Two steam hauled Railtours
It's the 28th April and we have two railtours by todays date to look at - one exactly 60 years ago on 28th April 1962, and one, hopefully fingers crossed today, 28th April 2022.
Firstly our veteran reporter Michael L. Roach looks back sixty years and bring us the following account, and many of the photographs - he was there.
RAILTOUR REPORT
The Plymouth Railway Circle Cornish Minerals Tour of 28th April 1962
Nearly a hundred participants congregated at Truro Station to take part in what proved to be the most ambitious tour ever organised in the west over lines used only for china clay traffic, and a branch threatened with closure. An added attraction was the fact that this was the last time that a steam engine would be rostered to work a revenue earning train from St. Blazey Shed as diesels have now replaced all steam turns at this depot. A fitting finale was a triumphal entry into St. Blazey with whistles crowing as a final salute to the steam engine's close association with the depot and the clay industry.
The special train consisted of prairie tanks 4564 and 5531, coupled bunker to bunker, and eleven brake vans. From Truro the train ran to Newham (Truro Goods), then Chacewater where the branch to Newquay (which is under threat of closure) was taken as far as Tolcarne Junction. Here the little-used third side of the triangle was taken to reach the Newquay – Par line which was followed to Bugle. The train was then propelled along the short branch to Carbis Wharf. Returning to Bugle the locos ran around to take the train back westwards to St. Dennis Junction. Here the train traversed the Meledor Mill branch before returning to St. Dennis Junction and heading for Drinnick Mill and Burngullow on the Cornish main line. At St. Austell the locos ran round to take the train up to Lansalson before propelling back to St. Austell. The locos ran round again at both St. Austell and Par before the tour came to a close with passengers detraining at the closed station of St. Blazey.
(This is a shortened version of a contemporary report written by Alan J. Weary which appeared in The Railway Observer)
The Plymouth Railway Circle Cornish Minerals Tour of 28th April 1962
Nearly a hundred participants congregated at Truro Station to take part in what proved to be the most ambitious tour ever organised in the west over lines used only for china clay traffic, and a branch threatened with closure. An added attraction was the fact that this was the last time that a steam engine would be rostered to work a revenue earning train from St. Blazey Shed as diesels have now replaced all steam turns at this depot. A fitting finale was a triumphal entry into St. Blazey with whistles crowing as a final salute to the steam engine's close association with the depot and the clay industry.
The special train consisted of prairie tanks 4564 and 5531, coupled bunker to bunker, and eleven brake vans. From Truro the train ran to Newham (Truro Goods), then Chacewater where the branch to Newquay (which is under threat of closure) was taken as far as Tolcarne Junction. Here the little-used third side of the triangle was taken to reach the Newquay – Par line which was followed to Bugle. The train was then propelled along the short branch to Carbis Wharf. Returning to Bugle the locos ran around to take the train back westwards to St. Dennis Junction. Here the train traversed the Meledor Mill branch before returning to St. Dennis Junction and heading for Drinnick Mill and Burngullow on the Cornish main line. At St. Austell the locos ran round to take the train up to Lansalson before propelling back to St. Austell. The locos ran round again at both St. Austell and Par before the tour came to a close with passengers detraining at the closed station of St. Blazey.
(This is a shortened version of a contemporary report written by Alan J. Weary which appeared in The Railway Observer)
Leaving Truro the special made its way to Newham - the first passengers there for many a year. The West Cornwall passenger station here closed 16th September 1863.
On the Chacewater to Newquay branch. A privileged view at Perranporth taken by the late Terry Nichols.
The Plymouth Railway Circle Cornwall Mineral lines Railtour near Goonhavern on Saturday 28th April 1962. This picture was kindly provided by Derek Brooks, Recorder Goonhavern Old Cornwall Society.
The railtour stands at St Columb Road. 28th April 1962. Copyright Mike Roach
The Cornwall Minerals Railtour at Carbis Wharf shortly after two on Saturday 28th April 1962. Copyright the late Sid Sponheimer
The railtour at Melangoose Mill on the Meledore branch. 26th April 1962. Copyright the late Sid Sponheimer.
The railtour gains the main line at Burngullow and heads for its next stop at St Austell. 28th April 1962 Copyright Mike Roach.
The final port of call. The railtour seen on the Lansalson branch 28th April 1962. Copyright the late Sid Sponheimer. The good old days - this was what railtours were all about!!
Many thanks to Michael Roach and all other photographers.
Okehampton Engineering
Driver Alan Peters
Driver Alan Peters
Colas Rail 70803 is pictured with the Rhomberg Sersa HOBC train, used to move the spoil between the worksite and Okehampton Military sidings on 26th April 2022. Copyright Driver Alan Peters
The former Military sidings near Torrs Road bridge where the spoil is discharged, this is the first train past Okehampton towards Meldon - seen on the 26th April 2022. Copyright Driver Alan Peters
A classic photograph. Colas Rail 70803 peeps through Torrs Road bridge in the early hours of 26th April 2022. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.
Many thanks Alan.
Getting all factors right.
Teignmouth & Dawlish
Clive Smith
Teignmouth & Dawlish
Clive Smith
43170 leads the 05.40 Penzance - Cardiff Central through the cutting on the approach to Teignmouth station on the 27th April 2022. 43162 is on the rear. A difficult place to get all factors right. Copyright Clive Smith.
I've only got a 20mm lens so this is as good as I can get. Cross country on the 05.27 Plymouth to Leeds. A distant view of Langstone Rock and Exmouth. 18th March 2022. Copyright Clive Smith
Well done Clive - you got factors right especially the high tide in the latter shot.
Sea wall engineering work at
Dawlish & Sea Wall
Steve Widdowson
Dawlish & Sea Wall
Steve Widdowson
A colourful scene as the course of the stream which flows out into the sea here is modified - not much of the work is visible at high tide. 19th April 2022. Copyright Stephen Widdowson
This view shows the scale of the works concerned with re-inforcing the rail route here. Note the encampment high above 43027 ~ 43194 Dawlish on the 2U14 0740 Penzance ~ Cardiff 21st April 2022. Copyright Steve Widdowson
Many thanks Steve - much appreciated.
Two I almost missed
Keith Turley and David Tozer.
Keith Turley and David Tozer.
On 26th April 2022 Freightliner class 66/5 No.66560 with classmate No.66511 out of sight on the rear pass Cowley Bridge Junc. working the 6X37 16:55 Fairwater Yard to Aish emergency crossover HOBC. Copyright Keith Turley,
66100 28th April .2022 Copyright David Tozer.
My apologies gentlemen - forgiveness sought!