Blog Archives

Items added on the 21st August 2016 Those added most recently come first

21/8/2016

Day stock to Exeter
Jamie Dyke

Par welcomes 57603 'Tintagel Castle' bringing 5P70 into Par after coming ECS from Penzance 20th August 2016 Copyright Jamie Dyke

The Plymouth Invader Railtour
Norwich - Plymouth and return
Roger Winnen & Andrew Triggs

160820i 47854 & 47851 approaching Plymouth with the 04.50 Norwich to Plymouth, Copyright Andrew Triggs

160820d The Plymouth Invader arrives Plymouth Station only 1 minute late. Copyright Roger Winnen

160820dd The tour stands at Platform 5 of Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

160820k 47851 at the western end of the tour at Plymouth. Copyright Andrew Triggs

160820e The leading engine of the tour runs around its train 47854 Diamond Jubilee. Copyright Roger Winnen

160820j 47854 Diamond Jubilee running back onto the Tour Stock at Plymouth North Road. Copyright Andrew Triggs

160820f 47854 overshadowed by the Office Block at Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

160820l The return leg of the 'Plymouth Invader' thundering through Newton Abbot. Copyright Andrew Triggs

160820g Diamond Jubilee thunders through Newton Abbot. Copyright Roger Winnen

160820m 47851 at the rear of the 1Z70 17.07 Plymouth-Norwich return leg of the WCR 'Plymouth Invador Tour which arrived at Norwich 01.03 Sunday Morning, running 1 min early. Copyright Andrew Triggs

The Restoration of Par Signal Box and the lonesome Class 70 at Laira
Roger Winnen Andrew Triggs

160820c 57603 Arriving Par with the 5P70 10.15 ECS Long Rock to Par passing the restored Par Signal Box. Copyright Andrew Triggs

160820a The restoration of Par Signal Box looking spick and span in its chocolate and cream livery. Copyright Roger Winnen

160821b Lonesome Class 70803 at Laira, a resident since the spring of 2016 following an accident between Tavistock Junction and Totnes near Ivybridge with Auto Ballaster wagons. Copyright Roger Winnen

Lyme Regis in 61
Steve Richards

Passengers move up the platform to greet the incoming train. 1961. Copyright Steve Richards

Now You See Me Now You Don’t.
By Mick House

The day the road closed over Saveock Bridge on the 27-06-2016 she was sitting without a care in the world, but this morning at 06.29 on the 21-06-2016 after the last lump of steel had been removed she was no more.
Photos and words by Mick House.

Before 27-06-2016 Happy Days. Photo by Mick House.

After 21-08-2016 RIP. Photo by Mick House.

The last bit of steel is removed. Photo by Mick House.

Let us look on the bright side; the first bits of the new bridge have arrived on the back of a lorry and they are the parapet walls. Photo by Mick House.

If you are wondering about the crane that was used it was from Baldwin’s with a capacity of 400 tonnes. Photo by Mick House.

Many thanks to Mick House - 'Up before the larks'.

John Cornelius returns to
Thornfalcon

Further to Rob Lindley's query about the kissing gate at Thornfalcon,I went and had a look around this afternoon. (20th August 2016) I never knew it was there even though it is visible by the road side.
I've taken a few pics and put some dotted lines in as to where the line more or less ran.
Pic 2] I've put the bridge in, in dots, to show roughly where it would have been.
Pic 3] looking across the dual carriageway and roughly the course of the line L to R.
Pic 4] From the field looking across the dual carriageway. The original road ran beside the building in the background, which was once Thornfalcon school, before swinging left up the embankment to cross the bridge,which would have been to the left in the pic.
Pic 5] looking up the dual carriageway with the gate prominent and roughly the route of the line in dots.
Perhaps you could pass this info and pics onto him to help him clarify the situation.
enjoy cheers JOHN C
Many thanks to John for his time trouble and travels.

Picture 1 Copyright John Cornelius

Picture 2 Copyright John Cornelius

Picture 3 Copyright John Cornelius

Picture 4 Old Thornfalcon School in the background. Copyright John Cornelius

Picture 5. Copyright John Cornelius

Here today, gone tomorrow?
Penzance Julian Stephens

Hello Keith
Assuming the building featured in the attached images will succumb to the Ponsandane redevelopment, can anyone inform me of its history?
Best wishes, Julian Stephens Many thanks Julian - who can help?

This building was the Ponsandane Shunters Cabin, in steam and early diesel days a shunter was employed at Ponsandane, a second shunter was also employed at Penzance Station where the cabins still exist, but not used adjacent to the Signal Box. This photograph of the Ponsandane Cabin below suggest that it was built at about the same time as the former Goods Shed in 1937-1938. However the Goods Shed was demolished in the late 1980s after traffic was moved onto the roads. The Goods Shed site is now Morrisons Supermarket.
Roger Winnen

Mysterious building at Penzance. 1 25th March 2016 Copyright Julian Stephens

Mysterious building at Penzance. 2 25th March 2016 Copyright Julian Stephens

Mortehoe & Woolacombe 2
Mike Morant

Another one from Mikes collection - there is clear evidence of a siding here, which according to Tony Cooke's Track Layouts (15 North Devon), had been removed in early February 1965 - a nice neat job.

BR_Mortehoe_GWRA130729_slide7C12 Mortehoe & Woolacombe looking towards Ilfracombe on 12/9/65.
[Mike Morant collection]

Items added on the 20th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

20/8/2016

Lyme Regis
Steve Richards

Steve Richards has very kindly sent in this picture taken by his late father of a run round taking place at Lyme Regis.

Lyme Regis 41206 1961 Copyright the late Dr Frank Richards

Crewkerne
John Cornelius

Mortehoe & Woolacombe 1
Mike Morant

S_BR_Mortehoe_GWRA130729_slide7C10 Mortehoe & Woolacombe station taken on 12/9/65.
[Mike Morant collection]

Items added on the 19th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

19/8/2016

Exeter St Davids
John Cornelius

D400 prior to becoming 50050 Fearless. Now owned by Boden Rail Engineering Ltd Copyright John Cornelius

Mortehoe & Woolacombe
Mike Morant

S_BR_Mortehoe_GWRA130729_slide7C09 The signal box board at Mortehoe & Woolacombe taken on 12/9/65.
[Mike Morant collection]

Items added on the 18th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

18/8/2016

Six from
Craig Munday

Hi Keith

A few images from the parish during the wonderful bright sunlight. There's a monsoon due so these may bring comfort to those indoors over the coming days.

I know I'm renowned for my "first tinges of Autumn" comments, but I have to say the leaves are definitely looking less green.

Best regards, Craig Munday. Many thanks Craig

A Voyager unit working a Manchester bound service crosses a GWR HST Newquay bound at Goonbarrow 13th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

The Imerys shunter stood down for the weekend basks in the sunshine at the Rocks complex, near Bugle. 13th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

43171 leads a GWR set back to the mainline at Par after surrendering the single line token to Carol the St Blazey Signaller. 13th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

Mixed HST set with GWR green coaches & blue power cars passes Burngullow with 43091 leading on 1A85. 16th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday Mix HST set with GWR green coaches & blue power cars passes Burngullow with 43091 leading on 1A85.

66023 comes off the SDS the Parkandillack line with the CDAs for Carne Point. 16th August 2016. Copyright Craig Munday

150120 & 153325 make a colourful sight passing the meadow at Rospeath with 2C47. 16th August 2016. Copyright Craig Munday

Through coaches
to Cornish branches

More interesting observations by Karl Hewlett and John Ball - for which many thanks.

Dear Keith.

I can provide the following information regarding 'Through Coaches To Cornish Branches', on Falmouth and when they finished plus some information on 'The Dell'.

The Falmouth branch had through coaches up to 1961 mainly from the up and down 'Cornish Riviera', which coaches were attached/detached at Truro station. I can't see any mention of The Riviera to Falmouth after 61, this is probably due to the branch line passenger services becoming fully dieselised in 1962/3 using DMU's of class 116, 118, 120,121 and 122. Although DMU's were in their early days allowed to tow vehicles under strict operating conditions (the vehicle had to be on the rear at all times and a limit on vehicles attached because of brake force), it would be impractical if not impossible to attach additional coaches as would happen in steam days. I assume that the official stance in the operating division of BR(W) would be it is just as easy and cost effective for Riviera patrons to change at Truro for the branch service. Here is list of through services and their codes that went to/from Falmouth in summer 1961:

A66 (SO), Falmouth 08:35 to Paddington 16:03, A76 (SuO), Falmouth 10:40 to Paddington 16:20, C28 (SO), Paddington 10:30 to Falmouth ????, C31 Paddington (10:30SX), and (10:40 SuO), to Falmouth ????

There were other loco hauled services mainly parcels and later freights which continued on from the 60's using classes 08 (Newham), 22, 41/42, 25, 37 with a odd 47 and 50.

With regards to the Falmouth to Paddington service in the 1970's, this ran from start of summer timetable 1976 to 29th September 1979:

(SO) Penzance to Truro ECS then forms Truro 08.22 to Falmouth, then 09:10 to Paddington with no return service, diagrammed for a class 50 but a Western and class 47's have been used.

This service was little used because Sunday is not a changeover day for hotels and B&B's hence most people were not travelling on that day, so the main users of this service were enthusiasts for track and haulage and also seaman using it to return home out of county. Seaman you ask, well the port was a lot busier then with a lot of movement of contractors and seaman to/from the docks which coincidentally also overhauled the British Railway operated ships with their red funnels and BR logo; remember them?! The BR employees (Sealink?), using this service could also use their staff permit cards for travel an added bonus. To give an example of a seamans movement to/from Falmouth today, a local taxi firm I use has a contract to drive a ships captain on shore/home leave to/from Falmouth to London so he can then fly back home to Greece paid by his company!

There were after 1979 still DMU's mainly two coach sets and a rare loco hauled hired to move seaman to and from Falmouth Docks on Sunday morning, but these were certainly not a common occurrence running only when required. I can remember DMU's running non-stop through Penmere (when there was no Sunday service at the time), that would be from around 1982 to 1986/7. I can also remember a blue class 47, again non stop, going through Penmere with mark 2 stock heading for Falmouth Docks quite clearly in fact I can even remember which window in my house I was looking out of, that was our then new extension so around 1983! It was a lot easier in those days to arrange a charter to move seaman especially if you refitted BR's ships. A testimate of how it was then (very different now), to arrange a charter is by looking at the CRS own archives, with a good selection of CRS chartered DMU's on long gone clay branchlines.

Onto Falmouth Town The Dell. This was a planned replacement for Falmouth Docks station by BR(W), but it became apparent that it was difficult to brake to a stop with the vacuum brakes on DMU's especially when the railhead was greasy, train crews were authorised not to change ends at The Dell so they had to run on to Falmouth Docks station anyway. With the line to the docks still being in place for freight movements, BR had a change of mind and reinstated services back to The Docks. I have also heard Falmouth Town The Dell holds the record for the most name changes of a British railway station!

Regards

Karl (Friends of Penmere).

Good morning, Keith

I read this with interest. Not wishing to be pedantic, but I recall the Falmouth to Paddington through train ending in 1968, and being revived in 1975 - connected with the 'Golden Rail' programme.

Regards

John

Demolition
- a month away

Westbury Cement Works 18th October 1999 - Copyright Roger Winnen. Many thanks to Roger for this picture taken from a passing train. Note the white plume which was so easily seen from many miles distant.

As I write, in a months time, the demolition will have occurred and this quite famous landmark to the east of Westbury will be no more. It is scheduled for demolition by controlled explosives at 06.45 on the 18th September 2016.

The 400 foot high chimney has a base just 250' away from the main line, one sincerely hopes that the chimney falls as required. No doubt the demolition will occur when there are no trains about!

For the BBC feature on the chimney which is almost as high as Salisbury Cathedral please click here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-36814399

A Cracking Day in Devon
Andrew Triggs

160816d Starrcross 1A83 10.00 Penzance to London Paddington passing at speed. Copyright Andrew Triggs

160816e Langstone Eock 'XC' HST working with the 1V40 06.06 Edinburgh to Plymouth. Copyright Andrew Triggs

160816g On the Dawlish Sea Wall with the delayed 10.47 Penzance-Paddington running 51 mins late. Copyright Andrew Triggs

160816h Shaldon Bridge Teignmouth with the !C84 14.07 London Paddington-Penzance. Copyright Andrew Triggs

160816i Class 158 158763 Departing Newton Abbot with the 2T25 17.46 Exeter-Paignton Service. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Thanks Andrew

Charlton (Near Cogload)
John Cornelius

A nice level stretch here, remember the days when this was quadruple track. One wonders if the line here will ever be re-quadrupled as in progress on Filton Bank. Many thanks John.

Lympstone
Mike Morant

As Mike says in his caption below, there is a lot of interest in this picture, it's all there including the signalbox with its nicely polished levers over which the traditional duster has been draped. If you look carefully you will see the train crew also have their token out ready for the exchange. A nice display of roses too. Many thanks indeed Mike for this and the many other irreplaceable pictures you are sending us to use.

S_BR_Lympstone_station_1959 What a nice cameo this is. As the branch down train from Exeter to Exmouth draws to a halt the tablet exchange is nicely depicted against a backdrop to die for if one enjoys infrastructure pictures. This shot, taken in 1959, depicts an unidentified BR Standard 3MT 2-6-2T running bunker first with BR suburban stock and passing a lady dressed very much in the fashion of the time. The SR totem on the lamp post is almost worthy of an image on its own and one can't help but compare the infrastructure with what amounts to little more than a bus shelter on today's platform.
[Mike Morant collection]

Items added on the 17th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

17/8/2016

Through coaches to Cornish branches
Roy Hart and Bryn Pitcher

I am most grateful to Roy and Bryn for the following text. This was in response to a request from Bryn concerning the last through coaches.

From Roy Hart.

Here is some information. The subject is complex, because arrangements varied over the years, but the following applies to most of the postwar period:
1. St Ives
There was a morning through train to Paddington. See the Jon Wood picture on the website August page. This was not the Cornish Riviera Express, which always started at Penzance. Note the old 1930s stock and the absence of carriage roofboards: the 'Riviera' was run with chocolate and cream mark 1 stock carrying roofboards etc.
The down 'Riviera' ( the 'Limited' to railwaymen) ran to St Ives on Summer Saturdays until 1961. There was a following portion which ran to Penzance. St Ives box became a ground frame in 1963: the entire layout was still usable and the signals, wires and all infrastructure were kept in place in case reinstatement was necessary, but there was no revival of through trains and all was demolished in early 1966.
2. Perranporth
The Saturday Perranporth to Paddington ran until 1960. The stock was drawn to Newquay and two Truro 45XX ran through to collect it. The train picked up at Perranporth and St Agnes and at Truro was combined with a Falmouth portion and normally double- headed by Granges and the like to Plymouth, where a 'King' took over.
3. Falmouth
Falmouth was a ' red' route and 'Castles', 'Counties' etc could start through trains there, though they had to run down tender-first from Truro. The summer Saturday Paddington to Falmouth split at Par, with half going on to Newquay. After 1966, Falmouth was the only Cornish branch terminus apart from Newquay which retained run-around facilities. It retained through trains right through the 1970s.

Roy Many thanks Roy

From Bryn,

I can add a few more details taken from the book ‘Day of the Holiday Express’ which deals with summer Saturday operations on the WR in 1960 in general and, in terms of locos used, specifically on 9 July. All of the Cornish branches are covered, including through trains between Paddington & the three resorts I mentioned previously. Just to take the up Perranporth train as an example, part of the narrative states:

The main section of the stock for the Perranporth had started the day being hauled empty from Newquay along the branch. The load was made up of six coaches which formed the Newquay portion of Friday’s 9.30am from Paddington. Included was restaurant car no. W9574W, a 70ft long 12 wheeler which been used to vitual the post war Torbay Express until 1956. This turned the scales at 49 tons and made it one of the heaviest coaches to be found anywhere on BR. So the weight of these six coaches was well in excess of the 170 ton limit for a single 45xx 2-6-2T. Two engines were therefore needed and these were dispatched light from Truro at 5.45am to collect the stock from Newquay.

After loading at Perranporth, the train faced a steep curving climb at 1 in 45-60 for five miles away from the coast up to St Agnes where it made just one stop on the way to Truro. At Truro the six coach set was reunited with Friday’s Falmouth portion of the 9.30am from Paddington. Now with 12 corridors this load was just heavy enough to require two smaller locos on the main line if no Class 6 or 7 was available. That was the situation on 9 July 1960 when 7813 and 6805 were used as far as Laira Junction.

In order to leave sufficient accommodation for important stops at St Austell and Par, London passengers were not allowed to join at Truro. They had to await arrival of the 8.55am from Falmouth 12 min later. After Par, the Perranporth was deemed to be full of passengers for London and made no more public stops. Plymouth North Rd station would be negotiated at 15 mph, if lucky, for the loco change on the up main line two miles further east alongside the shed at Laira Junction. Here 8 minutes were allowed for the incoming engines to change places with D6311 (as afar as Newton Abbot) and 6016.

Further details of progress of the Perranporth up to Paddington on this date are described in the book, along with nearly all the others to/from the West Country that day and some others elsewhere in the region. I am not sure how many of the other trains shown in the public timetable as not stopping at Plymouth changed locos at Laira. In summer 1960, there were 4 down (the CRE which was well known as changing at Newton Abbot and 3 overnights) and 4 up, including the Perranporth.

The 12.05 ECS from Paddington that Martin referred to is mentioned in the ‘Operation Cornwall’ book which is based on summer 1957. The load details listed are:

Brake Second Corridor – Paddington to Truro (spare)
First Kitchen - Paddington to Truro, going forward at 21.52 to Penzance (for Sat 9.20 St Ives – Paddington)
First Kitchen - Paddington to Par going forward at 20.15 to Newquay (for Sat 10.00 Newquay – Paddington)
Second Open Corridor – Paddington to Par going forward at 20.15 to Newquay (for Sat 10.00 Newquay – Paddington)
Dining Car - Paddington to Par going forward at 20.15 to Newquay (for Sat 12.30 Newquay – Paddington)
Dining Car - Paddington to Plymouth (for Sat 8.20 Penzance – Paddington, attached at Plymouth)
Brake Second Corridor to Paddington to Plymouth (spare)
Buffet Car – Plymouth to Par going forward at 20.15 to Newquay (removed from Friday 11.10 Swansea – Penzance for Sat 11.15 Newquay – Wolverhampton)
Composite Brake Corridor – Plymouth to Par going forward at 20.15 to Newquay (as Buffet Car above)

Regards,
Bryn Many thanks Bryn

Salisbury in 66
Geoff Matthews

Today we welcome Geoff Matthews to our website, as you will read below Geoff has considerable knowledge which is much appreciated, as are his photographs. As you will see he was there when a 'Blue Peter' headed railtour was running into difficulties.

Hi Keith

Please find attached 2 photos of 60532 Blue Peter leaving Salisbury that I took on 14th August 1966 on the ill-fated rail tour, when as you can see the middle cylinder drain cocks
are blowing through even then.

About the other photos on your Sundays web site of it stalled on Honiton bank, the first photo shows it stationary and the drain cocks blowing through which with regulator
shut means the regulator is also blowing through.It also shows the safety valve blowing off, so no shortage of steam then.

One of the main causes of drain cocks blowing through, I have found in my 37 years as a volunteer fitter on a preserved railway, is bits of valve or piston ring breaking
off and getting jammed in the drain cocks.

Also the 3rd photo is a view of a railcar on the Royal Albert Bridge that I took on 28th June 1965 from under the road bridge.

Hope the abve is of some use to you and as I'm sorting my photos out will send you any relevant to the South west area in future.

Cheers Geoff Matthews Welcome and many thanks

It's the 14th August 1966 as a gleaming 60532 Blue Peter sets out for the west. Copyright Geoffery Matthews'

A superb view of the ill fated 'Blue Peter' headed railtour as it departed Salisbury on the 14th August 1966. Also well illustrated in this view is the 64 lever Salisbury ' West signalbox. Copyright Geoffery Matthews.

Over a year earlier than the above pictures and 120 miles away as the crow flies a heritge DMU crosses Saltash bridge nto Devon on the 28th June 1965 (An unual angle from under the road bridge) Copyright Geoff Matthews

85A Worcester Reunion
At the Servicemans Club Worcester
(Next to the Swan Theatre, by Pitchcroft Racecourse.)
SATURDAY OCTOBER 29th 2015 FROM 12 NOON UNTIL 5pm
** FREE ADMISSION **
(club’s bar will be open)
The Worcester Locomotive society is proud to present our eighth annual reunion for railway workers of any employment, past or present WLS members. Railway enthusiasts and interested observers will be very welcome to come along and appreciate seeing local to Worcestershire steam & diesel images from the BR days, many of the images to be shown during the afternoon are from private collections and as such have never been shown to the public before.

For more information contact Chris Wilkinson phone 01905 425892

Taunton
John Cornelius

A fantastic view of the signal gantry at Taunton taken by John Cornelius

Topsham
Mike Morant

S_BR_inspection_saloon_Topsham_AR102 BR Mk 1 inspection Saloon, probably DB999508 QXV, at Topsham in 1975.
[Mike Morant collection

Items added on the 16th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

16/8/2016

Reformed Sets at Camborne
Tuesday 16th August
Roger Winnen

160816a The 10.47 Penzance to London Paddington at Camborne running 30 mins late is composed of GWR Green Rolling stock and Blue Power Cars. Copyright Roger Winnen

160816b We have a reformed 3 car 150 in Green livery 150933 heading the 11.41 Penzance to Plymouth being tailed at the rear with a FGW 153318. Copyright Roger Winnen

160816c Departure from Camborne. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many Thanks to Andrew Triggs and David Tozer for information

A quick trip to Devon
Steve Widdowson

Hi Keith,
I had a quick trip to Devon on Saturday. Attached are a few pics which you might like to see.
Steve Widdowson Many thanks Steve

I caught the 1V28 0745 York / Penzance HST from Cheltenham, and travelled as far as Totnes, where I picked up 57604 on 2E75 1335 Plymouth / Exeter. Then 220001 ( Plymouth - Edinburgh ) from Exeter to Cheltenham.

08516 at Bristol Barton Hill 13th August 2016 Copyright Steve Widdowson

43303 at Totnes with {York - PZ} taken at 13.23 13th August 2016 Copyright Steve Widdowson

43069 Totnes { 1A86 1130 Newquay - Paddington 'Atlantic Coast Express' } taken 13.42 on 13th August 2016 Copyright Steve Widdowson

57604 arrives at Totnes with the 1335 Plymouth - Exeter. Taken at 14.03 on 13th August 2016 Copyright Steve Widdowson

150127 calls at Totnes with an Exeter SD - Plymouth service 13th August 2016 Copyright Steve Widdowson

Moving back up to Exeter St Davids we see 43005. Taken at 15.07 on the 13th August 2016 Copyright Steve Widdowson

57604 & 143618 at Exeter St Davids 13th August 2016 Copyright Steve Widdowson

Penultimate train from
Chard Junction
John Cornelius

A real Gem from John Cornelius - a sad occasion. Note the enthusiasts talking to the train queue - one wonders did they take any pictures and if so where are they? Copyright John Cornelius

This is the winter 1961/62 timetable.

This is the winter 62/63 timetable!!!! Oh dear.

Exeter Jct Shed
Mike Morant

S_BR_35006_DKJ Bulleid original Merchant Navy pacific no. 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co. in early BR livery at Exmouth Junction mpd. BR branding was applied to 35006 in August 1948.
[Mike Morant collection

And by comparison :-

Here is 35006 at the end of its days seen here in June 1965 on the scrap lines at Woodhams. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Items added on the 15th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

15/8/2016

Floral Displays
And Engineering Work
By Roger Winnen

160815a The friends of Penmere have created this nice display at Penmere Platform. Copyright Roger Winnen

160815b Looking down from Hayle Viaduct this garden feature is being created on the former site of the first Hayle Railway Station 18.37-1852. Copyright Roger Winnen

160815c Leaving Truro on The Royal Duchy at 16.40 this is the site of the bridge reconstruction at Greenbottom, Seveock Crossing near Truro. Copyright Roger Winnen

160815d Crossing under the former road deck. This work is ongoing for seventeen weeks. Copyright Roger Winnen

160815e The line against the former loading bank is lifted at Ponsandane, however it is believed that a new line will be laid in connection with the expansion of Long Rock Depot at this point. In the background are ten portocabins for the contruction workforce. Copyright Roger Winnen

'Victor' leaving Minehead.
By Alan Peters.

An evening shot of 2996 'Victor' leaving Minehead on the West Somerset Railway in the Spring of 1986, this locomotive was built for the Austin Motor Company, later to become British Leyland and was purchased by the WSR in 1973 before moving on to the Strathspey Railway for a time then on to the Great Central Railway (Nottingham section) at Ruddington. In 2009, “Victor” was privately purchased for use on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway

'Victor' leaving Minehead. Photo by Alan Peters.

One more photo of Fire at St-Erth.
By Scott Peters.

St Erth Signal Box illuminated by the fire. Photo By Scott Peters.

More Duchess Picks.
By Alan Peters.

46233 'Duchess Of Sutherland' rounds the curve towards St Blazey Signal Box with support coach after working 'The Royal Duchy' to Par on Sunday 7th August 2016, This was the first visit of a LMS Coronation class to Cornwall where the locomotive was turned at St Blazey, but only just. Photo By Alan Peters.

The 'Duchess' on the table on the turntable at St Blazey, a tight squeeze as the fence had to be removed to turn the locomotive. Photo by Alan Peters.

Simmering in the sun at St Blazey, 46233 takes on water before working 'The Royal Duchy' from Par. Photo by Alan Peters.

Many Thanks to Father and Son,
Alan and Scott Peters.

A Query
from Bryn Pitcher

Can anyone tell me when through coaches on summer Saturday trains between Paddington & the following branch stations ended:
Perranporth
St Ives
Falmouth.

In addition, does anyone have details of a ‘City of Plymouth Holiday Express’ that ran in the 1961 school summer holidays? It was a Mon – Fri arrangement and ran on two consecutive weeks. I went on the second week and was 13 years old at the time. On the Tuesday we went to Newquay & on Thursday to Penzance (although I took the option to take the service train to St Ives). Other destinations were Ilfracombe (Mon); Teignmouth / Dawlish (Wed); Bournemouth West (Fri). I believe the previous week’s itinerary included Bude. I would be interested if anyone has details of locos used & load.

Many thanks in anticipation,
Bryn Pitcher
West Glos

Further correspondence which arrived from Bryn last night.
I was on holiday with my wife in Newquay last month and we stopped at Perranporth for lunch one day. Afterwards I managed to find the old track near where Beach Halt used to be and, when we returned home, I was prompted to look up details of ‘what used to be’ in:
Richard Woodley’s book ‘Day of the Holiday Express’ which describes WR trains & loco used on a summer Saturday in 1960, including those going to/from the 3 resorts that I mentioned;
Xpress Publications book ‘Operation Cornwall’ which describes trains, formations, carriage workings, etc;
various books about Devon & Cornwall main & branch lines which give closing dates but nothing about cessation of through trains.
This left me wondering when these trains ended. Does anybody know?

Martin Duff kindly provided this info:-

Hello Keith,

Concerning the last through trains to various Cornish locations – I believe it all ended for Perranporth at the end of summer 1960 – there was an 08.25 to Paddington due 15.55 and 08.25 from Paddington which arrived 16.25. The stock arrived and departed locally – at one time there was a 12.05 FO Paddington to Newquay ECS, so it’s possible that the stock arrived this way and went to Perranporth early on a Saturday morning.

Falmouth is a bit different, and rather than speculate about the situation after the 1960’s, all I know is there was a through service (well documented on these pages) which ended in 1979 – which I believe was provided for only a few years following a break of several years – can anybody confirm? Timely as the current issue of Rail Express carries an excellent article about the Westerns to Falmouth on Summer Saturdays.

St Ives signal box closed during 1963, so it’s likely the through services were withdrawn at the end of that summer when all run round facilities were taken away.

Regards, Martin Many thanks Martin

50 years ago Axminster
Mike Morant

S_BR_35006_Axminster_8-54 Bulleid original Merchant Navy pacific no. 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co storms past Axminster with a West of England express in August 1956. 35006 would be Jarvised sic in 1959 but would last only until 1964 being withdrawn from service at Salisbury mpd in the August of that year. Yet another profligate waste of the taxpayers' money it seems.
[Mike Morant collection

50 Years ago Yesterday
John Cornelius

Morning Keith, well the weathers a bit better here this morning.
Seeing Mike Roach's pics of 60532 stalled on Honiton bank 50 years ago, here's the pic I took of the same train a little earlier climbing Crewkerne bank. I think it must have had a faulty cylinder drain cock from the amount of steam being emitted from that area,which no doubt would have had an effect on the boiler pressure. I saw 60532 later on in the early evening at Langport running some two hours late, but I didn't get a photo of it.
Cheers JOHN C. Many thanks John

Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on the 14th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

14/8/2016

50 years ago today
on Honiton bank
Mike Roach

Hi Keith
Fifty years ago on Sunday 14 August 1966 the LCGB A2 COMMEMORATIVE RAIL TOUR ran from Waterloo to Exeter. The train was hauled by 60532 Blue Peter, which was then still owned by British Railways. The loco must have been in difficulties because it gradually fell further and further behind the scheduled times, finally stopping on Honiton Bank short of steam. It was there for nearly half an hour building up steam pressure until it managed to restart its 9 coaches. I was lucky to be in the right place to photograph it.
Regards, Mike. Many thanks to Mike for sharing his pictures with us.

The A2 Commemorative Railtour at a standstill on Honiton bank. 14th August 1966. One wonders what the conversation was between the guard and the engine crew? "Shall I go back and put down detonators"? Copyright Mike Roach

A2 Commemorative Railtour, stalled on Honiton bank. 14th August 1966

60532 restarts its train on the 1 in 80 gradient. Again one wonders what the conversations were within the train? But look to the right, not only is the fellow taking the picture trespassing but he is also in a very dangerous position back to the oncoming traffic on the up line. Copyright Mike Roach

Many thanks indeed to Mike Mike Roach for remembering and capturing this moment in time and also for sharing it with us.

Portishead branch Progress report.

Project Overview
The project to re‐open the Portishead line to passenger rail services is now part of the MetroWest programme to improve local rail services across the West of England. This programme will use both existing and disused rail lines that feed into and across Bristol, operating half-hourly services subject to a proven business case being made and infrastructure constraints. Phase 1 of the programme includes re‐opening the Portishead rail line to passenger services and increasing the frequency of services on the Severn Beach and Bath lines. The project is being led by North Somerset Council on behalf of the four West of England councils (Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol City, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset). A further MetroWest Phase 2 project is also being progressed by the councils.
Ashton Vale Road and Pill Station Consultations
In February/March 2016 we undertook two micro-consultations. One concerned Pill Station, the other Ashton Vale Industrial Estate alternative access. The consultations ran for 28 days and drop in exhibitions were held locally. The Pill station consultation included 4 options for the station forecourt. The Ashton Vale Industrial Estate alternative access consultation included 6 options. A total of 21 responses were received for the Pill consultation, and 45 for Ashton Vale. The majority responded online using the dedicated link, with the rest emailing or writing. Further information is set out in the Consultation Report which is available at
www.n-somerset.gov.uk/prs
The two micro-consultations were successful in highlighting issues and gauging levels of support for the options. The consultation has raised some important issues that will help inform the development of the Outline Engineering Design. When the Outline Engineering Design has been completed, a further consultation exercise will be launched in spring 2017 to give members of the public, statutory bodies, affected parties and wider stakeholders an opportunity to comment on the Portishead Branch Line DCO Scheme proposals, before a Development Consent Order application is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
We wish them well and look forward to the re-opening.

5552 at Bodmin General
David Antony & Roger Winnen

Dave Antony kindly sent in these pictures of 5552 in a very sad state just having arrived from Barry in June 1986. Since then she has been superbly restored, full credit, to the Bodmin and Wenford. Entering traffic in 2003 she was withdrawn at the end of its boiler certificate at the end of 2012. Having been stripped to the bare bones it is now being re-assembled for service again in the not too distant future. On receipt of David Antony's pictures Roger made a trip to Bodmin especially to see what progress had been made, Many thanks to David and Roger.

5552 as it arrived at Bodmin General in June 1986. Copyright David Antony

Red with rust and minus buffers and many other things 5552 stands at Bodmin General in June 1986. Copyright David Antony.

160813a 47306 The Sapper and the boiler of 5552 protrude from the Bodmin & Wenford Workshops. Copyright Roger Winnen

160813b 5552 Boiler outside of the shed at Bodin General. Copyright Roger Winnen

160813c The frames etc of 5552 in the workshop at Bodmin. Copyright Roger Winnen

160813d The bunker etc of 5552. Copyright Roger Winnen Note the 'Bodmin Road' station name boards carefully preserved on the workshop walls.

Oathe 'Galetta'
John Cornelius

Hi Keith, Some pics I took this morning of 45699 near Langport heading a railtour to the West Somerset Rly, and one of 47530 bringing up the rear. We had dull weather and light rain at Oathe so the pics are a little bit on the dark side. The engine was going well and only a few minutes late past me.
cheers JOHN C

Looking great despite the weather. Copyright John Cornelius.

Copyright John Cornelius

Patriotic 47530 provides assistance if needed. Copyright John Cornelius

Exeter Central
Mike Morant

_ S_BR_34045_Exeter_Central Bulleid original light pacific no. 34045 Ottery St. Mary at Exeter Central. 34045 is in malachite livery without the BR branding on its tender but acquired its BR number in August 1948 which is probably when this shot was taken. Modification to the Jarvis standard was applied in 1958 but to little avail as it was one of the earlier withdrawals of this class in June 1964 whilst allocated to Bournemouth mpd.
[Mike Morant collection

Items added on the 13th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

13/8/2016

Light work
Craig Munday

Hi Keith
A delightful working to report:
After an odd week with the clay working due to a full store at Carne Point, the Friday 6P25 was a seriously under wagon affair! The boys in Fowey mentioned that only two cripples would be worked back to St Blazey on Friday afternoon / evening. So with some patchy sun it was too good to miss.
Getting away from the slipway crossing restriction Driver Steve Wheatley applies some power along the causeway. Thanks to the home owners for the driveway shot.
The second shot was taken later after running around the 2 wagons at Lostwithiel, passing by Treesmill near Par.
Also included are a couple from Par box taken on a bright Summer evening.
Kind regards, Craig Many thanks Craig

6p24 with 66023. The unusually short train hardly fills the embankment!! 12th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

Treesmill 6p24 66023 12th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

6p24 66023 12th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

Par signalbox frame illuminated by the evening sun. 12th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

Par signalbox frame illuminated by the evening sun. 12th August 2016

John Cornelius
At 'The Dell'.

A Heritage set at 'The Dell', Copyright John Cornelius. Despite only being opened in 1970, the station has already been known by three different names: Falmouth, The Dell, and Falmouth Town. The station was opened as Falmouth by British Rail on 7th December 1970 when the branch line was cut back by 924 yd to terminate here. The platform was constructed using components from Perranporth Beach Halt which had closed in 1963. It was renamed The Dell on 5th May 1975 when the original Falmouth station was reopened, subsequently being renamed again, this time to Falmouth Town on 15th May 1989. From the lack of passengers on the platform it is likely that the train is heading away towards Falmouth Docks.

Exeter St Davids
Mike Morant

_ S_BR_34038_slide114 Bulleid original West Country pacific No. 34038 Lynton at Exeter St. David's in July 1964. 34038 entered service in July 1948 with its SR number 21C138 whilst its BR number was applied shortly afterwards in February 1949. Withdrawal was from Nine Elms in June 1966. However, there's something just a tad odd about this image as 34038 was allocated to Eastleigh when this shot was taken which begs the question as to what it was doing at Exeter and to compound the enigma there's no shed plate on the smokebox door.
[Mike Morant collection]

Items added on the 12th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

12/8/2016

Penzance - 61
Steve Richards

Hi
I came across your web site by chance the other day and thought you might be interested in these two photos I took when I was a young lad on holiday in Cornwall.

I can only guess at the date at around 1961 as on the photo with the Warships locos, you can just see the rear wheel of my father's Wolseley 1500 parked at the kerb side which he owned at that time.

I'm also assuming the photo of Kneller Hall was taken on the same holiday.

Best regards, Steve Richards. Bristol.
Pictures such as these taken many years ago are much appreciated. Thank you.

A most interesting holiday shot taken in 1961. Copyright Steve Richards. These two Warships were in the early batch contructed numbering D800 to D812 which were built without the headcode boxes.

Hi Keith,

I saw Steve Richards’ excellent photo of two Warships over the wall at Penzance in 1961, and I can narrow down the identities – the short handrails in front of the windscreens were only fitted to D800-2 (they were later modified to the standard long handrails). Close examination of nameplate widths suggests that the far one is D800 Sir Brian Robertson, in which case the nearest one will be either D801 Vanguard or D802 Formidable.

Points to note in this relatively uncommon roof view are the Maybach engines’ in-line exhaust ports (NBL’s MAN-powered D833-65 had diagonally offset exhausts, as did the unique Paxman-powered D830) and the large central circular vent panel over the train heating boiler, with trademark blistered paint around the edge – this feature was restricted to D800-12 and Swindon’s final five D866-70, all others having an extra louvre cut into the cantrail above the nameplate on one side only instead.

Best regards, Neil Phillips Many thanks Neil

5934 Kneller Hall having just arrived, stands at platform 2. 1961. Copyright Steve Richards. The train standing behind Kneller Hall would be the 4.50p.m. Penzance to Manchester London Road arr 6.18a.m.

Waterrow Viaduct
John Cornelius

A very interesting view taken of the 162 yard and 101 feet high viaduct during the early stages of demolition showing the longitudinal sleepers used to support the rails. Copyright John Cornelius. N.B. This viaduct was located in between Wivelscombe and Venn Cross.

Exeter St Davids
Mike Morant

S_BR_34034_slide181 Okay, so this is a poor shot but it's the only one I have of double-headed Bulleid pacifics at the time of going to press so to speak. I took this very under-exposed colour slide of Bulleid light pacific No. 34034 Honiton and its unidentified pilot engine at Exeter St. David's in August 1958.
[Slide taken by Mke Morant

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