Cornwall  Railway  Society
  • February 21 Home Page
  • INDOOR & OUTDOOR MEETINGS PROGRAMME
  • CORNWALL RAILWAY SOCIETY GENERAL INFORMATION CONTACTS & WEBMASTERS MEMBERSHIP FORM ETC.
  • LATEST INPUT , NEWS & OLD PICTURES ETC.
  • FEATURES, MAIN INDEX & OUTDOOR EVENTS REPORTS.
  • CORNWALL GALLERIES
  • DEVON GALLERIES
  • North & East of TAUNTON & HONITON
  • Military and Industrial Tramways & Light Railways
  • Pleasure Tramways & Light Railways
  • RAILTOURS, AERIAL VIEWS ,MISCELLANEOUS
  • CORNISH RAILWAYS WAR DIARY
  • LOCAL YOUTUBE
  • Historical Outdoor Events INDEX
  • ARCHITECTURE
  • INDEX TO ARTICLES WRITTEN BY COLIN BURGES
  • ARTICLES SECTION.
  • ENGINEERING PLANT DIARY
  • News reports Jan to Aug 2012
  • Links
  • MAPS, PHOTOS, AERIAL VIEWS
  • Official Documents available to the General Public
  • Public notices and posters collection
  • February 21 Home Page

Items added on 1st March 2017                                                                                         Those added most recently come first

1/3/2017

 
Western Tribute Railtour
​26th February 1977

This took place just over 40 long years ago.  We thought we might gather together any pictures you may have of this memorable event to share.
If you have any in addition to those already on the website and you'd like to share them then please send them in.

Par to Fowey
​Andrew Jones


​Dear Keith, I have attached a photograph, which compliments an earlier set of the Par to Fowey line, just before conversion to the haul road.
Much has changed in almost 50 years. The skyline once covered in the conical distinctive spoil hills, the construction of which involved a series of almost vertical tram lines, (some including the long removed Dorothy Pit, near the lost village of Karslake, had multiple tram lines operating 24 hours/day)  have now been almost entirely  landscaped and are unrecognizable.
ECLP, was a major employer at the time of this photograph (1969), the new haul road was seen as sensible use of a redundant railway line. Conversion was undertaken at considerable cost, at least the company had the foresight to retain the Lostwithiel to Fowey line, although these facilities are unfortunately, now, much under used, as are those, at  Fowey Harbour.
 
 The large drys at Par Docks had still to be topped by the four chimneys, which for decades after this shot, billowed white clouds of smoke across St Austell Bay and have only recently been removed once again.
 
From the age of 5, I was brought up in Whitemoor and attended the local school. I have fond memories of this rather harsh environment and it is very sad when looking back at just how much has been lost.
The China Clay industry was well developed by the 1960’s, served by an efficient rail system and port infrastructure. Sadly environmental issues added to cheaper imports from South America have diminished this industry to a fraction of its former self.
There were once plans to ship sand by rail to the South East for building projects, but all to no avail!
One lasting memory was standing on Bodmin Road station listening to the double headed class 37’s hauling the Silver Bullet, power through, absolutely unbelievable!
 
Best wishes Andrew                      Many thanks for the picture and article.
Picture
The Par to Fowey line in 1969 - shortly before it was lifted to convert to a haul road. Copyright Andrew Jones
For more pictures of this line click here
​

Frome Miscellany
Guy Vincent

   Sorting out some odd photos today I found one that was taken during a visit to the NRM, York, on 30th June 2002.  It shows the former Frome station up starting signal and Frome North distant, both of which were centre-pivoted due to poor sighting, being hidden beyond the platform awning.  You have a nice shot of the signal in it's original location so this should make for an interesting addition.  The signal was removed over the weekend of 26-27 October 1984 when control of the Frome area was transferred to Westbury PSB. The notice that was painted onto the bottom of the signal post read: 'This signal will become the property of BRB Museums'.  
Picture
Frome Station Signal at the National Railway Museum York on the 30th June 2002 Copyright Guy Vincent
Below a picture of 'Tornado' (working a return Exeter-London Victoria 'Devon Belle' charter) departing Frome and passing over Rodden Road bridge was taken by my daughter, Charlotte, on April 2nd 2016. She was a passenger in her partner's car and the loco appeared as they waited at the traffic lights!  Frome North signal box was located on the other side of the bridge. This was quickly dismantled and the top section was taken to Didcot Railway Centre where it can be found today as 'Frome Mineral Junction' in full working order.  The base of the 'box can still be seen from the road although it is now partially hidden by vegetation.  The lever frame was sold to the West Somerset Railway and subsequently installed in Crowcombe Heathfield Signal Box.
Picture
Tornado passes over Rodden Bridge, at Frome on the 2nd April 2016 Copyright Charlotte Vincent
Also attached are three further images of Frome station, two showing a return Weymouth-Bristol 'Seaside Express' with 34046 'Braunton' taking water on 10th August 2014, and one of the south end of the train shed following restoration in March 2014 with 150232 waiting time on a local service to Westbury.  One day I hope to make a through trip by train, Frome to Ashburton, changing only at Castle Cary and Totnes - barn to barn!  It's going to happen!

Guy V                                                      Many thanks Guy

PS Ron Kosys' photos of hydraulic action on the Kingswear branch have been very much enjoyed. Judging by the crowds waiting to join the Cardiff train at Churston I again wonder why on earth this line was allowed to close. ​​
Picture
Frome on the 10th August 2014 with 34046 on the Weymouth-Bristol Copyright Guy Vincent
Picture
Frome 10th August 2014 The return Weymouth-Bristol rather overlaps the platform. Copyright Guy Vincent
Picture
Frome station 'Barn. on the 22nd March 2014 as 150 232 waits. Copyright Guy Vincent
Picture
Ashburton station in June 1965. This is the 'Barn' to which Guy Vincent hopes to travel to from Frome 'Barn'. Copyright Mike Roach.
Dawlish Warren
John Cornelius

Picture
45139 hauls a sunstantial train past Dawlish Warren. This loco was withdrawn on the 27th April 1987 and scrapped at MC metals Glasgow in March 1994. Copyright John Cornelius

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011