CDA 375102
Tim Hughes
Tim Hughes
Hi.
For information, CDA 375102 remains at St Blazey as it has been aquired for preservation by MPower Kernow.
Photo attached of it being delivered.
Two shunters and a wagon expected to arrive from Bodmin imminently, loader sharing with the CDA moves to Bodmin.
Kind regards
Tim Hughes
For information, CDA 375102 remains at St Blazey as it has been aquired for preservation by MPower Kernow.
Photo attached of it being delivered.
Two shunters and a wagon expected to arrive from Bodmin imminently, loader sharing with the CDA moves to Bodmin.
Kind regards
Tim Hughes
66165 delivering CDA 375102 to St. Blazey turntable. 06.12.2023, Copyright Tim Hughes.
Many thanks Tim, for the update on 375102's new lease of life. It's lovely that one of these iconic wagons will remain 'at home' for the future.
Preserved CDA movements
Neil Phillips
Neil Phillips
Hi Keith,
I walked down to Par Docks early Friday afternoon (8th December 2023) to check on progress with moving the CDAs to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. Three had departed (one of which we know went to the Plym Valley Railway) and six remained, but during the hour or so I was there before a phone call sent me home nothing moved. It would have helped to know which route they were taking to reach Bodmin - later that evening my son reported seeing one on the Bodmin A30 'long roundabout' on his way home, around 5.15pm. Jon's photo of 375113 on Par Moor Road on Saturday provided both a clue to the route and confirmation that the wagons were being moved over the weekend, something I had assumed wouldn't happen (so we could finally get the Christmas decorations up!)
I went out for a long walk this afternoon and reached Par Moor Road at the Commercial Vehicle Testing Station at 3.05pm, just as the lorry carrying 375090 passed in front of me, giving me no time to get the phone camera out - it seems that I can see a wagon movement by accident but not on purpose! Since it's highly unlikely that these movements can negotiate the bridge under the railway outside Par Docks main entrance I am now convinced that they are moving through the docks' now little used western end to reach Par Moor Road via the gate at that end, which neatly avoids the bridge. From there they are using the A391 to reach the A30 presumably via Bugle (?) then on to Bodmin. Much as I would like to photograph a wagon passing under the steel footbridge which carries the South West Coast Path across that end of the Par Docks site, at 4pm this afternoon only one CDA remained to be collected and bad flooding of the footpath under the low bridge at the Spit Beach car park and also the road and pavement outside Par Docks makes reaching the footbridge on foot or by car very difficult, unless I repeat today's 'long way round' walk - I arrived home with wet feet! Since I have no idea when it will depart I admit defeat on that final CDA.
However it is clear that some of the runs haven't returned empty, as Ruston & Hornsby 48DS 'Brian' and a Fowler 0-4-0 diesel shunter, as well as a WR ventilated van, have now arrived at Par Docks. 'Brian' was expected but the Fowler is a mystery. Please find attached the best photo I could obtain over the fence, and through another fence!
Best regards, Neil Phillips.
I walked down to Par Docks early Friday afternoon (8th December 2023) to check on progress with moving the CDAs to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. Three had departed (one of which we know went to the Plym Valley Railway) and six remained, but during the hour or so I was there before a phone call sent me home nothing moved. It would have helped to know which route they were taking to reach Bodmin - later that evening my son reported seeing one on the Bodmin A30 'long roundabout' on his way home, around 5.15pm. Jon's photo of 375113 on Par Moor Road on Saturday provided both a clue to the route and confirmation that the wagons were being moved over the weekend, something I had assumed wouldn't happen (so we could finally get the Christmas decorations up!)
I went out for a long walk this afternoon and reached Par Moor Road at the Commercial Vehicle Testing Station at 3.05pm, just as the lorry carrying 375090 passed in front of me, giving me no time to get the phone camera out - it seems that I can see a wagon movement by accident but not on purpose! Since it's highly unlikely that these movements can negotiate the bridge under the railway outside Par Docks main entrance I am now convinced that they are moving through the docks' now little used western end to reach Par Moor Road via the gate at that end, which neatly avoids the bridge. From there they are using the A391 to reach the A30 presumably via Bugle (?) then on to Bodmin. Much as I would like to photograph a wagon passing under the steel footbridge which carries the South West Coast Path across that end of the Par Docks site, at 4pm this afternoon only one CDA remained to be collected and bad flooding of the footpath under the low bridge at the Spit Beach car park and also the road and pavement outside Par Docks makes reaching the footbridge on foot or by car very difficult, unless I repeat today's 'long way round' walk - I arrived home with wet feet! Since I have no idea when it will depart I admit defeat on that final CDA.
However it is clear that some of the runs haven't returned empty, as Ruston & Hornsby 48DS 'Brian' and a Fowler 0-4-0 diesel shunter, as well as a WR ventilated van, have now arrived at Par Docks. 'Brian' was expected but the Fowler is a mystery. Please find attached the best photo I could obtain over the fence, and through another fence!
Best regards, Neil Phillips.
Seen at Par Docks, arrivals. 9th December 2023. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Many thanks Neil, can anybody tell us by which route the CDA's escaped Par Docks. Examining the options on Google Earth all routes look pretty complicated.
From Jon Hird, in answer to the above:
Hello all,
The route taken by the Bodmin CDA's was as follows:
Out of Par docks main entrance, left under the railway bridge (Yes, they did fit, just!), along Par Moor Road and then around the roundabout and back through St. Blazey on the A390.
Past the church and over the crossing, up Penpillick Hill (slowly!), then left onto the B3269 through Sweetshouse.
At the Lanhydrock mini roundabout they went right, then joined the A38 briefly before cutting through Walker Lines industrial estate to avoid the low 13 foot rail bridge which crosses the road near Bodmin College.
A screenshot of the route from Google Maps is shown below.
I believe all the CDA's have now been removed from the docks.
All the best, Jon
The route taken by the Bodmin CDA's was as follows:
Out of Par docks main entrance, left under the railway bridge (Yes, they did fit, just!), along Par Moor Road and then around the roundabout and back through St. Blazey on the A390.
Past the church and over the crossing, up Penpillick Hill (slowly!), then left onto the B3269 through Sweetshouse.
At the Lanhydrock mini roundabout they went right, then joined the A38 briefly before cutting through Walker Lines industrial estate to avoid the low 13 foot rail bridge which crosses the road near Bodmin College.
A screenshot of the route from Google Maps is shown below.
I believe all the CDA's have now been removed from the docks.
All the best, Jon
Footplate Experience
Michael Roach
Michael Roach
Hi Keith
Thanks for passing on Paul N's email. I am sure he would have enjoyed my one and only return trip on the footplate, although I never particularly craved a footplate trip before or after when one was offered I had to grab it.
I was stood alone on a station platform with little footfall photographing an engine with 2C that had more than 3 hours between trains - due to the cuts of June 1958 perhaps. The driver offered a return trip and I said yes please; and so I travelled 17 miles each way between Pontsticill Junction and Brecon and back on the evening of 8 September 1962. The engine was pannier 4690 and the return was in the dark.
We had just over half an hour at Brecon, and when we arrived there I discovered why my presence was necessary. I was left to guard the engine while the driver and fireman went off to the nearest pub a couple of minutes away ! Unbelievable really, but they were based at Merthyr Shed and the Welsh did like their beer then.
Regards, Mike.
Thanks for passing on Paul N's email. I am sure he would have enjoyed my one and only return trip on the footplate, although I never particularly craved a footplate trip before or after when one was offered I had to grab it.
I was stood alone on a station platform with little footfall photographing an engine with 2C that had more than 3 hours between trains - due to the cuts of June 1958 perhaps. The driver offered a return trip and I said yes please; and so I travelled 17 miles each way between Pontsticill Junction and Brecon and back on the evening of 8 September 1962. The engine was pannier 4690 and the return was in the dark.
We had just over half an hour at Brecon, and when we arrived there I discovered why my presence was necessary. I was left to guard the engine while the driver and fireman went off to the nearest pub a couple of minutes away ! Unbelievable really, but they were based at Merthyr Shed and the Welsh did like their beer then.
Regards, Mike.
Quite amazing what went on in the good old days - they'd most certainly be sacked for that nowadays.
5572
Neil Phillips
Neil Phillips
Further to Michael L. Roach's article on '4575 class' 5572, the Hawksworth auto-train stock from the South Wales Valleys was also dispersed following dieselisation in 1958 and at least one two-car set ended up on the Lostwithiel - Fowey branch. The colour album 'Steam in Cornwall' by Peter W. Gray includes a photo of 5572 propelling this set, comprised of a maroon driving vehicle and crimson trailer, into Lostwithiel in August 1959. The loco was still in BR unlined black at that time, but Michael's photos show it in lined green with the small version of the BR emblem instead of the more usual large emblem applied to these locos with their larger tanks. Another book in my possession shows branch regular '14xx' 1419 in charge of the driving vehicle alone, instead of the usual autocoach.
I recall seeing preserved 5572 several times from the train while passing through Taunton station around 1970 (I can't find the actual date in my records at the moment) - either this one or 0-6-0ST 1363 was the first standard gauge preserved steam loco I ever saw. I was somewhat bemused by it carrying the same number as the ubiquitous Tri-ang OO gauge A1A-A1A diesel!
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
I recall seeing preserved 5572 several times from the train while passing through Taunton station around 1970 (I can't find the actual date in my records at the moment) - either this one or 0-6-0ST 1363 was the first standard gauge preserved steam loco I ever saw. I was somewhat bemused by it carrying the same number as the ubiquitous Tri-ang OO gauge A1A-A1A diesel!
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
Very many thanks Neil for your memories and observations - fascinating stuff.
SW Rail - Trains
David Tozer
David Tozer
A chance to use my cameras.
Today Sunday SWR ran their first trains for nearly a week from Exeter, possibly to check the state of the track. Given the length of running time I assume that the units ran at a very much reduced speed.
159103 and 159010 worked the 0953 5Z50 Exeter New Yard to Axminster.
On the return working 159010 and 159103 worked the 1120 5Z51 Axminster to Exeter New Yard.
My photo shows them approaching Exhibition Way Bridge on the outskirts of Exeter on the return trip.
Dave Tozer
159010 and 159103 seen at Exhibition Way Bridge on the return trip - this is on the outskirts of Exeter. 10th December 2023. Copyright David Tozer.
Many thanks David.
Colourful scenes at
Teignmouth.
Paul Barlow
Teignmouth.
Paul Barlow
67006 leads 67022 working the 12.25 Truro to Victoria Belmond Pullman seen at Teignmouth 7 M...y 2017
67006 and 67022 working the 12.25 Truro to Victoria Belmond Pullman head east as 43136 approaches. 7th May 2017. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Nice memories, many thanks Paul.