An interesting report to be found on http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/Turntable-campaigners-accuse-rail-operator/story-25458873-detail/story.html tells of the frustrations of those who wish to see steam tours visiting Cornwall. Many thanks to Victor Menhennett from far off Waterloo, Ontario for spotting this and advising us.
Hi Keith, Shot of 37175 in the park at Lostwithiel on ball clay empties 5 9 86 . The loco had been transferred from Scotland hence the Scottie dog on the side. Cheers, Roger Geach Many thanks Roger
Graham Mann, who is Network Rail Programme Manager Plymouth Delivery Unit kindly sent us the following views of work in progress during the relaying of the layout at the east end of St Erth station. This took place during the latter part of the 'Engineering Occupation' for the Hayle viaduct work which took place in mid November 2014. Many thanks to Graham for these privileged views. The relaying work at St Erth saw the recovery of the two sidings which lay to the east of the station, opposite the signal box. Also the recovery of the east end crossover, so no more run rounds at St Erth. Though these haven't been used for many years it was sad to see this contraction taking place. The plant on the left is definitely the last rail borne vehicle to use the siding. November 2014 Copyright Graham Mann Job done, well done, nice clean ballast and a smooth ride assured whether it be east towards Plymouth or north west towards St Ives. Craig Munday, a frequent signalman at St Erth said that he will miss the click clack of rail wheels over the points and rail joints once opposite the box. Mid November 2014. Copyright Graham Mann. David brings us a couple of photographs of a troop train passing through Polsloe Bridge station at a time when it was still possible to get to and stand on the downside platform.
Sometime ago now Mike Morant sent us a wonderful selection of his pictures for use on our website. Here are two at St Erth, memories are made of this. The are a lot more treasures to come. many thanks to Mike Morant for his generosity. You won't get this view of St Erth nowadays, the chocolate and cream nameboard has gone, no tall telephone posts, the lighting has been changed, there are no platform trolleys and trees have grown up behind the platform fencing. Another forgotten feature which has disappeared is a 'Gentleman's' toilet on the up platform just before the footbridge'. Roger Winnen tells us that this disappeared in the early 60's - there are facilities within the station building but of course these are not available at all times! Hopefully the footbridge will remain. From the Mike Morant Collection Vans stand over the engine release road so it looks as if this picture is dated from the early 60's when diesel multiple Units had taken over the St Ives branch. The vans bear the caption B.O.C.M. (British Oil and Cake Mills - animal foodstuffs) They may have been unloaded on the short stub of platform 4, the section of station buildings at platform 4 now form a popular refreshment facility. From the Mike Morant Collection Hi Keith, Today one of the on track plant machines DR 77901 Ballast Regulator left from Truro on its way to Castle Cary, I have attached a sequence of eight photos. Regards Mick Thanks Mick Hi Keith, In Truro yard yesterday I spotted Quattro 470 it was being given routine maintenance by one of their fitters.
I also viewed two very smart brand new Iveco vans that Network Rail have taken delivery of FN64 BRF and FN64 BRV. Regards Mick Many thanks Mick Keith I've attached 4 pics which may be of interest: No.1 shows a Unimog and trailers being positioned ready for loading 60 ft track sections Nos 2 and 3 illustrates the tracked Panel Lifters during stages of loading these sections Pic 4 is at Gwinear Road where all the recovered sections were stripped with the steel sleepers to be recycled for a future relay on the Barnstaple branch. Gwinear was also utilised to build the new sections with concrete sleepers, 32 sections in total were built. In regard to Guildford, we did re sleeper the viaduct and I know some touching up of the alignment was carried out, I'll find out from my tech the rationale behind the new design. I've got a few pics of the Guildford works which I can pass on later Regards Graham Many thanks. Graham is a Network Rail Engineer with responsibilities for the permanent way in this area. Work at Gwinear Road
Good morning, Keith
I read with interest the item about Weston Mill viaduct. As a youngster this was very much my patch with bike rides down to the Weston Mill bridge and on to St Budeaux to watch the goings on; happy memories of the diesel hydraulics. In particular, there was a daily trip working with a D63xx down to Bull Point and then Ernesettle or the other way round. Nobody ever minded my taking photos by the signalbox, and I even got a ride on the train to Bull Point one morning. I took a snap of the train at the terminus there and was quickly advised to put my camera away, but not arrested as a Soviet spy or terrorist - things were more laid back in those days. Several years later, on vacation from Leeds university, and not working that day, I went back and took from the main road a photo of Weston Mill viaduct with a Warship (one of the last by then) crossing on a down train. They hadn't filled in the creek at that time. To my surprise, a police car stopped and I was informed by the occupant that I was being arrested under the Official Secrets Act for photographing a defence establishment - you could just about make out the Royal Marine barracks buildings in the distance, although the amount of detail to be ascertained from a humble Kodak Instamatic camera at that distance was unlikely to be of any aid or comfort to the USSR! I was then taken to Special Branch, where fortunately the rather more intelligent officers realised how silly this all was. After developing my film to make sure there was nothing untoward, they accepted my explanation of being an innocent railway enthusiast and I was allowed to continue on my way. Oh well, it would probably have been worse in Albania in those days! John Many thanks for that John. Now please can you find your pictures of Weston Mill Viaduct and also of Bull Point terminus. We would all be interested, especially Paul Burkhalter. |
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