17th January 2019

St Austell Footbridge
Soon to be dismantled and moved to the Helston Railway
​Roger Winnen

A report in the local press The St Austell Voice mentioned that work will be commencing on Saturday 26th January 2019 to remove the roof of the footbridge during the night after 23.00 hrs Further work on Saturdays 2nd 9th 16th and 23rd February will be to remove rivets glass and the structure of the bridge prior to its move to the Helston Railway.

190117a The 11.41 Penzance to Newton Abbot arrives at St Austell with unit 150001. Copyright Roger Winnen

190117b The 12.04 IET service from Penzance to Paddington emerges from under the old 1882 footbridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

190117bb A replacement to the cancelled 12.15 IET service to Penzance. The 06.10 Derby to Plymouth Voyager had hit a person at Starcross and was terminated. This HST ran from Newton Abbot to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

190117c Departure for Penzance looking down from the new footbridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

190117d 66169 on the 12.00 noon Parkandillack to St Blazey runs through St Austell 44 mins early. Copyright Roger Winnen

A couple from Craig
Burngullow & St Austell
Craig Munday

A couple from the doorstep! 

January 16th I was at Burngullow following an issue with the points. The sand train was busy loading in Methrose siding as I was there. The sun manged to break through and I caught a picture, showing the dumper loading the leading vehicles, and by pure chance, a bird of prey high above too! The loco was 66014 and the train departed around 11.00 bound for Bow. 

Later that evening, but just after midnight I popped into St Austell to see the NR test train. Booked to pause to reset the equipment allowed me time to fire off a couple of shots. 37025 looked superb in large logo, and sat under the redundant footbridge with its three coach train. 

        Craig Munday        Many thanks Craig - do you ever sleep?

66014 in charge of a train loading sand at Burngullow. 16th January 2019 Copyright Craig Munday. It's great that Craig can send us pictures like this being in a privileged position.

It's after midnight as 37025 pauses at St Austell on the 17th January 2019 Copyright Craig Munday

Pinhoe surprise
David Tozer

Pinhoe 59004 on a trial working before Whiteball closure. 16th January 2019 Copyright David Tozer

A somewhat unusual visitor to the former LSWR route between Yeovil Junction and Exeter was DBS Class 59/0 59004 Paul A Hammond running light engine as the 0729 Westbury - Exeter (Riverside) via Honiton and 1134 return. Possibly a first ever visit. I understand that this and further proposed runs on Thursday and Friday of this week are route refresher runs, in connection with the forthcoming blockade of the Exeter to Taunton line. Regards Dave Tozer  Many thanks David

 Further information from Guy Vincent
Today (16th) saw the unexpected and possible first ever visit of a class 59 loco to the Yeovil Jctn-Exeter line with 59004 'Paul A Hammond' working a special 0Z27 0729 Westbury Down Yard-Exeter Riverside (1036) driver route-training trip routed via Castle Cary, Yeovil Pen Mill / Jctn and Honiton.   The loco returned the same way as 0Z28 1134 Exeter Riverside-Westbury (1406).  This is believed to be in connection with the impending closure of Whiteball Tunnel for maintenance from 17th February until 8th March which will mean any stone for Riverside will have to be diverted. Plus there may be engineering trains needed on the 'wrong' side of the closure.   According to 'Real Time Trains' today's light engine run is scheduled again tomorrow (Thur 17th) and on Friday 18th but obviously I give no guarantee as to whether this will actually happen..  Hopefully it will so maybe it will be of interest to one or more of your Devon correspondents. Time is allowed in the schedule (for passing purposes) at both Chard Jctn and Honiton.  Today's RTT identity codes were 061Q and 021R.
           Regards, Guy Vincent                   Many thanks Guy

Many thanks Andrew
​

Late afternoon and early evening at
Penzance
Mark Lynam

158959 3-car 158959 about to work 2E88 1644 to Exeter St Davids. Seen at 16.43 on the 16th January 2019 Copyright Mark Lynam

A dramatic early evening picture of 37025 with its test train resting at Penzance at 17.40 on the 16th January 2019 Copyright Mark Lynam

Many thanks to you Mark.