 140924 66152 Rounds the curve on the approach to Foxhole with the 6P24 15.25 Parkandillack-Fowey. Copyright Ron Westwater  140925 66152 Enters Lostwithiel with the 6G06 07.40 Goonbarrow-Fowey. Copyright Ron Westwater  140925 After departing Lostwithiel the train passes Coulson Park on route to Carne Point and Fowey. Copyright Ron Westwater Hi Keith The track testing train left Truro today at 05.45am and then returned to Plymouth via St Erth, St Ives and Penzance. Photo attached 07.34am 25th September 2014 Mick Many thanks Mick. See the earlier entry concerning the arrival of the unit at Truro. 
Its 07.34 on the 25th September 2014 as the track testing train returns towards Plymouth passing Hallenbeagle Engine house having visited the St Ives branch and Penzance. A smashing early morning picture as the rising sun illuminates the engine house and the train. The land just visible to the the right ahead of the train is the recently levelled and cleared land at the site of Wheal Busy Crossing. Copyright Mick House
Visiting this museum a couple of weeks ago was a very interesting experience, riding behind former locomotives which worked in the local Cornish Tin Mines, engines of a type that saw service in France during the First World War, together with a replica of Smelter of the Redruth & Chasewater Railway and The Murdoch Flyer. The fantastic collection of Model Railways from TT Gauge upwards and the extensive layouts created an atmosphere for young and old alike. Large scale creations from Meccano Sets were on display throughout this museum, a fascination going back in time. The Museum is open throughout the year by appointment, or just turn up on one of the running days. Entry is free on operating days, with donations going towards the upkeep of the museum. For further details contact Mr Colin Saxton 01209 211191 The photographs on this website are by kind permission of Mr Colin Saxton.  140913a Arrival at Tumblydown Farm, Tolgus Mount, Redruth. Copyright Roger Winnen  140913b The Murdoch Flyer at Tumblydown Farm. William Murdoch was famous for the invention of Gas Lighting, Redruth was the first town to be lit by gas. Copyright Roger Winnen  140913c The replica of the Redruth & Chasewater Railway engine Smelter. This railway closed 99 years ago today, remains of the railway can be seen in various locations between Redruth and Devoran to this day. Copyright Roger Winnen  140913d Inside the loco and carriage shed, nearest is a loco from the South Crofty Mine situated a couple of miles away between Redruth & Camborne. Copyright Roger Winnen  140913e Mike House a member of The Cornwall Railway Society drives a design of engine which saw service in France during The First World War. Copyright Roger Winnen  140913f One of the large Hornby Dublo layouts running inside the museum. Copyright Roger Winnen  140913g Mike Hitchens also a member of The Cornwall Railway Society controlling the large "O" Gauge layout. Copyright Roger Winnen  140913h Derailment at the shed, is there room for the "Breakdown Train" and Mick House to re rail it! Copyright Roger Winnen  140913i We all had clockwork trains when we were young, flying off the rails on the sharp bends. Copyright Roger Winnen  140913j The running lines into the terminus as Mick House awaits another run around the fields of Tolgus Mount. Copyright Roger Winnen  140913k Another Industrial awaits its turn at the Heritage Day. Copyright Roger Winnen  140913l An ex South Crofty loco hauls the next service around the perimeter of the Tumblydown Farm Fields where a good crop of blackberry's were for the picking. Copyright Roger Winnen  140913m Mr Colin Saxton the owner of this museum takes a well earned rest during this heritage weekend. Many thanks must go to him and the volunteers for the hard work put into creating such a fascinating transport collection. Copyright Roger Winnen Mike wrote in to remind us that -'September 25th 2014 is the 99th. anniversary of the closure of the Redruth & Chasewater Railway. On that day in 1915 the locomotive Miner hauled the last train down to Devoran'. So ended the life of Cornwall's first true railway. Perhaps we'll do something to celebrate the 100 years. Mike a model railway enthusiast has delighted us at members evenings with stories based on dioramas featuring 'O' and 'OO' gauge railway stock. Unfortunately he hasn't any for the R & C but the mines in the background give a clue as to what was the lifeblood of the R & C . It was the steady demise of the mines which led to the closure of the railway. 
A scene from Mikes railway. Copyright Mike Hitchens.
Hi Keith Today at Truro Track Recording Unit 950001 arrived at 12.47 24th September 2014, I have attached two photos. Regards Mick Many thanks Mick  An unusual sight as the track recording train arrives in the down platform at Truro. The driver of the Falmouth unit chats with a member of platform staff. 24th September 2014. Copyright Mick House  The track recording train 'parked up' in Truro Yard - maybe it will have some work to do on the St Ives branch tonight. 24th September 2014 Copyright Mick house 
140921 A very fine photograph of 5029 Nunney Castle hauling The Torbay Express passing the red sandstone cliffs of Dawlish on route to Paignton & Kingswear. Copyright Roger Marsh
Below is a picture from the collection of the late Reg Loze, a former member of the Cornwall Railway Society and also a West Briton reporter which would explain his presence at this location in Truro station. Many thanks to Pat Loze for sending in this picture from the album of Reg Loze thought to have been taken by him. Photo Album.  Our Queen in May 1956. It looks as if she is about to board the Royal Train for her journey towards London. From the collection of the Late Reg Loze. Hi Keith Here are today's pictures, the Golant one may be very similar to Mr Winnen's as he was with us. The other shot is near Burngullow. 6P24 Parkandillack to Fowey os pictured on the Parkandillack branch and at Golant on the Fowey line headed by DBS liveried 66152. Regards Craig Apologies for the title but Craigs pictures arrived just after 'Shut down' for the night. They look just as good today. Many thanks.  A striking picture as 66152 near Burngullow on the 22nd September 2014 Copyright Craig Munday  A nice bit of reflection in the very still waters inside the embankment where the flotilla of craft is well afloat. 22nd September 2014 Copyright Craig Munday After passing through Hayle on Sunday it was noticed that tree felling had commenced around the viaduct. Catching an early morning bus to Hayle on Monday morning I was able to photograph the down Night Riviera crossing the viaduct and afterwards viewing the viaduct from The Plantation Bridge at the west end of this structure. Major work is due to commence during November in the redecking of this 36 pier viaduct, with scaffolding now being erected. Visiting the scene two weeks ago it was impossible to take a photo, however that has now changed. Stopping off on route at St Erth I noticed the chaos of no trains running to St Ives, lorries off loading ballast, 3 within 15 minutes and Stobart Rail Equipment in Platform 4 for the track renewals of the branch. Golant was visited in the late afternoon where 66152 was seen hauling the Parkindillack-Fowey Clay. 
140922a The Monday morning down Night Riviera crosses Hayle Viaduct at 08.38 on route to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen
140922b The 07.02 Plymouth -Penzance crosses the Hayle Viaduct. Scaffolding is being erected for the major work being undertaken in November when the line is closed between Penzance and Truro. Copyright Roger Winnen
140922c This is the Plantation Bridge where numerous trees have now been felled, From this bridge a clear view is seen across the 36 pier viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen
140922d The 08.44 Penzance to Paddington crosses the viaduct with the new ASDA store taking shape on the left. Hopefully the next gale may blow down the dangling twig. Copyright Roger Winnen
140922e In red livery 66152 heads the Parkindillack Fowey Clay through Golant at 17.19hrs. Copyright Roger Winnen
140922f Vegetation is taking over at this location as the trains heads for Golant Crossing and Fowey. Copyright Roger Winnen
Hi Keith Some difficulties with running trains in West Cornwall today. The St. Ives branch reopened hours late after overnight permanent way work. The problem was that the relayed track was not giving an acceptable ride quality. The contractors work was rejected until the faults were rectified. This took all morning. It is believed that the first train to carry passengers was the 12.18 St. Erth to St. Ives. For the second half of our day return from Camborne to St. Ives we travelled by Oates 24-seat coach. Coming back from St. Ives at 15.33 we learnt that there were now problems with the main line after a fatality. Some trains were cancelled between Truro and Penzance. The 16.00 from Penzance to Paddington started at Truro, but left 22L after the bus connection was late arriving. We walked up from St. Erth Station to the A30 and caught a no. 18 bus almost immediately, and arrived home only 5 minutes late. Regards Mike Many thanks Mike 
The patient passengers await their coach; the coach in the background had actually come to drop off passengers for a trip along the branch. Copyright Mike Roach
Bottles of water were handed out . Copyright Mike Roach
The Oates 24-seat coach arrives. Copyright Mike Roach
Mike takes a look around the plant on the siding. Copyright Mike Roach
A late afternoon view of St Erth's Artificial Quarry!! Copyright Mike Roach
It is believed that this machine digs out the old ballast between the sleepers. Copyright Mike Roach
|