April 21st 2026

21/4/2026

The Portreath Incline
Stewart Frazer

As a resident in Portreath parish I have long been interested in the Portreath branch line and have followed and photographed the route over the years. I was fascinated to notice on the OS map of 1908 that there appears to be an access tunnel under the incline through which a footpath is shown. On investigation access on the southern side was problematic due to the undergrowth. I managed to get a couple of photos and moved to the other side of the incline where I had more success as the photos show.

They were taken on private property and were facilitated by mutual friends of the landowner. I would ask our members to tread with respect. Access to the southern area is less sensitive.

The tunnel obviously allowed the farmer to move livestock as needed but it’s quite narrow and probably too tight for a horse and cart.

O/S map of Portreath.

The Portreath Incline and associated workings shown on an O/S map.

Looking towards the incline and a small tunnel going beneath it. April 2026, copyright Stewart Frazer.

The small access tunnel beneath the incline. April 2026, copyright Stewart Frazer.

The northern side of the tunnel beneath the incline. April 2026, copyright Stewart Frazer.

A very small tunnel beneath the Portreath incline - original purpose unknown. April 2026, copyright Stewart Frazer.

The stonework has held up remarkably well - a testament to the engineering of the time. April 2026, copyright Stewart Frazer.

Many thanks indeed Stewart - fascinating stuff. The whole area must have been quite incredible to take in 'back in the day' - some serious engineering.

GW 150 Exhibition Train 1985
Guy Vincent

Recent photos of the Disney sponsored Exhibition Train at Bristol Temple Meads in June 1996 prompted a search of my BR publicity archive and two leaflets from 1985 with details of the GW150 events planned for that year. Starting off at Paddington on May 29th the GW 150 exhibition train visited several locations including Penzance, Plymouth, Didcot, Hereford and Cardiff. Over the late summer bank holiday weekend it was in platform 2 at Bristol Temple Meads. I visited the train on the first day, Friday 23rd August and have since regretted taking no photos although I remember the day being very dull and overcast. One of the carriages featured the then ongoing west of England resignalling scheme and a display of how MAS signalling works. There were several green ‘tiles’ showing the track diagram between Avoncliff and Trowbridge with windows displaying headcodes that moved from one section to the next, as in a real working panel box. These tiles were intended for use in Westbury PSB from 1986 but had become redundant as Bradford Junction was not included. They had been produced in 1982 at which time BR intended closing the Thingley Jcn - Bradford Jcn single line south of Melksham. This decision was reversed in 1983 although the Bradford Jcn area was not resignalled until March 1990.

Maybe somebody has photos of the 1985 Exhibition train and in particular this feature? If so it would be great to see them published on CRS.

GW150 exhibition leaflet. Copyright Guy Vincent.

The 1985 diary of events for the GW150 celebrations. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks indeed for digging these out for us, Guy.

If anybody has any photos of the 1985 exhibition train we'd love to see them - please send them over to us at [email protected]

Worcester Variety
Steve Widdowson

37405 + 55009 at Worcester Shrub Hill as 0Z55 1255 Barrow Hill LIP - Kidderminster SVR. 15.04.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.

66310 and 66719 passing Worcester Shrub Hill as 3Z43 1530 Long Marston Gbrf - Derby RTC. 15.04.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.

66748 and 66742 at Worcester Tunnel with the 1Z73 1444 Machynlleth to Oxford Up & Dn Passenger. 15.04.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.

Many thanks Steve - apologies they're a little late.

Mondays Clay
Jon Hird & Andrew Triggs

66734 winds its way down through the Luxulyan Valley with the midday Goonbarrow - Fowey clay, 6G09. 20.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Having missed the fun and Games while being away on Holiday last week, I popped up to Mid Cornwall yesterday to catch up with GBRf Traction on the Clay with 66734 'Platinum Jubilee'. Here's the loco passing Middleway working 6G09 12.32 Goonbarrow Junction-Fowey Docks Carne Point. 20.04.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Later approaching and passing through Golant, heading down the branch with Load 13 JIA's (Taken from Private Property with owner's permission). Checking my records it was first visit to Golant since 2021. Time Flies. 20.04.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.