Blog Archives

30th November 2023

30/11/2023

South Devon Autumn
for Castle HSTs
Clive Smith

Just over a week left now to capture daylight GWR HST photos on the South Devon main line between Plymouth and Exeter. The concentration of three sets in Cornwall after 10th December will mean just an early Saturday train from Exeter and a weekday evening train to Exeter will be the only 'Castle' operated services in this part of Devon.
Regards

Clive Smith

1) 43189 heads past Hemerdon loop at the front of the2U20 10.50 Penzance-Cardiff Central 19th October 2023. Copyright Clive Smith

(2) In near perfect conditions and superb light 43162 leads the 2U12 08.48 Plymouth - Cardiff Central with 43027 on the rear between Newton Abbot and Teignmouth near Bishopsteignton on the 11th November. A two week engineering works blockade in Cornwall resulted in altered HST diagrams with the return of eastbound morning departures from Plymouth. Copyright Clive Smith.

(3) Taken from the Ness Car Park in Shaldon also on the 11th November . This is 43097 leading the 2C67 08.00 Cardiff Central - Plymouth through Teignmouth with 43098 on the rear. Copyright Clive Smith.

(4) The leaves are yellow and brown and have started to fall at Stoneycomb and the field I stood in is now full of cabbages mud. The curving tracks down from Dainton can be seen in the distance. 43098 is at the front of the 2U20 10.50 Penzance - Cardiff Central with 43097 on the rear. Copyright Clive Smith.

(5) Approaching South Brent from Marley Tunnel with Eastern Beacon (378m / 1240ft) looming in the distance, 43097 brings up the rear of the 2C09 06.50 Bristol Temple Meads to Penzance with 43153 on the front on the 21st November.

(6) 43153 leading and 43097 on the rear of the Saturday 2C67 08.00 Cardiff Central - Penzance crossing Bittaford Viaduct on the 25th November . What a glorious sight. Copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks indeed Clive for a glorious panorama of pictures - lovely light.

NINETEEN SIXTY TWO
PART 54
Michael L. Roach

LSWR Class of 4-4-0s known as “The Greyhounds”

The London and South Western Railway built 66 of the T9 class between 1899 and 1901, some at their Nine Elms Works in London. The remainder were built by Dubs and Co. of Glasgow. The LSWR works at Eastleigh did not start building engines until 1910. The T9s had a reputation of being fast and reliable and the last of the class was not withdrawn until 1963, a testimony to their usefulness but latterly relegated to lighter secondary work. The class was designed by Dugald Drummond who died in 1912 and his successor Robert Urie carried out several improvements to the class to enhance the performance. The class remained intact at nationalisation in 1948 with the first one being withdrawn in 1951. The tractive effort of 17,670 may be compared to that of the GWR 4-4-0 no. 16 Brunel described in Part 44 of this series.
Four of the T9 class appear in the photographs that follow from July 1959 which was the start of a great summer for weather: 30702/11/17/26. 30711 and 30726 were withdrawn the following month and 30702 in October 1959 leaving just 30717 to soldier on for a further two years until July 1961. A total of ten of the class were withdrawn in 1959 triggered by an influx of Bulleid Light Pacifics to the “Withered Arm” displaced from Kent as a result of the completion of the first phase of the Kent Coast Electrification Project.
Only one member of the class was to be preserved and that was 30120 one of the first batch of ten built in 1899 at the LSWR's own works at Nine Elms, London.

MLR / 25 November 2023

2903 30711 is seen outside Okehampton Shed on 4 July 1959. This engine was based at Exmouth Junction Shed right through the 1950s and was condemned there in September 1959. Earlier it had been based at Friary Shed at nationalisation on 1 January 1948. 30711 was built in 1899 by Dubs & Co. and was withdrawn just two months after the photo was taken. It had probably arrived at Okehampton that day on the Plymouth portion of the up ACE. Copyright Michael L. Roach

2931 30717 stands in the sun outside the shed at Wadebridge on 18 July 1959. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2934 A panoramic view of Padstow's single platform and sidings looking south towards Wadebridge with two T9s in view on same date as the previous photo. Nearest is 30702 and furthest is 30726. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2935 30726 waits to leave Padstow with the 3.13pm to Exeter Central on 18 July 1959. This was an 88-mile trip taking three hours. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks again Michael for a brilliant set of pictures with very comprehensive notes - keep up the good work - please

Gents, Interesting set of photos at Okehampton. 30726 was the odd one out. From memory it was the only Exmouth Junction based T9 with a six wheel tender. All the others had Drummond eight wheeled water carts. Dave Tozer

Many Thanks David

29th November 2023

29/11/2023

Views from on high
Goonbarrow
Jon Hird

I took a trip to Lavrean (between Goonbarrow and Luxuylan) at lunch time today 28th November 2023 to catch 66165 with the loaded Clay for Fowey. I was rewarded with some wonderful winter light, being so close to journeys start the excess clay dust was still being blown from the wagons too, which made for a nice photo.

2 images attached of that, one from quite high up showing the train heading away from me and approaching Luxuylan.

After that, I still had quite a bit of battery left and with no wind and sunshine I decided to see what Goonbarrow looked like from above.

Both resident shunters (a class 08 and an industrial loco) were visible.

The scale of the buildings surprised me, the main linhay is humongous!

I’ve attached a few views of the site you might find interesting.

All the best, Jon

66165 has jeft Goonbarrow and speeds up note the clay dust being blown off the train - seen in the distance with the loaded Clay heads for Fowey. 28th November 2023, Copyright Jon Hird,

66165 continues its journey towards Luxulyan seen in the distance, 28th November 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

Rocks Driers Goonbarrow looking from tht south west. Note the signalbox in font of the dries at the top of the picture.28th November 2023. Copyright John Hird.

Goonbarrow Rocks Drieers coplex, again note the signal box and semaphore signals will still be there for some time yet. 28th November 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

Swinging around and looking south west we see two of the shunters. Copyright Jon Hird.

Very many thanks indeed Jon for these remarkable views of the industrial scene at Goonbarrow, We see things from angles and heights never seen before.

Class 47s
Thee two Michaels

Hello Roger, Nice pictures of your trip up through the Duchy and an interesting selection of locos. and units. Here is another picture of a class 47 in different livery ,still at Oxford and showing 47368 in Petroleum sector regalia,with empty tankers from Didcot power station.There used to be an occasional such train which ,I think,contained lubricants rather than fuel for burning and the train is returning to one of the Humberside refineries. Copyright Michael Forward

Roger, Michael Adams has sent me some pictures of 47s in different liveries and here we see 47703 ,named The Queen Mother ,at Temple Meads on 20 July 1991 with the 09.40 to Weymouth. Copyright Michael Adams

Many Thanks

28th November 2023

28/11/2023

Bridgwater & Cogload
Bill Elston

I travelled over to Bridgwater today to catch the Bridgwater to Crewe Coal sidings nuclear waste train.6M63.

This was hauled by bimode 88007 Electra, and 68007 Valiant ('Bonding' at Bridgwater ?? )

On my way home I called in at Cogload Jct for the Penz to Cf working 2U20 t/t 43156 and 43004.

Best wishes, Bill Elston

88007+68007 in the sidings at Bridgwater. 27th November 2023 Copyright Bill Elston

88007+68007 back out on the main line. Bridgwater. 27th November 2023 Copyright Bill Elston

88007+68007 just about to leave. Bridgwater. 27th November 2023 Copyright Bill Elston

43156 approaches Cogload. 27th November 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.

A nice view of the down main from Bristol rising up to cross over the direct lines from Reading. Cogload. 27th November 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.

Many thanks Bill.

NINETEEN SIXTY TWO
PART 53
Michael L. Roach

Devonport Kings Road Station (2)
Kings Road was converted to a through station on 12 May 1890 when trains started to arrive at the west end of the station over the double track of the Plymouth, Devonport and South Western Junction Railway from Lydford. The trains were operated by the London and South Western Railway as part of a route from Waterloo to Plymouth Friary, via Okehampton and Lydford. There were two main platforms with a short east-facing bay on the south side which was unlikely to have seen much passenger use after it became a through station as all trains from Friary were travelling as least as far as St. Budeaux.
The main station buildings were constructed on the north side of the line, parallel to but at lower level to Paradise Road which is one of the main routes from Plymouth to Devonport, both then and now. There were sloping station approach roads from Paradise Road to the main entrance from the east and the west. The layout at Friary Station was very similar, but the station buildings were more impressive at Kings Road. In a way it was quite strange that British Railways should choose to call the station Kings Road in 1949 because Kings Road was on the south side of the station with only a secondary entrance to the station.
For the last few years Devonport Kings Road was only open for freight and final closure came on 7 March 1971 when the station, the line to Stonehouse Pool and the line from Kings Road to Devonport Junction were closed and later lifted. The whole area was redeveloped but the two station approach roads remain in use, are now public roads, and may be viewed on streetview.
One almost unique feature of the track layout at Kings Road was that the 76 chain Stonehouse Pool Branch to Ocean Quay on the River Tamar started from a junction in the middle of the goods yard and then descended steeply into a tunnel which started at the centre of the goods shed. Plymouth Friary station had a very similar layout for the start of the LSWR's Sutton Harbour Branch. The line opened to passengers on 9 April 1904 but the service was only for boat trains carrying passengers disembarking from ocean liners in Plymouth Sound in competition with the similar service offered by the GWR. To the best of my knowledge there was never a scheduled passenger service over the branch. The service only lasted until 28 May 1910. The rail disaster at Salisbury on 1 July 1906 when a boat train from Plymouth left the rails and 28 died, severely knocked confudence in the LSWR service for ocean passengers. A later agreement with the GWR saw the LSWR give up running boat trains but goods trains continued running to Ocean Quay for another 60 years. Again there is a very good history of the branch on the Old Devonport website.
One of the classes of steam engine passing through Devonport Kings Road regularly for many decades was the T9 class which we will look at in the next part of the series.
MLR / 25 November 2023

Many thanks indeed Michael, very interesting, we look forward to Part 54.

27th November 2023

27/11/2023

Hinksey Yard
Driver Alan Peters

DB 66056 one of five class 66 fitted with pneumatically controlled cut bars for the autocupling designated for banking, seen acting as yard pilot at Hinksey yard near Oxford on 23/11/23 - Driver Alan Peters

DB 66056 in use as yard pilot at Hinksey. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

Many thanks for your detailed info Alan
- it is very much appreciated.

Passing traffic
Swindon
Colin Pidgeon

Something completely different, 47746 & 44871 on 5Z29 Bristol Kingsland Road to Southall WCR empty stock.
They were running wrong road through Platform 4 on reversible working.

Regards Colin Pidgeon

47746 and 44871 pass through Swindon on the 26th November 2023. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.

Many thanks to you Colin and to Ken for passing it on.

Chippenham
John?

The ECS bound for Slough
Passed Swindon 12 EARLY at 1331 according to Real Train Times.
Kind regards, Ken

47746 and 44871 pass through Chippenham with the ECS for Slough on the 26th November 2023. Copyright John

The ECS continues on the up line heading for Slough. 26th November 2023. Copyright John.

Thanks for passing these on Ken. If I can be advised on who John is I would appreciate that.

The very interesting and quite complex history and development of Chippenham Staion is very well covered by Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chippenham_railway_station

Taunton
Paul Barlow

Earlier in the day Paul had been at Dawlish, he's now moved up the line to Taunton.

43097 43153 wait to leave Taunton with the 19.14 to Cardiff. 24th November 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43153 43097 Taunton with the 17.00 from Cardiff 2C85. 24th November 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43153 43097 just arrived at Taunton with the 1700 from Cardiff 2C85 24th November 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul - keep up the good work.

Fowey Docks
and the haul road.
Andrew and Diane Jones

Dear Keith and Valerie, Please find attached additional photographs of the loading facility at Fowey and the Haul Road tunnel, hope they are of use and I can fill in the detail if required.
I guess things are hectic at your end, but hopefully the sheep on the line at Okehampton was of interest. N.B. This refers to an item yesterday concerning November 24th.
Very best wishes Andrew and Diane.
(I believe Andrew was on night watchman duties at Fowey Docks in 2005)

Having moved sideways right to left a CDA waits on the 'exit line' to rejoin its train for the journey back to Lostwithiel. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones,

Looking in over the traverser from beyond the buffer beam which brought the by now empty CDA to an abrupt stop. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.

A dayloght view of CDA's standing in the unloading shed, Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.

The haul road in the 1,173 yard Pinnock tunnel. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.

The haul road in the tunnel. Copyright Andrew and Dian Jones.

This is the Fowey end of the tunnel - one can see the sharp change of gradient as the line commences to fall towards the harbour. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.

Having climbed from almost sea level at Par beach the climb ontinues right through the tunnel. At one tine there were reseviors and engine watering facilities here. In the days when this was converted for use as a lorry operated haul road this end of the tunnel was extended as a rectangular tube at the end of which doors were fitted. When the doors are closed powerful fans situated in the extension roof were turned on to purge the tunnel of smoke. Copyright Andew and Diane Jones.

Many thanks for your pictures - Andrew and Diane.

Portishead AGM
Peter Maliphant

Dear Member,
We are writing to update you about the latest news on progress with the project and also to give you the details for our AGM.

The current news on the reopening is that:

The Detailed Design phase is beginning to draw to a close, with just three months to go
The final Full Business Case exists in draft form and is expected to be submitted to DfT in late February or early March
Cost information, developed from the Detailed Design, is being used to refine the Full Business Case

There will be a further update at the AGM on the plan through to the completion of the Portishead and Pill line reopening.

Secondly, we have moved the AGM back for this and future years so that it is not in the run-up to Christmas. We hope this will make it simpler to arrange and easier for more members to attend. The date will be Tuesday 30th January 2024, at the Folk Hall in Portishead as usual, with doors open at 7:00pm and a 7.30pm start. There will be the regular AGM business plus an update from the project manager James Willcock on what will happen next during 2024. The agenda will be:

1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Apologies for Absence received
3. Minutes of the 2022 AGM - approved by the committee during 2023.
4. Approval of Accounts for the year ended 31/10/2023
5. Appointment of Independent Examiner
6. Chairman’s Report.
7. Communications Report, including Facebook, Twitter and Website.
8. Membership Secretary’s report.
9. Appointment of committee.
10. Any other business.
11. Break
12. James Willcock, MetroWest Phase one Project Manager – Update on progress
Regards,
Peter Maliphant, Membership Secretary, Portishead Railway Group

26th November 2023

26/11/2023

Riding around Cornwall yesterday
Roger Winnen

231125b 57505 Totnes Castle in Platform 4 at Penzance with the arrival of The Night Riviera. Copyright Roger Winnen

231125e Transport for Cornwall crosses the main line at Camborne with service 49 to Troon Square. Copyright Roger Winnen

231125v 66113 With the Railhead Treatment Train passes through Camborne on route to St Blazey running 116 mins early. Copyright Roger Winnen

231125v (2) 66097 at the rear of the train heading for Redruth. Copyright Roger Winnen

231125zc 66102 heads westwards through Liskeard with the 09.48 Exeter Riverside to St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen

231125zm Castle Class HST arrives at Liskeard with the 08.00 Cardiff Penzance service. Copyright Roger Winnen

231125zo The new signal erected at Lostwithiel in preparation for the new order from next year. Copyright Roger Winnen

231125zq A close up of the area around the Lostwithiel Box which will be taken out of use. Copyright Roger Winnen

An IET comes off The Royal Albert Bridge with a service to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

Sheep on the
Okehampton line
Andrew Jomes

Today ( Friday 24th November 2023) proved to be an uphill struggle! I had arranged to meet up with my youngest daughter Sienna in Exeter. From Grogley, this would have been straight forward in the 60’s, but now a 1 hour journey by car to Okehampton station is the most convenient. I could go from Bodmin Road but this actually takes considerably longer.
I really look forward to travelling from this once major outpost of the Southern Railway and duly bought my tickets at the platform machine, only realising too late that I had purchased 2 tickets by mistake, the machine clearly defaulted, but even the £11 cost was still very reasonable so I decided to take it on the chin! (I have a disabled railcard ).
However things started to unwind as I had not checked the station display, which to my dismay and other passengers waiting pronounced that the next two trains had been cancelled. I had arranged to meet Sienna at 11.07 in Central Station and with no suitable replacement in sight, she agreed to pick me up at Okehampton.
Luckily the rest of the day went to plan and I returned to Exeter Central to find that the 14.32 service was running. A lovely lady guard on the preceding 14.14 Barnstaple service explained that the disruption had been caused by sheep on the line and showed me the photographs on her phone.
While I awaited Sienna at Okehampton there was time to browse part of the station museum and I have attached a few photographs from the day.

Very best wishes Andrew and Diane

Okehampton Museum 24th November 2023. Copyright Andrew Jones

Okehampton Museum Meldon Viaduct model 24th November 2023 Copyright Andrew Jones

Okehampton Station festive lights 15.25 service to Exeter on time 24th November 2023 Copyright Andrew Jones

Exeter Central 14.14 service to Barnstaple 158798 and the helpful guard. 24th November 2023. Copyright Andrew Jones

Exeter Central the steep gradiant to St Davids 24th November 2023 Copyright Andrew Jones.

Many thanks Andew - excellent phoyohraphs - my apologies for the late publication of your item - I feel rather sheepish about it!!

Bristol Temple Meads
Matin Scane

A very troublesome journey up to Bristol today and again coming home. However, I did manage to snatch a couple of photos of 66850 and 66848 on the RHTT. Cheers Martin

66848 BTM RHTT 25th November 2023. Copyright Martin Scane

66850 BTM RHTT 25th November 2023. Copyright Martin Scane

Many thanks Martin, nice picture, daylight and almost darkness, a real contrast.

Dawlish Drone
Paul Barlow

43188 and 43092 on the 06.50 Bristol to Penzance approaches Dawlish station on the 24th November 2023. Paul Comments on it being a chilly morning. The sun makes for a warm picture on a cool day, Nobody else appears to be taking the air on the seawall.

43188 43092 0650 Bristol to Penzance approaches Dawlish station 24th November 2023. Copyright Pauk Barlow.

Many thanks Paul.

Basingstoke
Paul Barlow

3468 and 1884 on rear form the 1610 Waterloo to Portsmouth stopper. 21st September 2004. Copyright Paul Barlow

SR slam door units 3409 1319 16.10 Waterloo to Pouthampton wait at Basingstoke. 21st September 2004. Copyright Paul Barlow

Thanks again Paul.

My word was it ten years ago?
The Dawlish Breach
Coin Burges

Dear Keith,
On the tenth anniversary of the breach, film crews are likely to descend on Dawlish.
As part of writing up the story so far, I have put together the bits I recorded as they were broadcast at the time.
Quite by chance, I met John Ayres last year and had twenty minutes alone with him on a country lane. He told me that he was covering the flooding in Looe when he was told to go to Dawlish. "That's nearby, isn't it," his remote boss said. Nevertheless, Ayres was the first on the scene and he told me that it remains the biggest story of his career.
Unfortunately, I failed to clip this appearance.
My favourite lines are:
"But we've got plenty of booze to see us through the horrific journey."
"It's going to be sh ... "
" ... it's brought Dawlish back to life."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJoacD31wrk

How things have changed, even in ten years, with the 143s gone, the HSTs nearly gone, and Ian Mundy now promoted. And how many Prime Ministers have there been?

With best wishes, Colin Burges.

Hi Colin, many thanks for the clips you took - what a shame they didn't take your preferred option - via Christow but maybe we'll see the Okehampton - Tavistock section reopened - one can only cross ones fingers - very tightly

25th November 2023

25/11/2023

Remembering the
CDA's
Video by Jon Hird

Hello Keith and Roger,

I have just finished editing a video of the last few weeks of CDA operations within Cornwall (I set my phone recording every time I went out to photograph them towards the end, just so that I had some video to remember them by!)

The video can be viewed below!

Thank you so much for sharing with us all your excellent record of CDA operations taken at various locations quite recently before their demise.
Many years ago now the Cornwall Railway Society organisd a trip through Pinnock tunnel followed by a visit to the CDA unloading facility at Fowey. However although both Roger and I have looked we cannot find any record of this visit. CAN ANYBODY HELP PLEASE? If YOU KNOW OF ANY VIDEO MATERIAL WE COULD ALSO SUPPLY A LINK.

Looking back in time. The following sequence of events recorded by the Late Keith Lloyd shows in great detail the unloading of the predecessors of the CDA's at Fowey. Please click below.
http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/st-blazey-to-fowey-and-fowey-harbour.html#Hoodstipping It shows how the wagons were 'end tipped', the contents going through a hole in the flooring onto a conveyor belt from whence the clay was lifted onto a higher level to be carried out on further conveyors to be dropped into the waiting vessels hold. The CDA's were been placed with their bottom opening facilities over the hole. The CDA's replacement wagons, again bottom opening, would be propelled by the train locomotive over the aperature to unload onto the conveyor. The Traverser is no longer in use.

There is also a most interesting section on CDA's supplied by Wikipedia please use this link; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDA_wagon

The CRS had a most enjoyable visit to the China Clay District on the 22nd November 2013. This was conducted by the late Mr Ivor Bowditch of Imerys to see this please click here 'A Day on the Clay'

All Change at
Exmouth Junction
David Tozer

Not having been out with my camera a dry afternoon presented the chance of a stroll and to see what has been going on at Exmouth Junction.

Not very inspiring with the former marshalling yard cleared as it the concrete works and C & W depot. Yes plenty of piles of rubble to show for six months work.

I will send a photo of the only train I saw in a second email.

Exmouth Junction 24th November 2023. Copyright David Tozer.

Above the tunnel only and one place is it now possible to photograph a train. This shows 150239 and 150238 with the 1155 Paignton to Exmouth approaching Exmouth Junction. The signal was renewed in October 2020 when the a new crossover to the Exmouth Branch was installed and the line speed was increased from 25mph to 40 mph. In addition a batter repeater signal was also installed at the time on the approach to the tunnel near St James' Park. Prior to this services approaching the Exmouth Junction signal eased off the power until they got the road to Exmouth.

150239 & 150247 24th November .2023 Copyright David Tozer.

Banner Signal SJP 31st October 2020 Copyright David Tozer.

Many, many thanks David - one wonders what it will look like when work is completed?

24th November 2023

24/11/2023

NINETEEN SIXTY TWO
PART 52
Michael L. Roach

The Final Months of Small Prairie 4567
Small prairie 4567 was completed in October 1924 one of a batch of nine 4500s that month numbered 4561 to 4569. Two of that batch of nine have been preserved – 4561 and 4566. Twenty examples of the class were built in 1924 bringing the total to 75 numbered 4500-4574. 4567 was one of three, out of the nine, to go to Newton Abbot as its first shed in October 1924. At nationalisation it was at Cheltenham and it was condemned at Laira in 1962. After migrating around the West Midlands and Bristol District small prairie 4567 returned to the West Country at Truro Shed in January 1962. At the time steam was in its final complete year on former Great Western lines in Cornwall as lines were closed and trains dieselised. 4567 was either not needed at Truro or not a good example of the class as it was moved on again after just a few weeks at Truro, this time to Laira Shed at Plymouth.
In 1962 the Launceston Branch was one hundred percent steam-worked and needed seven locos in steam daily to run the freight and passenger service. Laira had had nine small prairies allocated to the shed for several decades and because of this the shed had become a dumping ground for 4500s and 5500s surplus to requirements elsewhere towards the end of steam. Several of the class arrived at Laira in 1961 and 1962. The good ones were kept and used but the rest saw little use and were withdrawn from service.
I first encountered 4567 on 31 March 1962 when it hauled the 2.20pm SO freight train from Launceston SR to Tavistock Junction (Up Yard) where it was due at 4.55pm. In that 32-mile trip it would have crossed one passenger train in the other direction at Tavistock South; the 3.05pm from Plymouth to Launceston. I had stationed myself at the south end of Walkham Viaduct to photograph the Launceston Goods coming off the viaduct with seven wagons including the usual couple loaded at the Ambrosia Creamery alongside Lifton Station. 4567 was formally transferred to Laira Shed three weeks later on 21 April 1962 and withdrawn from service on 21 September 1962. I photographed 4567 again at Laira Shed on Saturday 28 July 1962, but I never saw it in use after that date. The fact that 4567 was on the coaling line soon after noon suggests that it had worked the 5.15am Tavistock Junction to Tavistock South freight on 28 July and the return working due off Tavistock South at 10.15am but which often ran very early with its four hour stint of shunting at Tavistock completed early.

Car Parking Charges Introduced 90 Years Ago
Ninety years ago the GWR introduced car parking charges at 115 of its larger stations where there was suitable car parking accommodation available “for the convenience of passengers who use their private cars for journeying to and from the station.” There were no parking machines in those days and drivers would have queued at the booking office window to purchase their car parking ticket which was a standard Edmondson card with the car's registration hand written on the ticket. The same system lasted until the 1970s. The charges were first reported in July 1933 and were as follows:
Daily one shilling
Weekly two shillings and six pence
Monthly seven shillings and six pence
Three months one pound
Twelve months three pounds
NB There were 20 shillings in the pound

6973 4567 comes off the south end of Walkham Viaduct on 31 March 1962 with the daily freight from Launceston. The time is 4.15pm and the train is running a few minutes late. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

7254 4574 in unlined green is seen on the coaling line at Laira on 28 July 1962. Ahead of 4574 is 4567 which had arrived before 4574. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks indeed Michael, at the moment station car parks are cheaper for a whole day than those operated by CCC.

Class 47s
Michael Forward

Hello Roger,Here is another picture from Oxford ,this one of 47609 ‘Firefly’ on 15 December 1988 with the 13.46 to Birmingham, ex Paddington. Copyright Michael Forward

Thanks Michael

'Great Britain' emerges
Phil Smith

47508 SS Great Britain coming out of of Bath Road in 1985. Copyright Phil Smith.

Many thanks Phil.

A once young enthusiasts message. Hello Keith,
Hope you like my photograph. Many moons ago when I had hair and my own teeth I wrote to the ‘trainman’ at Brescot yard as in passing I saw lines of withdrawn locomotives, behold I had a lovely letter back granting I would be shown round the yard and shed and it was a brilliant first visit. George, I think that was his name, a lovely man, showed us around. Then the manager Paul Dalton another good chap said to me “The Yanks are coming” – how right he was. Take care, Phil.

Calstock Viaduct
Peter Murnaghan

Hi Keith,
I am pleased that the late Andy Oxley's note on the D600s has proved to be so interesting with members and contributors. I have read the many responses with interest and I am sure that Andy would have appreciated the depth of knowledge shared readily by fellow enthusiasts.
Now, the building on the Devon bank of the Tamar, beneath the Calstock viaduct is, indeed, a farm, but the National Library of Scotland map for 1888-1913 shows the railway in course of construction from Bere Alston, but no viaduct yet. However, there is a building on the Devon side, being the Passage Inn, in connection with the historic ferry across to Calstock. I don't know whether anything remains of this old inn today, but there does seem to be a building on the same footprint on the present day's map. Intriguing !
Best wishes,
Peter Murnaghan.

Screenshot from Peter Murnaghan.

Many thanks Peter - we're all the wiser.

23rd November 2023

23/11/2023

Calstock & Gunnislake
Mark Lynam

Following the nice forecast yesterday (21.11.23) morning, I decided to have a drive to Calstock and Gunnislake. I had also hoped to then get some mainline shots in the sunshine but the cloud soon rolled in after leaving Gunnislake (So much for the MetOffice forecast of a fairly sunny day).

150249 In lovely low Autumn sunshine working 2G75 0824 Plymouth to Gunnislake at Calstock just before 9am.

Due to the low speeds on the line and the long way around it takes to climb up the hill it's easy to beat the train to Gunnislake in the car, taking only about 5 minutes where as the train takes about 12! 150249 seen before working 2G76 0919 Gunnislake to Plymouth.

Thanks Mark - an area you don't see so many photos of!

An unusual view at
Calstock
Courtesy Google Earth Street View

Calstock viaduct. Courtesey Google Earth Street View.

Studying Marks Calstock Viaduct photograph I wondered what access there was to the buildings seen just below the viaduct on the Devon side might be and also how the viaduct looked from that unusual angle. The above photograph was obtained using Google Earth Street view. It shows clearly the massive structure which was made using blocks cast very close to the site of the buildings. Mark follows with a commentary on the access to this remote location for which many thanks. K.J.
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Mark writes - If you mean the farm on the left of the photo, I have walked there from Bere Alston station a couple of times, getting a photo of the next train heading to Gunnislake then walking getting back to Bere Alston to get the next train South.

Its takes about half hour walking along the road, which hardly has any traffic as its a dead end road only serving a few farms. There is a shorter route through the woods North of Bere Alston station going along a public footpath. The footpath continues alongside the river and under the viaduct. There is also a public footpath though the farm yard to connect with the road. Thanks, Mark Lynam.

Earthquakes and the Class 50s
Trevor Tremethick

Hi Keith and Roger

I heard about your recent earth tremor and couldn’t help remembering Jethro’s old joke about it doing £10m of improvements! What a boy he was.
I was looking through my old slides and found this that i took nearly 50 years ago, when 50027 had recently arrived at Long Rock for crew training. The St. Ives unit is on the left in shadow. March 31, 1974. I think 1642 was an Old Oak Common engine.
You can see right through the old steam shed! How times have changed!

Best to all Trevor

50027, the first Class 50 to work in Cornwall, has arrived at Long Rock depot to take up its duties, 31 March 1974. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

D600's
A very interesting insight
Andrew Vines

Hello Keith,
The recent interesting account of D600s in Cornwall by Andy Oxley, courtesy of Peter Murnaghan, deserves some qualification. It seems that their unreliability in the early years (including an engine failure on the inaugural press run) stuck with them all their lives, at least in the enthusiast world, and even today is sometimes regurgitated on social media. After all, we love a good story, and all the better if it involves the hated diesels which had delivered the first blow to the beloved GWR steam! However in 1968, following their withdrawal, the WR Traction Controller at Paddington, Mr B L Wilson, felt moved to set the record straight, stating that their performance was latterly no worse and no better than other locomotives on the same route, noting that they were frequently entrusted with the down 'Limited'. Their withdrawal was because of a reduction in fleet numbers and the associated considerable savings in stores etc. No doubt if anyone, he would have known the reality.
Their workings were restricted more to Cornwall from 1962, and whilst the specific reason has not been documented, it should be noted that they, and the pilot scheme D6300s had a very different cab layout from other diesel hydraulics, with a BTH control cabinet set at an angle to the right of the driver's seat. Both pilot scheme classes would have presented an operational inconvenience in terms of training footplate staff widely across the Region, given they were so few in number. I suspect this was the real reason why they were restricted to Cornwall, although it should be noted that they also worked east as far as Exeter on occasions, presumably when there was a Laira crew available to ensure their return. Interestingly there is also evidence of them occasionally working further east than Exeter in their later years, and not just on visits to Swindon works or the journeys to and from South Wales detailed by Neil Phillips. No doubt such occasions were rare, and would have involved the use of a pilotman.
As Andy Oxley observed, they were frequently used on parcels, along with freight and milk, and they were latterly regularly used on class one passenger turns. As well as the down 'Limited', the 1A77 12.00 Penzance-Paddington and 1V33 down 'Cornishman' appeared to be regular duties in Cornwall.
Incidentally, I have it on good authority that their famously heavy construction was the reason why D601 stood for so long in Barry scrapyard. Around 1970, Dai Woodham himself stated that the first one (D600) had been such a nightmare to cut up that they weren't going anywhere near the other one any time soon!
Andrew Vines

Bulldog passing Lostwithiel in the mid-1960s on the overnight Manchester-Penzance - Copyright the Andrew Vines Collection

Many many thanks Andrew - good to hear from you with such a detailed report.

Hallenbeagle Scorrier
Mick House

Two shots of todays (22nd November 2023) RHTT, running 64 minutes early off of Par at 08.19 and return at 10.00 running 132 minutes early off of Penzance.

1) 66 113 & 097 approaching Apex Bridge having just passed over Wheal Busy crossing.

2) 66 113 & 097 having just passed under Apex Bridge.

1) 66 113 & 097 approaching Apex Bridge. 22nd November 2023. Copyright Mick House,

2) 66 113 & 097 having passed under Apex Bridge. 22nd November 2023. Copyright Mick House,

Superb action shots - many thanks Mick.

Creech St Michael
Bill Elston

Hi Keith,
Precious little to report from this neck of the woods these days.
However I caught Voyager 220018 on 1V52 Edinb - Plymouth ,
followed by HST 43097 and 43153 on 2U20, Penz - Cardiff
Get 'em while you can!
Take care, Bill. Elston.

220018, 1v52 Edinburgh - Plymouth. Creech St Michael. Copyright Bill Elston 22nd Npvember 2023

43097, Penzance to Cardiff. Creech St Michael. Copyright Bill Elston 22nd Npvember 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.

43153 brings up the rear on the Penzance to Cardiff. Creech St Michael. Copyright Bill Elston 22nd Npvember 2023

Many thanks Bill

22nd November 2023

22/11/2023

Goonbarrow Junction
Ponts Mill Branch
and St Blazey 1974
Roger Winnen

740330h Goonbarrow Signal Box. Copyright Roger Winnen

740330b The line to Ponts Mill going off to the right. Copyright Roger Winnen

740330d St Blazey Yard. Copyright Roger Winnen

China Clay Over
Ponts Mill Viaduct
Jon Hird

66165 has just crept onto the viaduct at Ponts Mill with todays (22.11.2023) Goonbarrow - Fowey China Clay working. The footpath beneath was once a long siding, which extended to various industrial workings along the valley floor, and hidden in the trees to the right of the image is the incline of Joseph Treffrys tramway. Copyright Jon Hird.

A going-away shot of the train as the locomotive nears a private-access overbridge. Beyond this, out of shot, lie the ruins of the former Ponts Mill dries. Just visible off the viaduct at the bottom of the image is what appears to be a set of catch points. Copyright Jon Hird.

Thanks Jon

Class 47s in differant liveries
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, Hope you are well and survived the earth tremor! I have some pictures to send of class 47s in a variety of liveries and we kick off with 47573 ‘The Evening Standard’ arriving at Oxford on 15 December 1988 at Oxford with the 13.15 from Paddington. This loco. was the first to be painted,in June 1986,in the Network South east livery and still looks smart over two years later. Thanks, Michael.

Many Thanks Michael
'I never felt the tremor as I was asleep'

Steam at
Kemble
Ken Mumford

Kemble arrival.

I found that the departing shots were quite atmospheric!!
The loco did slip twice but was quickly brought under control.
Kind regards, Ken Mumford

44871 at Kemble. 21st November 2023. Copyright Ken Mumford.

44871 Kemble a spirited departure in front of the long disused but preserved water tower. 21st November 2023. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken for being there to catch the action.

BTM, Westbury and Weymouth
Paul Barlow

Hello Keith

A few of a trip from Bristol to Weymouth by Wessex trains in 2004.
Hope they are of interest
Kind Regards
Paul Barlow

On hire to Wessex Trains 31128 at Westbury 1428 Bristol to Weymouth. 22nd September 2004 Copyright Paul Barlow.

Arrival at Weymouth 31452 on the empty stock. 22nd September 2004. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Fragonset black liveried 31128 has arrived at Weymouth on the 14.28 from Bristol. 22nd September 2004 Copyright Paul Barlow.

Fragonset Inter-city liveried 31454 at Weymouth on the 17.18 to Bristol. 22nd September 2004 Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks to you Paul - a good record of a good day out.

21st November 2023

21/11/2023

Six from Paul
Bristol & Exeter SD
Paul Barlow

A few from last Friday at Bristol Temple Meads.
HST's will soon be a thing of the past in Bristol with the December timetable change. The ghostly image was unintentional! You may not want to use it.

Kind regards, Paul Barlow.

43004 43156 on front of the 10.50 Penzance to Cardiff 17th November 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow

43156 43004 on rear 1050 Penzance to Cardiff 17th November 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow

43004 43156 on front 1700 Taunton to Cardiff 17th November 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow

Ghostly image at Bristol 43156 43004 on rear 1700 Taunton to Cardiff. 17th November 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.

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43004 43156 on the 06.50 Bristol to Penzance passes Exeter St Thomas. 20th November 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow

166205 07.24 Exmouth to Paignton passes Exeter St Thomas. 20th November 2023. . Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul
N.B. As we understand it HST's will still be running into Cornwall in 2025

NBL diesel locos
Ken Mumford

At Barry Scrapyard D600 and D601 Copyright Ken Mumford.

Cashmores Scrapyard at Newport. Copyright Ken Mumford

Cashmores Scrapyard at Newport. - Copyright Ken Mumford

Many thanks Ken - 50 years ago.
Location info supplied by Mick House

Bere Alston
Roger Geach

Many thanks Roger.

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Latest News & Features

Thanks for passing these on Ken. If I can be advised on who John is I would appreciate that.​

Calstock & GunnislakeMark Lynam

China Clay OverPonts Mill ViaductJon Hird

Archives

Thanks for passing these on Ken. If I can be advised on who John is I would appreciate that.

Calstock & Gunnislake
Mark Lynam

China Clay Over
Ponts Mill Viaduct
Jon Hird