Blog Archives

11th January 2023

11/1/2023

Newham branch
Phil Hadley

Many thanks to Jonathan Harbage who sent in these reminders of links to some superb footage of the Newham branch compiled by Phil Hadley. Thetwo links to are below. Phil Hadley is a well known historian based in Cornwall.

https://youtu.be/A5eHX1bYksI
https://youtu.be/SwopzFku8uI

Youtube links from
Jonathan Harbage

Newham taken during a busy period. It is thought that the Class 22 caught in the 'sandwich' is D6310. The old station buildings are in evidence. An extremely interesting picture. Copyright the late Sid Sponheimer.

Many thanks to Jonathan Harbage who sent in the above reminders of two very excellent pieces on the branch compiled by a our very good friend Phil Hadley. Also thanks to the late Sid Sponheimer who supplied the above photograph a member and another very good friend of the CRS.

Barrier Vechicles at Penzance
Andrew Triggs

Hi Keith/Roger
Great Western barrier coaches no.6336 & 6348 were attatched to 1C50 last night to bring down to Longrock T&RSMD, pictured at platform 1 following arrival, 57605 'Totnes Castle' providing the traction west, also on Oil 2 siding was Rail Grinder DR79263/79273
All the Best
Andrew

Many Thanks Andrew

Bow station
Driver Alan Peters

The last Colas Rail ballast train from Okehampton with spoil from the Fatherford engineering works site pauses at Bow for an unofficial photo stop on the way back to Westbury 70808 is top and tailed 70815 on 10/07/22, on the platform 'Gloria' the mannequin looks on dressed in tennis attire for Wimbledon, normally Gloria is dressed in BR uniform. Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Considerably more information about Bow Station and its history can be found at the owners website.
Bow Station (reynardine.co.uk)
Driver Alan Peters

Many thanks to Driver Alan Peters who is himself a very valuable link of rail news to our website.

Changes to Saturdays CRS Meeting 14th January 2023
- at the Wesley Memorial Hall Redruth, 18.30 start.
Unfortunatley David Letcher is unwell and unable to provide the promised programe. However our very good friend Roger Winnen has stepped into the breech and will provide a proramme as below with the usual refeshments.

Roger Winnen will be presenting
Part 1 Through the Lens 1975
Part 2 The CRS Trip to the North East in 2018

Wishing David a speedy return to good health.

10th January 2023

10/1/2023

Peak at Dawlish
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, I hope you are well and I see you are getting about in the New Year. I notched up another birthday on Sunday! The picture of the Western at Long Rock brought back so many memories. Here is a picture of 45055 approaching Dawlish on a hazy 1 August 1981 with ,probably, a Leeds to Paignton service. All the best, . Copyright Michael Forward

Best Wishes to you on your Birthday last Sunday
Many Thanks Michael

Rarity at Westbury
Guy Vincent

2023 was only eight days old and the first 'rarity' arrived at Westbury courtesy of Colas. The company ran a special (Su) 6Z37 1250 Shrewsbury Coleham - Westbury consisting of three FEA water cannon tanker flats hauled by recently repainted loco 37405, now owned by the Harry Needle Railroad Company and hired to Colas. The wagons were moved on to Bescot this morning (9th) in the consist of the daily 6M50 0759 departmental freight from Westbury with 37405 remaining stabled in the up yard adjacent to P3. One unconfirmed possibility is that the loco may be booked for a trip to the wheel turning lathe at Bristol St Philips Marsh but this is pure guesswork at this stage. Whatever the reason the loco makes for a bright sight in what has so far been a rather gloomy month for the railway.
Best regards, Guy Vincent.

37405 displays its livery at Westbury on the 9th January 2023 Copyright Guy Vincent.

A good start to the New Year. Many thanks Guy for your picture which makes a bright spot on a gloomy day at Westbury - thanks for the details too.

BTM at night '82.
Martin Baker

Haven't sent any material in for a while as I have been doing some video remastering, however I recently came across a slide tray of the Bristol area and have started to scan them in, here are my first few
Hope they are of interest.

Kind Regards, Martin Baker.

It looks warm in the cab as 47099 heads a north bound parcels, the clock reads 7:30 pm on what is believed to be a January evening in 1982. Copyright Nartin Baker.

Another north bound service and memories too of the TPO and class 45's. 45140 at head of north bound TPO. January 1982. Copyright Martin Baker.

Another shot of 45140 at head of north bound TPO, the signals appear as red stars in the night. January 1982. Copyright Martin Baker.

Three very interesting views taken on an otherwise chilly January night 41 years ago. Many thanks Martin, hope to see more.

9th January 2023

9/1/2023

Bodmin Parkway
Alan Peters

An amazing sky at Bodmin Parkway. 1A92 IET Penzance to Paddington 2nd January 2023 Copyright Alan Peters.

With the start of the year affected by rail strikes the only railway photo I have managed to take so far was the 1A92 IET service from Penzance to London Paddington arriving at Bodmin Parkway whilst walking the dog from Respryn Woods on 02/01/23 as the strikes have also affected freight services and weekend engineering, normal services should resume from this Monday - Alan Peters

Many thanks Alan - a smashing picture.

Duchess in Cornwall
Neil Phillips

Many thanks for posting my picture of yesterday’s rusty rails. I also took a picture of 6233 on the 28th April , but I didn’t send it in because I failed to get the entire loco into the image (I’ve discovered my phone’s camera is a tad slow-witted for partly side-on moving shots); besides which I knew it would be more than adequately covered by other contributors.
For the record here’s (most of) 6233 emerging from the Merthen Farm bridge on 28th April 2022 (lovely lighting, what a missed opportunity), and the following day being towed through Par en route to Penzance after having been turned at Laira. Although it would be nice to think this manoeuvre could be avoided once the St Blazey turntable is back in action, in 6233’s case it would be dependant on whether it would actually fit on it!
I suppose this year I should make the effort to photograph ‘Castle Class’ HSTs at this location......before the ferns grow back!!

Best regards, Neil Phillips

What a dramatic picture - a shame about the missing buffer as 6233 thunders under Merthen Farm road overbridge. 28th April 2022. Copyright Neil Phillips.

On the 28th April 2022 as part of the turning move 6233 is hauled back to Par from Laira. Copyright Neil Phillips.

Thanks for up dating us with your two pictures Neil.

8th January 2023

8/1/2023

Alas, a sign of the times.
Rusty Rails 1
Neil Phillips

Neil Phillips writes - While out for a slightly risky longish-distance ramble this afternoon I crossed the Merthen Farm overbridge near Carlyon Bay Golf Course and stopped to take this photo.......I realise this effect can be seen all over the country at the moment, but in our corner of the land and after days with no trains, when, if ever, did the Cornish main line look this rusty? And is this as rusty as it will ever get, or could it get even worse? Time will tell......

Also at some point between mid-October and late December the lineside fencing on the right here separating road from railway has been replaced. I took a photo of 6233 ‘Duchess of Sutherland’ passing under the bridge from the road here on 28th April 2022, within weeks rampant fern growth had obliterated the view. Seasonal die-back and removal of vegetation to install the new fence has reinstated this – now all we need are some passing trains!

Happy New Year to All,

Best regards, Neil Phillips

View from Merthen Farm over bridge. 7th January 2022. Copyright Neil Phillips.

Many thanks Neil. Hoping your walk did you good. I looked for your view of 6233 passing this spot but couldn't find it

Still life at Trevingey.
Rusty Rails 2
Keith Jenkin

View from Trevingey Crossing - looking west across Barncoose embanlment. 7th January 2023. Copyright Keith Jenkin.

Crossing over to the up side a view east towards Coach Lane bridge. No sign these days just before Coach Lane bridge of the turn off to the left to the original Hayle railway Redruth station or to the right the commencment of the incline towards Tresavean. Copyright Keith Jenkin.

Taking a chance beween the heavy showers and in a bitter wind - a walk to our nearby crossing at Trevingey.

Rusty Rails at Penzance 3
Roger Winnen

230107a No trains yesterday but trains are running today hopefully. Copyright Roger Winnen

The Hannah Bennett Memorial Copyright Roger Winnen

230107b Looking from the Hannah Bennett Memorial of 1886 situated on the station wall we see the rusty rails entering the station together with the removal of the buddleia which has been growing on the station wall, a photographers delight now! Copyright Roger Winnen

Some activity and not rusty rails at
Bodmin General
Chis Bellett

I was once again signalman at Bodmin General on Friday 6th January for shunting operations moving coaches and wagons around. We also fueled up the 08 and 47. It was a long day that started at 9am and finished in the dark at 5pm. I have attached some photographs that might be of interest for the website. I’m signalman again on Saturday 14th January for even more shunting and trips to/from Parkway, so more photographs to come after that!

Kind Regards, Chris Bellett Retired Big Railway S&T Engineer
B&WR Chief S&T Engineer and Signalman. CRS Member

Bodmin General 6th January 2023. Copyright Chris Bellett.

Bodmin General It's nearly dark - the signal box looks warm and friendly. 7th January 2023. . Copyright Chris Bellett

Many thanks Chris. An early reminder, the 14th is also the first CRS meeting of 2023.

7th January 2023

7/1/2023

Long Rock
Penzance
Roger Winnen

D1028 Western Hussar heads the 14.00 Penzance to Birmingham at Long Rock. 8th March 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen

You can almost hear the roar - many thanks Roger.

Bournemouth Station Supporting its refurbished roof of 2000
Roger Winnen

The roof of Bournemouth Station was severly damaged in the 1987 storm that hit the South of England and was extensively refurbished in 2000 by Railtrack.

Bournemouth Station 9th May 2016

160509n Bournemouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

160509o Installations between the tracks at Bournemouth for maintenance reasons. Copyright Roger Winnen

160509r The exterior of Bournemouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

160509s The yellow cabs of Bournemouth outside the Railway Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

Bournemouth 160509t From the footbridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

Bournemouth 160509u From the footbridge of Bournemouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

6th January 2022

6/1/2023

The 2nd battle of
Sourton Down Part four
Ken Mumford

Continuing and completeing extracts from a Power Point Presentation 'THE DEVON BELLE' prepared by and very kindly submitted by Ken Mumford.

Many many thanks Ken for sending us extracts from your Power Point presentation. Your collection forms a valuable addition of the happenings on that momentous period in railway history in 1962/63 when everything came to a stand.

6th January 1979 44 years ago
Snow Scenes at Camborne
Roger Winnen

790106c The down Cornishman at Camborne prior to the down platform being extended. Copyright Roger Winnen

790106d The 16.06 Penzance to Paddington at Camborne. Copyright Roger Winnen

790106e The 16.06 Penzance to London Paddington at Camborne. Copyright Roger Winnen

790106f The milk arriving at Camborne. Copyright Roger Winnen

5th January 2023

5/1/2023

Westerleigh Quarry branch at Burlescombe
Derek Buttivant

Yesterday (4th January 2023) Ann and I were having a stroll along the Grand Western Canal towpath at Burlescombe this morning where I took the attached photos of the bridge carrying the Westleigh Quarry branch over the canal. The bridge is seen, from a train on the GW main line, in the Exeter-Taunton section of the CRS web site. The bridge is now part of a public footpath but is accessible also via steps from the canal towpath and from the opposite bank. Somewhat oddly, a steel mesh cage structure on the bridge prevents access to the original parapets but there is a display board explaining the history of the quarry (but not mentioning the railway). The quarry is still very busy with large numbers of lorry movements along adjacent lanes. There is, though, a plan to flood the deep quarry to create a lake when the quarry is worked out.
Kind regards, Derek Buttivant.

Westleigh Quarry branch bridge over Grand Western Canal, Burlescombe. 4th January 2023. Copyright Derek Buttivant.

Many thanks for that Derek - it looks a very pleasant walk.

Westerleigh Quarry branch
Roger Winnen

A little more on the Quarry branch with a photograph of the quarry from the main line at Burlescombe - the photograph and text courtesy of Roger Winnen.

Just before Burlescombe station, of which not a trace remains, the Westleigh Quarry branch joined the main line. Remains of the branch can still be seen looking to the left from an up train. Note the quarry in the background and the iron rail bridge in the foreground. The limestone quarry rail connection became disused by 1961. Some broad gauge track was found here and is now at Didcot. 26th July 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen.

Many thanks Roger.

The 2nd battle of
Sourton Down Part three
Ken Mumford

Many thanks Ken. Part four tomorrow.

The End of 1962
Michael L. Roach.

The Conclusion
In Part 18 I related how the 6.20pm from Plymouth arrived at Tavistock South at 12.23.26am the next day some 320 minutes late. The intention was to travel all the way to Launceston returning on the 8.35pm SO to Plymouth. On the 6.20pm there were also enthusiasts from Lifton and Launceston returning home some of whom would no doubt have also travelled on the 8.35pm as far as Tavistock South where they would have crossed platforms to catch the 8.40pm SO Plymouth to Launceston; thereby catching the very last train in both directions. It did not work out like that.
We remained on the train in Tavistock South station until after ten minutes or so word came through that the train was being terminated because there was no communication between Tavistock and Lydford signal boxes. I am sure that no-one was at all surprised. Today's risk-averse management would have cancelled the train before it set out from Millbay in the prevailing circumstances that day. I believe that the passengers split into three groups. Some opted to stay on the train and sleep on the cushions while others stayed in the waiting room of Tavistock South Station. My group applied some lateral thinking that the 7.00pm from Waterloo could just be running a bit late and might take us back to Plymouth from Tavistock North that night. So we made our way across Bedford Square and up the hill to Tavistock's other station. That walk was magical. The snow had stopped and the wind had miraculously dropped almost to nothing. The scene reminded me of the words appearing in two different well-known Christmas Carols:
“snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow” and “deep and crisp and even”
There had been so much snow; and it had been so long since there had been any traffic, either motorised or pedestrian, that there was nothing to mar the surface of the snow. It was clinging to one side of all lamp columns, and to every branch of every tree. It was a truly magical Christmas Card scene but we could not stop to admire it as we hurried up the hill to Tavistock North Station. We arrived to discover that the 7.00pm from Waterloo had not passed through and would not be calling as it too had also been terminated but I have not been able to find where the 7.00pm was stopped.
There was nothing for it but to pass the night in the waiting room at Tavistock North Station as best we could. Come morning the station staff told us that a rescue train was going to be sent out from Plymouth to convey us back to Plymouth via Bere Alston. However they could give no indication of timing. The rescue train would be no help to the contingent from the Launceston area so they set out to walk the 13 miles home, but some got friends and family to drive out to pick them up. I had spent the previous evening on the train with MB an enthusiast from Falmouth. He and I together decided that we were not going to wait for the rescue train and also decided to walk to Plymouth, which was 13 miles for me and 14 for MB. The story of that walk will be recounted in a forthcoming edition of the Cornwall Railway Society Magazine which is well written, laid out and printed. Some 28 percent of members do not live in Cornwall but keep in touch through the magazine and the website.
This series has covered the travelling and rambling of a Plymouth railway enthusiast over two weeks at the end of 1962 during the most inhospitable weather of his lifetime. The Launceston Branch may have closed but life went on in 1963 and so did the cold spell. I resumed travelling on Saturday 5 January 1963 with my friend Charles Fennamore on a day trip from Plymouth to Hemyock via Okehampton, Exeter and Tiverton Junction. Where Charles spent 29 December is not known but he was due to meet me on the train for the last trip out to Launceston on the 6.20pm off Plymouth. That last summer we had a made a couple of similar return trips on a Saturday evening but parking our cars at Marsh Mills Station for a change, and that is what Charles did on the 29 December. At the time Charles lived in the village of Brixton five miles south-east of Plymouth Station and Marsh Mills was a bit closer to his home. At Marsh Mills he would have witnessed the freight train abandoned in the up platform and the struggles to get the 5.40pm from Launceston past the obstruction and then to change the points for my train which arrived in the station at 10.14pm. After a couple of hours enduring the blizzard Charles gave up and drove home while it was still possible – a very wise decision in the circumstances
A contemporary BBC programme from February 1963 about The Big Freeze used these words, inter alia: chaos; the south-west bore the brunt of the storm with gusts up to 90 mph on 29 December; Princetown was cut off for days; 95,000 miles of road were ice bound; there was serious dislocation on railways; and so on. One of the best collection of photos of the Launceston and Princetown Branches appears in the Wild Swan book “The Great Western in South Devon”. Only 25 pages out of 250 pages are devoted to the two lines but there are many historic pre-war photos dating back to 1900. I first saw some of the photos of the Princetown Branch by RC Riley and RJ Doran used in the book in Trains Illustrated circa 1955 and they are just as fascinating today as they were then.

MLR / 4 January 2023

Many thanks indeed for your very fine collection of pictures and your extensive notes which tell the truth of your deep affection and knowledge of the line. We are greatly indebted to you for preserving your memories of the line via our website.

4th January 2023

4/1/2023

The 2nd battle of
Sourton Down Part two
Ken Mumford

Extracts from a Power Point Presentation 'THE DEVON BELLE' prepared by and very kindly sent in by Ken Mumford.

Extracts from a Power Point Presentation prepared by Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken.

Regarding my contribution - i did approach ARK PUBLICATIONS for reproduction permssion before the pandemic but, as you can read in a previous e-mail - see below - there was no reply. Because of no reply, I went ahead and used information in my THE DEVON BELLE PowerPoint presentation and, later, adapted it.

Notes from 1963
David Tozer

Whilst researching for some other railway information for a pal I came across my 1963 diary. I was working on the railway at the time and made the following notes.

1963

1st January - The Western Region took over lines West of Salisbury - what a disaster that turned out to be for former Southern routes.

3rd January - It snowed heavily.

4th January - 34105 - 71B -worked the 1630 Exeter to Waterloo.

7th January - 4666 ran light engine Salisbury to Yeovil

8th January - DS234 ran light engine from Exmouth Junction to Meldon Quarry, heading the opposite way was DS3152.

9th January - 80035 and 30125 ran light at 0245 from Exmouth Junction to Salisbury.

10th January - Three locos stuck in the snow at Sourton Cross, 30689/700 and 31838.Later in February it happened again!

11th January - 34028 - 71B worked the 1630 Exeter to Waterloo.

15th January - 4666 0835 Exmouth Junction to Wadebridge

16th January - 82013 hauling 30846 to Salisbury.

19th January - 34024 and 76009 were on Exmouth Junction shed.

23rd January - 41312 ran light engine from Exmouth Junction to Salisbury.

27th January - 73002 was on shed

28th January - 30531 appeared for snow plough duties.Along with 30530 their stay was not long.

31st January - 2219 ran light from Templecombe to Exeter.

Quite a few memories then.

Dave

David - you are an invaluable source of information - many thanks.

The Lauceston and Tavistock branch.
Michael L. Roach looks back.

THE END of 1962 – PART 20
Gallery (2)
When this series commenced I set myself a limit of four images per article, with an average of three. That left me with a number of scans that could not be used at the time, but will now be shown to start rounding off the series.
MLR / 31 December 2022

2744 5569 runs into Yelverton with the 10.15am Launceston to Plymouth on 29th December 1962. Note where the snowballs have hit the footbridge, also note the closure notice on the staion board. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2750 6430 leaves Yelverton over a high embankment with the 12.40pm Tavistock to Plymouth. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2752 6400 is seen in the woods on the 12.40pm Plymouth to Tavistock. I had walked nearly half way to Clearbrook to get this picture. Note the wreath on the locomotive. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2756 5564 leaves Yelverton with the 12.40pm Launceston to Plymouth. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2767 Looking nortrh to the tunnel and Tavistock during a snow storm at 2.20pm on 29 December 1962.. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2772 4591 waits to leave Yelverton with the 3.05pm Plymouth to Launceston at 4.13pm running 31L. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks Michael

3rd January 2022

3/1/2023

Beating the Strike Saltash & Plymouth
Roger Winnen

2nd January 2022

230102a Approaching Saltash on the 08.50 Penzance to Cardiff service 2nd January 2023 Copyright Roger Winnen

230102b The view of the Royal Albert Bridge has been ruined by these Warning Signs signs do not pass this post which leads down the platform ramp to the viewing point. Copyright Roger Winnen

230102c Saltash Station looking smart after completion of the former station buildings Copyright Roger Winnen

230102cc The 11.50 Penzance to Plymouth departs Saltash at 13.41 is seen crossing The Royal Albert Bridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

230102d The 09.23vTaunton to Liskeard Tamper passes the Cross Country 14.27 Plymouth to Edinburgh in Platform 4. Copyright Roger Winnen

230102e Garry Taylor departs Plymouth for Liskeard. Copyright Roger Winnen

230102f Stoneblower working the 6U 30 09.49 Westbury to Truro departing Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

230102g Departure from Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many Thanks to David Tozer who kept me updated on these Civil Engineers Train movements

Thank you Roger - a good day out.

Looking back at the last few months.
Driver Alan Peters.

July picture. Bow station - The last hurrah on the Okehampton line with the last spoil train from Fatherford pauses at Bow on the way to Westbury on 10/07/22 Copyright Alan Peters

August picture. A scene soon to be changed in 2023 with the re-signalling in Cornwall, an unidentified IET arriving into Par 11/08/22 - Alan Peters

October picture. A ballast drop between Saltash and Liskeard on 20/11/22, the quality of a phone camera is ideal for night shots capturing 70804 at Saltash - Alan Peters

A ballast drop between Saltash and Liskeard on 20/11/22, the quality of a phone camera is ideal for night shots capturing 70804 at Saltash - Alan Peters

Often the opportunity arises to see steam on the mainline whilst working, my train had been 'looped' at Fenny Compton for LNER A3 60103 'Flying Scotsman' to pass on route from the Swanage Railway to Bury on 08/11/22 - Alan Peters

There is no December - picture - Alan had Flu- we understand that he is much better now.

Penzance
Dennis Clarke.

Here is a picture I took 6 years ago to the day. 43126, Bristol 2015 - European Green Capital, on the stops at Penzance, Regards, Dennis

Many thanks Dennis

The 2nd battle of
Sourton Down Part one
Ken Mumford

Soon after Michael L. Roach sent in the first of his epic pictures detailing the last few weeks of the Launceston, Tavistock and Plymouth branch. Ken Mumford who has produced a Power Point production featuring the Southern Main line at the same time when it too was blighted by a Blizzard kindly sent this in for our viewing.

Many thanks for putting excerpts from my production the BATTLE OF SOURTON DOWN on the website. Please don't forget the information I've already sent conerning my efforts to get reproduction permssion from ARK PUBLICATIONS for certain pictures.

Many Thanks Ken - the second part of your production will appear hopefully tomorrow.

2nd January 2023

2/1/2023

A Happy New Year
Roger Salter

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2P05 0752 Penzance-Plymouth No. 43092 Cromwell’s Castle at Penzance New Year’ s Day 2020 Copyright Roger Salter

Thank you Roger.

New Years Day
Guy Vincent

Good afternoon Keith
New Years Day for me meant a very early start followed by a morning trip to Weymouth and back. The train was understandably very quiet going down but surprisingly busy on the return. Here are a few photos of 1) the first GWR service to reach Dorset in 2023 making its booked stop next to the repurposed Italianate GWR station building at Dorchester West. With rumours of impending large scale ticket office closures still circulating maybe this is the type of use many more 'heritage' station buildings will be put to in the future?; 2) the deep cutting and northern portal of Evershot (or Holywell) tunnel which is now kept clear of vegetation all year round; 3) the now up and running Colas maintenance facility in the former wagon repair shed in Westbury down yard where two class 70s were receiving attention.

Happy New Year and best regards

Guy Vincent.

1) the first GWR service to reach Dorset in 2023 making its booked stop next to the repurposed Italianate GWR station building at Dorchester West. With rumours of impending large scale ticket office closures still circulating maybe this is the type of use many more 'heritage' station buildings will be put to in the future? 1st January 2023. Copyright Guy Vincent.

2) Dorchester Station building an external view of the repossed building. 1st January 2023. Copyright Guy Vincent.

3) the deep cutting and northern portal of Evershot (or Holywell) tunnel which is now kept clear of vegetation all year round. 1st January 2023. Copyright Guy Vincent.

4a) The now up and running Colas maintenance facility in the former wagon repair shed in Westbury down yard where two class 70s were receiving attention.

4b) The now up and running Colas maintenance facility in the former wagon repair shed in Westbury down yard where two class 70s were receiving attention. 1st January 2023. Copyright Guy Vincent.

From outside the fence.
St Blazey
Dennis Clarke

Hi Keith, Here are a couple of photos that I took from outside the fence at St Blazey depot on Thursday 22nd December. One shows CDA 375001 and another has a line of CDAs hiding behind the vegetation ! Regards, Dennis

Many thanks Dennis.

The Lauceston and Tavistock branch.
Michael L. Roach looks back.

THE END of 1962 – PART 19
Gallery (1)
When this series commenced I set myself a limit of four images per article, with an average of three. That left me with a number of scans that could not be used at the time. Here are the first batch.
MLR / 31 December 2022

5857 6430 is seen north of Marsh Mills with an ECS train heading to Tavistock where it will return with the 12.40pm Tavistock to Plymouth auto on 22 December 1962. It then worked the 2.10pm Plymouth to Tavistock. The well-known photographer Peter Gray captured the 2.10pm leaving Marsh Mills on the same day and the picture appears in his book Steam in Devon. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5858 5568 is seen north of Marsh Mills with the 10.15am Launceston to Plymouth. The train is passing the remains of Cann Cottages. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5892 4574 is at Plymouth Station after bringing in the 10.15am from Launceston. In the background is the new power box.. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5900 View of the track about 200 yards north of Cann Viaduct on 28 December 1962. In the background is the rock outcrop that I stood on to take image 5899 published in Part 13. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks Michael, more to follow.

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