Blog Archives

21st February 2024

21/2/2024

Cornwall Signal Upgrades with Castles and Clays
Part One
Roger Winnen

240219a The Welshman heaadinf the 08.50 Penzance to Plymouth at Truro. Copyroght Roger Winnen

240219b In a weeks time these signals will be memories of the past at Truro. Copyright Roger Winnen

240219bb The 09.10 Penzance to Paddington IET arrives at Truro. Copyright Roger Winnen

240219c Truro Signal Box will no longer control the barriers at the station. It is believed that trains will operate the system with a crossing keeper in attendance. Copyright Roger Winnen

240219d The former Truro East Box until the rationalisation in 1971 when this box wsd renamed Truro Signal Box. Copyright Roger Winnen

240219e The 06.00 Paddington to Penzance arrives Truro. Copyright Roger Winnen

240219f HSTs 43098 and 43187 Approaching Par on the 10.15 Plymouth to Penzance service. Copyright Roger Winnen

240219g Par Signal Box is a Grade 11 listed being built in 1879. Copyright Roger Winnen

240219h 43189 and 43004 works the 10.42 Plymouth to Penzance at Par. Copyright Roger Winnen

240219i Looking west from Par Station showing the signals for the Newquay Branch and for running from the branch platform to the main line. Copyright Roger Winnen

End of Part One

Freshford Track Renewal Job - 17 & 18 February 2024
Day 1
Guy Vincent

Day 1 Saturday 17th February 2024

A two day project renewing the 'Down Trowbridge' line between 05m 01ch and 04m 65ch. This section was last replaced over 3 weekends in January-February 1984 so has lasted well. The ballast was due for renewal and at the same time the asset engineer decided to renew the track with latest specification heavy duty concrete sleepers and welded rails. Four engineering trains were needed for this possession plus a tamper/liner. Trains were operated by Freightliner and arrived from Westbury via Castle Cary, a reversal at Taunton and Bristol / Bath.

6Y41 2056 (Fri 16th) Westbury - Bathampton Junction (possession limit) 66556 & 66563 top and tail with flat wagons for the old track sections. This train was stabled on the down line south of the worksite and was unable to leave until the new track was ready for use.

6Y42 0016 Westbury - Bathampton Junction 66952 on up line with spoil wagons for old ballast.

6Y43 0246 Westbury - Bathampton Junction 66506 on up line with further spoil wagons and new ballast.

6Y44 0842 Westbury - Bathampton Junction 66589 & 66551 top and tail on up line with new concrete sleepers and ballast.

Various road-rail vehicles and equipment was used and most of this came along the line from a temporary compound in the main car park next to Bradford on Avon station, 2 miles away where workforce welfare facilities were also located, personnel being ferried to and from Freshford by minibus.

Advance notice of works on Freshford station. Copyright Guy Vincent.

With the old track removed, ballast is dug out and placed into the waiting wagons. Copyright Guy Vincent.

View north towards Bathampton with spoil train 6Y42 (headed by 66952 at the south end) on up line behind which stands 66506 on train 6Y43. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Looking south towards Avoncliff with 66952 on 6Y42 and, beyond that, 66556 and 66563 top and tail on 6Y44 with the old track sections that were removed overnight. Copyright Guy Vincent.

New ballast being consolidated at the north end of Freshford station plus a selection of equipment. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Looking north again with 66589 heading 6Y44 (66551 out of sight at the other end) with new sleepers waiting to draw forward for unloading once the initial ballasting has been completed. Copyright Guy Vincent.

View south with ballast being unloaded and spread on trackbed. Note the new rails temporarily placed in the '4 foot' of the up line. Weather conditions deteriorating. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks Guy, an excellent record of the work - Day 2 (18.02) will be posted tomorrow.

Lostwithiel Groundworks
Tim Hughes

Looking East, the site of the former sidings and Fowey platform at Lostwithiel being renovated. Copyright Tim Hughes.

Looking west from near the signal box, the groundworks are looking neat. Copyright Tim Hughes.

Thank you for sending these in, Tim - although I'm sure we'd all rather see rails here, it does certainly look much better than the 'jungle' it had become in recent years.

Up High, Down Low - Dowgas
Jon Hird

I took a quick trip over to Dowgas this afternoon for the GWR sleeper training run headed by Class 57/6 57603. I personally much prefer the angle achieved by standing higher up the field here, but with a young crop in the ground, it wouldn't do to go trampling over it. So, I hugged the fenceline and the tractor tracks with my camera, and the drone set off and managed to net me a more side-on shot from higher up!

Through my camera lens, 57603 passes Dowgas (near Coombe St. Stephens) with 5Z71, the empty stock GWR sleeper staff training run. Copyright Jon Hird.

Through the 'eyes' of my drone, a more side-on perspective of the train. Consumer grade, lightweight drones have a way to go before they beat the quality of a photo taken by a mechanical lens, but they do have their uses. Copyright Jon Hird.

'Castle Class' nameplates for sale
Trevor Tremethick

Hello Keith and Roger

Well, it had to happen.

The first tranche of Castle nameplates removed from withdrawn power cars will be auctioned by Great Western Railwayana at their sale commencing Saturday March 16th. Here is a link to the auction site: https://www.gwra.co.uk/nextauction.html

The nameplates involved in this sale (lots 480 to 484) are as follows:

Nunney Castle ex 43009
Chepstow Castle ex 43170
Raglan Castle ex 43171
Acton Castle ex 43027
Dunster Castle ex 43122

The last-named was only recently photographed by me in Laira Yard on January 10th this year.

I have no forecast of expected prices, but I imagine that these will be popular lots so, if anyone wants to try their luck, I wish them good fortune!

Kind regards

Trevor T

Many thanks to you Trevor, for bringing this auction to our attention. As you say, I imagine they will be extremely popular - let's hope they find good homes.

February 20th 2024

20/2/2024

Dawlish Warren
Michael Adams

Hello Roger, here are three shots from Michael taken on a dull but warm 1 August 1981. Firstly we see 50006 ‘Neptune’ with the 11.15 Paddington to Paignton. Copyright Michael Adams

47349 powers round the curve ,working unknown. Copyright Michael Adams

Finally 47560 with the 06.50 Bradford to Penzance. Thanks, all the best, Michael Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael

All change at Lostwithiel
Dennis Clarke

Hi Keith, Jon, Roger,

I stopped off at Lostwithiel today to get my last photos of the semaphores, before the weekend blockade.

It was nice to see Dennis and Roger there too. The clay also ran today too.
I have attached a few photos that I took on my phone, most of the train pictures still being on my camera.

It will be a very sad to see the signals gone forever.

Regards, Dennis

66143 running around 6G09, the Goonbarrow to Fowey clay, with the new signal dominating the scene. Copyright Dennis Clarke

Some of the worksite at Lostwithiel. A lot of plant arriving and working on the site. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Roger keeping an eye on an up IET departing. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Roger and Dennis discussing the CRS Society across the tracks. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Dennis taking a last look at signal LL5, opposite the signal box. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Three fine gentlemen enjoying some sunshine at Lostwithiel! L-R, Dennis Clarke, Roger Winnen, Dennis Flood. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Thank you Dennis - great to see some photos of the people behind the cameras!

An evening at Swindon
Ken Mumford

Friends,
I've had a lot of trouble changing back from WINDOWS 11 to WINDOWS 10 over the past 6 hours but I'm determined to get these photos [taken Sunday 18.02 evening] to a society in the West though it meant 'burning the midnight oil' after 3 in the night!

Yesterday [Sunday 18.02] there was some reported flooding between Swindon and Bristol Parkway [Chipping Sodbury Tunnel area probably] yet EASTBOUND trains APPEAR - ACCORDING TO REAL TRAIN TIMES - to be getting through ALTHOUGH it seems that westbound trains were being diverted via Bath, outskirts of Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol Parkway where they reversed before gaining their normal route to South Wales. ALSO some trains were delayed because of crews not taking over trains on time because they were delayed by flooding and other delays!

Kind regards,
Ken

5L99 [consisting of emu 387 168, 387 166 and 387 168] leaving Cockleberry Sidings at Swindon for platform 1. Copyright Ken Mumford.

1B55 [consisting of emu 317 170 and 317 162 arriving in platform 3 6 LATE where it terminated. Copyright Ken Mumford.

1B55 at platform 3 became 5B55 to head back to Cockleberry Sidings. Copyright Ken Mumford.

5B55 heading to Cockleberry Sidings - note directional signal. Copyright Ken Mumford

1C22 [Paddington to Plymouth via Bristol - a very crowded train] sped into platform 4, its driver obviously keen to make up lost time [9 LATE] - the rear coach having a LOCKED JAW! Copyright Ken Mumford.

5L99 now becomes 1L99 which was originally an IET starting at Cardiff BUT for some unknown reason was cancelled between Cardiff and Swindon and replaced by this emu leaving 8 LATE. Copyright Ken Mumford.

The rear of 1L99 with on its left what was 5B55 in Cockleberry Sidings. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken - your recording of detail is to be applauded!

Creech St. Michael
Bill Elston

Hi,

Thanks for adding my Yeovil photo to the website.

Today (18.02) a rare opportunity to point my camera at something worthwhile passing through Taunton.

Best regards

Bill

66551 on 6Y44 on 0832 Bathampton jct to Westbury, via Exeter, on time. Copyright Bill Elston.

66952 plus 66589 (dead in tow, having failed at Bristol) on 6Y43, 0931 Bathampton jct to Westbury via Exeter. However it only made it as far as Fairwater yd for the run-round as it was some 153 min lateleaving Bristol. Copyright Bill Elston.

Turbo 166207 on 2C75 CF-TAU. a rare event in daylight hours these days. Copyright Bill Elston.

66506 on 6Y42, 1040 Bathampton Jct to Westbury via Fairwater Yd, running 120 min late. Copyright Bill Elston.

Many thanks Bill, looks like you had an interesting day.

Starcross from above
Paul Barlow

Hello Keith

A drone picture from last summer.

Kind Regards

Paul

43098 and 43029 work the 0640 Penzance to Cardiff Starcross station 6 September 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Thank you very much Paul, a unique perspective.

19/2/2024

NINETEEN SIXTY TWO – PART 70
Milk Trains
Michael L. Roach

I always had a particular fascination with milk trains, but never managed to photograph many even though there were two in each direction through Plymouth every day. The two westbound trains comprised empty tanks returning to Cornwall and passed through in the middle of the night. The loaded trains started from Penzance at 11.20am and 6.00pm; the second one was at Plymouth Station from 9.06pm to 10.00pm which therefore left me with just one milk train to photograph in daylight hours – 3A31 the 11.20am Penzance to Kensington which ran every day but later on Sundays at 2.38pm off Penzance. The main stopping places on weekdays, mostly to attach loaded milk tanks, were St. Erth (12.30-12.45); Dolcoath Siding, Camborne (1.02-1.18); Truro (1.40-1.45); Lostwithiel (2.25-2.40); Saltash (3.26-3.36); Plymouth (3.46-4.15); Totnes (4.56-5.33); Newton Abbot (5.49-5.53). At two of the towns in Cornwall the creamery was remote from the railway and the liquid milk was brought across the town by road tanker to be loaded into the rail tank wagons. Those towns were Camborne and Saltash. It is believed that liquid milk is still sent from Cornwall to London by road from transit depots at St. Erth and Lostwithiel.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about waiting by the lineside to see 3A31 pass was what would be hauling the train that day as it could be almost any tender engine then in use on the Paddington to Penzance main line, including freight engines of the 2-8-0 and 2-10-0 classes and almost any former Great Western 4-6-0 class. The train times quoted above come from the WTT dated September 1962 to June 1963.

92208 arrives at Exeter St. Davids with the up milk. The time is 6.20pm on Saturday 4 July 1959 and the 9F is proudly wearing its 83D shedplate, having arrived at Laira just a couple of weeks earlier. The engine was one of 15 9Fs built at Swindon in 1959. Swindon would build a further three 9Fs the following year including the very last one 92220 Evening Star. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

7031 “Cromwell's Castle” on a lengthy milk train of 12 tanks is approaching Trerulefoot at 3.12pm on Tuesday 15 September 1959. 7031 was then at Laira but moved to Swindon Shed the same month. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

4916 “Crumlin Hall” of Pontypool Road Shed is heading east soon after leaving Newton Abbot right on time at 5.56pm. It was quite appropriate for this engine to be at Pontypool because Crumlin was just 6 miles away down the Vale of Neath line; the date is 25 June 1961. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2-8-0 no. 4702 of Old Oak Common Shed is coasting downhill at Dorseley, west of Totnes, at 5.06pm on 15 July 1961 more than ten minutes late. The engine was withdrawn 11 months later. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5008 “Raglan Castle” of OOC Shed hurries downhill approaching Tigley Box at 5.03pm on 25 August 1962, about 15 late. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

As always Michael, many thanks. Readers may wish to read the rest of Michaels memoirs - please click here.

Around Coombe Junction Liskeard and St Germans
in November 1977
Roger Winnen

771126a Moorswater Viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen

771126b Coombe Junction Halt 26th November 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

771126c Coombe Junction Signal Box. 26th November 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

771126d Coombe Junction Signal Box. 26th November 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

771126f Exchanging the token at Coombe Junction Signal Box. Copyright Roger Winnen

771126e A train crosses Moorswater Viaduct 26th November 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

771126g A DMU sits at Coombe Junction Platform 26th November 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

771126i The old pathway from the Station Buildings to the platforms at Liskeard. Copyright Roger Winnen

771126k St Germans Station buildings. 26th November 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

771126m St Germans Station looking wesr on 26th November 1977, Copyright Roger Winnen

771126p St Germans Station. 26th November 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

771126n St Germans Viaduct 26th November 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

771126nn A Class 50 crosses St Germans Viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen

771126o Reflections with St Germans Viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen

5552 on the Bodmin Railway
Jon Hird

5552 puts on a fine show as she emerges from beneath the A38 road bridge and continues on her way to Bodmin General working the 12:30 Bodmin Parkway - Bodmin General service on 18.02.24. Copyright Jon Hird.

February 18th 2024

18/2/2024

This morning at Silverton
David Tozer

Gents, A rare opportunity to get out for some railway photography. Yes it was in that awful mizzle. 1) 66551 with the 0840 6Y44 Bathampton Junction to Westbury with brand new Network Rail ballast wagons. Copyright David Tozer

On the other side of the road the after effects of last nights heavy rain. Copyright David Tozer

Many Thanks David

Yeovil Pen Mill
Bill Elston

Hi Keith,

A quick trip to Yeovil today (16.02.24) gave me the chance to visit Pen Mill Station where Turbo unit 165102 was working the 1310 Gloucester - Weymouth (2O78).

Here we still have a modest array of semaphores.

Best regards

Bill

GWR 'Turbo' unit 165102 departs Yeovil Pen Mill heading for Weymouth. Copyright Bill Elston.

Many thanks Bill - great to see the semaphores still going strong here.

Saturday empties
Jon Hird

A slightly unusual opportunity presented itself on the morning of 17.02. Not only was the regular working of empty JIA clay-carrying wagons due to pass through Cornwall, but The Bodmin Railway also had a rake of 4 clay 'hoods' (minus the hoods!) out and about with 08359 on a driver experience course.

It was therefore just about possible to, within 10 minutes, see 2 trains of empty clay wagons, from very different eras.

08359, on hire to The Bodmin Railway and owned the The Diesel Electric Shunter Company, climbs the gradient from Bodmin Parkway with 4 clay hoods (with tarpaulins fitted rather than the hoods). 17.02.24 - 10:27 - Copyright Jon Hird.

10 minutes later, at 10:38, after a quick car journey I was at Respryn to see the modern method of clay transportation. 66021 and 11 empty JIA's return to St. Blazey as 6V74 from Exeter Riverside. Copyright Jon Hird.

A going-away shot of 08359 at Colesloggett Halt. Copyright Jon Hird.

A wet arrival at Bodmin General for 08359. Copyright Jon Hird.

Bodmin Railway driver Malcolm along with his steed, whilst members of the driver experience course take shelter from the rain under the canopy at Bodmin General. Copyright Jon Hird.

Shunting taking place at Bodmin General whilst the party for the driver experience course head back to the warmth of the brake van. Despite the rain everyone seemed to be in good spirits and enjoying their day. Copyright Jon Hird.

The Bodmin Railway are running steam trains today (Sunday 18.02.24) - check out their timetable by clicking here

Sulzer Power at Bristol
Phil 'Shattered' Smith

Two 'big' Sulzers in the forms of 45145 and 47484 pass at Bristol in 1985. Copyright Phil Smith.

Many thanks, Phil - a little more interesting than any two trains you are likely to witness passing there nowadays!

Modern day at Bristol
Martin Scane

It’s becoming pretty difficult to photograph much of interest at Bristol TM these days.

Here however is a voyager with the distinctive houses of Totterdown above.

Cheers
Martin

A CrossCountry Voyager at Bristol Temple Meads. Copyright Martin Scane.

Thanks Martin - ironically your email and comments arrived almost as soon as I had finished adding the text below Phil Smiths image above, your thoughts almost mirroring what I had written! A colourful scene nontheless and well deserving of a photograph, thanks for sending it in.

17/2/2024

The St Ives Branch over the Years
Roger Winnen

071114e 8th November 2007 The lifting process of a crane is underway at St Ives Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

The breakdown train crosses the West Cornwall Golf Club at Lelant prior to its journey to Margam, South Wales. Copyright Roger Winnen

090917c Views of the viaduct from Draycott Terrace. Copyright Roger Winnen

100503b 3 153 units climb the Lelant Golf Course. Copyright Roger Winnen

100516j D345 Heads the return special down through the Golf Course at Lelant with D1015 Western Champion tailing. Copyright Roger Winnen

100517a Arriva 150 Sprinter working the St Ives Branch. Copyright Roger Winnen

130214b 97302 on a test train at St Ives its 23.13 hrs. Copyright Roger Winnen

160602d The test train arrives at St Ives. Its 23.28hrs. Copyright Roger Winnen

860125a 142016 Special at St Erth brand new 25th January 1986. Copyright Roger Winnen

860125d 142816 at St Ives. Copyright Roger Winnen

Mid Cornwall from above
Jon Hird

I had an unexpected day off today (16.02), and even more unexpectedly the sun was out! I took the drone with me whilst out and about and made a couple of stops to take some photos through the day.

A quick stop at Coombe St. Stephens on the way home from Truro to snap this photo of 802007 working 2P13 the 11:50 Penzance to Plymouth. Copyright Jon Hird.

Minutes later from the opposite direction came 43186 and 43188 on 2C68 the 11:42 Plymouth to Penzance. Copyright Jon Hird.

Later in the day I stopped off at Par Moor to see 43189 and 43004 working 2C26 the 13:42 Plymouth to Penzance. There are all kinds of historic structures hidden in the bushes behind the train, china clay workings and further up the hill the bunkers and buildings which once formed the WW2 coastal gun battery. Copyright Jon Hird.

43004 on the rear of 2C26 as the train crosses the famous bridge which once carried the mainline over a branch from the harbour which serviced the Linhays on the opposite side of Par Moor Road. 'Judy' and 'Alfred' owe their squat stance and short wheelbase to this bridge and the sharp curves which were once laid here. Copyright Jon Hird.

The bridge from ground level - hard to believe any form of standard gauge train could have ever squeezed beneath here - but they did! Copyright Jon Hird.

43188 and 43186 (again) working 2P17, the 13:50 Penzance to Plymouth, along Par Moor, a shot into the sun which never gives great results. Copyright Jon Hird.

Anyone for Golf? 802007 (again) passes Carlyon Bay golf course working 2C27 the 14:18 Plymouth to Penzance. The sky had sadly clouded over by this point. Copyright Jon Hird.

16th February 2024

16/2/2024

The St Ives Branch
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, Thank you for dealing with the last pictures. Here is one taken at St.Erth on 16 July 1986 with Skipper units 142026/016 waiting to run to St.Ives with the 13.12 service. Thanks, Michael. Copyright Michael Forward

Roger, On 8 June 1981 we see a ?Derby built three car set stopping at Lelant Saltings platform with a train for St.Erth. A good place to watch birds and then a nice place to have lunch at the Old Quay House nearby. Happy days, all the best, Michael Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael

A wet day for clay
Dennis Clarke

Hi Keith, Roger, Jon,

I enjoyed the talk by Jim Collins last Saturday. Very interesting.

I was in a very wet Par this morning (15.02.24) and when I arrived on the train from Hayle, I noticed 66021 loading wagons at Par Harbour.
I took a few pictures on my phone at the level crossing. Here they are,

Regards,
Dennis

66021 stands at the wonderful wooden crossing gates on the Par Harbour branch. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

A member of DB Cargo staff prepares to halt the road traffic to allow 66021 to proceed to St. Blazey yard with the JIA wagons. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

66021 shunts its wagons at Par Harbour. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Many thanks Dennis - a lucky catch.

5 Minutes at Par
Jon Hird

Much like Dennis above, I too found myself in Par today (15.02.24). I popped in to see the empty stock move of the GWR sleeper returning to Penzance, and also managed to catch a 'Castle Class' HST. Time is really running out for the semaphores here, now.

57605 slowly creeps past Par Down Goods Loop with 5Z71 - a staff training run using the sleeper stock from Penzance to Exeter and back. Copyright Jon Hird.

57605 heads west through Par with the seated coaches tucked in behind the loco. The 'up' semaphore is dropped ready for the next train. Copyright Jon Hird.

As I was walking back to my car, GWR 43188 pulled in with 2P17 - the 13:50 Penzance to Plymouth service. Copyright Jon Hird.

A quick turn around and I was back up on the bridge to see 43188 depart. With my work patterns over the next couple of weeks, this is quite possibly the last daylight photo I will take of a train at Par station whilst it is complete with a functioning signal box and semaphores - a bit of a sad thought. Copyright Jon Hird

A Swindon Update
Ken Mumford

Power cars [0Z24 consistng of 43321 and 43357 back to back - apparently both under power] - Reading Triangle Sildings to Bicester via Swindon, Bristol Parkway [reverse], Swindon, Oxford and then Bicester - ON TIME passing Swindon. Copyright Ken Mumford.

4L36 Wentlogg to Felixstowe passing Wootton Bassett Junction[ 87 LATE], then running wrong line and crossing over to the UML west of Swindon. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Freightliner 66525 erupts as it passes Swindon. Copyright Ken Mumford.

66525 heads away still belching smoke. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken, looks like you picked a good day for it - lots of interesting action.

15/2/2024

The Royal Train at Penzance 28th November 1980
Roger Winnen

801128a Her Majesty the Queen visits West Cornwall on Friday 28th November 1980. Copyright Roger Winnen

801128b 47500 Great Western on the Royal Train approaching the former Marazion Marsh Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

801128c Penzance Station decorated for the Queens arrival. Copyright Roger Winnen

801128d The commemorated plaque at Penzance Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

801128e 08644 Hauls the Royal Train to Long Rock Sidings. Copyright Roger Winnen

801128ee An historic coach in the Royal Train. Copyright Roger Winnen

801128f Royal Salooh 45000 built in 1920 with quite a chequred history. Copyright Roger Winnen

801128ff The Policeman stands guard for The Royal Train at Long Rock sidings. Copyright Roger Winnen

Variety at Oxford in the 1980s
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, A selection of pictures taken at Oxford in the 1980s starts with my picture of 47605 ‘Robert Fairlie’ with the 12.28 Poole to Manchester on 26May 1987. Thanks ,all the best. Copyright Michael Forward

Another inter-regional train calling at Oxford ,this time 47406 with the 12.55 Brighton to Manchester 0n 23 August 1983. Copyright Michael Forward

Class 50005 ‘Collingwood’ now on 21 Decmber 1987 with a terminating service from Paddington. Copyright Michael Forward

Roger, Finally we see 37239,unusually, powering through Oxford on 5 April 1988 with empty MGR wagons from Didcot power station returning to one of the Nottingham collieries,(Michael Adams.) Thanks Copyright Michael Adams

Wheal Jenkin
The Liskeard & Caradon Railway
Jon Hird

Wheal Jenkin Mine with its engine house and the embankment of the long-gone Moorswater to Minions section of the Liskeard & Caradon Rly. The row of houses are Duchy Terrace, a row of houses built for the mine captains. On the hill in the background is Phoenix United Mine and The Cheesewring, both of which were also rail served (Phoenix United used a narrow-gauge railway to ferry its product to the L&CR siding). Copyright Jon Hird.

Moving a little closer to Wheal Jenkin, the embankment of the former railway line is immediately apparent and appears to be in good condition. This 'branch' of the line was constructed after the main line had been put in place to Caradon. Copyright Jon Hird.

Much more information about the fascinating Liskeard & Caradon Railway can be found within the lines own section of our website. Please click here to visit.

Passing time at
Exeter St. Davids
Martin Scane

Hi,

I had a forty five minute wait at Exeter St Davids at lunchtime today (14.02) so took a few photographs which might be of interest.

Best Regards
Martin

A GWR IET unit heads East. Copyright Martin Scane.

A GWR Class 158 unit presumably on the Paignton - Exmouth shuttles. Copyright Martin Scane.

One of the two surviving blue GWR Class 150 units on the Paignton / Exmouth shuttles. Copyright Martin Scane.

A pair of class 150 units at Exeter St. Davids, copyright Martin Scane.

Many thanks Martin - 45 minutes well spent!

A morning at Truro
Clive Smith

Some different views of Truro station. It won't be the same withpout the clanking of the semaphores.

2C12 07.22 Exeter St Davids - Penzance snakes past the semaphore signals at the west end of the station on Saturday 27th January. HST power car 43097 is on the rear with 43186 out of sight on the front. Copyright Clive Smith.

Another minute to go at platform 3 upside as the 2P24 15.15 Penzance - Plymouth with HST power car 43097 has 'the road' set by the up home signal T6 immediately in front of the level crossing and the signal box. 27th January. Copyright Clive Smith.

The down platform 2 manual banner repeater signal is set for 'off' as 802003 departs with the 2C43 06.06 Bristol TM - Penzance on 27th January. Copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks indeed, Clive, for sending these in. We'd encourage anyone who'd like to soak up the atmosphere of a busy station complete with working semaphores to get down to Truro for an hour soon, before it's too late.
Once they're gone, they're gone.

February 14th 2024

14/2/2024

6024 & 5029 'The Eden Limited'
Jon Hird

6024 and 5029 arrive at Par on 23.04.2005 with 'The Eden Limited'. Copyright Jon Hird.

With the passengers dropped off and hurried onto busses to the Eden Project, the locos shunt into St. Blazey for servicing. Copyright Jon Hird.

47306 is a fine locomotive, but on this day, all eyes were on the steam locos! Copyright Jon Hird.

5029 has already been turned and is in the shed for servicing, 6024 awaits her turn. Copyright Jon Hird.

6024 goes for a spin on the turntable. Copyright Jon Hird.

6024 is leading once again as the pair return to Par. Copyright Jon Hird.

The locos make a fine sight descending into Lostwithiel past the semaphore signals. The yard still exists and some CDA's have been deposited there. Copyright Jon Hird.

A final photo of the engines as they get nearer to the platform at Lostwithiel. Copyright Jon Hird.

Bugle Bubble
Roger Winnen

92/02/22 - Single Car 55000 on a working from Newquay to Par. Copyright Roger Winnen.

92/02/22 - 55000 pauses at Bugle Station. This unit now runs on the South Devon Railway. Copyright Roger Winnen.

13/2/2024

Sunny West Cornwall
Mark Lynam

Good evening Keith/Roger/Jon,

Here are a few shots taken in West Cornwall today (12.02.24) at Penzance, Dolcoath and Truro.

43156 + 43093 arriving at Penzance on a delayed 2C02 0638 Plymouth to Penzance. In lovely early morning sunlight. Copyright Mark Lynam.

43156 + 43093 departing Penzance 9 minutes later on a delayed 2P08 0850 Penzance to Plymouth. Copyright Mark Lynam.

A brief gap between clouds just in time for a train! 43098 at Dolcoath Level Crossing, Camborne working 2C11 1015 Plymouth to Penzance. Copyright Mark Lynam.

43093 passes Truro signal box now in its final couple of weeks of operation as are the semaphores. 2C68 1142 Plymouth to Penzance. Copyright Mark Lynam.

The other side for the next working. 43189 working 2C23 1219 Plymouth to Penzance. Copyright Mark Lynam.

150202 arrives at the Western end of Truro working 2T78 1315 Falmouth Docks to Truro. Copyright Mark Lynam.

And finally the classic footbridge shot of the four semaphores. 43188 working 2P16 1315 Penzance to Plymouth. Copyright Mark Lynam.

Many thanks Mark - I'm sure we'll look back on these in a few years time and mourn what we have lost.

Weymouth Station to Dorchester West and South in 1978
Roger Winnen

780103a The old Weymouth Station building. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103b The old Weymouth Atation. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103c Weymouth Station platform. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103d 33105 Stands at Weymouth with a 4 TC set from London Waterloo. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103e 33105 Stands at the terminus of the old station. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103f 2- 3 Car Gloucester Inter City Units departing Radipole Halt. Copyright Roger Winnen - Copy

780103g The access to Radipole Halt. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103h Radipole Halt being 1 mile from Weymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103i Radipole Halt from the platform level. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103j Upway and Brpadway Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103k Upway & Broadway station sign. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103l A Weymouth bound train passes through Upway & Broadway. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103o Upway Wishing Well Halt and Bincombe Tunnel. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103q Wishing Well Halt and Bincombe Tunnel. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103s Dorchester West Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103t A Class 33 Propels its train to Bournemouth, seen here approaching Dorchester South Junction. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103u The exterior of Dorchester West Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103v Dorchester West Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103w Dorchester West looking north, the line now singled to the Maiden Newton passing loop. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103y Dorchester South Station buildings. Copyright Roger Winnen

780103z A Class 33 rounding the curve at Dorchester South on a service to Weymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

An afternoon around Milltown
Jon Hird

Happiness is... a child on a swing, a border collie in a field, and a freight train on a branch line. A well-framed scene captured by my partner whilst I was off 'droning'! Copyright Jon Hird.

DB Cargo 66143 glides silently down the gradient and over Treesmill Viaduct with 6 JIA's loaded with clay for Fowey. Copyright Jon Hird.

Around 20 minutes later, 66143 would reappear at the other side of the field heading along the Fowey branch skirting the Shirehall Moor nature reserve. Copyright Jon Hird.

A GWR IET unit makes light work of the gradient up Milltown as it heads for Penzance. Copyright Jon Hird.

A slight change of location, but still within the same general area. A GWR HST nears Treverrin Tunnel as it heads west. Copyright Jon Hird.

'The Railwaymen'
With thanks to Michael Roach

It is with thanks to Michael Roach that our attention was drawn to the above YouTube video. A highlight is that 5066 Wardour Castle (latterly Sir Felix Pole) is featured. Well worth a watch!

12th February 2024

12/2/2024

1962 - Part 69
Michael L. Roach

Railway Air Routes (2)
The Great Western Railway started its first air route in April 1933 from Cardiff to Plymouth as described in Part 61 of this series posted on 23 December 2023. Just one month later in May 1933 the GWR carried out improvements to the service by extending the route to Birmingham and reducing some of the fares. The details can be read in the first scan (5677) from the GWR Magazine for June 1933. The service was actually operated for the GWR by Imperial Airways. More changes took place in March 1934 when Railway Air Services was formed jointly by the Big Four Railway Companies and Imperial Airways. The second scan (7551) shows all the internal air services in the British Isles at June 1936 including those operated by RAS; but there are still some major gaps waiting to be filled: e.g. Newcastle-upon-Tyne does not figure at all and there is no direct service from London to Edinburgh which one would have thought would have been an early route.

News Item from 1952
I recently came across this item from 1952 which was new to me involving the Royal Albert Bridge. The Railway Observer for January 1953 reported, as follows: “On 12 December 1952 an unusual cause of delay to trains was a Jersey cow on the Royal Albert Bridge ! The animal, which was being unloaded at Saltash Station broke away and dashed across the bridge, finally being caught some two hours after it had first escaped, having reached St. Budeaux Station. The 11.00am Penzance to Paddington was delayed as were several local trains.” The distance from Saltash to St. Budeaux is well over a mile.

Latest news from the Magazine for June 1933. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Diagram of railway air services in 1936 which appeared in the GWR Magazine for March 1937. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks as always, Mike!
Read more of Mike's memoirs by clicking here.

Bodmin Railway - First trains of 2024
Jon Hird

The Bodmin Railway have reopened for the half term periods, with trains on Sunday 11.02, Tuesday 13.02, Wednesday 14.02, Thursday 15.02 and Sunday 18.02. Time table and info can be found by clicking here.

Bodmin resident steam loco 5552 leads the last train of the day up the bank past Charlies Gate. Bodmin volunteer and CRS contributor Sam Hooper records the spectacle from the trackside. Copyright Jon Hird.

Bodmin General as you've never seen it before - well, probably. 5552 pushes back the stock into the platform before retiring to the shed for a rest at the end of the day. Copyright Jon Hird.

We may as well have a quick look the other way too, before the light goes. The divergence at Bodmin General - left to Bodmin Parkway and the mainline, right around the sharp 'check rail curve' to Boscarne Junction, Padstow, Wadebridge, Bodmin North, Wenford Bridge and all the other long lost railway locations this line once connected to. Copyright Jon Hird.

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