Blog Archives

20th April 2023

20/4/2023

A Visit to Hayle this morning
Roger Winnen

230420a 43093 Old Oak Common Depot crosses Hayle Viaduct on the 05.40 Bristol Temple Meads to Penzance

230420e 43189 Approaches Hayle Viaduct on the 11.15 Penzance to Plymouth service. Copyright Roger Winnen

230420h A Class 158 approaches Hayle Viaduct on the 09.50 Penzance to Plymouth service. Copyright Roger Winnen

230420k An IET unit crosses Hayle Viaduct on the 10.15 Penzance to Paddington service. The new housing development can be seen to the rear of the IET. Copyright Roger Winnen

230420s 43172 on the noon Gloucester to Penzanc service crosses the viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen

Kemble happenings
Ken Mumford

[1 &2) 47749 ['City of Truro' carrying an 81A - Old Oak Common shedplate] hauls a Willesden to Long Marston train of SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY carriages for storage - 5Q66 - passing Kemble 16 EARLY.

Kind regards, Ken

Kemble - 47749 City of Truro 'City of Truro' at the platform. 19th April 2023. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Kemble - The ECS heads off for Long Marston. 19th April 2023. Copyright Ken Mumford.

An earlier IET service calls at the down platform. 19th April 2023. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken.

Trial run of J1A Wagons
Fowey branch
Mark Lynam

Today (19th April 2023) saw a trial run of 66060 with 5 JIA wagons visit to Fowey Docks from St Blazey and return. I believe this is the first time this sort of wagon may have visited Fowey?
Thanks,
Mark Lynam

1. 66060 on the Causeway at Golant with the tide coming in working an early 6G05 1700 Fowey Dock Carne Point to St Blazey Ss. 19th April 2023 Copyright Mark Lynam

2. I managed to get to Lostwithiel to see it come in as a passenger service was pathed to go South first. 19th April 2023 Copyright Mark Lynam

3. Running around at Lostwithiel. 19th April 2023. Copyright Mark Lynam.

4. 66060 having completed the run around seen in the down goods loop. 19th April 2023; Copyright Mark Lynham.

5. 66060 heading back down the mainline for St Blazey. 19th April 2023. Copyright Mark Lynam.

Many thanks Mark.

Westbury & Radstock
Richard Giles

Regarding Micheal Adam’s nice image of 37308 with tank wagons in the station area at Westbury on 28th May 1981 (See News 18th April 2023) , although the Furzebrook – Avonmouth lpg gas flow was mentioned, the working is more lightly to be wagons destined / or being returned from the Marcroft Wagon Works at Radstock (West). It would have been just under 10 years too early for the start of the Furzebrook gas flow and the wagons in the view appear to be of the bogie variation, it was 4-wheel TTAs (admittedly in a similar livery) used to Avonmouth. The Radstock facility survived until June 1988 and serviced right up to the end a number of wagons mostly stone but also others not familiar to the area. A housing estate now occupies most of the former site but a single stone, believed at one time, former GWR loco shed still survives (assumed listed?), this having once been allegedly used for shot blasting by the wagon company.

Hope of interest, and could revive some memories and further pictures for a future report.

Regards, Richard Giles, Clevedon

Radstock wagon works the former engine shed - seen here on the 3rd July 1993 Copyright Roger Winnen.

Many thanks for your up date Richard - the picture above by Roger Winnen is maybe of the former engine shed later used for shot blasting.

19th April 2023

19/4/2023

Bideford Station June 2000
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, thanks for dealing with the pictures yesterday. Here is one at Bideford station but looking in the other direction Thanks, Michael. Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael

47628 at Reading
Michael Adams

Roger, here is a picture from Michael Adams of 47628 about to leave Reading on 20 March 1985 with the up Torbay Express. Copyright Michael Adams

Many Thanks Michael

1962 Part 15
Michael L. Roach.

5997 Prairie 5544 is seen leaving Plympton Goods Yard with a brake van at 12.07pm on 1 March 1962. The cattle market is just out of the photograph on the right hand side. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Plympton
Plympton Station was 4 miles east of Plymouth Station at the foot of Hemerdon Bank and alongside Boringdon Road. A layby marks the location of the former station buildings and entrance. To the west and the other side of an overbridge carrying Plymbridge Road was the goods yard. Alongside the yard was an important road, now the B3416, but in 1962 it was the A38 and carrying all the trunk road traffic until a bypass was finished some ten years later. In the accompanying photo, which was taken from Meadow View Road looking roughly east, the A38 runs in front of the 2-storey building on the left and past the end of the sheds on the right. The tower is that of St. Mary's Church because this small town was called Plympton St. Mary, although the railway station was always called just Plympton. A short distance to the east and south of the main A38 through the centre of Plympton St. Mary was another town called Plympton St. Maurice. This second town has the ruins of a castle and an ancient grammar school which Sir Joshua Reynolds attended as he was born and brought up here. It is suggested that most people living in Plymouth know little or nothing about Plympton St. Maurice as it is well hidden and one does not pass through it by accident. I knew nothing about the town umtil a school trip there at the age of 9 or 10 years when we visited the castle and the Guildhall.
On the south side of St. Marys Church, and opposite the churchyard, was a cattle market which closed circa 2001. Because it was only a couple of hundred yards from the goods yard it is believed that cattle leaving by rail would have been walked from the market to the goods yard, including holding up the trunk road traffic as they crossed the A38. The photo shows empty cattle wagons on both sides of the main line with the nearest ones in a dead end siding, and the far ones in the goods yard which consisted of two loops and no dead end sidings. The loco that brought in some of the wagons was small prairie 5544 of Laira Shed and in the photo it is departing, to return a few hours later to collect the loaded wagons and take the cattle wagons to Tavistock Junction Yard on the first part of their journey to their new owners. Most small livestock markets have either closed or been relocated to edge-of-town sites (as at Truro). One that survives almost untouched by the passage of time is at Devils Bridge a short distance from the terminus of the Vale of Rheidol narrow gauge railway. Another is at Kington in Herefordshire, a small town near the border with Wales, where the auction mart remains in the centre of the town surrounded by domestic and commercial properties. I have written an article about the sale which took place at Kington Mart on 31 August 1938 (which will be published elsewhere), when no less than 22,000 sheep were auctioned. In the 1930s the railways still reigned supreme in longer distance transport; and for shorter distances the sheep were expected to walk from the farm to the mart and from the mart to their new home; as they were to Kington Railway Station which was on the edge of the town. The Great Western Railway rose to the occasion and provided 200 cattle wagons for the sheep to be hauled away. This would have been a major logistical exercise involving many railwaymen and train movements. Kington was on the single track New Radnor Branch and the largest locos permitted were the 7400-class pannier tanks which could haul 30-wagon trainloads on the branch. However the first train away was of 60 cattle wagons which would have needed to be double-headed
The loco seen at Plympton Goods Yard on 1 March 1962 was small prairie 5544. The loco had arrived at Laira from Truro on 15 July 1961 and was condemned at Laira on 21 September 1962. It was hauled to Cashmore's yard at Newport and scrapped. All my other photos of 5544 were of the loco on passenger trains on the Launceston Branch with the last one being taken on 19 May 1962. In 1962 the eastern boundary of the City of Plymouth ran along the centre of the River Plym at Marsh Mills seen in the photos in Parts 2 and 4 of this series. Plympton came under the jurisdiction of the Plympton St. Mary Rural District Council, but with Local Government Reorganisation on 1 April 1974 the Plympton RDC was abolished and its territory carved up with Plympton going to an enlarged City of Plymouth and the rest, with six other small councils, forming the South Hams District Council centred on Totnes. Plympton Station closed to passengers on and from 2 March 1959 and to goods on and from 1 June 1964. A campaign has been under way for some time to open a new railway station at Plympton. My thoughts on the subject are that if Plympton is to get a new station it should be a parkway style station with a large car park. There could be a suitable site off the B3416 just a half mile east of Tavistock Junction Yard where there are a number of supermarket sheds between the B3416 and the railway and they appear to be little used. With the site being just a mile off a junction on the A38 Devon Expressway the station could serve the northern and eastern sides of Plymouth; West Devon and East Cornwall.

MLR / 6 April 2023

Fascinating - many thanks Michael.

Newham branch
Richard Bevan

Just found your website when looking for something on St Ives and then looked at the web page on Newham Branch line. The article ended with:

there was also a brake van tour hauled by, it is believed, an 08 loco shunter - this was arranged for a local school. Details would be appreciated...

Well, I was a school boy (age 11/12?) on this train but have no photographs! It was arranged by our Railway Society of Redruth Grammar School. It was so long ago, that’s all I can remember. Not sure if there were two brake vans or just the one. But hopefully knowing it was arranged by my old school, may be a starting point.

All the best, Richard Bevan.

Many thanks Richard - anybody else on that train - I believe Neil Phillips may have been on it too.

A quick reply as usual from
Roy Hart

Dear Keith,
I was on the tour- 1966, I think. I also have a photo, which I bought from the West Briton (they sent a photographer!) but it is buried somewhere in my brother's loft back in blighty.
Also on the trip were Dave Letcher and Phil Hawke, both of whom will not be unknown in CRS circles.
We rounded off the day, I recall, with visits to Truro West and East boxes, all courtesy of Mr Collins, Truro stationmaster.
Greetings from sunny Rangoon (39 celsius as I write), Roy

It's not too hot here in Redruth today - 12 deg C (54 deg F seems much more pleasant), on the other hand your temperature at 102 deg F seems a bit too warm for comfort! Many thanks Roy. If sometime when back in Blighty you can find that photo we'd be delighted to display it.

April 18th, 2023

18/4/2023

37308 at Westbury
Michael Adams

Hello Roger, An interesting picture from Michael Adams taken on 28 May 1981 showing 37308 with what looks like some of the wagons used on the Furzebrook to Hallen Marsh workings. Copyright Michael Adams

Many Thanks Michael

Bideford Station
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, Hope you are well and well done for dealing with all the pictures from last week’s 37 tour.I saw them at Reading West on their way back but was videoing so no pics to add to your workload! Your photos of Instow and area reminded me of a holiday there in 2009 and so here is the first of a few shots taken of what has been saved of the railway . Firstly we see the lovely station at Bideford. Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael

Two trains at
Pewsey
Ken Mumford

How can I thank you for putting me out to grass????? At least like 44932 and 34036 I'm working!!!!!
Earlier on Saturday I went to Pewsey where the station manager was extremley helpful to several inrtending passengers [there was a fault between Plymouth and Newton Abbot causing cancellations and delays] as well as being helpful to several railway enthusiasts.who were present to see TWO steam specials - the photos of which I attach - TAKE YOUR PICK as Michael Miles would say on ITV many years ago..
Kind regards and many thanks for putting Colin's photos and mine on your website. Ken Mumford

44932

44932 rushes through Pewsey on 15th April 2023. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Followed by 34046 Braunton.

34046 under power at Pewsey 15th April 2023. Copyright Ken Mumford.

15th April 2023. Copyright Ken Mumford

Many thanks Ken.

17th April 2023

17/4/2023

Reflections of Hayle Viaduct etc today
Roger Winnen

230417b Reflections of Hayle Viaduct together with a T1 or T2 service to Truro. Copyright Roger Winnen

230417e 43186 with the 14.18 Plymouth-Penzance crossing Hayle Viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen

230417k 43198 Driver Brain Cooper crosses the viaduct on the 15.50 Penzance -Gloucester service. Copyright Roger Winnen

230417o 800 312 Crosses the viaduct. with the 16.15 Penzance to Paddington service. Copyright Roger Winnen

230417u The ups and downs of Hayle Viaduct where columbs have been supported in recent years to avoid subsidence. Copyright Roger Winnen

1962 Part 14
Michael L. Roach.

The Right Angle
Railway enthusiasts have been taking three-quarter front views of steam locomotives ever since the camera was invented a few years after the steam railway engine was invented; but what does three-quarter front mean ? Does it mean any angle from say 10 degrees to 80 degrees off the centreline or axis of the loco and tender, or an angle around 45 degrees (i.e three-quarters from the back). Is there an angle which gives more pleasing result than others ?
The Great Western built a prototype of its 2800-class 2-8-0 heavy freight locomotive in 1903 and a production series from 1905. They were the first 2-8-0 locos in Britain and would soon be copied by all the major railways of Britain. They would remain the standard freight engine until the arrival of the 9F 2-10-0s in the 1950s, and they would still be hauling heavy freight trains right through the nineteen fifties. On the Great Western the 2800s would haul up to 100 wagons from South Wales to London. The last 2800 was withdrawn in 1965. Laira Shed usually had two of the class which was not a lot when one considers that in the late 1940s there were twenty freight trains coming down the line from Newton Abbot each and every day Monday to Saturday, but that meant lots of 2-8-0s and other mixed traffic locos arriving which could be used on freight trains back up the line.
The attached photos show 3849 on the coaling line loop at Laira Shed late on the morning of Saturday 12 May 1962. The loco was only at Laira for just three months from April to July that year, and appears to be in ex-works condition. The photos wre taken at approximately minute intervals while a freight train was passing and stopped on the main line behind. The freight train is likely to be the 5.50am Penzance to Tavistock Junction. At this stage in the rundown of steam clean engines were becoming quite rare so I would often take more than one view of the engine when one turned up at Laira. Not exactly sure why but often one view would turn out to be more pleasing than the others.
MLR / 12 April 2023

7072 2-8-0 number 3849 is standing on the coaling line loop, turned and ready to head back up the line. Behind is another 2-8-0 number 4703, designed for a different purpose and a long-term resident of St. Phillips Marsh Shed at the time. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

7073 I have moved to the left to stand on the incline up to the coaling stage. The large building on the skyline is a school. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

7074 In this final view I have moved much closer to 3849 and crouched down. In the background is the Laira roundhouse. This is my favourite view of the three. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks Michael - roll on part 15.

Braunton at
Swindon
Colin Pidgeon

Looking immaculate 34046 Braunton at Swindon 15th April 2023 Copyright Colin Pidgeon

34046 Braunton at Swindon 15th April 2023 Copyright Colin Pidgeon

Rear end assisance (just in case) was provided by class 47 number 1624. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.

Many thanks Colin.

More at Swindon
Ken Mumford

Braunton arriving 15th April 2023. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Spectators - 34046 causes interest at Swindon - one wonders if Colin Pidgeon is amongst these spectators ? 15th April 2023. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Braunton departing. 15th April 2023. Copyright Ken Mumford

KM - Put out to grass
Mrs. M.

You may have wondered who this chap Ken Mumford is - well here is a rare moment when he is not at Swindon station or Purton or preaching. This picture must be the copyright of Mrs. Tricia Mumford?

Well caught Mrs. M. - thank you.

16th April 2023

16/4/2023

Yesterdays trip to Penzance
Paul Barlow

43188 43009 0800 Cardiff to Penzance Saturday 15 April 2023..jpg Copyright Paul Barlow

43192 on rear of 0550 Penzance to Cardiff and 43170 on 0725 Bristol to Exeter 15 April 2023.jpg Copyright Paul Barlow

43009 43188 on 1350 to Cardiff leaves Penzance 15 April 2023 1 Copyright Paul Barlow

43098 43186 on 1550 to Bristol waits for departure at Penzance Saturday 15 April 2023 Copyright Paul Barlow

44932 1734 Plymouth to Bristol waits at Exeter St Davids Saturday 15 April 2023 Copyright Paul Barlow

Thanks very much Paul

Yesterday
Silverton
Keith Turley

On 15th April 2023, Black Five No.44932 passes Silverton, working the 1Z10 07:11 Paddington to Plymouth on first day of the Great Britain XV rail tour. WCRC class 47 No.47802 is on the rear.
Regards Keith Turley.

See above - Copyfright Keith Turley

Many thanks Keitth

Creech St Michael
Bill Elston

43162 at Creech St Michael. 15th April 2023 Copyright Bill Elston

Thanks Bill.

Hemmerdon
Bonus HST Shots
Jon Hird

15th April 2023. Copyrght Jon Hird

Thanks Jon.

Great Western Envoy at
Oldfield Park.
Paul Negus

Great Western Envoy. 15th April 2023. Copyright Paul Negus

Thanks Paul - you'll find the rest of his pictures RAILTOURS 2022 / 23 Click here.

15th April 2023

15/4/2023

Southampton/Hampshire
Millbrook
Mick House

1) 166 217 at Millbrook. 14th April 2023. Copyright Mick House

2) 165 137 at Millbrook. 14th April 2023. Copyright Mick House

3) 158 745 At Rebridge. 14th April 2023. Copyright Mick House

4) 158 749 at Redbridge. 14th April 2023. Copyright Mick House

5) At last - steam in the shape of 70000 Britannia appears at Redbridge. 14th April 2023. Copyright Mick House

6) An excellent broadside of 70000 Britannia pasing through Redbridge. 14th April 2023. Copyright Mick House

Many thanks Mick - the steam bonus made it all worthwhile!

Peaks in Cornwall
Simon Howard

As covered earlier this week, the Royal Albert Bridge was strengthened in 1969 with additional links between the suspension chains and the decking and was thus upgraded to ’double red’. I remember speculating with Neil Phillips at the time that Peaks could now work into Cornwall, however that seemed a distant possibility as typically they only worked as far as Exeter. So it’s fair to say that we were dumbfounded when on 31 December 1969 D151 worked the 1C30 to Penzance – an event recorded by Neil and in the ‘Cornwall Galleries’ section of the website.

So I’m pretty sure that was the first ‘double red’ working into Cornwall – but stand to be corrected!

(Mind you, I’ve got a funny feeling it may have been 30 December and Neil caught the second appearance on camera – he’ll put us right!).

Many thanks Simon.

First Peak in Kernow.
A P.S. from Neil Phillips.

Regarding Simon Howard’s comments on the Royal Albert Bridge 1969 strengthening possibly being the reason for Class 46 D151’s appearance in Cornwall at the end of that year, Simon is correct – D151 had been spotted at Truro 24 hours earlier, on 30th December* (this was 2 years to the day after the mass withdrawal of those other local diesels with prominent noses, the five D600 Warships). I had received a phone call about it that evening and made sure my camera and I were ready for a re-run the next day – just hours from the end of the 1960s.

*The first visit of a Peak to Cornwall........to the best of my knowledge (having been tripped up with my ‘last Hymek’ claim last year!)

Best regards,
Neil Phillips

Bench Ends
Roy Hart & Peter Munaghan

There is no mystery: the bench ends had the letters GWR cast on them (this logo dates from the 1930s, I believe. It appeared on locomotives , posters etc).

After nationalisation, they simply painted over the G and the R!
Cheers, Roy.

Hi Keith, I can throw some light onto Chris Nunn's query about the W bench ends photographed at Liskeard in the late 1960s. BR staff felt that acknowledging the former pre-nationalisation companies was old fashioned and a bit disloyal, but many of the fixtures and fittings were still good for further service. So benches such as these had the middle W picked out in paint, with the G and R either side being 'hidden' in the background colour. Similar thinking occurred on the Southern Region where the splendid cast iron No Trespassing plates had the word Southern picked out in white paint, but the word Railway painted in the background green. Of course the wheel has turned full circle now with with certain railways now proudly using their former names! Best wishes, Peter Murnaghan.

Many thanks Gentlemen. Great minds think alike, I thought the same but the G & R were very indistinct in that picture.

Kens Contribution
Ken Mumford

[1] and [2] IET London bound 831105 and an 'artist' tried to enhance the livery!!

[3] and [4] Both ends of a westbound IET were suffering with LOCKJAW!

[5] and [6] 66519 passes slowly on the UML with 7B12 [Merehead Quarry to Wootton Bassett] crosses to Transfer Yard for the loco to run round for the final part of its journey - NOTE the artistc work on the wagons!

[7] 66022 'Sonia' [with engine shut down awaits further duty] wearing a colourful fashion and intersting slogan!

[8] + [9] 37610 with 3Q64 [Cardiff Canton Vale Sidings to Cardiff Canton Vale Sidings via the 'world'. Worth looking at REALTRAIN TIMES for this train especially between Gloucester and Swindon and the return to Gloucester - can ayone explain these interesting [strange??] timngs, please?

Kind regards,
Ken

Pictures 1 to 9 read left to right then down. All Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken - hope they are in the right order.

14th April 2023

14/4/2023

1962 Part 13
Michael L. Roach.

The 3.05pm to Launceston.
In the last passenger timetable trains departed Plymouth Station for Lanson (in the vernacular) at 7.10; 10.40 (SO); 3.05; 6.20 and 8.40 (SO) and took 93 – 95 minutes for the 35 miles. Google maps says that the 26 miles by road can be covered in as little as 48 minutes. Trains returned from Lanson at 7.05; 10.15; 12.40 (SO); 5.40 and 8.40 (SO). It can be seen that there were only three trains each way Monday to Friday. There was no Sunday Service although there had been thirty years earlier. I photographed the 3.05 to Lanson many times in 1961 and 1962 both at stations and in the countryside There had been a train from Plymouth to Lanson around this time, just after 3.00pm, for many years. In 1902 it departed at 3.10 and took 105 minutes. In 1932 it departed at 3.03 and took 96 minutes – the small prairies had arrived to haul the trains, with the first one 4401(previously numbered 3101) arriving at Laira Shed on 14 October 1905). The first 4500-class 2-6-2T arrived on 6 December 1907 in the shape of 4513 (previously 2174). The 4500s and the 5500s remained the staple motive power on the Plymouth to Launceston trains until the last day of scheduled passenger trains on 29 December 1962.
The 3.05pm normally departed from platform 8 at Plymouth Station. The train would either be stopped with the engine just clear of the awning as in the second photograph attached to this article or with the coaches opposite the top of the steps by the subway if only two coaches were hauled up from Millbay. The reason for these two different stopping places can be seen in the first photo where the empty stock is arriving from the carriage sidings at Millbay Station with six coaches but only the first two are for the 3.05pm with the other four being detached and left for another train. The empty coaches left Millbay at 2.55 and were due to arrive at platform 8 at 3.00pm. The 3.05 arrived Lanson at 4.39 and then formed the 5.40 Lanson to Plymouth due 7.25 to run ECS to Millbay at 7.30pm. Job done – now the crew can run light engine from Millbay to Laira Shed and sign off on Monday to Friday.
However on Saturdays there was another train to Lanson at 8.40pm and the engine, stock and footplate crew that arrived Plymouth at 7.25 could well have worked that train. It would have been a way of changing the loco that was out-stationed at Lanson for the following week. The 8.40 (SO) crossed the 8.35 (SO) from Lanson to Plymouth at Tavistock South; and here the loco crews would have changed footplates to work back to their home depots having earned a couple of hours of overtime.

MLR / 9 April 2023

5741 Six empty coaches hauled by 4591 are seen arriving at platform 8 at 2.58pm on Saturday 20 October 1962. The loco and first two coaches will form the 3.05pm to Launceston. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5948 5541 stands at platform 8 with the 3.05pm on 10 February 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5739 4591 again with the 3.05pm passing the hamlet of Goodameavy between Clearbrook and Yelverton on Saturday 13 October 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

7025 The 3.05pm slows to a stop at Liddaton Halt at 4.19pm 75 minutes into the journey on Monday 23 April 1962. The train engine is 5564 of Laira Shed as are all these locos in this group. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks Michael.

A trip down west
Paul Barlow

Paul takes a ride dow to St Erth - these were received nearly a week ago but we all know what happened then - a certain railtour interupted normal viewing. Sorry for the delay!

A pair of 150 units head out to St Ives 7 April 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43153 and 43040 on the rear leave St Erth on the 0700 Gloucester to Penzance 8 April 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43172 and 43194 arrive at St Erth on the 1650 Penzance to Cardiff 8 April 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43172 at St Erth on the 1650 Penzance to Cardiff 8 April 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43172 Awaiting departure at St Erth on the 16.50 Penzance to Cardiff Central on the 8th Apri 2023.. Copyright Paul Barlow.

. Arrival of a Castle Class HST at Exeter St David's Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul.

Bench ends
Chris Lunn

Looking at the platform seat it appears to have a ‘W’ on the bench frames. I have not seen this before and wondered what the story was with this logo?

Regards, Chris Lunn.

Liskeard Class 120 Posted on Facebook and forwared to CRS by Alan Harris. Copyright unknown.

Thanks Chris - it was usually GWR!

Out and about in
Wiltshire
Ken Mumford

Please click on pictures to enlarge, Many thanks Ken. All pictures copyright by Ken,

13th Aoril 2023

12/4/2023

Looe
in the Dead of night
Craig Munday

Nights often throws up some interesting work. 37175 was out and about with the NR track testing train last night. Looe & Newquay were visited. I was ground frame operator for the trip. A quick picture at Looe prior to returning to Liskeard. This included a splendid 5 min ascent of the bank from Coombe, most of it on full power!

Just out of interest, I'll share the duties from picking up the train at Liskeard platform.
The train was boarded on the mainline platform with the Liskeard to Coombe token and the Looe train staff. The ground signal cleared and the train gently eased around the sharp curve to the ground frame at Liskeard branch jn.
I jumped down and walked to the Ground Frame (GF) and operated the levers for the train to proceed onto the single line section. The token is only required for this move. The DBSO (Driving trailer, converted carriage with driver's controls. Unpowered but coupled through to the class 37 on the rear) was leading the train at this point.
Once clear of the ground frame (loco and coaches), the ground frame can be restored to normal (towards the branch platform). The token then retrieved from the GF and I rejoined the train. It was downhill then all the way into Coombe platform, where I climbed down at the Coombe no1 GF to reset the points for Looe. This required BOTH the Liskeard to Coombe token and Liskeard to Looe train staff to accomplish. The Driver changed ends and the train set off, class 37 leading now. The train drew clear of the GF and I locked in the Liskeard to Coombe token, and rejoined the train in possession of the train staff to Looe only.
A brief stop to toot the horn at Lodge Farm crossing and we set off into the darkness, the class 37 snorting nicely into the starry night.
The headlight was particularly strong on 37175 and the Driver (Dave Pond) and I were treated to a brilliantly lit view ahead of the leafless trees. Occasional dwellings were lit on our journey along the single line. The intermediate station lights were on which seemed a little odd around 23.30! The railway picked up the road to our left at Sandplace, and not one moving car was spotted!
The narrow river valley opened out as we reached Terras Crossing. Dave once again stopping briefly to sound the "Goose honk" horn on the class 37. A little more power resulted in a delicious burst of activity from the loco as we headed along the river, the headlight once again picking up the water detail remarkably well as we trundled towards the destination of Looe.
On arrival, the only activity was from policemen at the small police station at Looe. A quick change of ends and the return in the relatively sterile environment of the DBSO cab. A quick check with the recording team in the coaches confirmed the probes were raised and it was a transit move (non-recorded) back to Liskeard.
The journey back was uneventful, and we were soon pulling up at the stop board at Coombe Jn once again. The ground frame operated at Coombe, we clambered back onto 37175 for the highlight of the trip, the ascent of the steep bank to Liskeard GF. Once clear of the points full power was applied for the majority of the journey, and the loco got stuck in with the traditional raucous class 37 exhaust pounding off the bridge and tunnel walls. From the cab the howl of the traction motors and blowers almost over-powers the engine sound.
On arrival at the Liskeard branch GF, I jumped down to operate the GF, and the train carried on its way to Par and later Newquay. I returned the token and train staff back to the box as I walked up I could hear 37175 pounding up the bank from Moorswater - the sound getting fainter as it topped the gradient near Dobwalls.

37175 on the 3Q52 at Looe 12th April 2023. Copyright Craig Munday

Many many thanks Craig - up all hours.

Mangers Special
Hollicombe
David Ive

One of three late arrivals for the website collection - this one reminds us of the glorious event and will be sent along with the other two to Roger for inclusion in our coverage. Well done Roger. To see our still growing collection please click here

37521 (D6817) leads past Hollicombe with 1Z26 1634 St Austell to Kingswear. 8th April 2023, Copyright David Ive

Well done and many thanks to David and all other contributors.

https://curnowcollection.com/

Well worth a visit to this site

Exminster
Keith Turley

LSL class 43 power car No. 43055 with classmate No.43046 on the rear pass Exminster in heavy rain and gale force winds on 12th April 2023, working the 1Z51 05:51 Hull to Paignton Midland Pullman charter.
Regards Keith Turley.

The Paignton Midland Pulman passes Exminster in heavy rain . 12th April 2023. Copyright Keith Turley.

Many thanks to you Keith.

An additional piece from John Roberts
More interesting revelations

Adding a bit to Bryn's second post.

It takes about a year to write a timetable, so the CRE name and Summer Saturday service with selected trains not advertised at North Road weren't reintroduced until 6th May 1946. At this stage there was a 10.20 Pad advertised non-stop to Newquay, plus 08.55 ex-Perranporth, 09.40 Newquay and 09.25 St Ives not advertised to call at North Road.

Strangely, the 1947 Summer Saturdays Only service isn't much enhanced over the Summer Saturdays Excepted service, and only the retimed 08.15 Perranporth and 09.40 Newquay omit North Road. As the GWR had only three months to live, was it trying to save money or was this a political retrenchment - or did the holiday traffic expected in 1946 not materialise?

The 1947-48 Winter Sunday service was very sparse with only three through trains from London to Pz - the Sleeper, Rigor Mortis* and 10.30 Pad, all via Bristol. The 10.30 didn't carry the CRE name, even called at Grampound Road, and took 9h50. *(The Rigor Mortis was the name given by the late Peter Moore to the non-sleeper Sleeper which even in the 1970s was pretty much all stations via Bristol and took pretty much all night. Having caught it a few times I can vouch for the name.)

In 1949 only the retimed 10.15 Newquay changes engines at Laira. The 08.15 Perranporth has been discontinued but is revived later in the 1950s.

I'm not aware of loco changes at Devonport Jn so maybe this is a typo for Devonport Station (Albert Road from 1948 until after King's Road closed). If not, I'd be interested to hear how it was done. The procedure for changes at Devonport Station may have remained in the WTT even when no changes were made there.

Yes, some night trains were not advertised at North Road but I think we can infer that any loco changes were made there - perhaps the passengers were too sleepy to notice!

Maybe Bryn has misread my note on the 09.20 St Ives as yes it was advertised at North Road in some timetables (eg it called at North Road in 1947 and 1949 but not in 1946 as mentioned above - timetables continuously evolved to match supply and demand. I haven't checked every year but a rolling concordance would be an interesting if time consuming project).

Incidentally, the Operations Books are fantastic pieces of research but I guess it's inevitable in such complex works that some errors have crept in.

Thanks to Roy and Neil for their Britannia leads. John.

This all makes for very interesting reading for us all - many thanks John.

12th April 2023

12/4/2023

A Saint Class engine at Dawlish Warren
Roger Salter Collection

DAWLISH WARREN STATION OPENED 23-9-1912

Dawlish Station
Roger Salter Collection

DAWLISH STATION 1909

Many Thanks Roger

Have we missed anybody?

Have we missed anybody? Many thanks to all who have contributed to the coverage of that extremely succesful Managemeent Special which occured over the last weekend. Have we missed anybody - if your contribution is not on the website please let us know. Also many thanks to Roger Winnen who spend a massive amount of time travelling around and putting together our report. We also understand that Martin Duff played a part not on in contributing to but also in the planning of that excellent railtour.
To check the content of our coverage please click here.

Liskeard for Looe
Alan Harris/Nick Raven

A gentleman by the name of Nick Raven posted on Facebook the attached photo which is believed to be a Swindon Class 120 2 car unit in the Looe branch platform at Liskeard, a photo I have not seen before. Mr. Raven acknowledges that. although he owns the photograph, he does not know of the original photographer, I have contacted him and he has agreed that I forward it to you for consideration and if published on the website that the photographer is unknown. Alan Harris.

Liskeard Class 120 Posted on Facebook and forwared to CRS by Alan Harris. Copyright unknown.

Many thanks to Nick and Alan.

Barnstaple - Meeth.
Fremington
Ivor Moorey

Good afternoon,
Following on from the nostalgic photos taken at Fremington in the 70’s, I’ve found this film on YouTube that may interest you. Barnstaple to Torrington and Watergate halt in the 1960’s. It’s film number 38263.
Kind regards
Ivor

The film maybe a little faint as old fims often are but as one who travelled the line only once it brings back vivid memories. Many thanks Ivor.

Silverton HST Sightings
Keith Turley

The driver of 43009 with 43027 working the 2U12 06.40 Penzance to Cardiff raises his hand in greeting. 11th April 23 Copyright Keith Turley

AXC class 43 power cars Nos. 43378 with classmate No.43321 on the rear pass Silverton Nr. Exeter on 11th April 2023, working the 1V44 06:11 Leeds to Plymouth service. Copyright Keith Turley.

Many thanks Keith.

11th April 2023

11/4/2023

Kingswear
& St Ives
Jon Hird & Craig Munday

Just two of the still growing collection of the Managers Special photographs. Please click here to get into our Railtours 2023 gallery.

A very big thank you to Roger for his time spent compiling the above report for our website - many hours were spent.

St Blazey Turntable
Neil Phillips

Since it has been nearly a year since my last report on the restoration of St Blazey’s turntable, an update is overdue – however it has been difficult to gauge progress lately due to the erection of tent covers on the deck. However earlier this year the two vacuum tanks and four support wheels were removed to enable access to the main structure to allow preparation for painting. This has now begun and the wheels have recently been reattached. However the tanks are still separate and can be seen in front of the fuel tank in my pictures below.
In my last report in May 2022 I included two photos taken in March showing a pair of long-lost rails uncovered during vegetation clearance. I was very surprised to discover that, not only has this road off the turntable now been completely cleared, but it forms a loop back onto the branch into Par Docks – the set of points visible from the level crossing gates, which I had assumed had been retained as a catch point leading into bushes, was still connected to the turntable under the vegetation!
Photos taken on Saturday 1st April 2023.

Best regards,
Neil Phillips

St Blazey Turntable - the approach on the 1st April 2023. Copyright Neil Phillips

Many thanks Neil.

A bit more on
St Blazey Turntable
Roy Hart

Dear Keith,
One of the shots depicted today shows the newly-discovered points leading from the old Fowey line to the turntable. Here are the same points, 70 tears ago.
Roy. Hart

Many thanks Roy, a real 'golden oldie' of pictures. Most interesting - the token catching horn and all the signals. The steam loco is 1015 County of Gloucester.

On looking again at the two photos: the paling fence on the left is still standing (This is the garden of the old Cornwall Mjneral Railway gatekeeper's cottage).
The two pictures are 70 years and about 2 feet apart!

The signals and points were operated by Par Bridge Crossing box.

Roy Hart

Bodmin & Wenford
Chris Harvey

Chris brings us this distant shot of action on the B&W.

Many thanks Chris.

Britannias in Cornwall
Neil Phillips

Hello Roger and Keith,

In his very interesting and detailed article (6th April) John Roberts enquired about photos of Britannia class locomotives in Cornwall. The Bradford Barton album ‘More Great Western Steam in Cornwall’ includes four views (steam yes, Great Western no, but rare so forgiven!), and another three in ‘Cornwall’s Railways – A Pictorial Survey’ from the same publisher. Only 70019 ‘Lightning’ and 70024 ‘Vulcan’ feature, mostly the former. I believe they only appeared between 1951 and 1953, as if BR wanted to show off their new hardware as far and wide as possible, even if only temporarily, but by all accounts they weren’t that popular with the crews. I know of one photo of a 4MT 75xxx (75025) on the Cornish main line, exiting Highertown Tunnel, Truro with a parcels train in 1954, the year after the Britannias had departed.
These old Bradford Barton albums (published in Truro) provide evidence that in the early years of Nationalisation Cornwall saw visits by ‘Stars’, 28xx 2-8-0s, the heavy 72xx 2-8-2T tanks and 111 ‘Viscount Churchill’, rebuilt as a ‘Castle’ from the GWR’s sole ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 ‘The Great Bear’ in 1924.

Best regards, Neil Phillips.

Many thanks Neil for delving into your books.

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Many thanks Mick - the steam bonus made it all worthwhile!​

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Many thanks Mick - the steam bonus made it all worthwhile!