Truro Signal Upgrades
5th June 1971
Roger Winnen
5th June 1971
Roger Winnen
In June 1971 an upgrade to the Signalling in the Truro area took place, Truro East Box as it was known (with a new frame installed) took over control of Truro West Box which controlled the engine shed and yard together with Penweathers Junction Signal Box controlling the junction for the Falmouth and Newham Branches How differant everything looks these days!
710605f D1913 Departs Truro Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
710605e Truro West Signal Box. Copyright Roger Winnen
710605d A new Cross Country set in Platform 4 at Truro. Copyright Roger Winnen
710605c Alterations at Truro yard with the engine shed site recently cleared. Copyright Roger Winnen
710605b The new track layout in Truro yard. Copyright Roger Winnen
710605a Alterations to the track layout at Truro. Copyright Roger Winnen
NINETEEN SIXTY TWO – PART 72
Two Photos from the 1970s
Michael L. Roach
The demise of Truro Box prompted the choice of the first photograph which shows the former mechanical box at Carn Brea, some distance east of the former station (closed to passengers on and from 2 January 1961) and to the north of the hamlet of Tregajorran. The sign tells us that level crossing and the signal box (?) were closed on and from Wednesday 26 May 1973 in this view looking north east. The photograph was taken on 28 July 1973.
Carn Brea signal box and level crossing seen some two months after closure. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
In the 1920s there were hundreds of examples of the four main line railways selling off the bodies of their redundant passenger coaches and wagons for further use as homes, holiday homes and storage on farms. I think it probably continued through the 1930s despite the 1932 Town and Country Planning Act possibly making the use of redundant coach bodies more difficult, especially in prominent areas of pleasant countryside.
In West Wales there was a whole colony of coach bodies on the cliffs above Aberporth; many of which have since been removed for preservation.
In the County of Cornwall, coach bodies were never common - has any reader attempted to make a list of current and former sites? The second image from 24 May 1975 shows a much modified 4-compartment coach located next to the coast path at Lesceave Cliff between Rinsey Head and Praa Sands some seven miles by road from the nearest railway at Marazion Station. It could not have been easy to deliver the coach body as the nearest road is some distance away.
The coach disappeared many years ago, believed demolished on site rather than saved for preservation.
In West Wales there was a whole colony of coach bodies on the cliffs above Aberporth; many of which have since been removed for preservation.
In the County of Cornwall, coach bodies were never common - has any reader attempted to make a list of current and former sites? The second image from 24 May 1975 shows a much modified 4-compartment coach located next to the coast path at Lesceave Cliff between Rinsey Head and Praa Sands some seven miles by road from the nearest railway at Marazion Station. It could not have been easy to deliver the coach body as the nearest road is some distance away.
The coach disappeared many years ago, believed demolished on site rather than saved for preservation.
Coach body in use as a holiday home at Lesceave Cliff, Rinsey, Ashton, HELSTON TR13 9TU. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks as always Michael, very much appreciated.
To read more of Michaels memoirs, please click here.
To read more of Michaels memoirs, please click here.
Will the last person turn out the lights?
The last train under Par Semaphores
Alan Peters
With Par Signal Box officially closed, 6C26 quietly passes through Par en route to Lostwithiel in possession under the semaphores for the very last time before their removal. It seemed only right to capture the somber moment in the early hours of 4th March 2024. Copyright Alan Peters
Many thanks for capturing this poignant moment for us Alan.
Alan has also provided a number of excellent 'insider' views of the engineering works at Lostwithiel which have been added to the resignalling section. Please click here, and expand the Lostwithiel segment to view - very much worth a look.
Alan has also provided a number of excellent 'insider' views of the engineering works at Lostwithiel which have been added to the resignalling section. Please click here, and expand the Lostwithiel segment to view - very much worth a look.
Mid Cornwall re-signalling 05/03/2024
Martin Duff
Evening Admins,
My duties today took me to Lostwithiel.
The trailing connection from the down sidings has been plain lined and some track work over the viaduct completed to allow a speed increase for the branch turnout.
The down starting signal 57 has been felled. Preparations were in progress for upgrading the turnout from the down loop together with installation of new crossing equipment.
My duties today took me to Lostwithiel.
The trailing connection from the down sidings has been plain lined and some track work over the viaduct completed to allow a speed increase for the branch turnout.
The down starting signal 57 has been felled. Preparations were in progress for upgrading the turnout from the down loop together with installation of new crossing equipment.
The removed connection to the down sidings at Lostwithiel 05.03.2024. Copyright Martin Duff.
The Orange Army busy going about their duties on the down loop at Lostwithiel, 05.03.2024. Copyright Martin Duff.
Many thanks as always Martin for your excellent coverage of this project.
Martin has provided further images of todays work which can be found in the growing resignalling section. Click here and expand the 'Lostwithiel' segment.
Martin has provided further images of todays work which can be found in the growing resignalling section. Click here and expand the 'Lostwithiel' segment.
Semaphore Farewell
Craig Munday
Morning
I write just as the dust settles on the box closures. I'm glad to say I've been busy in other parts of the Duchy this week, far away from the blockade.
I was duty MOM on Sat and paid a final wander around the parish in between the sharp showers, dark clouds and piercing sunshine. This seemed to make the event all the more poignant really as the red in the semaphores seemed defiant against the brooding skies. The famous bracket SB7 will be removed as part of the scheme, the other signals in the area remain.
All for no good of course as a new era begins in Cornwall. The new state of the art signals may not have any charm, but there are definite bonuses in the flexibility the new signals and routes will give us. Time to move on I think.
Kind regards
Craig
I write just as the dust settles on the box closures. I'm glad to say I've been busy in other parts of the Duchy this week, far away from the blockade.
I was duty MOM on Sat and paid a final wander around the parish in between the sharp showers, dark clouds and piercing sunshine. This seemed to make the event all the more poignant really as the red in the semaphores seemed defiant against the brooding skies. The famous bracket SB7 will be removed as part of the scheme, the other signals in the area remain.
All for no good of course as a new era begins in Cornwall. The new state of the art signals may not have any charm, but there are definite bonuses in the flexibility the new signals and routes will give us. Time to move on I think.
Kind regards
Craig
66021 works 6V74, the final westbound loco-hauled train to pass beneath the Semaphores at Lostwithiel. 02.03.2024, copyright Craig Munday.
A GWR IET unit with an ECS working in the branch platform at Par. 02.03.2024, copyright Craig Munday.
Signal LL3 against dark skies at Lostwithiel, 02.03.2024. Copyright Craig Munday.
Signal PR53, between Par and St. Blazey, another casualty of the resignalling program. Copyright Craig Munday.
The iconic bracket signal SB7 beneath a dark sky, another signal due to be lost in the coming days. Copyright Craig Munday.
A final view of St. Blazey signal box and SB7. Copyright Craig Munday.
Many thanks as always for allowing us to share your excellent photographs, Craig.
Par Semaphores - Final Weekend - Sunday
Neil Phillips
Hello Roger and Keith,
The final day, Sunday 3rd March, sadly bereft of HSTs as these don't seem to run on Sundays. The expected light engine movement of 66143/021 occurred around 30 minutes early, had they left on time at 15.02 the light would have been better..... A couple of track machines passing through eastwards at 15.33 and 17.00 (that one nearly caught me out!) added a little variety - they may be small but their warning horns are very loud, and half of the IETs seemed to be running with their mouths open! I didn't record or look up the details of the passenger trains since, for this weekend, the signals were the stars.
Just like Truro and Lostwithiel, Par station will never look the same again - however these changes were originally intended to occur in 2019 so we've enjoyed a 5-year extension, and we should bear in mind that most other locations on the rail network underwent such modernisation decades ago, so it was inevitable that the Cornish main line's turn would come. At least we still have surviving pockets of semaphore activity to enjoy, although how long for now is anyone's guess.....
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
The final day, Sunday 3rd March, sadly bereft of HSTs as these don't seem to run on Sundays. The expected light engine movement of 66143/021 occurred around 30 minutes early, had they left on time at 15.02 the light would have been better..... A couple of track machines passing through eastwards at 15.33 and 17.00 (that one nearly caught me out!) added a little variety - they may be small but their warning horns are very loud, and half of the IETs seemed to be running with their mouths open! I didn't record or look up the details of the passenger trains since, for this weekend, the signals were the stars.
Just like Truro and Lostwithiel, Par station will never look the same again - however these changes were originally intended to occur in 2019 so we've enjoyed a 5-year extension, and we should bear in mind that most other locations on the rail network underwent such modernisation decades ago, so it was inevitable that the Cornish main line's turn would come. At least we still have surviving pockets of semaphore activity to enjoy, although how long for now is anyone's guess.....
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
DB Cargo 66021 and 66143 head away from Cornwall before they become 'marooned' by the blockade, passing beneath the semaphores for the final time. Copyright Neil Phillips.
The Newquay branch signal is pulled off for 150216. Copyright Neil Phillips.
A Colas track machine heads east past another GWR class 150 which is stabled in Chapel siding. Copyright Neil Phillips.
A GWR IET arrives at Par with it's 'mouth' wide open. Copyright Neil Phillips.
All 3 platforms in use plus Chapel siding as another Colas track machine heads East at Par. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Neil takes a last look at the Par we knew and loved whilst walking home. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Sunset over the 'up' gantry. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Many thanks for your coverage over the final weekend, Neil.
An interesting evening at Exeter
Paul Barlow
Hello Keith
A Few shots from 6 years ago on a cold night at Exeter.
Kind regards
A Few shots from 6 years ago on a cold night at Exeter.
Kind regards
50008 and 56104 at Exeter St Davids 12 January 2018. Copyright Paul Barlow.
143603, 143617, 150129, 50008 and 56104 at Exeter St Davids 12 January 2018. Copyright Paul Barlow.
43189 43161 work the 1742 Penzance to Paddington Exeter St Davids 12 January 2018. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul
LL57 has fallen
Mick House
With its finials already removed, the orange army set their sights on LL57 at Lostwithiel. 04.03.2024, Copyright Mick House.
The signal post is gas-axed and the crane lowers the signal down to its resting point. Aprox. weight of the signal was 3 tons. 04.03.2024, copyright Mick House.
Many thanks for these images, Mick.
Many more images from Micks visit to Lostwithiel can be found in the resignalling section.
Many more images from Micks visit to Lostwithiel can be found in the resignalling section.
IET Musings
Ken Mumford
Hello Jon,
You MAY be interested in these photos for the CRS website.
When IET 5-car units are joined up with other such units to make a 10-car train, the nose-cone is retracted.
BUT
I saw some varaiations on FLYING CUCUMBERS whilst down at Swindon station today [Monday] as below;
You MAY be interested in these photos for the CRS website.
When IET 5-car units are joined up with other such units to make a 10-car train, the nose-cone is retracted.
BUT
I saw some varaiations on FLYING CUCUMBERS whilst down at Swindon station today [Monday] as below;
Cannot see a retracted nose-cone on this London bound train. Copyright Ken Mumford
The rear of this westbound 5-car unit can be seen to have been retracted at some time. In these two cases, did someone pick their nose??? Copyright Ken Mumford.
When two 5-cars units are joined together the nose-cone of each 5-car unit is retracted. Very interesting as such a 10-car unit bound for Wales was made up of the FRONT 5-car unit showing CARMARTHEN as its destination whilst the rear 5-car unit showed SWANSEA as its destination!! STRANGE?? as Swansea is a terminus, and the REAR 5-car unit SHOULD HAVE shown CARMARTHEN as its destination so that what was the front portion stayed at SWANSEA and what was NOW the FRONT portion carried on to Carmarthen!! One wonders what happemed at SWANSEA?? Copyright Ken Mumford.
An IET with its nose complete!! Copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks Ken. I think we have all noticed more IET's running around with their 'mouths open' recently - perhaps the mechanisms are starting to get a little tired as they age?
Last man standing at Par
Neil Phillips
Hello Roger and Keith,
I didn't manage to get down to Par station yesterday (Monday) partly due to yet more poor weather, but today's blue skies were not to be missed. The first signal I encountered was still intact, but I soon discovered this was Par's 'last man standing', to follow Mick House's lead on Truro yesterday - all of the rest (except some ground/shunt signals) had had their arms removed. It was strange to think I had been photographing trains passing these fully operational just 48 hours earlier.
None of the three heavy rail cranes were on site - at the moment it appears that track work is taking priority, with a gang heavily involved on the west end cross-over. It was too soon to work out what the guys at the east end were up to! Just one new signal near the signal box appeared to have been raised into position, apparently a down starter on the up line so not a replacement (since Truro has gained a new up starter on the down line I assume some degree of two-way operation is envisaged?)
I will keep an eye on progress over the coming days - weather permitting!
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
I didn't manage to get down to Par station yesterday (Monday) partly due to yet more poor weather, but today's blue skies were not to be missed. The first signal I encountered was still intact, but I soon discovered this was Par's 'last man standing', to follow Mick House's lead on Truro yesterday - all of the rest (except some ground/shunt signals) had had their arms removed. It was strange to think I had been photographing trains passing these fully operational just 48 hours earlier.
None of the three heavy rail cranes were on site - at the moment it appears that track work is taking priority, with a gang heavily involved on the west end cross-over. It was too soon to work out what the guys at the east end were up to! Just one new signal near the signal box appeared to have been raised into position, apparently a down starter on the up line so not a replacement (since Truro has gained a new up starter on the down line I assume some degree of two-way operation is envisaged?)
I will keep an eye on progress over the coming days - weather permitting!
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
Par's own 'last man standing' - the up home bracket signal - 5th March 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
A poignant 'The End' notice posted in the station end window of Par Signal Box - 5th March 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Many thanks Neil, a nice record of events.
Neil has provided several further images of the engineering works at Par. Please visit the resignalling section and expand the 'Par' segment. Click here.
Neil has provided several further images of the engineering works at Par. Please visit the resignalling section and expand the 'Par' segment. Click here.