Blog Archives

The Green Sleeper

25/6/2015

Keith, I hadn't noticed the FGW sleeper that received the green paint scheme has been branded GWR on the door and has 'Operated by First' next to the door. Not sure if were the time or have just been added recently. Thought you might be interested.
Seen Long Rock on Wednesday 24th June 2015 David Potter
Thanks David

The Green Sleeper Pong Rock 24th June 2015 Copyright David Potter.

The Green sleeper at Long Rock on the 24th December 2015. Copyright David Potter

GWR does this mean the Great Western Railway has been re- born?

Weekends Railtour Note from Craig Munday

25/6/2015

Hi Keith, Following on from my visit to Buckshead to see the GB8 railtour west bound recently. Here's a sunny picture of a brace of 150s 150266/123 working 2C48 out of the tunnel.

This Sat 27th is Mazey Day, or the Golowan Festival if you prefer. Only one Railtour is due down. Pathfinder tours are running a class 66 hauled special from Tame Parkway. It arrives at Penzance at 11.39 and departs at 16.10. A far cry from the multiple tours Penzance would host in past years.
Cheers Craig Many thanks

Here's a sunny picture of a brace of 150s 150266/123 working 2C48 out of Buckshead tunnel. Copyright Craig Munday

Travelling Stores Vans Handbook, the whole story, Geoff Nicholas

22/6/2015

Hi Keith
Thought you might be interested in a PDF copy of my Uncle (Bill Thomas) Travelling Stores Vans Handbook
I was lucky as a child to travel with him in his van – on the South Wales run via Bristol
The note on the back cover says “All Stores Vans – This Service Ceased 3/4/64”
I have the original which looks as if it was done on a manual typewriter & bound at the Swindon Works
Cheers, Geoff Nicholas (Penzance)
Many thanks Geoff. Very Interesting, didn't know such a delivery service operated. Now select Inside stories - Features to see the whole book, you'll find it very interesting.

To see the inside pages of this book turn select 'INSIDE STORIES - FEATURES' on the Menu Bar Many thanks to Geoff Nicholas for supplying this feature

Remembering the Class 50 Warships in Cornwall during July 1984 by Andrew Triggs

22/6/2015

840700a 50014 Warspite and 50030 Repulse awaiting departure at Penzance on the 09.32 service to Paddington from Platform 3. Copyright Andrew Triggs

840700b The duo awaiting departure from Truro. Copyright Andrew Triggs

840700c The due departs Truro for London Paddington. Copyright Andrew Triggs

840700d Departure from Truro with a period yellow British Rail van and the sidings going into Lee & Sons agriculture merchants of Truro on the right. Copyright Andrew Triggs

More Golden Oldies from Mile Morant

21/6/2015

Many thanks to Mike Morant for the following four pictures he took of railtours some time ago.

The Stanier Hind 18th May 1998 Stanier 8F class 2-8-0 no. 48773 was booked to haul this tour from Bristol TM to Plymouth and is depicted here alongside the River Exe at Powderham. There is no note on the sixbellsjunction web page but 48773 was also booked to move from Plymouth to Buckfastleigh as a light engine movement but there was a failure of some sort and it never happened. From the Mike Morant Collection

The Mayflower 19th October 2002 Stanier 'Princess' class pacific no. 6201 Princess Elizabeth presents a fine site as she storms through Creech St. Michael on the way from Bristol to Plymouth. Mike Morant Collection

The Mayflower 27th October 2001 Stanier 'Duchess' class pacific no. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland storms past Silk Mills just west of Taunton on her way from Bristol to Plymouth. The Mike Morant Collection

Bulleid pacific no. 34027 is still sporting the Hogwarts Express nameplates before the killjoys of the business world ordered their removal forthwith. Taken at Bishops Lydeard in August 2000 but the exact date isn't recalled. From the Mike Morant Collection

Then and Now! The changing face of the Railways at Bugle with photographs taken on 21st June 1975 and 20th June 2015 By Roger Winnen

21/6/2015

The West of England Bandsmen's Festival takes place on the third Saturday of June at Bugle in Cornwall. Over the years attending this event has given me the opportunity of photographing trains on the Newquay Branch. This selection was taken in June 1975 and at yesterdays event.

750621a A Peak 46001 hauls a service to Newquay passing Bugle Station on the 21st June, 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen

150620a From nearly the same location off the A391 roadbridge the 11.30 Atlantic Coast Express to London Paddington passes Bugle on Saturday 20th June, 2015. Copyright Roger Winnen

750621b Opening up after rounding the curve from Bugle Station 46001 heads for Newquay 21st June, 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen

750621c Taken the same day the 08.05 Newquay - Par service approaching Bugle with the Carbis Branch to the left of the train. Copyright Roger Winnen

Taken from the same bridge as the previous photograph. What a change has occurred over 40 years, however the telegraph poles are still there. The Atlantic Coast Express rounds the curve into Bugle. 20th June 2015 Copyright Roger Winnen

Golden Oldies From Sid Sponheimer

21/6/2015

The junction for Devonport Dockyard taken in the 1960's' . This is particularly interesting on several counts - the run round loop on the Dockyard branch and crossover on the main line were removed in June 1973 (Ref Tony Cookes Track Diagram Section 12) . Also Camels Head Creek, before infilling, can be seen both to the left and right of the viaduct. One can imagine the Bull Point branch running from its junction with the main line on the far bank and down almost on the shore towards the left. Also notice that smashing footpath alongside Weston Mill viaduct. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Hi Sid & Keith,
Firstly, thanks Sid for submitting this nice old photo of the Dockyard Junction. I’ll add it to my files, if you don’t mind.
I can add a small comment, that while the crossover to form a loop to the headshunt was removed in 1973, the headshunt itself remained in-situ (but unused) until about 1992, when I had it lifted as part of an upgrade to the branch. Every sleeper was rotten, and the rails in very poor condition, so I guess it hadn’t seen any maintenance for decades!
The footpath that went across “Shaky Bridge” was closed in the 1990s I think, as BR/Railtrack/NR didn’t want the liability of maintenance. It was finally removed when WMV was refurbed recently.
Cheers, Paul Many thanks to Paul Burkhalter for this extra information.

Camels Head Creek taken from the shoreline in the 1960's - this area is now totally reclaimed land with a road and the entrance to the Naval Base. 1960's The white buildings seen underneath the second span of the viaduct are at Bull Point. If it were possible to take this picture from this position nowadays the majority of properties in the background would be hidden by the Giant Waste to Energy Plant. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

However, they may be of use to add to your site being historical. They would have been 1960 shots taken on a box brownie. One is self explanatory including the dockyard line to the left and shows a small element of the creek either side of the viaduct. The other was taken from next to where the Camels Head pub would have been showing the almost full extent of the creek up to the main road and where an element of infilling has already commenced. This area is now the dockyard car park which I think extends right under the viaduct. Regards Sid Many thanks Sid

57 303 Pride of Carlisle at Truro with ECS to Par By Mick House

20/6/2015

150620 Arriving at Truro 57 303 Pride of Carlisle with new liveried coach 10219 in tow haling the ECS 10.15 departure from Penzance T.& R.S.M.D and 11.16 arrival at Par. Copyright Mick House

Four from Craig down by the river

19/6/2015

Hi Keith These bright mornings have had me messing about on the river, not for floating vessels though, the CDA clay wagon variety!
66078 is as Cornish as heavy cake now, a bit like 66176 was last year. But still makes a stunning picture with Golant as a backdrop.
Two pictures taken on opposing sides of the river 18 / 19 June 2015. The 19th with farmer's express permission.
Cheers Craig Many thanks

Also on the 18th - a pity the loco isn't the type shown on the sign!! A most unusual view. Copyright Craig Munday

Golant village forms an excellent backdrop to this view - access to this quaint and very pretty village is via very narrow lanes. Better when passenger trains ran. 19th June 2015

A final look at the rake CDA's as it enters Imerys clay terminal at Carne Point. 19th June 2015. Copyright Craig Munday.

14xx's From the David Tozer Collection

19/6/2015

David has recently added to his collection with these very interesting views taken in the early 60's of these locos when they worked the Exe Valley line - Stoke Canon to Dulverton. Many thanks for these views David.

A 1400 departs from the east bay platform at Exeter St Davids with a service for Dulverton. Early 1960's Copyright David Tozer Collection

A 14xx at speed somewhere in the glorious Devon Countryside. Early 60's Copyright David Tozer Collection

A 14xx waits with a service at Tiverton - early 60's Copyright the David Tozer Collection

Time for a chat. Tiverton the early 60's. Copyright the David Tozer Collection

A 14xx pushes out. Tiverton the early 0's Copyright the David Tozer Collection

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