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31st October 2023

31/10/2023

 
Todays News
Signalling work starts
Mick House

As the two week closure of the main line gets underway, this week and next week for the new signalling to be installed, I thought I would pop in to Truro to see what was happening and there was a lot of activity in the station area (Photos 1, 2, 3 & 4). Also in the yard was DR73936 Plasser & Theurer 08-4x44S-RT Switch & Crossing Tamper having arrived 23.42 from Liskeard on the 29th (photo 5) and in the cripple siding was  66 525 having dropped off a Railvac at Probus 00.18 this morning, coming from Westbury last night (photos 6 & 7).
Picture
1) 31st october 2023. Copyright Mick House
Picture
2) 31st october 2023. Copyright Mick House
Picture
3) 31st october 2023. Copyright Mick House
Picture
4) 31st october 2023. Copyright Mick House
Picture
5) DR73936 31st october 2023. Copyright Mick House 31st october 2023. Copyright Mick House
Picture
6) 66525 31st october 2023. Copyright Mick House
Many thanks Mick - on the ball for the start of work.


Renovation Work at Camborne Station yesterday
Roger Winnen
Picture
231030 The 10.15 Plymouth to Penzance at Camborne with Power Car 43097 at the rear. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231030b The refurbished buildings at Camborne nearing completion. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231030c Looking east towards Redruth. The brickwork has been repointed together with a new roof which makes the building looking very smart. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231030d 43029 Heads the 11.50 Penzance to Plymouth service at Camborne. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231030e 43154 at the rear leaving Camborne passing what remains of Holman Bros works adjacent to the railway line. Copyright Roger Winnen
An amazing view from the tower at
Starcross
Peter Murngahan
I don't think that I've sent you this view previously, but it's one for the Starcross Gallery.  In July 1984, an up HST passing a down Class 47 hauled train, viewed from the top of the tower of the Atmospheric railway pumping station at Starcross.
Happy days, with proper trains !
Kind regards, Peter Murnaghan.
Picture
July 1984, an up HST passing a down Class 47 hauled train, viewed from the top of the tower of the Atmospheric railway pumping station at Starcross. Copyright Peter Murnaghan.
Many many thanks Peter a most interesting view.

​

43004: Hopes for the Future.
Guy Vincent

​Good to see Neil's photos and write-up on 43004, now the elder statesman of the WR fleet and, after 47 years still hard at work on the same routes it began on all that time ago.  

In 2005, 43004 and 43009 became the first two power cars to receive new MTU engines.  On Monday April 3rd 2006 they worked a FGW director's special from Paddington to Penzance, the day the new Greater Western franchise commenced.  This brought the smaller First Great Western Link (former Thames Trains) and Wessex Trains franchises into First Group's Great Western operation.  The special was formed of vehicles 43004 44049 40752 41003 and 43009 in the then new smart and attractive 'dynamic lines' livery.     43004 was bilingually named  'First for the Future / First ar gyfr y dyfodol'  and 43009  'First transforming travel'. 

Over the years 43004 has carried four names, 1) Swan Hunter  2) Borough of Swindon  3) As above  and 4) most recently Caerphilly Castle. 

CRS regular correspondent Alan Peters recorded the special train at Truro, published on this site on 21st January 2021.   Here are a couple of photos I took at Bath Spa of 43004 on possibly its most prestigious ever working, 1Z30 0912 London Paddington - Penzance on Monday April 3rd 2006.  Partner on that day, 43009, is one of the PCs about to depart the UK from Great Yarmouth for a new life in Nigeria.  Also, two shots taken on 27th October when 43004 headed the 2C89 1900 Cardiff - Plymouth.

Now could be the time to raise awareness of 43004's significance and encourage a following for it.  I, and I suspect others would very much like to see it put back into the original 1976 Inter-City 125 livery as Cross Country did with 43007.  Too late for original partner 43005 so here's hoping!

Guy Vincent
Picture
Bath Spa 43004 with 43009 on the 1Z30 0912 Padington to Penzance FGW Director's Special 3rd April 2006. Copyright Guy Vincent
Picture
Bath Spa a close up of 43004 3rd April 2006. Copyright Guy Vincent
Picture
Bristol Temple Meads 43004 2C89 1900 CDF-PLY 27th October 2023. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Picture
Taunton 43004 on the 2C89 1900 Cardiff -Plymouth. 27th October 2023. Copyright Guy Vincent.
As usual very many thanks indeed for your crop of pictures and a mass of most interesting detail. History in the making. 


​

Thanks Monarch of all she surveys!
Dobwalls
Roger Geach
50010 on the 10.30 Penzance to Glasgow / Edinburgh between Dobwalls and Moorswater Saturday 5th September1987.

Cheers, Roger Geach
Picture
50010 'Monarch' on the 10.30 Penzance to Glasgow / Edinburgh near Dobwalls sat 5th September 1987. Copyright Roger Geach
Many thanks Roger - Monarch looking good with the large Logo.

​

30th October 2023

30/10/2023

 
Westerns around Camborne in 1976
Roger Winnen
Picture
760403e D1030 Western Musketeer on the parcels approaching Camborne. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
760403d D1056 Western Sultan on the 09.30 Paddington to Penzance departs Camborne Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
760403g D1048 Western Lady on the Cornish Riviera at Dolcoath. Copyright Roger Winnen
Restormel 1999
Roger Geach

Picture
47826 heads th Glasgow to Penzance seen at Restormel on Saturday 12th July1999 Copyright Roger Geach.
Nice location there traffic free, the red rake of coaches looks very smart.  Many thanks Roger.


​

Clocks changed.
Wintertime at Swindon
Ken Mumford
Picture
Swindon at night, at least it wasn't raining! 23rd October 2023. Copyright Ken Mumford.
Thanks Ken.

​

29th October 2023

29/10/2023

 
Oldest GW
​Power car
Neil Phillips

​Hello Roger and Keith,

I've been hoping to catch GWR's recently reinstated and oldest HST power car 43004, which originally powered set 253002 with recently scrapped 43005, and noted that it was due to work this afternoon's 2M72 15.50 Penzance - Bristol with 43153 leading, due off Par at 16.53 so I set off to meet it with one eye on the showery weather! The train had departed Penzance 16 minutes late and was still 16 late when it reached Par. As the sun had disappeared behind a cloud bank just after the time it should have arrived and light rain set in as the light failed I thought I was out of luck, but the rain stopped and the setting sun reappeared below the cloud in the nick of time - and provided an unexpected opportunity. Sometimes the weather can be so helpful one wonders why we complain about it so much!

43004 is now the oldest GWR power car but not the oldest in service, as 43003 is still active in Scotland - its partner 43002 is preserved, as is 43000 from the prototype set (43001 was scrapped).

Best regards,
Neil Phillips
Picture
2M72 15.50 Penzance - Bristol with 43153 leading arrived at Par 16 late 28th October 2023. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Picture
43004 on the rear of 2M72 at Par - with rainbow! 28th October 2023
Picture
Nameplate of 43003 at Par 28th October 2023. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Picture
Rainbow over Par station at 17.10 on 28th October 2023. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Many thanks for the text and the photographs Neil - I hope that you collected the justifed 'Crock of Gold' at the end of the rainbow?

​
Blue Survivors
There are two Class 150 Sprinters in the area still in the old GWR blue livery - 150219 and 150238. I noticed that the latter was due to work the 2P19 14.50 Penzance - Plymouth this afternoon (Wednesday) with green 150246 and, since I was going to be out and about anyway, I made sure to intercept it at Par. I wouldn't usually go out of my way to photograph Sprinters but when an obsolete livery survives this long it's worth recording. I wonder if GWR regards it as a 'heritage' livery now, since they appear to be in no rush to get the green paint out for these two!

Best regards,
Neil Phillips

Picture
Picture
Many Thanks Neil
Before and after
Exeter Good Shed
Paul Barlow/Roger Geach
Picture
South Devon Railway shed Exeter demolition. Copyright Paul Barlow
Picture
40084 40081 Paddington to Kingswear approach Exeter St Davids. 9th October 1977. Copyright Roger Geach.
You have some views of this railtour 9th November1977 but here is a distant view of 40084 /40081 approaching St Davids .

It shows the former South West sidings being ripped up and is very open.

Cheers,  Roger Geach. 
Paul sends us a picture from his archive -  as you say Roger, an impossible view now and also a record of when those sidings were being removed. Many thanks indeed to you both.

​
Bodmin Railway - seasons
Last Diesel Day
Jon Hird
Picture
50 042 at Crabtree Lane. 28th October 2023. Copyright Jon Hird
Picture
50 042 at Crabtree Lane. 28th October 2023. Copyright Jon Hird,
Picture
50 042 Clagging at Boscarne. 28th October 2023. Copyright Jon Hird
Picture
Bodmin Railway staff James and Matt pushing back with the help of 50042. 28th October 2023. Copyright Jon Hird
Picture
50042 on the racing straight. 28th October 2023. Copyright Jon Hird,
Picture
50 042 looking as smart as can be - note the nearby tree has lost nearly all its leves. 28th October 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Well done Jon, now everybody will want a drone
- amazing pictures though.

​

28th October 2023

28/10/2023

 
QUEEN VICTORIA'S ROYAL COACH
Picture
Picture
Sirwell Coach Copyright Tony Freeman
Taking a look around the Shirwell coach courtesy Tony Freeman.
Picture
Copyright Tony Freeman.
Picture
Sirwell Coach Copyright Tony Freeman
Picture
Sirwell Coach Copyright Tony Freeman
Picture
Sirwell Coach Copyright Tony Freeman
Picture
Copyright Tony Freeman
Picture
Sirwell Coach Copyright Tony Freeman
​Many thanks to all concerned with this article - Mr. Bert Conibeer,  Mr. Tony Freeman for the photographs, and the Editor of the Western Morning News who gave permission for the reproduction of the article and of course to Michael L. Roach who sought and obtained permission for the CRS to include this most interesting article. Has anybody got a worthy secure home for this historic vehicle please?

​

Signals at Exeter
Michael Adams

Picture
Hello Roger, Nice pictures of the signals at Truro,photograph them while you can. Here is Michael Adam’s picture of the lovely semaphores at Exeter St.David’s.Taken on 25 June 1983 it shows 46014 with the 08.55 from Penzance to Manchester. Copyright Michael Adams
Thanks very much Michael
Blue Pullman
Cowley Bridge
Keith Turley

On 27th October 2023 LSL class 43 power car No.43055 with classmate No.43059 on the rear pass Cowley Bridge Junc. working the 5Z42 08:57 Crewe HS to Goodrington CHS empty stock move ready for a Paignton to Carlisle charter on the 28th.
Regards Keith Turley. 
Picture
Always good for a smashing shot - the Blue Pulman - Cowley Bridge Exeter 27th October 2023. Copyright Keith Turley.
Many thanks Keith.

​

Drone over
Exeter
Paul Barlow

Hello Keith
A drone shot today of the Midland Pullman ECS to Goodrington running about half an hour early. This will form the 0458 Paignton to Carlisle tour tomorrow.

Kind regards, Paul Barlow
Picture
Another amazing shot from Paul Barlow. Copyright. 43055 43059 08.57 Crewe to Goodrington. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks indeed Paul.

​

Two more very interesting links from
Colin Burges

The fun that can be had with a simple prop:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/373973826510518/permalink/1460053614569195/?mibextid=oMANbw
Narrow gauge brake van built in the Edwardian era for a railway staffed by men of lesser stature.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/373973826510518/permalink/1460707204503836/?mibextid=oMANbw


All the best, Colin Burges.
WWL - Well Worth Looking.  Many thanks Colin for the Tavistock sign parade and another glimpse into the fascinating site and products you have at Christow.


​

St Austell
Ross Griffiths

Please find attached some images of Castle Class HSTs this morning following a quick jaunt to St Austell and back to squeeze in as many final journeys as possible before they're gone.
The power cars are:
43004 'Caerphilly Castle' and 43153 'Chûn Castle' departing St Austell with the 1015 Plymouth to Penzance.

43029 'Caldicot Castle' runs into St Austell past the closed signal box with the 1050 Penzance to Cardiff Central

All the best, Ross.
Picture
43004 at St Austell on the 1015 Plymouth to Penzance. 27th October 2023. Copyright Ross Griffiths'
Picture
43153 brings up the rear on the 10.15 Plymouth to Penzance service. 27th October 2023. Copyright Ross Griffiths
Picture
43 029 runs into St Austell past the closed signal box with the 1050 Penzance to Cardiff Central. 27th October 2023. Copyright Ross Griffiths.
Many thanks Ross - keep up the travelling.

​

27th October 2023

27/10/2023

 
Rail disruption
Commuters in Cornwall have been warned they will face long delays and disruption while signalling upgrade work is carried out. The work to replace the old signalling equipment will eventually help to improve train service reliability and reduce delays incurred by signalling issues, Network Rail has said.
While the work is being carried out, the Cornish Main Line will be temporarily closed in phases between Tuesday, October 31 and Sunday, November 12. While buses will be replacing trains on affected routes, Great Western Railway has warned: "Due to a national shortage of bus drivers, we may have to reduce our planned timetable. If we do need to make changes, we’ll confirm these in advance here.
  • Tuesday, October 31 to Sunday, November 5 – Line closed between  St Austell and St Erth (including the Falmouth branch)
  • Monday, November 6 to Friday, November 10 – Line closed betweenLiskeard and St Erth (including branch lines to Newquay and Falmouth Docks)
  • November 11 and 12 weekend – Line closed between Plymouth and St Erth (including branch lines to Looe, Newquay and Falmouth Docks)
Please look out for further announcements in the press and on line.


​

Around Penzance in 1974
Roger Winnen
Picture
740310b Double headed Westerns at Penzance and a Class 25 in the background on 10th March 1974 Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
740310a D1056 Western Sultan at Long Rock 10th March 1974. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
740406a 50027 7657 and The Viaduct Inspection unit at Long Rock Shed. Copyright RogerWinnen
Picture
740406a 47063 on the 10.25 Penzance to Leeds. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
740412a D1722 in original livery and D1023 Western Fuselier at Penzance 12th April 1974. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
740519a D1040 Western Queen approaches Long Rock Signal Box on 19th May 1974 hauling the parcels. Copyright Roger Winnen

26th October 2023

26/10/2023

 
Drone Pictures
St Blazey
Jon Hird

We are very pleased that Jon Hird has joined with our good friend Paul Barlow giving us previously unobtainable pictures from interesting angles - you see things you've never noticed before!
Jon writes - ​I have a couple more images for you! Attached are some photos of 66190 passing both St. Blazey and Par with todays Goonbarrow - Fowey service, again taken at 50m above ground level. In the background of St. Blazey can be seen Henry Orchards & Sons, dismantling withdrawn CDA’s in the sidings. 

I took a quick overview shot of half the yard too, the turntable and JGA wagons are visible, as well as one of the RHTT locos peeking out the shed.

I could look at the screen for hours whilst the drone is airborne, it’s incredible how much you can see from ‘up there’! 
Picture
St Blazey from the north east. 25th October 2023. Copyright Jon Hird
Picture
St Blazey from the south west. 66190 is passing both St. Blazey with todays Goonbarrow - Fowey service. Note the withdrawn CDA;s in the sidings below and further away the line of CDA's being dismantled by Henry Orchard and Sons. 25th October 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
Par station. 66190 i seen passing Par with todays Goonbarrow - Fowey service. 25th October 2023. Copyright Jon Hird
What wonderful pictures - a new perspective. Many thanks for sharing your 'drones views',  Jon.

​
Truro Signals
Dennis Clarke

Hi Keith, Here’s a couple of pictures at Truro today showing the resignalling that is ongoing, Regards, Dennis Clarke
Picture
TRURO DOWN SIGNALS T47 24th October 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke. Note the grand semaphore T47 and its rather insignificant replacement lying on the ground ready to be affixed to the studs protruding from the fresh concrete.
Picture
TRURO DOWN SIGNALS 2. Taking a wider view to include no less than four semaphores. 24th October 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke
Many thanks Dennis for recording the scene from the grand old 'black footbridge' at the west end of the station.


​

25th October 2023

25/10/2023

 
Winnens Wanderings in Cornwall and Plymouth
Roger Winnen
Picture
231025a Semaphores at Truro. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231025b The returning RHTT from Penzance heads through Truro. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231025c Spraying the track at Truro. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231025e Brambles now taking over the track at Burngullow. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231025d The Castle Class HST arrives at Par working the 10.15 Plymouth Penzance service.Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231025f The Welshman at Lostwithiel. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231025g 66190 arrives at Lostwithiel with the Goonbarrow to Carne Point clay. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231025h 66190 Looking very smart indeed at Lostwithiel this afternoon. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231025i This power car was in Plymouth Station this afternoon working the 12.50 service from Penzance to Cardiff. I have not seen this power car for a long time. You can see where the original name of Old Oak Common depot was affixed. Copyright Roger Winnen
Many thanks Roger - making very good use of a 'Ride Cornwall' ticket.

​

Tywardreath
On High with Jon Hird
Picture
Hi Keith and Roger, How’s this for an unusual view? From 50m up in the air, my drone captured this image of 66190 about to reach Tywardreath Highway with todays Goonbarrow - Fowey loaded JIA’s. The very rear of the train is still on Ponts Mill viaduct. Hope it’s of some interest. All the best, Jon
We are delighted to receive the above drone picture from you Jon, we hope for many more like this - gives a new dimension to our coverage.

​

NINTEEN SIXTY TWO
PART 48
Michael L. Roach
The GWR's 5400-class
The prototype of this 0-6-0 pannier tank class was numbered 5400, was built in August 1930 and sent to Cathays at Cardiff and withdrawn less than two years later in June 1932, because it was a rebuild, to be replaced by a brand new engine with the same number. The class would eventually number just 25 examples and were built between Nov 1931 and Dec 1935. The class was very similar to the 6400 class of which the first one appeared in Feb 1932. Both classes were fitted with the necessary gear for working auto trains. The principal difference between the two classes was in the size of the driving wheels. The 6400s had 4 feet 7½ driving wheels – the same as the 5700 pannier tanks while the 5400s had 5 feet 2 inch driving wheels giving a higher turn of speed. The 5400s went new to Frome, Westbury and Southall Sheds and then to sheds in an arc northwards and westwards to Stafford Road Shed, Wolverhampton. Fifteen of the 25 went new to Southall Shed to work the auto trains in the Thames Valley. The class was always rare in Devon and Cornwall. 5412 went new to Southall but was at Laira at nationalisation and then went to Taunton being withdrawn at Exeter in April 1962. 5411 was at Taunton from May 1951 to June 1958. I only ever recorded seeing two examples of the class 5410 and 5414. At any distance it was difficult to distinguish between the 5400 and 6400 class. The first 5400 was withdrawn in December 1956 and by the beginning of 1962 there were just five left: two at Westbury and one each at Exeter, Lydney and Oswestry. Three of the class went to Yeovil Town Shed in 1963 and two ended their days there later the same year. 
MLR / 16 October 2023
​
Picture
7507 5414 is seen in the parcels bay at Exeter St. Davids on 8 July 1961. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Picture
7508 5414 again, this time with a view of 1466 (PRESERVED) on the 3.45pm auto to Dulverton. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Picture
7498 5410 at Yeovil Town on 10 September 1963 with two auto coaches working the shuttle to Yeovil Junction. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Picture
7500 5410 arrives back at Town Station from the Junction. The engine was withdrawn the following month. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Picture
7530 The original information about the class from the GWR Magazine for February 1932. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks Michael - keep up the good work.

​

24th October 2023

24/10/2023

 
Class 47 at Penzance
Michael Forward
Picture
Hello Roger, Here is a shot of 47564 taken over the wall on 13 September 1984,waiting to take out the 09.32 to Paddington.The sleeper stock is still in platform 1. Thanks, best wishes Michael Copyright Michael Forward
Many Thanks Michael

HST's en route for Export
Melton Mowbray
Dennis Clarke
We knew you'd be interested in these HST movements so once again we break our normal reporting bounds.
Picture
43184 43304 at Melton Mowbray on 16th October 2023 with 0Q48 10:24 Neville Hill T&RSMD to Yarmouth CHS, the ex Cross Country power cars for export. Copyright Dennis Clarke
Michael L Roach reports that The ship carrying the HSTs is still tied up in the Outer Harbour at Great Yarmouth a few mins ago. 23rd October 2023.
Picture
43321 43303 43357 43301 at Melton Mowbray, nearing their destination, on 21st October 2023, with the 0Z60 11:00 Exeter Riverside to Old Dalby. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
RHTT  Camborne
Picture
66097 66113 heading away from Camborne on 21st October 2023 working 3J13 RHTT circular from St Blazey, via Penzance. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
Many thanks Dennis.

​

Cowley Bridge Reports
Keith Turley
Plus RHTT at Camborne
On 23rd October 2023 DB-C class 66/0 No.66165 at Cowley Bridge Junc. working the 6V73 10:30 Bescot down side to Exeter riverside yard china clay empties.
Picture
66165 on the clay empties. 23rd October 2023 Copyright Keith Turley
​Also on the 23rd October 2023 GWR Blue liveried class 150/2 No.150238 at Cowley Bridge Junc. working the 2R59 15:25 Okehampton to Exeter Central service.
Regards Keith Turley.
Picture
Many thanks to you Keith

​

23rd October 2023

23/10/2023

 
Autumn at the Terminus
Roger Winnen
Picture
231008a In the past couple of weeks 5 car sets of IETs have started using Platform 4 at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231023a 57605 Totnes Castle awaits departure to Long Rock after arriving with the Night Riviera, Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231023b Passing the bricked up entrance of an oil store. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231023c The RHTT arriving at Penzance running nearly 100 minutes early. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231023d 66097 Covered in grime. Copyright Roger Winnen
Autumn has arrived
Craig Munday

We were promised a good Autumn this season. Lots of rusty red leaves, thanks to the patterns of the late wet Summer holds good omens I hear. 

The last week out and about has been breathtaking. As I drove down the A390 one morning, mist clung to the dips and valley bottoms. I popped into Grampound and the most fantastic photo canvas awaited me! The mist was laying heavy over Coombe in the distance, and feathered out as the morning sun got higher and stronger. GWR services scooted by, but sadly by the time the RHTT appeared the mist was rising majestically skyward. 

The RHTT is also seen at St Blazey and a Castle set at Coombe beside recently ploughed fields. 

Back to the boxes next week for me.

Best wishes,  Craig Munday. 
Picture
66113 working with 66097 on the 3J13 RHTT seen passing the short platform at St Blazey on the 19th October 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.
Picture
Trenowth, note the glint on the train. 20th October 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.
Picture
The RHTT is nicely lit as it passes Trenowth. The train is the 3J13 powered by 66097 and 66113 20th October 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.
Picture
2C22 43198 with 43187 powering the 2C22, seen at Combe. 21st October 2023. Copyright Craig Mumford.
Many thanks Craig - you've caught the season very well.

​

The Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway
Ed Hooper

Ed and his brother Tim continue their exploration of the P & D by bicycle below is a rather large 'paper weight' sitting on Ed's desk.
Picture
A brief interlude now to talk about the rails. The above parabolic edge “fishbelly” rail is on display at the Plym Valley railway, an intact survivor from the Cann Quarry branch of the P&D Railway. The original rails on the P&D railway were 2’ 10” length and butt-ended in construction. These rails were later replaced; the above rail from the Cann Quarry Branch is a later lap-jointed rail, the length of these rails being longer at 3’10”. Copyright Ed Hooper
Not all of the rails on the P&DR were of iron; some of them were of granite which were used on sidings, such as that on Yelverton common (no traces found) as well as some of the quarry sidings on the moors. These resemble the granite “rails” to be found on the Haytor Granite Tramway, which opened just shortly before the P&DR in 1820.
Ed continues his exploration of the Plymouth and Dartoor Railway please click here and scroll as necessary.

22nd October 2023

22/10/2023

 
Christow Bridge
Colin Burges

Picture
Christow Bridge and Colins bicycle. Copyright Colin Burges.
Picture
Christow bridge damage. Copyright Colin Burges.
Picture
Christow bridge damage. Copyright Colin Burges.
Picture
Presumably the vehicle involved with 'superficial damage'!!
Dear Keith,

National Highways, as if trying to make up for its destruction elsewhere, completed a splendid, sympathetic repair of the old overbridge at Christow in 2022. The bill was very nearly £70,000. Late on Thursday evening, a car hit a parapet and caused severe damage.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/373973826510518/permalink/1457539478153942/?mibextid=oMANbw


It wouldn't do to speculate on what may have been to blame for the driver's error.

https://www.teignrail.co.uk/whats-new.php#christowstationbridge


All good wishes, Colin.
Many thanks Colin for your report and pictures and links which provide more information. Such a delightful spot, no place for a speeding idiot driver.

​

The
​Bodmin bubble
Jon Hird

Please find attached a couple of photos of ‘Bubble Car’ 121020 in service at the Bodmin Railway today.

Taken at Charlie’s Gate, Colesloggett Halt, Bodmin General and Bodmin Parkway (with a comparison with a more modern DMU).

All the best, Jon
Picture
The 'bubble' en route to Boscarne Jct. Copright Jon Hird.
Picture
Bubble Car in service at Coleslogget - Bodmin Railway 21st October 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
Out in very good light the attracrive Bubble car in service near Charlies Gate. 21st October 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
The Bubble car alongside a more modern conterpart at Bodmin Parkway/ 21st October 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
The first 158 came into service in 1989. The Class 121 is Britain's longest serving DMU, operating in passenger service for 57 years until 2017.
Many thanks Jon - your pictures are excellent publicity for the Bodmin Railway

​.
Swindon
Ken Mumford

Picture
History passes through Swindon in the form of de branded 42 366 as it heads through Swindon on the 11th October 2023. Copyright Ken Mumford.
Picture
A variety of motive power at Swindon 11th October 2023.. Copyright Ken Mumford.
Picture
56113 heads the RHTT passing through Swindon on the 11th October 2023. Seen over the vehicles of the 'Bin liner'. Copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks to Ken Mumford.


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