Blog Archives

Items added on 20th September 2017 Those added most recently come first

20/9/2017

Colas 66849 Wylam Dilly stays for 4 minutes at the Terminus on a training run from Tavistock Jct
Roger Salter Andrew Triggs & Roger Winnen

Wylam Dilly is the second oldest surviving Railway Locomotive in the World. However its not this one! The original Wylam Dilly was built in 1815 by William Hedley and Timothy Hackworth for Wylam Colliery near Newcastle.

170920g Wylam Dilly at Penzance behind the flower arrangements and the brushes for cleaning the windscreen windows - Copyright Roger Winnen

170920b 14.00 Penzance to Tavistock Junction 66849 Wylam Dilly Built 31st May 2004 as 66576. Copyright Roger Salter

170920d A rain soaked Platform 1 with 66849 now arrived from over the border. Copyright Andrew Triggs

A red'un by the river
Carne Point
Craig Munday

The river mists cleared just in time for this shot overlooking Carne Point 66206 with the 6g06 on the 19th September 2017 Copyright Craig Munday

Chard Junction
John Cornelius

Items added on 19th September 2017 Those added most recently come first

19/9/2017

Angarrack Station
Yesterday & Today
Roger Winnen

On a visit to St Ives yesterday I noticed a number of Cornish Books for sale, one was Ventonleague entitled Some History and the life of a Cornish Village by Philip A. Rutter
Inside the book was a photograph of Loggan's Fish Bar, previously Miss Janie Rutter's village shop, is said to have originally been built as Angarrack Station booking office. The old Hayle Railway trackbed is still visible to the left of the picture. We acknowledge with thanks to Mr Philip A. Rutter for allowing us to use this photograph on our website.

170919 Miss Janie Rutter's village shop, is said to have originally been built as Angarrack Station booking office. Philip A Rutter Collection.

170919a The site today, Loggans Fish Bar closed about two years ago, since then a conversion of the building has taken place converting the premises into a dwelling, The original booking office window was still in situ at that time. Photographs by kind permission of the owners. Roger Winnen

170919b The former trackbed of the Hayle Railway today running alongside. Copyright Roger Winnen

170919c This sign is fixed to the wall of Angarrack Station 1843 to 1852. Copyright Roger Winnen

This location on Google Maps is Lat 50.194565 and Long -5.401316

Hydraulics
Kidderminster and Penzance
Matthew Bradley

The Diesel Traction Group's 'Hymek' D7029 taken on 15th July 2017 during the Severn Valley Railway's 'Behind The Scenes' weekend pictured undergoing an extensive overhaul in the Severn Valley Railway's new Kidderminster diesel depot. Copyright Matthew Bradley. N.B. Hymeks were extremely rare in Cornwall - so if anybody has a picture of one in Kernow we'd be very grateful.

A chance peering over the station wall at Penzance one afternoon while on holiday in Cornwall I noticed a Class 52 'Western' diesel hydraulic resplendent in maroon livery. I had to take a reality check as this wasn't the late 1960's when several 'Westerns' carried the attractive BR maroon livery with full yellow ends, but 17th September 2016. The Diesel Traction Group's D1015 'Western Champion' is about to depart with the'Cornishman' railtour. Copyright Matthew Bradley

Many thanks Matthew

A sight to savour
Par excellence
Craig Munday

66206 on the 6G08 on 18th September 2017 Copyright Craig Munday

Largin Viaduct
Roy Hart

The nightly St Blazey to Tavistock Junction freight, headed by a St Blazey 42XX 2-8-0T eases across Largin viaduct in the twilight. This was a regular working for many years: the 42XX were notorious for their poor water capacity and this engine will have filled up at Bodmin Road, having only come from St Blazey! Copyright Roy Hart

Another one from the archives - many thanks Roy.

Nunney at Yeovil Jct
John Cornelius

Nunney returns - taken from the formation of the never used chord line between the Weymouth line and Yeovil Junction. Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 18th September 2017 Those added most recently come first

18/9/2017

The Torbay & Dart Express
Burton on Trent to Kingswear for Dartmouth
Martin Duff

170916zn 50049 Defience and 50007 Hercules stabled at Kingswear awaits departure with the Torbay & Dart Express to Burton on Trent. Copyright Martin Duff

170916zo The rolling stock of this train sits in the platform at Kingswear. Copyright Martin Duff

170916zp The 2 Class 50s 50049 &50007 at Kingswear. Copyright Martin Duff

Many Thanks Martin

This month so far.
Craig Munday

Little of great interest to report lately. The Month of September has so far been a washout with little bright light around.

I did pop down to Par Harbour the other afternoon as the JIA wagons arrived a day late from the Midlands. This resulted in the BZ boys quickly amending their schedules to load the Par Harbour portion on Thursday afternoon, and Treviscoe / Parkandillack portion Friday morning. The train went back East Thursday) Par Harbour) and Saturday morning. The Saturday morning trip is pictured at Lostwithiel.

I have been eager for an afternoon trip down at the harbour as the light far better than the morning. Little sunlight made it through, but I did get a nicely lit shot through thin cloud. The loco is 66023.

Also included in this batch is the Carne Point traversers in operation tipping the recently arrived loaded CDA wagons. As can be seen, the outer lines 1 traverses across to line 4, and line 2 moves sideways to line 3. Therefore the empty lines outbound are line 3,4. Loaded incoming roads 1,2. It is a fascinating, time consuming process.
All the best, Craig. Many thanks indeed Craig

Fowey Carne Point 1 7th September 2017 Copyright Craig Munday

Fowey Carne Point 2 7th September 2017 Copyright Craig Munday

Fowey Carne Point 3 7th September 2017 Copyright Craig Munday

Par harbour 1 9th September 2017 Copyright Craig Munday

Par harbour 2 The loco is 66023 9th September 2017 Copyright Craig Munday

Weymouth bound
John Cornelius

Power is on as Nunney heads for the seaside. Copyright John Cornelius. We will see 'Nunney' returning from Weymouth a week later for tomorrows picture..

Yeovil Junction area. John took the above photograph from alongside the Weymouth line close by the formation of the never used curve which would have taken trains off the Weymouth line direct into Yeovil Junction station. Map reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland.

Items added on 17th September 2017 Those added most recently come first

17/9/2017

Last days of the HST
Hugh Waters

A very nice picture with an attractive background, however folks, don't get too down - these will be around albeit in a shortened formation for a few years yet - so not too many pictures please.

Powderham - Last days of the 125s 14.24 17th September 2017 Copyright Hugh Waters

Yeovil Railway Centre
Diesel Day 17th September 2017
John Cornelius

Despite a good day, not a good turn out, it must have clashed with some other attraction. Better luck next time. Unfortunately Fowler 0-4-0 'SAM' was failed with a faulty water pump leaving the other two diesels to work the trains.

Yeovil Railway Centre 17th September 2017 Copyright John Cornelius

The Bodmin & Wenford Railway Diesel Gala 16th September 2017
The First Visit of a Class 57
Photographs Andrew Triggs
Craig Munday Roger Salter
& Roger Winnen

170916e 57604 Pendennis Castle arrives at Bodmin Parkway after hauling the Night Riviera to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

170916zg Coupling up with reflections at Bodmin General 57604 Pendennis Castle and 50042 Triumph. Copyright Craig Munday

170916b 57604 and 33110 Approching Bodmin General on the 11.47 service from Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170916zj 50042 Triumph runs around its train at Boscarne Junction. Copyright Roger Salter

More photographs on the Bodmin & Wenford Diesel Gala appears on the Features September to Dec 2017

Dunster
John Cornelius

Items added on 16th September 2017 Those added most recently come first

16/9/2017

Important Notice
The Cornwall Railway Society trip on Sunday 17th September 2017 to the Plym Valley Railway has been cancelled

Owing to a curtailed service with just a brake van ride to Lee Moor Crossing we will re programme this event into next years timetable hopefully to coincide with the Plymouth Bus Rally and Transport event in August 2018
Please except our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Roger Winnen

50 - 50 Good old days
David Tozer

50007 Hercules & 50049 Defiance with the 06.13 1Z50 Burton on Trent to Kingswear 16th September 2017 Copyright David Tozer

Flashback to '75
Roger Winnen

A Class 25 brings a train into Penzance. 15th June 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen 41 years ago, big trains then, this looks quite a load for a class 25 to have brought over the Cornwall banks!

Chard Junction
John Cornelius

Another interesting picture from John Cornelius. It almost looks as if the silos of the milk processing plant behind are part of this machine! Copyright.

Items added on 15th September 2017 Those added most recently come first

15/9/2017

Yeovil Junction
John Cornelius

The train is crossing bridge 159 over the Weymouth line. Note the four spotters sat on the embankment beyond the bridge. Double bridges was a favourite location for Yeovil trainspotters in the 1950's and early 1960's,as you could see all the Southern and Western trains,plus anything going too and from the junction and town stations. Grand days indeed. cheers JOHN C. Many thanks John. Copyright

Items added on 14th September 2017 Those added most recently come first

14/9/2017

Hot News
Blaze Away at Exeter
David Tozer & Roger Winnen

It is reported on Devon Live that an HST Power Car was on fire at Exeter this morning stabled in the sidings alongside of Exeter Brewery adjacent to stabling point of the South Western Train service to London Waterloo. See the Devon Live website for more information.

170914a 57604 Pendennis Castle departed Long Rock at 10.10 and heads for Exeter New Yard, it is seen passing Exeter St Thomas Station for the HST drag to Laira. Copyright David Tozer

170914b 57604 to the rescue of the fire damaged HST seen heading through Exeter St Thomas bound for Laira. Copyright David Tozer

170914a 57604 Pendennis Castle drags the Fire Damaged Power Car and set through Totnes Station bound for Laira. Copyright Roger Winnen

170914b Damage to the roof of 43164 after the fire at Exeter earlier in the day. Copyright Roger Winnen

170914e 57604 arrives at Plymouth Station following its delivery of the HST to Laira Depot. However 57604 was held in Plymouth Station for over 30 minutes as the 15.57 Sprinter to Penzance seen standing at Platform 5 failed after leaving the station. It later returned to the station after a delay of 30mins at Cornwall Junction and later departed over 69 minutes late. Copyright Roger Winnen

Exeter St Thomas and Totnes
David Tozer & Roger Winnen

170914g 143612 looks immaculate at Exeter St Thomas Station. Copyright David Tozer

170914h 143603 in the rain at Exeter St Thomas. Copyright David Tozer

170914d The returning Moorswater Aberthawe Cement at Totnes behind 70816. Copyright Roger Winnen

Hemyock branch
Andrew Triggs

Site of Coldharbour Halt, looking towards Tiverton Junction, the Mill is behind the Trees and is now a Museum, the station site 9th September 2017 Copyright Andrew Triggs

The trackbed is well defined with former railway fencing well maintained on both sides of the trackbed, looking towards Ulffculme 9th September 2017 Copyright Andrew Triggs

To see all of the pictures taken on Andrews walk take a look at our Hemyock branch collection - click here.

Exmouth Miniature Railway Closes
Colin Burges

Colin Burges writes - The miniature railway on the seafront, it's said the oldest in the country, having been there since 1949, was closed at the end of August and is to be torn up by East Devon District Council to make way for a water sports centre.

Exmouth Fun Park, in which the railway lies, was a much loved attraction and helped give a traditional feel to the resort. I remember riding on the train when it was steam powered and partly blame the little railway for giving me the itch! Many thanks Colin.

Exmouth Miniature Railway- This closed at the end of August 2017 Copyright Colin Burgess N.B. The E&TVR scout adds to his traction knowledge on the "Exmouth Express" at the now defunct miniature railway.

Yetminster
John Cornelius

Items added on 13th September 2017 Those added most recently come first

13/9/2017

Are you free next Sunday? Here's somewhere to go.
Yeovil Railway Centre
Sunday Sept 17th
A diesel day at Yeovil junction when we hope to have our three little diesel shunters in operation,on passenger and good trains.This will be the first time we have done this with our diesels. It should be an interesting day.

Westerns in Exile
Matthews Bradley

Hi Keith,

Please find enclosed some photographs taken of the Class 52 Western Diesels based on the Severn Valley Railway in the hope that you may publish on your excellent website.

Appreciate the SVR is strictly out of your region, which is bounded by the Freedom of the South West Rover ticket. However, obviously the 'Westerns' were regular performers on the Western Region for many years while in BR service and it's also the 40th anniversary year since their untimely demise so thought these may be of interest to your members and followers of the website.

Fortunately I don't live very far from the SVR so can enjoy this preserved trio on a regular basis.

As you say Matthew, out of our region, but not forgotten I must add. Once seen on a daily basis in Cornwall. D1013 hauled the last BR passenger service to Penzance and ventured into Cornwall with a freight one last time before their final fling and withdrawal. Long live the Westerns!!
Many thanks.

'Western Ranger' undergoing a lengthy overhaul at Bridgnorth basking in the Autumn sunshine. 1st October 2015. Copyright Matthew Bradley

Second up is the Diesel Traction Group's D1015 'Western Champion' waiting to leave Bridgnorth 27th August 2017. Currently off the mainline owing to an engine failure, but still fulfilling its SVR commitments working on the remaining engine. The failed engine is under repair and hopefully this fine machine will be back on the mainline in the foreseeable future. Copyright Matthew Bradley

Finally the Western Locomotive Association's D1062 'Western Courier' is seen resting on the buffers at Kidderminster after working a service train from Bridgnorth 20th July 2017. Doesn't she look good freshly repainted in BR Blue for the first time in preservation. The last time the Loco was repainted in this livery was 44 years ago at Laira in 1973. Copyright Matthew Bradley

Templecombe
John Cornelius

Templecombe from the footbridge long before the down platform was extended to be alongside the running line and the former up platform put out of use. Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 12th September 2017 Those added most recently come first

12/9/2017

Redruth & Redruth Junction
Resignalling in 1894

Hidden in my files for sometime has been this GWR Notice No. 15. It is very old and quite tatty but improves using the editor. I do not recall who gave this to me but it is quite some time ago, however, many thanks to Roy Hart we have a brilliant article full of information to go with it.

Redruth station with the signalbox on the downside by the tunnel mouth. Copyright the Paddy Bradley Collection

This is (was) an official GWR photograph, published in the Great Western Railway magazine in 1936, to commemorate the closure of the Tresavean and Portreath branches. I suppose copyright is not an issue after 80 years, presumably Pat English, an avid GWR fan had permission to use the picture. The photo was taken immediately after the closure of the Tresavean line (note that the Tresavean branch starting signal is armless). Comment by Roy Hart

The above document is a rare survival from 1894.
Immediately after the conversion of the gauge, in 1892, the GWR planned to double the line from Camborne to Redruth. This work, naturally, involved resignalling. The existing signals at the time were semaphore, but showed red for danger and white for all clear. Note the emphasis on the document that all the new signals would carry 'red and green lights' -obvious to us today, but not then.
New boxes were planned at Redruth station (by the tunnel because of the need to handle train staffs for the single line to Scorrier) Redruth Junction,Carn Brea Yard East and West (later cancelled and reduced to one box), Carn Brea Station, North Crofty, Dolcoath, Roskear Junction and Camborne. The work was finished in 1896.
It will also be noticed that each of the two boxes had 'outer home' signals. These were a Victorian 'fad' on the GW: they had fishtail arms and worked in tandem with the home signal 1-200 yards ahead, thus giving enginemen some extra warning on curves etc. They had all gone by about 1910. These are not to be confused with the term 'outer home' used by foreigners like the LMS to mean an extra home signal 440 yards on the approach to the home signal, enabling the signalman to accept a train while his area was still occupied by shunting, for example. It should be borne in mind that distant signals in those days carried red arms and lights: drivers simply had to know at night, for instance, what type of signal they were approaching. All distant signals in Britain became yellow arm + light in 1927-9.
From this notice it can be learned that the old broad-gauge signalling at Redruth was pretty basic: Redruth Junction, for example, operated only two signals on the main line. The old box at Junction was on the down side, in the 'v' of the junction for Tresavean.
There is reference to 'independent discs' -these are what we know today: a ground signal operated by a lever in the box. This was a new innovation in the 1890s - previously, ground signals were simply rotating lamp cases bearing red and green targets at 90 degrees to each other and operated by a rod connected to the point blades. Their weakness is obvious: a green target was possible even if the points were not quite over.
This new Redruth station box in 1894 lasted only until 1914. Redruth Junction closed in 1966.
This document is a window into 1890s train operation and is a wonderful survivor.

Roy
Many thanks indeed to you Roy for your detailed description and insight into 1874 operations.

Exploring the remains of the
North Cornwall Line in July 1995
Andrew Triggs
Part 4

950705s Tresmeer Station from the roadbridge at the Egloskerry end of the station. Copyright Andrew Triggs

950705v The station building at Tresmeer looking in the Egloskerry direction. Copyright Andrew Triggs

950705w Tresmeer Goods Shed front elevation. Copyright Andrew Triggs

950705x The former up platform at Tresmeer with the concrete nameboard viewed from behind the former down platform railings. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Broom Crossing
John Cornelius

Almost 20 years ago at Broom Crossing - this is about midway between Axminster and Chard Junction. Copyright

Items added on 11th September 2017 Those added most recently come first

11/9/2017

'Lion in Winter' at
Exeter St David's on
7th Nov 1981
Michael Forward

811107a 50027 Lion in a shabby condition takes over from 31286 on a parcel service heading west. Copyright Michael Forward

811107b 50017 Royal Oak about to haul the ecs to form a service to London Waterloo. Copyright Michael Forward

Second Attempt
Karl Hewlett

Dear Keith. This coming Saturday, 16th September, sees the second attempt of running the class 50 railtour to Kingswear cancelled from August. The tour is using loco's from the 'Class 50 Alliance', so presume 50007 and 49 coming on at Worcester as per last time. The times are:

Burton Upon Trent to Kingswear:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55402/2017/09/16/advanced
Kingswear to Burton Upon Trent:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55404/2017/09/16/advanced
Kind Regards. Karl (Friends Of Penmere). Many Thanks Karl

Feniton
John Cornelius

<<Previous

Forward>>

Latest News & Features

Archives