The final day
Par & Lostwithiel Signal Boxes & Semaphores
03.03.2024
Before we start todays news, a reminder that today (03.04.2024) is the final full day of operation for Par and Lostwithiel signal boxes and of their associated semaphore signals.
If you wish to hear the bells ring and watch the signals drop for the final time, please get yourself down to either station and soak up the atmosphere, before it's too late.
If you wish to hear the bells ring and watch the signals drop for the final time, please get yourself down to either station and soak up the atmosphere, before it's too late.
The Goonbarrow Belle
Michael Adams
Michael Adams
Hello Roger, I hope you will be able to squeeze these pictures (from Michael Adams)onto the site on Sunday as it will be forty years since the tour ran.
The pictures show 37185 and 37182 .The tour from London came down to Plymouth behind 50030 and the 37s took over for the tour of the china clay lines.
Many thanks and best Copyright Michael Adams
The pictures show 37185 and 37182 .The tour from London came down to Plymouth behind 50030 and the 37s took over for the tour of the china clay lines.
Many thanks and best Copyright Michael Adams
Many Thanks Michael
Cornwall Re-signalling day 5 - 02.03.2024
Martin Duff
Afternoon admins,
Today the last 3 semaphore signals in the Truro area were removed.
These were T7 up main starting, T50 down main home (both situated between the viaducts) and T49 down main inner home (just the station side of Carvedras viaduct).
T49 was the last one to go. All were safely moved to secure storage by early afternoon.
Further up on the patch 66021 worked 6V74 the clay empties back from Exeter, passing Lostwithiel 11.04 and Par 11.14, being the last freight to be signalled by traditional signalling in the area.
Tomorrow afternoon the engines leave for Westbury, and will be the last light locos under the semaphores. 14.50 St. Blazey - Westbury details on RTT and other feeds.
There are no short form HST diagrams on Sunday I’m aware of (will correct this tomorrow if the situation is different) so tonight’s 20.48 St. Austell - Plymouth 43098/43198 will be the last HST to use the ground frame crossover.
Cheers for now,
Martin D
Today the last 3 semaphore signals in the Truro area were removed.
These were T7 up main starting, T50 down main home (both situated between the viaducts) and T49 down main inner home (just the station side of Carvedras viaduct).
T49 was the last one to go. All were safely moved to secure storage by early afternoon.
Further up on the patch 66021 worked 6V74 the clay empties back from Exeter, passing Lostwithiel 11.04 and Par 11.14, being the last freight to be signalled by traditional signalling in the area.
Tomorrow afternoon the engines leave for Westbury, and will be the last light locos under the semaphores. 14.50 St. Blazey - Westbury details on RTT and other feeds.
There are no short form HST diagrams on Sunday I’m aware of (will correct this tomorrow if the situation is different) so tonight’s 20.48 St. Austell - Plymouth 43098/43198 will be the last HST to use the ground frame crossover.
Cheers for now,
Martin D
Many thanks, Martin
Here is the RTT link for the light engine movement tomorrow, should anybody wish to bag a last photo of a loco beneath the semaphores - click here
Here is the RTT link for the light engine movement tomorrow, should anybody wish to bag a last photo of a loco beneath the semaphores - click here
Truro Track Machine
Joe Birchall
Dear Jon
Another photo from today, in the form of a Colas tamper forming the 16:33 down movement.
Kind regards Joe
Another photo from today, in the form of a Colas tamper forming the 16:33 down movement.
Kind regards Joe
A Colas Rail track machine heads for Truro on 02.03.2024. Copyright Joe Birchall.
Many thanks Joe, well caught. Photo also added to the steadily growing resignalling section.
Cornwall Re-signalling Day 4 (01.03.2024)
Martin Duff
Hello admins,
Today the trailing crossover outside Truro signal box has been recovered and replaced with plain line.
Some trap point recoveries are also complete - Penwithers Junction and the down bay.
A reminder that tomorrow (02.03.2024 - apologies, this post is a day late being published) sees the final clay working under the semaphores at Lostwithiel and Par.
Today the trailing crossover outside Truro signal box has been recovered and replaced with plain line.
Some trap point recoveries are also complete - Penwithers Junction and the down bay.
A reminder that tomorrow (02.03.2024 - apologies, this post is a day late being published) sees the final clay working under the semaphores at Lostwithiel and Par.
Old crossover removed at Truro and replaced with plain line. 01.03.2024. Copyright Martin Duff.
Our continued thanks to Martin for his superb coverage of what is quite a major change to the railway. My apologies for the delay in publishing this instalment. Copied to the resignalling section.
Tiverton 'Tug'
Phil 'Shattered' Smith
'Mainline' liveried class 60 no. 60100 (the last of the 100 built) passes Tiverton Parkway in 2000. Copyright Phil Smith.
Many thanks Phil - great locos, a shame they didn't last longer.
Truro Engineering, and a first look at the new crossing gates
Mick House
Truro signal box with new crossing gates, 02.03.2024. Copyright Mick House.
New crossing gates at Truro, 02.03.2024. Copyright Mick House.
Enough to make a grown man cry! A symbollic photo, recovered semaphores at Truro, 02.03.2024. Copyright Mick House.
Many thanks Mick.
Mick has provided a comprehensive report with many high-quality images. You can find them in the resignalling section - click here, and select the 'Truro' section.
Mick has provided a comprehensive report with many high-quality images. You can find them in the resignalling section - click here, and select the 'Truro' section.
You wait all day for a train to turn up..
Jonathan Harbage
... then two turn up at once! 70814 and a class 66 on Truro viaduct, 01.03.2024. Copyright Jonathan Harbage.
Many thanks, Jonathan - more of Jonathans shots from this location can be found in the resignalling section.
Last chance at Lostwithiel
Jon Hird
The last clay train (admittedly empty) to travel beneath the Lostwithiel semaphores. 66021 and 18 JIA's with 6V74 Exeter Riverside - St. Blazey on 02.03.2024, caught in a very jammy spot of sunshine. Copyright Jon Hird.
A GWR IET unit heads for St. Austell beneath the semaphores, note the levelled area which was the goods yard. 02.03.24, copyright Jon Hird.
43189 heads past the down goods loop with a service for St. Austell. The up signal is pulled off. 02.03.2024, Copyright Jon Hird.
The iconic down signals which have stood proud on the end of Lostwithiel platform for many years, and have been the focal point of many a photograph. Soon to be consigned to the history books. 02.03.2024, Copyright Jon Hird.