Don't miss our next indoor meeting!
December 13th 2025
Chris Trerise presents:
'My life on the railways'
At the Memorial Hall, Redruth Methodist Church.
Commencing at 1830. Refreshments available.
Members free, visitors £3.00
December 13th 2025
Chris Trerise presents:
'My life on the railways'
At the Memorial Hall, Redruth Methodist Church.
Commencing at 1830. Refreshments available.
Members free, visitors £3.00
NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 81
Richard Trevithick
Michael L. Roach
Before the end of December and 2025 fades seamlessly into 2026; and before the Rail200 Celebrations become part of rail history I thought it would be good idea to record the part that Cornishman Richard Trevithick (1771 – 1833) played in the early history of steam power. Richard Trevithick was the son of a mine captain and born in the heartland of Cornish mining, which gave him a flying start in steam from an early age. Wikipedia has a good life story about Trevithick and describes him as a British inventor and mining engineer, but he was more than that he was a genius. The three inventions that he should be remembered for are: the first to advocate and develop high pressure steam; the construction of the first successful steam road locomotive; and the construction of the first successful steam rail locomotive in 1803, which was more than 20 years before the Stockton and Darlington opened in 1825!
I have only been to Telford Central railway station once but when I did, in 2008 I was delighted to see in the booking hall a replica of one of Trevithick's early steam engines of which I had no prior knowledge. The reason for its presence there was the fact that the original was built at nearby Coalbrookdale which once had a railway station of its own, closed to passengers on and from 23 July 1962. Telford is now the nearest railway station to Coalbrookdale. After many years at the railway station the replica was removed in April 2012 during a revamp and relocated to a local secondary school.
The last two images are of pages from the GWR Magazine for May 1933 in which the Company honoured the memory of Richard Trevithick who had died 100 years earlier on 22 April 1833 - heading the article “The Father of Steam Locomotion.”
I have only been to Telford Central railway station once but when I did, in 2008 I was delighted to see in the booking hall a replica of one of Trevithick's early steam engines of which I had no prior knowledge. The reason for its presence there was the fact that the original was built at nearby Coalbrookdale which once had a railway station of its own, closed to passengers on and from 23 July 1962. Telford is now the nearest railway station to Coalbrookdale. After many years at the railway station the replica was removed in April 2012 during a revamp and relocated to a local secondary school.
The last two images are of pages from the GWR Magazine for May 1933 in which the Company honoured the memory of Richard Trevithick who had died 100 years earlier on 22 April 1833 - heading the article “The Father of Steam Locomotion.”
The replica locomotive in the booking hall of Telford Central Station in 2008. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The explanatory plaque. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The other end of the replica locomotive . Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The 1933 article from the GWR Magazine.
The 1933 article from the GWR Magazine.
Many thanks for another interesting piece Michael - Richard Trevithick, 'Cornwalls Great Son'.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
Nancegollan Query
If you don't mind, I have a question related to the website feature on the Helston branch.
The page features a number of photos of Nancegollan. One in particular, credited to Kit Miles, shows a number of open wagons in the loading bank loop and siding which appear to be loaded or partly loaded with wagon-length long cylindrical somethings. Does anybody have any idea as to what these might be, their intended purpose, or where they came from? They do look as though they might have been the result of some demolition somewhere.
I hope someone has an answer - it's been bothering me for ages!
The page features a number of photos of Nancegollan. One in particular, credited to Kit Miles, shows a number of open wagons in the loading bank loop and siding which appear to be loaded or partly loaded with wagon-length long cylindrical somethings. Does anybody have any idea as to what these might be, their intended purpose, or where they came from? They do look as though they might have been the result of some demolition somewhere.
I hope someone has an answer - it's been bothering me for ages!
Nancegollan Station from the bridge, August 1962 (click for an enlargement). Copyright Kit Miles.
An interesting question received to the CRS inbox. Does anybody know what may be in the wagons? Theories to [email protected] please!
50 years ago at Penzance
Roger Winnen
Part 4
Ross Bridge Penzance - this was once a railway turntable. 26.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Coal Stage at Long Rock Depot on Boxing Day. 26.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Coal Stage at Long Rock Depot on Boxing Day. 26.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
Long Rock Shed on Boxing Day. 26.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
A row of 4 Class 50s plus a Class 47 at Long Rock on Boxing Day. 26.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
2 days to go for the HST's
Martin Scane & Jon Hird
What a contrast in weather after Wednesday’s sunshine. Here’s 43189, looking none too clean, with 43156 bringing up the rear at Sprey Point Teignmouth this morning, 11/12/25, with 2C20 from Exeter SD to Penzance running right time at 11-43 and about to start slowing for the Teignmouth station stop. Copyright Martin Scane.
With a classic clay country misty backdrop, 43186 leads the delayed 1315 Penzance - Plymouth over Gover Viaduct with 43004 on the rear. 11.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks Martin - 43189 is looking very grubby!
Swindon Scenes
Ken Mumford & Colin Pidgeon
1Z47 Chesterfield to Bath Spa via Loughborough, Melton Mowbray, Kettering, Bletchley, Acton Main Line, Reading and Swindon. Went quite fast through the station!! Arrived at Bath Spa 24 EARLY. Passengers due to get back to Chesterfield at 12 minutes past Midnight according to RTT. 11.12.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
1Z47 pictured by Colin. 11.12.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
158748 arrived from Westbury as 2M17. Due to leave as 2M26 which RTT had as CANCELLED because of a train crew issue. Didn't see it leave. 11.12.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Instead of crawling along platform 4 after coming out of Swindon East Loop 6C03 Northolt to Severnside Sita [headed by 66176] went through the station non-stop which was unusual BUT WHY? It was delayed in the Southall area such that at Milton Junction, near Didcot it reached a maximum lateness of 75 minutes! As it did not stop in Swindon East Loop its lateness was reduced to 35 minutes as it passed me. 11.12.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
66603 with 6Z42 Tytherington to Appleford. Interesting RTT timing - left Tytherington 101 EARLY but lost this time in the Bristol Parkway area as it crawled through Swindon on the UML on time. It hardly stopped to allow a Cheltenham Spa train to cross its path into platform 3. 11.12.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks as always, Ken and Colin.