Blog Archives

Pictures from Doug Nicholls - he takes us down 'Memory Lane'.

29/11/2015

82018 having left Sidmouth Junction 82018 passes the distant for Gosford Gates en route for Tipton St Johns and either Sidmouth or Exmouth. It's about to pass under the old A30 road bridge. C 1962 Copyright Doug Nicholls

Bishops Nympton station in 1966 just prior to closure. Copyright Doug Nicholls

Helston station building July 1967 Copyright Doug Nicholls

1036 Western Emperor on the 1a49 1205 Penzance to Paddington on Sunday 8th April 1973 - Copyright Doug Nicholls

A fine picture of Hayle in its 'better days'. A working signalbox, see the Hayle Whaves branch signal. Peak 148 opens up to tackle the long climb to Gwinear Road with the 1e21 11.35 Penzance to Leeds roars through Hayle on Sunday 8th April 1973 - Copyright Doug Nicholls

Many thanks to Doug Nicholls for this collection of memories.

When travelling by train, leaving Plymouth North Road Station look to your left for The Plymouth Royal Eye Infirmary, an article by Roger Winnen

28/11/2015

This week when I made a journey to Exeter, looking out of the window I noticed demolition signs around the former Plymouth Royal Eye Hospital at Mutley. During the week I made enquiries to a local Plymouth gentleman who informed me that the complete building of 1901 listed as a Grade 11 and its extension, were being demolished to build retirement flats. I thought a trip to Plymouth was a must before the whole building vanished. However on arrival the demolition team had demolished the extension but the lights were burning in the main building. Making enquiries locally resulted in only the Hospital extension being demolished for over 50 retirement homes, however lack of interest has seen the developers seeking planning permission for student accommodation. The main part of the Hospital is expected to be converted into 12 flats

151128a The 1901 Plymouth Royal Eye Infirmary which closed in January,2013. Copyright Roger Winnen

151128b Demolitian of the hospitals extension is underway as the 11.25 to Dundee passes the building. Copyright Roger Winnen

151128c The Great Western service the 10.00 Penzance to Paddington passes the former Royal Eye Infirmary. Copyright Roger Winnen

151128d With line closure on Sunday between Par and Liskeard, 60047 runs past the former gentry station of Mutley with ballast from Westbury to St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen

151128e The Rail Head Treatment train was also seen on route from Westbury to St Blazey, its days must be coming to an end for 2015. Copyright Roger Winnen

Remembering Camborne Signalbox and Percy Brookes

27/11/2015

Julian Hanwell kindly sent in this picture, note the large number of white 'out of use' levers. Many thanks Julian

Camborne Signal Box 1969 with Percy Brookes Copyright Julian A Hanwell

Camborne Signalbox May 1970 Copyright Keith Jenkin

The Test Train to Bristol High Level Sidings via St Ives and Falmouth. Photographs by Andrew Triggs and Roger Winnen

27/11/2015

151126o Viewed from above the station wall 37603 awaits departure at 22.44 to St Ives. The formation being 37603 977969 999602 and DBSO 9714. Copyright Andrew Triggs

151126i Its 19.10hrs Seen stabled in No 2 siding at Penzance, the driver of 37603 has now powered up its English Electric engine of 1750h.p. Copyright Roger Winnen

151126j We now see 37306 at St Ives, the time is 23.19hrs with only three of us on the platform. Copyright Roger Winnen

151126p Nearly the same photograph of the train on arrival at St Ives at 23.19 37603 awaiting return to St Erth which departed 23.24 (1i mins early) Copyright Andrew Triggs

151126q Awaiting at St Ives for the return run to St Erth. Copyright Andrew Triggs

151126l The Driving trailer adorned with its various electronic equipment at the buffer stops at St Ives. Copyright Roger Winnen

151126r Back at St Erth, the train awaits the right of way. Copyright Andrew Triggs

151126n Its 23.55hrs The piece of St Erth its shattered for a few seconds as the roar of the 37s engine hurries the train away to Hayle and onto Bristol. Copyright Roger Winnen

Lyme Regis Branch Closure A reminder by Mike Roach

27/11/2015

The Lyme Regis Branch ran for six and a half miles through difficult terrain for railway building. It linked the seaside town of Lyme with the LSWR main line at Axminster, and was only opened in 1903. The last passenger trains ran on 27 November 1965, exactly 50 years ago today, and were diesel multiple units. The line had been dieselised 2 years earlier in November 1963. The wooden station building at Lyme Regis was dismantled and rebuilt at Alresford on the Watercress Line in Hampshire,

Lyme Regis ivatt 2-6-2 41204 11th September 1963 Note the 'Southern' platform trolley with large wheels. Copyright Mike Roach

Lyme Regis station as on 14th April 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Lyme Regis station 14th April 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

A very early morning train to Falmouth. Paul Rundle

27/11/2015

37603 3Q91 at Truro and Falmouth docks with the ultrasonic test train .

37603 waits to depart from Truro. at 00.30 on the 27th November 2015 Copyright Paul Rundle

37603 at Falmouth Docks at 01.18 on the 27th November 2015 Copyright Paul Rundle

Time for a second shot - 37603 at Falmouth Docks 01.26 on the 27th November 2015 Copyright Paul Rundle

Our Faithfull Friends are no longer with us

27/11/2015

Our old friends at Rosevidney will sadly no longer be seen from passengers travelling to and from Penzance by train. The Cornishman Newspaper reported that Wimpey the Donkey and Fudge the Cow have been inseperable in these fields for over 20 years, Old age and arthritis has taken its toll and is regrettable that both animals have had to be put down. The cow was the last one of the Rosvidney herd, and was named by the Sea Scouts who were camping on the farm on the day that she was born. Wimpey the donkey was bought 30 years ago from a donkey derby and entertained local children at schools together with appearing in nativity plays. Many of the locals used to feed these animals with carrots and other delights. they will be sorely missed by us all passing milepost 322.25 from London Paddington.

151127a Wimpey the Donkey and Fudge the cow at Milepost 322.25. Copyright Roger Salter

Riding home on the Night Sleeper our faithfull friends were still on duty. Copyright Roger Salter

In the tranquil setting of Rosevidney we see the Class 153 in its new livery photographed in May 2015 with the animals grazing in field of buttercups. Copyright Roger Salter.

Quite a touching story - many thanks for recording our two friends.

A burst of sunshine and colour at Par. Craig Munday

26/11/2015

153325 catches a brief slice of sunlight at Par with 2N06 26th November 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

Roger Salter visits Penzance Station to view the 37603 with the test train prior to its visit to St Ives later tonight.

26/11/2015

37603 Stabled at Penzance on the test train. 26th November 2015 Copyright Roger Salter

Catching the bleak midwinter November light at Penzance. 26th November 2015 Copyright Roger Salter

The Driving Trailer end of the test train at Penzance. 26th November 2015 Copyright Roger Salter

The new lighting system of LED lights being installed at the station. These lights change their brilliance depending on the ambient light at the time. 26th November 2015 Copyright Roger Salter

We now have two more lines laid at Lelant during the night! Two check rails were laid between the running rails from Lelant Station to the first bridge on the Golf Links. Roger Winnen

26/11/2015

Following a telephone call received this morning I once again paid a visit to Lelant Station where check rails were laid during the night. Why checkrails have been laid remains a mystery, is it to strengthen the track formation or stop derailed trains going into the estuary! (**See below) Arriving in time to see the 11.48 from St Erth pass, another 90 mins was spent waiting for the return working being the 13.04 from St Ives. Contacting the helpline I was advised that trains were replaced by buses until 15.00hrs. Going deeper into the problem Realtime Trains reported cancellations owing to track defects. Tonight sees the Track Testing Train to St Ives. ** A note from Graham Mann advises that the rails in the four foot are actually strengthening rails, required because of the use of lightweight steel sleepers through tight radius curves. Thank you Graham

151126a We now have check rails at Lelant Station installed during Wednesday night 26th November, 2015. Copyright Roger Winnen

151126b Around the bend they go, together with a portaloo at a 30 degree angle. Desperate times call for desperate measurers. Copyright Roger Winnen

151126c A long wait for the returning train followed, having passed Lelant at 11.51. Calls to the helpline resulted in the return train being replaced by a bus service for some unknown reason. Copyright Roger Winnen

151126d A last we see the train returning at 13.18 running empty to St Erth. Copyright Roger Winnen

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