Blog Archives

31st December 2021 New Years Eve

31/12/2021

With every best wish to everybody for the coming year, especially to the many who contribute with high quality material. The website is kept going by your entries so please keep them coming. Many thanks to all of you and the best of health for 2022.

Grogley happenings
Andrew and Diane Jones

Please find attached recent photographs taken at Grogley. Cornwall Council has continued to upgrade the Camel Trail and the pre Christmas flail has truly uncovered the original profile of the railway formation.
Grogley Halt appeared in 1906 relatively late in railway history adjacent the hamlet of nearby Brocton. Lightly used at the best of times it mainly served the numerous market gardens and small farms. I suppose Grogley was more famous for its junction with the Ruthernbridge Branch line which survived for almost a century closing in 1933, however but for fate a useful direct link to Fowey would have been possible, but at considerable cost and difficult to justify even in the Railway Mania period.
The original mainline connection was altered in 1888 when a northern short deviation through a rock cutting reduced the flood risk.
Photograph 1 illustrates the original southerly route to the left of the prominent tree and the later deviation to the right.
A considerable amount of excavation was required for the deviation and photograph 2 shows the rock cutting and depth. No mean feat even in the 1880’s, I have often wondered why it was not tunnelled, but given that the whole of North Cornwall’s difficult terrain only had one at Trelill I suppose it must have been cheaper to excavate.
I can remember even in railway days this cutting was very wet and the drainage was always difficult. Cornwall Council has recently ditched and improved the original run off but the area is still vulnerable to flooding.
Bee hives were kept in the quarry opposite the halt even throughout railway operation.
To finish with, just a little bit of New year fun, a near neighbour has built a not to accurate replica of Grogley Halt for a wood shed, the original was situated 800 yards behind, but unfortunately only the platform still exists minus its original soil access slope and gate.
Due to a recent mishap parking at Grogley is no longer permitted but pedestrian access is still possible over the Ruthernbridge railway crossing

Very best wishes Andrew and Diane

1 Original formation to the left of tree and deviation to the right looking towards Wadebridge. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones

2 Grogley deviation looking toward Bodmin and the halt showing depth of rock cutting. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones

3 General view of Grogley from the Halt looking west towards Wadebridge. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones

4 Isn't this charming? A near neighbours Grogley Halt replica used as a wood shed. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones

Many thanks indeed to you Andrew and of course to Diane.
Long may you keep up your contributions to our website - they are very much appreciated by one and all. Happy 2022.

Westerns on Shed
New Years Eve 1975
Roger Winnen

751231a D1041 Western Prince still with us today (preserved) at Long Rock Shed. Copyright Roger Winnen

751231b D1051 Western Ambassador in Long Rock Shed on 31st December 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen

New years Eve 2021
Long Rock
Dennis Clarke

A few pictures from Long Rock taken this lunchtime. 57603, 43010 and 43094 present. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy 2022. Really appreciate all the work that goes into the website, Best Regards, Dennis

Long Rock -31st December 2021 Copyright Dennis Clarks

Many thanks Dennis

Long time ago - 1981 - near miss at
Bristol
Paul Barlow

Our very good friend and contributor was out and about and sharp eyed enough to capture a near miss at Bristol Temple Meads. On the 23rd July 1981 a near miss occurred when at Bristol Temple Meads 45004 Royal Irish Fusilier on 0637 Leeds to Paignton was wrongly platformed on a collision course with a class 33. A quick thinking driver avoided hitting 33012 waiting to depart for Cardiff 0853 ex Southampton service. The Peak reversed out and re-entered into platfform 10/11. could have been a very serious incident for both trains and indeed had an impact occurred for Paul himself being so close.

1981_07_23 Near miss Bristol Temple Meads 45004 Royal Irish Fusilier on 0637 Leeds to Paignton. A quick thinking driver avoided . 23rd July 1981. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks for bringing this to our attention - keep up the good work and a very Happy New Year to you and Alison.

Radley
Ron Kosys

47540 and 50026 are seen at Radley with the 1F14 11.15 Sundays Paddington to Oxford on the 18th June 1989. Copyright Ron Kosys.

Many thanks to you Ron. Here's wishing you a return to completely good health in 2022.

More Railway Civil Engineering
Richard Watts

Dear Keith,
I’m glad you liked the video. The female voice at the beginning and end were of John Bolton’s (the producer’s) wife, Mandy. She records talking books and professional voiceovers.

If you wish to sample two of our previous railway-connected civil engineering videos (if you haven’t already seen them), you can find them via the following links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNqc09qilfw "The Gulf Oil Refinery Branch Line”
deals with the practical and more technical aspects of the work.
https://youtu.be/zEPnBQQ5C64 "Gulf Oil Line Part 2 - Tales of the Past"
contains interviews with some of the people who worked on its construction and some of the less official goings-on.
Best wishes for 2022.
Richard
- - - - Just in case you missed our first mention of the video "Cowley Bridge Junction Railways Rivers and Floods". Here is the link once again DON'T MISS IT -a superb video.
We have now completed our video, “Cowley Bridge Junction: Rivers, Railways & Floods”. It is now on YouTube; the link is:
https://youtu.be/KIPyESW5S70
We hope you find it interesting and that you will be able to post the link on the Cornwall Railway Society website. I assume it will be relevant to the Society’s interests!
With best wishes for 2022,
Richard Watts & John Bolton.

30th December 2021

30/12/2021

Henry King
1835 - 1943
Michael L. Roach

As the result of his detailed studies of the life of this remarkably long lived man 'Henry King' Michael L. Roach brings you this remarkable record. Today is the 78th anniversary of Henry Kings passing.

Henry King was born on 10 November 1835 to Joseph King (1807-1870) and Hester/Esther King, nee Jones (1803-1854) in Bridgwater where his father was a shoemaker. Henry married Mary Ann Lester of Wells at Bridgwater in 1859 and they would have seven children together, but Mary died in 1894. Henry married again in 1898 to a lady who was some 20 years his junior. They had just one child together a boy born in 1900.
When Henry was 5 years old the Bristol & Exeter Railway opened the first stage of their main line from Bristol as far as Bridgwater to passengers on 14 June 1841, with the line being extended to Taunton on 1 July 1842. At the age of 23 Henry joined the railway as a carpenter and joiner perhaps after completing a 7-year apprenticeship; the date was 17 May 1859. This was an exciting time for the railways as two weeks earlier the first length of the Cornwall Railway had been opened between Plymouth and Truro and it was now possible to travel all the way from London to Penzance by train, but not by through train yet as the West Cornwall Truro to Penzance line was narrow-gauge and the rest of the route was broad-gauge. Just a couple of months later Henry married for the first time and set up home at North Street, Bridgwater. As a carpenter and joiner Henry would have travelled out from his base to various stations in the Taunton District and measured up for replacement doors, windows, staircases, fascias etc; come back to his carpenters shop and make the items which would have been dispatched in a goods wagon from a siding close to the carpenters shop. Later he would travel out with his carpenters bag by passenger train to the station where he would fit the items he had made in the workshop.
The Bristol and Exeter was one of the four “Associated Companies.” The others were the Great Western Railway, the South Devon Railway and the Cornwall Railway. Together the four railways ensured that a seamless service was offered to passengers from London to Penzance via Bristol. The arrangement came to an end when the Great Western finally took over the other three railways on 1 July 1889. On that date Henry would have become a Great Western worker employed as a carpenter in the Signal and Telegraph Department. With the Bristol and Exeter he might have done some new work, but the Great Western did most of its new work at the Reading Signal Works so Henry would have been doing more of fitting items received from Reading from 1889 but there was still room to show initiative. Henry was credited with designing a locking mechanism for level crossing gates.
The GWR mostly built their own signal boxes with spells of building all-timber boxes which were aesthetically pleasing to the eye. They would have arrived from Reading as a kit of parts to be put together on site. The Bristol & Exeter mostly used contractors to build their boxes but did build some boxes themselves like the one at Williton, on the Minehead Branch, completed in 1875. There are still a few boxes in Britain built before 1875 but Williton is one of only two operational boxes that were built to signal broad-gauge trains; the other one is the box at Par in Cornwall. Henry King would have been 40 years old in November 1875 and I wonder if he helped to build Williton signal box.

Williton in B.R. days. September 1970 Copyright Mike Roach

Williton Signalbox 9th May 2007 Copyright Chris Osment

Williton signalbox. The track diagram before the up line loop was extended. 11th June 2014 Copyright Chris Osment..

Major engineering works - lenthening to loop at Williton to increase the effective length of the up platform which had been shortened in BR Days. 26th January 2016 Copyright Rob Lindley Note - Chris Osment also advises that the facing point on the down main by the signalbox has been replaced by plain track.

In his private life Henry was a Member of The Salvation Army, a Sunday school teacher, a gardener and refrained from alcohol and cigarettes. Sometime before 1881 Henry moved from Bridgwater to Taunton where he resided at 15 Whitehall TA1 1PG which is a small terraced house which previously looked out on a retaining wall supporting Taunton's GWR engine shed. The wall now supports an elevated road. Henry lived at Whitehall for the rest of his life, which was more than 60 years, and retired from the GWR in 1907 at the age of 72 years. The GWR Magazine sent someone to interview Henry King at the end of 1941 when he was 106 years old. The magazine reported that he was the oldest-living ex-employee of the GWR and believed to be one of the oldest men in the country; he was being looked after by his unmarried daughter Miss Alice King who herself was 74 years old. Of his eight children three had worked for the GWR; one a retired signalman at Exeter; one a signal lineman at Shrewsbury; and one a footplate-man at Taunton. Henry lived for a further two years after giving that interview finally passing away on 30 December 1943 at the grand old age of 108 years.
The GWR Magazine reported his passing with the following obituary notice;
“Mr HENRY KING, on 30 December 1943, at the great age of 108 years. Born on November 10, 1835, it is believed that Mr. King was the second oldest man in the country. When one considers that Queen Victoria ascended to the Throne when he was a small boy, one can gain a true picture of the great span of Mr. King's life. In fact he was only a few weeks younger than the Great Western Railway, which was “born” on August 31, 1835. Mr. King entered the Company's service on May 17, 1859, and retired to old age 36 years ago – on December 28, 1907, to be exact. By trade he was a carpenter, and during his half century of railway service was employed at Taunton, in the Signal and Telegraph Department. Mr. King celebrated his 108th birthday barely three months ago, receiving congratulations from the King and Queen. He has been a life-long non-smoker and total abstainer, and leaves 80 descendants.”
MLR/ 5 August 2021

With a very sincere thank you to Mike Roach for allowing us to use the results of his extensive research. Also many thanks to Chris Osment and Robert Lindley for the use of their photographs.

Rewe
Paul Barlow

What a lovely shot as 45132 works the 10.54 Paignton to Leeds 1E37 seen here passing Rewe. 28th November 1981, Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul.

Exminster
Ron Kosys

47488 seen near Exminster on the 2nd February 1991 02.05.with the 1S15 the 12.12 Penzance -Glasgow. One member of the cattle herd pauses to watch the working Copyright Ron Kosys.

Many thanks to you Ron.

29th December 2021

29/12/2021

Thanks to all
Ken Mumford

Good morning to the Cornwall Railway Society,
I'm sure that I'm not the only one who appreciates the Boxing Day photos taken by intrepide photographers.
Through the CRS website may I put in writing the appreciation of many like-minded railway enthusiasts - thank you.
Joyeux Noël,
Ken Mumford

Thanks from Roger and KJ too.

Repeat picture + Wecome comments
Claverton
Ron Kosys

47543 seen at Claverton in the delightful Avon Valley.. Copyright Ron Kosys

Rons picture published just two days ago brought forth some welcome comment - firstly from Guy Vincent and also from Neil Phillips with an eagle eye.

Re Ron K's photo of 47543 passing Claverton in the Avon valley on Wed 11th May 1988. This working was in fact 1V70 1410 Portsmouth Harbour-Cardiff Central, due at Bath Spa around 1625. The photo was taken just a few days before the route was taken over by new class 155 'Sprinter' units with limited success. On the same day 155314 and 155327 had worked the 2V56 0550 PMH-CDF and 1O36 1010 Cardiff-Portsmouth, from Monday 18th April this being the first diagrammed 'Sprinter' turn. Formerly a class 33 stronghold, at the start of 1988 a couple of diagrams on this route went over to class 47 power with the 1007 Bristol TM - Portsmouth Hbr and 1410 return being one such turn.

Regards, Guy Vincent

I have seen this morning’s colourful entries but it was Ron Kosys’ photo of 47543 passing Claverton in May 1988 which really caught my eye – a five-coach train with three brake vehicles is a rare thing! If I had been the guard I’d have chosen the InterCity-labelled Mark 2 BFK in the middle.....

Best regards, and all the best for 2022 – let’s see how it goes.....
Neil Phillips

Many thanks Guy and Neil - all the best to you both.

All Quiet on the western front at
Long Rock
Mark Lynam

I have attached some photos of the trains at Longrock depot on Boxing day in the sunshine.
Thanks, Mark Lynam

150239 150238 150216 Longrock TMD (1) 26th December 2021. Copyright Mark Lynam

800304 802101 802022 802021 Longrock TMD (3) 26th December 2021. Copyright Mark Lynam.

800304 802101 802022 802021 Longrock TMD 26th December 2021. Copyright Mark Lynam.

Many thanks Mark - a very pleasant afternoon for a stroll.

Cullompton
Paul Barlow

45077 on an un identified special passes the derelict Cullompton station. This area is now occupied by Cullompton motorway se 7th April 1980. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul - Cullompton station closed 5th October 1964.

Flood Relief Scheme (1)
Cowley Bridge
Richard Watts

Dear Keith,

We have now completed our video, “Cowley Bridge Junction: Rivers, Railways & Floods”. It is now on YouTube; the link is:
https://youtu.be/KIPyESW5S70
We hope you find it interesting and that you will be able to post the link on the Cornwall Railway Society website. I assume it will be relevant to the Society’s interests!

With best wishes for 2022,

Richard Watts & John Bolton.

This is an extremely high quality video - well worth watching and is highly recommended. Everything is explained in great detail with pictures of Richard himself and various other significant contractors at various points in the worksite. Superb quality of the railway and motive power.

Flood Relief Scheme (2)
Hele Bridge
David Ward

Hello Keith

Very interesting.
Network Rail has submitted a planning application to combat flooding of the railway at Hele, eight miles northeast of Exeter.
The application has been submitted to Mid Devon District Council, and if approved, a £7.2m scheme will replace two road bridges and re-profile the floodplain, which will reduce the frequency and duration of flooding and help prevent a vital link to the South West being cut off. The proposals are part of a wider package of work to reduce flooding on the Great Western main line through Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall.
If planning consent is granted, work is due to start on-site in the spring/summer of 2022. The present bridge over the River Culm in Station Road, Hele will be replaced with a viaduct, increasing the flow of water through the structure. A new access bridge to Devon Valley Mill will also be built, subject to agreement with the mill owners.
While the new bridges are being built, Station Road will need to be closed for approximately eight months, with a diversion via Bradninch towards Cullompton and along the B3181.
Network Rail is working with the local bus company to ensure a suitable service is maintained. Access will be provided through the worksite for pedestrians and cyclists to enable them to continue using the level crossing.
The proposals do not involve any work to the railway itself, and train services will not be affected.
“As well as providing more reliable services for passengers and freight as we recover from the pandemic, the scheme will improve Station Road for users and generally cut the frequency and duration of flooding for businesses close to the level crossing in Hele.
“We have been engaging with the community to evaluate options and to review our flood modelling and we would like to thank them for their invaluable input. We are committed to getting this scheme right.
“We appreciate that if the work goes ahead, it will cause disruption for the people of Hele and Bradninch and we’ll do all we can to keep this to a minimum.”
Anyone who wishes to view or comment on the application should do so by visiting the planning section of Mid Devon District Council’s website at http://middevon.gov.uk.
More information on the proposals is available at http://networkrail.co.uk/hele
Very interesting.
David Ward.

It was purely by chance that notice was received by us of two Flood Relief Schemes - one completed and one proposed on the same day.

Many thanks to David Ward who also writes-
I am back at Hospital on Friday for a Biopsy as the previous procedure was not conclusive. A very quiet Christmas for the first time in many years, no children here or to visit. The weather has been miserable, cold, wet, damp, grey.
May I take this opportunity to Wish You and Everybody Best Wishes Many thanks and bst of luck - from us all.and For A More Hopeful New Year.
David.

Many thanks David and the best of luck.

28th December 2021

28/12/2021

From the man on the spot. more on the Christmas Engineering workings.
Castle Cary and Lipson Jct.
Driver Alan Peters

Two remarkable and superb pictures from driver and Poet Laureate Alan Peters

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The Colas class 70 left Westbury for Hemerdon with time to spare
In hopes that it would make there.
When 70815 came to a stand at Castle Cary with such a clatter,
I stopped at the station to see what was the matter.......

At 10 minutes past midnight 70815 came to a stand at Castle Cary with 6C23 Westbury to Hemerdon with a compressor fault, which resulted in me returning to Westbury to collect 66849 to rescue myself as it was Christmas Day!

Driver Alan Peters and poet.

A crystal clear and brilliantly lit picture of the failed 70 815 at Castle Cary. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

Re the picture below :- Double headed ballast train at Lispon Junction, Colas Rail 66849 and failed 70815 working 6C23 on site discharging side tipper wagons in the early hours of Boxing Day, the class 66 ran round the train at St Budeaux returning to Westbury in Top and Tail formation.

Driver Alan Peters

Lipson Junction. 66849 and 70 815. 25th December 2021 Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Many many thanks indeed Alan from us all for your on the spot pictures.

Cowley Bridge
Paul Barlow

50037 on test 45024 0815 Plymouth to Leeds 1E30 just north of Cowley Bridge This train was used by Laira as a test fo 2nd April 1980. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks indeed Paul

Cockwood
Ron Kosys

47558 seen at Cockwood on the 5th August 1989 with the 1C91 the 14.06 Penzance to Bristol . Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Ron for your efforts and recorded details of long long ago.

27th December 2021

27/12/2021

Christmas Feast of
ENGINEERING TRAINS

Harford Bridge & Ivybridge
Clive Smith

There has been a major track renewal taking place between Tavistock Junction and Lipson in Plymouth over Christmas involving nine engineers' trains with 66006/074/093/712/725/849 and 70801/803/815 which came down late Christmas Eve and were scheduled to go back up at half hourly intervals from Hemerdon between 08.30 and 11.00 and then 13.00 to 14.00. A usual with these trains they can often run hours early or late. However the morning returns ran pretty much to schedule. South Devon started the day covered in mist which wasn't good but at least it wasn't pouring down like on Christmas Day. A little brightness came through mid morning so I went out to photo two of them. Just as well as the 13.00 left 105 minutes early at 11.15, the 13.30 left at 16.01 and the 14.00 left at 14.28.

Regards, Clive Smith

(1) Red DB Schenker liveried 66074 passes Harford Bridge west of Ivybridge station with the 6W02 10.30 Hemerdon - Westbury infrastructure train .26th December 2021. Copyright Clive Smith.

(2) Colas 708Colas 70803 passes Langham Levels west of Ivybridge station with the 6C20 11.00 Hemerdon - Westbury infrastructure train. 26th December 2021. Copyright Clive Smith.

Many Thanks Clive.

Boxing Day
Exeter St David's
David Tozer

Gents,

A little late. I managed a quick visit to St David's on Boxing Day. Unfortunately the head on shot was not really possible due to the sun. However the going away shot was better. I only had enough time to photograph 66006 and 66712.

66712 at Exeter St David's Station. Copyright David Tozer

66712 Pulling away from Exeter St David's Station. Copyright David Tozer

66006 Passing the former goods shed at Exeter St David;s. Copyright David Tozer

Many Thanks David

Cowley Bridge
Keith Turley

Hi Keith and Roger.
Two images from Cowley Bridge Junc. on a dull misty boxing day.
No.one.
DBC class 66/0 No.66006 is working the 6W03 08:30 Hemerdon to Westbury Down TC.
No. two.
GBRF class 66/7 No.66712 'Peterborough power signalbox' working the 6G70 09:00
Hemerdon to Westbury Down TC.
Both trains taking empty ballast wagons back to Westbury.

Regards Keith Turley.

66006 at Cowley Bidge working the 6W03 the 08.30 Hemerdon - Westbuy. 26th December 2021. Copyright Keith Turley

66712 at Cowley Bridge working the 6G70 09.00 Hemerdon to Westbury. 26th December 2021. Copyright Keith Turley

Many thanks Keith

Somerset
Andrew Triggs

Hi Keith/Roger
Popped out with the camera while up in Somerset to capture the Westbury Down T.C bound Engineering trains, although a generally dull day, the variety of liveries available certainly made it a worthwhile trip. All the very Best to all CRS Members for 2022
All the Best
Andrew Triggs

1. DBC 66006 at Silk Mill Bridge, Taunton, working 6W03 08.30 Hemerdon-Westbury Down T.C running 8 early at 11.06 26th December 2021 Copyright Andrew Triggs

2. GBRf 66712 at Norton Fitzwarren, working 6G70 09.00 Hemerdon-Westbury Down T.C running 21 early at 11.24 26th December 2021 Copyright Andrew Triggs

3. DBC 66074 nearing Whiteball Tunnel at Eastbrook bridge with 6W02 10.30 Hemerdon-Westbury Down T.C running 5 late at 13.06 26th December 2021. Copyright Andrew Triggs

4. Colas 70803 passing Eastbrook bridge, nearing Whiteball Tunnel working 6C21 11.00 Hemerdon-Westbury Down T.C running 7 late at 13.38. 26th December 2021. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

Many thanks Andrew.

==============================================

Exeter
Paul Barlow

33002 leads 46040 on the 10.35 Leeds to Paignton 1V86. The Peak was a complete failure and had to be dragged to the shed by 33002. 2nd April 1980. Copyright Paul Barlow

The picture below should have been shown together with yesterdays view above as they both feature the same disgraced Peak.

46040 is dragged off the 1035 Leeds to Paignton by 33002 before being placed in the shed.

Many thanks to you Paul for both of these shots.

The Avon Valley
Claverton
Ron Kosys

On a bit of a dull morning 47543 samples the delights of the Avon valley at Claverton. It's the 11th May 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys.

Many thanks Ron to this shot at a lovely location. The village of Claverton is about 300 yards east at this point, across the Avon. Bathampton Junction is about one and half miles ahead, then it's a further two miles to Bath. The loco will change ends at Bristol for the onward journey to Cardiff.

26th December 2021 Boxing Day

26/12/2021

Christmas Eve at
Westbury
Driver Alan Peters

Unlike most of us Alan had to work over Christmas - we hope you regard it as a happy one Alan.

The last train to Portsmouth on Christmas Eve waiting to leave Westbury with 166 215 working 1F91 Bristol Temple Meads to Portsmouth, the Cardiff to Bristol portion being cancelled due to lack of train crew.
Alan Peters

Westbury . The last Train to Portsmouth Xmas Eve 24th December 2021 Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Colas Rail 70815 seen on the Holding Sidings at Westbury prior to working 6C23 to Lipson for the Christmas possession at Plymouth, note the new sidings to the left.
Driver Alan Peters

Westbury 70815 in the holding sidings. 24th December 2021. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

Many thanks Alan for your pictures taken while most of us were looking forward to the break.

Long Rock Shed Boxing Day 1975
Roger Winnen

751226a TheCoal Stage at Long Rock Depot on Boxing Day 26th December 1975. Demolition of this structure began in April 1976 together with the engine sheds. Copyright Roger Winnen

751226d Penzance coal stage on 26th December 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen

751226f A row of 4 Class 50s plus a Class 47 at Long Rock on 26th December 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen

47553 Mount Pleasant Road Bevois
Ron Kosys

47553 approaches the level crossing at Mount Pleasant Road Bevois on the 9th September 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys

Many thanks Ron.

Exeter
Paul Barlow

33002 leads 46040 on the 10.35 Leeds to Paignton 1V86. The Peak was a complete failure and had to be dragged to the shed by 33002. 2nd April 1980. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks to you Paul.

A Hymeck on the
Newham branch
Neil Phillips

I saw Simon Howard’s comment regarding the possible trial of a Hymek on the Newham branch. Both of us are relying on ageing memories now, especially when events weren’t written into our notebooks, but some things do stick....
I saw the same Brush Type 4 and Hymek combination, both in green livery with full yellow ends as Simon says, running light engine across Truro’s viaducts, but in the opposite direction, presumably after their tasks had been completed - however the date was late May 1971. From mid-April until the end of May Class 47s D1929, D1596 (following display at the St Blazey Open Day 1st May 1971) and D1917 performed fortnightly stints shunting PW wagons around Truro Yard during the early stages of the track alterations (Roger Geach surmises the reason these were used in preference to the local hydraulics was the fitting of slow-speed control). It was on an unrecorded date during D1917’s two weeks at Truro that it turned up with Hymek D7014 in tow (which by coincidence had itself been a display loco at the previous year’s St Blazey Open Day). My assumption has always been that the Hymek had been supplied for clearance testing the new track layout – whether it went to Falmouth and/or Newham is open to debate, Falmouth is possible, Newham unlikely since the Truro remodelling was known to include closure of the branch within a few months – but who knows, maybe it did just to ‘tick all the boxes’ while it was in the area (there is a signalman’s claim that a Hymek was trialled on china clay branches around that time too.....) In the event the ‘new’ Truro yard was only ever to see one known Hymek visit – D7011 arrived overnight 11th August 1973 to drop off milk empties and immediately returned light engine.

Did a Class 25 ever reach Newham? It was D5179’s turn to clearance-test Truro yard in late August 1971 (wish I’d noted the date) and D7676 turned up on 21st October, but the branch was just 17 days from official closure by then.......

Best regards,
Neil Phillips

Many thanks Neil - the discussions continue - what memories you have thanks to you both.

25th December 2021 Christmas Day

24/12/2021

Merry Christmas CRS! 2021.. A lovely snow scene as Class 50 sisters 50 024 and 50 025 later named Vanguard and Invincible keep each other company. Copyright Trevor Tremethick.

This photograph arrived late on Christmas Eve - Trevor writes - It has been a difficult day today, having lost a good friend to cancer this morning. I hope, nevertheless, that all in the Society will have a good Christmas and a Happy (and Safe) New Year. Very Best Wishes, Trevor T.
Very sorry to hear your sad news. Many thanks for your best wishes.

Cornwall Resignalling
Chris Bellett

There has been a considerable change from previously published plans in that the new signalling is only going to control the Liskeard (exclusive) to Truro (inclusive) area. The only boxes scheduled to close are Lostwithiel, Par and Truro and the area will be controlled from a new VDU workstation in the existing Exeter Panel Box. The remaining mechanical boxes (Liskeard, St.Blazey, Goonbarrow Junction, Roskear Junction, St.Erth and Penzance) are likely to stay in place for a considerable number of years yet.

The strange one is retaining Liskeard as it will fringe to Plymouth Panel Box in the East (as today) and to the new Exeter Workstation in the West, and thus be a true island of mechanical signalling surrounded by colourlight signalling. We will also gain two new mechanical fixed distant signals at St.Blazey. Lostwithiel level crossing will be controlled from Exeter and will be supervised by CCTV and Truro level crossing will also be supervised from Exeter but using Obstacle Detection to prove the crossing is clear (it essentially operating as an automatic level crossing but with full barriers).

There will be some minor track alterations at Truro with a new facing crossover east of the station (between the two viaducts) replacing the existing trailing crossover, and apart from a new bit of reversible signalling on the Down Goods Loop at Lostwithiel, only a few other small linespeed improvements at Par.

The new signalling is scheduled to be commissioned in November 2023, so now is the time to get those cameras out.

Have a good xmas and new year break, from us all on the other side of the border.

Ake care,
Chris Bellett
Retired S&T Engineer
CRS Member

Many thanks to you Chris for this detailed analysis of the latest plan. One wonders how the rather cumbersome arrangement at Combe Junction on the Looe branch will fare?

Bristol T. M.
Brian Pibworth

An extremely interesting view which was taken on the 9th September 2019 as LNER/BR A4 4-6-2 No 60009 "Union of South Africa" waits for the incoming Severn Beach unit to clear the eastbound lines at Bristol Temple Meads Station.. 60009 "Union of South Africa" had completed its 1919 "Torbay Express" season the previous day. We were reminded of the final scene in "The Titfield Thunderbolt". Copyright Brian Pibworth.

The guard checks his ticket machine as 65 128 waits at platform 1 to form the 11.12 to Severn Beach at Bristol Temple Meads. It;s the 9th September 2019. Copyright Brian Pibworth

Many thanks indeed Brian for your superb pictures. You were there at exactly the right time.

The Western on the
Newham Branch

Newham branch 1 D1054 Western Governer March 1970 Thought to have been taken by Mike Parsonage - supplied by Andrew Vines.

Newham branch 2 D1054 Western Governor leaves the Newham branch at Penwithers Junction - March 1970. This photograph thought to have been taken by Mike Parsonage.

The above pictures which are from the excellent publication 'Diesel Hydraulics - A colour retrospective' by Andrew Vines have raised a lot of interest and comment.

Dear Larry,
Roger Winnen who is co-editor on the website sent me your most interesting e-mail - it will be added along with a picture or two of class 63's on the branch which we already have to the website in due course.
To have your personal experiences adds a lot of value to what we have already got.
I wonder if you can answer a query I have - well, I am sure you can.
A class 63 with around 21 coal trucks was quite a long train. What happened when it got up to the junction. From 'scant knowledge' I would have thought that a run round would have been difficult - was there enough track available for the loco and train to draw clear of the branch so that the branch point could be set to normal and for the to loco couple up at the 'tunnel end' to draw the train back to Truro?
I did wonder that if once clear of the branch there was an arrangement whereby under the control of the guard in the brake van which would then have been leading for the train to be propelled back to Truro yard.
What a pity the direct route from Truro to Newham was never laid - it would have been easy then!!!!
As I say, your information is most interesting - any more which come to your mind wold be much appreciated. (Were there any incidents or accidents you know of on the line).
I guess that the wagons for the gas works were shunted at Newham before being taken up to the works and then propelled in there??
Thank you very much indeed for your time and trouble.
Keith Jenkin.

==============================================

More on the Western on the branch by Larry Ray
Larry Ray was a witness to the event writes.
In regards to a western class on the Newham branch my father was a signal man at Penwithers junction and I spent a lot of my school holidays with Dad at the box (no health and safety in the 60s) and would ride home in the guards van to Calenick level crossing this was always a class 63 with around 21 coal trucks and maybe 4 or 5 Fife’s banana vans on closure of the gas works at Newham only the banana vans and a 08 shutter ran on the branch until closure other than when the new sewerage pipeline and pumping station was constructed at Calenick the pipe line ran from Threemilestone to Newham the section from calenick ran beside the railway line to Newham. The first delivery of 2ft round pipes where delivered by road but all were damaged in transit , so the second delivery was by rail. This is as far as I am aware the only time a class 52 was ever run on the branch.
l lived in sight and sound around line from 1965 up to closure
Thanks for your great website Larry Ray

==============================================

A class 22 on the Newham branch with what appears to be a sizable train. This smashing picture was taken by the late Sid Sponheimer.

==============================================

Simon Howard writes on the 15th December 2021
Seeing the pictures of D1054 apparently on a clearance test, prompted a thought.

I’m dredging my memory here, but I believe that before it was decided that Class 25s would replace Class 22s, there was a thought that a ‘rump’ of well-maintained Hymeks would be retained to take up the NBL Type 2 work West of Bristol. Apparently a Hymek and Brush Type 4 were dispatched for clearance tests - and these would have been at about the same time of the Western working down the Newham branch in March 1970.

I certainly remember seeing a pairing of a Class 47 and a Class 35 working light over the viaducts heading into Truro. Both locos were green with full yellow ends. It was said at the time that they had worked to Newham and Falmouth.

Is this just a rant from an old man’s unstable memory, or is it true?? Perhaps Neil Phillips would know better??

Thanks for the memory Simon.

==============================================

Neil Phillips writes on the 16th December 2021.
Dear Roger and Keith,

I was pleased to see Andrew Vines’ photos of D1054 Western Governor on the Newham branch available to all on the CRS website (Andrew shared these with me a while back but I was sworn to secrecy pending release of his splendid new book!) The other Type 4 Newham visitors Andrew refers to were Warship D814 Dragon and D1052 Western Viceroy, although this was hearsay at the time and no confirmation has ever been forthcoming. However I did once see Class 08 D4009 crossing Arch Hill Bridge over the A390 so Truro Yard’s pilot loco occasionally escaped down the branch.
D1054 sported maroon livery with full yellow ends from 10th March 1970 to 9th December 1970, just 9 months and as such was the shortest-lived Western in this livery. Its still clean condition and state of the trees in the Penwithers Junction view suggest a date in late March 1970. The photographer did well to make it to his vantage point there in time to capture ‘The Guv’nor’ coming off the branch. I well remember sitting on a grassy mound here myself to watch the trains go by on 1st September 1972 and discovering the hard way that I’d perched on a nest of red ants (ouch!)
Running across the scene from left of the locomotive are the earthworks which would appear to suggest a direct link from Highertown Tunnel onto the Newham branch avoiding the reversal, however I cannot discover when this construction occurred and to the best of my knowledge no rails were ever laid on it.
(As an aside there are similarly abandoned earthworks nearby, about two miles along the A390 road towards Falmouth, just below Kea County Primary School (as it was called when I attended 1958-64), where a short embankment was built to ‘straighten’ a sharp bend following a fatal accident there in the 1960s – after infilling and landscaping it was left to ‘settle’........and no further work was ever done. Trees grew on it and I’m sure it still lurks under the vegetation!)

Best regards,
Neil Phillips

==============================================

John Roberts an engineer with vast technical knowledge writes his viewpoint.
Keith, I was intrigued by Andrew Vine’s and Neil Phillips’ news reports on 15th and 16th December 2021 of a Western reaching Newham in March 1970, as it poses more questions than it answers.
There are three principal compatibility tests necessary before a vehicle can run on a piece of track: Route Availability, Minimum Curve and Load & Structure Gauge, and Westerns fail at least one of these tests.
1. Route Availability (RA) reflects the weight of vehicles spread over the number of axles versus the strength of the track and structures. The GWR divided its RA classes into Uncoloured (the lightest), Yellow, Blue and Red (initially the heaviest - Note 1). A Red Route could accommodate a 20T axle and a Western had a maximum axle of 18T. So far so good. However, the Working Timetable says that the Newham Branch could accept a maximum axle of 16T12CWT, ie a Yellow Route, which is why it was restricted to pannier tanks and small prairies, and later Baby Warships (Note 2). Unfortunately diesel shunters were just over the Yellow limit so were classed as Blue.
2. Minimum Curve is the sharpest curve a vehicle can negotiate and depends on the fixed wheelbase of the vehicle and hence the reason why bogies are fitted. Westerns have a long wheelbase and therefore a minimum curve of 4.5 Chains. I don't have the relevant curve diagrams, and the photo of a Western on the branch curve appears to be acceptable, although we don't know what condition the track was in after it had passed;
3. Load Gauge is the maximum width and height of a vehicle, while Structure Gauge is the minimum width and height of a structure, and clearly the largest vehicle must fit through the smallest bridge. Westerns were designed to fit the BR load gauge, and there were no overbridges on the branch, so this probably wasn't an constraint.
Life now gets more complicated as these interfaces can be mitigated by speed restriction. You have probably heard the term metal fatigue. If you warm a spoon you can bend it gently, but if you work it back and forth quickly it will break. If a bridge is designed for a Yellow loco, it might take a Red loco at a lower speed, and it might fail after a few passes or after many passes. It depends on the reserve strength which can be determined only by detailed analysis by the Chief Engineer at Paddington. Therefore there seem to be three scenarios:
1. The Chief Engineer did a proper analysis and gave formal permission for Red locos to trial Newham, probably with a severe speed restriction of 5mph, although the branch speed was already low at 15mph. The staff in the Newham photo appear to be checking clearances in one of the sidings;
2. A District Officer issued a Local Instruction, probably on a Stencil, a flimsy carbon paper long since lost. However, as the photos appear to show a formal test this is unlikely.
3. Someone at ground level took the risk. However, given the dire warnings in the Operating Publications which would be drummed into staff this is also unlikely, especially as you list other possible sightings which must have come to the attention of the District Officers.
In summary, Route Availability is a complex topic and this has been a bit of a ramble through some possible issues. On balance, it seems likely that clearance tests were conducted but not adopted.
There is an interesting fit with Neil’s aside. The A39 was widened in the mid-60s and I recall the corner at Kea Turn being filled, but 60 years later the road has never been realigned at this point. However, Arch Hill underbridge was renewed with a much longer span and would have formed the main constraint, so it would be useful to know for which locos it was designed.
But the big question is why did they consider running large locos to Newham in 1970? It must have been known at the time that Newham was to close soon. However, the NBL Type 2s were on their way out and maybe they were short of locos. There was also a cost-cutting exercise to eliminate shunting locos and let freight train locos do their own shunting. And having run the tests, why were they not used? Maybe more Type 2s became available until the branch closed.
Footnote 1: In the 1920s, Castles were the heaviest Red locos with a maximum axle of 19.5T. HQ was worried by the Lord Nelsons claiming to be the most powerful locos in Britain so demanded a yet more powerful loco to trump them. The GWR didn't like trailing pony trucks (why?) so the resulting design (which became the King) had an axle load of 22T. Clearly HQ thought that the cost of upgrading the infrastructure for the extra weight was cost effective, so the highest RA was born, called Double Red, with a permissible axle load of 22.5T. Maps of the time show the Double Red ending at Keyham Junction, so the limiting bridge may have been Weston Mill or the Royal Albert. However, in the mid-70s the china clay industry asked to use 25T axle wagons and the RAB was upgraded.
Footnote 2: D6306-6357 were classed as Yellow so could run over Yellow Routes at their maximum speed of 75mph where permitted. D6300-6305 were slightly heavier so classed as Blue, but could run over Yellow Routes at a maximum speed of 40mph.

Many thanks indeed John for your detailed letter - it seems that it shouldn't have happened but did and also according to Larry class 08's were used on the line.

Maurice Dart
Christmas Card

Maurice now a very senior citizen has for years distributed photographs with his Christmas cards - very kind of him. ours, this year he included. One o Looe and two of the Hendra Incline - the eastern most end of Treffrys Newquay railway.

A charming picture of Looe station said to be in 1941. Copyright the Maurice Dart Collection.

Horse on the Hendra Incline 29th May 1989. Copyright Maurice Dart

S t Dennis bridge under Hendra Incline 29th May 1989. Copyright Maurice Dart

If anybody sees Maurice please tell him that you've seen these pictures and thank him for his best wishes.

24th December 2021

24/12/2021

Roger Winnen

And the team send greetings to all readers and contributors to the 'Cornwall Railway Society' website. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2022

The Bodmin Winter Steam Up 2nd January 2010

100102b 5552 at Bodmin Parkway during the Winter Steam Up on 2nd January 2010. Copyright Roger Winnen

100102k Departure to Boscarne Junction with 30587 and 6435 on 2nd January 2010

100102m Locos at Bodmin General 30587 5552 together with an 08. on 2nd January 2010. Copyright Roger Winnen

100102p 5552 at Boscarne Junction. Copyright Roger Winnen

And a big thanks to you Roger for all your work - wishing you a healthy 2022.

A trip to the beach
Severn Beach
Brian Pibworth

Dear Keith,

Your piece on Clifton Tunnel reminded me of our recent caravan trip on the 9th October 2021 to Bath and an "Awayday" we took from Bath Spa to Severn Beach. We have done the trip several times and have to admit that Severn Beach is rapidly changing from "Southend-on-Severn" to a sought after Bristol commuter suburb . The only reservation we have is that you will need triple glazed windows or poor hearing, or both, as the noise of traffic crossing the "Prince of Wales" bridge is all-pervading. This not withstanding, the area is paradise for birders and in Winter, huge flocks of waders feed on the extensive low tide mudflats or roost in the salt marshes.

The GWR marketing dept have combined the name "Seven Beach Line" with a logo showing the Clifton Suspension Bridge. However, try as I might, I have been unable to see this from the passenger seats as encroaching foliage has narrowed the view. Perhaps a friendly driver could provide a shot for our records?

On our return we passed a red DB Class 66 waiting in Avonmouth Stn for a clear road into SUEZ "Power From Waste" plant and now that the line is to be upgraded to a half-hourly service, there may be opportunities for photography here.

Good wishes to all,
Regards, Brian

1) Busy morning at Severn Beach Station as arrivals on the 11.12 from Bristol Temple Meads read the information boards before setting out for a day's birding. 9th October 2021. Copyright Brian Pibworth

2) The magnificent second Severn Crossing .9th October 2021 Copyright Brian Pibworth

3) Our return service approaches Severn Beach with the power station providing a suitably industrial backdrop.. 9th October 2021. Copyright Brian Pibworth.

Many thanks Brian for your account of your visit to Severn Beach on the 9th October 2021.
We lived at Calne in Wiltshire from 1965 to 69. One of our quite frequent rail trips was from Chippenham to Severn Beach. To a Cornishman, with memories of local Porthtowan beach not knowing what to expect, our first trip was quite an experience. The journey through industrial Avonmouth to the run down fairground at Severn Beach was very different to what we expected. Severn Beach village lies behind a high sea wall with no sea view. As for the beach - no golden sand here just a muddy stretch swept by a vicious tide with one of the highest tidal ranges in the world.

The west cutting at
Polperro Tunnel
Mark D. Howells

Morning Keith,

My most recent trip to Cornwall included taking line blockages with our local drainage maintenance team of both the Up and Down main lines in the Polperro tunnel area including the tunnel itself on the 7th December 2021.

All pictures taken from either a position of safety or within planned line blockage with the appropriate signallers.

Two signallers in this instance, the Up line being controlled from Truro signal box with the Down line being controlled from Par signal box.

No train reporting details gathered, although the pictures are dated and time stamped – so I guess with some patience the trains could be identified or at least the service they were operating. I was more focussed on looking at drainage!

Definitely a difference perspective in these pictures.

Kind Regards,

Mark Dennis Howells BEng (Hons) MPWI MIAM
Senior Asset Engineer (Drainage & Lineside)

Many thanks Mark. We are greatly indebted to you for these 'inside the fence' pictures - we look forward to many more.

Pinhoe '92
Bill Elston

Another photo from Pinhoe, this time it’s 47801 on an Exeter to Waterloo working, about to dive under the M5 motorway,(close to where I lived) heading East. Date, 23 April 92.
The following month, it was renumbered back to 47551, as illustrated today by Ron Kosys’ photo at Oborne, dated 24 May 92, at that time allocated to the
West of England Line.
Hope this is of interest,
Best regards. Bill Elston.

Pinhoe 47801 passes on an Exeter Waterloo service. 23rd April 1992 Copyright Paul Barlow.

47551 passes Oborne One mile NW of Sherborne 1V08 0815 su Basingstoke-Exeter 24th May 1992. Copyright Ron Kosy

Many thanks to you Bill - all that extra information.

Lower Basildon
Ron Kosys

47543 at Lower Basildon 27th April 1990 with 1343 Bristol to Paddington vans. Copyright Ron Kosys.

Many thanks Ron.

Thunderer repaint job
Eastleigh
Tom Blanpain

50008 sat at Eastleigh Arlington sidings under the very place it received its new paint job. 2nd December 2021

50008 at Eastleigh 22nd December 2021. Copyright Tom Blanpain

Many thanks to Tom Blanpain who forwarded the images to Ken Mumford who in turn passed them on to us.

23rd December 2021

23/12/2021

Christmas wishes from
Middleway
Driver Alan Peters

A festive picture to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from Colas Rail Driver Alan Peters, a snowy scene not far from home, Middleway Crossing taken on 3rd February 2009 , and for me Christmas Day means Engineering work, this year at Lipson Junction!

Best wishes from Middleway. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

A superb 'Christmassey Scene' taken at Middleway Crossing on the Newquay branch. Many many thanks for this and all the other pictures you send in.

Near
Bodmin Road
Paul Barlow

A classic scene as 37181 approaches Bodmin Road complete with a short train of six hoods plus brakevan. 6th July 1985. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul for this an unrepeatable scene with, in the back ground a property currently for sale at M£3.25.

Pinhoe
Bill Elston

Hi Keith,
Nothing much to report on up here at the moment, except dull weather and dull train liveries (mostly)
Attached are a couple of views of Pinhoe when things were much brighter then, showing 47716 on what was probably the final loco-hauled Exeter to Waterloo working – ( I wonder who the photographer was !! - Answer below) The date, 10th July 1993.
All the best to you all, for Christmas and beyond

Stay safe, Bill Elston

47716, about to pass over the level Crossing. 10th July 1993. Copyright Bill Elston

N.B. Hi Keith,
Many thanks for your comments re-Pinhoe
.The 'phantom photographer' in the lower photograph is of course your friend and mine, David Tozer.
At that time I was still living in Pinhoe next to the railway line, not far from the station, enabling me to obtain many shots of 33s, 47s and 50s during the 1980s and 90s.
Best regards, Bill
Well done Bill and David - old friendships renewed.

Hi Bill hope you and Chris keep well too - many thanks for your support over the years.

Request for info on
Clifton Downs tunnel
Guy Vincent

Guy, a much respected historian and photographer provides the following valuable input.

Having read appeal for information on the waste water drainage system that is apparently now hidden below the trackbed inside Clifton Down Tunnel I was unable to find anything specifically relating to the tunnel drains but in the course of searching some other facts came to light.

The Bristol Rail Archive (bristol-rail.co.uk) website has a small number of photos of Clifton Down tunnel air ventilation shafts and one of each portal. The two round, castellated masonry air shafts are located 1) on the Downs close to Bristol Zoo (Upper Belgrave Road / Pembroke Road area as Keith mentioned and provided a photo of) and the second, much smaller one in Walcombe Slade. The Walcombe Slade shaft is topped by a round wire mesh 'cage' to prevent objects being dropped down into the tunnel.

Colin G Maggs's book 'Bristol Railway Panorama' published by Millstream Books in 1990 has information on the tunnel on page 99. Maximum depth below ground is quoted as 160 feet. According to Maggs ''To improve the ventilation provided by the two vertical shafts, in 1950 an old shaft leading out to the face of the gorge was reopened after having been blocked for many years. Originally it had been used as a stable for ponies employed in tunnel construction. A ganger's cabin was hewn out of the side of the tunnel on the Down side, approximately midway''.

According to the Regional Appendix to the Working Timetable dated October 1960 the tunnel is1738 yards long and

today contains just the former 'Down' running line of continuous welded rails on steel sleepers. Singling was carried out in October 1970. Milepost reference mileages are 4m07.5ch and 5m 05.5 ch and there is a falling gradient of 1 in 64 towards Sea Mills throughout. Line speed through the tunnel is 50 mph and in the 'Up' direction there is a distant signal (Y-G) at the Sea Mills end and a 3 aspect R-Y-G just inside the tunnel at the Clifton Down station end where a passing loop is located.

On emerging from the tunnel at the Sea Mills end directly to the left is the A4 Portway which runs adjacent to the river Avon as it winds down towards 'the horseshoe' bend and Avonmouth. On the opposite side of the river runs the Portbury / Portishead branch through Leigh Woods although this is very hard to spot.

Sadly it seems that Network Rail may only find their drainage system inside this tunnel by digging out the ballast formation and then probing around for any openings or voids that might exist. Clifton Down is a relatively 'dry' tunnel with little evidence of long-term water seepage, unlike Saltford Tunnel between Bath and Bristol which has a spring-like constant flush of water running out of the down-side wall midway through!

With regards

Guy Vincent.

Many thanks Guy, a valued and impressive answer as usual. All the very best for 2022.

More on
Clifton Down tunnel
Mark Howells

Mark Howells how is Senior Asset Engineer (Drainage & Lineside)
Western Route, Network Rail very kindly supplied the following additional pictures for our use.

Clifton Down tunnel Vent shaft 2 in Walcombe Slade. Copyright Mark D. Howells Senior Asset Engineer Drainage and Lineside. (2)

Re quote from the Guy Vincent report - in 1950 an old shaft leading out to the face of the gorge was reopened after having been blocked for many years. Originally it had been used as a stable for ponies employed in tunnel construction. A ganger's cabin was hewn out of the side of the tunnel on the Down side, approximately midway''.

Clifton Down tunnel Horizontal vent 1 Copyright Mark D. Howells Senior Asset Engineer Drainage and Lineside. (3) The horizontal vent.

Clifton Down tunnel Horizontal vent 2 Copyright Mark D. Howells Senior Asset Engineer Drainage and Lineside.

Oborne
Ron Kosys

47551 passes Oborne One mile NW of Sherborne 1V08 0815 su Basingstoke-Exeter 24th May 1992. Copyright Ron Kosys

Many Thanks Ron for your continued and much valued support. To you especially, good health for 2022.

22nd December 2021

22/12/2021

Greetings
Clive Smith

Wishing Keith, Valerie, Roger and all Cornwall Railway Society website readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Regards, Clive Smith

Artwork by Clive Smith Copywriter

On behalf of the team many many thanks Clive for your excellent artwork and best wishes. Also many many thanks for your continued support of our website - it only exists because of the support which you and other kind folk give it.

A Massive Milling Machine
At Truro
Roger Winnen

211222a A brand new Milling Machine at Truro Yard this morning mounted on 2 six wheel bogies per vehicle. Copyright Roger Winnen

The Milling Machine in Truro Yard. Copyright Roger Winnen

Ken at
Kemble

No water needed as this IET pauses at Kemble dominated by thel lsted water tower. 21st December 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

A very nicely posed shot as the ET stops at Kemble.. With a green light it will soon be on ts way towads the tunnel, Swindon and eventually Paddionton. 21st December 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford..

Another footbridge view of the same service- the the 13.46 for Paddington.. 21st December 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford..

The returning test train out in the country at Oaksey Road. 21st December 2021.

Many thanks to Ken for his observations at Kemble yesterday. It looks a pleasant spot for an our or two - but don't forget the inner man.

Test Train at
Swindon
Colin Pidgeon

Hi Ken.
The two power cars 43290 & 43299 looking rather shabby at the station.
Colin.

Test train at Swindon. the 1Q15 Derby RTC to Landore.21st December 2021. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.

Many thanks Colin - your message to Ken at 18.13 arrived in my in box at 02.32 - Ken working night shift!!

A request for information
Clifton Downs Tunnel
Mark Dennis Howells

Good Morning,

I have often looked at photographs on your excellent website when undertaking pre site visit reconnaissance in my role as a drainage engineer for Network Rail on the Western Route.

The photographs on your website are an excellent source to see what was at certain sites before the advent of continuously welded rail across the Western Route which required larger ballast shoulders that unfortunately often covered many drainage assets.

My role often takes me to Devon/Cornwall and I have the pleasure of covering the entire geography of the Western Route. I’m due down on the 4th/5th January to inspect the St. Dennis Branch and parts of the Newquay branch.

As part of my duties I have a large team of maintenance and renewal staff working on drainage assets including many sites in Devon & Cornwall. Photographs are taken frequently and almost always provide a different perspective than would be available to the public.

If it would be of interest, I have extensive records of mostly infrastructure related photographs dating back to 2009 when I joined Network Rail.

One of our upcoming jobs in February 2022, which is slightly off patch, is the refurbishment of the former 6ft drainage system through Clifton Down tunnel on the CNX in Bristol.

My team and I have walked the entire length of the tunnel and can only find a single drainage catchpit at the Clifton end of the tunnel, this has a 375mm internal diameter vitrified clay pipe which flows into the tunnel freely towards the Sea Mills end of the tunnel.

I have enquired with our records department who have unfortunately come back with only limited information.

I’ve got an active enquiry with the Great Western Society in Didcot via Richard Antliff on the same subject.

However, I’m hopeful that your membership might have some photographs or records of the tunnel or it’s drainage system.

Any help much appreciated.

Mark Dennis Howells BEng (Hons) MPWI MIAM
Senior Asset Engineer (Drainage & Lineside)
Western Route
Network Rail
Email: mark.howells@networkrail.co.uk

Many thanks Mark for your contact - herewith my reply - KJ

Dear Mark,
Many thanks for your most interesting enquiry - it's made me look a bit more into what I thought was just a long straight tunnel, however, digging a little 'deeper' I find that it had vent shafts both to the surface in Clifton Downs Park and outwards level towards the Avon Gorge. This information with the help of Wikipedia. I have further found, with the aid of Google Earth Street view what I must assume is the vent chimney located in Clfton Downs, about 45 yards north of the junction between Upper Belgrave Road and Pembroke Road - I have an image courtesy Google Earth of the vent/chimney which I attach.
The Cornwall Railway Society is a group of enthusiasts which has been in existance for over 40 years now - the website is really a 'Scrap Book' of varous pictures collected by members over the years. Obviously, as well behaved railway enthusiatswe do not encourage any pictures inside the fence - we are lucky in that we get various views taken by railwaymen who have ligitimate business to be on railway property. So if you would be wlling to let us have some interesting views not normally possible to the general publc we would be more than grateful.
As far as Clifton Downs tunnel is concerned we used to live at Calne and took many trips from Chippenham to sample to 'glories' of the Severn Beach line . Severn Beach I believe has gone considerably 'up market' nowadays . In my time 1965-69 it comprised of a run down fun fair and a few houses.
Our journey took us everytime through the tunnel - double track at the time, the Hallen Marsh to Filton line was freight only. The line to Pilning had unfortunately just closed. One advatage, a big advantage, at the time were the Heritage DMU's with their drop down windows and of course - if the driver was obliging and kept the curtains back views forward from the front seats.
I attach one of my views taken of the tunnel mouth from the station end which shows very clearly the straight bore. The other view is of what I believe to be vent chimney- it looks as if it once had a plaque on it - no doubt this was removed during the war years - parhaps the chimney has been 'capped' as it looks as if a tree is peering out of the top?
I do hope that you can obtain more information on the history of the tunnel, and even, fi you have the time show us pictures of the evidence of the vents - especially the horizontal one out through a cave.
Maybe your letter to us and its publication in our news will generate some interest and hopefully contacts. I hope that our readers will reply however limited their knowledge.
I hope you don't mind us publishing your letter;
With Kind Regards,
Keith Jenkin , Webmaster.

Clifton Downs tunnel 13th August 1967 Copyright Keith Jenkin. N.B. You can just make out the farr end of this almost mile long tunnel.

Clifton downs tunnel chimney - courtesy Google Earth Street view the chmney is 45 yards N of Jct of pper Belgrave Roadwith Pembroke Rd..

Any help would be appreciated.

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