Diesels in '81
Paul Barlow
13.07.1981 - Carlisle (KD) based 25218 arrives at Crediton 32 minutes late with the evening 1914 Barnstaple to Basingstoke (2096) service. 25's were quite rare in the Southwest since Laira lost their allocation in October 1980. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Now over to Kingswear for a day out on D1023 Western Fusilier on the Paignton and Dartmouth railway..
05.09.1981 - NRM Owned D1023 Kingswear. Copyright Paul Barlow.
05.09.1981 - D1023 at Churston. Copyright Paul Barlow.
05.09.1981 - D1023 back at Kingswear. Copyright Paul Barlow.
05.09.1981 - Western Fusilier runs round its train at Kingswear. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks as always Paul - great photos
Info on Looe
Roy Hart
Yesterday, we published a question from a reader, which read:
I wonder if you could help me please.
I am a volunteer on the Mid-Hants Watercress line. Like a lot of heritage railways our terminus at one end was a through station so we have ended up with sidings beyond the station.
There are very few examples of stations that were like that in steam days, but I know that Looe was one. Essentially a single platform with a run round loop beyond and a small yard. And then beyond the multi-arch road bridge there were fish sidings on the quay south of the bridge.
My query is how did the track get beyond the bridge? The arches above the river would not have cleared a loco and vans.
I’m guessing there was something between the ‘T’ junction off the main road into East Looe and the road to West Looe over the bridge. I can’t find any evidence for this; no photo or map.
The (cropped) photo below hasn’t the detail to show me the answer.
I wonder if you could help me please.
I am a volunteer on the Mid-Hants Watercress line. Like a lot of heritage railways our terminus at one end was a through station so we have ended up with sidings beyond the station.
There are very few examples of stations that were like that in steam days, but I know that Looe was one. Essentially a single platform with a run round loop beyond and a small yard. And then beyond the multi-arch road bridge there were fish sidings on the quay south of the bridge.
My query is how did the track get beyond the bridge? The arches above the river would not have cleared a loco and vans.
I’m guessing there was something between the ‘T’ junction off the main road into East Looe and the road to West Looe over the bridge. I can’t find any evidence for this; no photo or map.
The (cropped) photo below hasn’t the detail to show me the answer.
We were delighted to receive the below answer from Roy Hart:
The quay line at Looe began where a goods guard's van can be seen in the picture. There was a gate.
The line did not pass under the bridge, but ran along the roadway to the immediate east of it. The rails were set into the cobbles.
Beyond the bridge was a loop siding on the seaward side, with a short spur at either end. Beyond this and close to the end of the line, was another short siding which ran under a sheerlegs crane (used for loading granite blocks from wagons on to ships).
The line had been unused for some years when the harbour commissioners had it tarmacced over in the early 1950s. The stub of the line (at the gate) remained as a shunting neck until the yard was taken out of use in 1963.
The quay line at Looe began where a goods guard's van can be seen in the picture. There was a gate.
The line did not pass under the bridge, but ran along the roadway to the immediate east of it. The rails were set into the cobbles.
Beyond the bridge was a loop siding on the seaward side, with a short spur at either end. Beyond this and close to the end of the line, was another short siding which ran under a sheerlegs crane (used for loading granite blocks from wagons on to ships).
The line had been unused for some years when the harbour commissioners had it tarmacced over in the early 1950s. The stub of the line (at the gate) remained as a shunting neck until the yard was taken out of use in 1963.
Many thanks for your quick and detailed response, Roy - very much appreciated.
All change in the west
New platforms and new units
Roger Winnen
16.12.2024 - After engineering works in the Luxulyan Valley the Newquay Branch has reopened. Copyright Roger Winnen
I rode the 10.05 train to Newquay. It gave me 5 minutes before returning to Par. Copyright Roger Winnen
5 minutes to photogragh the work at Newquay. Copyright Roger Winnen
Most of the work on the new platform has been completed. Copyright Roger Winnen
However, the passing loop on Goss Moor will be installed in February, and controlled from Goonbarrow Box. Copyright Roger Winnen
Concrete sections of the old platform can be seen in this photograph. Copyright Roger Winnen
Looking at the Class 150 awaiting departure. Copyright Roger Winnen
Now up to Plymouth Laira, to try to find the two recently-arrived Class 175 units..
16.12.2024 - The latest arrivals at Plymouth Class 175s out of storage intended for working services on GWR. Copyright Roger Winnen
An IET unit held at Lipson Juction awaiting a path into Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
Through the brambles overlooking the depot at Laira. Copyright Roger Winnen
No way to get a clear view of the units - but I'm sure we'll see them out and about soon. Copyright Roger Winnen.
A selection of photographs featuring HST's at Laira will follow tomorrow - stay tuned!
Re: Train of lights
Jonathan Harbage
Good to see the drone pictures (click here) as we took our grandchildren on the train on Saturday evening. A great experience. 75014 is pictured following arrival at Kingswear. Copyright Jonathan Harbage.
Many thanks Jonathan - glad you had a nice time
Goonbarrow Arrival
Jon Hird
Running in an unusual afternoon path, 6G05 arrives at Goonbarrow from St. Blazey with a rake of empty JIA's. The train is using Wheal Henry Siding, formerly the 'Goonbarrow Branch' (which ran to Carbean Wharf) in order to access the yard. To the left is the line to Newquay, and the truncated former Carbis Branch, with a sleeper chained to the rails. 16.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
The train has gone almost as far as possible down Wheal Henry siding so that it clears the pointwork allowing it to reverse into Goonbarrow yard, where the JIA's will be loaded with clay for transport to Fowey. 16.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
The train reverses into the yard. Behind, the landscape bares the scars of hundreds of years of mining. The large pit is Goonbarrow Pit, now disused and has been allowed to flood. 16.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Replacing Hayle Viaduct Decking
Roger Winnen
Part 6
20.11.2014 - Compressing the ballast on the viaduct, the only thing moving is the roller. Copyright Roger Winnen
20.11.2014 - Laying track on Hayle Viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen
23.11.2014 - The tamper machine at work. Copyright Roger Winnen
23.11.2014 - Tidying up the loose ends before the viaduct reopens to traffic in 14 hrs time. Copyright Roger Winnen
24.11.2014 - The 08.28 Penzance to Glasgow Central slows to cross the viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen
24.11.2014 - Hauled by 57604 Pendennis Castle and 57603 Tintagel Castle, the 'Night Riviera' leaves Hayle. On the same day, ASDA opened its branch at Hayle. Copyright Roger Winnen
24.11.2014 - First Great Western 08.44 Penzance-Paddington slows for the viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen
24.11.2014 - Seen from the traffic congestion of Hayle Foundry Square, the 05.24 Bristol T.M. - Penzance crosses the viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen.