​TRURO 1971
 
The layout and signalling at Truro altered hardly at all from its installation in 1900 for seventy years.
The two Truro boxes-East and West, both opened with the new station (built by Sir Arthur Carkeek and Co of Redruth) and they controlled an extensive layout:
From South to North, the lines were:
Falmouth Bay (signalled for departures only)
Down Main
Branch Platform (signalled as an up through line, but used by terminating Falmouth and Perranporth  trains and Penzance locals.
Up Main (the outer face of the island platform)
In addition, there were the following through lines, signalled by ‘Permissive Block’:
Through carriage line
Through down goods
Through up goods
Permissive block entailed block instruments and bells, but allowed more than one engine or train in the section. The signalman had a ‘counter’ on his instrument to remind him. Thus there were no less than 6 through lines between Truro East and West, all with block instruments and a series of block bells, all of different tones, so that signallers could tell them apart.
The 1971 plan was to concentrate all of the work (together with Penwithers Junction) at Truro East box.
Phase 1 (May 1971):
-Through Carriage and up and down goods out of use, replaced by simple ‘yard’ working.
-Branch platform becomes up main.
-Up Main terminated at buffers East end, for arriving Falmouth trains (temporary arrangement).
-Engine shed and Carriage sidings removed.
Phase 2 (November 1971):
East box temporarily closed for installation of new lever frame (old frame 45 levers, new frame 51)
West box controls all traffic.
Penwithers closed and junction simplified, enabling Falmouth trains to run into Falmouth bay (No 1)
Up bay (No 4) out of use for passenger trains. Remains as siding.
At the end of phase 2, West box was closed and the new ‘Truro’ box controlled the entire layout. At that time, the remaining yard could still be accessed from the East end. This junction was removed in the 1980s.
The remaining points at West box end were (are) operated by motor.
The new frame  at East box came from the redundant box at Bristol East Depot, closed under the Bristol resignalling scheme. The frame was of 90 levers. One section of it went to Hungerford, near Reading, where the box had been demolished by a derailed freight train, the remainder to Truro.
Penryn box closed under the same scheme and the entire Falmouth branch worked by ‘No signalman token’. The instrument was in a cupboard by the bay line buffers. The token was released electrically by the signalman .
Many thanks to you Roy for this detailed report on the phased changes at Truro Yard in in the local area.

You are invited to a ‘meet the author’ event on Saturday 21st October at 14.30 at Marsh Mills Station on the Plym Valley Railway (adjacent to the Coypool Park & Ride where parking is available). This is an appropriate location as the PVR have rolling stock and locomotives from sites in and around Plymouth.

Pauls new book on Plymouth's Hidden Railways is now available and can be purchased either from Paul in person - a signed copy - at the event detailed above or by post details as per the link below.

 http://www.twelveheads.com/t925.htm 
 
I have myself purchased an advance copy of this excellent book full of details of the once extensive network of lines, standard and narrow gauge, in the Plymouth area and can highly recommend it. KJ

​Our society is thrilled to present the 10th consecutive 85A annual Railwaymen’s reunion and invite workers of any railway employment - WLS members and railway enthusiasts to join us, everyone is welcome to come along to enjoy a heady afternoon of steam in it’s heyday across Worcestershire.
 
FREE ADMISSION                                        FREE ADMISSION
 
The well known photographer and character the Rev David Hardy from Bristol will be kicking off the day’s entertainment at 1 pm with
 
“Some confessions of a Railway Chaplain”
 
Followed by
 
Mr Michael Clemens showing two 50-minute segments during the afternoon of his very popular and historical films
 
“Steam in Worcestershire”
 
We look forward to David’s thoughts and Michael’s classic images reminding us of just how Worcestershire railways looked like in the 1950s & 1960s.
We also look forward to welcoming you to our club base, the Barbourne Ex Services club, The Moors, Worcester WR1 3ED (next to the Swan theatre) by Pitchcroft racecourse where there is limited parking on site but there are large ‘pay & display’ car parks alongside the racecourse.  Doors will open from 12 noon with the club’s bar open all afternoon serving alcoholic & non alcoholic drinks, rolls, teas & coffees, please bring along your own packed lunch if you wish.
 
Should you like what our club has to offer our annual membership fee stands at just £10 (concessions £7) with monthly meetings, tours & visits to railway locations plus our special train on the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh hauled by our own engine ex GWR Pannier tank 5786 (L92)
 
For more information just email [email protected] , phone 01905 425892, or write 18, Tollhouse Drive, St John’s, Worcester WR2 6AD.
 
Looking forward to another celebration of our local railway heritage, Cheers for now. Chris Wilkinson.
Posted at the request of Brian Thomas, suggested by Steve Widdowson

On Saturday 7th October the Worcester Loco Society held a members day on the South Devon Rly. The WLS own & maintain their own GWR Pannier Tank No. 5786 which is currently numbered as London Transport L92. The WLS loco's are based on the South Devon Rly. This loco was used all day on WLS private charters during the day.
Kitson 0-6-0 saddle tank Loco No5474 ' Carnarvon' is the other loco that WLS own which is been rebuilt at Buckfastleigh.
Also seen on the railway was Clayton D8568 & 37275 as 6975 which will be used on the diesel weekend in November. This is the first time a Clayton has been seen this far South. 

Hi Keith, I had a quick scan through the Southampton sections on the site and there is no mention of the flags on the footbridge at the station, as they are painted over now. I think the attached photo may be of interest, it could be a good quiz question for Roger!
Anyway in Naval terms the flags read WELCOME TO SOUTHAMPTON.
Possibly a little known fact.
Regards Mick              Thanks Mick, glad you flagged this one up!

This railtour was named after one of the  follies to be found in Barwick Park about a mile as the crow flies from Yeovil Junction station.  Jack is a figure standing on top of a tower which itself stands on an ornamental arch.  Jack the Treacle Eater was one of four follies built to give the estate labourers work during a time of depression in the 1820's. The statue could be seen to the right from trains leaving Yeovil Junction heading west, however tree growth unfortunately blocks that view.  ​https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barwick,_Somerset

I was most interested to see Mr. Roy Hart's article on today's webpage concerning the failure of the turntable at Long Rock in 1956. As a lad then approaching 9 years of age, I remember wondering why there was a tank engine leading the Cornish Riviera Express and having no idea why until much later by which time they had all returned to their home depots.
The list of locos transferred to Penzance and Truro for this short time is particularly interesting. I have referred to my first Ian Allan Combined Volume dated Summer 1958 which was a much loved Christmas present from my parents. From Mr. Harts list of locos, I see that I managed to "cop" only two, 5102 and 5107. I'm sure that had I known the reason for their appearance in Cornwall, I would have spent more time at Redruth Station.
My sincere thanks to Mr. Hart for reviving this memory.
Kind Regards,  Alan.   Many thanks Alan   Received on the 10th October
 
I have just read Roy Hart’s account of Penzance turntable being out of action during June 1956 and found it fascinating because I remember it well.  I went to school in Penzance and pupils from St Ives travelled by Western National bus, 4 double-deckers being laid on in the morning. (You may be asking “why bus?” when there was a perfectly good train service.  I asked the same question and was told that it cost Cornwall County Council less.)
 
While obviously I would have preferred to have gone by train, the bus did have its compensations:  a grand-stand view from the top deck of the whole railway from Long Rock into Penzance.  Needless to say my eyes were out on stalks for the whole of June as we went past the Engine Shed although it was a bit frustrating as one couldn’t really see what they were doing to the Turntable.
 
It was a bit different when it came to the engines.  I remember the yard being filled with tank engines in place of the customary tender engines being prepared for their day’s work.  I remember particularly seeing 41XXs and 51XXs but also a few 2-8-0Ts, presumably from St Blazey.  I don’t know where the tender engines had gone but I am guessing that they were tucked up in bed in the shed, although I suppose they could have been sent “up country”.
 
I also remember seeing some trains double headed by pairs of the larger tanks but I do recall, on one occasion, seeing a 55XX paired with either a 41XX or a 51XX.
 
Of  course it was only a couple of years before the very first Warship diesels appeared in the very same yard being readied for their work.
 
Cheers,  Laurence Hansford             Many thanks Laurence.