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Roger Geach writes :- One of the last duties the 37s were used on in Cornwall were the Moorswater Cement in Cornwall, that is, apart from sandite duties. When DBS ran the cement here is Loadhaul 37516 on the working. Take a look at these pictures and compare them with Roger Winnen's taken earlier this month on the occasion of the last cement working. There is another picture of this train in the Lostwithiel section Many thanks Roger.   Whilst there has been 'saturation publicity' on the tremendous problems at Cowley Bridge Junction with the torrents of water pouring across the line. Many congratulations to the Engineer and teams working at that site. We have also heard that the Looe and Newquay branches have also been closed due to flooding. To show just how bad it is we show three pictures sent by Network Rail of the problems they have encountered on these branches. Let's hope for their sake that 2013 proves to be a drier year, though not too dry. We are indeed privileged to have the pictures below. Many thanks to Craig Munday for forwarding them.    Just an update to my note about the closure of Mexico crossing, Long Rock. I was told that there is another notice up now so I investigated this afternoon.On the village side an official notice order by Cornwall Council about the temporary closure due to safety issues and that it is for 21 days until new safety measures can be put in place.So it looks at present as though it might be kept open. I will keep you updated. Thanks Roger
Roger Salter wrote. I was phoned by a Long Rock resident at lunchtime to say that Long Rock x was being closed. However when I got there it was rather a damp squib as the workman had gone and they had padlocked the gates put up notices and footpath diversion notices. As you will see from the pics, the notice says temporary, but after the Coroners comments and Network Rail want to close hundreds of foot crossings throughout the country perhaps this will be permanent.I am not sure nowadays but I always thought it needed an Order in Council or an Act Of Parliament? Many thanks for your pictures and report Roger.     Whilst we were waiting to find out if the cement train previously published was indeed the last train to Moorswater John Ball has kindly send information on this Pathfinders tour below.
Railtour to Moorswater & Looe Pathfinder on Sunday 10 February 2013 with class 37 power from Bristol, leaving at 09.55. Exmouth branch in the late morning and afternoon trip to Moorswater and Looe. No mention of the Moorswater line having lost its cement traffic. Also, passengers have to get off at Liskeard while the train goes over the connection between main line and branch line stations. Hi Keith. Some more lovely bright low sunlight this afternoon caught 6P07 at Carlyon Bay with 66104 doing the honours. Could do with some tree lopping here couldnt we? Cheers for now Craig Many thanks Craig.   Some crystal clear light resulted in an excellent photo opportunity earlier this week. Here's 66104 with 6G06 and 153380 with 2N02 on 12th Dec 2012 in the near freezing morning at St Blazey. Many thanks Craig.   Today, Tuesday 11th December 2012, what was expected to be the last cement train to Moorswater was witnessed by a gathering of enthusiasts from far and wide. Freightliner class 66 546 hauled a load of twenty cement tanks which departed Westbury in the early hours. Although the shunter said it was the last cement train, management at Moorswater mentioned two more trains next week, Monday and Friday. Only time will tell. It is understood that there will be a railtour to Moorswater and Fowey in February 2013. Many thanks to Roger Winnen for the sequence of pictures below.                       On Sunday 9th December 2012 the crossover between the up and down main lines was removed thus producing a very long section between Truro and St Erth without any cross overs. It is understood that the pointwork removed is to be reused to replace points at Truro. 66957 Stephenson Locomotive Society 1909-2009 was at the Truro end of the train and 66530 at the Penzance end. Our photographers, to whom I owe many thanks, continued to shuffle about the work site as did the works train. It is hoped that these pictures are in an order which enables the viewer to capture the atmosphere. Many thanks to Roger Salter and Roger Winnen for these pictures.                  I thought you may like these taken this morning, by a brave Signalman out in the cold at sunrise at Goonbarrow! Venus is visible to the right of the signal. Many thanks Craig  |