December 5th 2024

5/12/2024

Don't miss our next indoor meeting!
December 14th 2024
Amyas Crump presents a fascinating show entitled
'The Railways around Plymouth'
Not to be missed!

Keyham Engineering
Roger Winnen

A visit to Keyham today (04.12.2024) - by train to Liskeard, then bus direct to Keyham, and returning to Plymouth Station for another bus to St. Austell, before catching a 'Castle Class' HST home to Penzance.

04.12.2024 - Engineering works at Keyham have closed the network during the last few days. Copyright Roger Winnen

04.12.2024 - With no trains on the Gunnislake Branch and no trains running from Plymouth to Liskeard. Copyright Roger Winnen.

04.12.2024 - Standing on the long footbridge at Keyham, we see a Freightliner 66 in the background with ballast. Copyright Roger Winnen.

04.12.2024 - Taken from the road overbridge at Admiralty Road, Keyham, we see the the newly laid connection to enter the Royal Naval Dockyard. Copyright Roger Winnen.

04.12.2024 - The Admiralty Branch into the Dockyard. Copyright Roger Winnen

04.12.2024 - A new crossover has been laid, together with points into the Dockyard. Copyright Roger Winnen

04.12.2024 - In this view, looking in the opposite direction, we see ballast being off loaded. Copyright Roger Winnen

04.12.2024 - Various road/rail vehicles busy at work as the light fades over the worksite. Copyright Roger Winnen.

04.12.2024 - On the left hand side of the platform, there once was a siding with a run-round loop. No longer required, it seems. Copyright Roger Winnen

04.12.2024 - Freightliner 66512 with ballast awaiting to be called on into the blockade. In the background is Dockyard Halt. Copyright Roger Winnen

04.12.2024 - A final view looking at Keyham from the road bridge at the other end of Admiralty Street. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many thanks, Roger - a fine report on the work being undertaken

Re: CDA Canopy Colours
Roger Geach

Yesterday, we published a question from a reader, asking for pictures of new CDA's to clearly show the colouring of their canopies. Roger Geach has kindly provided a few photographs which may help.

In this photograph taken on 03.07.1989, the CDA's are nearly-new, but as can be seen, they are already looking well weathered. Copyright Roger Geach.

An even earlier photograph, 31.08.1988, even this early on in their lives the roofs are quite white with clay, but the colour can be seen. Copyright Roger Geach.

This photograph taken on a nice, bright day in March 1989 shows the roofs quite well. Copyright Roger Geach.

Many thanks Roger - hopefully these help Andrew out with his query.

Signalling remains at Par
Jon Hird

GWR's 43093 and 43097 arrive at Par with a mid-day Penzance - Liskeard service, passing the remains of the once-proud semaphore signals. A class 150 sits in Chapel Siding - the Newquay branch still being closed to traffic due to the landslip near Ponts Mill. 04.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.

The HST continues towards Par. To the right of the image is another headless semaphore, standing much taller than its replacement colour light signal which stands before it. 04.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.

The trackside is littered with various pulleys and devices which once carried the wires to operate various items of signalling equipment. 04.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.

More pulleys on the trackside at Par. This one looks really old - was this really in use just 9 months ago, or was this part of an even earlier system? 04.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.

Electrical cabinets disconnected and awaiting recovery. 04.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.

Exeter Central
Martin Scane

Maybe not the most interesting photograph but a station not often featured on the website. This is Exeter Central with 2F24 Paignton to Exmouth at 16-19 today (04.12.2024). 150233 leading with 150246 bringing up the rear. Copyright Martin Scane.

Many thanks Martin - plenty interesting enough for us!