NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 39
Bodmin and Padstow 04.01.1964
Michael L. Roach
The year 1964 was the last of mostly steam-hauled trains on The Withered Arm lines in North Cornwall; although there were already some trains between Bodmin Road and Padstow hauled by North British Type 2 diesels in the D6300 series.
My first trip of the year was a day trip from Plymouth to Padstow by train on Saturday 4 January. The trip to Bodmin Road was in a 3-car dmu hauling a tail load of a parcels van. From Bodmin Road to General was a type 2 with two coaches on the 10.05am. From General I was on foot for nearly four hours, until boarding a train at Dunmere for Padstow.
In just 10¾ miles to Padstow I had two different steam engines numbers 41295 and 31874 on the two coaches. I was at Padstow for nearly 2½ hours finally leaving at 5.02pm by which time it was dark. There then followed three trips behind Ivatt tank no. 41295 Padstow – Bodmin North – Wadebridge – Bodmin Road where arrival at 6.49pm afforded a four minute connection into an up train hauled by one of the original Warship Class with five coaches.
A successful day out in the depths of winter, although I did not take many photos that day, so I have added a couple of photos from 1959 including one that surfaced recently that I had quite forgotten about. How long is it since there were semaphore signals at the location in the penultimate image.
My first trip of the year was a day trip from Plymouth to Padstow by train on Saturday 4 January. The trip to Bodmin Road was in a 3-car dmu hauling a tail load of a parcels van. From Bodmin Road to General was a type 2 with two coaches on the 10.05am. From General I was on foot for nearly four hours, until boarding a train at Dunmere for Padstow.
In just 10¾ miles to Padstow I had two different steam engines numbers 41295 and 31874 on the two coaches. I was at Padstow for nearly 2½ hours finally leaving at 5.02pm by which time it was dark. There then followed three trips behind Ivatt tank no. 41295 Padstow – Bodmin North – Wadebridge – Bodmin Road where arrival at 6.49pm afforded a four minute connection into an up train hauled by one of the original Warship Class with five coaches.
A successful day out in the depths of winter, although I did not take many photos that day, so I have added a couple of photos from 1959 including one that surfaced recently that I had quite forgotten about. How long is it since there were semaphore signals at the location in the penultimate image.
Ivatt 41295 of Wadebridge Shed stands at Bodmin North shrouded in steam at 10.30am on 4 January 1964. The engine moved to Yeovil five months later. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The 11.20am Bodmin North to Wadebridge passes Dunmere Junction behind 41295 on 04.01.1964. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The water tank in Pencarrow Woods on the Wenford Branch on the same day. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Two N-class engines at Padstow on 4 January 1964. At the platform is 31859 of Exmouth Junction leaving on the 2.52pm to Bodmin North while 31874 waits to gain the platform to take out the 3.13pm. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
31874 of Exmouth Junction is seen at Padstow on the 3.13pm to Okehampton on 4 January 1964. The engine was withdrawn two months later. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
4552 of St. Blazey runs into Bodmin Road with the 11.35am SO from Padstow past a GW wooden bracket signal on Saturday 18 July 1959. After taking water and running around 4552 would take out the 12.38pm SO to Wadebridge. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
4552 takes water as 6828 Trellech Grange of Truro Shed departs with the 11.15am off Newquay. This was a restaurant car train to Birmingham and Wolverhampton (due 7.58pm). The train ran via Stratford-upon-Avon. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Some lovely memories of a line I'm sure all of us wish still existed, Michael. At least parts of it still live on.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
GEN!
The LSL Chairmans Train visits the SW
We are due a visit by the Locomotive Services LTD. private chairmans train over the Easter weekend.
The train will travel to Kingswear on Thursday 17th, then to Penzance on Friday the 18th, stabling overnight on the St. Ives branch. On Saturday 19th, the train departs the region for Shrewsbury.
Traction is expected to be via steam and diesel for various legs of the tour.
Full times are available in our Railtour Calendar page - click here.
The train will travel to Kingswear on Thursday 17th, then to Penzance on Friday the 18th, stabling overnight on the St. Ives branch. On Saturday 19th, the train departs the region for Shrewsbury.
Traction is expected to be via steam and diesel for various legs of the tour.
Full times are available in our Railtour Calendar page - click here.
BR Blue at Bristol
Phil 'Shattered' Smith
47401 'North Eastern' waiting for the off from Platform 5 at Bristol Temple Meads in 1985. This loco is now preserved. Copyright Phil Smith.
Many thanks as always, Phil
50035 Ark Royal at St Austell
Michael Adams
Michael Adams
Hello Roger, Great pictures of the Newquay line,thank you. Here is a picture from Michael Adams of 50035 'Ark Royal' at St.Austell on 13 August 1981 with, possibly the up mid-day parcels from Penzance. This locomotive has been preserved and can be seen on the Severn Valley Railway. Copyright Michael Adams.
Many Thanks Michael