Blog Archives

Items added on 31st December 2016 Those added most recently come first

31/12/2016

With hours to go, and so say all of us.

The Bodmin & Wenford Winter Steam Up!
New Years Eve 2016
Roger Winnen

Three engines this year took place in the Winter Steam Up on New Years Eve 31st December, 2016, these being 4247 4612 and 6435. Ten departures left Bodmin General between 10.00-16.00 hrs for Bodmin Parkway and Boscarne Junction with good timekeeping throughout the day.
A mixture of Passenger and Goods trains were run to delight the railway enthusiasts and the general public alike with quite large numbers travelling, and afterwards adjourning to the station 'Steamers Buffet'.

161231c Action at Bodmin General with 6435 filling up at the water tank and 4612 approaching from the junction of the two lines at the commencement of the winter steam up! Copyright Roger Winnen

161231d 4612 Shunts the freight into position at Bodmin General. Copyright Roger Winnen

161231e 4612 Pounding away from Bodmin Parkway with the freight including livestock. Copyright Roger Winnen

161231f 4247 Celebrating its 100th Birthday working the freight from Boscarne. Copyright Roger Winnen

161231g The last departure for 2016. 4247 Departs Bodmin Parkway on the 16.40 to Bodmin General. Copyright Roger Winnen

Princetown Posts
David Hibberd

Hi Keith,
Whilst walking on Dartmoor yesterday and walking the former entrance road to Princetown station noticed on the grass verge not one but two former GWR Boundary Posts set in the grass . Having walked this way before I had not noticed them before and I don,t know if they are in their original positions (which seems unlikely as they are very close together).
Photos attached also of the former branch trackbed out of Princetown on our walk out into the moors.
Best wishes and a Happy New Year.
Dave Hibberd Thanks for these David - hope you had a nice fresh walk.

Boundary Marker at Princetown 30th December 2016. Copyright Dave Hibberd

Boundary Marker at Princetown 30th December 2016. (These boots were made for walking!!! ) Copyright Dave Hibberd

Boundary Marker at Princetown 30th December 2016. Copyright Dave Hibberd

The way ahead down the Princetown branch. 30th December 2016. Copyright Dave Hibberd

That's the style, after the initial climb its downhill almost all the way to Yelverton!! 30th December 2016 Copyright Dave Hibberd

Trunk Call!
Mick West

161231a The refurbishment of the Footbridge at Bodmin Parkway is taking place. New glazed window units are being installed together with various other features. Copyright Roger Winnen

161231b A view from the other side of the footbridge looking east. Much of the timber which was rotten in places is also being replaced together with a repaint of the bridge. In summer time there has been in the past a colony of insects and flies congregating in the upper walkway, hopefully this problem may be solved. Copyright Roger Winnen

The forest exposed at Chyandour/Ponsandane and Wherrytown after the storms of February 2014 has never completely disappeared ...winter storm Angus stripped the sand off again substantially at Ponsandane only about 200 yards from the railway. The attached view with HST over the Chyandour bridge is of a large oak stump riddled by marine worm holes, taken in May 2014 but visible again today at the current low tides. The view with the local rolling stock with shunter, in sidings over the Ponsandane stream bridge was taken today, 30th December 2016 , and is of a large trunk or bough eroded to a U-section by 4000 years of sand abrasion, unknown species, embedded in the peat bed. Best wishes for 2017 to you all (and of course, Roger Winnen)...Mick West
Many thanks Mick - apologies for the humorous heading!

Chyandour with an HST in May 2014 Copyright Mick West

The scene on Friday 30th December 2016 Copyright Mick West

Millbay Approach
Andy Miller

Looking north along the approach lines to Millbay. The former Belmont Diesel Depot to the left and Harwell St Carriage shed to the right. Central Park, which is north of Plymouth Station can be seen to the centre right. All of the railway seen here has been obliterated. Copyright Andy Miller

Many thanks to Andy Miller for this rare view of some complicated trackwork. the bridge in the foreground is over King Street.

An interlude at
Avoncliffe
Graham Mann

A very quiet pleasant spot to stop a while, there's the trains, the river Avon and the Kennet and Avon Crossing the the valley on an impressive aquaduct. For those in need a waterside pub, a good place to celebrate New Years day!

Avoncliffe Halt from track level by Graham Mann

The Kennet and Avon Canal, coming from the Bath direction, first crosses the aquaduct and makes a left hand bend around the pub before heading on to Bradford on Avon and eventually Reading. Copyright Graham Mann

The Kennet and Avon canal is a broad canal able to take the larger craft - here we one such vessel en route to Bath. Copyright Graham Mann.

Back now to trackside, a view across the river Avon showing the weir at the end of which are the mill buildings. Graham Mann.

Back to the job in hand - a rail view through Avoncliffe Aquaduct. Note the double arches to support the weight of the canal. Copyright Graham Mann

N.B. Graham Mann is the Network Rail Operations Manager - many thanks to him for the above pictures.

Items added on 30th December 2016 Those added most recently come first

30/12/2016

Lelant in Wales and West days. Copyright John Cornelius

Smoke and Steam on the West Somerset Railway
David Tozer wishes everyone
a Happy New Year for 2017

161230a Smoke and Steam 44422 & 53808 at Bishops Lydeard Copyright David Tozer

161230b 44422 at Minehead. Copyright David Tozer

Reading
Am I 'reading' it right?
John Cornelius

Good morning Keith, well now Xmas is over, we can look forward to Easter and light nights again.
Here's a pic I took way back in 1982 at Reading when they had the flapper type train destination indicators. So would it have been a value for money trip? and after reaching Exeter which way would the train go to reach Oxford. Or was it just to confuse passengers?.
However,the correct intermediate stations to Oxford were displayed before the train arrived.
cheers JOHN C. A little confusing - thanks John

Turnchapel
Sarah Batten

I have recently moved in to a property in a new housing development at Hooe Lake and upon doing research of the area have a feeling at my property is above what used to be the old Turnchapel rail line.

I noticed that you visited the old Turnchapel line earlier this year and referenced the new development.

I have studied various pictures of the station and I think that the large rock that was at the station is the one I now look out of my window at and has been kept as a 'feature' of the site. Through our investigations we were advised that the ground level was raised by a few metres due to contamination of the top soil from the oil leakages on the site during the war and in turn they raised the whole site ground level and then chopped off the top metre or so of the rock.

I attach some pictures that may be of interest to you showing what I think is the rock in question (and the original image I found on your site which I refer to).

If you have any further information on the Turnchapel station or the area in question I would be incredibly interested :)

Thanks very much, Sarah Many thanks for your query.

10th September 1961 Copyright Mike Roach. Note the interesting signal and the line proceeding on towards the Admiralty Pier. Copyright Mike Roach

Turnchapel Quarry 27th December 2016 Copyright Sara Batten

Turnchapel Quarry 27th December 2016 Copyright Sarah Batten N.B. If you take a look at the site of Turnchapel Quarry on the current 2016 Google Earth you can see the rocky patch which has been left as a feature.

Turnchapel Station site 31st March 1973 Copyright Keith Jenkin. Is it possible that the rocky outcrop seen in right hand distance is that now viewed from Sarah's window? N.B. Yet the 'strata' looks wrong - in her view it is horizontal.

As Mike Roach took the top photograph in 1961 I thought to ask him, here is his reply :- If Sarah goes to nls maps (http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore) and searches on series, map series, OS 25-inch, seamless zoomable and look for Hooe or Plymstock, she will see what it was like before the railway arrived. The area is full of quarries and waste heaps. Indeed Turnchapel Station was built in a quarry. The rock cutting behind the signals was probably built specially to allow the railway to be extended to the Admiralty depot. They would have had plenty of time to do it as it took 5 years to extend the line from Plymstock to Turnchapel.
Also go to Amazon books and search Turnchapel Branch and Sarah will see all the books available on the subject, except one, which only came out in November 2016. Its called The Okehampton Line, by Irwell Press, and its got a section on the Turnchapel Branch with several photos. The book was my Christmas present. Quite expensive at £30 but its got over 400 high quality pages.
If the rock shewn in Sarah's picture is the same one that was behind the station platform then its been cut down several metres, or the ground raised several metres. Sarah can get a rough idea of how much the ground was lifted by looking level along the remaining pier of the former swing bridge.
The naval oil depot received a direct hit during the bombing of Plymouth and burnt for a couple of days. Allegedly the flames could be seen from many parts of Cornwall. Sarah could try the Record Office at Clare Place, Coxside for information on this and any other queries she has.
Lastly my suggestion is to speak to the builders if possible while they are still around.
Regards
Mike (Roach) Many thanks for this information Mike

Items added on 29th December 2016 Those added most recently come first.

29/12/2016

On the WSR. Copyright John Conelius

A returning stock move from Laira
Andrew Triggs

161229a 57605 Totnes Castle returns from Laira working 5Z79 10.08 Laira to Long Rock with two barrier coaches that conveyed a defective sleeper day coach to Plymouth the previous day. Copyright Andrew Triggs

161229b The train passing the former Marazion Station building. Copyright Andrew Triggs

161229c 57605 Arrives at Long Rock, the driver is scene leaving his engine and coaches in the reception road. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Bradford on Avon
Oil today
Guy Vincent

DB Cargo's pioneer class 60, 60001, heading a rake of 20 loaded 100 ton TEA bogie tanks through Bradford-on-Avon as the extremely late-running 6A11 2249 (Wed) Robeston Sidings-Theale Puma Energy. The train was 430 minutes late passing me at 1417hrs, having been delayed reportedly because of over-running engineering works in the Cardiff area followed by a track circuit fault near Bath and consequential regulation to fit in with other trains. Nicely caught in low winter sun with plenty of ground frost still in evidence. Had it run at it's booked time though I wouldn't have seen it! Many thanks Guy

A smashing winter shot up in Wiltshire as 60001 passes through Bradford on Aavon with the 6A11 on the 29th December 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

Looking back
Why Dundas was done in 2015
Guy Vincent

66955 on a diverted 4L32 1228 Bristol FLT - Tilbury container train passing through the restricted clearance of Dundas Aqueduct in the Avon valley south of Bath on a bright but cold 29th December 2016. During August 2015 the entire formation here was dug out and relaid to a lower and improved alignment to enable trains such as this to be routed along the Avon valley. Prior to this it would have been necessary to send the train to Swindon, run the locomotive round and then continue back via Melksham to Westbury. Alternatively a top and tail loco would have been necessary in which case reversal could have taken place at Chippenham.

Special note: These images were recorded with a telephoto lens from a publicly accessible area on the public side of Network Rail's boundary fence. Close by is a footpath leading to the Somerset Coal Canal.
Many thanks for your article and pictures Guy.

The low winter sun illuminates the unusual arches of Dundas Aqueduct in the Avon valley south of Bath on a bright but cold 29th December 2016. The nearest single arch carries the tow path and now cycleway, the twin arches bear the weight of the Kennet and Avon Canal. Copyright Guy Vincent

Dundas Aqueduct as 66955 passes through with the 4L32 29th December.2016. Copyright Guy Vincent

The consist of 4L32 passes through Dundas Aqueduct 29th December 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent.

The low height of the empy vehicles at the tail end of the train allows a view of the arches spanning the ever widening river Avon at this point. 29th December 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent.

Items added on 28th December 2016 Those added most recently come first.

28/12/2016

Many thanks to John (Constable) Cornelius for his artistic work.

Coombe Junction lost in the valley mist
Roger Winnen

161228f Coombe Junction lost in the valley mist. Viewed from Moorswater Viaduct on the 08.44 Penzance Paddington service. Copyright Roger Winnen

Remembering the Standard Class 4 75xxx series which worked in Cornwall
Roger Winnen

It is now over 60 years ago that members of the 75xxx Class could be seen working trains in Cornwall. A batch arrived in Cornwall built at Swindon in 1954 and remained for a couple of years, numbers 75025 75026 75027 75028 and 75029. It is remarkable that two of those engines remain in preservation to this day 75027 and 75029 with a double chimney. Seeing 75014 today working on the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway brought back many memories of looking over the Station Wall at Penzance and seeing these engines arrive and depart. One never had a camera in those days!

161228a 75014 Arriving at Paignton Queens Park on the 12.45 service from Kingswear. Copyright Roger Winnen

161228b 75014 Braveheart arrives at Kingswear with the 14.00 service from Paignton Queens Park. Copyright Roger Winnen

161228c 75014 Running around its train at Kingswear. Copyright Roger Winnen

161228d The penultimate departure of the day from Kingwear at 14.45. Copyright Roger Winnen

161228e 75014 Climbs out of Goodrington with the last train of the day, the 15.30 to Kingswear. Copyright Roger Winnen

Sheephouse Crossing
John Cornelius

Good Morning Keith, A sharp frost here this morning,but it is sunny at present. Letter and picture received 27th Dec.
About a mile east of Bruton station is sheephouse farm, with an occupation crossing over the main west of England line . For many years a crossing hut was situated there. It must have had some importance, as it had a cast iron nameplate 'sheephouse crossing' fitted on the end just below the window,although when I took this pic it had been removed and later the hut was removed.
Does anybody know its history,and its main use?, I'd be interested to know.
cheers JOHN C.

Can you help John Please? The trees in the background are of Cogley Wood and between it and the field is the river Brue - a small stream. This is crossed further to the left, off the picture, by Breakheart Bridge and a path leads towards Collingshays House, whether this path was accessed over this crossing is not known. Is the keepers hut now a garden shed, or was it firewood?

As quick as that, within hours - the answer from far away Burma. Sheephouse, east of Bruton, was an occupation crossing for the (no doubt heavy and slow moving) timber traffic from Cogley Wood. The hut had no levers, just a block indicator (repeating the bells and block instruments of the boxes either side) and a telephone. There was also a stove! The installation would appear to date from the end period of the first world war (say early 1918) when there was an acute timber shortage. As far as I know it was closed in about 1973. The provision of a stove suggests manning for prolonged periods. All the best for 2017! Roy Hart
Many thanks indeed Roy and best wishes to you for 2017

Contraction, caption
and pronunciation
Colin Burges

Going through every one of your online photo galleries has brought me much fascination, although I have once more been overwhelmed by the scale of the contraction everywhere. Often, I have looked at your photos and tried to overlay them on the images in my mind of dereliction or eradicating development.
As I make clear in my web pages, the loss of over 400 miles and more than 200 stations from the Devon and Cornwall network is not a real measure, because the railway's capacity as well as its reach is so diminished.
http://www.teignrail.co.uk/the-railway.php#allstations
It may be thought that the losses would have been greater in the far west, but Somerset suffered much more than Cornwall, with only twenty stations left open and not one branch line remaining.
My father (b. 1898) always pronounced "riviera" in the anglicized way and though he was apt to use unusual pronunciations, like "she" for "ski," I seem to think that "riveera" was the way that Great Western men would have known the train, if it wasn't simply the "Limited." I have heard this pronunciation on a Railway Roundabout film and on the B.T. film unit's Train Time; the one which shows the railway responding to a rush of Cornish perishables and a foreman ringing in: "Hello, Control? Er, Gwinear here. Helston stour ... " (STOUR: telegraphic code meaning "following is the state of our yard ... " - or in this case, branch).
www.britishrailways.tv/train-videos/2013-01/british-transport-films-train-time-1952/
So, I contend that it is only in later years that the Italian pronunciation of "riviera" has been used and that this would not have been familiar with Great Western men or the travelling public.
Among railway folk I doubt that I have to apologize for pedantry.
With all good wishes for the New Year. Colin
Many thanks to Colin for the above - I do hope you will click on the links above for some very interesting material.

Colin Burges is the owner and operator of 'The Exeter & Teign Valley Railway' which we hope to visit in 2017 - details to follow.

Items added on 27th December 2016 Those added most recently come first.

27/12/2016

Many thanks to John Cornelius who was asked to produce ;countdowns. to the New Year. Here is the first with five days to go.

'Marlbury'
Guy Vincent

Now, where's that - read on!!

1). 150102 captured at daybreak at Maiden Newton working 2O66 0647 Westbury-Weymouth on Christmas Eve, Saturday 24th December. The same unit then returned some 80 minutes later with 150244 on 2E20 0846 Weymouth-Gloucester. The small hut (Pic 2) contains the instrument from where the driver withdraws a key token giving him authority to enter the single line section ahead to Yeovil Pen Mill. Maiden Newton is a very atmospheric place where it still feels as if you are living in the 1950s. Sadly the branch line to Bridport has gone, this closed in May 1975, but the GWR signalbox (4) remains and both it and the unstaffed station buildings (5, 6 and 7) are in good condition. The track through the station has lasted very well indeed, there are two-bolt fishplates in-situ on both lines (3) and some of the GWR bullhead chairs have casting dates as far back as 1924! In 1981 the BBC filmed the second episode of series 3 of their popular comedy series 'To the Manor Born' here. Entitled 'Station Closing', Maiden Newton became 'Marlbury' and British Rail proposed closing the line and selling the station site to the owner of Grantleigh Manor, property developer Richard de Vere (Peter Bowles) for a cash-and-carry supermarket development. Audrey Fforbes-Hamilton (Penelope Keith) can be seen buying a ticket from Marlbury to Taunton at the booking office then, later, alighting from a dark blue Bristol-bound Metro-Cammell class 101 3 car DMU set (B823). There are several other scenes in and around the station with a final view of a departing DMU conveying de Vere (Peter Bowles) away to a meeting. As the (same?) Met-Cam set picks up speed it is just possible to read 'Maiden Newton' on one of the lamp-post station signs!

Maiden Newton 1 150102 calls at Maiden Newton 24th December 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent (What a 'gem' of a picture - look at those colours - marvelous sky)

150102 150244 at Maiden Newton 24th December 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent (That sky has faded somewhat but still a smashing morning shot)

Maiden Newton 3 Track on the 9th November.2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

Maiden Newton 4 Signal Box 16th February 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

Maiden Newton 5 Station 16th February 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

Maiden Newton 6 Station Building (1) 16th February 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

Maiden Newton 7 Station Building (2)16th February 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

Many thanks Guy for a very interesting focus on the charming station at Maiden Newton and its connections with 'To the Manor born'.

North Pole
Mike Morant

Morning Keith,
No obligation to use the attached image. I meant to send it before Xmas having seen JC's shot of North Pole Halt at Yeovil. This image has nothing to do with the CRS site really but it does depict the 'real' North Pole. The caption that I use is as follows ..........

H.P. Bulmer Ltd.: Return to Steam Stage 3 on 7/10/71.
Both the legs of this major event in our calendars were shrouded in mist at the London end as is evident in this shot of preserved GWR Collett no. 6000 King George V as it passes the long-disappeared North Pole Jct. signal box in the early stages of its journey from Kensington Olympia to Swindon.

Best wishes, Mike.
Many thanks for that Mike - it's such a marvellous picture that I thought acceptable to use it - after it is Western Region. We look forward to more from Mike soon.

For details please see the letter above - what a smashing picture. From the Mike Morant Collection.

Liskeard
40 years ago
Roger Geach

Merry Xmas to all (Recd 26th Dec.)

Interesting to see RW pics at penzance of the 26 December 1976.

I photographed 1013 pn the 0920 pd - Pz relief service at Liskeard on the 24th December , it had replaced 47024 at Plymouth. It looks like 1013 stayed at Penzance for Christmas then.

Now over 40 years ago .

Dont know what 47086 worked did not see it

Nice pics .

Cheers
Roger G

D1013 Western Ranger at liskeard 24th December 1976 Copyright Roger Geach

Items added on 26th December 2016 Those added most recently come first.

26/12/2016

Stabled at Long Rock on Christmas Morning
Roger Salter

161225a Stabled at Long Rock on Christmas Morning 43036 43165 43023 43193 on the Penzance end.

161225b On the Long Rock end 43053 43169 43139 43140.Copyright Roger Salter

161225c Class 150 & 153 Sprinters stabled at Long Rock on Christmas Morning. Copyright Roger Salter

Dozing at the Depot
Mark Lynam

Mark Lynam takes a look at a rather full Long Rock Depot on Boxing Day - Monday 26th December 2016. Many thanks Mark.

Craig looks back
at 2016

Hi Keith, A few pictures taken W/E 24th Dec 2016, which brings to a close a rather super year of Railway action for the year. The first visits of DRS class 68s to the region, and the beginning of the Colas Cement traffic to Moorswater being personal highlights for me.
Here's the final visit of the cement for the year, I understand the next trip is scheduled for 11th Jan 2017.
Kind regards to yourself Keith, and all contributors and visitors to the CRS website for the Festive season & 2017.

Craig - and all the best to you and many thanks to you for sharing your pictures with us.

Craig waits for the cement as the service train from Looe climbs away from Coombe junction towards Liskeard. 22nd December 2016.

Now a favourite location of Craigs as 70805 climbs away from Coombe Junction towards Liskeard. 22nd December 2016. Copyright Craig Munday

Turning about a very well lit train with the loco obviously working hard climbing the bank. 22nd December 2016. Copyright Craig Munday

The empties arrive at Lostwithiel prior to the run round and the long journey back north. 22nd December 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

Boxing Day at Penzance 1976
40 Years ago
How times have changed!
Roger Winnen

761226a 47086 Colossus in the loading bank siding at Penzance. In the background is the entrance to the short lived Pier Buffet Refreshment Room together with the Bus Service to the Heliport. Copyright Roger Winnen

761226b D1013 Western Ranger in its final months of service with British Rail. Being withdrawn on 26th February, 1977 it survives into preservation. Copyright Roger Winnen

761226c 47086 Colossus with D1013 Western Ranger are stabled in the loading bank sidings. These siding were removed in the mid 1980s partly to form an extended Car Park. Copyright Roger Winnen

761226d The line up of Class 50s and 47s at Penzance during the Christmas Break. At that time the new HST Shed was under construction at Long Rock resulting in the main line diesels being stabled in Penzance Station Copyright Roger Winnen

Bristol Bath Road
John Cornelius

Here's a pic that brings back a lot of happy memories
of Bristol Bath Road shed, all be it in diesel days,sadly its all gone and the site is to be redeveloped. such is progress cheers JOHN C.
ps. the caption is mainly in Bristol dialect, if you find it hard to understand. [ha ha] Thanks John

The former west end of Temple Meads view now sadly lost. D1041 Western Prince stands nearest. Copyright John Cornelius

Westbury & Swindon
Guy Vincent

60054 at Westbury 23.rd December 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

66078 at Swindon on Christmas Eve 23rd December 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent.

Guy actually sent this in on Christmas Eve but due to other commitments its a bit late - apologies.
60054 shunting at Westbury on the morning of 23rd. Since 08799 was stored exactly 12 months ago a number of class 60s have been used here as 'super shunters', usually they stay for a couple of months until a B or C exam falls due when they are replaced. The locos also work the occasional Mendip Rail stone train with Wootton Bassett, Oxford Banbury Road, Fareham, and Woking being favourite destinations this year.

66078 shunting empty steel hood carriers at Swindon, also on 23rd. These arrive with steel coils from Llanwern in south Wales and are shunted into a large modern (2006) purpose-built 80,000 square foot warehouse on the approximate site of the former Swindon loco inspection point adjacent to the Kemble line west of the station. From there the steel is moved by road the short distance to the Mini Plant Swindon body pressings plant at Stratton St Margaret where it is used to make car body panels. Once empty, the BRA/BYA's return to south Wales. The trains run as required as 6B49 0546 Llanwern Exchange Sidings-Swindon Steel Stores and 6B50 1500 return.
Many thanks Guy for your, as uusal, extremely interesting report.

Items added on 25th December 2016 Those added most recently come first.

25/12/2016

Christmas Day
The national network may be closed but we carry on
Have a very good day.

The connection between Camborne and Trevithick is celebrated outside Camborne Parish Church with this depiction of his locomotive.. Careful timing was necessary here to freeze the action of the coupling rod! Copyright here our ever roaming photographer Roger Winnen.

Snow at St Ives!
Laurence Hansford

Good Evening Keith,

Since people have been sending in some seasonal snowy pictures I thought you might like these ones of St Ives in the Snow. I apologise for their poor quality but I took them with my father’s pre-war Box Brownie. Note the “icicle” hanging down the side of the water tank! It must have been sufficiently cold to freeze the overflow so the water just found the lowest point to run down. I can’t be sure which winter it was but I fancy it was 61/62 but at a pinch could have been 62/63. There are 9 photos so I will send them in a couple of instalments.

Anyway, have a LOVELY CHRISTMAS.

Laurence

PS In case anybody is wondering how I was able to wander about all over the tracks, I was wearing my Govt. Surplus RN Submariner’s heavy sweater made of natural wool which made me invisible in the snow. Also, of course, on a Sunday in the wintertime the station and its environs were always completely deserted!

Deep and crisp and even. A rare picture indeed of St Ives station under snow. Note the spare coaches stabled beyond the end of the run round loop. Copyright Laurence Hansford

The depth of the snow can be gauged by this view out across the frozen water tank. Copyright Laurence Hansford.

Another view of the water tank at St Ives. Copyright Laurence Hansford.

Even the water tank overflow has frozen! Copyright Laurence Hansford

The chilly view from the shed looking towards St Erth. Copyright Laurence Hansford

Snowbound St Ives. Copyright Laurence Hansford

Turning about and looking back towards the station, a real Christmas scene. Copyright Laurence Hansford.

Rare scenes indeed at St Ives. Copyright Laurence Hansford

-- and finally a very rare view which captures a coal wagon staled in the bay waiting to be unloaded. Copyright Laurence Hansford.

Very many thanks indeed Laurence for these pecious pictures captured with your Dads camera. Can anbody date these, were they taken in 1962 as was thought, or 1963?

St Agnes on Christmas Day
Keith Jenkin

This picture was actually taken on Christmas Day 1963 - precisely 53 years ago. Copyright Keith Jenkin. N.B. This sign, or maybe the one on the other side of the box can be inspected at the St Agnes Museum - open from Easter 2017 onwards.

One of the St Agnes signalbox plates is displayed above a model of the station in St Agnes Museum. Picture taken in May 2015 Copyright St Agnes Museum - Liz Thompson

Christmas Card from Waterloo
Victor Menhennet

However it's not the Waterloo you think!! Victor an exile from Camborne and a true Cornishman lives at Waterloo, near Toronto.

A very attractive scene - but where's the railway connection - look on the mantlepiece. Victor is a keen supporter on the Waterloo Central Railway. Copyright Victor Menhennet.

Items added on 24th December 2016 Those added most recently come first.

24/12/2016

SW Trains fun
Kevin Jenkin

This train was late so we missed our Swaythling connection, but the staff like a laugh!!!!

Kevin took this - it refers to his last train before the Christmas break. 24th December 2016

The Balls at Long Rock
on Christmas Eve
Roger Salter

161224a Between the Balls! at Long Rock Yard. A 153 Class Sprinter on Christmas Eve. Normally Cross Country Voyagers use these sidings during the hours of darkness. Copyright Roger Salter

CHRISTMAS EVE

Yeovil Steam Centre
Christmas Specials Last Day
John Cornelius

Yesterdays Report.
Hi Keith, We had the last of our santa spls today, 200+ visitors.
Luckily the heavy rain kept off and it wasn't intil around 1430 that we had drizzle rain blowing in on the wind,which didn't really matter and didn't spoil anything for the final visitors at 1500.
This has been our best year to date with over 1300 visitors over the five days. Congratulations.
Today we had some of the cast from the Yeovil pantomime 'Alice in wonderland' visit us for most of the day, which I think the young ladies might have been a distraction to santa when they rode on the train. Also at the far end of the line at 'NORTH POLE HALT', we had santa's workshop with working toys in the windows.This being a new innovation this year.
enjoy the pics cheers JOHN C.
Many thanks John and a very Happy Christmas to you.

The Yeovil Steam Centre staff are to be congratulated on a fine effort. Copyright John Cornelius

A model photograph for John, the young lady being the 'model'. Santa looking pretty smart too. Picture copyright John Cornelius

Perranwell Viaduct on the Chacewater - Newquay branch between Perranporth and Goonhavern taken on 2nd March 1974. The mine engine house in the background is that of New Chiventon lead mine. This mine produced 300 tons of 73% lead ore, 1,300 ounces of silver, 25 tons of arsenic, 640 tons of zinc ore and 15 tons of pyrite between 1864 and 1878 Courtesy Mining in Cornwall. Picture by Roger Winnen Copyright

Items added on 23rd December 2016 Those added most recently come first.

23/12/2016

Looking for Maps
Dave Antony

Hi Keith
I don't know if anyone has previously suggested this site.

http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore

It's from the National Library of Scotland. You can pick an old OS map from the drop down menu, I find the 6 inch 1888-1913 the best, and by sliding the blue button in the bottom left it then superimposes the current birds eye Bing photo over the map. Fantastic for pinpointing old tracks, building etc.
Cheers Dave Anthony
Many thanks Dave, well worth noting and trying.

Amazing Angarrack
Roger Winnen

Each year at Christmas time the little village of Angarrack near Hayle becomes a blaze of lights for about three weeks. During this time there are many visitors and collectors with buckets in hand raise a lot of money for charity. Congratulations to them. Also congratulations to Roger Winnen who on his second attempt got this fleeting view from the lofty viaduct.

Westover Bridge
John Cornelius

Hi Keith, Here's a couple of pics I took of Westover railway bridge piers near Langport which were left in place after the Taunton-Yeovil branch closed. It only had a 7ft headroom, so only small vehicles could pass under. Bigger vehicles had to had to go up a trackway adjacent to the bridge to cross the line which had gates controlled by a crossing keeper who lived in the cottage beside the line. Today this is a private residence. After the serious flooding on the moors in the winter of 2013/2014, when the village of Muchelney was marooned,the council took the decision to raise the road by 1 metre from Muchelney to the Westover piers,so in the event of future flooding there would be access to and from Muchelney.The second pic was taken after the road works were completed on 26-2-2015. My only regret is that I never to took a pic of a train passing when the bridge was in situ.
But that's life. cheers JOHN C Many thanks John

This bridge was south of Langport. Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 22nd December 2016 Those added most recently come first.

22/12/2016

Wishing all members, contributors and visitors to our website a
Great Christmas and Happy
New Year From Mick House.

Bruff road rail vehicle in the snow, By Mick House.

56's at Westbury
Guy Vincent

Hello again Keith,
The pics I sent last night show the two 56's arriving at Westbury from the Hawkeridge Junction direction, they came from Washwood Heath, Birmingham, via Cheltenham, Bristol and Bath then up the Avon Valley through Bradford-on-Avon. I was on the last bridge before Westbury looking towards Hawkeridge first, then towards the signal box and station. Sorry I didn't make this clear in the posting last night.
This morning I was able to catch another shot of the 56s stabled in Westbury up yard together with 66847 and 66716, these two were about to leave for Hinksey yard, Oxford at 0955am. Colas must have need of extra locos over Christmas as they look to have hired in 66716 from GBRf.
I see from postings on one of the groups that 56087 & 56302 are due to work on Friday 23rd, 6T56 0830 Westbury-Swindon Cocklebury (via Melksham) arr 0953, returning Tuesday 27th as 6T56 0710 Swindon Cocklebury-Westbury via Foxhall Jctn (0739-54) and Melksham, arriving Westbury at 0910. This is what I've seen anyway!

Regards GV Many thanks Guy

66847, 66716, 56087, and 56302 at Westbury 22nd December 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

Moorswater - Return empties
Peter Murnaghan

22nd December 2016 Return empties at Coombe 10.17 The 07.41 PZ to Padd on the viaduct Copyright Peter Murnaghan (Well caught)

The aborted attempt to photograph
The Angarrack Village Lights
Roger Winnen

Passing over Angarrack yesterday on my return from the Plym Valley Railway, the Christmas Lights really shone out in the village below. I intended tonight to attempt to photograph those lights from the 17.39 Penzance to Paddington H.S.T. However the train was late arriving at the terminus and departed 10 mins late. After a long wait at St Erth Station we were informed that the train had a serious problem with an axle and was limited to 20 m.p.h. therefore it was returning at 20 m.p.h. to Penzance. However I was able to photograph Long Rock Depot in the dark at a slow speed on my return 11.5 mile journey home.
Let us try again!

161222a The Class 57 for the sleeper service photographed from the returning 17.39 to Paddington. Copyright Roger Winnen

Journey to the North Pole
'A wild and lonely place'
Roger Winnen

On the run up to Christmas the Plym Valley Railway has been running the Polar Express between Marsh Mills and Plymbridge Platform, a great success with trains fully booked with families young and old and plenty of entertainment laid on for the children. The last train departed in the downpour at 16.30 on 21st December, 2016

161221a The North Pole (Plymbridge Platform) with the departure to Marsh Milla in the distance. Copyright Roger Winnen

161221b The North Pole Express at the platform. Copyright Roger Winnen

161221c Merlin from the Bowes Railway at the North Pole. Copyright Roger Winnen

161221d The last Polar Express for 2016 awaits its 16.30 departure for the North Pole in the driving rain. Copyright Roger Winnen

For more on the Plym Valley Railway,
The North Pole Express see the features page

JUST THREE SHOPPING DAYS LEFT

This is John Cornelius who has provided us with over 350 unique pictures taken over the last 50 years. It's his birthday today so many thanks for your time and trouble and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY John.

Mount Hawke Halt

Mount Hawke, source unknown, from the Alan Harris Collection

Seen from a Newquay bound DMU Augustt 1962 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Mount Hawke Halt on the 2nd March 1974. We are looking towards St Agnes - the line climbed away to the right and then swung left. The centre of the village which it served was three quarters of a mile away along an open road which could be very wet and windy. Standing here today you'd never know a railway was ever here - the cutting has been filled in. .Copyright Roger Winnen

Again looking towards St Agnes in 1974 - somebody has pinched a platform slab. Copyright Roger Winnen

T9 and snow in Cornwall
Chris Harvey

Hello, As we are nearly at Dec 25th, it is a good time of year to share my only picture of steam, snow and sunshine in Cornwall. 30120 pants into Bodmin General on 18th Dec 2010, with a service from Boscarne Junction.
Merry Christmas!
Best Regards, Chris Harvey Bodmin
Many thanks Chris - a nice picture.

30120 pants into Bodmin with a train from Boscarne 18th Dec 2010 Copyright Chris Harvey

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Westbury & SwindonGuy Vincent

Wishing all members, contributors and visitors to our website aGreat Christmas and HappyNew Year From Mick House.

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Westbury & Swindon
Guy Vincent

Wishing all members, contributors and visitors to our website a
Great Christmas and Happy
New Year From Mick House.