February 16th 2026

16/2/2026

A wander round Par
Neil Phillips

Since it wasn't raining for once and I needed some exercise, I went on a circular tour of the St Blazey and Par area to intercept the clay empties, a mystery loco-hauled working and my first Class 175 unit - as you can tell I have been in no rush, the things will be everywhere soon enough!

Curiously Real Time Trains reported the clay empties as cancelled, when in fact the train departed on time - but not with 66098, the expected motive power.....

Three of the five redundant JGA wagons still awaiting the cutter's torch, now the sole occupants of the increasingly weed-infested St Blazey yard - a sad sight. 14.02.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.

The recent storms claimed a large fir tree close to Middleway Crossing which has 'shed' a little more light here (!) - however I wasn't expecting 66116 still in the former and increasingly uncommon EWS colours heading the 6V76 10.35 Westbury - Goonbarrow clay empties, which was a nice surprise! 14.02.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.

The empty JIA wagons traversing Middleway Crossing. 14.02.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.

The mystery working turned out to be 57301 hauling a Mark 3 sleeper vehicle as the 5Z79 15.00 Laira T&RSMD to Penzance T&RSMD, which passed through Par station considerably faster than the '33mph max' stated by RTT! 14.02.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.

A personal 'first', 175003 calls at Par with 2P24 15.15 Penzance - Plymouth, providing a contrast with 150266 waiting to set off with 2N20 16.16 to Newquay, which was delayed by 14 minutes..... . 14.02.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.

Another view of 175003, with the overhead display revealing the reason for the Newquay train's delayed departure. 1C80 12.03 Paddington - Penzance had left London 15 late and was 23 late leaving Par (does this train ever run to time on Saturdays?!). 14.02.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.

Many thanks indeed Neil, a nice selection. Very sad to see St. Blazey in its current state.

Bodmin Railway - Bodmin Parkway track renewal
Chris Bellett

Well, its finished at last. After some apalling weather conditions the track relaying at Bodmin Parkway has been completed with new ground frame point rodding as well. Still some S&T work to complete to connect up the points leading to the sidings at the platform end which are temporarily OOU, but that is not so urgent.

The renewed point and trackwork at Bodmin Parkway. 15.02.2026, copyright Chris Bellett.

A fantastic job Chris, the new point looks like it fits into place much better than the previous instalment. Congratulations to you and all the team at Bodmin.

A few from the archives
Steve Clark

56116 and 56060 are stabled at Old Oak Common. Copyright Steve Clark.

56063 awaits a Driver to take it forward from Newport heading the 6E30 Margam to Hartlepool via Tees Yard. Copyright Steve Clark.

Many thanks Steve - love the night shot.

Overton Crompton
Roger Geach

33013 leads the 0936 Exeter - Waterloo into Overton on Saturday 26.09.1987 - the day of the Basingstoke open day. Copyright Roger Geach.

Lovely stuff Roger - very much appreciated as always.

Rodney on the road
Malcolm Ashworth

Appreciate this isn't Cornwall, but the Class 50s will always be associated with the Duchy. This is 50021 "Rodney" being moved by road on the M5 south of Birmingham last year on the 21st July, presumably to the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire railway,

Photos taken by front seat passenger.

Love the website, bookmarked on my device so I can keep up with the latest news and fantastic photos from the 60/70/80s in and around Cornwall, especially for the Class 52 Westerns, such a fantastic locomotive.

50021 'Rodney' on the M5 motorway on 21.07.2025. Copyright Malcolm Ashworth.

Many thanks Malcolm. Not the natural environment of a class 50! Glad you enjoy the website, thanks for your kind words.

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