Programme Change -
Due to unforseen events David Letcher will be unable to give his evening on Saturday 12th February however Roger Winnen has kindly agreed to step in with his talk planned for April 9th -
Next Saturday - The Cornwall Railway Society visit to Scotland ten years ago plus earlier pictures from 1975.
This will be the pasty evening.
Due to unforseen events David Letcher will be unable to give his evening on Saturday 12th February however Roger Winnen has kindly agreed to step in with his talk planned for April 9th -
Next Saturday - The Cornwall Railway Society visit to Scotland ten years ago plus earlier pictures from 1975.
This will be the pasty evening.
This will of course be at the Memorial Hall Redruth Methodist Church starting at 18.30. Directions to the Hall on our Indoor events programme.
Here at the Forth Bridge the party were joined by CRS member John Ball, seen here on the left. Also left to right we have Mike Hitchens, Tony Wright, Sue Wright and Tony Brokenshire. 28th June 2012 Copyright Roger Winnen.
Thank you Roger for stepping in at such short notice.
Lostwithiel
Andrew Vines
Andrew Vines
Dear Keith,
With Lostwithiel in the news at present, here are a couple of reminders of the old station which I took on 4th September 1973. No. 1664 'George Jackson Churchward' makes a brisk arrival with a clay train, and after reversal in the 'up' loop, sets off for Carne Point. Note the signalman climbing up the steps into his box after handing the token to the crew.
Best wishes
Andrew
With Lostwithiel in the news at present, here are a couple of reminders of the old station which I took on 4th September 1973. No. 1664 'George Jackson Churchward' makes a brisk arrival with a clay train, and after reversal in the 'up' loop, sets off for Carne Point. Note the signalman climbing up the steps into his box after handing the token to the crew.
Best wishes
Andrew
Lostwithiel 1664 George Jackson Churchward runs into the station towards the up loop to reverse. 4th September 1973. Copyright Andrew Vines,
Lostwithiel 1664 George Jackson Churchward having run round makes for Fowey. 4th September 1973. Copyright Andrew Vines
Sadly, last week the sidings visible on the right hand side of this photograph were lifted in preparation for a new access to the down platform and footbridge - the footbridge will cross the main lines just beyond where the loco is.
Many thanks Andrew. What a charming station Lostwithiel was - captured in all its glory.
Par
Paul Barlow
Paul Barlow
50026 Indominable arrives at Par on the 11.23 Paddington to Newquay service. 30th August 1986. Copyright Paul Barlow
Many thanks Paul.
Some Gems from the
Dave Pagett Collection
Steve Widdowson
Dave Pagett Collection
Steve Widdowson
Hi Keith,
Some years ago, a good friend & local signalman Dave Pagett at Worcester passed away.
He left me in his will his railway photo collection, which is a lot of images. The other day in the box of his images I found disc which had over 1000 scanned images on.
I have attached some of the West Country images which I am sure you will find interesting. Unfortunately there are no dates, so any extra info will be most welcome if anyone knows more.
There will be more.
Regards Steve Widdowson
Some years ago, a good friend & local signalman Dave Pagett at Worcester passed away.
He left me in his will his railway photo collection, which is a lot of images. The other day in the box of his images I found disc which had over 1000 scanned images on.
I have attached some of the West Country images which I am sure you will find interesting. Unfortunately there are no dates, so any extra info will be most welcome if anyone knows more.
There will be more.
Regards Steve Widdowson
45011 at Torquay ~ Copyright Late Dave Pagett # S Widdowson collection. Just on a point the picture of 45011, was taken when it was numbered 12 having dropped its D from D12, this will narrow down the date if anyone has any notes..... lets hope.. Sorry caption was a bit misleading.
A nice way to remember a good old friend - thank you Steve - we look forward to more.
Junction Jaunt to Coombe
Peter and Lyn Murnaghan
Peter and Lyn Murnaghan
Junction Jaunt to Coombe
The Looe branch line has seen passenger numbers grow in recent years, until ridership fell because of Covid-19. The trend can be seen in the annual figures published by the Office of Road and Rail, see summary. But there is one station on the branch that stubbornly remains poorly used. Coombe Junction Halt sees two trains per weekday in each direction, and regularly features within the lowest ten stations nationally. With depressed passenger figures across the country because of Covid last year, perversely Coombe's position in the league table improved. But back in 2015, it was the second least used station in the country with only 26 passengers all year.
Before 1901, there was no link between the Looe branch, splendidly isolated in the valley, and the Great Western Railway main line, which passed over the Moorswater viaduct, 150 feet above. In that year, the sinuous link line was opened to connect the two lines, which benefitted trade in the town of Looe and gradually opened it up to tourism. May 2016 marked the 115th anniversary of this link line.
Local enthusiast, Peter Murnaghan, who lived in Liskeard, hit upon the idea of commemorating the anniversary and, at the same time, doing something to boost the fortunes of little Coombe Junction. With his friend, Brian Oldham of Liskeard Museum, a walk was organised from Liskeard station down to Coombe to catch one of the two trains back up the incline. The walk down is a mere 0.8 mile, but the train journey back to the starting point measures 2 miles.
The Junction Jaunt was advertised locally in Liskeard and the press and local TV were captivated by the story of this sad little station. On the day, Saturday 14th May 2016, the train crew on the single class 153 unit were forewarned that there might be a few extra passengers to accommodate on the 1052 trip. In the event, no fewer than 108 people gathered for the walk !
And sure enough, the crowd filled the platform at Coombe, when the 75 seater arrived with a good load already on board from Looe. The guard's ticket machine was unable to cope with the three figure transaction, so the merry band had to purchase their tickets retrospectively from the ticket office at Liskeard on arrival. But only after Peter had been assured that the ticket sales would be credited to Coombe Junction, rather than the main line station.
Despite the 'London rush hour' travelling conditions for the short ride, everybody had fun and were pleased to have quadrupled Coombe's annual trade in just one day. This one event propelled Coombe Junction Halt up to 18th position from the bottom of the league table for 2016/17!
The Looe branch line has seen passenger numbers grow in recent years, until ridership fell because of Covid-19. The trend can be seen in the annual figures published by the Office of Road and Rail, see summary. But there is one station on the branch that stubbornly remains poorly used. Coombe Junction Halt sees two trains per weekday in each direction, and regularly features within the lowest ten stations nationally. With depressed passenger figures across the country because of Covid last year, perversely Coombe's position in the league table improved. But back in 2015, it was the second least used station in the country with only 26 passengers all year.
Before 1901, there was no link between the Looe branch, splendidly isolated in the valley, and the Great Western Railway main line, which passed over the Moorswater viaduct, 150 feet above. In that year, the sinuous link line was opened to connect the two lines, which benefitted trade in the town of Looe and gradually opened it up to tourism. May 2016 marked the 115th anniversary of this link line.
Local enthusiast, Peter Murnaghan, who lived in Liskeard, hit upon the idea of commemorating the anniversary and, at the same time, doing something to boost the fortunes of little Coombe Junction. With his friend, Brian Oldham of Liskeard Museum, a walk was organised from Liskeard station down to Coombe to catch one of the two trains back up the incline. The walk down is a mere 0.8 mile, but the train journey back to the starting point measures 2 miles.
The Junction Jaunt was advertised locally in Liskeard and the press and local TV were captivated by the story of this sad little station. On the day, Saturday 14th May 2016, the train crew on the single class 153 unit were forewarned that there might be a few extra passengers to accommodate on the 1052 trip. In the event, no fewer than 108 people gathered for the walk !
And sure enough, the crowd filled the platform at Coombe, when the 75 seater arrived with a good load already on board from Looe. The guard's ticket machine was unable to cope with the three figure transaction, so the merry band had to purchase their tickets retrospectively from the ticket office at Liskeard on arrival. But only after Peter had been assured that the ticket sales would be credited to Coombe Junction, rather than the main line station.
Despite the 'London rush hour' travelling conditions for the short ride, everybody had fun and were pleased to have quadrupled Coombe's annual trade in just one day. This one event propelled Coombe Junction Halt up to 18th position from the bottom of the league table for 2016/17!
The crowd of enthusiasts tired after their 0.8 mile walk makes its way onto the platform. 14th May 2016. Copyright Peter and Lyn Murnaghan.
The 10.52 to Liskeard approaches the station. 14th May 2016. Copyright Peter and Lyn Murnaghan.
Many still with an eye towards the TV cameraman being to board the train. 14th May 2016. Copyright Lyn and Peter Murnaghan.
Room for more inside - 14th May 2016. Copyright Lyn and Peter Murnaghan.
Lets try the other end! 14th May 2016, Copyright Peter and Lyn Murnaghan.
No spare seats - but a good profit. £153 for a 2 mile journey. 14th May 2016. Copyright Peter Murnnaghan
Tired after their long journey the passengers make their way home!! 14th May 2016. Copyright Peter and Lyn Murnaghan.
A wad of tickets - Copyright Peter and Lyn Murnaghan.
Junction Jaunt - Chuckle Brothers Brian Oldham on the left and Peter Murnghan. 14th May 2016. Copyright Lyn Murngahan
Many thanks Peter - an interesting and amusing story. The CRS once held the record with perhaps 20 passengers who visited Moorswater Dries before journeying on towards Looe.