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Items added on the 11th March  2018                                                                                          Items added most recently come first

11/3/2018

 
Through the window
Newton Abbot Station
Roger Winnen

Picture
Campaign to reopen the Newton Abbot to Heathfield Branch. Roger Winnen
​                   Changes at the top
A well attended Cornwall Railway Society AGM was held last night.
The meeting saw some changes to responsibilities although all changes were  covered within the members of the Committee.  Derek Buttivant who has been carrying out a dual role of being not only Chairman but also indoor events secretary  handed over the Chair to Dennis Flood. (Dennis travels down from Newport for all meetings). Tony Wright takes the post of Treasurer, Christine Simmonds takes over the role of membership secretary, and John Ball remains as General Secretary. In his closing speech as Chairman Derek Buttivant paid tribute to a hard working and conscientious committee who all took their allotted tasks very seriously. In particular thanks was offered to Roger Winnen for his hard work in organising all the many outdoor events as well as assisting with the running of the website. Sue Wright and Rosemary Ball were also thanked for the provision of refreshments at every indoor meeting and especially the provision of sustenance prior to meetings.
A most entertaining evening followed with items given by (1) Inge and Roger Aston.  A video presentation on how they met and their careers in Germany. (2) By Dennis Flood who gave an insight into his personal involvement with the operation of Royal Trains. (3) By John Ball on the railways and tramways of Portugal. (4) By Emma Shard on the development of the varied liveries used on the railways and finally (5) Mike Hitchens gave most interesting and humorous presentation on ‘Tea Treat’ trains to St Ives.
We must also express our sincere appreciation to Derek Buttivant who stepped in and held the role of Chairman for the last year and admirably led us  though several important changes to our operation. Many thanks indeed Derek.
 

Class 50s at rest in Penzance Michael Forward
Picture
850615a Having a rest at Penzance 50037 Illustrious and 50020 Revenge. Copyright Michael Forward
Golant
Ron Kosys

Ron writes :- Red stripe 47339 spend a few days based on St Blazey towards the end of April 1988.
The weather during that time could only be described as ‘changeable’!!
On the very wet afternoon of the 28th , it is seen heading through Golant with loaded CDA’s for Fowey.
Quite how I didn’t foresee the possibility of a full reflection is beyond me....
Another one of the series of superb pictures sent in by Ron, and there are many more to come.  Many thanks Ron.
Picture
47339 Golant on the 28th April 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys A nice reflection in the remaining water.
Yeovil Railway Centre
John Cornelius
Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on the 10th March  2018                                                                                          Items added most recently come first

10/3/2018

 
Penzance Memories
Mike Hitchens

Picture
A Peak stabled at Penzance pre 1987 Mike Hitchens Collection
Picture
Demolitian of loading bank at Penzance. March 1987 Mike Hitchens Collection
Picture
Demolitian of loading bank at Penzance. March 1987 Mike Hitchens Collection
Dundas
Ron Kosys

Picture
Near Dundas Aqueduct 47335 unusually works a Portsmouth to Cardiff on an extremely misty day. 7th May 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys

Royal view
Yeovil Junction
John Cornelius
Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on the 9th March  2018                                                                                          Items added most recently come first

9/3/2018

 
Don't forget :-
this Saturday March 10th

At 18.30 a short Annual General Meeting followed at 19.00 (or sooner)  by a Members' Evening. We are very pleased to say that, thanks to you,  we have a full programme on a wide variety of subjects. For further details of our venue please click here - all are welcome.
Andrew Triggs Age 11 in 1979
Andrew had his first camera in 1979 a Kodak Ektra 12 (with steading handle) these are some of his early photos
Picture
790101 Recently introduced BR HST passing Long Rock, long before the days of the cycle path. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Picture
790101 This view from Long Rock level crossing with BR Mark 1 sleeper stock on the depot. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Salisbury
Ron Kosys

Picture
Thumper 205024 heads away from Salisbury with a stopping service to Basingstoke. 22nd September 1987 Copyright Ron Kosys
Severn Beach
John Cornelius
Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on the 8th March  2018                                                                                          Items added most recently come first

8/3/2018

 
Mutley then & now
Clive Smith of Ivybridge
Older readers of a particular vintage will remember the western end of Mutley Tunnel in Plymouth as a lovely photographic location. Sadly this was obscured by a hideous multi-storey car park built over the tracks in 1973.
However the eastern portal still provided a superb location from various viewpoints. The most legitimate was known locally to us enthusiasts as 'The Turret', a lovely promontory of Ivydale Road in the Lipson area overlooking the track from the north side. This cul-de-sac also afforded a vista in the opposite direction all the way down to Laira.  Another location nearer to the tunnel mouth and south of the track required negotiating a flimsy concrete posted three wire fence to gain a better vantage !
My last photos were taken there in the mid-1980s. Travelling back and forth along the line, I'm sure many of us have noticed the gradual encroachment of trees on the cuttings at both ends of the tunnel. It was quite a shock to stand lineside the other day and compare the views from now with then nearly 35 years ago.
I must add that the final picture is taken from the south side overlooking the tunnel, albeit a few yards back from the edge of the cutting. As with much of our urban railway sites the old wire fencing has been replaced with an impenetrable pointy high steel structure. 
Regards, Clive Smith,   Ivybridge.                     Many thanks Clive.
Picture
Mutley tunnel east end as 33031 emerges with a Plymouth to Exeter SD ECS on the 31st May 1983 Copyright Clive Smith
Picture
Mutley tunnel east end the 10.00 Penzance to Paddington on the 6th March 2018 Copyright Clive Smith
Picture
Mutley Tunnel east end as 50011 Centurian heads the 1M19 07.35 Plymouth to Paddington 20th April 1984 Copyright Clive Smith
Picture
Mutley Tunnel from east. 6th March 2018 Copyright Clive Smith
Par and the Newquay Branch
in the summer of June 1975
Roger Winnen

Picture
750614b D1072 Western Glory arrives Par with the Derby-Penzance service. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
750614a The 09.50 Paddington -Newquay passes Middleway Crossing behind 46016. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
750621a 45065 heads through Bugle on the 08.45 Newquay Manchester. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
750621b 46001 opens up after departing Bugle Station with the Par- Newquay service. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
750621c The 12.05 Newquay to the North of England passing through Bugle as members of a Brass Band make their way from their coach parked up on Treffrys Wharves at Bugle Station to the contest field (Bugle AFC) located adjacent to Moliness Crossing. - Copyright Roger Winnen
Silverton
Ron Kosys
Picture
47804 heads towards us with an unknown up working. Silverton 8th September 1989 Copyright Ron Kosys
Bristol TM
John Cornelius

Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on the 7th March  2018                                                                                          Items added most recently come first

7/3/2018

 
Five from Clive
Plymouth area snow 1985 
Clive Smith
Picture
Mutley tunnel - clay empties approaching from Lipson 37230 & 37247 on down Clay Hoods. 19th January 1985 Copyright Clive Smith
Picture
Mutley tunnel 37230 & 37247 on a down clay hoods 19th January 1985 Copyright Clive Smith
Picture
P469 on the 21.05 Plymouth to Gunnislake 19th January 1985 Copyright Clive Smith
Picture
Plymouth W55025 awaiting the road for Laira after working the 19.45 Liskeard to Plymouth 19th January 1985 Copyright Clive Smith
Picture
The 1A02 50003 Temeraire 19.15 Penzance to Paddington sleeper. 19th January 1985 The sleepers still ran Saturdays then and left much earlier. Copyright Clive Smith
Quidhampton
Ron Kosys

The picture below is a very rare shot at a currently  disused location.  Many thanks are due to Ron Kosys for sharing his incredible views taken at many places in the West Country.
Picture
47360 Quidhampton 19th April 1988 6L08 1330 Quidhampton-Salisbury N.B Quidhampton siding, is currently disused (2018) but still connected, The location is on the Westbury - Salisbury line just before Eilton Junction. Copyright Ron Kosys
Bodmin General
John Cornelius

Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on the 6th March  2018                                                                                          Items added most recently come first

6/3/2018

 
Don't forget :-
this Saturday March 10th

At 18.30 a short Annual General Meeting followed at 19.00 (or sooner)  by a Members' Evening. We are very pleased to say that, thanks to you,  we have a full programme on a wide variety of subjects. For further details of our venue please click here - all are welcome.
Penzance
Mike Hitchens

Picture
47835 Windsor Castle awaits departure from Penzance with the parcel van train. Mike Hitchens Collection
Totnes
Ron Kosys
Picture
43009 leads an up service into Totnes on the 24th June 1989 Copyright Ron Kosys
Staverton
​John Cornelius
Picture
A delightful scene - many thanks to John Cornelius. Copyright.
An afterthought by John Ball. 
With reference to the picture of the departures board at Exeter St Davids on the 2nd March kindly sent in by Martin Duff -  John was Intrigued by the 'delayed' message on screen at Exeter for a Paddington train - was it being diverted via Okehampton?  !!!   
If only!!!

Items added on the 5th March  2018                                                                                          Items added most recently come first

5/3/2018

 
Exeter St David's Station
Part 2
Martin Duff

This was the scene at Exeter St David's Station at 07.05hrs after the 04.51 Plymouth Paddington service struck debris at Dawlish on Friday 2nd March 2018
Picture
180302a Departure screen at Exeter St David's. Copyright Martin Duff
Picture
180302b 43191 on the 04.51 Plymouth Paddington service terminated at Exeter after striking debris at Dawlish. Copyright Martin Duff
Penzance
Mike Hitchens

Picture
Just a pile of bricks! Showing the demolition of the train heating boiler house at Penzance Station. 1970's Mike Hitchens Collection
Penzance
Roger Winnen
Picture
Plenty activity at Penzance with 2 Class 08 Shunters in attendance. The Royal Mail in Plat 4 and the 18.06 Penzance to Plymouth in Plat 3. 21st August 1980. Copyright Roger Winnen
Taunton
Ron Kosys

Picture
Taunton 47297 heads away from Taunton with ballast that almost certainly originated at Meldon 19th June 1984. Copyright Ron Kosys
Little Hempston
Totnes Riverside South Devon Railway
John Cornelius
Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on the 4th March  2018                                                                                          Items added most recently come first

4/3/2018

 
Snow in 1985.
Clive Smith

​The recent heavy snowfall in our region brought back memories of a similar 'white out' on Friday January 18th 1985. Light snow turned to heavy snow mid morning and by early afternoon Plymouth was covered in a fair few inches of snow with trains heavily delayed. Luckily the snow remained for the following day to enable further rare photo opportunities of 'trains in snow' to be featured in Part 2..   Many thanks Clive
Picture
Mutley 47528 1E91 08.53 Penzance to Newcastle 18th January 1985 Copyright Clive Smith
Picture
Plymouth 08941 7B71 11.12 Keyham to Friary 'Dockyard Goods' 18th January 1985 Copyright Clive Smith
Picture
LIipsom 47094 3C20 05.15 Paddington to Plymouth Parcels. 18th January 1985 Copyright Clive Smith
Picture
Plymouth 47543 Light engine 18th January 1985 Copyright Clive Smith
Picture
50006 Neptune departing Plymouth with 1C27 09.40 Paddington to Penzance 18th January 1985 Copyright Clive Smith
Tea time at Exeter St David's  1st March 2018 Part 1 
Martin Duff

Picture
180301p Exeter TMD tea time 1st March 2018 Copyright Martin Duff
Picture
180301q 70808 stands in Platform 6 at Exeter St David's. Copyright Martin Duff
Picture
180301r Looking westbound from Exeter St David's. Copyright Martin Duff
Picture
180301s A cold bum for some at St David's. Copyright Martin Duff
Picture
180301t Red Cow Crossing deserted at Exeter. Copyright Martin Duff
Newton Abbot
Ron Kosys

Two pictures of a sequence at Newton Abbot.  47381 arrives at Newton Abbot with the Heathfield tanks on Tuesday 5th July 1988.
Running as 6C30, it departed Waterston at 2330 the previous evening.
The train had to set back on to what remained of the freight sidings alongside the former Moretonhampstead branch in order to run-round its train. Once having run-round, it had to set back once again so it could head off towards Heathfield on the track nearest the camera.
A reminder of younger days when Ron dashed from Newton Abbot station to obtain a second view of the same train preparing to go on to Heathfield.  Many thanks Ron.
Picture
Newton Abbot 1 Heathfield - destined for 2 47381 Newton Abbot 05.07.88 6C30 2330 Waterston-Heathfield Copyright Ron Kosys
Picture
Newton Abbot 2 Heathfield - destined for 47381 Newton Abbot 05.07.88 6C30 2330 Waterston-Heathfield. Copyright Ron Kosys
Comparisons
John Cornelius

Within the last few days weather forecasts talking of 'wind chill factors' have described the wind as being enough 'To cut one in half'. With this in mind, although we think of the glamour of being footplate crews in the steam days, just consider the 'pleasures' of running tender first on a stormy night with a bitter wind and snow coming off the tender and a blazing fire behind, the body alternately being frozen and cooked!!
Picture
From a rather frozen John Cornelius - copyright.
Picture
The same spot on a much more pleasant day with the loco the right way round. Signalman John Cornelius again - many thanks. Copyright

Items added on the 3rd March  2018                                                                                          Items added most recently come first

3/3/2018

 
​Exeter outskirts
​-  the Southern
David Tozer
Picture
159108 leads two other three car sets with the 1227 5Z50 the 1227 Salisbury (T & R.S.M.D) to Exeter (St David's). The first time I have seen a nine car set down this way since 28th May 2017. Copyright David Tozer. Many thanks David
Snow, Snow, and more Snow
Normally we like to limit contributions to five per person however in this occasion rules are meant for breaking.  Many thanks to ALL  OF  YOU who have sent in pictures of snow, lovely at first sight but I am personally, glad its gone!
From the cameras of Hannah and Alan Peters - Many thanks.
Picture
A Colas Rail Freight class 70 was provided for MSP (Miniature Snow Plough) duty for Network Rail in the South West, 70808 is seen ready for action in Plymouth 'Dock 4' adjacent to Platform 3 before the heavy snowfall of the Meteorological first day of Spring 1st March 2018 Copyright Alan Peters
Picture
Colas Rail Freight class 70 on MSP (Miniature Snow Plough) duty was despatched from Plymouth, where the locomotive was on stand-by, to Exeter St Davids on 01-03-18, with the increasing snow the locomotive is seen standing in platform 6 awaiting further duties for track proving. The locomotive worked to Paignton and Par during the night before returning to Exeter St Davids before the line was closed due to flooding at Dawlish - Copyright Alan Peters
Picture
Colas Rail Freight class 70 and DB class 66 stand side by side at Exeter St Davids in the snow, 70808 was awaiting track proving duties in platform 6 whilst 66106 was awaiting to return light loco to St Blazey having tripped 10 JIA Clay Wagons to Exeter Riverside Yard on 1st March 2018 - Copyright Alan Peters
Picture
In Blizzard like conditions 43155 heads the 15:03 from London Paddington to Penzance calls at Exeter St Davids running around 30 minutes late 1st March 2018 Copyright Alan Peters
Picture
Meantime back in Cornwall. A snowy Middleway crossing, although snow is quite rare in Cornwall the snow was not at severe as previous years, however GWR decided to suspend services on the Cornish branches on the 1st March 2018 due to the weather Copyright Hannah Peters
From the camera of Craig Munday - Many thanks.
Picture
Just before the snow. IET 802101 at Resparveth 28th February 2018 Craig Munday
Picture
Gwinear Road Crossing 28th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
Angarrack - this is a road by the way!! 28th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
150 246 Near Angarrack 28th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
Angarrack, the viaduct. 28th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
Par, a lovely crisp photo - the snow lies undisturbed on the metals. Par 28th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
Par 150232 on an up service. 28th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
Par 43040 28th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
Par 66106 28th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
Par 66106 28th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
Par 28th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
66106 at St Blazey 28th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
St Blazey station 28th February 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Greetings from Christow
Colin Burges
With the snow 6" deep here, a light hearted contribution from Colin.  Many thanks Colin- hope the traffic increases soon.
Picture
Extract from E&TVR control log:- "A lull in passenger traffic allowed us to work through some timber for the local community heating project. Sidings and yards now clear. Traders calling for empties." Copyright Colin Burges
Picture
The Camping Van at Christow. The beds go together to make a double - just like the new Caledonian sleeper! Copyright Colin Burges
Axminster
Ron Kosys
Picture
47709 app Axminster with the 17.22 Salisbury to Exeter on the 24th May 1992 Copyright Ron Kosys
Dunster
John Cornelius

Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on the 2nd March  2018                                                                                          Items added most recently come first

2/3/2018

 
Redruth  today
Jacob Hampson
Picture
57604 drags 43063 and 43147 through Redruth with the 5Z76 10.20 Plymouth to Penzance T and RSMD 2nd March 2018 Copyright Jacob Hampson
Ford Halt
Richard Hay

Picture
2C50 1701 Plymouth Liskeard with 150232 passing the site of Ford Halt 1st March 2018 Copyright Richard Hay Ford Halt was bombed out of existence on the 6th October 1941.
Picture
627Y the 1506 St Blazey to Exeter Riverside-66106 at Keyham 1st March 2018 Copyright Richard Hay
  Dawlish Damage.
Due to the storm Emma last night the main line is closed at Dawlish for 24 hours.  Network Rail say the actual wall is not damaged but other structures need repair.  Best of luck N.R.
Comment from elsewhere - perhaps the government will again think seriously about alternative routes !!
Exeter & Teign Valley Railway
Colin Burges

Picture
No trains today - Christow, Exeter and Teign Valley Railway 2nd March 2018 Copyright Colin Burges

Laira
A view from on high.
Trevor Tremethick

Picture
Laira in the snow on the 1st March 2018. Copyright Trevor Tremethick.
A very interesting view you've got Trevor - the embankment sidings look pretty empty.  Many thanks.
St Austell Snow
Jamie Dyke

Picture
St Austell 43144 and 43145 at St Austell working 1C76 1032 Reading to Penzance which got cancelled from London Paddington due to snow. 1st March 2018 Copyright Jamie Dyke
Picture
St Austell 43144 and 43145 at St Austell working 1C76 1032 Reading to Penzance Copyright Jamie Dyke
Picture
St Austell 43147 arrives with 1A93 1400 Penzance to London Paddington. - 1st March 2018. Copyright Jamie Dyke
Axminster
Ron Kosys

Picture
47701 Axminster 1V15 1458 Waterloo to Exeter on Sunday 24th May 1992 Copyright Ron Kosys
Yeovil Railway Centre
John Cornelius
Picture
Copyright John Cornelius
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