Blog Archives

BLS visit to Woody Bay 16th Nov 2013 Roger Winnen

17/11/2013

Hello Keith,
Today,16th November 2013 the Branch Line Society visited the L&B to ride on the 7" narrow gauge, but problems with the engine put dampers on the miniature branch line, however "Sid" was in steam unknown to them for an engine work out for a new buyer, so it saved the day in many respects for them.
Regards Roger Winnen Many thanks to Roger Winnen

An unexpected bonus for the Branch Line Society at Woody Bay. Copyright Roger Winnen

The visit to the L&B was to ride on the miniture line not this one. Copyright Roger Winnen

Possibly the last run of Sid on the L&B as a sale was in the offing, the new owners were putting the engine through its paces Copyright Roger Winnen

All lines on the L&B was covered by the Branch Line Society. 16th November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

Home by FGW from Barnstaple Station. FGW are to be congratulated on the neat and tidy appearance of the station. 16th November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

Night shots at Barnstaple station are rear from a Penzance man - well done Roger. The 17.08 Barnstaple - Exeter St David's awaits departure on the 16th November 2013 . Copyright Roger Winnen

Liskeard and Caradon Relic From Mike Roach

Many hours are spent scanning in most interesting pictures from those many kind folk who are out and about with their cameras. Mike Roach gave me another 200 or so recently, all very interesting, but I particularly like this capture in a moment of time during road works for the Liskeard By-pass in 1974. No doubt this arch was only exposed for a very short time before demolition and re-burial. So here we are, we can see it again in 2013. Many thanks Mike.

Tractor on Hayle Wharves - can anybody help?

16/11/2013

It is understood that in latter years that ESSO tank wagons were moved about the wharves using some form of tractor. Can anybody please supply any information about the vehicle, memories or any photographs would be very much appreciated.

Loco movements to Okehampton Tony Hill

15/11/2013

On Wednesday 13th November 2013 Iowa Pacific's BARS outfit's Devon & Cornwall Railways subsidiary used 31452 to haul 31459 and 47375 from Washwood Heath via Cheltenham, Bristol & Exeter St D to Okehampton with 31459 & 47375 remaining there to work 'Polar Express' trains starting this Sat 16th November 2013 with the 1700 from Okehampton to the North Pole.

pic 6040 shows the 3 locomotives having just arrived, on time at about 1340, in the former Exe Valley bay (plat 2)
at St D (Unusually something, in this case a spare cl 153 unit, is stabled in the adjacent Hyde Park sdg.)

pic 6041 shows the cavalcade at Crediton at about 1415 with 47375 unexpectedly in charge from St D to Okehampton.
In the background can be seen a Tamper stabled in one of the 2 now shortened and relaid Down sdgs.
31452 was then scheduled to return at 15.30 LD from Okehampton to the Weardale Railway.

A very rare and interesting picture of the three locomotive occupying Platform 2 at Exeter St Davids on the 13th November 2013. 47375 Tinsley Depot Copyright Tony Hill 31452 at the buffer stops, 31459 in the middle and 475375 nearest. The 153 is standing on Hyde Park siding - I wonder why it is so named?

A little later in the day the cavalcade is seen at Crediton 13th Nov13 Copyright Tony Hill Note in the background a tamper in the newly relaid down sidings.

The FGW extension franchise A report by John Roberts

14/11/2013

It is always good to have report and comment from John Roberts from the heart of the railway industry. Many thanks for you information John.

Presumably the FGW extension was reported locally on 3rd Oct, but in case you missed it here is the full press release:
www.gov.uk/government/news/franchising-deal-to-boost-services-on-great-western-main-line

As a result of the West Coast debacle between Virgin and First in October 2012, the franchising timetable was suspended until DfT came up with a more manageable plan. The new plan published in March 2013 requires GW to be refranchised in 2016, whereas the previous FGW franchise ran from April 2006 to October 2013 (having already been twice extended from March 2013 to July 2013 and then again to October 2013). The three year gap from 2013 to 2016 has been plugged by giving First a two-year extension from October 2013 to September 2015, but there will need to be a further extension or mini-franchise from 2015 into 2016. But by then all the plans may have changed again!

The two year extension includes only minor enhancements such as more seats on HSTs (by cramming them in or reducing first class), a longer sleeper train and more wi-fi. Other improvements such as doubling of the Kemble Branch and electrification are being carried out by Network Rail, with IEP and Crossrail to follow after 2017.

I did a lengthy analysis of the proposed new franchise, still available on the CRS website dated 9th August 2012, and an update on 13th March 2013, but the improvements proposed at that time may or may not be included in the next franchise, and in any case will not now take place until 2016, if at all.

You may also be interested in the Invitations to Tender for the combined Thameslink and Southern franchise and also for Essex Thameside (formerly c2c and LTS) published on 26th September (both new franchises to start September 2014), and the Prospectus for East Coast published on 25th October (new franchise to start February 2015). John.
www.gov.uk/government/collections/rail-franchising

Also taking the sun but at St Pinnock was Mike Bojko,

13/11/2013

A nice crisp picture at St Pinnock. The 0730 from Paddington to Penzance. This view taken at 1155 on the 12th November 2013. Copyright Mike Bojko

Autumn tints are much in evidence in a later picture taken at St Pinnock. Here we see the 1256 from Bodmin Parkway to Newton Abbot. Taken at 1300hrs Copyright Mike Bojko

Craig on the golf course. Craig Munday

13/11/2013

Hi Keith, Some pleasant sunshine tempted me out to Carlyon Bay to capture 6P24 Parkandillack to Fowey as it passed along by the golf course on 12th Nov 2013. It's good to see a full train once more. Cheers Craig

Carlyon Bay 6P24 12th Nov13 Copyright Craig Munday

A closer view at Carlyon Bay of the 6P24 reveals the loco to be 66081 12th November 2013 Copyright Craig Munday

Bere Alston Island Platform Building Keith Jenkin

12/11/2013

On a visit to the Gunnislake branch today 12th November 2013 I noticed that work is in progress on the waiting shelter situated on the currently disused island platform. The building is surrounded by security fencing. The window frames have all been repainted and await re-glazing - the roof looks in good condition and all external paintwork gleams. If anybody can give information on this refurbishment it would be appreciated. What future use is planned for this now well preserved structure?

Bere Alston station - a photograph taken from the footbridge by Sid Sponheimer (Copyright) of the station in the 60's.

It is understood that should the extension of the branch along the route of the former main line to Tavistock take place then the Gunnislake services will terminate in a bay created by relaying the former up main, the left hand track, as far as a buffer stop located approximatly where the board crossing can be seen in the picture above. Beyond this the island platform will be extended towards the main station building such that passengers for Bere Alston village will be able to alight from the right hand side of the Tavistock bound service and those for Gunnislake will alight from the left hand side and walk to the shuttle train waiting in the newly created bay. The former down main, the right hand track will be extended to Tavistock. Pedestrian access to the island platform will be via a footpath rising up from the roadway.

Ref. John Dora's excellent talk at the CRS meeting 9th November 2013

10/11/2013

Following the meeting John Dora passed on several web sites which members may like to investigate. These are listed below -

Somerset & Dorset group at Midsomer Norton:

Video showing journey along their latest extension.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BoTPBwqhOI‎

Effects of climate change on railway infrastructure and planning:

Rail Safety Standards Board research - especially Dawlish:
RSSB Research:   http://www.rssb.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/pdf/reports/Research/T643_rb_final.pdf

Index of research papers:
TRaCCA:   http://www.rssb.co.uk/RESEARCH/Lists/DispForm_Custom.aspx?ID=1138

Adaptation and Resilience Research:

www.itrc.org.uk

http://www.arcc-cn.org.uk/project-summaries/overview-of-projects/

UK Government Adaptation Reports:   www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/adapting

Last Oil Tanks train heads east Part 2

10/11/2013

66075 Approaching the closed Mexico level crossing at Long Rock. 8th November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

Nice to include one from Mick House, taken from the Black Bridge at Truro. 66 075 and seven tank wagons at 09.46 8th November 2013 Copyright Mick House

Moving on to Par now, The weekly scrap train has been combined with the fuel tanks back at St Blazey yard and the combination arrives at Par . 8th November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

Departures for Plymouth, Newquay and the north at Par. 8th November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

The departure at noon from Par. 8th November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

The tanks departing for the last time! is it true or false. 8th November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

Is it the end! Tanks still may come to St Blazey as it is an EWS Depot under a different contract. Time will tell! 8th November 2013. Copyright Roger Winnen

The final Long Rock fuel tanks heading East through Lostwithiel with MBA scrap wagons in 6C39 hauled by 66075 8th November 2013 Copyright Craig Munday

The last Oil Tank Train

10/11/2013

PART ONE AT LONG ROCK

The last delivery of full oil tanks to Long Rock depot was on Friday 25th October 2013. The locomotive returned east with the empty tanks from the previous weeks delivery. It seemed likely that the empties would be collected on Friday 1st November 2013, and indeed it would appear that the staff at Penzance thought this as the depots 08 moved the tanks ready for collection. However the mystery deepened as staff found out that no light engine movement had been programmed for the day although it was thought possible that once work for the day in the St Austell area had been completed that maybe a 66 would venture down to make the collection.

Finally, a week later, 66075 arrived at Long Rock to make the final collection - the tanks moving firstly to St Blazey where they were coupled to the scrap metal train which had been prepared ready to go east.

Our thanks to Roger Salter, Roger Winnen, Mick House and Craig Munday for recording this last sad day.

66075 Arrives light engine to remove the last of the fuel tanks at Long Rock depot 8th November 2013 Copyright Roger Salter

Road wins over rail 66075 waits to remove the last empty fuel tanks as the road tanker arrives 8th November 2013 Copyright Roger Salter

Shape of things to come -The deliveries by road tanker at Long Rock deport while 66075 waits to remove the empties 8th November Copyright Roger Salter

Road tanker passing empty fuel tanks in Long Rock Yard 8th November 2013 Copyright Roger Salter

The last fuel train is removed from the sidings to the main line. 8th November 2013 Copyright Roger Salter

66075 waits to leave Long Rock 8th November 2013 Copyright Roger Salter

Roger Winnen busy informing CRS members about the last fuel train 8th November 2013 Copyright Roger Salter

Awaiting the road on the exit from the depot. 8th November 2013 Copyright Roger Winnen

Last fuel train on its way heading east past Long rock 8th November 2013 Copyright Roger Salter

<<Previous

Forward>>