Cornwalls Viaducts in miniature
Andrew & Diane Jones
I have attached some slightly unusual photographs which may interest members of the society following history or who model in the gauge 1 scale.
Some years ago a gentleman embarked on a project to recreate a garden railway incorporating Brunels, Coombe Lake Viaduct near Saltash and the girder bridge crossing near Padstow.
Unfortunately the gentleman passed away recently and the railway is now semi derelict with a very uncertain future, which is such a shame as a vast amount of work must have been carried out in its heyday.
The viaduct detail is museum standard and gives an insight into Brunels innovative design which allowed replacement of the timber trusses with little disruption to rail traffic.
Incidently the timber mill used to fabricate the replacements situated in the Menacuddle Valley near St Austell, is facing uncertainty and is also in very poor condition and surely worth preserving!
Some years ago a gentleman embarked on a project to recreate a garden railway incorporating Brunels, Coombe Lake Viaduct near Saltash and the girder bridge crossing near Padstow.
Unfortunately the gentleman passed away recently and the railway is now semi derelict with a very uncertain future, which is such a shame as a vast amount of work must have been carried out in its heyday.
The viaduct detail is museum standard and gives an insight into Brunels innovative design which allowed replacement of the timber trusses with little disruption to rail traffic.
Incidently the timber mill used to fabricate the replacements situated in the Menacuddle Valley near St Austell, is facing uncertainty and is also in very poor condition and surely worth preserving!
A video of the railway posted on YouTube by its constructor. The comments read: My G1 track, as always, is still under construction. All curves are Cliff Barkers gauge widened and the straights are Peco. Points and crossings are self made, as are the Rc air operated points and controls. The timber viaduct is 6m long and is an accurate model of Brunels Coombe lake viaduct near Saltash. The original was unfortunately demolished over 120 years ago. This model is made out of 96 separate resin castings! The black bridge is a copy of the generic steel bridge on the Camel Trail near Padstow
A G Scale replica of the original timber Coombe by Saltash viaduct. Copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
A G Scale replica of the original timber Coombe by Saltash viaduct. Copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
A replica of the steel girder bridge at Padstow. Copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Many thanks Andrew & Diane
We have some pics and info on the timber mill you mention on the website - click here.
We have some pics and info on the timber mill you mention on the website - click here.
Late night at North Road
Steve Clark
Lairas 08644 arrives at Plymouth North Road on 05.12.2024 with 'The Night Riviera' sleeper stock. The train starting from Plymouth due to the line block into Cornwall this week. 05.12.2024, copyright Steve Clark.
08644 is uncoupled from the sleeper stock. 05.12.2024, copyright Steve Clark.
The GWR class 57 idles away providing ETS to the coaching stock whilst awaiting departure for London Paddington. 05.12.2024, copyright Steve Clark.
Many thanks Steve, a rare opportunity to catch a shot of a Laira 08 'out in the wild'.