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Items added on the 28th February 2018 Items added most recently come first

28/2/2018

West Cornwall in the Snow
802 101arr Stoke Gifford ~ Penzance Roger Salter & Andrew Triggs
Roger Winnen

180228aThe 5X90 Stoke Gifford to Penzance 802101 Nine car set arrives at Marazion Bridge in a snow storm. Copyright Roger Salter

180228b Seen passing the old Marazion Station 802101 heads the last two miles into Penzance. Copyright Roger Salter

180228o 802 101 arrives at Penzance. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180228c 802101 Occupy the full length of Platform 4 at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

180228e Departing at 11.10 as the snow begins to build up on the platform. Copyright Roger Winnen

180228m The return working at Marazion. Copyright Andrew Triggs

A further selection of photographs with snow in West Cornwall
Roger Salter Andrew Triggs and Roger Winnen

180228g The 10.51 service to Plymouth departs from Platform 3. Copyright Roger Salter

180228h Going away into the snowstorm. Copyright Roger Salter

180228i One of the few remaining Class 150 1s 150121 arrive on the 06.43 frpm Bristol Temple Meads. Copyright Roger Winnen

180228j The 06.33 Paddington Penzance arrives near to time at the terminus. Copyright Roger Winnen

180228n The 10.03 from Paddington viewed from Ponsandane footbridge showing the winters scene. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Bygone Memories at Penzance
Andrew Triggs

Bygone memories at Penzance on Friday 8th February 1991

910208a After a points failure at Long Rock 08801 brings in the empty oil tanks from Long Rock to Penzance Station. Copyright Andrew Triggs

910208b 08801 is seen in the slopers siding at Penzance. Copyright Andrew Triggs

A Treasure Trove of
Cornish Pictures
Andy Kirkham

Please click below to see Andy Kirkam's wonderful collection of his pictures taken at various places in Cornwall. Many thanks to you Andy for making this link available to us. All his pictures are, of course, copyright.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/52554553@N06/albums/72157636828119615/with/10419848883/

Royal Train at Yeovil Pen Mill
Brian Pibworth

Royal Visit to Yeovil

In May 2012 HM Queen visited Yeovil as part of her Diamond Jubilee Tour, which was brave considering the trouncing Somerset Parliamentarians gave Royalists at the nearby Civil War Battle of Babylon Hill.
I had previously wondered how the Royal visitors would cope with arriving at a passing station on an active railway. The idea of other travellers tapping on windows or asking for autographs seemed unlikely and so it transpired, as this sequence of pictures shows.

"DBS 67026 "Diamond Jubilee" passes slowly through Yeovil Pen Mill station, while the silver band and official welcoming party wait on platform 1. The signal is off for the Yeovil Junction connecting line." 1st May 2012 Copyright Brian Pibworth

"With the Royal Train sidelined on the Yeovil Junction connection , the Weymouth - Gloucester DMU arrived for a service call with its bemused passengers being quickly shuffled off the platform." 1st May 2012 Copyright Brian Pibworth

"After the Weymouth - Gloucester DMU had passed, DBS 67006 "Royal Sovereign" brought the Royal Train off the Yeovil Jnc connecting line in a sinuous manoeuvre reminiscent of my model railway" 1st May 2012. Copyright Brian Pibworth

"The now reversed Royal Train drew into platform 1 and the welcoming ceremony swung into action." 1st May 2012. Copyright Brian Pibworth

"Have you travelled far.........?" The Queen is greeted by the reception party at Yeovil Pen Mill. 1st May 2012. Copyright Brian Pibworth.

Many thanks to you Brian - you've brought the first pictures of H.M. The Queen to our site.

Redruth
Billy Graham Special
Mr. Sibthorpe

You may recall that you posted onto the website a copy of a slide that I took in 1966 of the Billy Graham Cornwall train at Plymouth Station. At the time of posting, we did not know the number/name of the Class 42 Warship. Attached is a photo of the loco at Redruth Station posted today onto to Facebook by Mr. Charles Sibthorpe, showing that it was, perhaps appropriately, D818 Glory which also had the distinction of being kept at Swindon Works for many years after withdrawal. Mr Sibthorpe has given me permission to share this with the CRS if you so wish. We;d be delighted to share Mr. Sibthorpe's picture. Many thanks to him and you.

'Glory' heads the Billy Graham Special at Redruth. Picture kindly supplied by Mr. Sibthorpe- many thanks

Nr. Forde Abbey
John Cornelius

Glorious is one of the survivors into preservation. Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on the 27th February 2018 Items added most recently come first

27/2/2018

A Couple from Craig
On bitterly cold days.

It looks like a warm summers day doesn't it? But don't be fooled! 153305 heads away towards Sandplace from Terras Crossing 24th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

Here two days later 43002 heads 1c86 at St Austell. The train was running 105 late from Taunton following an incident. The old bridge interestingly framed by the new. 26th February 2018. Copyright Craig Munday

Sunrise at Exmouth Junction
David Tozer

A new vantage point is opening up. Tree felling on the embankment on the approach to Exmouth Junction home signal is taking place. Should be quite good when the sun swings round. Many thanks David.

159005 'West of England Line' with the 0551 Gillingham - Exeter St David's

Weymouth Harbour freight
Brian Pibworth

While browsing "Castle Cary to Weymouth" I enjoyed seeing the huge selection of pictures taken of the Weymouth Tramway and It occurred to me that there are few, if any, shots of freight. I attach a couple of scanned slides of a fuel tank train taken in 1980 on one of our regular visits to the town #1 and #2. In those days before Real Time Trains it was all a bit hit and miss and we never saw the train again. Presumably they were fueling ships moored at the dock.
With kind regards, Brian Many thanks Brian

Weymouth Oil 1980 Probably used for fueling the boats. Copyright Brian Pibworth

Weymouth Oil - 1980 . Copyright Brian Pibworth

Weymouth Tramway 1980 The third picture was taken on a similar visit in 1980 and a Flickr correspondent captioned it "My money's on the Avenger!". As well as the cavalier approach of the car, which has L-plates by the way, the window cleaner's barrow is also worth a look. Not a Hi Viz jacket in sight. Copyright Brian Pibworth

Lanteague
Alan Harris

I was very interested in this morning's posting on the website of the Planet 0-4-0DM which is to be restored at the Poldark Mining Museum. I visited Lanteague Zelah on 16/5/1985 and took a few photograhs and 3 are attached, showing the Planet with another 0-4-0 DM - a Hunslet. I wonder what happened to the Hunslet? The photos may be of interest to Mr. Andrew Triggs.
All the Best, Alan. Many thanks Alan

Lanteague was the site of an attempt to establish a railway preservation site/museum on the trackbed of the closed Chacewater to Newquay branch between Goonhavern and Shepherds. Unfortunately the attempt failed but luckily the 'Planet' has survived and will now be the subject of a restoration project.

Alan Harris asks what became of the Hunslet, here is the answer: HE 3133 of 1949 was previously one of the s.g. shunting loco’s at RNAD Ernesettle (see my Plymouth’s Hidden Railways book for more on this location). When the Cornwall Railway Museum at Zelah closed it moved to the Bodmin & Wenford in January 1987, thence to Chris Grove at Bere Ferrers on the Gunnislake branch in 1991 where it remains today. Paul.
Many thanks to Paul Burkhalter for this up date, my apologies for not including it sooner.

The 'Planet' at Lanteague 1 Zelah on the 16th May 1985 Copyright Alan Harris

Lanteague, Zelah 16th May 1985 Copyright Alan Harris

Many thanks to Alan Harris has kindly supplied more pictures taken at the Lanteague Preservation site.

The Chacewater - Newquay trackbed at Lantegue. 16th May 1985. Copyright Alan Harris

The trackbed at the preservation site. 16th May 1985. Copyright Alan Harris

Brakevan at the Lanteague Peservation Site 16th May 1985

A very nice one of the Planet Diesel shunter 16th May 1985. Copyright Alan Harris

Penzance Demolition
Mike Hitchens

March 1987 sees the removal of the roof over the goods loading banks at Penzance Station. Mike Hitchens collection

Athelney
John Cornelius

Items added on the 26th February 2018 Items added most recently come first

26/2/2018

Roskear Branch
Andy Kirkham

Roskear branch - Foundry Road Crossing. Copyright Andy KIrkham. The date was April 16 1974. With apologies to Andy for an incorrect attribution before.

St Agnes
Andrew Triggs

A shunter which has stood outside St Agnes station for many years is soon to get what it deserves - restoration. The loco is to be moved some 12 miles, as the crow flies, to Poldark Mining Museum near Helston. The loco is a Hibberd 'Planet diesel mechanical chain driven shunter supplied to the Royal Navy at Devonport Dockyard in March 1956 being allocated the yard number 5200. It has a 5' 6" wheelbase to enable it to negotiate the sharp curves of the dockyards system. In total 33 of these standard gauge diesel locomotives with Fodens engines were purchased by the Admiralty for its establishments all over Britain. After a collision with a runaway wagon from Keyham Junction on 4th June 1982, pushing it 109 feet before stopping the engine was declared beyond repair and sold to the Cornwall Railway Museum at Zelah where it went on 6th April 1983. However in April 1987 it moved once more to a site outside of St Agnes Station on the former Chacewater-Newquay Branch.
Some of this information is taken from Devonport Dockyard Railway book by courtesy of Paul Burkhalter.

St Agnes station 1988 Copyright Andrew Triggs

St Agnes The shunter in a view taken on the 4th February 2017. The rails have buckled as the loco sinks into the ballast. Copyright Keith Jenkin

The station 24 years after closure. A view from the 'shunter site' taken in 1988. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Penzance
Mike Hitchens

47613 North Star awaits departure from Platform 4 at Penzance, Mike Hichens Collection

Yeovil Pen Mill
John Cornelius

Items added on the 25th February 2018 Items added most recently come first

25/2/2018

Winter comes again this week
Roger Winnen

With a cold snap expected this week I have found a collection of photographs taken of West Cornwall in the snow on Friday & Saturday 8th & 9th February, 1991. It is many years since snow has fallen in the far west.

910209a 47810 Pulls forward with three coaches out of the sidings at Penzance Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

910209b An HST with most probably the 10.00 service to Paddington approaching Mexico Crossing Long Rock. Copyright Roger Winnen

910209c 47584 County of Suffolk with the Royal Mail at Long Rock. Copyright Roger Winnen

910209d A Hybrid unit comprising of a Metro Cammell motor brake second and Derby built vehicles passing Marazion. Copyright Roger Winnen

910209e An HST seen approaching Penzance Station photographed from the Penzance Relief Road with the Gulval Road passing underneath. Copyright Roger Winnen

Re-railing Perseus - Teign Valley and Exeter Railway
Colin Burges

Rerailing Perseus came at the end of an exhausting day in August, 1993. In a complex operation - perhaps a yarn for another time - the feed store from Ivybridge had first been brought in one piece to Christow, demolishing the parapet walls of a bridge on the valley road in the course of its Police-escorted journey.

It was essential to start the engine because the loco had to be driven along the ground again. The old six-volt batteries were nearly flat but using the decompression levers allowed the six-cylinder Gardner to be cranked.

The crane swung the loco through half a turn and placed it so that it could be driven about thirty yards to the end of the line as it was then. This went as planned but then the crane got stuck in the ballast and the driver had great difficulty positioning himself close enough to the loco to be able to lift it. He wrestled with the controls but finally stopped and folded his arms in despair. "What about draining the fuel?" he said. The lads at Western Fuels had filled the 125-gallon tank for me.

Draining wasn't necessary and I can't remember what was done, only that the loco did get rerailed and two old boys who had come to watch, who had both travelled on the branch, were like kids again. Jerry, the one in the cab, remembered going off to start his National Service in the winter of 1947 when only the trains were moving.

Some shots went off under the wheels to celebrate the first loco at Christow in over thirty years and the first ever diesel.

Perseus is lifted from the ground. Copyright Colin Burges

- and turned around. Copyright Colin Burges

Gently as she goes, being lowered on to the track. Copyright Colin Burges

Fired up and ready to go. Congratulations to all and especially to Colin Burges. Copyright Colin Burges

If you want to see and read more about the Teign Valley and Exeter Railway, based at Christow Click here.

Ingra Tor Halt on Fire
‘Living with Harold and Hitler’ – by Shirley Gray

‘Living with Harold and Hitler’ – by Shirley Gray - A review

This not a railway book, it is a 125 page volume well written by Shirley Gray and relates to her childhood days which were spent mainly in wartime Plymouth. It will be of great interest to Plymouthians as it contains many stories of life in that badly bombed and war torn city. True stories of the poverty and ration book living associated with those terrible years. However, as well as her personal memories Shirley tells of the exploits of her brother Harold, a real rascal. Harold, on one of his boyhood adventures set out for a days adventure by train getting off at Ingra Tor Halt. Here, after trampling around on the moorland, perhaps, with little concern about the ‘Snakes warning notice’ for which this remote location is famed! Harold and his friends returned to the shelter of the station buildings. Feeling cold they lit a fire using scraps of paper and twigs. The fire quickly got out of control and set alight to the building itself. Very luckily very heavy rain put out the fire and Harold and remains of the roof survived. Harolds subsequent involvement with the police and a rail journey under guard in the brake compartment of the train are detailed.
This book is available from Amazon. Other reviews are available see Google. I found it a fascinating read. Keith Jenkin.

Ingra Tor Halt in relation to Princetown. Map 25 inch OS 1895 - 1905 With kind permission of the National Library of Scotland.

Ingra Tor Halt - more detailed. Map 25 inch OS 1895 - 1905 With kind permission of the National Library of Scotland.

Front cover - Harold is in the right.

Back cover of the book.

Shepherds
Alan Harris

Looking towards Newquay. Courtesy Alan Harris Collection

Chetnole
John Cornelius

One would scarcely believe that there was once double track here! Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on the 24th February 2018 Items added most recently come first

24/2/2018

A brief visit to Cornwall
Richard Hay
Many thanks Richard.

Milltown viaduct is a location not often visited but here Richard portrays a train taken from the south side. 1C76 1003 London Paddington to Pz with 43040 leading and 43042 at the rear crossing Milltown Viaduct on the 22nd February 2018 Copyright Richard Hay

The 12.57 Penzance to Newton Abbott, a 150xxx is seen crossing Milltown Viaduct on the 22nd February 2018 Copyright Richard Hay

2P84 1051 Penzance to Plymouth with 150xxx is seen crossing Coldrennick viaduct on the 22nd February 2018 Copyright Richard Hay

2Z69 1004 Bristol Temple Meads to Penzance with 150248 at Lostwithiel 22nd February 2018 Copyright Richard Hay

1506 St Blazey to Exeter Riverside yard powered by 66192 crossing St Pinnock viaduct on the 22nd February 2018 Copyright Richard Hay

St Agnes
Alan Harris

A photograph taken shortly before the stations opening, much of the signage is in place, a gentleman poses on the platform as a contractors loco approaches. Courtesy the Alan Harris Collection

Langstone Rock
John Cornelius

Items added on the 23rd February 2018 Those added most recently come first.

23/2/2018

Bradford on Avon Interlude
Guy Vincent

166207 at Bradford-on-Avon on 2E24 1308 Weymouth-Gloucester on 19th, formerly a class 150 job. This unit still retains First Class branding and the older blue livery. Copyright Guy Vincent

South West Trains liveried 158882 also at B-on-A on 19th working 2O93 1250 Great Malvern-Weymouth. A 2 car 158 unit is hired daily by GWR from South Western Railway's Salisbury depot as it has been for over 10 years now. Copyright Guy Vincent

37218 & 37069 passing through B-on-A on 19th with a diverted ECS working (5Z98 1410 Gloucester New Yard-Eastleigh). This was following a weekend Pathfinder railtour to Cumbria from / to Gloucester and was originally scheduled to run via Swindon/Reading West and Basingstoke. Despite the noise and speed of this train passing, the occupants of the platform seats seem hardly bothered at all!. Copyright Guy Vincent

Frome
Guy Vincent

166202 at Frome on 2M12 1404 Frome-Swindon on 21st. This was a single class 153 diagram until the January timetable change. Copyright Guy Vincent

Bristol Temple Meads
Old and New - Guy Vincent

Old & New at Bristol Temple Meads on February 22nd 2018. 43002 (unallocated at the time) with late-running IEP's 800005 & 800009 arriving to work the delayed 1630 Paddington departure. These arrived empty from the east following service disruption (loss of signalling) at Didcot, reportedly due to a rat entering a trackside cabinet and causing short-circuiting leading to instant death for the rodent concerned!
Guy Vincent 23rd February 2018 Many thanks Guy

Old & New (1) at Bristol TM 22nd February 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent

Old & New (2) at Bristol TM 22nd February 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent

Taunton - surprise.
Brian Pibworth

Class 73 Electro-diesel under power West of Taunton - just!
A shot, taken in May 2007 from the old 40 Steps Bridge, showing Taunton Sorting Office and an unusual locomotive sitting on what is now the pavement of the new relief road. This was the ex Southern Region 73133 electro-diesel, newly acquired as the Fairwater Yard shunter, which had trundled down the headshunt, posed for a few minutes then returned to the yard. This turned out to be one of its rare outings and eventually, after a period languishing in Silkmills siding, it was returned to owners Transmart Railways (formerly the Class 73 Preservation Society) to be repaired and refurbished at Selhurst Depot and continue its hiring role elsewhere. Since then DB seem to have largely dispensed with dedicated shunters, requiring their work to be done by mainline locos.

Class 73 73133 at Taunton in May 2007. Taken from 40 steps bridge. Copyright Brian Pibworth

South Devon Railway
Richard Hay

We welcome a new contributor to our pages - Richard Hay. There are more to come - many thanks Richard.

6412 on the Caddaford straight with Totnes to Buckfastleight service Caddaford Straight last Friday 16th February 2018 Copyright Richard Hay

St Agnes
Alan Harris

A 1902 photograph from the Alan Harris Collection.The very interesting thing in this picture it that it was taken during the very early days of constriction, the track is temporary, the awning is under construction, the road bridge in the background is also nowhere near complete. The building is, in 2018 still there, though earlier modifications in connection with the provision of a passing loop saw the platform removed and replaced by an island platform served originally by a footbridge and later by a level crossing.

Taunton
John Cornelius

Items added on the 22nd February 2018 Those added most recently come first.

22/2/2018

Twenty years ago
Andrew Triggs

St Ives with 150251 having arrived with the 14.53 from St Erth 2nd July 1998 Copyright Andrew Triggs Note the conductor in his red uniform, possibly John Cocking.

Newquay with 153372 following arrival from Par with the 11.33 service 2nd July1998 Copyright Andrew Triggs

The 14.20 from Liskeard with 153374 at Looe Copyright Andrew Triggs

150219 at Bere Alston during reversal with the 11.30 Plymouth for Gunnislake Copyright Andrew Triggs

Craig's February Five
Craig Munday

Penponds the NMT heads west from Penponds with 43062 John Armitt leading. 9th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

Long Rock 57604 sits at its home depot on Monday 12th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

66187 works 6G06 along the river at Shiremoor Hall, Lostwithiel on Tuesday 20th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

70807 stabled at St Blazey by day. 20th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

70807 stabled at St Blazey by night. 20th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

Wheal Liberty Viaduct
Alan Harris

Wheal Liberty Viaduct 1902 From the Alan Harris Collection. This is a splendid example of the massive timber work necessary to form the arches of the viaduct.. The viaduct recently refurbished has stood the test of time and still stands spanning the valley to this day. Unfortunately there is no public access.

Exeter St Davids
John Cornelius

Items added on the 21st February 2018 Those added most recently come first.

21/2/2018

The Torbay Express approaches Newton Abbot Michael Forward

850810a 47620 recently named Windsor Castle approaching Newton Abbot on the Torbay Express with Newton Abbot East signal box behind the train. 10th August 1985 Copyright Michael Forward

St Erth
Alan Harris

Water tender at St Erth. From the Alan Harris Collection. One wonders how many cups of tea could be made using this water!!

Middleway Crossing
Ron Kosys

Middleway Crossing Met Cam two car set P874 with a Newquay to Par working on the 11th February 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys

Penzance Snowbound
Andrew Triggs

Penzance Snowbound. A classic shot by Andrew Triggs Can anybody date it - he asks? Copyright Andrew Triggs

Evershot
John Cornelius

Items added on the 20th February 2018 Those added most recently come first.

20/2/2018

Test Train in Kernow
Jamie Dyke & Andrew Triggs

950001 heads away from St Austell to continue it's journey west working 2Q08 0248 Laira Test Train heading for Penzance. 20th February 2018. Copyright Jamie Dyke.

950001 slowing for a brief stop at signal PZ3 before working on into the station. 20th February 2018 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Dawlish
Roger Geach

47738 with the 13.50 Plymouth to Bristol Temple Meads vans. 21st January 2000 Copyright Roger Geach

Penzance
Mike Hitchens

47837 Thames at Penzance. Mike Hitchens Collection

Redbridge
Ron Kosys

A most interesting study at Redbridge. 47287 seen here at Redbridge on the 9th November 1992 with the Fawley-Longport. Copyright Ron Kosys

Padstow
Alan Harris

From the Alan Harris Collection, many thanks.

Taunton
John Cornelius

Items added on the 19th February 2018 Those added most recently come first.

19/2/2018

Penzance
Mike Hitchens

47555 Commonwealth Spirit April with the Motorail Van in platform 4 at Penzance in April 1979. Mike Hitchens Collection

Dobwalls
Roger Geach

Class 47741 storms up the bank from the west to Dobwalls, near Doublebois, with the 08.56 Penzance to Manchester on the 31st July 2000 Copyright Roger Geach

Cowley Bridge Jct.
Ron Kosys

Cowley Bridge Junction 47296 on the 30th May 1991 with the 6B97 1200 Tavistock Jn-Gloucester N.B. Pallets on 1st vehicle had been tripped back from Lapford that morning. Copyright Ron Kosys .

St Austell
John Cornelius

A real Gem of a picture to us locals. No longer will you be able to see a '47' at the head of a motorail at St Austell. Also many thanks to John who was rail staff at the time and able to get in position for this classic shot. Many thanks to John Cornelius. Copyright.

The train crew. Ray passed away a while ago, and Eddie died in the spring of 2017. Copyright John Cornelius

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Please click below to see Andy Kirkam's wonderful collection of his pictures taken at various places in Cornwall. Many thanks to you Andy for making this link available to us. All his pictures are, of course, copyright.

Roskear BranchAndy Kirkham

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