Andrew Thompson
Julian Stephens
Craig Munday
Roger Geach
John Cornelius
Lostwithiel Andrew Thompson Par Julian Stephens Penzance Craig Munday Luxulyan Bank Roger Geach Ark Royal at Athelney
John Cornelius High Level views of a light diesel at Long Rock taken from a Summer facility Andrew Triggs Some thoughts on recent entries Neil Phillips Regarding Hymeks in Cornwall – as Roger Geach knows, these locos were used on the Kensington Olympia – St Austell Motorail service for several consecutive Summer Saturdays during 1970 and 1971, with the Hymek stabled at St Blazey all day – but just like the Par - Park Royal Freightliner this was very poorly recorded by photographers - just one photo so far, of D7064 inside the shed. Sadly I lived too far west and missed these opportunities to meet up with my favourite class of locomotive (except one – D7051 on 4/7/70 - which I made a special effort for due to its rare all-over blue livery, but no film in my camera!), but I often wonder whether there’s somebody sitting on a stack of photos he took at the time, oblivious to his popularity potential! There was also D7029 and D7088 on loan to Laira August to November 1967 which made numerous appearances on the Cornish main line during this time, often on the down CRE (I’d love to know if they appeared on the clays!) but I had no camera back then, never mind one with no film in it! Since their presence at Laira exactly coincided with the absence of D601/2/4 away in South Wales my theory is that one Hymek each was borrowed from Bristol Bath Road and Cardiff Canton to cover their duties and also give Laira’s drivers some refresher training on the type - I’ve never seen this theory confirmed anywhere but it all seems to fit. Regarding the pictures of wagons in distress at Parkandillack, it appears that the buffer stop at the end of the head shunt was given a hard time in the 1970s and 1980s! These are two separate incidents – Roger Winnen’s photo is dated 18th April 1974, but the other pile-up can be dated to the 1980s by the blanked headcode panel on the Class 47 powering the breakdown train, as well as the type and condition of the other wagons involved. Plate 237 in John Vaughan’s book “The Newquay Branch and its Branches” confirms that clearing up the mess did not include removing the 13-ton clay wagon which was left on its side to rot away amid the gorse bushes! I’ve checked the angles of both photographs and I’m convinced it’s the same wagon. Presumably the head shunt buffer stop was moved forward to undamaged track nearer the clay works, leaving the mangled wagon isolated. Of course the possibility remains that it was the victim of both impacts with the second shunting error simply finishing the job started by the first one! That would require the unfortunate B743078 to have been perched on top of the buffer stop for a good many years – unlikely I think, but does anyone recall seeing it there during the late 1970s? - Regards, Neil Phillips Many thanks Neil What happened was! Craig Munday A quick last minute change to proceedings today for the RILA Colas loco. The 4 x light loco moves were planned to be crossed over at Burngullow. The was a hitch however, so the plan was amended to run Par to Penzance x 2 to collect readings in the St Austell area. The weather was predictably gloomy, but some shots were taken for the record showing 66847 touring the area. Seen at Par, in a burst of sunshine, Truro & Resparveth. Cheers, Craig Many thanks Craig for enlightening us! St Austell Andrew Thompson Treverrin west of Julian Stephens Yeovil Junction David Tozer St Blazey snow Craig Munday Tresulgen Roger Geach Dawlish double
John Cornelius A surprise visitor at Penzance A Colas Class 66 plus the Network Rail Measurement Train Roger Winnen & Andrew Triggs Many thanks to Mike Simmonds for passing on his knowledge of the Colas Class 66 heading westwards through Redruth. Network Rail Measurement Train back in Cornwall |
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April 2024
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