Hi Keith, More delightful daffs, this time at Rosevidney West of St Erth. A tricky location to catch a full train, but a lovely warm evening with an incredible fragrance lingering in the air from the blooms. 1A35 passes with 43018 leading.  All the best,  Craig    Many thanks Craig 

Regarding the article on the myth of Box Tunnel and its secret railway (25th March 2017), here are some links for the underground bunker the third tunnel at Box goes to, each are certainly worth a look:

http://www.angelfire.com/mn2/Oubliette/Boxhill.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2005/12/14/burlington_nuclear_bunker_feature.shtml

https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/box-tunnel-east-portal-sidings-to-tunnel-quarry-and-cad-wiltshire-february-2015.t94218

http://www.nettleden.com/venues/box-tunnel/

http://www.burlingtonbunker.co.uk/emergency-wartime-broadcasting-service/

The link bellow is an rare image of steam locomotive shunting at the third portal which the caption states it was taken in 1979, I am not sure if this date is correct?  I first thought the loco was a J94, but looking at the image again I am beginning to wonder now if it is a Peckett?  Certainly not any GWR, 8F or BR standard loco as rumored to be in there, if any other CRS member can identify at least the manufacturer?  But a very interesting image indeed if proven untouched by any digital trickery:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hvUhl4wUU4/VfAWUJgOepI/AAAAAAAABjo/EBL32QfK46c/s640/box-tunnel.jpg

Onto the some images of the stone shute when the tunnel was used for quarrying:

http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/kevinr6665/media/Tunnel%20Quarry/sc_cad1_war_157_zps84d19e47.jpg.html


http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/kevinr6665/media/Tunnel%20Quarry/Box-Bath-Stone-Mine-Archive-Album-001_zps8b452a77.jpg.html


Now to Corsham, the below is a link for Corsham Signal Box diagram:

http://www.s-r-s.org.uk/html/gwb/S571.htm

Kind Regards,  Karl (Friends of Penmere).

Very many thanks indeed to you Karl for your hard work researching these links.

On a recent trip around the parish, I was delighted to see the ongoing vegetation clearance work near Perran tunnel, between Perranwell & Penryn. Once a notoriously difficult line to photograph, there are now some stunning views of the countryside around Perranwell to see the trains. It's so easy to see 4 train movements an hour too, with the frequent service.
Best regards Craig Munday.                      Many thanks Craig 

 As it happens I was about to email you because we went to Ince Castle today (second visit in a few months - it is only open three or four times a year). Ince Castle is owned by Viscount and Lady Boyd. As you will know, Ince and Trematon castles are quite close to each other near the River Lynher and both are the names of 'Castle' 4-6-0s that worked in Cornwall. 'Trematon Castle' (5020) was a Laira and then Penzance engine (I travelled behind her a couple of times) and 'Ince Castle' (7034) was a Bristol engine, although I am reliably assured that she was seen in Cornwall.
I was fortunate to purchase, many years ago, a cabside numberplate from 'Ince Castle' (not for sale before anyone asks!) and I attach a photo of the plate mounted on my bookcase.  I was surprised to find one of 7034's nameplates bolted onto an outbuilding at Ince Castle (see my picture). I asked Viscount Boyd about the history of the nameplate and he confirmed that it is an original from 7034, bought directly from BR. Although it has suffered a little from being in the open, it is shielded from the prevailing winds in its current position.
When I mentioned to Lord Boyd that I have the numberplate, he went into the house and gave me a large stamp (my third picture) showing 7034 on the 'Bristolian', evidently taken from a Don Breckon original. Location looks like Box Tunnel. When we went back today I took with me a picture of my numberplate and showed it to Lord Boyd.
I would recommend Ince Castle as a thoroughly nice day out, especially if you like beautiful gardens. In this case, there is the added attraction of being able to view a locomotive nameplate as well!
Trevor and Barbara Tremethick    26th March 2017.
     Many thanks Trevor for a fine article and colourful pictures
Open days Sundays April 9th & 30th, May 7th and July 16th. 2 to 5PM

For a location map, courtesy of the National Library of Scotland Click here
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15&lat=50.3889&lon=-4.2555&layers=168&b=1

​https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-mtr-south-western-trains-limited-wins-south-western-franchise

For a map OS 25" mile Courtesy National Library of Scotland click below
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=50.1715&lon=-5.3108&layers=168&b=1maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=50.1715&lon=-5.3108&layers=168&b=1

For many more pictures and text see the features section. 

Many thanks to Derek for gathering together the following news.
​
GWR electrification project


The government's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have reviewed the GWR modernisation project and been quite outspoken in their comments.

Meg Hillier, chairwoman of PAC said “Mismanagement of the Great Western programme has hit taxpayers hard and left many people angry and frustrated. This is a stark example of how not to run a major project.”

Mark Carne, MD of Network Rail responded, “Network Rail and Department for Transport have learnt the lessons from the poor early planning of this project. Today we do not take forward major projects until they are properly scoped, properly planned and we have a robust estimate of what the cost will be.”
The ITV news web site has photos and information on this story at  http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2017-03-03/appalling-sums-of-public-money-wasted-in-great-western-upgrade/

 
An item in Rail Technology Magazine says that modernisation work currently taking place on the Great Western route is to be overseen by a new supervisory board.
The board will have the managing directors of Network Rail Western Route, Heathrow Express and GWR as well as a representative from Transport Focus.

The move is part of a broader plan for Network Rail to devolve powers to local groups and empowering them to run their railway in the best interests of passengers.  Details can be found at the magazine's web site:

http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/nr-confirms-route-devolution-and-new-western-supervisory-board
This matter arises because of heavy criticism of delays and changes to specification which have dogged the electrification and route modernisation programme and, finally, resulted in some key parts of the electrification being "deferred".
Advance notice....  The speaker at our April CRS meeting [note that this will be on Saturday, 1st April and not on the usual second Saturday of the month], Paul Stanford, will be giving us some detailed accounts of the route modernisation work that has taken place over the past year.

With reference to the picture above of the Treffry viaduct John Root writes :-  I doubt the photographer was standing on the metals, as that photo seems to have been shot from the back of a moving train. You can see the shadow of the rear coach and motion blur in the left and right foreground edges of the picture. Just a thought! John Root. Many thanks John. 

Michael write  -  Keith,
I have just acquired a pile of the 1960’s copies of the Railway
Observer. In the February 1962 copy it states that both the
St.Pinnock and East Largin viaducts had been condemned.
Can you tell me what was replaced to enable mainline trains
to continue using this line after it was singled. Was the line out
of use for a time, or did they manage to complete the work
without disruption just as happened on the Walkhampton
Viaduct back in 1910 near Tavistock.
Regards,
Mike Manning     Can anybody help please - it would be very interesting.

​The reply - quick as a flash from Burma.                                                                                     Many thanks to Roy Hart
Dear Keith, Largin and St Pinnock viaducts were originally Brunel timber, single line structures, of course. Both were rebuilt for double track by raising the masonary piers and installing decking of iron girders: St Pinnock in 1882 and Largin in 1886. In 1963 the Chief Civil Engineer reported that these two viaducts were unlikely in future years to withstand two heavy trains passing at speed on them. The cheapest solution (rebuilding being out of the question) was to single the line. Luckily, Largin signal box (9 levers, controlling signals and a crossover) was immediately west of the viaducts, so a short single line section controlled by Largin was feasible. Largin box opened in 1908, to break the long section between Bodmin Road and Doublebois. It was closed and boarded up for a few years in the 1920s, but was revived in about 1927 and still working in 1964. It was one of the loneliest posts on the system, no piped water, no electricity, no habitation or light in sight. Water came by train. Over two weekends in May 1964, the line was slewed into single track outside Largin box and over the viaducts. I remember being on a train passing over the site at walking speed. The new single line passed down the centre line of the viaducts when the work was complete. Mains electricity arrived and the points at the Doublebois end were power-worked. Because of the steep down gradient, there were sand drags on both up and down main for a third of a mile at the London end. The 'up' drag had spring points, to catch any backward movement. All signals were colour light, distant and home on the up line and distant , home and IBS signal on the down (this to increase line capacity because of possible single line delays). As far as I know, there was little disruption of traffic (I think there were 2 Sunday occupations). The new line and signals came into full use (except for temporary speed restrictions) on May 24th 1964. The up side sand drag was later removed: the down one remains, but much shorter than the original. The single line meant that Largin box now had to be open during all traffic hours; today the entire installation is controlled by a miniature panel in Lostwithiel box.

Hi Keith,  A glimpse of (albeit brief) sunshine at last on a trip up to Exeter & Keyham on 22nd & 23rd March. DRS ran a pair of class 66s 66302 / 431 down to collect a flask from the dockyard on 23rd. 
I attended at the ground frame and captured some pictures at Exeter & Keyham.
The varieties of daffs near the A38 at Menheniot were too good to miss on the return and some trains were captured near Coldrenick viaduct with lovely sharp light and a great sky. 
All the best,   Craig                                    As usual many thanks Craig
​                     N.B. I'll save your flowers for tomorrow 

Many thanks to all who replied concerning the 'Mystery Photograph' It turned out to be at Wroxham - quite a few miles from Lostwithiel!  Todays picture from Alans envelope of snaps for the 60's is, we think at Lostwithiel.

Afternoon again,
With reference to the above, I attach 3 photos of D1070,- one at Truro and the others in the Laira scrap line.
I have marked these two "last day" so presumably I discovered that they were moved the next day which would fit in well with Neil's Taunton date. Also 1056 and 1058 at Truro - dates are shown - see Swindon entry.
Sid.   Many thanks for your second letter of the day, and for the pictures.

Hello Keith, 
I have just been looking at your website and note the 'Where is this please'?  Alan Harris query.
It shows a picture of some boats and a boatyard in the background supposedly in Lostwithiel. It is in fact at Wroxham, on the Norfolk Broads (!), I would say possibly in the early 1960s. Jack Powles, in the background, were boat builders dating from 1920 to 2009. The boat in the foreground with the star on the hull was one of Herbert Woods, Potter Heigham hire cruisers.
Kind regards
John Hutchinson, Norfolk Railway Society member, Norwich 

Good afternoon Keith,
 
Having nothing better to do this afternoon I have done a bit of research on the pic posted on the site today (21st March) by Allan Harris seeking identification of the location of a waterway and associated buildings said to possibly be in the Lostwithiel area.
 
I eventually came across http://www.oocities.org/dunwurkin02/interests/broadspostcards/images/wroxham/wroxham.htm  and also http://white.coral.free.fr/page25.html containing pictures which would seem to indicate that the location is the River Bure at Wroxham in Norfolk, obviously some way from Lostwithiel.  The roof sign on the building on the far bank reads ‘Jack Powles & Co’ who were boat builders.
 
It appears that all the buildings in the pic have now been cleared and replaced with a hotel an shopping centre!
 
Hope this is of interest.
 
Can I say in passing, as a pensioner who grew up in West London and spent many an hour in the late 50’s watching the trains from the well known ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ bridge at West Ealing how much enjoyment I get from both the nostalgic and up to date photos on your site – thank you for all your efforts.
 
Kind regards,  Tim Jefferies

​'evening all,

I have a feeling that photo might have sneeked into the collection. It is possible that the sign is over the workshops belonging to Jack Powles who was a boat builder in East Anglia, based in Wroxham...maybe...
cheers,
Dave Antony

​Press release
17 March 2017

Exactly 111 years since opening on 17 March 1906, GWR has today announced Old Oak Common (OOC) depot will be opened to members of the public.

Celebrating its contribution in maintaining the Legends of the Great Western, the depot will hold an open day on Saturday 2 September; OOC111.

On display will be a unique collection of trains and locomotives, both old and new, which make the Great Western ‘God’s Wonderful Railway’. Full line up to be announced soon.

During its 111-year history, the depot and its dedicated, highly skilled staff have maintained everything from the Kings and Castles of the steam era, to the diesel-powered Westerns and Warships.

In 1976 the depot was the maintenance hub in the Western region for the newly introduced High Speeds Trains, the iconic trains which changed the face of Intercity travel in the UK.

While the HST fleet still operates today it is soon to be replaced after over 40 years of service by the new Hitachi Intercity Express Train, which will provide another step change in passenger experience when they begin passenger services later this year.

Tickets will go on sale shortly and demand is expected to be high for this unique event.

All profits will go to the depot’s chosen charity Place2Be, which provides mental health support for children in schools and whose patron is HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.

In May 2016 GWR’s St Philips Marsh depot raised over £20,000 for charity with a celebration of 40 years of the High Speed Train.