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The former railway bridge at Laira opens to the public

26/11/2015

Trevor and Barbara Tremethick took a walk across the former railway bridge and bring us many detailed pictures of this new feature on the pedestrian scene - perhaps this could be fitted into a CRS ramble next year? Many thanks to T & B, Full coverage in features.

Laira Bridge as seen on the 21.st November 2015. View from the SE showing extension across 'The Ride'. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

A delightful feature of this refurbishment is the retention of the 3/4 milepost - the distance from Laira. 21st November 2015

FOR FULL COVERAGE OF THIS NEW ASSET FO THE PLYMOUTH PEDESTRIAN PLEASE GO TO THE FEATURES SECTION

An interlude in Devon with the RHTT and 37603 on the test train which comes to Cornwall late on Wednesday night, and departs Penzance on Thursday via St Ives at 22.42. Photographs by Roger Winnen

25/11/2015

151124u 66061 Heads the RHTT train seen passing Tiverton Parkway on route to St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen

151124v 37603 with the track testing train in Riverside Yard, Exeter. Copyright Roger Winnen

151124w The 16.54 Cross Country service to Manchester and the Illuminated Great Western Railway depot at Exeter. Copyright Roger Winnen

151124x 37603 heads the test train to Goodrington seen passing through platform 4 at Exeter St David's at 16.59 hrs. Copyright Roger Winnen

151124y Returning from Goodrington the train stops at Newton Abbot for the token of the Heathfield Branch. However the token was missing, reports suggest that the Royal Train was stabled on the branch recently and they failed to return the token. Copyright Roger Winnen

151124z Waiting to depart from platform 3 the test train with a leading driving trailer about to depart for Heathfield. Copyright Roger Winnen

151124zz With the token problem sorted out the train awaits the two white lights on the signal post for entry onto the branch. Copyright Roger Winnen

Michael Forwards only visit to Aller Junction on 28th July, 1984

25/11/2015

840728a 37181 and 37283 working hard with a load af track panals taking the Plymouth line. The leading loco has the Cornish Lizard on its side. Copyright Michael Forward

840728b Now we see 50005 'Collingwood' with the 11.25 Penzance to Paddington. What lovely signals framed with the bridge, both now gone! Copyright Michael Forward

840728c Something of a celebrity at this time because of its special livery. I was lucky to see 45022 'Lytham St Annes and it was heading westwards with the 09.04 Blackpool-Penzance. Copyright Michael Forward

840728d A Lucky Shot! We now see 47330 on the left with the 15.04 Paignton-Nottingham, however in the lead is 47409 with a van train on the Plymouth line. Copyright Michael Forward

First Frost of the winter - a spectacular 153 picture Craig Munday

25/11/2015

Hi Keith, As the temperatures plunged for the first time in 2015, the early morning sun was a welcome respite. The 153 working 2C41 Plymouth to Par was captured on arrival at Liskeard with a spectacular backdrop. Just the semaphore spectacles giving a hint of red & green in an otherwise yellow bathed scene. 23rd Nov 2015.
All the best for now - more "moist" weather to follow I see in the forecast.
Craig Many thanks for this amazing picture.

A good morning for an unusual and colourful scene from the signalbox at Liskeard. A super picture. 22nd November 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

Relaying the track at Lelant with the rails going around the bend, photographs by Roger Salter and Roger Winnen

23/11/2015

151122a Men at Work relaying the track at Lelant. Copyright Roger Salter

151122b Activity of the workforce relaying at Lelant Station. Copyright Roger Salter

151123a The new track at Lelant has clips for the insertion of check rails in the centre. This track rounds the bend to the first bridge on the golf coarse. Copyright Roger Winnen

151123b The peaceful surroundings of Lelant Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

Rare in Cornwall. David Tozer

23/11/2015

David Tozer sends in a picture of a commonplace happening at Exeter Central as a class 143 on an Exmouth service calls this morning. 143's are virtually unheard of in Cornwall. Many thanks David

08.56 on the 23rd November 2015 Copyright David Tozer

Andrew Triggs captures the 2 + 5 short H.S.T. formation used for guards training between Plymouth and Penzance on Saturday 21st November, 2015

23/11/2015

151121u The short H.S.T. formation awaits departure from Platform 2 at Penzance. Copyright Andrew Triggs

151121w The short formation rounds the Long Rock curve last Saturday. Copyright Andrew Triggs

151121x The formation of 43155-42572-42263-42255-42257-44029 and 43196 heads back to Plymouth. Copyright Andrew Triggs

The Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Behind the Scenes and Modeller's Day was held on Saturday 21st November, 2015. Photographs by Roger Winnen and Roger Salter

22/11/2015

A very interesting day was had at Bodmin giving us the enthusiast unlimited access to all areas of Bodmin General Station and its approaches. a brake van trip to Bodmin Parkway to view the shed together with a Pasty, and unlimited Tea and Coffee. It was a very cold day but members and staff of the Bodmin & Wenford Railway must be congratulated on making us most welcome and looking after our needs.

151121a Early Saturday morning at Bodmin as we see the 'Toilet train on tour' Mobile Loos for the workers!. Copyright Roger Winnen

151121bb The Beattie Well Tank and the 1940 Fowler from the North Devon Clay Co in the Bodmin Shed. Copyright Roger Salter

151121i Burning in the boiler of 5552. Copyright Roger Winnen

151121o 'Alfred' Built in 1953 by Bagnals of Stafford for the Port of Par stands infront of the Royal Saloon for King Wdward V11. Copyright Roger Winnen

151121oo The saloon used by The Prince of Wales, later King Edward V11 is seen in the shed at Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Salter

151121s Roger Salter climbs aboard Denise under restoration in the Bodmin workshops. This engine worked at Blackpool Sidings, Burngullow prior to its move to Bodmin. Copyright Roge

For more photographs see features page July to December, 2015

St Ives branch goes round the bend!!1 Graham Mann

22/11/2015

Enquiring about the progress of work on the St Ives branch we were told by the resident of Lelant station that it had 'Gone round the bend'.
That resident at Lelant Station is none other than Cornwall Railway Society member Peter Jeggo. Peter reported this morning (Sunday) that work was in progress laying in the guard or check rail along the length between the middle of Lelant Platform and up under the bridge carrying the access road to the nearby quay.
Peter further reported that the work, which had gone on overnight was done with the utmost consideration, and the only sound he heard during the night was the diesel generator running the lights. With double glazing this was negligible, the nosiest part of the night was the cat wishing to be let out at 06.00!! Well done Network Rail.

Aerial view courtesy google. The line which has been replaced with Continously Welded Rail (CWR) is from about two hundred yards south of Lelant station up to the rail over pathway bridge where the branch crosses the SW Coastal Footpath. (Enlarge map, pan and zoom to see this. The total length replaced is about 800 yards.

Many thanks to Graham Mann Network Rail Programme Manager for sending in these pictures of the work in progress.

Looking towards St Ives up the grade through the cutting. 21st November 2015. Note clips for guard or check rails. Copyright Graham Mann Network Rail

The old track cut into short sections is loaded for disposal. 21st November 2015 Copyright Graham Mann, Network Rail

From the platform at Lelant station - a crossing leading to the waterside is re-ballasted. 21st November 2015 Copyright Graham Mann Network Rail

A view now looking towards St Ives the end of the re-lay.The handrails of the bridge which carries the line over the SW coastal footpath are visible. 21st November 2015 Copyright Graham Mann

The permanent way is carefully positioned alongside the platform, a view looking north. 21st November 2015 Copyright Graham Mann Network Rail.

Andrew Triggs visits The Laira Open Day which hosted a large fleet of Diesel Engines held on 15th September, 1991.

21/11/2015

910915a Class 50s at The Laira Open Day 50008 'Thunderer' 50015 'Valient' 50031 'Hood' 50046 'Ajax'. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

910915b The Westerns are back home at Laira. D1062 Western Courier D1023 Western Fusilier D1015 Westen Champion D1013 Western Ranger D1010 Western Campaigner. Copyright Andrew Triggs

910915c An overall view of the east end of the depot. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

910915d Still in service, careworn 50046 'Ajax'. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

910915e Preserved Warship D821 Greyhound and Hymack Diesel D7018. Copyright Andrew Triggs

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