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Roger Roaming and Riding once again, Visiting Plymouth-Newquay-St Austell-Truro and Falmouth on a glorious Summer Day

29/8/2014

140828a Bridges across the Plym, this bridge carried the Turnchapel and Yealmpton Branch. It is now being restored and converted into a cycle way. Copyright Roger Winnen

140828b The Cattewater Branch now sees little traffic, it only source now being a local scrapyard. This photograph shows it approaching Laira Bridge. The alignment of the Lee Moor Tramway was at this location, crossing from left to right. The former crossing gates which now is fencing marks the route. Copyright Roger Winnen

140828c After crossing under Laira Bridge the Cattewater Branch terminates just around the corner. Gates fence off the remaining section as it enters a scrapyard. Copyright Roger Winnen

140828d It is very rare these days to see anything in the centre road of Plymouth Station, however this tamping machine greeted me on my arrival back from Laira Bridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

140828e Passing St Blazey Depot on the 09.05 Paddington to Newquay "The Atlantic Coast Express " One Class 60 plus Two Class 66s were in evidence. Copyright Roger Winnen

140828f The Atlantic Coast Express at Newquay with the former Platform 1 on the right hand side. Copyright Roger Winnen

140828g Isambard Kingdom Brunel stands at the buffer stops of Newquay Station modernised during the last few years. Copyright Roger Winnen

140828h Tropical paradise at Newquay with the palms gracing the scene. Copyright Roger Winnen

140828i All is not lost at St Austell as this building on the upside is being restored to its former glory! after lying derelict and boarded up in recent years. Copyright Roger Winnen

140828j A queue system at Truro for passengers travelling to the tall ships at Falmouth during Thursday to Sunday 28th-31st August, 2014. Copyright Roger Winnen.

140828k Passengers using the Falmouth service were routed via the elephant loading ramp to join the train. This was the route used by the circus to off load the animals many years ago. Copyright Roger Winnen

140828l Rails on the wharves at Falmouth together with sails of the tall ships makes a nice evening photograph. Falmouth Docks had an extensive railway system operating into the 1980s. The last engine working was Hudwell Clarke No3 reported on 22nd August, 1986 .Copyright Roger Winnen

140828m Viewed from the National Maritime Museum Tower the Tall Ships moored in Falmouth Harbour. Copyright Roger Winnen

140828n From the same location a Falmouth Branch train can be seen leaving the Dock Station heading towards the Dell with Pendennis Castle in the background. Copyright Roger Winnen

Long Rock Crossing in 1967 WHAT NOT TO DO! Doug Nicholls

28/8/2014

An extremely interesting picture by Doug Nicholls of Long Rock signal box crossing in July 1967. It is particularly interesting view of the stock in the sidings where today the Night Sleeper stock sits by day and HST's by night. Also interesting because the signalling is still in position, but look more carefully - and note the barriers are down but two very foolish youngsters intent on getting to beach dash across the main running lines. Copyright Doug Nicholls

Doug continues to add quality pictures to our site for which we are extremely grateful - the one above has caught a moment in time which could have been a tragedy.

Sandford and Banwell Railway Heritage Centre

28/8/2014

Situated on the Yatton to Witham Railway the old station, beautifully restored on the SUSTRANS cycle route is well worth a visit if you are in the area. You can also visit it by clicking here for further details sandfordstation.co.uk

Colour of Perranwell station nameboard???

27/8/2014

Stuart Douglas, of the Friends of Perranwell station, is trying to find out the colours which would have been used on the cast station nameboard at Perranwell when it was originally opened by the Cornwall Railway. Is there anybody out there who can help?? Either contact this web site or ring Stuart Douglas on 01872 864268

WHAT FUTURE FOR RAILWAYS AND THEIR HERITAGE ON DARTMOOR? - SAT 11 OCTOBER MELDON VILLAGE HALL 1000-1700

27/8/2014

Unfortunately this event clashes with the Cornwall Railway Society meeting at Redruth. However, for those further afield, and particularly those near Meldon, this looks a most interesting day.

For further details click here www.dartmoorsociety.com

August Bank Holiday Monday 2014

26/8/2014

140825a In foul weather 60163 Tornado is seen passing Pinhoe on route to Exeter. Copyright David Tozer

140825b Returning back to London Paddington 60163 Tornado is seen at Gibraltor Bridge, Cullompton. Copyright David Tozer

Many thanks David for these photographs of Tornado, a brilliant locomotive.

GWR Stables in Camborne Mike Hitchens

24/8/2014

Dear Keith,
A little known item of Camborne's railway history.
This building on Wellington Road was once the stables for the GWR horses which operated the delivery services from the station.
Mike Hitchens Many thanks Mike

This building was the former stables for the GWR horses which served the Camborne area. Copyright Mike Hitchens MBE

A busy Saturday - a photographic summary by Craig Munday

24/8/2014

Hello Keith A late change to the roster saw me head to Penzance for a "mini" shift. I photographed 57604 at Milltown near Lostwithiel, popped into Hayle Model exhibition, and wandered down to Penzance. A quick coffee was had at Sainsburys which offers great views of the trains passing the Mount.
Then a very busy 4 hours with many moves, including the arrival of 2C51 after dark - which I photographed earlier at Milltown.
66133 had been stabled at Eastern Green since Thursday evening, and finally departed Sunday 24th back to Westbury.
Cheers Craig Many thanks Craig

2C51 the loco hauled service at Milltown 24th August 2014 Copyright Craig Munday

66133 had been stabled at Eastern Green since Thursday evening, and finally departed Sunday 24th back to Westbury. This, I think, our last view of this train!! 24th August 2014 Copyright Craig Munday

The view of the trains from the new Sainsburys at Penzance. Presumably the area between the road and the HST will become the site of the projected maintenance facilities to be located at Long Rock. Does anybody know the functions of the buildings in this picture? 24th August 2014 Copyright Craig Munday This building was the shunters cabin for Ponsandane, three shunters were employed one at Ponsandane, one in Penzance Station and one at Marazion shunting in the sidings. Roger Winnen

140824d The 'Scillonian' awaits its next trip to the fair isle. Wonder how many passengers come by rail? Copyright Craig Munday

The train standing at Platform 1!! The mystery train, what was it doing where did it go????

24/8/2014

Hello Keith Received a call from Roger Salter saying that the rail train is due to depart Pz in ten minutes this came from real time trains, ran to the station wall and obtained these leaving shots, not got time to put them on myself, so perhaps you could do the honour? RS will send one in passing Marazion this afternoon. All the best, Roger It's a pleasure

140824a A red sunrise greets the CWR Train as it awaits departure from Penzance at 06.53. & sure enough rain was not long coming! Copyright Roger Winnen

140824c 66133 hauls its heavy train on the 06.55 departure from Penzance 24th August 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen

140824d Its like a snake bending across the pointwork at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

Roger Salter picks up the story Hi Keith,
This should be the saga of the Cornish Maintenance train.
It all started when RW &myself realising on Friday morning that the 673J Westbury Down-Camborne had been put into Slopers siding where it stayed all day &all Saturday.Yesterday she was listed as the 2100 Penzance-St.Budeaux and we both were on alert all evening for the movement that never came.Luckily this morning at 6.45am , before walking the dog, I turned the computer on to find she had been activated at 5am Sunday morning to form the 666B 0700 PZ- Westbury Down TC. Having 15 mins to get out of the house & race to Marazion was as you see successful,my wife was put the task of ringing RW who flew from the house during breakfast. What we all do for news!! Regards, Roger Salter.
The things our reporters get up to - sheer devotion to duty - many thanks to you both.

140822a 66133, 647N 0412 Long Rock - PZ-Par shunted into slopers siding,Penzance for the day or two!! Copyright Roger Salter

140824c With the power on 666B Penzance to Westbury Down TC passes Marazion. Copyright Roger Salter

140824d The long train of rail still not off loaded returning to Westbury. Copyright Roger Salter

The mystery deepens.
Keith, It is a bit of a mystery, the train went only to Camborne so whether the back 3 empty wagons were off loaded when something happened we don't know. It was then shunted into slopers with most of its load. We understood the loco failed but there was no relief loco nor signs of repair,unless it went into the shed at the dead of night. I am not sure if they can repair 66s at L/R. She certainly left non stop for Westbury well loaded with rail. Roger Salter

Friday 22nd August, 2014 When is the Long Welded Rail Train departing Penzance? by Roger Winnen

23/8/2014

In the early hours of Friday 22nd August, 2014 66130 hauling a long continuously welded rail train arrived at Penzance and stabled in the slopers sidings prior to running around. However problems arose, and the train was stabled during Friday. It was thought that this train might depart during the evening but to no avail, looking up on 'realtime trains' it was shown for departure before dawn on Saturday, however this did not take place and the train remained at the terminus during Saturday. A revised depart at 21.00 hrs was shown on the website but this failed to mature as she was still sitting there in a wild and lonely place at 21.30. Perhaps after posting this information she may have departed to pastures new!

140822a The Two Rogers photographing the CWR Train at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

140822b Roger Salter stands on the stool to capture this shot of 66130 in slopers siding. Copyright Roger Winnen

140822c The early morning sun lights up this train as it stands at milepost 326.25. Copyright Roger Winnen

140823a Still waiting to move in slopers, to the right is the long siding, now reduced in length. (this section is now abandoned) Copyright Roger Winnen

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