Broad Gauge reaches
Penzance
Mike Roach
Penzance
Mike Roach
BROAD GAUGE to PENZANCE 1866
The first broad gauge train arrived in Penzance on 19 October 1866. It was a special train from Truro laid on to celebrate the completion of the works needed to make it possible. A half-day holiday was declared in Penzance, and there were the usual speeches and a celebration dinner. Regular broad gauge passenger services commenced on 1st March 1867, and it was then possible to travel all the way from Penzance to Paddington without changing trains. Until then trains from Paddington continued to go to Falmouth, and passengers for Penzance had to change trains at Truro.
The Great Western Railway, the Bristol and Exeter Railway and the South Devon Railway (the Associated Companies) and the Cornwall Railway were all built to the broad gauge. The Cornwall Railway had opened in 1859 from Plymouth to Falmouth, which was then the most important town in Cornwall. The line from Truro to Penzance had been constructed by the West Cornwall Railway and opened throughout in 1852. The West Cornwall was based on the earlier Hayle Railway from Hayle to Redruth which had opened in 1838 and 1843 for passengers. The Hayle Railway and the West Cornwall Railway were both standard gauge railways. The break of gauge at Truro was a major inconvenience. The engineer for the West Cornwall Railway was Isambard Kingdom Brunel and he foresaw the problems that were going to arise and a clause was inserted in the West Cornwall's 1846 Act of Parliament requiring the railway to add a third rail, when called upon to do so, thereby allowing broad gauge trains to reach Penzance. The third rail was added throughout from Truro to Penzance during 1865 - 66 at a cost of about £100,000 which included some earthworks and strengthening of bridges etc. The West Cornwall was an impecunious affair and did not have the finance to do the work so it was taken over by the Associated Companies on 1 January 1866 and it was they that provided the finance for the works. For those with access to old newspapers on the internet there are articles throughout October 1866 about the completion of the broad gauge from Truro to Penzance.
In one week's time it will be the 150th anniversary of this major milestone in the history of Cornwall's railways. Does anyone know if there are any events, special trains or exhibitions planned to coincide with the anniversary.
The first broad gauge train arrived in Penzance on 19 October 1866. It was a special train from Truro laid on to celebrate the completion of the works needed to make it possible. A half-day holiday was declared in Penzance, and there were the usual speeches and a celebration dinner. Regular broad gauge passenger services commenced on 1st March 1867, and it was then possible to travel all the way from Penzance to Paddington without changing trains. Until then trains from Paddington continued to go to Falmouth, and passengers for Penzance had to change trains at Truro.
The Great Western Railway, the Bristol and Exeter Railway and the South Devon Railway (the Associated Companies) and the Cornwall Railway were all built to the broad gauge. The Cornwall Railway had opened in 1859 from Plymouth to Falmouth, which was then the most important town in Cornwall. The line from Truro to Penzance had been constructed by the West Cornwall Railway and opened throughout in 1852. The West Cornwall was based on the earlier Hayle Railway from Hayle to Redruth which had opened in 1838 and 1843 for passengers. The Hayle Railway and the West Cornwall Railway were both standard gauge railways. The break of gauge at Truro was a major inconvenience. The engineer for the West Cornwall Railway was Isambard Kingdom Brunel and he foresaw the problems that were going to arise and a clause was inserted in the West Cornwall's 1846 Act of Parliament requiring the railway to add a third rail, when called upon to do so, thereby allowing broad gauge trains to reach Penzance. The third rail was added throughout from Truro to Penzance during 1865 - 66 at a cost of about £100,000 which included some earthworks and strengthening of bridges etc. The West Cornwall was an impecunious affair and did not have the finance to do the work so it was taken over by the Associated Companies on 1 January 1866 and it was they that provided the finance for the works. For those with access to old newspapers on the internet there are articles throughout October 1866 about the completion of the broad gauge from Truro to Penzance.
In one week's time it will be the 150th anniversary of this major milestone in the history of Cornwall's railways. Does anyone know if there are any events, special trains or exhibitions planned to coincide with the anniversary.
More Dust!
Ron Westwater
Ron Westwater
Quite a remarkable picture from Ron Westwater as 150121 disappears in a cloud of China Clay dust as it passes the CDA's that 66023 had just deposited at Burngullow. Congratulations on getting the 150's number! 10th October 2016. Copyright
66023 crosses Gover viaduct with the 6P24 14:25 Parkandillack-Fowey 10th October 2016 Copyright Ron Westwater. Note the black clouds - a smashing picture.
Just beating the shadows 66023 on the 6P24 14:25 Parkandillack-Fowey crosses the causeway at Golant. .What a view!
Keynsham Chocolate
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
Roger reminds us how the scene changes. The chocolate factory once served by a branch from Keynsham station has survived after closure by Kraft Foods in 2011 and now exists as a block of luxury flats.
THEN - Keynsham Cadbury's Factory on the 20th October 1996 Copyright Roger Winnen
AND NOW The Chocolate Quarter at Keynsham 6th October 2016 Copyright Roger Winnen
Puxton & Worle
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
Leaning out of the HST window last Thursday Roger managed to grab this shot of a signabox quite near Worle.
Quite a remarkable shot from the window by Roger on the 6th October 2016. Chris Osment confirms the location and provides more info. Puxton & Worle, and it is still in use as the crossing control point; it also supervises the nearby Huish crossing. No lever-frame now, just a few switches etc AFAIK. I’m told by relevant sources that it may get replaced by CCTV in the near/distant future, but who knows????
Minehead Hymek
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Good morning Keith, your mention of hymeks on the Minehead branch,prompted me to look out the two pics enclosed,which is of D7029 at Minehead on 20-8-1970, the only two pics I have of it.
Having worked a morning stopping train down,it then worked a mid morning through train to London.
I travelled down and back to Taunton on this train,being the first time I had ever travelled over the branch to Minehead. But look at the desolation at Minehead station then,only a few months from closure and compare this pic with what is there today. The WSRLY have done wonders with the station
over the years, from a run down state when the line closed in January 1971, to the really vibrant and upbeat station it is today. enjoy the pics cheers JOHN C.
Having worked a morning stopping train down,it then worked a mid morning through train to London.
I travelled down and back to Taunton on this train,being the first time I had ever travelled over the branch to Minehead. But look at the desolation at Minehead station then,only a few months from closure and compare this pic with what is there today. The WSRLY have done wonders with the station
over the years, from a run down state when the line closed in January 1971, to the really vibrant and upbeat station it is today. enjoy the pics cheers JOHN C.
Copyright John Cornelius
Like John, I too had my first trip on the branch behind a Hymek and remember the scene as it was then. Many thanks John.
Highbridge
Mike Morant
Mike Morant
Ivatt 'Mickey Mouse' 2-6-2T no. 41290 at the S&D's Highbridge station. There is no shed plate on 41290's smoke box door but it was allocated to Templecombe mpd from August 1965 until withdrawal in March 1966 which narrows down the period when this shot was taken.
[Mike Morant collection]
[Mike Morant collection]