Memories of Steam and Engineering Trains on the St Ives Branch from the Peter Radford collection.
600101a 4564 Ready to depart from St Erth,my favourite station with a service to St Ives. Copyright Peter Radford
820101a A Class 37 with Cornish Railways lettering on its side is seen on the St Ives Branch at Carbis Bay gently pushing a Bridge Inspectors wagon onto the viaduct to commence structural checks. Copyright Peter Radford
820101b The same train seen from Carbis Bay station. Copyright Peter Radford
Many Thanks Peter
Gunnislake Station
Mike Morant
Mike Morant
This smashing view of Gunnislake station taken when the branch was very much in use is courtesy the Mike Morant Collection. Note the large number of vans and wagons in the yard. Just one car and a motorcycle combination are the only evidence of private transport other than a bicycle leaning on the station wall. If living in Gunnislake village the cyclist would have had to face a stiff climb up and a dangerous descent down.
St Dennis to Meledor Mill Staff
Julian Hanwell
Julian Hanwell
With the branch having been closed for nearly thirty five years it is great io see the branch staff still in existence. Many thanks to Julian Hanwell for sending in this picture of this precious relic.
The St Dennis to Meledor Mill staff. Copyright Julian Hanwell
The St Dennis to Meledor Mill staff. Copyright Julian Hanwell
More notes on the Meledor Mills branch operation from Roy Hart.
Dear Keith,
Julian's picture of the train staff brings back a memory: the train staff for the Retew branch (as it was known to railwaymen) was held at St Dennis Junction box. It was issued to the enginemen of trains proceeding on to the branch. Until 1966, when the line became simply a long siding, the line was operated under 'one engine in steam' rules, with the wooden staff carrying a key which unlocked the various ground frames giving access to the numerous sidings.
In order to leave St Dennis, the train had to pass the 'Retew Branch Starting Signal' - a tall post bearing a ringed arm indicating a goods line. This signal - about 500 yards down the branch, was operated by a lever on the post, released by the key on the staff.
The rules were thus: the train stopped at the signal.The guard dismounted and proceeded to the engine and took the staff. He inserted it into the lock on the signal post and lowered the signal. The train passed the signal and stopped. The guard returned the signal to danger and withdrew the staff. He walked back to the engine and returned the staff to the crew. The train proceeded.
On the one occasion that I rode the Retew mineral, we simply roared past the signal at danger without stopping! I wonder why?
Regards Roy Hart, Many thanks Roy
Dear Keith,
Julian's picture of the train staff brings back a memory: the train staff for the Retew branch (as it was known to railwaymen) was held at St Dennis Junction box. It was issued to the enginemen of trains proceeding on to the branch. Until 1966, when the line became simply a long siding, the line was operated under 'one engine in steam' rules, with the wooden staff carrying a key which unlocked the various ground frames giving access to the numerous sidings.
In order to leave St Dennis, the train had to pass the 'Retew Branch Starting Signal' - a tall post bearing a ringed arm indicating a goods line. This signal - about 500 yards down the branch, was operated by a lever on the post, released by the key on the staff.
The rules were thus: the train stopped at the signal.The guard dismounted and proceeded to the engine and took the staff. He inserted it into the lock on the signal post and lowered the signal. The train passed the signal and stopped. The guard returned the signal to danger and withdrew the staff. He walked back to the engine and returned the staff to the crew. The train proceeded.
On the one occasion that I rode the Retew mineral, we simply roared past the signal at danger without stopping! I wonder why?
Regards Roy Hart, Many thanks Roy