Merry Christmas!
The CRS website team would like to wish a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all of our members, friends, contributors, readers, and fellow railway enthusiasts.
We would like to thank everyone who has supported the Cornwall Railway Society throughout the past year, whether through membership, contributions, or simply by taking the time to read and engage with us.
As we look ahead to the New Year, we hope it brings good health, happiness, and many opportunities to continue celebrating, documenting and preserving Cornwall’s rich railway heritage.
We look forward to sharing more news, articles, photographs and historical tales with you in the months to come, and to continuing the Society’s work together with your valued support and input.
Keith, Roger & Jon
We would like to thank everyone who has supported the Cornwall Railway Society throughout the past year, whether through membership, contributions, or simply by taking the time to read and engage with us.
As we look ahead to the New Year, we hope it brings good health, happiness, and many opportunities to continue celebrating, documenting and preserving Cornwall’s rich railway heritage.
We look forward to sharing more news, articles, photographs and historical tales with you in the months to come, and to continuing the Society’s work together with your valued support and input.
Keith, Roger & Jon
The Nick Perring Collection - Part 4
Snowy Rail Scenes
Clive Smith
Well it doesn't look like it's going to be a white Christmas in the south west, so here are a few of Nick's photos from when it did snow down our way.
46003 works a down mixed goods at Laira on the through lines to Friary during a snowfall in February 1978. This line was diverted around the other side of Laira depot when the new depot for the HSTs was built running alongside Embankment Road. That line is known as the Speedway but is anything but speedy as it is curved and has a gradient. 46003 was an early peak withdrawal after it suffered a severe fire in August 1978 and was withdrawn in October the same year. Copyright Clive Smith - Original photographer Nick Perring.
Roger Geach writes to say:
Ref 46003 at Plymouth Laira in the snow Feb 1978, I see we did have some snow in Cornwall on the 13.02.1978 so the date may be around then.
We also had some snow on the 12/13 Jan 1977 as well.
Many thanks, Roger
Ref 46003 at Plymouth Laira in the snow Feb 1978, I see we did have some snow in Cornwall on the 13.02.1978 so the date may be around then.
We also had some snow on the 12/13 Jan 1977 as well.
Many thanks, Roger
'Dutch' liveried infrastructure Cromptons 33208 and 33065 in the white stuff at Exeter St Davids stabling point on the 2nd February 1991. Both 33s are currently preserved. 33065 at the Spa Valley Railway and 33208 at the Battlefield Line, though I don't think the slim has done much for a while. Copyright Clive Smith - Original photographer Nick Perring.
50005 at Plymouth on the 2C68 05.45 Barnstaple - Penzance which it worked between Exeter St Davids - Penzance on 16th January 1987. Copyright Clive Smith - Original photographer Nick Perring.
Although there was no snow at Plymouth on this day there certainly was further up the line as can be seen by the state of 45030 after arriving with the 1V71 07.38 Leeds - Penzance on the 17th January 1979. The peak would be replaced for the journey to Penzance by 47111. Copyright Clive Smith - Original photographer Nick Perring.
New in 1979, this British Rail Bedford 1.2L van was clearly Nick's S & T vehicle parked up by his office at the Motorail platform at Newton Abbot on a sunny snow covered day, likely 11th January 1982. Seemingly these vans were always at BR stations or the British Telecom variant was out repairing vandalised phone boxes. These were unlikely to ever achieve 60 mph and 55 would be pushing it. Once ubiquitous but now very rare, just six are believed to be in existence. Copyright Clive Smith - Original photographer Nick Perring.
A great selection Clive - many thanks indeed. Thanks for all your contributions over the years and merry Christmas to you and yours.
Merry Christmas
From Mick House
Many thanks Mick - best wishes to you and the family too.
47 to Fowey
Roger Geach
Crewe Diesel Depot based at the time 47199 departs Lostwithiel for Fowey with clay hoods. Note fixed distant signal and the telegraph poles . 29.11.1977, copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks for another great shot from the archives, Roger.
Sunny Christmas Trains
& thoughts on preservation
Jon Hird
On the final day of the Bodmin Railway 2025 Christmas Trains, the sun managed to make an appearance. I popped out to photograph a few trains between the annual last-minute supermarket trips.
Writing purely as an enthusiast and photographer - not as a professional railway economist or strategist - the past year has been extremely hard on the hobby. With the local railfreight stream reduced to a mere trickle, the replacement of our beloved HST's by somewhat bland DMU's and various other modernisation schemes out on the mainline, we haven't been left with an awful lot to feel enthusiastic about.
Even more reason then to count our blessings. We are fortunate to have an abundance of fantastic heritage railways in our region, where classic traction still reigns and the glory days of British Railways can still be relived. Please ensure that you support them as much as you can.
Writing purely as an enthusiast and photographer - not as a professional railway economist or strategist - the past year has been extremely hard on the hobby. With the local railfreight stream reduced to a mere trickle, the replacement of our beloved HST's by somewhat bland DMU's and various other modernisation schemes out on the mainline, we haven't been left with an awful lot to feel enthusiastic about.
Even more reason then to count our blessings. We are fortunate to have an abundance of fantastic heritage railways in our region, where classic traction still reigns and the glory days of British Railways can still be relived. Please ensure that you support them as much as you can.
This embankment between Bodmin Crematorium and Colesloggett Halt was once a popular location for photographers. Sadly the trees along the boundary line are now extremely tall, and the broadside view once on offer here is now long gone. I was able to carefully thread the drone through the branches of the trees and found a natural-looking angle to take this photo of 47306 heading downgrade with the 1300 Bodmin General - Bodmin Parkway. 24.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
5552 quietly passes 'Racing Straight' near Walker Lines at the head of the 1330 Bodmin Parkway - Bodmin General. The 47 on the rear was providing most of the power. 24.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
A final image of 47306 approaching Colesloggett Halt with Bodmin Ops Superintendent Mat at the controls. A nice little shot opened up by the railways new flail towards the end of the summer season. If you are reading this and planning a trip, please do not visit this location during spring or summer when the fields are full of sheep/lambs. 24.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
The next event to be held at the Bodmin Railway is their 'Winter Warmer' on Monday 29th January. This event will feature 5552, 47306 and Bagnall 'Judy' working a variety of trains including demonstration freights and brake van rides.
For more info (including timetable) please click here.
For more info (including timetable) please click here.
Truro Tamper
Dennis Clarke
Tamper DR 75407 arrived in Truro Platform 3 working 6J84 from Tiverton Loop to Penzance. 23.12.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
150238 arrives from Falmouth, passing the Tamper. 23.12.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
150234 sits in the sidings at Truro having had issues working the Falmouth branch line, causing several cancellations. 23.12.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
Many thanks for the photographs Dennis, busy scenes at Truro. The sidings seem to have had more use this year than in recent previous years - a valuable asset to the railway no doubt.