More Moorswater Colas class 70 809 Photos by Alan Peters
Many Thanks for that Alan
1) At Coombe Junction Halt
2) In the Depot
3) Southwest Colas crew (Left to Right: Kev Samways, Ian 'Rocketman' Stephenson, Alan Peters, Mark Fabiano and of course stood next to the engine is Southwest Colas ground staff Paul Rundle)
Moorswater Rebirth.
By Mick House
The morning of 28th June 2016 and I was very surprised that more people did not turn up to see the rebirth of the Moorswater branch beyond Coombe Junction Halt and the first ever arrival of a class 70 locomotive.
On the 7th March 2013 the last Cement train with Freightliner 66 230 hauling, arrived at Moorswater three years and three months later we see Colas 70 809 arrive light loco on an assessment, gauging and training run in readiness of the reinstatement of cement traffic up the branch.
This joint venture with Tarmac supplying the Cement, loading/unloading facilities and Colas the locos and stock will resume in July of this year.
70 809 departed Tavistock Junction at 08.32, 8 minutes early and arrived 13.00 at Tarmac, Moorswater 147 minuets late having had to go to Lostwithiel first to clear the line for service trains to pass, to make things even more difficult she was almost called upon to rescue the up Cornish Riviera Express that developed a fault and ran 35 minuets late out of Liskeard. I have no reported timings of 70 809 leaving Tarmac Moorswater but she departed Liskeard at 15.25 67 minuets early arriving at Tavistock Junction 15.59, 83 minuets early.
My thanks go to Martin Chiswell site Manager, Tarmac and his staff and Huw Phillips Traction & Rolling Stock Engineer, Colas Rail and his staff.
All text and photos by Mick House.
On the 7th March 2013 the last Cement train with Freightliner 66 230 hauling, arrived at Moorswater three years and three months later we see Colas 70 809 arrive light loco on an assessment, gauging and training run in readiness of the reinstatement of cement traffic up the branch.
This joint venture with Tarmac supplying the Cement, loading/unloading facilities and Colas the locos and stock will resume in July of this year.
70 809 departed Tavistock Junction at 08.32, 8 minutes early and arrived 13.00 at Tarmac, Moorswater 147 minuets late having had to go to Lostwithiel first to clear the line for service trains to pass, to make things even more difficult she was almost called upon to rescue the up Cornish Riviera Express that developed a fault and ran 35 minuets late out of Liskeard. I have no reported timings of 70 809 leaving Tarmac Moorswater but she departed Liskeard at 15.25 67 minuets early arriving at Tavistock Junction 15.59, 83 minuets early.
My thanks go to Martin Chiswell site Manager, Tarmac and his staff and Huw Phillips Traction & Rolling Stock Engineer, Colas Rail and his staff.
All text and photos by Mick House.
1) 70 809 at Liskeard Station.
2) 70 809 being brought to a stand by the Colas shunter at the Moorswater road crossing.
3) Starting to cross the road.
4) About to cross from Network Rail metals to Tarmac metals.
5) Clearance checks, will she miss the wall.
6) More clearance checks, will she miss this wall.
7) The final clearance check, with just millimetres of clearance.
8) After passing all the clearance checks, 70 809 stands ready for her trip back to Tavistock Junction.
9) This is the tractor that was used to shunt the wagons and will be used again in the future.
Drat it - Missed it!
Sid Sponheimer
Sid Sponheimer
Afternoon Keith,
I arrived home this afternoon from the office in time to read about the return of the Class 70 test run from Moorswater and although it was "rather inclement " decided to leave my comfortable armchair and go and photograph it especially as, believe it or not I haven't even seen a Class 70 yet alone photograph one.
Arrived 15.02 and hung around until 15.25 with no engine in sight so wended my way up to the station to be told by a Network Rail employee that it left "2 minutes ago" !!
As some form of compensation I attach the last pictures I took of that end of the branch many moons ago and unfortunately undated.
Sid. You'll get a 70 one day Sid- thanks anyway
By the way the 70 did visit Moorswater - we're hoping for pictures.
I arrived home this afternoon from the office in time to read about the return of the Class 70 test run from Moorswater and although it was "rather inclement " decided to leave my comfortable armchair and go and photograph it especially as, believe it or not I haven't even seen a Class 70 yet alone photograph one.
Arrived 15.02 and hung around until 15.25 with no engine in sight so wended my way up to the station to be told by a Network Rail employee that it left "2 minutes ago" !!
As some form of compensation I attach the last pictures I took of that end of the branch many moons ago and unfortunately undated.
Sid. You'll get a 70 one day Sid- thanks anyway
By the way the 70 did visit Moorswater - we're hoping for pictures.
37415 Mount Fuji approaches Moorswater China Clay works. Undated. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Crossing the road to enter the Dries. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
37415 has entered the depot and run round and is heading back onto its train. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Within the depot. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
37415 backing up to take charge. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
37416 returns to Liskeard with its load. Undated, Copyright Sid Sponheimer