A cold trip up through Cornwall in February in 1986  by Mike Roach

Starting from Camborne Mike Roach took a rather chilly trip up through Cornwall on  Monday 24 February 1986. With a layer of snow on the ground the scene takes on a very different look, the track work appears highlighted where it appears through the snow. With the aid of his pictures lets enjoy his journey without the cold! The first three pictures were taken earlier the same day; the rest were all taken from the train which left Camborne about 14.20 hours. In 2014 the Penzance to Paddington route still has HSTs and is likely to have for several years to come. They are one of the very few trains in Britain still to have slam doors and opening windows (because the door handles are outside the door). So it is still possible to repeat this exercise, if we had some snow. 

A fair number of passengers wait an up train as runs slowly to a standstill before the level crossing. February 1986. Copyright Mike Roach.

The HST has already collected some snow. The down platform looks quite slippery. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach

Taken the same day we see an earlier service speeding across Brea embankment with Carn Brea Hill in the background. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach

A Christmas card view of Tregajorran and Carn Brea Hill. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach

St Euny Church lies in the foreground, beside it, to the left is the old vicarage, and at the back of the vicarage grounds is Church Lane, a very old highway between Redruth and the Church. One story often told, both in respect of a full size carriage & one of his models, is that one night Murdock decided to test his carriage outside on the open road (This was down Church Lane behind the old vicarage) and it soon outpaced him, leaving him to chase after it. Whilst chasing it he encountered a local clergyman in a state of considerable distress who had mistaken his carriage, with its billowing smoke and fire burning under the boiler, for the devil. This story may be accurate, however is more likely to relate to a model than to a full-size steam carriage. (Wilkipedia). The weather vane visible on the outbuilding backing onto Trevingey Road, very clearly depicts the Reverend being chased by Murdocks engine. This is thus the first place in the world ever to have witnessed a steam powered road vehicle. Wheal Uny mine is on the hill to the left. This picture February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach.

The approach to Redruth over the viaduct. The viaduct is three tracks wide at the east end to accomodate a head shunt for the Goods Shed which was served by a bay on the up platform. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach. N.B. The terminus of the Redruth and Chasewater Railway which ran to Devoran lay behind but close by the chimney stack (Originally five tiers) of Pednadrea Mine.

50 023 Howe heads the train past through the site of the former Scorrier station with Scorrier Chapel off to the left. Wheal Busy siding lay at one time just out of sight beyond the Chapel overlooked by Hallenbeagle Mine engine house. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach

We run into Truro Station, a scene little changed from February 1986 when this picture was taken, to 2014, when it appears on our website. Copyright Mike Roach

The single car unit providing the service to Falmouth waits in the bay. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach. N.B. The Ladies has moved since the picture was taken.

Probus Church Tower dominates the scene in Feb 86. The county lost a good man when later the same year, at 6.45am on 22 December 1986, David Pehaligon MP going to a constituency engagement when a van skidded on an icy road and hit his Rover SD1 car near the road junction shown. Copyright Mike Roach

At Trenowth, east of the former Grampound Road station on a relatively open section of countryside. Since this picture was taken in 1986, the line was singled (in 1987), and doubled again in 2005. Copyright Mike Roach

Coombe St Stephens Viaduct. The piers of the original viaduct are in front of the present viaduct. China clay waste heaps on the horizon. February 1986. Copyright Mike Roach

Running into St Austell station where the platforms have been swept clear of snow. The down platform here has since been considerably lengthened at the this, the west end. The station buildings on the down side were subsequently swept away to be replaced by a new design. The covered Great Western footbridge still survives in February 2014. Copyright Mike Roach

Running down the bank into Par Station at 15.12 hours. At least one other hardy soul is looking out of the window enjoying the cool crisp air. The metals of Chapel siding stand out very clearly against the snow. Note the signal box on the platform, and the public house opposite the station. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach.

In February 1986 Par harbour was still playing host to coasters, which came to be loaded with china clay. Copyright Mike Roach

The train approaching the south end of Treverrin tunnel. Copyright Mike Roach

The approach to Lostwithiel in February 1986. Of interest here is the Fowey branch (Carne Point) coming in to join with the main line. At one time the branch continued on into Lostwithiel yard thus enabling Fowey trains to run to and from the bay platform without joining the main line. The original route which can be seen beyond the signal and catch point ran over a separate bridge. Also in this shot is the former broad gauge goods shed that was tragically destroyed once it had been moved to a new location for preservation. Copyright Mike Roach

Two rakes of clay hood wagons occupy the goods yard at Lostwithiel in February 1986. In 2014 the yard is unused because clay trains always go direct from loading point to Carne Point. It is rumoured that the yard sidings are to be lifted in 2014. Copyright Mike Roach.

A little snow is in evidence as we run through the Fowey Valley and pass through the short Brown Queen tunnel. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach

Entering Bodmin Road Station (now Bodmin Parkway). Note the signal box (now a café). Quite a bit has changed here since February 1986. The track alongside the Bodmin and Wenford platform has been replaced (It was removed in 1963). The railings alongside the platform face now used by the b & W have been removed. The siding serving the bay has been recovered. Copyright Mike Roach

Undecided whether (weather!!) you'd like this picture very cold or a bit warmer here are two versions.

Quite a bit has changed here since February 1986. The track alongside the Bodmin and Wenford platform has been replaced (It was removed in 1963). The railings alongside the platform face now used by the b & W have been removed. The siding serving the bay has been recovered. Copyright Mike Roach

The sun strikes through the trees above Largin signalbox in this view. Largin box controlled a short length of single line over two viaducts. The box was replaced by a panel in Lostwithiel box at a reputed cost of £1,000,000. Copyright Mike Roach

Crossing Moorswater viaduct at 15.36 as the train approaches Liskeard. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach

Looking down onto a rather chilly Coombe Junction Platform which is alongside the long shed used for storing wool fleeces. Copyright Mike Roach

As the train coasts into Liskeard station a class mate is seen about to depart on a down service. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach.

As the train coasts into Liskeard station a class mate is seen about to depart on a down service. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach.

Snow appears to be lying on the rails of the Looe branch as it wends its way down towards Coombe Junction. Looking south towards Looe from Liskeard Viaduct. Copyright Mike Roach

Another Christmas Card picture of Menheniot with the spire of St Lalluwy Church standing out against the sky. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach

Easing through the curves at Menheniot. The sidings and loop here, which served Clicker Tor Quarry (Behind the trees to the right) were removed in 1969. Even as the crow flies the village of Menheniot is over a mile away and the road route is by no means straight! February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach

The scene looking down on the A38 from east of Menheniot. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach

Entering St Germans in February 1986. At that time St. Germans still had a "signal box" located in the station buildings seen on the down platform. This was the fringe box to the Plymouth MAS box. This function is now performed by Liskeard box. On a journey from Paddington to Penzance the first semaphore signal to be seen on the journey is at Liskeard 243 miles from Paddington. Copyright Mike Roach

The Royal Albert Bridge in February 1986. What a pity that such a marvelous view is spoilt by the road bridge behind. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach

And so through Saltash and on to the Royal Albert Bridge at 15.55 hours. The bridge starts at the end of the platform. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach

The approach to Plymouth from the west. February 1986 Copyright Mike Roach

50 023 Howe stands at platform 4 at Plymouth before setting out for Paddington. February 1986. Copyright Mike Roach

-  and what was it like at Penzance you may ask.

It is February 1986, possibly the same day as the previous photographs were taken. Here 50 020 Revenge sets off from Penzance taking with it some samples of the overnight snow on the carriage roofs. Many thanks to Roger Winnen for this one taken about 300 yards from his home. Copyright