Keith, Here is very rough shot of 70805 at Lostwithiel early this morning, 15th December 2015, after a ballast drop between Saltash and Largin. Tonight it will be doing the up road. Tomorrow and Thursday will be working between Lostwithiel and Truro with a run round at Truro on both nights. Regards Paul Many thanks Paul
It's always nice to welcome a new contributor and the gentleman concerned Andrew Jones, has sent us two pictures of 1968 vintage. Very many thanks to you Andrew, we look forward to more of your collection.
Some weeks ago now Alan Harris sent in the intriguing photograph below.
The photograph appeared on Facebook and since then Alan has been in touch with the orginator who has given us permission to show it. It is suggested that it may have been taken maybe in the Polzeath area but where, and whats more what type of coach is it, even details about the traction engine. One guesses that the coach may have been delivered to the campsite from Padstow or Wadebridge stations. Can you help? We are extremely grateful to Martin Duff for drawing our attention to the Dartmoor Railway Supporters website which contains unrivaled pictures of the railway and events appertaining to it. Sincere congratulation to those involved with the production of this precise record. For half an hours most interesting viewing click here.
http://www.dartmoor-railway-sa.org/news Good Morning Keith, A few photographs taken of the first train to call at Cranbrook today. SWT provided refurbished Class 159/1 159103 to work the 0706 Salisbury – Exeter (St David’s). Also one very interesting sign – now when are they putting in third rail? Regards Dave Many thanks David - very electrifying!! Many thanks to Alan Harris for the picture taken from an old post card which you see below. It begs a question? The question is 'Was gravity shunting ever resorted to at St Ives.? It would look as if having brought its train into St Ives and unloded the passengers the stock was pushed back up the grade, the loco uncoupled and run into one arm of the loop and then, as it would appear, the stock gravitated back into the platform. This happened at Helston when the run round loop was blocked. From a postcard, the property of Alan Harris The answer - a most interesting reply from Laurence HansfordI was born in St Ives in 1944 and lived on Draycott Terrace (half of which you can see in in the top Right corner of the gravity shunting photo). We lived on the bit out of the photo. As far back as I can remember, I was very interested in the railway and everything that went on and was lucky enough to have a grandstand view of the whole Station and Engine Shed from where I lived.
I can confirm that gravity shunting was extensively resorted to in the days when the line was steam operated and even, occasionally, after the D63XX diesels took over. The trucks could be either side of the engine but I don’t recall coaching stock being dealt with this way. The gradient into the Station was such that trucks could pick up a fair lick and would have the shunter running alongside to apply the brake. The most obvious use was for getting empty coal trucks and the odd truck-full of ash and cinders out of the Engine Shed siding, to be replaced with a full truck of coal. Many and various routines were used seemingly down to the combined ingenuity of the footplate crew, guard, signalman and shunter-porter, and what had to be done and how much space was available where. There would be much tooting of whistles and rushing about, at which the 45XXs were particularly adept. I did sometimes wonder if the Rule Book was being followed to the letter! I will leave you to work out how this could be accomplished but bear in mind that the station was extremely cramped, especially in the summer months when extra coaches were usually lying about as well as covered wagons of advance luggage. Regrettably my parents moved away from St Ives in 1964 but by then the signalling had been removed and with it any excitement. Laurence Hansford |
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