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31st December 2022 New Years Eve.

31/12/2022

The end of 1962
Michael L. Roach

THE END of 1962 – PART 17
Yelverton on the Last Day of Passenger Services (3)
The last photograph shown yesterday of 6400 running through Yelverton with ECS was taken at 2.30pm from the accomodation bridge at the north end of the station. The caption said note the stop board for freight trains; in fact there was a stop board at both ends of the station which was at the summit of the section from Tavistock Junction to Tavistock South. I returned to the safety of the station awnings.
The wind was not too bad when I arrived at Yelverton at 11.23am but was now increasing rapidly and by 3.00pm I was able to record that a full-scale easterly blizzard was raging. Hearing the train approaching I went out into the snow to stand on the steps of the signal box to record the 2.10pm Plymouth to Tavistock arriving at Yelverton at 3.04pm, some 21L. Although I was wearing a duffle coat with a hood the cold was so intense and the wind so strong it felt as though the icy blast was cutting straight through me; and I was glad to return to the shelter of the station awnings again. The station was now unstaffed as the porter had ended his single shift at 2.00pm, it is believed. By a strange coincidence the booking office at my local station a 5 minute walk away is, 60 years later, staffed on a single shift from 6.45am to 2.00pm – but for how much longer if the current management have their way. The resulting photograph of 6430 entering the station shows the snow blowing from only just above the horizontal. I am looking almost due south and the wind is coming from the east, all the way from Siberia according to some experts at the time. It certainly felt like it.
I now had more than 65 minutes to stand, stare and shiver until the next train which was the 3.05pm Plymouth to Launceston which eventually appeared 31L. I stood on the footbridge to watch 4591 run in with four coaches, and then walked along beside the loop to photograph 4591 stopped and moving off in a cloud of steam. I had planned to travel home on the 4.30pm from Tavistock to Plymouth due off Yelverton at 4.46pm, but soon after seeing 4591 pass very late I realised that if my train was late I would not be getting home in time for any tea before returning to the station to catch the 6.20pm to Launceston. There was nothing for it but to drag myself up the long steep station access road to the village in the hope that the buses were still running in the blizzard conditions. They were and I did not have to wait long for a red Plymouth Corporation Leyland double-decker appear on its return journey from Dousland, which up until 1956 was also served by a railway station on the Princetown branch. The bus driver somehow managed to keep the bus on the road in the newly fallen snow, and with a much shorter walk from the bus stop than the railway station, I could have a good tea before heading off to Plymouth Station for a last return trip over the branch.
Locos seen on the branch on 29 December 1962 were:
6400, 6430
4574, 4591, 5564, 5568, 5569
MLR / 21 December 2022

2763 6430 enters Yelverton with the 2.10pm Plymouth to Tavistock South in a blizzard. The streaks across the image are not flaws but snow being driven by an easterly gale force wind. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2766 6430 leaves Yelverton in a cloud of steam. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2768 View of Yelverton Station showing the former Princetown platform on the left. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2771 4591 enters Yelverton with the 3.05pm Plymouth to Launceston carrying the specially made headboard. Photo taken at 1/125 of a second at f2.8. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks indeed Michael.

Rare occurance at
Creech St Michael
Bill Elston

Hi Keith,
Firstly, I hope you've all had a good Christmas, in spite of the weather.
I was over at Creech today for freight 6V08, 1018 Margam to Exeter Riverside Yd. This was a rake of container flats hauled by EWS 66030,
quite a surprise - when did we last see such a train in the South West?

Happy New Year to you all, Bill.

66030 at Creech St Michael , 30th December 2022. Copyright Bill Elston.

Thank you. Nice to hear from you again Bill - the compliments of the season to you and all.

Review of some of the years pictures
Driver Alan Peters

A Happy New Year to the Cornwall Railway Society and it's readers, a review of the highlights of 2022 in pictures for each Month, today January to June
Driver Alan Peters

January saw the trail of a timber train from Newton Abbot, this was the first log train since 2015 when the last train ran from Teigngrace, it was hoped more timber trains would run but this is still in the balance. Colas Rail 70803 is seen at Hackney Yard as a GWR IET passes on 18/01/22 - Driver Alan Peters

Engineering work between Exeter and Plymouth saw Colas Rail 70816 with a train of loaded concrete sleepers in the early evening at Dawlish Warren on 05/02/22 - Driver Alan Peters

Another trail from Newton Abbot, this time DCR with a stone flow to Willesden on 21/03/22, 60046 "William Wilberforce" is pictured at Hackney Yard with the heaviest train to work out of Devon, stone traffic still on the cards however the weight limit on the bridge into the yard is sighted as one of the problems. Driver Alan Peters

April saw a blockade on the recently opened Okehampton line for further engineering works at Fatherford, Colas Rail 70803 is in the early morning sun seen with the high output MFS wagons at Okehampton on 29/04/22 - Driver Alan Peters

Class 56's still see regular use with Colas Rail mainly in the North of England and only venture on to Western Region metals for the RHTT circuit out of Swindon, however 56113 was rostered to work a ballast train at Freshford station on 7/05/22 and is pictured at Limpley Stoke waiting to leave the possession back to Westbury via Bristol and Taunton - Driver Alan Peters

Rail Live at Long Marston in June is the highlight of the railway calendar, although out of the area a tedious link to Eastleigh with freshly painted 69005 named "Eastleigh" looking resplendent in green livery on 22/06/22 - Alan Peters

Many thanks and a Happy New Year to Alan Peters.

Good News on Timber Traffic
Chris Bellett

Hi keith,
With reference to todays website update and the item on timber traffic from Newton Abbot. Here is some good news https://www.railfreight.com/railfreight/2022/12/28/uk-euroforest-puts-timber-on-trains-and-backs-rail-freight/?gdpr=accept
Kind Regards, Chris Bellett, Retired S&T Engineer,
B&WR Chief S&T Engineer, CRS Member.

Thanks Chris.

30th December 2022

30/12/2022

The end of 1962
Michael L. Roach

THE END of 1962 – PART 16
Yelverton on the Last Day of Passenger Services (2)
The last photograph shown yesterday of 6430 on the 12.40pm Tavistock to Plymouth was taken at 1.04pm with the train running just 9L. It had started to snow at Yelverton around 12.00 noon on 29 December 1962, light at first but gradually increasing in intensity. I saw three trains pass in the hour from 1.30pm to 2.30pm, all running a bit late, and the snow was now srarting to cover the rails in places. As I was writing this on the evening of 19 December 2022 I was also watching “Winter Walks” on BBC 4 through the Yorkshire Dales and the presenter stopped to recite a very famous poem titled Leisure by the Welsh Poet W.H. Davies (1871 – 1940) which made me think. The poem goes like this:
What is this life, if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare ?
…....................................... (more)
A poor life this if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.
I had plenty of time to stand and stare on the afternoon of 29 December 1962. Ignoring the train that had brought me to Yelverton I saw 9 trains pass through the station in 277 minutes equalling one every half hour. Between trains I had plenty of time to strand and stare at the infrastructure of the station. The track was disappearing under the blanket of snow and only one track was in use. The Princetown track had long gone so there were two disused platforms. All the buildings remained although only the small downside booking office was in use for part of the day. The distinguishing feature of Yelverton Station was the octagonal station building on the island platfom which was made of timber and dated from 1885. It was closed when the loop was taken out of use but remained intact. It contained a large central booking hall; a booking office at the north (small) end with toilets at the other end for ladies and gentlemen. The building had an awning on the longest sides and luckily for me on such a day the footbridge also had a roof. There were plenty of places for me to shelter while waiting for the next train. With no signals to guide me and the trains getting later and later I had to select my next spot to take a photo and shelter close by and soak up my last views of a functioning station before going out into the snow at the last minute.
MLR / 19 December 2022

2751 I had walked some distance out of Yelverton Station to capture this view of 6400 taking three corridor coaches out to Tavistock on the 12.40pm off Plymouth. The loco would have had to run round at Tavistock. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2755 5564 stands at Yelverton with the 12.40pm Launceston to Plymouth. Copyrright Michael L. Roach.

2758 View of Yelverton Station from the accomodation bridge. By now the porter has gone home and I have the station to myself. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2761 6400 runs through the station non-stop with the 2.00pm ECS train from Tavistock to Millbay Note the stop board for freight trains. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks indeed - we admire your stamina staying put in such dreadful conditions.

Three days to go - the last trips of the
Hythe Ferry Tramway
Kevin P. Jenkin

I don't think the CRS website has a nautical section, but this email is partially relevant with the connected Hythe Pier railway and just falls within the boundaries.

Hythe in Hampshire is a growing settlement on the opposite bank of Southampton Water / the River Test to Southampton itself, and is one of the gateways to the New Forest. It was a village in 1950 but is now an ever expanding place with a population of over 20,000.
There has been a ferry between Hythe and Southampton for over 400 years (as recorded on maps from 1575 and 1788), but on new year's eve 2022 the ferry will cease to run because of economic pressures. It has needed financial support in the recent past and the change in working arrangements are not in the ferry's favour. New Forest people enjoy the convenience of the car, but complain constantly of traffic jams on the A326 and the road network into the greater Southampton area. Covid also affected the way that people commute and work, reducing travel demand.
Southampton is clearly visible from Hythe (about 2.7km from land to land) but because of the distance to the channel, 600m of the journey is taken up by the Hythe pier, and the pier incorporates an electric railway. The pier (built in around 1880) seems to be safe (although in need of some TLC in places) as it was recently grade 2 listed, but without the Southampton ferry, the railway seems vulnerable. Volunteers and crowdfunding are keeping things going.
The 2 foot gauge pier railway with 250V third rail was built in around 1920 and the locomotives and stock are of a similar age.
The ferry was busy today - probably on the best weather day since the ferry closure was announced. Fingers are crossed on both sides of the water, but the local authorities who have bailed out the operation in the past have said they won't help because of decreasing budgets and increasing burdens.
If the Fawley branch is re-opened (momentum is growing) then this is likely to make the ferry less viable - a public transport irony.

Hundreds more photos are available!

Kevin

The tramway in operation on Thursday 29th December 2022. Copyright Kevin. P. Jenkin.

The connecting ferry in operation on Thursday 29th December 2022. Copyright Kevin. P. Jenkin.

Many thanks Kevin.

Many thanks to Andrew Jones for the footnote which follow - Hello Keith, thank you for posting my latest contributions on Hythe and Gunnislake.
History repeating itself 60 years apart as the latest series by Michael illustrates.
The pier is listed which may help retain the railway and infrastructure. I know the present owner has battled to keep it open, but without some form of subsidy it was an impossible task, especially as the maintenance was a major factor in the decision to close. So to some extent 2022 has been a very mixed bag for our mutual interest and I can't feel that positive, but who knows what 2023 will bring and I am sure we both have happy memories of a period less complicated....our very best wishes to yourself, Valerie and family and many more excellent articles from the much larger family at CRS.

Hythe Ferry
Reprieve
Kevin Jenkin

Stop Press IMPORTANT WEBSITE NOTE! From BBC News received at 08.30

There has been a temporary reprieve for the ferry. Please check out this link.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-64124160

Thanks Kevin, so fingers crossed.

Clay trains + HST
Bodmin Parkway
Dennis Clarke

A few pictures from Bodmin Parkway today. They include a few of the clay train that ran on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Regards, Dennis

Clay train at Bodmin Parkway 29th December 2022. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Clay train plus Casle Class at Bodmin Parkway 29th December 2022. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Clay train at Bodmin Parkway. 29th December 2022. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Looking immaculate - Clay train at Bodmin Parkway. 29th December 2022. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

An up Castle Class calls at Bodmin Parkway. 29th December 2022. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Many thanks Dennis, clay hoods at Bodmin Parkway - like the old days, though they wouldn't have been as imacculate then - congratulations to the restoration team.

29th December 2022

29/12/2022

Bodmin & Wenford Railway
Winter Steam Up
29th December 2022

An intensive Timetable featuring L92 Loco 2766 and Bagnall Saddle Tank Judy

291222a L92 departs Bodmin Parkway with the 10.30 service to Bodmin General. Copright Roger Winnen

221229b Strong sunlight at Bodmin General with the former Great Western Pannier Tank now in LT Livery :L92. Copyright Roger Winnen

221229c Taken from the Signal Box, Little and Large Judy built 1937 and The Sapper 47306 in the road alongside the repair shops. Copyright Roger Winnen

2221229d A Judy photo shoot as she couples to the rolling stock of the incoming 10.50 arrival from Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Winnen

221229e Austerity 2766 ( 75178 ) arrives with the clay at Bodmin General. Copyright Roger Winnen

221229f Top and Tailing the clay on shunt at Bodmin General. Copyright Roger Winnen

221229g Austerity 2766 heads for Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Winnen

221229h The last train of the day being the 15.45 is seen departing from Bodmin Parkway with Austerity 2766 and L92

The end of 1962
Michael L. Roach

THE END of 1962 – PART 15
Yelverton on the Last Day of Passenger Services (1)
On the 28 December1962 there had been a dusting of snow in many places after a week of intensely cold weather. The following day, Saturday 29 December 1962, was the last day of passenger services on the former Great Western branch from Plymouth to Tavistock South and Launceston and we woke to some 3 inches (75mm) of snow in Plymouth. It was a sad day for someone who had come to love this line in the preceeding three years and who would miss the atmosphere of a line that was in many ways still as it was pre-nationalisation in 1947 or even pre-war in 1938. It was still worked by the same classes of engines (the 4500s and the 6400s) that had worked the line in the nineteen thirties. I had taken hundreds of photos of the Launceston Branch trains and made many trips along the line and knew that with the crowds expected for a “last day” that I had little chance of getting my favourite position on the train which was the first window in the first coach. So instead I opted to travel out to one of my favourite stations, Yelverton, and spend several daylight hours there watching the last trains calling at the station. Later I planned to make an evening return trip to Launceston and back. I travelled out to Yelverton on the 10.40am off Plymouth which was a very popular choice for enthusiasts. The train was strengthened from the normal two coaches to four coaches hauled by 5564. At the start of the day the snow was just a bonus and few of us could have realised the severity of the weather that was approaching, even if we had listened to the forecast.

MLR / 15 December 2022

2741 5564 stands at Yelverton Station having just brought in the 10.40am Plymouth to Launceston. The overnight snow on the platform was 75 – 100 mm deep. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2745 5569 stands at Yelverton with the 10.15am Launceston to Plymouth. The signal box had not funcntioned as such since May 1959. Copyright Michael L. Roach,

2746 6430 passes through Yelverton non-stop with the 10.53am SO Millbay to Tavistock ECS train of four autocoaches.. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

2748 6430 returns from Tavistock with the 12.40pm to Plymouth. The photographer is standing on the embankment of the Princetown branch line. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

221229a L92 Departs Bodmin Parkway on the 10.30 to Bodmin General. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many thanks Michael - what a sad day.

Views from the signalbox from the Duty Signalman,
B & W.
Chris Bellett

Hi Keith, Hope all is well, and you had a good xmas and boxing day?
Yesterday, Tuesday 27 December 2022, I was once again signalman at Bodmin General. We had a major operation shunting engines, coaches and wagons around the station area and tripping to Bodmin Parkway in preparation for Thursdays End of Season steam up. It was a very (very) wet and windy day. I have attached a number of photographs taken from the signalbox for your use. I noted a gentleman standing on Bridge 13A taking photographs and see from todays webpage that it was Jon Hird. My photographs therefore show the opposite view to his!

Out of interest I was keeping a rough record of the lever movements I made, and this was well over 400, so a very busy day indeed that started at 10am and ended at 6pm in the dark!

Wishing you and all CRS members a Happy New Year.

Kind Regards, Chris Bellett,Retired S&T Engineer, B&WR Chief S&T Engineer and Signalman. CRS member

Bodmin General - views from the Box by duty signalman 1. 27th December 2022. Chris Bellett. Copyright

Bodmin General - views from the Box by duty signalman 2 27th December 2022. Chris Bellett. Copyright.

Bodmin General - views from the Box by duty signalman 3. 27th December 2022. Chris Bellett. Copyright

Bodmin General - views from the Box by duty signalman 4. 27th December 2022. Chris Bellett. Copyright

Bodmin General - views from the Box by duty signalman 5. 27th December 2022. Chris Bellett. Copyright

Bodmin General - views from the Box by duty signalman 6. 27th December 2022. Chris Bellett. Copyright

Bodmin General - views from the Box by duty signalman 7. 27th December 2022. Chris Bellett. Copyright

Bodmin General - views from the Box by duty signalman 8. 27th December 2022. Chris Bellett. Copyright

Many thanks Chris - a busy day!!!

St Michaels Mount
Colin Burges

Alan Keef Ltd. has been called in by the National Trust to inspect this hidden funicular. I can't link directly but you can find the little gallery from here: https://www.alankeef.co.uk/gallery/materials-handling

Screenshot sent by Colin.

Many thanks Colin - hope the services continue to run on time with no bus replacement!!

Hythe Pier Tramway
Andrew and Diane Jones

Dear Keith and Valerie,
Very Sad News in your daily update, today of the loss of the Hythe Pier Railway, the oldest continuously operated public pier train in the world.
I have attached a few snapshots from Google Earth.
There were hopes that the current owners would be able to turn around the finances, but alas to no avail.
One good piece of news is that the structure was listed in August 2021.
Very best wishes for the new year Andrew and Diane

Hythe Pier 1 Copyright Google Earth. Picture sent in by Andrew and Diane Jones

Hythe Pier 2 Copyright Google Earth. Picture sent in by Andrew and Diane Jones.

Hythe Pier 3 Copyright Google Earth. Picture sent in by Andrew and Diane Jones.

Thanks Andrew. A sad day on Saturday, we are hoping to have a representative there to witness and ride on the last trains - one wonders what will happen to the locomotive and unique rolling stock. Surely somebody will provide a home, if not a pier, for this to run on?

28th December 2022

28/12/2022

The end of 1962
Michael L. Roach

THE END of 1962 – PART 14
The Plym Valley (2)
In Part 13 yesterday I described how I spent the afternoon of Friday 28 December 1962 in the Plym Valley between the viaducts at Cann Quarry and Riverford, later moving back to an overbridge just south of Cann Viaduct. All told four trains were seen in 160 minutes while I endured the cold for my hobby. The last one was the 3.05pm Plymouth to Launceston which was running some 16 minutes late, after which I headed for home.
It is worth looking at the maps and plans of this area on the NLS website; particularly the OS 25-inch 1873 – 1888 (SW England only) because it shows the broad gauge track still extant at the time. The area around Cann Viaduct (then called the River Plym Viaduct) was at the time alive with industry, and the works of man. Besides the South Devon Railway Tavistock Branch there were tramways, a canal, a weir across the river, quarries and spoil heaps. This was a very isolated area miles from the nearest villages and I wonder if the workers who created this huge industrial complex would have walked there on a Monday morning and stayed the week in one of the many buildings on the site. The last photo was taken from the overbridge south of the viaduct beside Cann House and shows the preserved prairie 4555 heading north along the valley through deeper snow than seen earlier.
MLR / 15 December 2022

5899 I have moved a quarter of a mile south of the two overbridges seen yesterday to stand on a rock outcrop to take this view of 6430 heading north with the 2.10pm Plymouth to Tavistock auto. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5901 Here we are looking at the west side of Cann Viaduct from the south abutment. It can be seen that remedial works have been necessary because of subsidence, including the removal of the parapet wall. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5902 4555 approaches Cann Viaduct with the 3.05pm Plymouth to Launceston train. The precast concrete bin on the right contained small ballast used to pack up individual sleepers that had settled. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks Michael - Part 15 tomorrow.

Don't miss this.
Seven minutes of diesel delight
Alan Peters

My Christmas treat for myself this year was transferring some of my old ciné film, taken in May 1985 a couple of screen shots includes (see below) 47509 'Albion' arriving into Taunton under the fine array of signals and an unidentified HST hurries through Dawlish. Warren with a West bound service. Here is the Youtube link Diesel Locomotives in the Dawlish area around 1985 - YouTube

Taunton 1985 from a cine film by Alan Peters

Dawlish from a cine film by Alan Peters

Go on spoil yourself - plenty of action, plenty of semaphores at Taunton, Dawlish and Newton Abbot. Just click on the link above.

Many thanks Alan for sharing with us your delighful collection - I hope there will be more.

End of season tidying up on the
Bodmin & Wenford
Jon Hird

Afternoon guys. I hope you are well and that you had a good Christmas!
Thought I’d send you a few photos I took today, before rain stopped play.
The BWR were tidying up after their Christmas trains in preparation for a couple of steam running days tomorrow and Friday. 08359 was busy shunting the station at Bodmin General to make up the train for tomorrow, and 2 excess coaches were tripped down to Bodmin Parkway for undercover storage.
I am a big fan of the visiting blue ‘08’ on the railway, I think it fits in perfectly, watching it run light engine through Coleslogget on its way back up the hill it was easy to imagine it heading out for a days work on the Wenford branch, it just needed a brake van accompanying it.
I also grabbed a couple of photos of some HST’s, reality is starting to set in now that these really are on borrowed time, so my New Years resolution is to make more of an effort to point my camera at them.
All the best and happy New Year, Jon Hird

Bodmin Tidy up 27th December 2022. Copyright Jon Hird

Many thanks Jon - here's wishing you and
all a good 2023 too.

Dear CRS,

Could you please convey to Michael Roach the absorbing pleasure which his End of 1962 series is giving? - especially to one who can well remember that year, with its Big Freeze at the end of it. The black and white pictures are, frankly, as good as anything in colour these days - and, of course, are properly part of that era.

Yet, alas, there is also a quite forbidding sense that another sort of Big Freeze was then just beginning - namely, the desolate winter of closures and decline that befell the railways generally from around that time onwards until a revival some thirty-odd long years later.

Looking forward to what I take to be the blizzard-ridden climax of Part 15; in the meantime, I have been taking Michael's advice and examining the NLS website OS mapping, and have finally (as someone entirely unconversant with the Tavistock Branch) established the locations of Cann and Riverford Viaducts.

Best Wishes, Geoffrey Barnes (Cambridge)

Thank you Geoffrey - your appreciation is much appreciated.

Stop press - bad news.
Hythe Pier and Tramway
Kevin Jenkin

The Hythe ferry ceases to run (for good) on new years eve, so I'm planning to do a last crossing on that and the pier railway.
Kevin

27th December 2022

27/12/2022

The end of 1962
Michael L. Roach

THE END of 1962 – PART 13
The Plym Valley (1)
For the first six days of the December 1962 cold spell it was mostly dry, cold and icy at times, but there was no snow in the Plymouth area. That was to change overnight 27/28 December 1962 when there was a layer of snow in some areas. As it turned out it was the last complete day of passenger services from Plymouth to Launceston. Although I had been to many locations along the 34-mile route to take lineside photos there was one area of the Plym Valley never visited before. That was the one kilometre length between Cann Viaduct and Riverford Viaduct, encompassing mileposts 2, 2¼ and 2½ (originally 6, 6¼ and 6½ from Plymouth Millbay). I had approached Cann Viaduct from the south and Riverford Viaduct from the north, with much difficulty because of its isolated location. This was a lovely area remote from any roads with the railway climbing higher and higher above the River Plym on a ledge cut into the hillside. Cleverly Brunel had designed the line to go into a cutting where two farm tracks needed to cross the line so that overbridges could be built across the cutting to give access to Riverford Cottage, but I think it was already derelict by the time of my visit in 1962. One might have expected two overbridges, a short distance apart and built at the same time, to be identical but these two were totally different (as can be seen in the photographs). They were the distinguishing feature of this stretch of the line between the two brick and stone viaducts at Riverford and Cann, which was originally called Plym Valley Viaduct
I waited for the temperature to warm up a bit and the ice and frost to clear on Friday 28 December 1962, had an early lunch and then motored out to Plym Bridge for my photographic expedition on the penultimate day of passenger services. The car was parked by the entrance to Plym Bridge Platform and I walked up the valley for a distance of about one mile to the location of the two overbridges to find snow on the ground in this remote location where I would stay for more than two and a half hours. Being a Friday there were none of the Saturday Only trains and no empty auto trains that there would have been on a Saturday. First to appear was something that I had never seen before on the line and that was a light engine speeding up the valley, but down the line; it was small prairie no 4591 a regular on the line.
MLR / 14 December 2022

5895 The first action I saw on 28 December 1962 was 4591 speeding up the Plym Valley, taken from the second (stone)overbridge south of Riverford Viaduct. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5896 The 12.40pm Tavistock to Plymouth consists of 6400 propelling one autocoach (255) towards the camera; also showing the first overbridge south of Riverford Viaduct and the parapet of the viaduct through the bridge span. Copyright Michael L. Roach

5897 Looking north showing the two different overbridge styles. The gradient is 1 in 60 for many miles from Plym Bridge Platform to Yelverton but changes here to 1 in 88 for a short distance. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many many thanks Michael.

Boxing Day at
Bodmin Road
Roger Geach

Compliments of the season to all
Back in the days when you could catch a train on boxing day i had travelled from Plymouth to Bodmin Road behind 1044 on the 1v71 Leeds to Penzance service .
I think on this day it probably started from Birmingham New Street with 1044 going on at Plymouth.
I had made a visit to La depot that morning with plenty of locos on shed . A Haymarket 47 was the highlight.
Merry Xmas. Roger Geach

Western D1044 1v71 Leeds to Penance Bodmin Road 26th December 1974. Copyright Roger Geach.

Many thanks indeed Roger. Apologies - sorry your post which was intended for yesterday arrived we'd 'closed down' for the day. Happy New Year to you.

Boxing Day at
Long Rock and Ponsandane
Dennis Clarke

Great picture from Roger on Boxing Day in 2013. Here are a few from Long Rock and Ponsandane from Boxing Day 2022. Regards, Dennis

Long Rock 1 26th December 2022. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Long Rock 2 26th December 2022. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Ponsandane 1 26th December 2022. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Ponsandane 2 26th December 2022. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Ponsandane 3. 26th December 2022. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Many thanks Dennis - a lovely day.

26th December 2022 Boxing Day

26/12/2022

The end of 1962
Michael L. Roach

THE END of 1962 – PART 12
Plymouth Station
The date is Thursday 27 December 1962. In the morning I made a half day trip to Launceston as described yesterday; and on returning to Plymouth just before noon I stayed at the station to watch proceedings for a short while before heading home for my lunch. After two hours at home eating and warming up I was on my way back to the station to make another half day trip, this time just out to Tavistock South and return, using the same trains as on Christmas Eve described in an earlier part; i.e out at 3.05pm returning at 4.30pm. No photos were taken.
Locos seen that day working on the branch:
6400-class: 6400 and 6430
4500-class: 4555, 4574, 4591, 5564 and 5569
MLR / 11 December 2022

5891 The station pilot 5564 stands on the centre road at Plymouth between platforms 4 and 5 with four coaches. The loco would later take out the 3.05pm to Launceston. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5564 moves off to Millbay with the empty coaches a few minutes later.

5894 4574 the loco that took me out to Launceston and return in the morning is now seen standing in Platform 1 with the empty stock off the 10.15am Launceston to Plymouth. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks Michael.

Boxing Day 2013
Roger Winnen

131226a Boxing Day at Long Rock in 2013. We will never see this line up again as the IETs have now taken over and the Castle Class HSTs are due for withdrawal. Copyright Roger Winnen

Bodmin & Wenford Railway
After an absence of a number of years The Bodmin & Wenford Railway will be running its Winter Steam Ups on Wednesday 28th December and an intensive service on Thursday 29th December 2022 with both the Austerity and L92.working passenger and clay trains

The Bodmin Winter Steam up in 2013
Roger Winnen

131228b 30129 Approaching Bodmin General on the 13.54 from Boscarne Junction. Copyright Roger Winnen

131228af The splendid looking Beattie Well Tank on the 13.00 service to Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Winnen

131228ab Ella Harding the CRS Secretary at that time awaiting the next customer on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. Copyright Roger Winnen

131228ad The T9 30120 On the rear of the 11.58 service to General. the guard being Ben Harding of the CRS. Copyright Roger Winnen

25th December 2022

25/12/2022

Good morning everybody - wishing a Happy and Healthy Christmas to one and all.

The end of 1962
Michael L. Roach

THE END of 1962 – PART 11
Last trip to Launceston
The date is Thursday 27 December 1962 and the Launceston Branch was due to close to passengers in a little over 48 hours; and most stations to goods as well. I got up very early (for me) and made my way to Plymouth station in the freezing conditions in order to catch the first train of the day to Launceston at 7.10am. This was not the first passenger train down the branch as there had already been the 5.45am auto to Tavistock South. In fact it was the fourth train down the branch, the other two being freight trains – to Launceston and separately to Tavistock and return. This trip was meant to be my penultimate trip to Launceston and back with the last one to be on Saturday 29 December, but as it turned out the last train never got further than Tavistock because of the apalling weather conditions on the Saturday evening.
The 7.10am left Plymouth on time consisting of small prairie 4574 with two corridor coaches. 4574 had been a regular ever since it arrived at Laira in July 1962. Since nationalisation the loco had been at Penzance, St. Ives, Truro, St. Blazey and Newton Abbot sheds. We were delayed a few minutes at Bickleigh to cross the late running 6.40am Tavistock to Plymouth auto consisting of just one coach (W255) being propelled by 6400 running a half hour late The train should have been off the branch before we reached Marsh Mills. At Horrabridge 4574 took water making us a couple of minutes late. As we ran into Tavistock South 4555 could be seen shunting the goods yard having arrived with the 5.15am Tavistock Junction (Up Yard) due to arrive Tavistock at 6.10am. We were now delayed another couple of minutes waiting for 4591 with 2 coaches on the 7.05am Launceston to Plymouth; and we were now 11L leaving Tavistock South. We now had a clear run to Launceston taking 32 mins. The present bus takes 52 mins.
We were at Launceston for about 80 minutes. 4574 took the two coaches out to the east end and than did some shunting in the goods yard on the south side of the station. We walked up the hillside to photograph the station area from the hillside. 4574 took two trucks out to a siding on the west side of the station and then brought the two coaches back into the other platform ready for departure. During all this activity by 4574 the engine of the Lanson Goods was nowhere to be seen because it had not yet arrived there. The Lanson Goods was scheduled to leave Tavistock Junction (Up Yard) at 6.25pm and pass through Marsh Mills at 6.40am just 38 minutes before the 7.10am passenger train from Plymouth which would overtake the goods train en route, but I failed to record where. We left Launceston a minute early and crossed the outward goods train at Lifton where 5569 was at the head of 15 trucks possibly having completed the shunting of the empty and loaded trucks for the traffic from the adjacent creamery as the goods train was scheduled to have arrived in Lanson at 10.05pm and it was now 10.23am. The crews of 4574 and 5569 changed footplates at Lifton. 4574 took water on the upside at Tavistock South without problem. The only train passed en route was 6400 with its one autocoach at Horrabridge. Mid-way between Clearbrook and Shaugh Bridge the train stopped for 10 seconds at Goodameavy to drop off two permanent way workers; the track was still being maintained. We reached Plymouth 6L after being 11L all the way from Horrabridge to Marsh Mills. My exploits on this day will continue tomorrow.
MLR / 11 December 2022

5884 4574 takes water at Launceston one minute after arriving with the 7.10am from Plymouth. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5886 Birds-eye view of 4574 shunting the goods yard at Lanson. It can be seen that there is a turntable there but generally it was not used and with one exception the prairie tanks travelled out from Plymouth chimney first and returned bunker first. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5889 In this view looking west 4574 has completed shunting the wagons in the goods yard and returned to the platform with its coaches. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5890 There is still half an hour to departure time but 4574 is ready to leave Launceston with the 10.15am to Plymouth. Copyright Michael L. Roach

Many thanks Michael, we're now looking forward to Part 12 tomorrow.

Snow at Swindon - a Christmas Card scene at
Swindon
Colin Pidgeon

43078 & 43091 on 1L46 Bridgend to Paddington runnig non stop through Swindon. Copyright Colin Pidgeon

What a difference a bit of snow makes, it takes ones eyes off the rather ugly overhead wires. Many thanks Colin.
Also wishing Colin a speedy recover - he has not been too well of late.

Handing over now to Roger to complete the day with his fine coverage of winter scenes.

Roger Winnen
Wishes all readers and contributors to this website a very Happy Christmas

860216h 16th February 1986 Platform 4 Penzance with telephone Box, Godfrey Davis Car Hire and the Motor Rail Terminal. What a change today as most things have been swept away.Copyright Roger Winnen

781231f 31st December 1978 Class 50s on the milk and also another Class 50 in Platform 2 Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

860216a 16th February 1986 47509 plus Class 50s and an HST at Penzance Station.. Copyright Roger Winnen

781231n 31st December 1978 Chyandour Road the old A30 and Railway into Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

790101h 1st January 1979 The St Ives Unit leaves Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

790101k 1st January 1979 HST at Ponsandane. Soon we may see Castle Class HSTs in the new sidings created at this location. Copyright Roger Winnen

790101l 1st January 1979 Marazion Station in snow showing the former Station Masters house and the six pullman coaches. Copyright Roger Winnen

790106c 6th January 1979 The down Cornishman at Camborne prior to the down platform being lengthened. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many thanks Roger for your fine collection of cold wintery scenes.

24th December 2022 Christmas Eve

24/12/2022

The end of 1962
Michael L. Roach

THE END of 1962 – PART 10
Laira Shed – Inside the Roundhouse
I am not sure whether there were any trains running in the West Country on Boxing Day 1962 but if there were a few it was still a very good day to visit Laira Steam Shed as it would have been well stocked with mostly dead steam locos. On this occasion I concentrated on taking photos in the roundhouse while it was quiet, balancing the camera on a buffer beam to take the locos further around the edge of the turntable. I never did flash photography until acquiring a digital comera some 45 years later, so all photos were taken at f11 with times of 10, 20 and 60 seconds. The two photos shown here were taken at 20 and 10 secs respectively.
MLR / 09 December 2022

5880 Here we see 5568, 4658 both based at Laira and 4701 of Old Oak Common Shed. Copyright Michael L. Roach

5882 In this view we see 4574, 4555 and 4920 Dumbleton Hall all of Laira Shed. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks Mike - Part 11 Tomorrow, Christmas Day.

Gunnislake Branch
Andrew Jones

Having been virtually housebound due to 4 weeks of dreadful weather, my oldest daughter, Amber and I decided to risk frostbite or potential drowning and chance a trip on the Tamar Valley Line from Gunnislake to Plymouth on Tuesday this week 20th December 2022.
Its been a fair while since my last visit to the Cornish border and a new experience using the relocated station at Gunnislake. First impressions were favourable and the car park was free of charge, (surely a common sense decision for any station, when did you last pay to use a supermarket car park?)
The weather turned out to be wonderful with clear blue skies, extremely mild considering we are approaching the shortest day of the year!
We decided to catch the 11.19 service to Plymouth which actually departed 1 min early formed of a 2 car set 150263, not personally my favourite class but with 4 tables available and a reasonable window alignment, it was comfortable enough.
If you have a choice, facing towards Plymouth on the left hand side of the carriage gives stunning views of the river Tamar down to Calstock as the train slowly meanders on a steep gradient.
There are two level crossing stops before we reach the first station on a sharp left hand curve overlooking the river and the magnificent Calstock viaduct.
I have often pondered how this line survived the Beeching period, especially given that the much larger town of Tavistock lost its service and it is possible that the viaduct and the direct access it gave to Plymouth may have swayed the argument, (travelling by road is lengthy) its a shame that the upper section from Gunnislake to Callington was not retained opening out a much larger catchment, but that’s history!
We reached Bere Alston at 11.37, on time for our reversal on to the ex LSWR mainline, the station still retaining many original features and a tantalising possibility of once again extending to Tavistock and possibly back to Okehampton although I suspect not in my lifetime.
As a quirk of fate there is no need to change seats, having crossed the Tamar and reversed, the river is still on our side of the carriage and you now experience the more gentle curves and speed of the original LSWR mainline towards Bere Ferries and the under the Royal Albert Bridge and our connection to the GWR Cornish mainline at St Budeaux Victoria Road arriving at 11.52.
Disruption to services up country culminated in a approx 4 min delay departing onto the junction at 11.57, eventually arriving at Plymouth North Road at 12.08 again 4 mins late.
North Road station is very much as rebuilt during the 1950’s to the design of Howard Cavanagh and Ian Campbell with its Tower Block (Intercity House) complementing its sister building the Civic Centre to the south. The station was formally opened, rather ironically by Dr Richard Beeching on the 26th March 1962. There were originally 7 through platforms but two have been converted to terminal bay platforms one of which is used by the Tamar Valley Line. The loss of Royal Mail traffic was a big blow, something which North Road has never recovered from and the station is now only a shadow of its former glory.
I wish all the team at Cornwall Railway Society, the many amazing contributors and the extraordinary efforts of the webmasters who continue to provide a daily update and informative narrative...... a very peaceful Christmas and highly productive new year.

Very best wishes from Andrew Diane and Family.

Gunnislake 1 looking towards Callington beyond the buffer stop. 20th December 2022. Copyright Andrew Jones.

The 11.19 to Plymouth 20th Dec 2022. Copyright Andrew Jones.

Plymouth arrival from Gunnislake platform 3. Intercity House tower block n...c 2022. . 20th December 2022. Copyright Andrew Jones.

We are at Plymouth waiting a green for our return journey to Gunnislake. note the replica totem station name on the post to the right hand side. 20th December 2022. Copyright Andrew Jones.

Many thanks Andrew for reviving our memories and your pictures.

Temple Meads '82
Paul Barlow

46014 on the 01.10 Bristol to Leeds 1E10 Parcels and passenger service. 27th March 1982. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Nobody in sight at this unearthly hour in 1982 - well done and thanks Paul.

Thats all folks
Craig Munday

Hi Keith
Well, as 2022 draws to a close, it's been a great year with a fantastic Summer and lots of interesting workings. How dour we will be next Christmas I really dread to think with Truro, Par & Lostwithiel boxes having closed and Castle sets a memory. But then, as my dad always says, there's always something to film!

He was given strange looks for filming Warships on his cine camera in 1971, steam having finished in the Duchy almost a decade earlier. Our beautiful county will always provide a fine backdrop for any traction, and with vegetation being cut back in the far South West, scenes are being revealed not seen since the 70s!

All the best for now, keep the photos coming, and remember, it's DIGITAL it costs nothing!!

Craig Munday

The driver salutes Craig (and rightly so) on a down service approaching Lostwithiel. 22nd December 2022. Copyright Craig Munday.

A fantastic sky at St Blazey. 66077 on the clay at St Blazey. 23rd December 2022. Copyright Craig Munday

Many thanks indeed Craig for all your pictures throughout the year - I hope we can continue to see your up to date views for the coming years though the boxes and semaphores will be sadly missed.

WSR Santa Express
Andrew Triggs

Afternoon Keith/Roger
Back in Somerset for Christmas so took the opportunity to capture the WSR 'Santa Express' with GWR 'Manor' no.7828 'Odney Manor' with Class 33 no.6575 top and tailing the service, which due to the recent landslip on the line at Combe Florey, is only operating between Bishops Lydeard and Norton Fitzwarren, a quick visit to Fairwater Yard in Taunton in between the 'Santa Express' was also undertaken, not much else of note happening on the mainline
All the Best for Christmas and New Year to all CRS Members
Cheers
Andrew

1. Crompton No.6575 leading the 1030 Bishops Lydeard-Norton Fitzwarren 'Santa Express' passing Longland overbridge
2. Taunton Fairwater Yard from Staplegrove Road overbridge, with Freighliner 66506 with 66507 awaiting next duties
3. Resident No.6575 passing Dene overbridge leading the 13.30 Bishops Lydeard-Norton Fitzwarren service
4. GWR 'Manor' No.7828 'Odney Manor' trailing the 13.30 Bishops Lydeard-Norton Fitzwarren 'Santa Express' clearing Dene overbridge
5. The return from Norton Fitzwarren (ex 13.30 Bishops Lydeard) nearing Longlands overbridge, with no.7828 'Odney Manor' leading (D6575 at the rear)

Photo 1 23rd December 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

Photo 3 23rd Deember Copyright Andrew Triggs.

Photo 5 Copyright Andrew Triggs.

Thanks alot Andrew, another good day out.

Ken at Swindon
Ken Mumford

Ken sent quite a bundle on space for three sorry.

Train of scrap stock heading for the Dean Forest Railway for storage before heading on for further useage on a preserved line. 24th December 2022. Copyright Ken Mumford.

In praise of the ladies. An IET decorated. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Merehead to Wotten Basset train after run round. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Thanks Ken - Happy Christmas.

And finally a collection of Christmas scenes from Mick House, Alan Peters and Dennis Clarke.
From them and all of us to all of you.

Many thanks Mick - a smashing picture.
All the very best to you and Norma.

Best wishes to all from
Alan Peters

Alan writes - Wishing Cornwall Railway Society and all the website readers a Merry Christmas, that just about wraps up 2022, hopefully I can submit more inside the fence pictures next year offering a different perspective on life the railways.
A quick look back to the blizzard of 2018 with 'Snow Loco' 70808 at Exeter St Davids on 1st March 2018
Driver Alan Peters

From our very regular contributor Driver Alan Peters.

Many thanks Alan - all the very best to you and your family from the CRS Website.

Angarrack Illuminations
Dennis Clarke

Hi Keith and Roger, Merry Christmas to all of you who do the website and all contributors. It’s great to have a look at it every day. Picture is from Angarrack, Regards, Dennis Clarke.

Angarrack Illuminations plus the viaduct.. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Well caught, many thanks Dennis.

23rd December 2022

23/12/2022

The end of 1962
Michael L. Roach

THE END of 1962 – PART 9
Tavistock South Station
On the afternoon of Christmas Eve 1962 I made a short 15-mile trip from Plymouth to Tavistock South and return; out on the 3.05pm to Launceston returning on the 4.30pm Tavistock to Plymouth. I had just 30 minutes at Tavistock which was quite long enough in the prevailing low temperatues. Christmas Eve occurred in the middle of the first week of The Big Freeze which commenced on 22 December 1962. The Launceston Branch had just three working days left before it was due to close on 29 December 1962. The start of The Big Freeze and the end of the Launceston Branch were to collide in spectacular fashion on 29th when the line was closed by a blizzard.
MLR / 09 December 2022

5876 5569 leaves Tavistock South with the 3.05pm Plymouth to Launceston. Much of the station dated from 1887 when the previous one was badly damaged by fire. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5877 6430 waits to depart at 4.30pm with two auto coaches to Plymouth. Copyright Michael L.. Roach.

Many thanks Michael - Part 10 tomorrow.

More coal for Didcot
Michael Adams

Hello Roger, Here is a nice picture from Michael Adams showing 56049 coming round the curve from Didcot North Junction with another load of Nottinghamshire coal for Didcot power station, on 10 September 1986. This rather open scene has changed with the growth of trees etc.and the building of the signalling centre on land to the right. Thanks to you and all the team for keeping the excellent website going, and what pictures from Michael Roach this last week! Merry Christmas and a good New Year to you all, The Michaels. Copyright Michael Adams

Many Thanks to you both with best wishes from Keith & Roger

Night trip on the
Severn Beach Branch
Guy Vincent

Hello Keith
Last evening I had the 'pleasure' of working a late night service from Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads. The train was a 3 car class 158 set and performance was exemplary, giving an early arrival time at most of the nine intermediate stops. Here are three shots of the train at 1) Severn Beach 2) Shirehampton and 3) Lawrence Hill. At Temple Meads 158958 was used to form the 2305 Exeter St Davids departure, the same working that Charlotte recorded the previous night with 150233 in charge.

Wishing all contributors and especially your good self and Roger, a good christmas and happy, healthy new year.

Regards, Guy Vincent.

A day earlier - photgraph by Charlotte Vincent, referred to in Guys letter above.

150 233 at BTM on the 23.05 working to Exeter St Davids. 20th December 2022. Copyright Charlott Vincent.

Many thanks to Guy and Charlotte

Truro Jan 75
Neil Phillips

I saw Roger W’s photos taken around Truro on 4th January 1975 and the date rang a bell with me – out came the notebooks and sure enough, I also spent some time at Penwithers Junction later that same day, in the corner of the field behind the location of the former signalbox. The Class 50 + Peak double-heading 1M74 had been my first sighting, their prompt arrival leaving me with no opportunity to get the camera out (my notes say “Wish I’d arrived 5 minutes earlier!”) I have these identified as 50028 + 46016 (the latter confirmed as a Class 46 by the design of battery box doors in Roger’s photo, and the small triangular side grille below the long one – common to all Class 46s and some Class 45s but not 45016). Other motive power seen that afternoon were 50039 on the down ‘CRE’, 47513 on an up parcels, D1016 on the down ‘Cornishman’ and Class 119 DMU P587 (W51078/59436/51106) on Falmouth branch duties, presumably the unit caught by Roger rounding the curve into Truro’s Platform 1. Although I photographed all of these I wasn’t happy with the images and only scanned the Class 50, as attached.

The previous day I had visited Truro station where photography had been somewhat more successful, including capturing two Western Class 52s which would end up in preservation and the longest nameplate attached to a Class 47, in terms of length if not content – ‘George Jackson Churchward’. This nameplate, applied at Swindon Works on 8th May 1965 – exactly one month before D1660 was named ‘City of Truro’ at Truro station – contained 23 letters, two more than ‘Isambard Kingdom Brunel’. Another point of interest is that the nameplates applied to Class 47s D1660-4 were constructed in the same manner as the Western Class 52s – individual cast alloy letters and rimming on a steel backplate; only the letters ‘J’ and ‘Z’ do not appear in all 74 ‘Western’ names, therefore ‘Jackson’ required the casting of the only ‘J’s to be found in all 79 names, and ‘Z’ appears in none of them (I admit that this is highly unlikely to ever come up in a pub quiz!)

For reasons yet to be discovered, in March 1979 47079 (the former D1664) had its impressive nameplates shortened to ‘G J Churchward’, which it wore until repainted into lined green livery for the GWR 150 celebrations in 1985, its new brass nameplates retaining the shortened form. It was the only one of the four Class 47s treated this way not to have been fitted with ETH (Electric Train Heating) for passenger work and this was unfortunate as it was chosen as the first of its class to receive the new Railfreight triple-grey colours with sector markings just two years later, its famous name failing to make the transition. In December 1999 it became even more anonymous when rebuilt as a Class 57 (57009) with a reconditioned General Motors power unit replacing its Sulzer engine.

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All (sorry there was no snow in these early January photos!)

Best regards,
Neil Phillips

1 – 47079 George Jackson Churchward at rest in Truro Yard - 3 January 1975. Copyright Neil Phillips.

2 – D1013 Western Ranger climbs out of Truro with train 1B81 – 3 January 1975. Copyright Neil Phillips.

3 D1010 Truro 3rd January 1965 Copyright Neil Phillips.

4 - 750103_D1068+D1013 Truro 3rd January 1965 Copyright Neil Phillips.

5 - 50039 On yhe down Cornish Riviera Express, seen from an unual angle at Penwithers Junction. 3rd January 1965. Copyright Neil Phillips

Many thanks Neil for your memories and pictures. Sorry for the delay - received on the 20th December 2022.

St Blazey Turntable
Dennis Clarke

Hi Keith, Here are a few photos of St Blazey turntable, taken today 22nd December 2022, which is being refurbished at the moment. Good progress is being made and I believe it is due to be operational again in the Spring. I was also at Lostwithiel this afternoon. 66077 is pictured running around the train from Fowey Docks to St Blazey and a picture of the last CDA wagon passing the signal box. And yes, a big thanks to Roger for his hard work and contributions to the website, Regards, Dennis

Lostwithiel Box. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

660077 at Lostwithiel. 22nd December 2022. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Many thanks Dennis for you report on the current progress at St Blazey.

Penzance
Steve Widdowson

50023 at Penzance 2nd July 1985 Copyright Steve Widdowson

50023 at Penzance is the last of the current series provided by Steve Widdowson - Many thanks Steve.

22nd December 2022

22/12/2022

The end of 1962
Michael L. Roach

THE END of 1962 – PART 8
Horrabridge Station
On Christmas Eve 1962 I made a short afternoon trip from Plymouth to Tavistock South and return; out on the 3.05pm to Launceston, returning on the 4.30pm auto. The temperature was around zero because a severe cold spell had started two days earlier. The water crane at Tavistock South was already frozen up so the loco of the 3.05pm took water at Horrabridge Station instead. In one way it was surprising that the water crane at Horrabridge was still working because the station was at a much higher elevation than Tavistock South and right on the edge of open moorland; but in another way not surprising because most of us will have seen and felt how cold air rolls down a hillside and and settles in the bottom of a valley which is where the site of Tavistock South was located right beside the River Tavy. Horrabridge was one of the original stations of the broad guage South Devon & Tavistock Railway (opened 1859) and for two years after the opening of the Princetown Branch in 1883 it was where passengers changed for the branch train to Princetown. Six minutes were allowed at Tavistock for taking water and our train left Horrabridge six minutes late.
MLR / 06 December 2022

5874 5569 takes water at Horrabridge Station on the afternoon of 24 December 1962 in freezing conditions. The water crane was situated just off the end of the platform and the loco had to stop twice but it gave me the opportunity to hop off and take photos. 24th December 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

5875 The siding to the left led to the goods yard which always seemed busy right up to the last day. Note how the point rodding changes sides beneath the loco; and on the right, behind the ladder of the starting signal, is milepost 9 (from Tavistock Junction). Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks Mike - watch out for part 9 tomorrow.

Feathered spotter observes -
Truro
Dennis Clarke

Hi Keith, I took this picture today at Truro station. The seagull is obviously interested in seeing HSTs before they come to an end next year. I wish all of you at the Cornish Railway Society a Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2023 and thanks for making it a really interesting website, Regards, Dennis

Footnote to Dennis, many thanks for the compliments re the website, however the compliments are really due to our faithful following of observers and reporters without whose contributions the website would be very much the poorer. Happy Christmas to you all. Keith and Roger.
Where would we be without Roger W?

Well observed - many thanks Dennis.

Five from Clive
SW Acitivity
Clive Smith

Some action from around our region over the last few weeks.

(1) 43097 brings up the rear of the 2C67 08.00 Cardiff Central - Penzance at Keyham on the 4th November with 43198 on the front. This train is now a scheduled IET from 12th December.

(2) 43093 heads the 2U20 10.50 Penzance - Cardiff Central through Devonport station on the 4th November with 43042 on the rear. This train is still a scheduled 255 Castle class.

(3) 150221 departs from Dockyard Halt across St Levan Viaduct with the 10.28 Plymouth - Gunnislake. I had pitched up in Tamar Avenue to photo the 07.00 Gloucester - Truro which was due with 43040 and 088 and everything was looking good until 158959 trundled by after it had replaced the Castle 255 at Plymouth. To add to my misery the 09.30 Truro - Cardiff had 150238 substituting for the 255 Castle.

(4) 43170 in beautiful winter sun departs from Exeter St Davids on the 9th December after a crew change with the 5C73 12.24 Weston-Super-Mare to Plymouth ECS. The set with 43188 had started out as the 2C73 11.00 Cardiff - Penzance but was terminated at WSM due to a door problem.

(5) Fortuitous timing at Teignmouth on Saturday 10th December. On the up is the last scheduled 255 operated 2U16 08.52 Penzance - Cardiff Central with 43022 on the rear (43189 up front). On the down is 2C69 09.00 Cardiff- Penzance with 43010 (43004 on the rear). My photo was taken at 11.48. The 2U16 was due at 11.37 and the 2C69 at 11.41. Both were running late and I reckoned both might be at the platforms at the same time. Luckily my hunch was correct.

Regards, Clive Smith.

Photo 1 . Keyham from an unusual angle. 20th December 2022, Copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks for your 'roundup' Clive.

Penzance
Steve Widdowson

50016 & 50005 at Penzance { Shunting stock for sleeper } 1st July 1985. Copyright Stephen Widdowson.

Many thanks Stephen.

Exeter
Paul Barlow

A nice snowy scene. 33016 backing out with stock off 1110 Waterloo to Exeter. 10th January 1982. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul.

Dawlish Update
David Tozer

Gents,
An update on the work at Dawlish.
1 - The new footbridge at Dawlish.
2 - 150249 leaves Dawlish with the 0957 Exmouth to Paignton
3 - On going work at Kennaway Tunnel.
Dave Tozer

150249 leaves Dawlish with the 09.57 Exmouth to Dawlish. 21st December 2022. Copyright David Tozer

Many thanks David.

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