31st August 2019

Todays pictures
Bodmin Parkway/Road
Martin Scane

I haven’t submitted anything for sometime as we’ve been very busy with Summer visitors. However, here are a couple of photos from Bodmin Road (I can’t get used to Parkway I’m afraid)!!  Thanks Martin - I still am tempted to say Plymouth North Road.

Nicely framed by the footbridge at Bodmin Parkway 1v45 Manchester Piccadilly to Newquay running 6 mins early. The times is 13.17 on the 31st August 2019. Copyright Martin Scane.

Running into the branch platform at what we'll now call Bodmin Road is 75178. The time is 13.44 on the 31st August 2019. Copyright Martin Scane.

A long wait!
​David Tozer

David writes :- It was unusual to see a Colas Tamper in day light. DR73931 is seen near Exhibition Way, just after Pinhoe Station. This was the 1248 Woking Up Reception Yard - Exeter Old Yard Waggoners Way. The machine had stood in Chard Loop from 1529 until 1827. With SWR having a two hourly service West of Salisbury (strike day) why it was held so long here is questionable. Other pathways appear to have been available. Regards Dave.  Many thanks David.

DR73931 taken on the 30th August 2019 Copyright David Tozer.

Signs of the times
Helston Branch
Michael Roach

I have been waiting to see the responses to the item about a blue enamel sign still extant at Penzance. Roy Hart is probably right that the peak of production of such signs for the GWR was the 1880s and the 1890s. In the first picture attached we see a veritable monster blue and white sign from Gwinear Road which probably dates from the time it became a junction in 1887. In the second picture we see its replacement from early British Railways days. Both signs are now at Prospidnick on the Helston Railway. In the remaining pictures we see some signs from my collection. Despite the widespread introduction of painted cast iron signs by the GWR, many enamel signs lasted into the 1960s and two stations which were well-endowed with such signs were Tavistock and Tiverton.

Vitreous enamel signs are still made, and one particular application suitable for individuals to consider is the purchase of a house number in vitreous enamel?? to put up by your front door.

                    Regards, Mike Roach.   Many thanks for your note and the pictures Mike. Roger reports that the sign he pictured at Penzance is long gone, where, nobody knows. Probably in a skip!

An original sign from Gwinear Road thankfully preserved at Prospidnick on the growing Helston Railway. 11th August 2019. Copyright Mike Roach.

A later version, again from Gwinear Road showing destinations reached by bus from the Helston Terminus. Again located and preserved at Prospidinick on the Helston Railway. 11th August 2019. Copyright Mike Roach.

From the Mike Roach Collection (1) Copyright Mike Roach.

From the Mike Roach Collection (2) Copyright Mike Roach.

Chacewater Newquay branch
Goonhavern
Derek Brooks / David Pearce

It's a long time ago that the Chacewater - Newquay branch closed and it is pleasing fifty years on to show you a picture taken after the lines closure. This picture being taken in 1980.
This one by David Pearce was taken during the process on infill of the long straight cutting through which the line passed. There were three bridges at Goonhavern, one just west of the station - the next shown here in the process of being removed and lost without trace was in Bridge Road. Many thanks to David Pearce for having the forethought of photographing the process of burial. 

Derek Brooks Collection 2 Bridge Road, Goonhavern - 1980 Courtesy Mr David Pearce. Looking at Google Earth Street view and Bridge Road there seems to be no trace nowadays of the railway.

It's winter 1963 and with closure imminent a last trip is taken over the branch. Here we see Goonhavern halt with potential passengers waiting Note that the road was carried over the line by means of a bridge which has required considerable earth movement to fashion the approaches. Presumably this earth was recovered from the cutting which lay beyond. Bridge Road bridge (Seen in the picture taken in 19800 is the second of three bridges in a straight line under which we are about to pass. The furthest bridge is of iron construction. Copyright Keith Jenkin. (Weren't they wonderful things - heritage DMU's with forward looking windows)