NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 103
The Falmouth to Paddington Through Train in 1977
Michael L. Roach
On the morning of Saturday 9 July 1977 I left home in Camborne to travel to Perranwell Station on the Truro to Falmouth line. Although the distance via Redruth town centre is only about 11 miles it seems further even now and takes half an hour. The objective was to photograph the loco-hauled Falmouth to Paddington though train. It departed Perranwell Station at 09.31 two minutes earlier than timetabled behind 50027 (PRESERVED) with 6C. The train left Falmouth at 09.10, stopped at all stations on the branch, and ran non-stop from St. Austell to Plymouth. It reached Paddington at 15.08
Five weeks later I photographed 50035 (ALSO PRESERVED) on the same train as it approached Penweathers Junction where it would join the main line. During that five-week gap we had travelled north to spend one night at Lincoln (29 July) and seven nights at York. The journey from Lincoln to York started with going 40 miles north to Barrow upon Humber to visit New Holland Pier and see one of the three steam paddle steamers on the Humber Ferry, which were made redundant by the opening of the bridge; and also some views of the partly finished suspension bridge itself. Construction had started 5 years earlier in July 1972; cable spinning began 2 months later in September 1977; and it was opened by The Queen four years later in July 1981.
After photographing the Falmouth to Paddington train on 13 August I made my way the short distance to Newbridge Viaduct for the only time ever and there photographed two up expresses. At this time the first HST was still some time away and all expresses were loco-hauled. Three expresses hauled by three different classes of diesel engine in less than 50 minutes.
Five weeks later I photographed 50035 (ALSO PRESERVED) on the same train as it approached Penweathers Junction where it would join the main line. During that five-week gap we had travelled north to spend one night at Lincoln (29 July) and seven nights at York. The journey from Lincoln to York started with going 40 miles north to Barrow upon Humber to visit New Holland Pier and see one of the three steam paddle steamers on the Humber Ferry, which were made redundant by the opening of the bridge; and also some views of the partly finished suspension bridge itself. Construction had started 5 years earlier in July 1972; cable spinning began 2 months later in September 1977; and it was opened by The Queen four years later in July 1981.
After photographing the Falmouth to Paddington train on 13 August I made my way the short distance to Newbridge Viaduct for the only time ever and there photographed two up expresses. At this time the first HST was still some time away and all expresses were loco-hauled. Three expresses hauled by three different classes of diesel engine in less than 50 minutes.
50027 Lion is leaving Perranwell at 09.31 with the 09.10 Falmouth to Paddington train on 9 July 1977. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
A 3-car DMU enters Sparnock Tunnel at 10.15 the same morning on the 10.05 Truro to Falmouth. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Five weeks and a couple of minutes later 50035 Ark Royal is seen further north on 13.08.1977 a short distance south of Penweathers Junction. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
50035 heads down to Penweathers Junction. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
47088 comes off Newbridge Viaduct with 11C on the 09.15 Penzance to Manchester. 1/250 has not stopped the front of the engine which I have allowed to get too close. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
An unidentified Peak heads east across Newbridge Viaduct at 10.23 on 13 August 1977, with the 09.35 Penzance to Wolverhampton. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks as ever Mike, a superb article and some great photos of the not-so-distant past.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
Axminster Station
Brian Pibworth
"Axminster Sleepers" Both Up and Down tracks at Axminster Station are concrete sleepered - apart from these three which are wooden. There seems to be no obvious reason as, while two are in fine condition, one (R) is showing signs of wear. Perhaps the answer lies in the pages of the abandoned gangers notebook adjacent but presumably the New Measurement Train passed them fit for purpose when it flashed through recently. Copyright Brian Pibworth.
After writing the above caption, Brian emailed the following:
The tamper engineer tells me that the three wooden sleepers amongst the concrete at Axminster Station (my previous submission)are usually to mark a culvert or thin ballast to prevent damage from track maintenance equipment.
The tamper engineer tells me that the three wooden sleepers amongst the concrete at Axminster Station (my previous submission)are usually to mark a culvert or thin ballast to prevent damage from track maintenance equipment.
"New Measurement Train - Axminster" Network Rail HST powercar 43062 "John Armitt" heads the 1Q23 0553 Reading to Salisbury return run from Exeter New Yard to Salisbury on 6th March 2026. Seen here passing through Axminster Station, Devon at linespeed. (Video frame capture). Copyright Brian Pibworth.
Many thanks Brian, great to hear from you too.
St. Pinnock Clay
Jon Hird
With a healthy load of 11 JIA's 'on the hook', 66712 roars over St. Pinnock Viaduct with the Par Harbour - Exeter Riverside (for Cliffe Vale) clay, 6C53. 29.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Auto coaches on the Fowey branch
Stewart Frazer
I hope you can help me please with posting this enquiry on the website.
I am hoping to include a train from every Cornish branch line on my new OO gauge layout. I am minded to feature an auto coach arrangement for the Fowey branch. I note from our website that the loco deployed would have been the 14xx class #1419 0-4-2PT I have found a photo on our website attributed to Roy Hart which shows the coach in what may be Crimson and Cream livery. I came across another photo which shows an auto coach at Fowey which appears to be liveried totally in Crimson.
I hope that some of our membership might have some knowledge of the liveries and the numbers on those coaches. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I am hoping to include a train from every Cornish branch line on my new OO gauge layout. I am minded to feature an auto coach arrangement for the Fowey branch. I note from our website that the loco deployed would have been the 14xx class #1419 0-4-2PT I have found a photo on our website attributed to Roy Hart which shows the coach in what may be Crimson and Cream livery. I came across another photo which shows an auto coach at Fowey which appears to be liveried totally in Crimson.
I hope that some of our membership might have some knowledge of the liveries and the numbers on those coaches. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
1419 propelling its auto car off to Lostwithiel in 1952 - was it crimson and cream, or brown and cream? Copyright Roy Hart.
Another photo at Fowey - photographer unknown - showing a maroon autocoach at the station.
An interesting question Stewart - perhaps somebody will know the answer. Please drop us an email if that's you - [email protected]
Testing at Chard
Brian Pibworth
Network Rail Video Inspection Unit TCMU1 No 153379, running as 2Q45 0830 Par Liner Sidings to Yeovil Junction, arrives for a pathing stop, passing the remains of Chard Junction Milk Sidings. The Colas DR73931 - Plasser & Theurer 08-16/4x4C100-RT Tamper is receiving maintenance after a night working in the area, arriving at CJ as the 6J86 0515 Crewkerne to Chard Jn. S.B. 29.04.2026, copyright Brian Pibworth.
Network Rail Video Inspection Unit TCMU1 No 153379, running as 2Q45 0830 Par Liner Sidings to Yeovil Junction, stops for pathing on the former Dn line at Chard Junction. In the foreground the remains of CJ platform are steadily becoming part of the landscape with, appropriately, a lone Teasle. 29.04.2026, copyright Brian Pibworth.
Many thanks Brian - not a location we see very often on this website.
WSR Mixed Traction Gala
Paul Barlow
7828 Odney Manor leaves Crowcome heading to Minehead. 04.05.1996, copyright Paul Barlow.
53808 and 1410 lead the Bishops Lydeard to Minehead near Bicknoller. 04.05.1996, copyright Paul Barlow.
D120 and D7523 with the 1115 Minehead to BL at Leigh loop. 04.05.1996, copyright Paul Barlow.
D120 at Bishops Lydeard on an ECS. 04.05.1996, copyright Paul Barlow.
D7523 and D120 climb towards Crowcombe on a Minehead to Bishops Lydeard service. 04.05.1996, copyright Paul Barlow.
D7523 and D120 with the 1305 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead near Bicknoller. 04.05.1996, copyright Paul Barlow.
D7523 and D9551 on the 1645 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead goods train near Bicknoller. 04.05.1996, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul - nearly 30 years ago already, where has the time gone?
April 1976
Part 30
Roger Winnen
The Forest Railroad at Dobwalls. 25.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Forest Railroad at Dobwalls. 25.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Forest Railroad at Dobwalls. 25.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Forest Railroad at Dobwalls. 25.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Forest Railroad at Dobwalls. 25.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Forest Railroad at Dobwalls. 25.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
And that's the lot for April 1976 by Roger Winnen. I'm off for a lie down now!
