Exploring the Luxulyan Valley
Andrew Triggs and Nathen Stockman
Andrew Triggs and Nathen Stockman
170331d Looking across the Treffry Aqueduct which had one time carried the railway from Ponts Mill to Luxulyan. We then set to walk this abandoned line to Pontsmill and onto to Par via the Carmears Incline. Copyright Andrew Triggs
170331e Looking across the valley which shows up the arches of this famous Aqueduct. Copyright Andrew Triggs
170331f Walking the dogs Daisy and Kes, giving them a history lesson on the old Railways of Cornwall. Remaining rail in situ on the route to the top of in incline. Copyright Andrew Triggs
170331g The Velvet Bridge on the Carmears Incline. Copyright Andrew Triggs
170331h The remaining track on the Pontsmill Branch, the Royal Train was stabled overnight on occasions at this location, before setting off next day to destinations in Cornwall. Copyright Andrew Triggs
170331i This is the loop that forked left to the Prideaux Wood wharf siding immediately above the standard gauge Prideaux Wood new siding. Copyright Andrew Triggs
And now for something completely new.
Phil Hadley, a new contributor to our website, has very kindly sent us a copy of the results of his researches into the history of Cornish Railways during World War 2. Perhaps a distant memory for some of us, but nevertheless extremely interesting.
We intend to add to this section monthly, year by year.
You are very welcome to add your memories and photographs (If you have any) to Phil's Diary, though these will be 'vetted' by Phil before publication. The diary will be available off the main menu CORNISH RAILWAYS DIARY.
So 'Welcome to you Phil', we very much look forward to seeing the results of your research.
Phil Hadley, a new contributor to our website, has very kindly sent us a copy of the results of his researches into the history of Cornish Railways during World War 2. Perhaps a distant memory for some of us, but nevertheless extremely interesting.
We intend to add to this section monthly, year by year.
You are very welcome to add your memories and photographs (If you have any) to Phil's Diary, though these will be 'vetted' by Phil before publication. The diary will be available off the main menu CORNISH RAILWAYS DIARY.
So 'Welcome to you Phil', we very much look forward to seeing the results of your research.
CORNISH RAILWAYS
WORLD WAR TWO DIARY
Compiled by Phil Hadley
Part 1 1939
Friday 1st September 1939
The 6:30am from Paddington, headed Evacuation Train No 103, brought 544 children and their teachers to St Austell station where they are met by Lady Vivian of Glynn House, Bodmin and her team of W.A.S. women. WB
The Railway Executive Committee was given its formal powers by the signing of the Emergency (Railway Control) order. Their headquarters were in the closed Down Street Station on the Piccadilly Line, deep underground. GWR
Saturday 2nd September
An evacuation train of 12 coaches arrived 20 minutes ahead of schedule at Camborne bringing 960 arrivals including a large number of mothers with young children and expectant mothers. Among the number were 300 children from Maida Vale High School for Girls & Marylebone Grammar School for Boys. WB
Sunday 3rd September
A train with its identification number of 116 painted boldly across the front of the engine boiler brought to Truro 230 children and mothers from Acton to be billeted in the Truro area with another 159 changing onto buses to head for Penryn. WB
Tuesday 5th September
Military ambulance trains and civilian evacuation trains all fitted up and ready for service. The GWR has 6, the SR 3. Most are based in London. RM
Monday 11th September
The Railway Executive Committee put the railways of Britain on a wartime footing. Passengers were informed by a poster warning Passenger Train Services will be considerably curtailed and decelerated, Reduced Fare Facilities were cancelled, the reservation of seats and compartments was discontinued and Restaurant Car facilities were withdrawn. GWR
Monday 25th September
The GWR’s evacuation timetable comes to an end. GWR
The full emergency service begins on the GWR and LMSR. RM
The maximum permitted speed for trains was raised from 60 to 75 mph with the schedules and timetables being adjusted to take account of this. GWR services were also reinstated via Westbury rather than the ‘Great Way Round’ via Bristol. GWR.
This had little impact on journeys within Cornwall as the curves and banks usually prohibited the speed anyway.
Prior to these changes the best time from Paddington to Penzance had increased by 125 minutes on its pre-war norm to 8 hours 35 minutes, while the total number of trains in both directions decreased from nine to six. GWR
Monday 16th October
Restaurant Car services were reintroduced on the GWR after light-proof curtains had been fitted. GWR
The full emergency service begins on the SR, the last of the Big Four to do so. RM
Sunday 1st December
The GWR started their series of specials to allow parents to visit their evacuated children. 4,000 parents were carried on this day and numbers increased during the month as these proved very popular. GWR
SOURCES (if not fully given in the text)
CG Cornish Guardian (Cornwall Centre)
WB West Briton (Cornwall Centre)
FP Falmouth Packet (Cornwall Centre)
CM Cornishman (Cornwall Centre)
PWD War Diary of Cornwall Constabulary (County Records Office)
WBF When Bombs Fell by Phyllis Rowe & Ivan Rabey
ECMR East Cornwall Mineral Railways by Maurice Dart
GWR History of the Great Western Railway by Peter Semmens
BLP Branch Line to Padstow by Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith
RM Railway Magazine December 1939
WORLD WAR TWO DIARY
Compiled by Phil Hadley
Part 1 1939
Friday 1st September 1939
The 6:30am from Paddington, headed Evacuation Train No 103, brought 544 children and their teachers to St Austell station where they are met by Lady Vivian of Glynn House, Bodmin and her team of W.A.S. women. WB
The Railway Executive Committee was given its formal powers by the signing of the Emergency (Railway Control) order. Their headquarters were in the closed Down Street Station on the Piccadilly Line, deep underground. GWR
Saturday 2nd September
An evacuation train of 12 coaches arrived 20 minutes ahead of schedule at Camborne bringing 960 arrivals including a large number of mothers with young children and expectant mothers. Among the number were 300 children from Maida Vale High School for Girls & Marylebone Grammar School for Boys. WB
Sunday 3rd September
A train with its identification number of 116 painted boldly across the front of the engine boiler brought to Truro 230 children and mothers from Acton to be billeted in the Truro area with another 159 changing onto buses to head for Penryn. WB
Tuesday 5th September
Military ambulance trains and civilian evacuation trains all fitted up and ready for service. The GWR has 6, the SR 3. Most are based in London. RM
Monday 11th September
The Railway Executive Committee put the railways of Britain on a wartime footing. Passengers were informed by a poster warning Passenger Train Services will be considerably curtailed and decelerated, Reduced Fare Facilities were cancelled, the reservation of seats and compartments was discontinued and Restaurant Car facilities were withdrawn. GWR
Monday 25th September
The GWR’s evacuation timetable comes to an end. GWR
The full emergency service begins on the GWR and LMSR. RM
The maximum permitted speed for trains was raised from 60 to 75 mph with the schedules and timetables being adjusted to take account of this. GWR services were also reinstated via Westbury rather than the ‘Great Way Round’ via Bristol. GWR.
This had little impact on journeys within Cornwall as the curves and banks usually prohibited the speed anyway.
Prior to these changes the best time from Paddington to Penzance had increased by 125 minutes on its pre-war norm to 8 hours 35 minutes, while the total number of trains in both directions decreased from nine to six. GWR
Monday 16th October
Restaurant Car services were reintroduced on the GWR after light-proof curtains had been fitted. GWR
The full emergency service begins on the SR, the last of the Big Four to do so. RM
Sunday 1st December
The GWR started their series of specials to allow parents to visit their evacuated children. 4,000 parents were carried on this day and numbers increased during the month as these proved very popular. GWR
SOURCES (if not fully given in the text)
CG Cornish Guardian (Cornwall Centre)
WB West Briton (Cornwall Centre)
FP Falmouth Packet (Cornwall Centre)
CM Cornishman (Cornwall Centre)
PWD War Diary of Cornwall Constabulary (County Records Office)
WBF When Bombs Fell by Phyllis Rowe & Ivan Rabey
ECMR East Cornwall Mineral Railways by Maurice Dart
GWR History of the Great Western Railway by Peter Semmens
BLP Branch Line to Padstow by Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith
RM Railway Magazine December 1939
The Looe branch
Ron Kosys
Ron Kosys
Ron looks back at his July 1971 visit to the Looe branch and wonders why he didn't photograph Looe!!
17th July 1971 Copyright Ron Kosys
Causeland looks lonely - not a passenger in sight. 17th July 1971 Copyright Ron Kosys
Tomorrow we return on another holiday, in 1972, to see more of the line. Many thanks Ron.
Swanage Spring Gala
John Cornelius & Roger Salter
John Cornelius & Roger Salter
John took a visit to the Swanage Railway Spring Gala a,d sent us a record of the event - more in Features Many thanks John.
Swanage Railway Gala 1st April 2017 Copyright John Cornelius
Swanage Railway Gala 1st April 2017 Copyright John Cornelius
Swanage Railway Gala 1st April 2017 Copyright John Cornelius
170331j 34052 Sir Keith Park at Corfe Castle with the goods. Copyright Roger Salter
170331k 34092 City of Wells with the tablet exchange at Corfe Castle. Copyright Roger Salter
170331p 34052 Lord Dowding brings in the goods from Corfe. Copyright Roger Salter
Visit Features Jan to June 2017 for more pictures,
Evercreech Revisited
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
It's was then only nine years after closure but to the 'passer by' it scarcely resembles a station. Copyright John Crnelius