Gerry Chandler
The Cornwall Railway Society are very sad to hear of the passing of Gerry Chandler of St. Merryn, Cornwall.
Gerry and his beloved wife, Betty, were both well respected and longstanding members of the CRS, and joined the society on countless trips over the decades,
Our thoughts are with Gerrys family and friends.
May he rest in peace.
Gerry and his beloved wife, Betty, were both well respected and longstanding members of the CRS, and joined the society on countless trips over the decades,
Our thoughts are with Gerrys family and friends.
May he rest in peace.
NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 91
Closure of the S & D
Michael L. Roach
The last instalment dealt with an imminent closure, while the present instalment will look back to a closure that took place 60 years ago. It was, of course, the closure to passengers of the well-known and much-loved Somerset and Dorset railway line where the main line ran from Bath to Bournemouth, a distance of 71 miles. The last trains ran on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March 1966. Because of a delay in implementing the replacement bus services the closure had been put back by two months from early January to early March. However the last published timetable had not been extended and an emergency timetable was put in place instead, with I think just one class of steam engine working all the trains.
I visited the line on two consecutive days in September 1964 while using a week's West of England Rail Rover. On the second day, 10 September 1964, I went diesel-hauled Plymouth to Bristol TM and then Bath 139 miles by rail for a 37-mile trip to Templecombe by steam behind 75074; returning the same way behind 75008. I had 1½ hours at Templecombe. There are several more articles on the Somerset and Dorset line in the 1962 Series Parts 26 to 37.
I visited the line on two consecutive days in September 1964 while using a week's West of England Rail Rover. On the second day, 10 September 1964, I went diesel-hauled Plymouth to Bristol TM and then Bath 139 miles by rail for a 37-mile trip to Templecombe by steam behind 75074; returning the same way behind 75008. I had 1½ hours at Templecombe. There are several more articles on the Somerset and Dorset line in the 1962 Series Parts 26 to 37.
Collet goods 3210 is seen by the water tower at Highbridge on 9 September 1964. It would later take out the 4.00pm to Evercreech Junction consisting of one GWR Hawkesworth coach and one parcels van. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
3210 is ready to depart from Highbridge. On the left are the platforms on the Taunton to Bristol line. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Standard 4MT 4-6-0 no. 75074 is waiting to depart Bath Green Park on 10.09.1964 on the 1.10pm to Templecombe. The load is three coaches and one parcels van. At Radstock the train passed classmate 75073 travelling in the opposite direction with an identical load. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Pannier tank 4631 is seen on Templecombe Shed later that afternoon. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
3201 stands in Templecombe Station on 10.09.1964 after bringing in the 2.00pm from Highbridge. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
75008 brings empty stock into the platform at Templecombe for the 4.10pm to Bath. The first vehicle is the ubiquitous short parcels van followed by three coaches. The train left Templecomb 5L and arrived Bath Green Park at 6.08pm 5L. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks once again Mike for another great article, the S&DR is always warmly remembered by those amongst us who are lucky enough to have experienced its delights in years gone by.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
Par Harbour
Jon Hird
With the recent news that Imerys are to close their dryer at Par Harbour, the future of rail traffic to the facility is in an uncomfortable situation. Although the stores at the site will remain operational, there are no means of unloading a train there - only loading (which is what currently takes place once a week). Presumably, powdered clay will be brought to the stores by road from the two remaining dryers at Goonbarrow and Treviscoe.
With DB Cargo and Imerys staff manning the wooden crossing gates, 66098 draws 9 JIA's out of the harbour and into St. Blazey yard, where the loco would run round before heading to Exeter and on to Stoke with the wagons. 12.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird,
A more overall view of the short Par Harbour branch as 66098 continues on towards St. Blazey. 12.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Re: Craig's photo of 37289 in Truro
Rob Lomas & Guy Vincent
Rob Lomas writes:
In response to Craig's request to pin down the dates of the 37 in the Farm Industries yard in Truro, I think the loco was a further attraction at the event where the replica "Rocket" was the main feature. The first recorded sighting there was on Wednesday 16 July 1980 (she may possibly have been bought down the day before). 37289 was moved "Up" the line on Tuesday 22 July 1980 in the early afternoon being towed by 46001.
Clearly BR didn't have much operational use for the loco that month as she went on to feature at the further exhibition in Newton Abbot's old yard off the Heathfield Branch where she was further seen on Saturday 26 July 1980.
And Guy Vincent writes:
A bit of searching found the following link which I hope will help confirm the date of Craig's photos of 37289 as being taken on 20th July 1980: click here. The HST power car on display is 43142 and a coach was stabled in Truro yard for the public to inspect. CRS already has a couple of photos of this event in the Truro section.
The same class 37 was photographed by CRS contributor Roger Geach in Newton Abbot goods yard on 25th July 1980. There are also 2 HST trailers present, so it is fair to assume that 37289 moved them from Truro as part of a rolling "This is the age of the train" exhibition celebrating the introduction of Inter City 125s to the far west of England.
(SOURCE: www.class 37.co.uk)
37289 later became celebrity 37408 'Loch Rannoch' and was scrapped in 2011.
In response to Craig's request to pin down the dates of the 37 in the Farm Industries yard in Truro, I think the loco was a further attraction at the event where the replica "Rocket" was the main feature. The first recorded sighting there was on Wednesday 16 July 1980 (she may possibly have been bought down the day before). 37289 was moved "Up" the line on Tuesday 22 July 1980 in the early afternoon being towed by 46001.
Clearly BR didn't have much operational use for the loco that month as she went on to feature at the further exhibition in Newton Abbot's old yard off the Heathfield Branch where she was further seen on Saturday 26 July 1980.
And Guy Vincent writes:
A bit of searching found the following link which I hope will help confirm the date of Craig's photos of 37289 as being taken on 20th July 1980: click here. The HST power car on display is 43142 and a coach was stabled in Truro yard for the public to inspect. CRS already has a couple of photos of this event in the Truro section.
The same class 37 was photographed by CRS contributor Roger Geach in Newton Abbot goods yard on 25th July 1980. There are also 2 HST trailers present, so it is fair to assume that 37289 moved them from Truro as part of a rolling "This is the age of the train" exhibition celebrating the introduction of Inter City 125s to the far west of England.
(SOURCE: www.class 37.co.uk)
37289 later became celebrity 37408 'Loch Rannoch' and was scrapped in 2011.
37289 at Truro Lee Sidings during a rail exhibition - Rob suggests July 1980 as a possible date. Copyright Craig Munday.
Many thanks for the info Rob and Guy. The link provided by Guy goes to a very interesting article with some great photos - well worth a click!