7th July 2018

7/7/2018

To members of the Cornwall Railway Society

Your Last Chance to book for this.

We have only a limited number of seats available for this tour now!

If you still wish to celebrate the occasion please ring Roger Winnen on 01736 350048 by Monday 9th July 2018 or Email [email protected]

Another Saturday of disruption on the Cornish Main Line
Roger Winnen

I purchased a Ride Cornwall ticket this morning to travel on the 09.30 to Bodmin and then onto Plymouth behind the engine and coaches. Once I arrived at St Erth I noticed a cancelled train, that being the 10.26 to Plymouth and Exeter. However after alighting at Bodmin to photo the Branch Line Weekend 6435 and Auto Trailer I planned to catch the 09.57 Penzance due Bodmin Parkway at 11.17. An announcement was made that this was the next train due. Ten minutes after its arrival time, another message was relayed over the speaker system, we have lost the train! please wait for further information. Further information was forthcoming that the train had broken down in the Truro area (However it was Redruth were the train had failed at 10.25 and was still sitting there at 12.10)
A plan was then put into place for London bound passengers at Bodmin Parkway to catch the 12.03 HST to Par, then cross over the bridge to return on the 11.30 Newquay 12.24 service to Paddington running non stop through Bodmin Parkway. Later services from Penzance were also severely delayed

180707a 43185 Great Western hauls the 09.30 Penzance- Paddington. About to depart Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

180707b Departing Bodmin Parkway on the 12.03 service to Par we race the Bubble Car working the Branch Line day to Bodmin General. Copyright Roger Winnen

180707c Passengers alighting from the 12.03 service from Bodmin Parkway to catch the 12.24 Par to Paddington service from Newquay at 11.30 scheduled to run non stop to Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

180707d On arrival at Plymouth 220009 is seen stabled at Park Sidings adjacent to Platform 8 in Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

180707e Returning from Plymouth on the 14.58 service to Newquay, the first stop being Lostwithiel. Departing Lostwithiel we see the overgrown sidings with its ground signals. Copyright Roger Winnen

180707f On the approach to Newquay Station this former cabin possibly a signal cabin has been visible for some time located in a garden of a house. With a drop down window of an HST I was able to photograph this building. Further information on this building would be most welcome. Copyright Roger Winnen

180707g Returning on the 17.28 Newquay to Paddington service we cross the Motherwell service to Newquay at Goonbarrow Jct. Craig Munday was the Signalman on duty at Goonbarrow Junction Signal Box.. Copyright Roger Winnen

180707h The 17.28 Newquay to Paddington passes Middleway Crossing, St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen

Melksham
Gets a Longer platform
Guy Vincent

The new platform extension at Melksham station was quickly constructed and brought into use from Monday 2nd July 2018. This took less than 3 weeks to accomplish and means that, at last, trains of up to three cars in length can be fully accommodated. A visit to check on progress on 4th found newly arrived 2-car set 165132 departing on 2M12 1410 Frome-Swindon, these units now being diagrammed alongside their three-car class 166 counterparts. The usable section of the old platform surface has been raised in height with new coping slabs to enable easy boarding & alighting and the track itself has been adjusted and lifted to help alleviate flooding which occurs from time to time.

Also included is another 'heritage' image circa 1903 that I copied from a vintage postcard. Note the former broad gauge track, now cut and slewed across to the standard 'narrow' 4' 8.5'' gauge, still in place on the up line. Gauge changing was carried out here in June 1874 so the line lasted really well!

Guy V Many thanks Guy