If you are planning to visit Cornwall this year a place to visit is the Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum in the heart of 'clay country' near St Austell.  ​www.wheal-martyn.com/

Passing along this stretch of line I've often noted an ornate bridge on the up side about one mile east of the former Wellington station.
Try clicking here to see a map of this interesting location    http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoommaps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=50.9891&lon=-3.2226&layers=168&b=1=17&lat=50.9891&lon=-3.2226&layers=168&b=1

On the up journey after passing the site of Somerton station and crossing a viaduct the line enters a delightful valley soon passing over this most interesting structure not visible to train passengers. Many thanks to Colin Burges for this photograph.

​Keith,

It was a cold and frosty morn, when this morning's train pulled out of Moorswater towards Coombe Junction.

Here's a few pics of mine, that you might wish to upload onto the website.  The very frosty picture shows the double bridge at Coombe.  Actually, it's a triple bridge, but the train is obscuring the third arch.  From the left, the lane crosses the line of the old Liskeard and Looe Union Canal (now a footpath), the railway and then the East Looe River.

My picture of the green class 150 crossing Moorswater viaduct shows a glimpse of the headlights of the Colas class 70 shunting its train out of Moorswater, but sadly it wasn't possible to catch both trains properly in the same picture !

All the best,

Peter                              Many thanks Peter

Three shots of recently refurbished original prototype class 150 3 car sprinter set 150002 (vehicles 55201 55401 55301) taken on the morning of 17th at Westbury and Bristol Temple Meads.  The set was covering a Westbury-Cardiff-Portsmouth diagram.   After several years use on the Reading-Basingstoke route 150002 has moved to Bristol where it's high density seating configuration and 3 carriages will be very useful.   Dating from 1984, the set looks as good, if not better, than when it was new.  Digital information screens and a passenger information system have been fitted plus a disabled toilet with retention tanks.  No doubt it will reach Cornwall at some point!

I've included images of a promotional leaflet from 1985 when 150001-002 entered public service following testing etc. plus a shot of another GWR 3 car 150, 150938 (vehicles 52238 57238 52219)  at Taunton.  Vehicle 57219 was damaged at Plymouth on 3rd April 2016 and is undergoing repairs, once complete the two '219' cars will be reunited as 150219.   Guy Vincent
               Many thanks Guy for all the details and pictures.

The Cornish Railcard was introduced during the era when the Late Rusty Eplett was the General Manager for Cornwall Railways.  A grand idea giving a third off tickets within the county.  The idea still continues in the guise of the Devon and Cornwall Railcard.  However, why put Devon first - in my alphabet C comes before D and therefore it should rightly be Cornwall and Devon Railcard!  However, its the same with many authorities shared between the two counties, but why put Devon before Cornwall?

​Dear Keith, This material might be of interest: it comes from information supplied to me many years ago by the late C.R. Clinker, as well as notices which once hung in St Ives signal box, together with my own researches. As opened in 1877, the St Ives line was worked by wooden train staff ('One engine in steam'). This would have been supplemented by the single-needle telegraph, the standard means of communication on the railways before the telephone. The handle on the instrument, not unlike a door knocker, was moved left and right in different combinations to produce letters of the alphabet or the familiar GWR telegraph codes (siphon, toad etc., etc). Si ngle-needle telegraph was still in common use on the GW until world war two. It survived on the Eastern Region into the 1970s. In 1877, Lelant had a signal box, controlling a level crossing at the St Erth end of the platform, leading to a jetty. There was also the connection to Lelant Quay -a spread of three long sidings. In addition, there were distant, home and starting signals in either direction. The box lost its signals and became a ground frame some time around 1892. By 1906, the OS 25 inch map showed Lelant Quay sidings intact, but disconnected from the running line. In 1884, the 'Train staff and Ticket' system was introduced on the branch. It was a slight advance on the old system in that it enabled one train to follow another from St Erth to St Ives or vice versa: The signalman, if in possession of the train staff, could unlock a special box containing tickets which were inscribed with the name of the line section (St Erth to St Ives'). The train driver, having been shown the staff, was given the ticket as authority to proceed. Following trains could proceed as long as the signalman had the staff. The last train had to carry the staff. All changed in 1894, when the electric staff system was introduced on the branch. This could well be the time when Lelant lost its signals. Electric staff remained in use at St Ives until June 28th 1956, when it was replaced with the more compact electric token. In September 1963, the wheel turned full circle when the box became a ground frame and wooden staff working returned. St Ives box dated from 1877, and contained a 20-lever frame dating from 1902. Local regulations stated that all down trains had to be brought to a stand at the home signal (no 20 in the frame and situated at Porthminster point.). Enginemen normally whistled on arrival there. One supposes that there might have been a near-disaster or two on the steep descent into St Ives, as the home signal was moved 400 yards further out in 1920, and a new inner home provided. After closure of the signal box, a large STOP board was erected at the site of the home signal and the DMUs had to perform the ritual there. This board was dispensed with in the 1970s. For shunting and traffic purposes, the capacities of sidings and loop at St Ives were: Run around Loop 6 coach capacity Single line between engine release crossover and stop blocks 3 coaches Sea siding 4 coaches Porthminster viaduct was rebuilt in the 1950s, though this does not seem to have had any effect on the weight limitation placed on the whole branch. 4500 class prairies were 'specially authorised to work on the line in 1931. Previously, 4400 class were allowed, but they were somewhat lighter. Roy
We are most grateful to you for your time and trouble, the information is invaluable.  Many thanks indeed.

Soon to Go!
Camborne Station Footbridge
Roger Winnen

More photos will be added to the features page when they come in.
Click here for the features page

Late last night I received the photo below from Alan Peters (Colas Driver) of the new sleepers being placed on the ballast, taken from the cab of class 70 807. Thanks Alan.

Two from Craig
Craig Munday

Hi Keith,
A couple from this week.
Kind regards

Craig                                                 Many thanks Craig 

Various Multiple Units
Michael Forward

Fairwood Junction
Roger Geach

Pentewan Railway
David Hibberd

This little line opened in 1829 horse operated, and after strengthening of the track in 1874  steam powered until closure in 1918. It was never a passenger carrying railway as such but operated at least one Sunday School outing to the beach. In the '50's, a short railway, diesel powered  was used to remove sand from the beach.

You'll find more if you click here and then scroll down through the light railway and tramway collection to the Pentewan line,

Steam at Dorchester
Mike Morant

Mike Morant braves the weather - many thanks Mike.

Bournemouth
John Cornelius

The first of many different types of motive power all captured at Bournemouth in two hours of one day in 1959. We were spoilt in those days weren't we?  

Keith,
Colas tamper 73911 PUMA came to Truro from Bristol S & T yesterday but has it arrived just over one hour late I could not wait to photograph it's arrival.
Therefore i went to Truro today to take the following photos in pouring rain whilst it was being maintained and tested before tonight's work. 
Best regards, Roger                                   Thank you Roger