July 1st 2024

1/7/2024

NINETEEN SIXTY TWO – PART 91
Par and Lostwithiel 1979
Michael L. Roach

Part 90 showed a photo of 50035 Ark Royal heading the down Cornish Riviera Express approaching Lostwithiel on 1 July 1979 which date was the train's 75th birthday. Within weeks the train changed from loco haulage to 125 High Speed Train. I spent some seven hours photographing at Lostwithiel, Par and Fowey and attach here a selection of the other railway photos taken that day. It may be noted that every one of the diesels shown is of a different class. All photographs were taken on 1 July 1979.

46043 is seen leaving Par at 11.44am with a down train of 7C. Copyright Michael L. Roach

25155 at St. Blazey Bridge Crossing, but things are not what they might appear as the loco is actually propelling six china clay wagons from St. Blazey to Ponts Mill at 12.04pm. Copyright Michael L. Roach

A 3-car dmu crosses the river at Ponts Mill at 1.22pm. Copyright Michael L. Roach

37267 leaves Lostwithiel with 40 empties at 2.08pm. Copyright Michael L. Roach

47252 heads down the branch to Carne Point at 2.50pm with no less than 61 loaded china clay wagons. It had arrived from St. Blazey with 28T and added another 33T from Lostwithiel Yard. Copyright Michael L. Roach

An HST passes the Unigate milk factory at 3.57pm heading for Plymouth. Copyright Michael L. Roach

50033 Glorious (PRESERVED) slows to a stop at Lostwithiel at 4.49pm. Copyright Michael L. Roach

Lostwithiel signal box photographed at 4.55pm. The numbers on the end of the box suggested that it was last painted 4/56. Copyright Michael L. Roach

Many thanks as always Michael - a wonderful collection of photos depecting Cornwall in the BR Blue era. 61 wagons to Fowey - wow!

To read more of Michaels articles, please click here.

More of the weekends railtours
Bill Elston, Roger Winnen, Julian Stephens, Mick House, Andrew Triggs, John Ball, Claire Sheppard & Roger Salter

50007 + 50049 approaching Cogload Junction. 29.06.24, copyright Bill Elston.

20 minutes later, 47810 + 47712 approach Cogload. Copyright Bill Elston.

'The Statesman' passes Cogload. Copyright Bill Elston.

240629a The two class 50s arrive at Par on the first of the Mazey Day specials from Dorridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

240629c Awaiting the right away at Par. Copyright Roger Winnen

The pair of Cl. 50's pass Dowgas. Copyright Julian Stephens.

240629e The Statesman running close behind is seen running through St Austell

The Statesman running through Dowgas. A lovely shot with the crop in the foreground providing a bit of added interest. Copyright Julian Stephens.

50007 and 50049 pass Gwinear Road heading for Penzance. 29.06.2024, copyright Roger Salter.

47810 and 47712 pass Gwinear road, bound for Penzance. 29.06.2024, copyright Roger Salter.

. 50007 'Hercules' with 50049 'Defiance' nearing journey's end working 1Z69 06.10 Dorridge-Penzance 'Mazey Day Cornishman' at Marazion. Copyright Andrew Triggs

47810 'Crewe Diesel Depot' with 47712 'Lady Diana Spencer' working 1Z64 05.20 Wolverhampton-Penzance 'Mazey Day Statesman' approaching Marazion Copyright Andrew Triggs

47810 Crewe Diesel Depot and Lady Diane Spencer arrives at Penzance with the Statesman Railtour from Wolverhampton. Copyright John Ball

The two Class 50s 50007 and 50049 arrive at Penzance with the railtour from Dorridge. Copyright John Ball

240629f The arrival of the Statesman at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

240629h Scotrail livery Lady Diana Spencer at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

240629i D1924 Crewe Diesel Depot at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

240629j Under the roof at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

47712 leading 47810 at Marazion with the return 1Z65 16.02 Penzance-Wolverhampton. Copyright Andrew Triggs

The return with 50007 leading 50049 passing Marazion with 1Z70 16.28 Penzance-Dorridge Copyright Andrew Triggs

The 47s with the Statesman Railtour seen at Barncoose Road overbridge. Copyright Claire Sheppard.

The returning Class 50s on the Railtour to Dorridge seen at Barncoose Road overbridge. Copyright Claire Sheppard

The returning 'Statesman' passing Trethellan. Copyright Julian Stephens.

47 712 Lady Diana Spencer arrives at Truro at the head of the train. Copyright Mick House.

D1924 Crewe Diesel Depot follows on behind. Copyright Mick House.

'Hercules' and 'Defiance' shatter the peace at Trethellan. Copyright Julian Stephens.

50 007 Hercules masquerading as 50 034 Furious arrives at Truro at the head of the train. Copyright Mick House.

50 049 Hercules follows on behind. Copyright Mick House.

240629l The returning Statesman to Wolverhampton passes through Liskeard. Copyright Roger Winnen

240629n The returning special to Dorridge is seen at Liskeard. Copyright Roger Winnen

Our thanks to all those who have sent in their photos of these two railtours. All the images will be added to our 'Features' section as time allows over the next few days.

'Cromptons' at Exeter St. Davids
Phil 'Shattered' Smith

33116 with 33101 moving out of ESD sidings in 1991. Copyright Phil Smith.

Many thanks Phil, a lovely sunny scene.

Ex Swedish Class 66
David Tozer

Today (30.6.2024) North Devon had a visitors overnight. Class 66 66791 and 70805 top and tailed the 0745 6C21 Eggesford to Westbury spoil train.

66791 is one of the many Class 66's imported by GBRF and this locomotive is one of three from Sweden in 2019. Built in 2002 it was originally carried the numberer T66404. At present it is on loan to Colas Rail.

66791 leads the train coming off the Barnstaple branch at Cowley Bridge Junction. Copyright David Tozer.

70805 on the rear. Copyright David Tozer.

70805 powers through Stoke Canon on the return working. Copyright David Tozer.

Blue 66791 now on the rear of the engineers train. Copyright David Tozer.

Many thanks Dave - a bit of interest for you on a Sunday.

The North Cornwall Miniature Railway
Jon Hird

Nestled away in a small hamlet near St. Teath is an absolute gem of a miniature railway, known as The North Cornwall Miniature Railway. The railway is only open to the public a few times each year, today (30.06) being one such occassion. There were three steam locos in use along with a number of petrol/battery/diesels, the highlight for me personally being the pair of top and tailed 'Hymeks'.

Along with the railway there is an absolutely mind-blowing toy museum, with a collection of thousands of perfectly restored vintage ride-on toy cars and many vintage model railway items.

Very much worth a visit, I believe the next open day is being planned for an August date - I will share any advertisements I may see for it.

'Pengelley', a new-build steam loco. Copyright Jon Hird.

'Gracie', a diesel mechanical loco built 1968. Copyright Jon Hird.

'Gracie' works a train past the lawn. Copyright Jon Hird.

'Pengelley' skirts the pond whilst another steam loco is turned on the triangle in the background. Copyright Jon Hird.

Top and tailed Hymeks pass the pond. Lots of huge dragonflys practicing their aerobatics! Copyright Jon Hird.

Little and large - hard to believe these are the same gauge. 'Invincible' is the larger loco, built 1971 as a diesel electric, it has been converted over winter to a full battery electric loco using components from one of the Paignton Zoo locomotives. Copyright Jon Hird.