Items added on the 21st February 2016 Those added most recently come first

The green 150
First sighted at Lostwithiel

Hi Keith,  Some colourful trains passed by Lostwithiel 21st Feb 2016. The first two Up HSTs were decorated in the bright green Bristol liveries. The second train caught a glimpse of sunlight as it headed Eastbound. Later just after noon, GWR class 150232 in the new GWR liveried call. It didn't catch any sun sadly, but looked very smart none the less. The GWR green contrasted with the bright red semaphores. 
Kind regards Craig.                                                    Many thanks Craig

The up HST at Lostwithiel. 21st February 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

The new livery Class 150 heads down through Cornwall. 21st February 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

The Green 150 in Cornwall
Roger Winnen

The first known appearance in Cornwall of the Great Western Railways 150232 in its sludge green livery arrives at Penzance on the 08.28 from Bristol Temple Meads. Photographs by Roger Winnen

160221a The GWR Sludge green livery 150232 arrives at Penzance on its first working into Cornwall since refurbishment. Copyright Roger Winnen

160221b Looking quite smart in its GWR colour scheme 150232 awaits departure on the 13.38 service to Exeter. Copyright Roger Winnen

Wonders worked at Williton
report by Robert Lindley

Hi Keith Please find attached a picture of the finished culvert and extended loop at Williton on the WSR as promised. The new works being the left hand side. You can see the remains of the original point which marks the start of the old loop on the right hand track. For the first time since the 60's up trains can use the full length of the platform. Cheers Rob Lindley                              Good News Indeed, many thanks Robert

Despite grotty weather an excellent picture of the signalbox and the extended loop at Williton. 21st February 2016 Many thanks to Robert Lindley.

A Visit to the Winter Steam Festival at the South Devon Railway by Roger Winnen
This years event proved to be a very populat attraction for both young and old alike. Plenty of interest was had in the workings, many doubleheaded with also freight and parcel trains incoporated into the timetable.
Full credit goes to the South Devon Railway for its organisation and the splendid timekeeping throughout the day. A Day to Remember!

160220b 6412 an engine which was once allocated to Laira Depot and 1450 arrive at Totnes with the 09.00 from Buckfastleigh. Copyright Roger Winnen

160220d Arrival at Bishops Bridge behind L92, in the background is 4612 and 6412 on the 11.00 Buckfastleigh to Totnes plus 1369. Copyright Roger Winnen

160220h In the drizzle at Staverton 1450 propels the 14.35 to Buckfastleigh. Copyright Roger Winnen

160220l Steam everywhere as 1450 departs the sidings for the 16.00 departure for Totnes. Copyright Roger Winnen

For more on the South Devon Winter Steam Festival see the Features Page

Who owns this?
Magnificent Millbay Picture

We don't normally show pictures without knowing the owner/copyright holder.  However Andy Miller, who sent in this superb picture has been unable to say whose it is. This picture has been circulated amongst several eminent photographers none of whom recognise it.
                                                                 Many thanks Andy

Millbay to North Rd Andy Miller Collection

Mike Roach, a Plymouthian makes the following observations

​Hi Keith

A really interesting picture which I have never seen before. It was taken out of a window of the Continental Hotel ( now the New Continental Hotel) which is in Millbay Road. I suggest you use it and ask the owner to come forward and claim it

Lots of interesting things to note; here is just some of them, going left to right

The bulk of a cinema in Union Street. I can remember queueing here 60 years ago to see Walt Disney's latest film about Davy Crockett. Later it was the Majestic Ballroom and I can remember going there several times 45 years ago. Its now being advertised as The Revival Prayer Centre.

A water column with no bag; dating the photo after the end of steam.

Trucks being unloaded in the open; most were done much further to the left under cover.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral (top) with its tall spire.

Several Mk 1 coaches, including a Buffet Restaurant Car.

The Harwell Street dmu depot (top) used before Laira was built.

4 tracks coming down from Plymouth Station. The left hand arch, leading direct to Cornwall, appears to be trackless.

The carriage shed, and below it the large signal box

The Western Approach dual carriageway

The van, which is in Union Street and which passes under the railway in a long dark bridge.

Missing; not a single locomotive in sight

Hope this helps.

Mike                                                                       Many thanks Mike.

 Many thanks to Roy Hart for this additional information.  
Dear Keith,
I go for about 1965/6. The carriage sidings in the foreground replaced the old platforms in 1959. The Goods and Passenger lines to Cornwall junction were reversed at the same time (i.e. the main lines in front of the box, leading to the old platforms, became 'carriage lines'). The picture was taken after the opening of Plymouth Panel box (colour lights visible in the distance & Cornwall junction box missing).
The Cornwall loop indeed seems to be trackless; it went in 1964.
There are some Southern Bullied coaches, so trains are still running to Okehampton, I'd say.
Millbay box had 115 levers and closed in December 1969.

Roy

Goonbarrow -Carbean Sidings Staff
Dave Hayball

Today we take a look at the Goonbarrow to Carbean Sidings Staff.  This branch opened on the 2nd October 1893.  It was built without parliamentary powers.

The Goonbarrow to Carbean Sidings staff complete with the key to release points en route. Copyright Dave Hayball

Extra information - with many thanks to Roy Hart.
This was, of course, the wooden staff for 'One Engine in Steam working between Goonbarrow Junction and Carbean/ Gunheath. The line was very lightly built and was restricted to the smallest locomotives. The Cornwall Minerals Railway used tiny 0-6-0 saddle tanks, often working in pairs. There was an engine shed at Stenalees.
Goonbarrow Junction got its name when the branch opened in 1893: previous to that there was a box there called Rosevear Siding. A small box (13 levers) called Goonbarrow Junction opened in 1893 and was replaced by the present box in 1910.
The line was worked in later years by Hawksworth 1600 class panniers and a pair of these were shedded at SBZ for this purpose, until 1962.
In October 1964, the double line from Goonbarrow to Bugle was taken out of use and Bugle box became Bugle GF. At the same time, wooden staff working ceased on the Goonbarrow and Carbis branches. Both lines were now worked as long sidings (regulation C2 working) and the Goonbarrow branch lifted beyond New Caudledown.
Roy

Let's visit Hemyock 
Care of Mike Morant

A much loved location for GWR branch line enthusiasts is Hemyock station depicted here on the 22nd May 1963. with the customary Collet 1400 class -4-2 T in charge of one of the LNER coaches which replaced the more familiar Barry Railway coach of earlier years. Number 1450 is the depicted loco and allocated to 83C Tiverton Junction as one would expect. The station and branch closed to passenger traffic on the 9th September 1963. This picture courtesy of the Mike Morant Collection