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Items added on 11th December 2016 Those added most recently come first.

11/12/2016

Santa arrives early
at Yeovil Steam Centre
Caught by John Cornelius

Hi keith, A few pics of our santa specials at Yeovil junction today. A very good number of visitors.
It was foggy early, but by the time the punters started to arrive it had cleared and we had mild sunny day. cheers JOHN C. Many thanks John

We have three people who take the part of santa on the various days, one may do the morning session and another in the afternoon, or as on sunday one did the whole day.As one of two assistant guards covering the brake van, I managed to slip off for a few lineside shots. For the past few years at my suggestion, we like to have santa ride on the first morning and afternoon trains meeting the visitors before he goes to the grotto.This goes down well with the youngsters and probably the parents as well, heres a couple of pics of santa on the train and one in the grotto. cheers JOHN C.

Craig Munday - Returning rail train and RHTT today

70802 at Coombe St Stephens with return CWR working. 11th December 2016. Copyright Craig Munday

RHTT train at Trenoweth 11th December 2016. Copyright Craig Munday

70802 on a CWR Train at Penzance
Roger Salter & Roger Winnen

161211c 70802 Running arounds its train at slopers siding. Copyright Roger Salter

161211d Waiting to push back its train into Penzance Station. Copyright Roger Salter

161211aa 70802 Backs in its train of CWR to form the 09.00 to Westbury Down. Copyright Roger Winnen

161211b 70802 Departing Penzance at 09.52 running 52 mins late to Westbury Down. Copyright Roger Winnen

Snow at Crewkerne
John Cornelius

One advantage of snow is that it emphasises the track layout. Note the double track main line arrangement through the station with vans both behind the down platform and in the goods yard. Copyright John Cornelius

Colour at Coombe
Peter Murnaghan

Hi Keith,
I thought that you might like to see my picture of this Thursday's 1003 Moorswater - Aberthaw cement empties, hauled by 70805. My view is of the train waiting to receive the token at Coombe Junction Halt for the section up the incline to Liskeard station, with Moorswater viaduct in the background.
I enjoy the website - keep up the great work.
Best wishes, Peter Murnaghan, Liskeard
Many thanks Peter, and welcome as a new contributor

A smashing shot at Coombe on the 8th December 2016. Copyright Peter Murnagham

Items added on 10th December 2016 Those added most recently come first.

10/12/2016

Tre, Pol & Pen
The naming ceremony
Roger Winnen

The naming ceremony was carried out on platform 4 at Truro Station on the 16th July 1985.

Various dignatories at the naming ceremony of Tre Pol & Pen at Truro Station on the 16th July 1985. To the right is the Manager of Cornwall Railways - the late Rusty Epplett., on the extreme left is Vic Millington - the gentleman responsible for the artwork on the headboards. Note, all are sporting Cornwall Ties. Copyright Roger Winnen.

A view from the footbridge steps after the naming ceremony. Penryn School Band conducted by Mr Barnes provides background music. 16th Juky 1985 Copyright Roger Winnen

The crowds start to disperse after the ceremony - a view from platform 2. 16th July 1985. Copyright Roger Winnen

37196 returns to Par after the naming ceremony. A very interesting engineering train has got the right away on the down main. 18th July 1985. Copyright Roger Winnen.

37 196 now head back to St Blazey to resume normal duties. 18th July 1985. Copyright Roger Winnen.

Tre, Pol & Pen at Plymouth
John Cornelius

Axminster Gates Crossing
More information
Chris Osment

One item leads to another:- recent poctures and info kindly suplied by John Cornelius have led Chris Osment writing in with yet more info and another picture. Many thanks Chris (Railwest).

Axminster Gates used to have a 10-lever ‘knee’ type ground-level frame (which I believe has been preserved privately). It was opened in 1893 as a block-post, but downgraded to ground-frame (GF) status in 1913. When the signal-box at Axminster station was closed on 5th March 1967 the GF was upgraded temporarily to block-post status until the line was singled on 11th June 1967, whereupon it reverted to GF status again. The gates were replaced by full lifting barriers on 25th February 1973, then subsequently the GF was closed on 16th December 1973 and control of the signals and barriers was transferred to a new control point in the station office, with CCTV supervision of the crossing. When the ‘dynamic loop’ was installed at Axminster the station control-point was closed and control of the crossing transferred to Chard Junction signal-box. Now of course it is all controlled from Basingstoke.
My photo shows the control point in the station on 13th July 1984.
Regards, Chris

Axminster CP 13th July 1984 Copyright Chris Osment

Items added on 9th December 2016 Those added most recently come first.

St Ives branch operation
Laurence Hansford

Garth Tilt's article pretty much encapsulates the flavour of what it was like during the Summer months back in steam days. Just a couple of small comments, though.

I always understood that if everything was running to time, it was normal practice for the pair of 45s to draw the train straight onto the branch direct from Platform 1 (the Down Main). Don’t forget that back then St Erth was a double junction (if that is the right term). In other words the Branch could be accessed directly from either Main Line.

However it was a different matter if the down Riviera was running late or there was already a train on the Branch for some other reason. On a Summer Saturday there was so much traffic that neither Main platform could be left occupied by a waiting train so it was usual for the 45s to push the train forwards and into the Up Refuge siding at the West end of the station where they could wait in comfort until the Branch was clear. Not sure what they did with passengers who wanted to get on at St Erth, though.

With regard to the use of 9748, I have to admit I never saw it. As soon as I was able to recognise numbers the first thing that caught my eye was the splendid brass number plates on the side of the engines and I think this would have been in 1948. I wondered why the first two numbers were always the same but the last always different; my father wasn’t much help, he just said that the numbers were so that individual engines could be recognised. On the occasional shopping trips to Penzance (by train, of course) it didn’t take me long to notice that the first two numbers differed between different sorts of engines and came to the obvious conclusion. I was now on the look-out for engines at St Ives which didn’t have 4 & 5 as their first two numbers but none ever appeared. Indeed, right throughout the 1950s I never saw anything other than pure 45XXs at St Ives and it wasn’t for want of looking!

However, in the late fifties I did hear about the Cameo appearance of one of the ubiquitous pannier tanks at St Ives on 2 or 3 occasions during the day in school hours. I have been looking through my notes scribbled at the time and I recorded that 9763 worked during April 1962 when a D63XX broke down and that 5545 replaced a 45XX on the 5:30 pm on some days. Later, on the 23rd June 1962 I saw 5508 at St Ives and then 5545 again on the 3rd August. The last time I saw any steam loco at St Ives was a week later, on the 10th August, when 5545 reappeared yet again.

By the beginning of the 1960s it was obvious that steam wouldn’t last much longer in Cornwall and I would have liked to take some photos before it, and possibly the Branch, disappeared. All my father had was a pre-war Box Brownie which I soon found was next to useless for anything other than family snaps and anybody who was around at the time will recall that a good camera was mighty expensive – way beyond my pocket. My parents, like lots of people, were in the habit of visiting local auction salerooms (which in post-war Britain were in every town) and I used to go with them so I started to look for a second-hand camera. It was the same story; if it was nice, it was still a lot more than I could afford. However one day I spotted a pre-war German folding plate camera which took the smallest size of plates, 2½ x 3½ in. It was in pretty good condition and had a good lens and shutter so I bid for it and got it for the princely sum of 7/6, complete with six dark slides for the plates. Disappointment soon came when I discovered that a box of a dozen plates cost 6/6 and processing about the same so I determined to do my own developing. I got the chemicals from a Government Surplus yard in Hayle somewhere off Mellanear Road and used a couple of plastic sandwich boxes. As one can imagine without either experience, a light meter or a darkroom there was a good deal of trial and error before I was able to produce acceptable images and quite a few of the precious plates got wasted.

Well, the first proper use of my new acquisition happened to be on the 10th August 1962 so I did get 3 photos of 5545 but the quality is embarrassingly bad; the plates were under-exposed and nought out of ten for the developing (unless you appreciate finger streaks etc). Anyway, here they are as they do prove that 5545 did indeed visit St Ives. They were taken in the afternoon as she had been doing some shunting of goods wagons. The first shot shows her in the Bay Platform, the second going off to fill up with water and the third being coupled-up to the branch train.

As for the pannier tanks, although they had more adhesive weight and marginally more tractive effort, even thought they had the same size wheels they couldn’t match a 45XX or 55XX for either speed or stamina. After the end of steam in the West Country some of the 55XXs ended their days in the Thames Valley working up to Paddington, mostly on pick-up goods and parcels traffic. On several occasions I was lucky enough to see one hammering, flat out, through Maidenhead on a non-stop parcels train from Reading to Slough with 5 or 6 vehicles, at a truly astounding speed taking full advantage of Brunel’s Billiard Table. No pannier tank could do that!

And, yes it was usual to run passenger trains not only out of but also into the Bay Platform on Summer Saturdays – the platform edge wasn’t painted white just for appearances.

Oh, and here is also a shot of 55xx on a goods at Maidenhed waiting for the “right away”. Note that the points are set for the branch to Bourne End and High Wycombe. Like at St Erth, the connection from the Down Relief was taken out many years ago.
Cheers, Laurence.. Many thanks indeed Laurence. Your early efforts with a camera captured scenes that would otherwsie be lost and are much appreciated.

It's the 10th of August 1962 as 5545 stands in the bay platform at St Ives before going off to get water. Note the camping coach standing in the goods sidings. Copyright Laurence Hansford

5545 goes off to get water on what was probably the last day ever of steam at St Ives. 10th August 1962. Copyright Laurence Hansford.

The fireman engaged in that hazardous operation of coupling up works between the buffers. 10th August 1962. Copyright Laurence Hansford

Way out of our parish, but here's a 55xx at Maidenhead in 1965?. Copyright Laurence Hansford.

Axminster Gates Crossing 3
John Cornelius

The redundant signal box was used as a shelter if there was a need for manual operation of the barriers. Copyright John Cornelius.

Items added on 8th December 2016 Those added most recently come first.

8/12/2016

Galls Shop, St Erth
Steve Martin (Auckland)

I hope 2016 has been a great year for you all.. I've certainly enjoyed regular visits to the CRS website. I'm wondering if you wouldn't mind posting this image and query on the CRS website. This rather blurred photo is a publicly available on the net so I think it is fine to share it on the site. It's the only photo I've seen of Harry Galls shop which was located for many years opposite the entrance to the goods yard at St Erth. As far as I can ascertain it was still there in the 1950's and possibly the building was intact in the early sixties. An aerial photo of this area from 1969 shows it and the cottage behind it had been removed. I'm hoping that some of your readers might be able to shed some more light on the story of the store. If anyone has any images of it and the cottage that stood behind it that they want to share they would be gold to me. I'm going to model these building as accurately as limited information allows me on my 2mm Finescale St Erth model. Thank you in advance for your help Kind Regards Steve FURTHER INFO :- It appears that the shop was not Harry Gall's, but actually run by James Henry John Gall son of James Henry Gall. It appears that JHJ Gall died in 1961

Axminster Gates Crossing 2
John Cornelius

Axminster gates crossing is situated at the bottom of castle hill about a quarter of a mile east from Axminster station.The area east of there has been developed over the years with housing. When the line was double track, Axminster gates box controlled the the crossing,but when the line was singled it was closed and remained as a refuge for staff when the barriers were on local control,of course all equipment was removed. When the new loop was put in through Axminster a few years ago the old box was demolished with the modernisation at the crossing. Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 7th December 2016 Those added most recently come first.

7/12/2016

The Answer to todays
Redruth area puzzle.
Roy Hart

Dear Keith, Here is the evidence: Next to the signalman is the gate bolt lever (no 23). It is in the normal position -gates locked across road. Moving towards the camera, next are 2 white (spare) levers. These were once the gate bolt for locking gates across railway in the days before 1961, when there were 4 gates, worked by a wheel and number 21, which was the outer up distant in the days of Carn Brea station box. Next comes the yellow lever number 20, the up distant. 19, 18 and 17 are the up running signals, all reversed. Carn Brea Yard box closed in 1973. Roy Many thanks Roy - Roy Hart a 'Redruthian' can be relied to come up with the answers - in his youth he frequented the box at Carn Brea Yard. Rpy sends in the answer from far off Burma.

Walter Haine at work in what we now know to be Carn Brea Yard Signalbox. Picture from the Geoff Leonard Collection

The Aberthaw to Moorswater Cement with 70805 ran today via Lostwithiel
Photographs by Jacob Hampson and Roger Winnen

161207a The 6C35 Aberthaw Cement Works to Moorswater via Lostwithiel is seen passing Restormal in brilliant sunshine. Copyright Jacob Hampson

161207b Returning from its run around at Lostwithiel 70805 with the cement heads through Liskeard Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

161207c We see the train approaching Coombe Junction Halt prior to going forward to Moorswater. Copyright Roger Winnen

161207d We turn around and see the train heading for Coombe Junction Platform. Copyright Roger Winnen

161207e 70805 Heads the train under Moorswater Viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen

161207f The massive front end of 70805 as she enters Moorswater. Copyright Roger Winnen

161207h 70805 Tucked away for the night at Moorswater. Copyright Roger Winnen

Redruth Area Puzzle
Geoff Leonard

Hi Keith,
We've recently found a photo of my uncle in his signal box. Since he was rarely photographed we were wondering if it might have been taken on his last day of service -- we think he got some kind of redundancy payment, so might have retired early.

Since his 44-year service certificate is dated 5th October 1968, is it possible the box might have closed at that time?

Anyway, we thought the photo/scan might be of interest even if nobody recognises the box!!

Best, Geoff Thanks Geoff.
Now all you 'budding detectives', take a look at the picture below - can you help? The signal seen through the window may help - it is a pity that 'Uncle' blocks more of the view.

Redruth Area signalbox, but which one? The late Walter Haines stands in the traditional pose with duster on the levers. Picture from Geoff Leonard Collection. Copyright.

The retirement certificate presented to Walter Haine. Does anybody remember him?

Axminster Gates Crossing 1
John Cornelius

Morning Keith , Looking through some negs in the last day or so
I thought this one would be of interest to you.
A train at Axminster gates xing when it was still single line and the old signal box still in situ. When I was at Axminster we used it for shelter
if we were manually operating the barriers when their was a failure.
Cheers JOHN C.

Items added on 6th December 2016 Those added most recently come first.

6/12/2016

Tre, Pol & Pen
John Cornelius

By Trre, Pol & Pen - 'Ye shall know the Cornishmen'!. A picture taken at Plymouth by John Cornelius

The Railway Scene at Penzance in September, 2000 Part 2
Roger Winnen

Penzance Sept 24th 2000 HST Empty stock from Long Rock Depot to form the next London service. Copyright Roger Winnen

Penzance Sept 24th 2000 Class 158 arr with the Alpha Line Wales & West service. Copyright Roger Winnen

Penzance Sept 24th 2000 Loco Hauled Class 47 with the Paddington Penzance service at 16.40. Notice the cycle way under construction. Copyright Roger Winnen

Penzance Sept 24th 2000. Class 47 departs on the 17.30 to Paddington. Copyright Roger Winnen

Items added on 5th December,2016 Those added most recently come first.

5/12/2016

From the John Cornelious Collection

Copyright John Cornelious

57306 'Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate'

Much interest was sparked today as 57306 unexpectedly ran into Westbury this morning on the 0Z79 08.40 Old Oak Common to Penzance light engine movement to assist 57605 on the Sunday Night Sleeper.
Guy Vincent writes that 57306 was converted from 47814 'Totnes Castle' back in March 2003 for Virgin Trains. Named 'Jeff Tracey' it was denamed in 2011 when Virgin gave it up. It was named 'Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate 175' in November, 2015. The loco has also carried the numbers 47659, 47242 and D1919. As 47242 it was often seen at Westbury on stone traffic in the early 1980s
We thank Guy Vincent, Matthew Addelse and Andrew Triggs for supplying photographs of this run.

161204b 57306 runs into Westbury this morning on 0Z79 08.40 Old Oak Common to Penzance light engine movement to assist 57605 on Sunday Nights 'Night Riviera' Copyright Guy Vincent

161204d 57306 Crossing the Royal Albert Bridge on route to Penzance. Copyright Matthew Addelsee

161204e 57306 nearing journeys end photographed on Marazion Marsh. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Items added on 4th December, 2016 Those added most recently come first

4/12/2016

The Railway Scene at Penzance in September, 2000 Part 1
Roger Winnen

How differant the Railways in Cornwall look today! In 2000 We had Virgin Hsts operating services to the north together with Virgin locomotive hauled stock. South West Trains commenced at service on Sundays to London Waterloo and we had Wales and West liveries on the Class 158s

Penzance Sept 24th 2000 Virgin HST empty stock from the depot arrives at the station. Notice the cycle and footway under construction, no high fence then. Copyright Roger Winnen

Penzance Sept 24th 2000 The new service to London Waterloo on Sundays with the Town Cryer in attendance ringing his bell and announcing its departure. Copyright Roger Winnen

Penzance Sept 24th 2000 Class 47 departs Penzance with the 09.30 to Glasgow. Copyright Roger Winnen

From the John Cornelious Collection

Items added on the 3rd December,2016 Those added most recently come first

3/12/2016

The Cathedrals Express passes Grateley on Route to Salisbury
Pat Mumford

Grateley Station situated between Andover and Salisbury saw the Cathedrals Express today hauled by Black Fives 44871 and 45407 at approx 13.00hrs. This train originated from Southend East then via West London to Salisbury and returning by the same route.

161203a The Cathedrals Express at Grateley hauled by 44871 & 45407 Copyright Pat Mumford

161203b The going away photograph at Grateley. Copyright Pat Mumford

161203c The Network Rail Rail Head Treatment Train operating as a self contained unit passes Grateley. Copyright Pat Mumford

161203d The South West Trains 159 units call at Grateley on the Waterloo Exeter services. Copyright Pat Mumford.

Summertime at Dawlish in June 1983
Michael Forward

830613b 47282 Heads a Leeds to Newquay working seen approaching Dawlish. Copyright Michael Forward

830613c Mum reads the paper and dad tries to get his pipe going ignoring the roar of 50001 Dreadnought behind the 09.47 Paddington-Newquay. Copyright Michael Forward

830613d More interest is shown in 47558 as it prepares to stop at Dawlish Station, working unknown. Copyright Michael Forward

Buses replacing trains during weekends in January 2017
Roger Winnen

Disruption on Weekends in January 2017 is forecast with buses replacing trains between Penzance and Truro on all Saturdays and Sundays in January. It is believed that track relaying will be taking place at Wheal Bois near Redruth. Last Sunday saw a Colas Class 66 off loading rails near the Old Redruth Bypass at Treleigh before departing to Penzance in order to run around its train prior to returning to Westbury.

66201 passes Treleigh on the Royal Train, its 17th May, 2013. Her Majesty was on route to St Ives changing into a 150 Class Sprinter at St Erth. This is the location where we expect to see the engineering work in January, 2017. Copyright Roger Winnen

Items added on the 2nd December 2016 Those added most recently come first

2/12/2016

Lapford
Roger Winnen

A charming picture of a rural station - Lapford Station on the 17th April 1974 Copyright Roger Winnen

Hewish
John Cornelius

Roger Salter in South Devon Part 2

161117e The RHTT 08.45 Westbury to St Blazey running at slow speed tailing a unit. Copyright Roger Salter

161116d The 346y 08.45 Westbury to St Blazey passing the 630F 11.02 St Blazey to Exeter Riverside at Rockstone Bridge. Copyright Roger Salter

161118z The Network Rail Measurement train at Cockwood Harbour. Copyright Roger Salter

Items added on the 1st December 2016 Those added most recently come first

1/12/2016

HOT OFF THE PRESS
A brand new book by
Roger Geach

This new book takes the reader on a photographic journey on the Cornish railway main line from Plymouth to Penzance as seen through the camera lens of the author and friends. All the existing main stations en route are illustrated in colour, along with some of the major infrastructure, such as some of the splendid viaducts. The photographs date from the late 1960s through to the present, with the majority taken in the 1970s and 1980s. The huge variety of regular diesel motive power is shown together with a few steam hauled specials that have run in the county since 1985. Regular motive power from the 1970s, including the popular diesel hydraulic westerns, are shown working both passenger and freight traffic. The regular diesel electrics are also illustrated as well as some rare visitors to the county.
This book should be of interest to anyone who likes the railways of Cornwall. It should also appeal to modellers who wish to study train consist and station views from the past, and local historians.
For further details - click here http://www.ypdbooks.com/travel-and-adventure/1539-plymouth-to-penzance-YPD01735.html

Newquay Harbour Tramway
Alan Harris

The branch serving Newquay harbour ran more or less level from Newquay station to a 1 in 4 incline which led down to the harbour through a 96 yard tunnel. The incline was worked initially by means of a horse worked whim. Later however , a steam powered winch housed in this building at the top of the incline was used. There were two large boilers looking rather like ' two grounded locomotives on shed' which protruded through the centre and right hand arches. Attached to each of these boilers were extremely high chimneys to improve draught'. Presumably the left hand of this building was ripped out together with the steam engine which powered the winch. For details of this house complete with boilers see John Vaugnans 'Branch to Newquay and its branches'. Page 144. Picture courtesy of the Alan Harris Collection.

Taunton
John Cornelius

Criccieth Castle entered service in April 1934 and was withdrawn in November 1964. Copyright John Cornelius

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