Colin Burges takes a look Teignmouth Sea Wall and the proposed alignment.
The new tracks would emerge from Parsons tunnel and take new route seawards of the current alignment. 23rd March 2017 Copyright Colin Burges.
The Moorswater empties were running at reduced speed for some reason 23rd March Copyright Colin Burges
Tell-tale monitors linked to signalling give warning of the slightest movement of the cliff face; presumably the columns are wired 23rd March 2017 Copyright Colin Burges
The eastern portal of East Teignmouth Tunnel, which was opened out into cutting in 1882, was at the end of the parapet, where the masonry wall ends. 23rd March 2 Copyright Colin Burges
For many more pictures and text see the features section.
A Variety of photographs in West Cornwall
taken on Sunday 26th March, 2017
Roger Winnen
taken on Sunday 26th March, 2017
Roger Winnen
A visit to Hayle this morning was made in perfect weather conditions, not a cloud in the sky, but gale force easterly winds making it difficult to stand up at times.
The trees at the plantation bridge overlooking Hayle Viaduct have been cut down, this gives better photographic opportunities. After filming 5 trains I returned to Penzance where 153305 in White Livery arrived with the 12.15 from Exeter St David's
The trees at the plantation bridge overlooking Hayle Viaduct have been cut down, this gives better photographic opportunities. After filming 5 trains I returned to Penzance where 153305 in White Livery arrived with the 12.15 from Exeter St David's
170326a The 12.05 Penzance to Exeter formed of 2 150units separated by a 153unit crosses Hayle Viaduct. Notice the absence of trees in the foreground and the rebuilding of foundry buildings. Copyright Roger Winnen
170326b The 12.30 Penzance to Manchester is seen from Foundry Square, Hayle. Copyright Roger Winnen
170326c One of the Great Western Green Livery HSTs cross the viaduct on the 12.56 Penzance to Paddington. Copyright Roger Winnen
170326d 150127 on the 08.28 from Bristol Temple Meads, the 13.01 from Hayle crosses the viaduct on route to Penzance.. Copyright Roger Winnen
170326e 153305 in its White livery arrives at Penzance on the 12.15 from Exeter St David's. Copyright Roger Winnen
News
Derek Buttivant
Derek Buttivant
Many thanks to Derek for gathering together the following news.
GWR electrification project
The government's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have reviewed the GWR modernisation project and been quite outspoken in their comments.
Meg Hillier, chairwoman of PAC said “Mismanagement of the Great Western programme has hit taxpayers hard and left many people angry and frustrated. This is a stark example of how not to run a major project.”
Mark Carne, MD of Network Rail responded, “Network Rail and Department for Transport have learnt the lessons from the poor early planning of this project. Today we do not take forward major projects until they are properly scoped, properly planned and we have a robust estimate of what the cost will be.”
The ITV news web site has photos and information on this story at http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2017-03-03/appalling-sums-of-public-money-wasted-in-great-western-upgrade/
An item in Rail Technology Magazine says that modernisation work currently taking place on the Great Western route is to be overseen by a new supervisory board.
The board will have the managing directors of Network Rail Western Route, Heathrow Express and GWR as well as a representative from Transport Focus.
The move is part of a broader plan for Network Rail to devolve powers to local groups and empowering them to run their railway in the best interests of passengers. Details can be found at the magazine's web site:
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nr-confirms-route-devolution-and-new-western-supervisory-board
This matter arises because of heavy criticism of delays and changes to specification which have dogged the electrification and route modernisation programme and, finally, resulted in some key parts of the electrification being "deferred".
Advance notice.... The speaker at our April CRS meeting [note that this will be on Saturday, 1st April and not on the usual second Saturday of the month], Paul Stanford, will be giving us some detailed accounts of the route modernisation work that has taken place over the past year.
GWR electrification project
The government's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have reviewed the GWR modernisation project and been quite outspoken in their comments.
Meg Hillier, chairwoman of PAC said “Mismanagement of the Great Western programme has hit taxpayers hard and left many people angry and frustrated. This is a stark example of how not to run a major project.”
Mark Carne, MD of Network Rail responded, “Network Rail and Department for Transport have learnt the lessons from the poor early planning of this project. Today we do not take forward major projects until they are properly scoped, properly planned and we have a robust estimate of what the cost will be.”
The ITV news web site has photos and information on this story at http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2017-03-03/appalling-sums-of-public-money-wasted-in-great-western-upgrade/
An item in Rail Technology Magazine says that modernisation work currently taking place on the Great Western route is to be overseen by a new supervisory board.
The board will have the managing directors of Network Rail Western Route, Heathrow Express and GWR as well as a representative from Transport Focus.
The move is part of a broader plan for Network Rail to devolve powers to local groups and empowering them to run their railway in the best interests of passengers. Details can be found at the magazine's web site:
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nr-confirms-route-devolution-and-new-western-supervisory-board
This matter arises because of heavy criticism of delays and changes to specification which have dogged the electrification and route modernisation programme and, finally, resulted in some key parts of the electrification being "deferred".
Advance notice.... The speaker at our April CRS meeting [note that this will be on Saturday, 1st April and not on the usual second Saturday of the month], Paul Stanford, will be giving us some detailed accounts of the route modernisation work that has taken place over the past year.
Treffry Aquaduct
Alan Harris
Alan Harris
Another one from the mystery envelope of pictures bought by Alan Harris for £1. This time a view from track level of the Treffry Aqueduct/viaduct, whether the photographer had permission to be there we do not know. Many years ago we, as a group. had permission from the late Arthur Epplett, Manager of Cornwall Railways at the time, to walk from Luxulyan through the tunnel and to climb from the track up the bank on to the viaduct. We were accompanied by a Senior Railman the late Arthur Anstiss. They were the good old days. Picture from the Alan Harris Collection.
With reference to the picture above of the Treffry viaduct John Root writes :- I doubt the photographer was standing on the metals, as that photo seems to have been shot from the back of a moving train. You can see the shadow of the rear coach and motion blur in the left and right foreground edges of the picture. Just a thought! John Root. Many thanks John.
Steam at Taunton
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius