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QUITE DRAMATIC NEWS. Received at 00.11 this morning from Craig Munday

27/1/2015

Hello Keith, The failure of 66176 on 6G08 whilst climbing Treverrin bank on the 26th Jan certainly caused a stir. Single line working was instituted between Par & Lostwithiel over the Down Main around the failed train. Assistance was provided by the only other "big" loco in the County, FGW's 57603 which was the diagrammed 1A40 Night Riviera loco.
Penzance Driver Phil Jones hurried the class 57 to Par, and the train was withdrawn to St Blazey yard, where the picture was taken. A very unusual working. The class 57 then scurried back to Penzance to work the Up Sleepers a very creditable 43 mins late.
This is the classic working of 2015 set in January, what will "trump" this I wonder? Cheers Craig We are so lucky to have Craig on hand at this unfortunate hour to get such a marvellous picture of this extremely unusual event - MANY THANKS CRAIG.

The last word on the new bridges at St Austell. Derek Buttivant

26/1/2015

Hello Keith. I was at the opening of the new St Austell lift bridge last Friday when Roger Winnen was also there. My own pictures are similar to Roger's but I thought you might like the two attached, one showing the date and GWR insignia (and lots of rust) and the other of Roger himself, demonstrating that he could be one of the first members of the public to walk over the bridge. Use the photos on the web site if you wish - but I shall not be in the least upset if you don't!
Best wishes, Derek Many thanks Derek

St Austell footbridge. Roger Winnen, one of the first on the new bridge (Before it was opened!!) . 22nd January 2015 Copyright Derek Buttivant

St Austell - the 1882 bridge. 22nd January 2015 Copyright Derek Buttivan

PENMERE - REMARKABLE PICTURES by Alan Peters

26/1/2015

The engineering work at Falmouth Docks has brought forth a welcome crop of pictures of the work at the end of the branch this one captures a most unusual scene at Penmere Platform. Many thanks to Alan Peters.

Penmere Platform at four in the morning 25th January 2015 Copyright Alan Peters

Wot no passengers could be the caption!! A most interesting composition, could be a competition winner. 70 804 stands at Penmere Platform at 04.09 on the 25th January 2015 Copyright Alan Peters

MORE ON THE fALMOUTH RELAYING - pictures from Graham Mann

25/1/2015

ALSO NETWORK RAIL WERE BUSY BALLAST CLEANING AT PAIGNTON

See the Inside story and features page - pictures from Graham Mann of Network Rail.

Class 70's reach the terminus at Falmouth.

25/1/2015

Hi Keith
This photo was sent to me by Alan Peters with his permission to publish can you put it on the site. - Mick House

In the early hours of Sunday 25th January Colas 70801 made what is believed to be the first visit of a class 70 to the Falmouth Branch, built as Turkish demonstrator TCDD37001 and now numbered as 70801 sits at the buffer stops at Famouth Town with 10 Auto-ballaster and 70804 at the rear after arriving as 6C26 from Westbury. The work was in connection with plain lining after removal of the ground frames severing the rail connection to Falmouth docks in planned engineering work that saw passenger trains run as far as Falmouth Town originally known as The Dell over the weekend. - Alan Peters.
Many thanks to Alan Peters, a new contributor, for this with extra information.

A 70 reaches the terminus at Falmouth at 01.13 25th January 2015 Copyright Alan Peters

Last night on the Falmouth Branch Craig Munday

25/1/2015

Hi Keith,
Did a night shift at Truro last evening, and a bit of Pilot working between Penryn & Falmouth Town. The photos are of 70801 / 804 working 6C26 from Westbury to Falmouth & Return, 24th Jan down, 25th Jan return. The ballast wagons were emptied along the newly laid plain track between Falmouth Town & Falmouth Docks. Cheers for now, Craig.
Many thanks Craig

059 70s Truro Plat 2 25th January 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

061 70s Truro Platform 3 25th January 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

Fifty years ago today a reminder from Mike Roach

25/1/2015

Fifty years ago today, 24 January 1965, the great British statesman Sir Winston Churchill died at the age of 90 years. He was given a State Funeral just 6 days later on Saturday 30 January 1965. His coffin was taken by train from London to Oxfordshire to be buried in the churchyard at Bladon near Blenheim Palace, and just a mile from Hanborough Station. The funeral train was appropriately hauled by 34051 "Sir Winston Churchill" hauling 6 coaches, including SR luggage van 2464 which carried the coffin. The attached photos show the funeral train about a mile north of Culham Station and about to cross the River Thames. To the best of the writer's knowledge there has been no State Funeral or funeral train in Britain in the intervening 50 years.

The funeral train carrying the coffin of Sir Winston Churchill about a mile north of Culham. Copyright Mike Roach

The funeral train carrying Sir Winston Churchill at Nuneham Bridge, near Culham. Copyright Mike Roach

We have a Princess in Penzance today by Roger Winnen

24/1/2015

Looking immaculate 57312 Solway Princess in Northern Belle livery arrived Penzance this morning on the Night Riviera.

150124a 57312 Solway Princess looking very smart in its Northern Belle livery, Copyright Roger Winnen

150124b This engine is fit for a princess as its stands with the Night Riviera at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

150124c Backing out its stock to the Long Rock depot where it went undercover for a good part of the day. Copyright Roger Winnen

150125a 57312 Solway Princess in Long Rock Depot being passed by the 09.47 Penzance to Paddington on Sunday morning. Copyright Roger Salter

More pictures in our 'News Feature Page'

Keep Fit at Falmouth this Weekend 24th/25th January,2015 Roger Salter

23/1/2015

Track relaying is scheduled for this coming weekend between Falmouth Docks and Falmouth Town Station. One wonders if the run round facility together with the connection into Falmouth Docks will be removed. Only time will tell. Passengers will be required to walk between the two stations.

150122a Falmouth Docks Station with bags of ballast for this weekends work. Copyright Roger Salter

150122b This view shows the connection into Falmouth Docks etc. Copyright Roger Salter

150124h Awaiting the laying of track at Falmouth Docks. Copyright Roger Winnen

150122c Trains are terminating at Falmouth Town Station this weekend. However the rails lying between the track may possibly be laid at a latter date or during the night when services are suspended. Copyright Roger Salter

More pictures in our 'News feature Page' covering up to the work on Saturday of replacing the track

Baroness Kramer, Minister of State for Transport opens the new St Austell Footbridge. Roger Winnen

22/1/2015

After many years St Austell Station finally has a new footbridge together with lifts available, Baroness Kramer arrived at St Austell on the 07.06 from London Paddington, meeting the representatives of First Great Western, Network Rail, Cornwall Council, Stephen Gilbert MP for the constituency, the Mayor of St Austell and other dignitaries, not forgetting the contractors.

150122a The 10.00hrs Service from Penzance to Paddington enters St Austell passing under the old footbridge used for the last time for people to join this train. After departure this bridge was fenced off and the new bridge in the background was commissioned. Copyright Roger Winnen

150122b This new bridge with lifts on either side but no roof, blends in well with the downside buildings. Copyright Roger Winnen

150122c Baroness Kramer, The Mayor of St Austell, Stephen Gilbert MP and a First Great Western representative line up for a photo on arrival at St Austell. Copyright Roger Winnen

150122d Unveiling a plaque to commemorate the opening of the new footbridge by Baroness Kramer on Thursday 22nd January, 2015. Copyright Roger Winnen

See also inside stories feature page for more information

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