Blog Archives

30th November 2019

30/11/2019

Class 70 70813 at Penzance
Roger Winnen

70813 Arrived at Penzance just before 23.00hrs on Saturday evening with a network rail train from Westbury to St Erth via Penzance. It is scheduled to depart Camborne after 07.00 hrs in the morning however it may depart much earlier if the job is finished.

191130a 70813 Heading the 17.30 Westbury to St Erth via Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

191130aa 70813 with the rail train in Platform 2 at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

191130b Side by side at Penzance An IET and 70813. Copyright Roger Winnen

Dawlish &Teignmouth delights 2 Teignmouth
Paul Barlow

47840 leans to the curve and emerges onto that glorious run along the seafront at Teignmouth with the 130.3 Paignton-Manchester the 1M40. It's the 29th of June 2002. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Exeter St Davids
Ron Kosys

It's the 26th August 1971 at Exeter St Davids as our very good friend Ron Kosys catches three abreast. He says - D829 Magpie waits to head east to Waterloo, 1040 Western Queen waits to head west and 3808 waits to head – frankly I’ve absolutely no idea. Many thanks Ron.

829 Magpie, 3808 1040 Western Queen at Exeter St Davids 26th August 1971 Copyright Ron Kosys. Note, of course, that the central line is still in use.

Saltash
Clive Smith

45123 The Lancashire Fusilier sweeps off the Royal Albert Bridge with the down 1V71 'Cornishman' 06.51 Bradford Exchange - Penzance on the 10th April 1982. This train had one month left before going over to HST. The station awning is still in situ but would not exist for much longer. Not sure when it came down but it was not there in February 1984. Saltash used to be a grand station with booking office, goods office and sidings and was one of the stations a young Bernard Mills started his railway career as a Plymouth area relief clerk in the early 1960s. The Tamar Suspension Bridge was opened in 1961 and tolls were announced as lasting for no more than ten years. Forty eight years from 1971 the 19th November saw tolls go up from £1.50 to £2.00.
Regards, Clive Smith. Many thanks Clive for your old picture and very current commentary.

45123 The Lancashire Fusilier sweeps off the Royal Albert Bridge with the down 1V71 'Cornishman' 06.51 Bradford Exchange - Penzance on the 10th April 1982. Copyright Clive Smith.

29th November 2019

29/11/2019

Dawlish delights 1
Dawlish
Paul Barlow

Get ready with your cameras! A classic shot as enthusiasts pause to observe and photograph the scene at Dawlish on the 6th July 2002. 47829 in Police Livery hauls the 10.17 Manchester to Paignton 1V45. Copyright Paul Barlow. Note the boarded up signalbox.

Trevingey, Redruth
Paddy Bradley

The down Cornish Riviera Express, Trevingey Crossing, Redruth, Paddy Bradley Collection.

No apologies for using the above picture on the second day running - our great friend Roy Hart from distant Burma came back almost intantly with the following very valuable information. Many thanks Roy. I would date this picture about 1908. The engine (though the name is indistinct) appears to be Bulldog no 3304 River Tamar. She was converted fro m a 'Duke'.
The coaches are 'concertinas' -70 footers introduced in 1906-7. In the background is Redruth Junction up home signal, with lower distant for Redruth station. Distant arms were red in those days. The Berks and Hants cut-off had just opened, reducing the schedule for the train by 20 minutes. In the foreground, of course, is the hut and apparatus for mail set-down.

Setting up the mail apparatus at Trevingey Crossing on the 6th April 1923. Paddy Bradley Collection.

Trevingey Crossing. The gentleman in the Trilby is probably an inspector. Copyright the Paddy Bradley collection.

A Great Western Saint Class locomotive at Trevingey Level Crossing. The mail bags and nets ready for the 'Up mail 6th April 1923. The Apparatus was still working in 1933. In the background Carn Brea Village and Carn Brea Hill. From the paddy Bradley Collection.

28th November 2019

28/11/2019

Dawlish Warren
Michael Forward

I now send the last of my pictures from 13 June 1983 and it shows 50047 ‘Swiftsure’ on a late afternoon down ecs working passing the classic signal box, happy days. Copyright Michael Forward

Thanks Michael

Eastdon near Dawlish Warren Part 4
Roger Salter

191108a 367Q 08.50 Westbury to St Blazey RHTT at Eastdon. Copyright Roger Salter

191108b The 1A87 12.55 Plymouth to London Paddington at Eastdon showing the cleared embankments with the land owners permission. Copyright Roger Salter

191108c The 2F33 13.08 Paignton to Exmouth showing the cleared embankments at Easton. Copyright Roger Salter

191108g The 1V50 Edinburgh to Plymouth showing the cleared embankments at Eastdon. Copyright Roger Salter

Thanks Roger

Redruth
Paddy Bradley

From the Paddy Bradley Redruth Collection.

Many thanks Paddy.

Chacewater
Roger Winnen

D1065 Western Consort with the 09.30 Paddington Penzance at Chacewater. Copyright Roger Winnen. N.B. Cement wagons and signals.

27th November 2019

27/11/2019

Beautiful Bath Spa
Roger Winnen

27th June 1995

950627a A London bound HST at Bath Spa Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

950627b A Class 58 with a bin liner train cross the arches at Bath.. Copyright Roger Winnen

950627c A pair of Class 37s heads towards Bristol. Copyright Roger Winnen

950627d Now a thing of the past as an HST From London Paddington passes through Sydney Gardens Bath on route to Bristol. Copyright Roger Winnen

950627e A Bristol bound HST service leaves Bath. Copyright Roger Winnen

Roskear Junction
The late John Cornelius

An undated but very clear view of Roskear Junction Signalbox. Copyright the late John Cornelius Collection.

Weymouth
Clive Smith

Weymouth. 37427 stands with the 1Z63, the 13.05 from Yeovil Pen Mill/ It's the 16th April 1988. Copyright Clive Smith.

26th November 2019

26/11/2019

Dawlish Part 3
Work on the Sea Wall
Roger Salter

Like King Canute trying to hold back the tide at Dawlish

191111b The work on the Dawlish Sea Wall can only be done at low tide. Here the grabs are being King Canute trying to gain precious time. Copyright Roger Salter

191111c Working on the foundations at Dawlish. Copyright Roger Salter

191111d Work completed for the foundations at ground level. Copyright Roger Salter

191111e The 09.25 Penzance to Tiverton Parkway at Dawlish showing the works to extend the sea wall. Copyright Roger Salter

191111f The tide stops for no man. Copyright Roger Salter

Colas 66's at
Bristol Temple Meads
Andrew Triggs

4 shots for CRS of the Colas 66s on the RHTT in the centre road awaiting working 3S59 14.57 Bristol Kingsland Road-Bristol Kingsland Road circuit. The two locomotives being 66850 'David Maidment OBE' and 66846
All the Best, Andrew. Many thanks Andrew

The two locomotives being 66850 'David Maidment OBE' and 66846 on the centre road at Bristol Temple Meads. 23rd November 2019. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

'David Maidment OBE' on the centre road at Bristol Temple Meads. 23rd November 2019. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

66850 66846 on the centre road at Bristol Temple Meads. Ready to leave. 23rd November 2019. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

Another shot of grimy 66846 standing just outside a gloomy Bristol Temple Meads. 23rd November 2019. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

Ron Kosys focusses on the
Royal Albert Bridge
Ron Kosys

One of the disappointments of digging out my very first slides from my mid to late teens, is discovering that despite taking real care of every single one in exactly the same way, a number of them have unfortunately ‘turned’ and died on me.
For some reason the majority of images that I took around 10th August 1972 – clearly on the same roll of film – have suffered the same fate.

On 10th August 1972 I spent the morning on the Gunnislake branch, travelled by dmu to Saltash before walking across the Tamar road bridge and spending the afternoon on the Devon side of the bridge photographing all and sundry , the majority of which was of course loco hauled.
Here are three that I’ve had great difficulty scanning and restoring the colours to an acceptable level. Unfortunately I’ve failed completely, these three being ‘the best’. Oh well, these things happen... Are they better in black and white??

84 works off the bridge with a northbound parcels train.
1026 Western Centurion heads into Cornwall with a wonderful mixed freight.
1059 Western Empire – despite its headcode – works the Penzance portion of the 1130 off Paddington.
Best regards Ron.
Many thanks indeed Ron we're so lucky that you have saved what you did.

D84 rolls off the Tamar Bridge with an up freight. 10th August 1972 Copyright Ron Kosys. It is working the midday Penzance to Crewe 4M05 Parcels and Perishables service ..note the wide variety of pre- nationalisation and BR parcel vans; thought to be, from Engine:- LMS BG, three SR PMVs, BR MKI BG, LNER six wheel Stove, BR BG, LMS BG, then possibly a Departmental bogie coach, BR CCT, BR BG, and an SR BY Bogie van. Load 12. It all goes by road now ! Additional info from Tony Hill.

With the home signal pulled off D1026 Western Centurian works a down train seen about to roll onto the RAB, St Budeaux 10th August 1972. Copyright Ron Kosys. N.B. The distant signal is a fixed signal in respect of the speed limit over the bridge.

The following two pictures are off the same negative the first in black and white the second colour. Obviously taken before the singling of the line between the RAB and St Budeaux station. Although not obvious from the first picture it is obvious from the second colour view that the down loop has not received much traffic - the rails are definitely rusty. Well done in your editing Ron. The down main line and the down loop were taken out of use w.e.ef. 2nd July 1973.

1059 Western Empire Tamar Bridge 10th August 1972 1130 Paddington - Penzance. Copyright Ron Kosys

25th November 2019

25/11/2019

Penzance
Roger Winnen

It's June 1973 as a DMU St Ives bound passes Long Rock depot complete with its water tower. At that time the main line continued double track right into the throat of the terminus. Copyright Roger Winnen

Weymouth in 82
Clive Smith

33114 propels TCs 411 and 429 on the 14.34 Weymouth - Waterloo amongst the semaphores on a misty 5th June 1982. Weymouth Town station was rebuilt in 1986 and third rail electrification would occur in 1988.

Regards, Clive Smith. Many thanks Clive.

On a hazy day 33114 propels TC's 411 and 429 on the 14.34 Weymouth - Waterloo. It's the 5th June 1982. Copyright Clive Smith.

Gwithian, Cornwall
Keith Jenkin

Although I've known of the existence of this coach on Gwithian Towans for many years it was only recently that on the 12th November 2019 I had a camera with me and took this shot. As can be seen, development is in progress. It would be interesting to know the history of this vehicle. Does any coach expert know what it might have been? As you can see the coach has long ago had 'additions' at each end of the body and that work is in progress to adjust the arrangements at the nearest end. Perhaps to provide a two storey extension and thus improve the view over St Ives bay. As to when and how the coach got her is also a mystery. Chalets and huts gradually developed in this area in the 1930's. It is a long way from any railhead. The nearest would have been at the National Explosive Works. This had a standard gauge branch from a junction at Hayle Harbour - this line ran along King George V Walk the route originally being part of the Hayle Railway. It could it have been off loaded onto road transport and hauled by horses, or even more romantically by a traction engine to the location. But probably it came by rail to Gwinear Road and was off loaded from the sidings there. Does anybody know anything more I wonder? The property in a prime location at Gwithian was recently sold. Copyright KJ.

24th November 2019

24/11/2019

Holiday at Dawlish Warren Part 2
Roger Salter

191103a The 10.50 Paignton to Bristol at Dawlish. Copyright Roger Salter

191103b The 1A80 The 08.03 Penzance to Paddington passes Dawlish. Copyright Roger Salter

191104a The 353j The 08.50 Westbury to St Blazey at Dawlish with 66023 on the RHTT. Copyright Roger Salter

191104b The 5Z70 The 10.35 Laira to the Reading Traincare Depot failed at Plymouth on the previous evening whilst on the sleeper. The Night Riviera passengers were transferred to an IET for the remainder of the journey to Paddington. 57604 leads with 57602 at the rear on the ECS sleeper move next morning to Reading. Copyright Roger Salter

Flat Coach
An article by Mick House and plus material from the British Railways Board.
This article was first published in the CRS magazine 2010.

Traveling back from London on the 23.45pm First Great Western Night Riviera Sleeper, (15/10/2010) having had a good nights sleep I proceeded to coach C the first class buffet coach for my breakfast of a bacon roll and orange juice. As I stepped from sleeper coach D though the vestibule to the buffet coach I noticed a familiar sound coming from below, no I did not have wind it was the telltale sound of a flat tire on the B bogie of the buffet coach, (coach No:10219). At the same time the Guard was passing and I asked him if he realized that his train was defective and his reply was yes it’s been like that for a couple of weeks and went on his way. My first reaction was of disbelief as an ex examiner myself in my opinion the noise alone would have warranted further investigation of this type of fault, that’s without the vibration emulating from it, which can lead to other parts of the bogie and wheel set becoming faulty and in the extreme lead to derailment, I wonder if the same standard of examination that I had been taught applies today.
The following dates back to the 1980s and is taken from my copy of IDENTIFICATION OF WHEEL & TYRE TREAD DAMAGE REQUIRING REMEDIAL ACTION (BRITISH RAILWAYS BOARD CM & EE Department, booklet MT/162, does it still apply today.
Flats
Passenger vehicles with a speed 90mph and above with a flat length of 30mm to 50mm to be taken out of service for remedial action no later then the end of the day.
· Passenger vehicles with a speed 90mph and above with a flat length of above 50mm and up to 100mm to be taken out of service immediately for remedial action, up to 70mm 60mph over 70mm 35mph.
· Passenger vehicles with a speed 90mph and above with a flat length greater than 100mm must not be moved, (except where necessary to clear running lines) without the approval of the regional CM & EE.

Flat point on a tire of around 50mm. Copyright Mick House.

ENGINEERING PLANT DIARY

Has just been updated with:
Part 4 of Network Rail Measurement Train Rolling Stock. By Mick House.
We see a number of Network Rail Measurement Trains visit our area over the years and predominantly the photos that have been taken are of the Locomotives that bring the trains down, but what of the rolling s stock that is within the train!
Follow this Link: ENGINEERING PLANT DIARY

Network Rail Measurement Train about pass under Apex bridge 15/11/2017. Copyright Mick House.

Southampton Parkway
Ron Kosys

Virgin Cross Country HST led by 43091 slowing for the Southampton Parkway stop with a northbound working. 20th July 200. Regards Ron. Many thanks to you Ron.

43091Southampton Parkway 20th July 2001 Copyright Ron Kosys

Bristol T.M.
Martin Scane

A Voyager makes ready to depart. 12.26 23rd November 2019. Copyright Martin Scane.

A 'Castle Class' in from the gloom out side nicely lit. 13.13 23rd November 2019. Copyright Martin Scane.

23rd November 2019

23/11/2019

Holiday at Dawlish Warren Part 1
Roger Salter

191106a The 686z 05.35 Aberthaw Tarmac to Moorswater Tarmac held at Dawlish Warren. Copyright Roger Salter

191106c (2)2F 17 09.12 Paignton to Exmouth 686Z Aberthaw to Moorswater with the 1V42 o6.10 Derby to Plymouth using the loop at Dawlish Warren. Copyright Roger Salter

191106c The crew investigate the problems with the wagons wheels. Copyright Roger Salter

191106d 2T10 50247 on the 09.23 Exmouth to Paignton leaves the loop at Dawlish Warren hopefully letting the cement to follow. Copyright Roger Salter

191106f The 1C 04 07.30 Paddington to Penzance is forced to use the down loop still with the cement on the down through line. Copyright Roger Salter

191106g Now the 2C67 08.00 Cardiff to Paignton needs to use the loop at Newlish Warren. Copyright Roger Salter

Ivybridge
Clive Smith

Colas 67023 top and tails with 67027 on the 1Z23 06.48 Derby RTC - Plymouth test train passing Daveys Bridge east of Ivybridge on 21st November 2019. The remaining leaves and moorland bracken add a nice touch of colour with greens, yellows and brown on what was a grey day but thankfully not raining at the time. With the GWR bland green livery dominating on most trains in the green countryside it is ironic to get yellow and orange Colas locos on a Network Rail yellow train passing through and blending in with the autumnal coloured vegetation.
The advantage of having locos top and tail is you get two photos for the price of one with the going away shot. However when you get to a certain age the brain doesn't always register this fact and I almost missed this shot while congratulating myself on a job well done with the approaching 67s.

Regards, Clive Smith.
Well done Clive - You are doing very well for your age!! Many thanks.

That going away shot. Ivybridge Test train 66027 brings up the rear. 22nd November 2019 Copyright Clive Smith.

Treverin
Chris Harvey

Please find attached a shot from November of twenty years ago. Here is the 0745 Paddington - Penzance, at the top of the climb from Lostwithiel, and about to plunge into Treverrin tunnel on a beautifully crisp 13th November 1999.
Best Regards, Chris Harvey Bodmin. Many thanks Chris.

A nice sunny day just over 20 years ago at Treverrin as a down HST climbs the bank from Lostwithiel. 13th November 1999. Copyright Chris Harvey. N.B. Almost lost in the trees in the centre of the picture on the upside of the line are traces of perhaps the original Cornwall Railway route or maybe it was a siding used during the construction phase or part of the original route.

22nd November 2019

22/11/2019

Double 31's
Cockwood.
Ron Kosys

Ron strikes it lucky, a double header at Cockwood (Before the fence was put up). Many thanks Ron.

31415+31469 Cockwood. The 17.17 Saturdays only Paignton-Liverpool Lime Street. 25th June 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys

Night Riviera slips to a stand.
Marazion & Long Rock

The Down Night Riviera was cancelled at Newton Abbot today due to rail adhesion problems, later on 57602 'Restormel Castle' was captured working 5Z79 11.30 Plymouth-Longrock T&RSMD ECS at Marazion and Longrock level crossing, prior to entering the Depot at 12.31, arriving 55 early, departing 50 early from Plymouth at 10.40
All the Best, Andrew Many thanks Andrew.

The late running and empty stock Down Night Riviera at Marazion Marshes. 21st November 2019, Copyright Andrews Triggs.

A fine close up at Long Rock Crossing as the empty stock of the Night Riviera runs direct to the depot. Note St Michaels Mount in the background. Well done Andrew. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

21st November 2019

21/11/2019

Tiverton Junction
Ron Kosys

Ron writes:- I was disappointed to say the least about the really naff weather that dampened my enthusiasm with these particular shots, so much so I always intended to revisit and ‘try again’
As is oh-so-typical, I never did revisit before the station closed.
In fact my next visit happened to be 8th September 1989 – some thirteen YEARS later. I photographed 47213 at Silverton heading for Tiverton Junction with the Redland empties. Tiverton Junction was one of a few loading points scattered around the country for locally made Redland Roof Tiles, distributed via the Speedlink network. Despite setting off immediately, by the time I arrived at Tiverton Junction 47213 had placed the empty Redland wagons into the loading siding and returned immediately to Exeter Riverside light engine. Looking back, I wonder why I didn’t photograph the siding.....
I did photograph two 47’s passing on passenger trains though.
Many thanks indeed Ron. What an interesting place Tiverton Junction was in its heyday.

1041 Western Prince Tiverton Junction. 31st May 1976. Copyright Ron Kosys

1048 Western Lady Tiverton Junction 31st May 1976 Copyright Ron Kosys

Sunny
Cornish Main line
Mark Lynam

Monday the 18th was a glorious day with largely completely clear skies for some late Autumn sunshine, I was out all day visiting mainline stations in mid and West Cornwall.
Thanks, Mark Lynam. And Many thanks to you Mark, a good day out.

43041 at Penzance before working 2P60 0730 Penzance to Plymouth. It's 07.27 on the 18th November 2019. Copyright Mark Lynam.

10-Car IET 802001+802017 arrives at St Erth working 1A82 0900 Penzance to London Paddington. The recent felling of trees here to make room for the access ramp to the park and ride car park has opened up this clear spot on the platform perfect for the low sunlight. 09.09 18th November 2019. Copyright Mark Lynam

43194 "Okehampton Castle" leads the 2C82 0900 Plymouth to Penzance into Redruth. It's 10.34 on the 18th November 2019. Copyright Mark Lynam.

43161 at St Austell 11.32 on the 18th November 2019. Copyright Mark Lynam

43192 at Camborne 12.06 18th November 2019. Copyright Mark Lynam

43041 'St Catherines Castle' seen at St Austell at 14.42 on the 18th November 2019. Copyright Mark Lynam

<<Previous

Flat CoachAn article by Mick House and plus material from the British Railways Board.This article was first published in the CRS magazine 2010.

ENGINEERING PLANT DIARY

Archives

Flat Coach
An article by Mick House and plus material from the British Railways Board.
This article was first published in the CRS magazine 2010.