29th December 2023

NINETEEN SIXTY TWO
PART 62
Michael L. Roach
The Blizzard of December 1962

It is 175 years since the South Devon Railway opened its railway line into Plymouth from the east. To the best of my knowledge, in all that time there have only been two occasions when the railway lines approaching Plymouth around the edge of Dartmoor have been struck by blizzards so severe that the resulting snow drifts were deep enough to stop all train movements and trap trains for several days. However if you know of any other occasions please write in to the web master. The first occasion was in March 1891 and on that occasion there were drifts and problems right across Southern England. The details of that event as it affected Devon and Cornwall may appear in a subsequent part of this series. In this part the blizzard of 29 December 1962 will be recalled through my photographs. This blizzard also seriously affected Exmoor and resulted in the decision to use helicopters for the first time to drop food, water and other essentials to isolated properties on Dartmoor and Exmoor and not just for humans but also for farm animals. There have been numerous other snow events in other parts of Britain, including Dartmoor in 1947, but what marked out the December 1962 event were the gale-force easterly winds and the resulting depths of the snow drifts which were up to 20 feet (6 metres) deep on Dartmoor and Exmoor. The cold spell of winter 1962-63 lasted some twelve weeks.
The blizzard of 29 December 1962 coincided with the last day of passenger services on the Plymouth – Tavistock South – Launceston ex-GWR branchline, and the complete closure of much of the route. I was there on the branch that day, all day for some 14 hours. Because of what I chose to do that day, the date became a landmark date in my life. If I had chosen instead to make a couple of return trips on the branch and stay home after tea due to the apalling weather conditions I might have felt differently about the date. The full story of what I did on 29 December 1962 has been recounted once before twelve months ago and the words that follow will be a repeat of that story with different photographs from the same day.
On the 28 December1962 there had been a dusting of snow in many places after a week of intensely cold weather. On the following day we woke to some 3 inches (75mm) of snow in Plymouth. It was a sad day for someone who had come to love this line in the preceeding three years and who would miss the atmosphere of a line that was in many ways still as it was pre-nationalisation in 1947 or even pre-war in 1938. It was still worked by the same classes of engines (the 4500s and the 6400s) that had worked the line in the nineteen thirties. I had taken hundreds of photos of the Launceston Branch trains and made many trips along the line and knew that with the crowds expected for a “last day” that I had little chance of getting my favourite position on the train which was the first window in the first coach. So instead I opted to travel out to one of my favourite stations, Yelverton, and spend several daylight hours there watching the last trains calling at the station. Later I planned to make an evening return trip to Launceston and back. I travelled out to Yelverton on the 10.40am off Plymouth which was a very popular choice for enthusiasts. The train was strengthened from the normal two coaches to four coaches hauled by Laira's small priarie 5564 which had arrived there earlier in the year. At the start of the day the snow was just a bonus and few of us travelling out on the 10.40am train could have realised the severity of the weather that was approaching the area. (to be continued)

5564 has arrived at Yelverton with the very last 10.40am Plymouth to Launceston where the overnight snow was a little deeper than it was in Plymouth. Copyright Michael L Roach

A handful of passengers wait to board the 10.15am Launceston to Plymouth at Yelverton on 29.01.1962 as the train arrives behind 5569. The small booking office in the building shown closed at 2.00pm. Copyright Michael L Roach

The 12.40pm Tavistock to Plymouth stops at Yelverton viewed from the trackbed of the Princetown Branch, which at this point was rising on a 1 in 40 gradient check-railed curve. Copyright Michael L Roach

6430 leaves Yelverton with the 12.40pm Tavistock to Plymouth consisting of 4 auto coaches (nos. 255, 230, 228, 234). Copyright Michael L Roach

I have walked nearly half way to Clearbrook Halt to capture 6400 on the 12.45pm SO Plymouth to Tavistock. Copyright Michael L Roach

5564 leaves Yelverton with the 12.40pm SO Launceston to Plymouth running 24 late; the latest train seen so far. Copyright Michael L Roach

Copyright Michael L Roach

Summer Sun
Jon Hird

In this current period of awful weather, what we wouldn't give for a few days of this!

In the summer of 2004, due to a shortage of rolling stock, Virgin Cross Country were forced to hire in EWS traction in the form of class 67's to work a few trains per day to Paignton. One such train is seen at Dawlish in the hands of 67014. Copyright Jon Hird.

Another one of the additional trains heading back North past Aller Junction in some wonderful evening sunshine. A scene which was sadly consigned to the history books due to the demolition of the farm access bridge I was standing on. Copyright Jon Hird.

Truro Resignalling
Mick House

Truro down side. Copyright Mick House

Truro down side. Copyright Mick House

Truro up side. Copyright Mick House

Many Thanks Mick

St Erth Station yesterday
Dennis Clarke & Mick House 

Hi Keith, I was at St Erth today and took a few photos. 150238, still in blue livery, was on the St Ives shuttle. The other photos show the progress on the new footbridge, with the foundations taking place. Kind Regards, Dennis

Hi Keith, I was at St Erth today and took a few photos. 150238, still in blue livery, was on the St Ives shuttle. The other photos show the progress on the new footbridge, with the foundations taking place. Kind Regards, Dennis

The St Ives Unit awaits departure. Copyright Dennis Clarke

St Erth Copyright Mick House

Foundations for the new footbridge on the up platform. Copyright Dennis Clarke

Foundations on the down platform at St Erth. Copyright Dennis Clarke

St Erth east side. Copyright Mick House

St Erth Station looking towards Hayle. Copyright Dennis Clarke

Many Thanks Dennis & Mick

Seeing out 2023 With the Castle Class HST at Penzance
Roger Winnen

Castle Class Old Oak Common arrives at Penance on a midday working from Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

43153 Stands at Penzance after working the 10.42 Plymouth to Penzance service. Copyright Roger Winnen

150 units working the 12.19 Plymouth Penzance service. Gales all over Britain on Wednesday. Copyright Roger Winnen

The arrival of the 15.47 Plymouth Penzance service arrives at Platform 3. Copyright Roger Winnen

The Welshman awaiting to head the 18.15 service from Penzance to Exeter in heavy rain. Copyright Roger Winnen

Penzance station view from the balcony. Copyright Roger Winnen

Burngullow to Grampound Road Station in 1976
Roger Winnen

These were the days of the 50p Cheap Cheap Day Returns available on Saturdays by the 09.30 Penzance to Plymouth service aimed at shoppers going to Plymouth

760213f The 09.30 from Penzance coming up St Stephens Coombe formed of 2 Three Car Cross Country Units. Copyright Roger Winnen

760213c The 08.42 Plymouth to Penzance approaching Burngullow. Copyright Roger Winnen

760213b Burngullow Clay Dries with the 08.45 Penzance to Paddington approaching. Copyright Roger Winnen

760213h The 10.25 Cornishman from Penzance at St Stephens Coombe. Copyright Roger Winnen

760213j The 11.00 Penzance to Paddington crosses the St Stephens Coombe Viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen

760213k The Fal Viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen

760213l Grampound Road Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

760213n Grampound Road Station with the 12.35 ex Penzance passing by. Copyright Roger Winnen

Remembering our very good friend
The Late John Cornelius

Many thanks John, you gave many super pictures and of these this is in my opinion is your 'crowning glory'.

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