Triggs
Exeter - flash back to 1988
Coal Concentration Depot

David Tozer
Picture
Exeter Coal Concentration Depot on the 13th April 1988. 37165 stands at the head of an extremely long rake of coal wagons. Copyright David Tozer
All-sorts at Long Rock
Roger Winnen
Picture
A mixture of all-sorts at Long Rock Shed. D5180 can be seen. Taken on a wander up the beach side path in January 1972 Copyright Roger Winnen
Bishops Lydeard
John Cornelius
Picture
Steam and power a plenty at Bishops Lydeard. Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 26th October 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

26/10/2017

 
Electrics to Weymouth Harbour! 
Colin Burges
Picture
The level crossing at Melcombe Regis - Weymouth. August 2017 Copyright Colin Burges
I got talking to a fellow in a pub before catching the Weymouth Wizard and he had a lot to say about the town, its people, its inept council and self-serving politicians. He bought me a drink, thankful I imagine that he had found someone to listen. He seemed honest, but a son of Dorset not perhaps its brightest representative. He had a Jack Russell that grazed on the pub carpet. I told him that I'd only come to Weymouth for the first time a few years ago and that I'd been riding about getting to know the place. I'd been out to Abbotsbury, ridden down from Dorchester and followed the line around to Easton on the island. When I told him that I was sort of mopping up all the stations in Dorset, he asked: "Why would anyone do that?" "Well," I said. "I'd done Devon and then thought I would do the three neighbouring counties. It gets me out on the bike and there is always other interest." With that, the tramway being right outside, we started discussing its future. He couldn't remember panniers but had seen the boat trains behind diesels. "I know a few people around here," he said, like a wise guy. "And I'm privy to things." I nodded. "Anyway, I can tell you this is fact." "What is?" I asked, looking up at the clock. "Netflick Rail, is it?" "Network." "OK, Network Rail. They're planning to extend the third rail down to the harbour."
                Thanks for the report Colin - more to come very soon.


Truro Shed
Trevor Tremethick
Trevor writes:-  ​I never managed to visit Truro Shed and I was wondering if anyone has a detailed plan of the interior or any photographs taken inside the shed. So far, I have only found one picture in Maurice Dart's book 'Images of Cornish Railways'. This was of 4508 in the 'factory' part of the shed. I'd be most grateful if anyone can provide details of the buildings.  Furthermore, if anyone can help we'd be delighted to put any such information or pictures with credits on the website.
Carn Brea Yard
Roger Winnen

Picture
Carn Brea Yard Signalbox, taken after closure of the level crossing here - see notice on gate, and presumably closure of the box itself. Note the box has already lost its nameboard. September 1993 Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
Another view on the same occasion - one pane of glass had already been smashed - replaced by editing!! September 1973 Copyright Roger Winnen
You will find many items concerning this signal box in our section on the line between Camborne and Redruth.  Click here and scroll down.
​

Yeovil Railway Centre
John Cornelius

Picture
Some very careful driving needed here! Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 25th October 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

25/10/2017

 
Barncoose
Roger Winnen

Picture
Having crossed Barncoose embankment an unidentified Western powers through Barncoose cutting and on towards Penzance with the 09.20 Liverpool to Penzance. September 1973 Copyright Roger Winnen
Portishead Branch
Progress

You can follow the progress towards the reopening of the Portishead branch to passenger trains and take an active part by clicking below:-  : https://travelwest.info/projects/metrowest or www.portisheadrailwaygroup.org/cons2.html .
 
John Cornelius
in Cornwall
Good day Keith.  Glad you were not blown away in the gale force winds last week. I've been very interested in Rogers pictures and Roys articles of late and have learned a lot from them. AS he is covering Roskear junction today, I forward a pic I took in 2007, when I walked around to it from Camborne station. Thought you might be interested.
cheers JOHN C. John has over 500 pictures in his Cornish Collection - many thanks John.
Picture
Roskear Junction Signalbox in 2007. A nice tidy picture. Many thanks to John Cornelius. Copyright.

Items added on 24th October 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

24/10/2017

 
Roskear Junction
Roger Winnen

Picture
D1053 Western Patriarch heads an up service over the crossing at Roskear Junction. September 1973 Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
Roskear Junction Signal Box. September 1973 Copyright Roger Winnen
Comment from Roy Hart.  Roskear is the last of the eight boxes opened between Camborne and Redruth in the early 1890s. The pictures were taken after the resignalling following closure of Camborne box. All signals became colour light. On the extreme right of one picture, the red light of the down starter can be seen: this signal proved to be badly positioned and was moved westwards to a new site towards Penponds. The lever frame at Roskear failed a routine locking test about 15 years ago and the signals etc are now controlled by switches. Soon a new panel will be installed.
There are 3 boxes of this type in Cornwall: Lostwithiel, Roskear and St Erth. The ignorant oafs at English heritage have listed Lostwithiel, which has ugly modern windows and a porch which dates from 1923 and does not fit, while Roskear and St Erth, both well looked after and beautifully restored to original appearance, are unlisted. Roy Hart October 2017
                                                              Many thanks to you Roy.
Weymouth
John Cornelius

Picture
The good old days! Copyright John Cornelius
What is the very latest on the tramway, will the lines be taken up or is its future not yet decided.  Look it up on Google.

Items added on 23rd October 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

23/10/2017

 

Urgent request for information on Redbridge, Track & Sleeper Depot.
By Mick House.

I visited Redbridge; Track & Sleeper Depot just after it had closed and took a great number of photos all over the site, my problem is that I want to identify the individual buildings within the site as at the time I neglected to write them down.
So I am looking for someone that worked on site or with knowledge of the site to help me out.
If you can drop me an email at: railwaymick@yahoo.co.uk  
Many thanks.
Picture
Overview of Redbridge Track & Sleeper Depot Looking North West, with the mainline to my right. Copyright Mick House.
Picture
Overview of Redbridge Track & Sleeper Depot Looking South East, with the mainline to my left. Copyright Mick House.
Picture
Redbridge Tar sidings OS 125,000 1937.61 Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland. The main line to Southampton is off to the right, the line to the left is to Bournemouth and Weymouth, that turning north off the page is to Romsey and Salisbury. Redbridge Track and Sleeper depot is centre right. The Eling branch which can be seen origination from Totton station heads south. Looking at the map it carefully mentions the 'Red Bridge' crossing the river - was it from this the area got its name?
Chacewater
Roger Winnen

Picture
Chacewater Signalbox haunt of Roy Hart. Taken in April 1973 - from the up platform. Copyright Roger Winnen Note the presflo wagons and also the presence of the yellow, Blue Circle road vehicles. Perhaps Roy can tell us why the large 'C' notice was fitted below the already clear cast nameplate on the front of the signalbox.
We are greatly indebted to Roy who, again, within minutes, comes up with the answer.  The letter C on Chacewater box dates from 1957, when Baldhu box closed. Intermediate Block Signals (IBS) were installed. These were colour light home and distant signals, with continuous track circuiting. They acted as a separate block section, enabling a train to be running between the IBS and Truro and another one following between Chacewater and the IBS. When an up train passed the IBS home, a buzzer sounded in the box. The signals were operated not from a lever, but by a switch, no 100. Thus, the IBS distant carried a plate bearing the legend          C
                                                                                  100
                                                                                    R                            (Chacewater, repeater for signal 100. The IBS home was C100)
Back in the 1950s, only colour lights  carried identity plates  and usually  only IBS signals. Treverrin IBS between Par and Lostwithiel was just like Baldhu: the signals were P100 and L100 etc.
At Baldhu, the down IBS was controlled by Penwithers Junction (PJ). See photo of PJ on website! This IBS is still there, but controlled by Truro since 1971 (T45 & T45R).
Today you will find these plates on several Cornish boxes: P,  PR, LL etc.
​                                    Many thanks indeed Roy.
And furthermore - additional comments from Chris Osment (Rail West)
To add to the comments about the ‘C’ plate at Chacewater......

 
If my recollection is correct, the need to add ID plates to signals came about with the use of signals at locations remote from their controlling signal-box, hence the initial uses being mainly at IBS signals.  The idea arose because of the need for the driver of a train held at a ‘remote’ signal to know by which box that signal was controlled, once it was no longer possible for him just to look out of his cab and see the box in the distance.
 
In a similar vein, once large areas of complex junctions and sidings etc started to be controlled remotely from a ‘power box’, then it became essential for drivers and signalmen - when communicating over the telephone - to have the correct understanding of exactly where they were. In the absence of the former signal-boxes with their nameboards, new nameplates had to be erected at the lineside to identify each junction etc.

       Thank you Chris, you concur on Roy's comments.
Swanage
​John Cornelius
Picture
Copyright John Cornelius
Last 'train' on the Radstock branch!!
Ride a trolley on the Radstock branch.  A series of clips of a trolley ride on the abandoned and overgrown section of the Radstock branch can be seen here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0p-am4Zl2w This section is alongside a public footpath. Quite how one would stand regarding liability and insurance is not known, the CRS does not recommend this.

Items added on 22nd October 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

22/10/2017

 

Long Rock from far away 
By Mick House.

You know when you have got time on your hand and you are down at Marazion on high photographing St Michael's Mount, you look back towards Penzance and think I just as well take a shot of the new Long Rock Depot and it is coming on very well.
By Mick House.

Picture
The new Long Rock Depot from Marazion. Copyright Mick House.
Nocturnal Exeter
Martin Scane
Hi Keith A few shots taken this evening at Exeter St Davids during an enforced wait after a train cancellation (due to a staff member being unavailable). Anyway, please use some of the snaps (taken with my mobile) if you wish. Martin            Many thanks Martin
Picture
A general scene at Exeter St Davids at about 18.50 on the 21st October 2017 150131 looks ready to depart on a service to Barnstaple whilst opposite freshly repainted 143618 waits to head west. Copyright Martin Scane
Picture
159014 has just arrived with a service from Waterloo and waits to depart for the sidings. It will be shame when we see the last of the smart livery of South West Trains brightening up the stations. Is the GW tiled description of the services available in the rooms below still true, anyway the night time lighting brings out this interesting feature very well. 21st October 2017. Copyright Martin Scane
Picture
An up GW service pauses at platform 5 on the 21st October 2017 Copyright Martin Scane. Talking of liveries - we were perhaps shocked when the 'blue' first came out but now accept it, but are we pleased at the 'green'.
Picture
A Cross Country service waits to depart north on the 21st October 2017 Copyright Martin Scane. This livery is very smart and contrasts with earlier rather garish red carried by Virgin Trains. One aspect of these trains which is not pleasing is the noise emitted from the power units under each coach. To those seated on the platforms the departure of these trains is like the removal of a headache!
Many thanks to Martin for these images - how mobiles have improved.
Chacewater
Roger Winnen
Picture
A super study of the scene at Chacewater in April 1973. A lot of interest here, the presflo wagons, the furthest one having the Blue Circle logo. The cement silo dominates the signalbox, note the oil tail lamp sitting alongside the dustbin and the recently installed light over the signalbox door. Copyright Roger Winnen
Within minutes of Rogers picture appearing on the site, Roy Hart, from far off Burma comes back with this very welcome information.         Many thanks Roy.
Dear Keith,
I note your comment about newly-installed electric light at Chacewater box in the early 1970s. I was a regular visitor to Chacewater box in the 1960s and I vividly remember the signalman's daily teatime ritual of lighting the Tilley lamp. We would then sit in semi-gloom accompanied by the gentle hissing of the lamp. In the days when the station was open, seven or eight of these had to be hoisted around the station. Scorrier, Carn Brea etc were the same.
The lamps were known as 'Challows' after the station near Swindon where they were devised and first used.
Chacewater box got electric light just before it closed!
How many of us could light and run a Tilley today?
Roy
The Calne Branch
Keith Jenkin

There is a little coverage of the Calne Branch on our section entitled Bathampton Junction to Chippenham incl. Calne branch 
​​Allthough not new but I have just found a Youtube collection featuring the branch as a public footpath/cycle way can be found at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJUXmKyY4XI  N.B. The footage also contains aerial views and several very short videos taken during the operational life of the branch. There are also other Calne events - non railway.
Picture
Calne station, the station platform can be seen ahead as the driver eases the brakes to make a gentle approach to the buffers. A photograph taken with a half frame camera during the last few days of the branch - all the sidings had been disconnected, the branch operating as a long siding from Chippenham. August 1965. Copyright Keith Jenkin
Swanage
John Cornelius

Picture
Copyright John Cornelius
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