The Mystery Building and
The Extension of the Long Rock Train Depot
Roger Winnen
The Extension of the Long Rock Train Depot
Roger Winnen
160823a Much speculation has been recently raised concerning this building. It was used as a shunters cabin when a shunting locomotive was based at Ponsandane, this has long ceased as Ponsandane Goods depot closed by the early 1980s as goods then mainly went by road. Copyright Roger Winnen
160823b During my short visit to Ponsandane this morning Tuesday 23rd August these warning signs went up! Possible Asbestos Risk. This building probably date from the building of the Goods Shed in 1937-1938 The site of the Goods Shed is now The Morrisons Store. Copyright Roger Winnen
160823c The relaying of this loop is taking place, it was last used when the Royal Mail was running ECS to and from Par. The engine used this loop at times to run around its train. Copyright Roger Winnen
160823d Rails being unloaded this morning at the site. Copyright Roger Winnen
160823e This view shows the activity of the work in progress at Ponsandane with the track relaying etc. Copyright Roger Winnen
Par Box
Roy Hart
Roy Hart
Dear Keith,
Following your publication of Roger's pictures, perhaps a few historical notes may not go amiss:
Par box dates from the late 1870s ( no exact date seems to be known). It is the last Network rail box to have signalled broad gauge trains -the other survivor is Williton on the West Somerset Railway.
As built, Par was only half the length of the present structure (a look at the rear of the box, where you can see the old chimney breast, shows this). The structure was doubled in length following the conversion of the gauge and the introduction of a new layout, in 1893. For some years prior to this, traffic from the branch (always standard gauge) had to be transshipped at Par, hence the double track goods shed, only demolished in 1965.
Further expansion occurred in 1913, when the present lever frame (57 levers) was installed. During world war 2, the layout at Par was expanded again: the down refuge siding was extended eastwards to form a goods loop (still there) and various signals had 'calling on' arms added, to speed up the addition of bankers to heavy wartime up trains.
Par box still works nearly fifty levers and today has a miniature panel to control the St Austell/Burngullow area.
I notice that a GW style nameboard has been added, replacing the pathetic little BR 1980s enamelled one. The original one on the branch side escaped the 1980s vandalism. Is it still there, I wonder?
Par box is listed Grade ll.
As CRS members may know, Lostwithiel box is also listed. Here, however, the correct and proper 9- pane windows have been replaced with ugly modern ones. It would not surprise me if these are listed too!
Roy Many thanks for this very interesting information Roy
- Craig, is the original sign still on the branch side?
Following your publication of Roger's pictures, perhaps a few historical notes may not go amiss:
Par box dates from the late 1870s ( no exact date seems to be known). It is the last Network rail box to have signalled broad gauge trains -the other survivor is Williton on the West Somerset Railway.
As built, Par was only half the length of the present structure (a look at the rear of the box, where you can see the old chimney breast, shows this). The structure was doubled in length following the conversion of the gauge and the introduction of a new layout, in 1893. For some years prior to this, traffic from the branch (always standard gauge) had to be transshipped at Par, hence the double track goods shed, only demolished in 1965.
Further expansion occurred in 1913, when the present lever frame (57 levers) was installed. During world war 2, the layout at Par was expanded again: the down refuge siding was extended eastwards to form a goods loop (still there) and various signals had 'calling on' arms added, to speed up the addition of bankers to heavy wartime up trains.
Par box still works nearly fifty levers and today has a miniature panel to control the St Austell/Burngullow area.
I notice that a GW style nameboard has been added, replacing the pathetic little BR 1980s enamelled one. The original one on the branch side escaped the 1980s vandalism. Is it still there, I wonder?
Par box is listed Grade ll.
As CRS members may know, Lostwithiel box is also listed. Here, however, the correct and proper 9- pane windows have been replaced with ugly modern ones. It would not surprise me if these are listed too!
Roy Many thanks for this very interesting information Roy
- Craig, is the original sign still on the branch side?
Railvac arrives at Truro
Craig Munday
Craig Munday
Class 70 number 809 arrives at Truro and commences pushing the Railvac back into the yard. 22nd August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday
70809 and Railvac heading into the yard at Truro. 22nd August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday
70 809 rests a while before heading back up east - 22nd August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday
The scene near Probus as 70809 heads back up east. 22nd August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday 2016
809 continues its lonely way east. In the background can be seen the tower of Probus Church - the tallest church tower in Cornwall. 22nd August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday
The Modern Image!
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius N.B. I remember being quite excited at the prospect of trying out the new 159's on the short hop from Exeter St Davids to Central - 21 years ago!! KJ
Pinhoe
Mike Morant
Mike Morant
S_SR_21C4_Devon_Belle_Pinhoe_1947 Not quite sharp but nonetheless an evocative image of Bulleid original Merchant Navy pacific no. 21C4 Cunard White Star in charge of the Up Devon Belle near Pinhoe in 1947. 21C4 would become 35004 in March 1948, rebuilt by Jarvis in July 1958 and withdrawn at Bournemouth shed in October 1965.
[Mike Morant collection]
[Mike Morant collection]