Items added on the 17th September 2016 Those added most recently come first

Steam to Cornwall The Cathedrals Express
17th September 2016

​Today's "Cathedrals Express" had the dubious honour of being the last steam hauled train to pass the doomed cement works chimney on the approach to Westbury with demolition by explosives due to take place at 0700hrs on Sunday 18th September.  Just 4 feet shorter than the spire of Salisbury Cathedral at 400 feet tall the chimney was built in 1965 and replaced a 250-foot structure that saw less than 3 years service. That chimney was itself blown up with explosives at lunchtime on Friday 1st October 1965 as following the building of an additional kiln it was necessary to have a larger stack.  The works, originally opened by Blue Circle cement in September 1962, employed hundreds of local people down the years and was bought by Lafarge in 2001 with closure coming in May 2009 due to a recession in the building industry. The plant is rail served and until 2008 received regular deliveries of coal from Parc Slip in south Wales also flyash was received from Longannet power station in Scotland between 1996 and 2002.   Following 'mothballing' of the plant it became a distribution point for imported cement products that normally arrive on a weekly basis from Earles Sidings (Hope) Derbyshire. Freightliner Heavy Haul deliver the cement in bogie tankers and the powder is sucked out and reloaded into lorries for road distribution across the south and west. Some years ago a short term rail flow operated between Westbury and Moorswater but was discontinued.

Returning now to the matter in hand I managed to catch 6201 on the train as it approached Heywood Road Junction running 25 minutes late due to station working issues at Newbury where a water stop was made. The chimney can be seen in the background.   Next was Clink Road Junction on the north side of Frome with a couple of 'grab' shots just being possible from the road bridge which was teeming with spectators.  The charter was then held for a further 20 minutes on the double track section of line between Clink and Frome North Junctions to allow late running Weymouth-Gloucester and  Bristol-Weymouth 'Sprinter' services to pass over the single track section through the station first.  Frome station and the adjoining car park was absolutely teeming with spectators, many of them bearing the 'next generation' of rail enthusiasts? in pushchairs and buggies to see 'the steam train'.  Following watering the charter departed the station at 1309 but was further held at Blatchbridge Jctn to allow a westbound HST to precede off the station avoiding line.  Blatchbridge was finally passed by 6201 at 1322, 49 minutes late.

With best regards, Guy Vincent  Frome Somerset  17.09.2016
A very interesting note from Guy Vincent to set the scene, Many Thanks.

Princess Elizabeth passing the doomed Cement Works Chimney nr Westbury. 17th September 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

6201 arives at Clink Rd Junction, Frome 1Z82 17th September 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

The tail end of the 'Cathedrals Express' negotiates 'Clink Road' Junction 17th September 2016. Copyright Guy Vincent

6201 causes considerable interest under the historic overall roof of Frome Station. 17th September 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

Routine checks during the water stop. 17th September 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

Frome 1Z82 6201 - The World & His Wife Jostle for a View 17th September 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

This was first shot of this session comes from our good friend John Cornelius - he reported the train running 50 mins late at Oathe. Copyright

The 'Cathedrals Express' behind 6201 Princess Elizabeth emerges from Whiteball tunnel. 17th September 2016 Copyright Ron Westwater.

160917f 46201 Princess Elizabeth backs out of Exeter St David's Platform 6 heading for Riverside Yard. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917g 46201 Princess Elizabeth arrives from Exeter Riverside sidings into Platform 3 to form the 16.23 departure for Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917h From the overbridge at Exeter St David's the Cathedrals Express is seen arriving on Platform 3. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917i Departing on the 16.19 Great Western Service to the west we see 46201 Princess Elizabeth on the 16.23 departure for Plymouth and Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917u The Cathedrals Express is seen passing Cockwood Harbour after departure from Exeter St David's. Copyright Roger Salter

160917v A close up of Princess Elizabeth as she passes Cockwood Harbour. Copyright Roger Salter

160917w The light engine move through Dawlish Warren. Copyright Roger Salter

160917j The Cathedrals Express is seen pounding through Totnes. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917k We have the backup engine standing in the middle line at Plymouth 47746. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917l Standing proud at Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917m Adjustments being made to Princess Elizabeth at Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917n Looking into the sun with Princess Elizabeth. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917o Departing Plymouth on the 18.42 to Penzance we see both the train and the backup locomotive in Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

Standing on the through road at Plymouth 17th September 2016 Copyright Jamie Dyke

Plymouth 47746 'Chris Fudge' 17th September 2016 Jamie Dyke

6021 at St Austell 17th September 2016 Copyright Julian Stephens

6201 at St Austell at 20.23 on the 17th September 2016 Copyright Julian Stephens N.B. One of those heads on the footbridge is probably Roger Winnen

Steam against a night sky, a dramatic picture of 6201 at St Austell 20.23 on the 17th September 2016 Copyright Julian Stephens

160917p The Cathedrals Express at St Austell. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917q The Princess Elizabeth dropping off passengers at St Austell. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917r Departing St Austell on its final leg of the run to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

Train reported on time at Plymouth by Roger Winnen having missed out a scheduled stop at Dawlish Warren.

An awful shot but at least it proves that the train passed through Redruth, the first night time steam hauling passengers for many decades. KJ

160917s Within 30 seconds of me arriving at Penzance the special backed out from Platform 1. to the slopers siding. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917t 46201 Princess Elizabeth looks a fine sight stabled in the Station Yard at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

THE CORNISHMAN RAILTOUR
17th September 2016

Normally I would leave the task of adding pictures to Roger Winnen but as he is already absent from his 'desk' chasing trains KJ has started the ball rolling on what promises to be a 'bumper day'!  We'll add more as the day goes on!! Looking on one side of the loco it has the number D1071 Western Renown on the other it has D1015 Western Champion.

The outward run - in order

David Tozer catches a nice bit of exhaust at Powderham, west of Exeter. 17th September 2016 Copyright

Same place same time as David Tozer. Ron Westwater catches the action from the bridge. 17th September 2016 Copyright Ron Westwater

The 'Cornishman' makes smoke at Totnes, a smashing action shot. 17th September 2016. Copyright Martin Duff

05.07 Tame Bridge D1015 Rattery Bank, Nr Tigley 17th Sept 2016 Copyright Paul Barlow

160917a Western Renown this side arrives at Plymouth with The Cornishman to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917b The holes are visible which carried the Western Champion nameplate. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917c Awaiting departure from Plymouth at 10.45 for Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917d D1071 Western Renown opens up on leaving Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

D1015 at Holmbush Crossing 17th September 2015. Copyright Nick Dyke

Same day, same place and Julian Stephens is on the opposite side of the line to Nick Dyke. The time by the way is 10.49. Copyright Julian Stephens

1015 (1071) at Crugwallins on the downward journey 17th September 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

D1015 again at Crugwallins micro seconds later. Copyright Paul Rundle

About to go under Apex Bridge. Copyright Mick House.

Well into Cornwall Roger Aston catches 'The Cornishman' at Treleigh bridge, just east of Redruth.. 17th September 2016 Copyright

Having passed through Redruth the Western roars on towards Camborne. 17th September 2016. Copyright KJ

160917zg The Cornishman approaches St Erth on its run from Tame Bridge Parkway. Copyright Jamie Dyke

160917za D1015 nears the end of this journey passing Ponsandane, Penzance. Copyright Andrew Triggs

160917zb Backing its train out to slopers siding for its run around. Copyright Andrew Triggs

160917zd The Western entering the sidings at Penzance Station. Copyright Jamie Dyke

160917zc The Western is seen entering the sidings at Penzance no doubt for fuel. Copyright Jamie Dyke

At Penzance

The return run, in order.

160917zb The Western is seen running around its train at the slopers siding Penzance. Copyright Jamie Dyke

160917zc The returning Cornishman passes the former Marazion Station. Copyright Andrew Triggs

D1015 passes Plantation. Hayle on the return journey. Copyright Claire Sheppard

A trial shot taken, seconds before that of Mick from a location just before Apex. Hallenbeagle is to the extreme left of the picture. KJ

Again about to go under Apex Bridge this time on its return run. Copyright Mick House.

Roger Aston was at the former Chacewater station site. 17th September 2016 Copyright Roger Aston

D 1015 at Par on the return run 17th September 2016 Copyright Paul Rundle

D1015 makes a fine sight at Restormel on the return journey. 17th September 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

Please find attached a shot of D1015 taken this evening at Saltash - a glorious sound as she accelerated through the station towards the Royal Albert Bridge! Copyright Ross Griffiths

160917e The returning Cornishman arrives at Platform 8 of Plymouth Station behind D1015/D1071 Western Champion or Western Renown. The Cathedrals Express behind 46201 Princess Elizabeth is waiting to depart for Penzance at 19.15 hrs from Platform 7. Copyright Roger Winnen

160917x The returning Cornishman behind D1015 Western Champion passes the fields at Eastdon, nr Dawlish Warren on its way back home. Copyright Roger Salter

Exeter
John Cornelius

Copyright John Cornelius

Taunton
Mike Morant

GWR, Churchward designed 2800 class 2-8-0 no. 2872 stands alongside the signal box by Taunton loco on 6/5/62. No. 2872 was an 86E Severn Tunnel Junction engine at the time and would see here time out at the same shed in August 1963.
[Mike Morant collection]

The on going work taking place at Ponsandane re the Upgrade to Long Rock Train M Depot
Roger Salter

160915c Work underway on the upgrade to Long Rock depot at the former Ponsandane loading banks. Copyright Roger Salter

160915f Ponsandane loading bank near the site of the former Ponsandane Signal Box. Copyright Roger Salter

160915d It is believed that a flushing apron will be installed adjacent to this former loading bank at Ponsandane. Copyright Roger Salter

160915e The old Shunters Cabin at Ponsandane still in situ. Copyright Roger Salter

Taunton
John Cornelius

Class 46's D153 and 186 roll into Taunton from the west. Copyright John Cornelius N.B. These BR diesels Type 4 1Co-Co1 were all withdrawn by 1984.

Westerleigh
Mike Morant

SDJR Class 7F 53810 is seen a bit of it's beaten track at Westerleigh Yard in April 1962 Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection