Blog Archives

Where is it? John Simmonds

30/11/2013

I wonder if your society can help me-I have a photo taken on Saturday 29th April 1978 leaning out behind a Class 50, crossing a viaduct very likely between Truro & St Erth. Unfortunately I cannot identify the location having spent the best part of the evening trawling through the various mapping & satellite imaging sites in conjunction with my Western Quail Track Diagrams book but to no avail! Attached is the image-the loco is evidently working hard & the summit appears to be under the bridge ahead. Looking forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, John.
We think we know where it is John but will leave it for somebody else to have a shot at it. (See entry for 4th December 2013 - the answer)

The mystery picture 50XXX Sat 22nd April 1978 Copyright John Simmonds Roger Winnen thinks he knows where it is but have you any suggestions.

More on Class 56's in Cornwall

30/11/2013

27th February 1990: 56013 worked a test run to the china clay area. Prior to this, it assisted the down sleeper from Treverrin To Penzance and then returned light engine to Burngullow, after which it did a test run to Parkandillack and back.

9th September 1994: 56044 - The Transrail launch at St Blazey, worked a down train and then returned at 1035 ex Blazey on 10th September 1994.

8th May 1995: 'The Grockle Grid' railtour - Wolverhampton to Penzance, and also to St Ives. 56064 powered the Bristol to Plymouth and Penzance to Bristol legs.

20th September 1998: 56078 to Falmouth with a 'King' steam loco on the back which worked out of Falmouth. There are very few pics of the 56 in Cornwall on this tour.

26th June 2010: 56311 & 56312 - 'The Cornishman' Railtour from Tame Bridge to Penzance and return.

30th November 2011: 56302 with 47375 worked Burngullow – Burton on Trent with ex-Imerys silver bullet tanks for storage.

Historic. 56 013 returns from assisting the sleeper to Penzance. Seen here at Burngullow prior doing a test run up to Parkandillack. 27th February 1990 Copyright Craig Munday

26th June 2010 56311 & 56312 with The Cornishman Railtour - Tame Bridge to Penzance and return. Copyright Craig Munday.

A snippit from Craig Munday - Good News

29/11/2013

Hello there
The Cornish Guardian paper this week tells of Imerys proposing new sidings on the Parkandillack branch at Treviscoe for concrete block manufacture. They plan to move 75% of the blocks made there by rail.
A good news story to report for a change? Cheers, Craig

Class 56 in Cornwall - Any pictures please Roger Geach

28/11/2013

Roger Geach, and indeed this website would be very interested in any pictures of 56064 which returned a railtour up north from Penzance on 8th May 1985. Also of 56078 which led a train down the Falmouth branch on 20th September 1998. There are limited pictures of these on the website. Please reply to this website.

Date for your diaries Roger Geach

28/11/2013

FORTY YEARS OF WESTERN PRESERVATION

The Western Locomotive Association was inaugurated on the 18th January 1974 following this announcement in the Railway Magazine. To celebrate the fortieth anniversary of this event, a reunion film show is to be held on Saturday 18th January 2014 at 12.30 pm at Kidderminster Railway Museum. Speakers will include Bernard Mills, Roger Geach and Keith Bullock. All Western and diesel hydraulic enthusiasts are welcome to attend. We would particularly like to see those who were involved in the early days of the Association and the successful preservation of D1062 Western Courier and D1013 Western Ranger. There will be a small admission charge of £5.00.

Ever been to Tiverton Museum? Keith Jenkin

27/11/2013

Well, to tell you truth I hadn't until yesterday (26th November 2013) but when I did I was very pleasantly surprised at the vast amount of railway material applicable to the local branches which has been assembled under one roof. The star of the show is 1442 but as can be seen from the photographs below, and these show only a very small part of it, the collection. Take a number 55 bus from Exeter and you'll pass through Chudleigh and on the return take a number 1 and you'll see Halberton, Hele & Bradninch and Cullompton - all names of closed stations.

Here is 1442 surrounded by masses of railway relics. 26th November 2013. Copyright Keith Jenkin

The view from 1442 looking forward. 26th November 2013. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Branch Line Society Special on B & W Roger Winnen

25/11/2013

On Saturday 23rd November 2013 a brakevan special traversed the Bodmin and Wenford Railway reaching metals not normally covered by passengers. It would appear that Roger was the only photographer recording this unusual if not unique event. The Cornwall Railway Society had a similar venture on the B & W back on 24th May 1995 - this was the Bodmin Septet Railtour. See this in the Diesel Railtours section.

Empty Brakevan stock arrives for the BLS special at 11.50 on 23rd November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

08444 has run round and is ready to start the railtour. 23rd November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

With Maurice Dart looking very smart in his uniform the special leaves 'normal' metals. 12.00 23rd November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

Door to door service as the 08 closes up to the shed door. 23rd November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

With all the metals at Bodmin Road explored, Roger dashes on, courtesy of a Western Greyhound bus, to photograph the charter rounding Quarry curve at 13.26 on 23rd November 2013. Copyright Roger Winnen

From the same bridge the special is seen approaching Bodmin General fixed distant signal. 23rd November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

Looking very smart we see the arrival at Walker Lines sidings. 23rd November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

The party burst into a round of applause on reaching the buffer stops, yet, surprisingly nobody got out to record the event!! 23rd November 2013. Copyright Roger Winnen

The special goes to the shed at Bodmin General with the class 10 alongside. 23rd November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

Diesels galore as the Class 10 gains the platform line to assist with the railtour. 23rd November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

The Class 10 shunts the special into the yard. 23rd November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

Buffering up to the other diesels stabbled in the siding. 23rd November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

Sadly this was as far as Roger could chase the railtour - he had to leave to get home in time for other commitments. If any BLS member on this memorable railtour went on down to Boscarne and would like to send send in any pictures of this section I would be pleased to publish them with your name and of course copyright. Many thanks to Roger for this collection.

Five of the best - Craig Munday makes use of the superb weather

24/11/2013

The last few days have been fantastic down here in Cornwall as these pictures from Craig Munday show. Many thanks Craig.

Beautifully lit by the sun a Class 150.2 makes its way towards Penzance over the rather unusual viaduct at Hayle. Several piers of this viaduct have developed a decided lean towards St Ives over recent years, however by making new foundations outside the base of the defective piers and then drilling through them and taking the load on RSJ's placed through the piers a substantial and permanent repair has been made. The viaduct is scheduled for re-decking next year, 22nd November 2013. Copyright Craig Munday

Bright sunlight makes a colourful picture at St Austell. The footbridge here once spanned the tracks at the long closed St Blazey Station. 22nd November 2013. Copyright Craig Munday

Also on 22nd November 2013 the R.H.T.T. crosses Largin Viaduct. The Autumn colours are emphasised by the sun light - lovely. Copyright Craig Munday

The RHTT on Collegewood viaduct on its once a week journey along the Falmouth branch today - the 24th November 2013. Copyright Craig Munday

West of the former Grampound Road station the R.H.T.T. makes its way back from the Falmouth branch along the double track main line which was singled for a period between Probus and Burngullow. 24th November 2013

Demolition at Scorrier. Wheal Busy Crossing Roger Winnen

24/11/2013

During the last year considerable reclamation work has taken place on the east side of the line - the area around the base of Hallenbeagle Enginehouse and the top of the hill has been levelled and grassed over. More recently, in the last month or so, attention has turned to the mine waste on the west side of the line. A neat row of cottages stood by the level crossing. At one time it was thought, that as tiles were being very carefully removed from the roof of the terrace, that maybe they were going to be restored. However, it was a case of here today, and gone tomorrow. Sad really as these were somebodies homes.

A picture taken from the 0812 off Redruth on Friday 22nd November 2013. Ahead of the train lies Wheal Busy level crossing, at one time a signalbox lay to the left just beyond the crossing - this was closed 10th May 1964 - the associated loop lines on the down side were taken out of use 24th November 1963. Hallenbeagle engine house is to the extreme right above the train. Copyright Roger Winnen

The next day, Saturday 23rd November at 10.34 it can be seen that already the machine has started its breakfast gobbling large chunks of the buildings. The remaining roof has already been striped of its tiles leaving just the felt. By the time Roger in the evening returned it had all gone. Copyright Roger Winnen

Plym Valley in full colour, a Royal train. Roger Winnen

18/11/2013

Not satisfied with his visit to the Lynton and Barnstaple the previous day Roger off again to the Plym Valley Railway on Sunday 17th November 2013, and here's the result.
Many thanks again Roger.

50 017 ROYAL OAK arrives with the 13.00 Marsh Mills to Plym Bridge Platform. 17th November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

50 017 waiting for the return run from Plym Bridge. 17th November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

Passengers boarding from Plym Bridge Platform. Doesn't everything look smart - congratulations to the Plym Valley Railway. 17th November 2013. Copyright Roger Winnen.

50017 departing Marsh Mills with 13002 on the rear. 17th November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

The last train of the day climbs through the woods heading For Plym Bridge. 17th November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

13002 the third 08 built in 1952 brings up the rear. 17th November 2013. Copyright Roger Winnen

Lee Moor Crossing, looking very smart and very tidy. Well done. 17th November 2013. Copyright Roger Winnen

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