Rest In Peace
Doctor Les Nixon
We at the Cornwall Railway Society are saddened to hear of the recent passing of Les Nixon.
Les was a prolific railway photographer, who made several presentations to our society over the years.
Les's photographic collection spanned over 70 years, and included some truly fascinating and unrepeatable images.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of Les. May he rest in peace.
Les was a prolific railway photographer, who made several presentations to our society over the years.
Les's photographic collection spanned over 70 years, and included some truly fascinating and unrepeatable images.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends of Les. May he rest in peace.
NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 31
Carmarthen to Aberystwyth
Michael L. Roach
This instalment marks the sixtieth anniversary of the last day that passenger trains ran north from Carmarthen to Aberystwyth; except that they didn't, because they only ran part way. At the north end the line had been breached by flooding in the week ending 12 December 1964, and with the withdrawal of passenger trains already approved the line was not repaired and buses bridged the gap for two months. The line was 56 miles long and single throughout with many crossing loops. There were only three passenger trains each way and had been for many years. The line passed through sparsely populated but fertile countryside, and the largest town en-route Lampeter has a population of just 2,500 persons now. The next largest towns were Llanybyther (1,600), Pencader (1,050) and Tregaron (900).
When I made my first trip along the line on Monday 22 July 1963, the line was still intact as I headed north from Carmarthen behind 7810 Draycott Manor of Oswestry Shed (then coded 89D) with 4 coaches and one 4-wheel wagon. As the train left Carmarthen at 6.10am there were just two of us aboard. We would stop at the first three stations without picking up a single passenger. At Pencader (15 miles) the wagon was shunted off into a siding and three passengers joined the train. This would be the pattern throughout with many stations, providing no passengers. Arriving at Aberystwyth at 8.43am 34 passengers alighted from the train, which had become a commuter train for the northern half of the line. My second trip was behind 7826 Longworth Manor of Llanelly Shed on Saturday 10 October 1964. Between my two visits, Carmarthen Shed had closed with its remaining locos transferred to Llanelly Shed meaning a 20-mile LE movement. The train conveyed eight empty milk tanks between the engine and the two passenger coaches.
With or without Beeching the line was doomed as far as the passenger service was concerned, and the last trains ran on Saturday 20 February 1965. But, goods traffic (which meant principally milk traffic), continued for a further eight years to 1973. We will now look at images of some of the stations along the line starting at the southern end.
The last scan shows the timetable in Summer 1950 when there were more trains and even a limited stop through service from Cardiff to Aberystwyth for just six Saturdays in high summer. This was a throwback to the pre-war timetable. Is there any chance of the line being reinstated one day as part of a long-distance north to south route – I doubt it as there is far less road traffic on the A485 road compared to the A49 on the east side of Wales which is a main transport corridor with an excellent and frequent train service serving the towns along the A49.
When I made my first trip along the line on Monday 22 July 1963, the line was still intact as I headed north from Carmarthen behind 7810 Draycott Manor of Oswestry Shed (then coded 89D) with 4 coaches and one 4-wheel wagon. As the train left Carmarthen at 6.10am there were just two of us aboard. We would stop at the first three stations without picking up a single passenger. At Pencader (15 miles) the wagon was shunted off into a siding and three passengers joined the train. This would be the pattern throughout with many stations, providing no passengers. Arriving at Aberystwyth at 8.43am 34 passengers alighted from the train, which had become a commuter train for the northern half of the line. My second trip was behind 7826 Longworth Manor of Llanelly Shed on Saturday 10 October 1964. Between my two visits, Carmarthen Shed had closed with its remaining locos transferred to Llanelly Shed meaning a 20-mile LE movement. The train conveyed eight empty milk tanks between the engine and the two passenger coaches.
With or without Beeching the line was doomed as far as the passenger service was concerned, and the last trains ran on Saturday 20 February 1965. But, goods traffic (which meant principally milk traffic), continued for a further eight years to 1973. We will now look at images of some of the stations along the line starting at the southern end.
The last scan shows the timetable in Summer 1950 when there were more trains and even a limited stop through service from Cardiff to Aberystwyth for just six Saturdays in high summer. This was a throwback to the pre-war timetable. Is there any chance of the line being reinstated one day as part of a long-distance north to south route – I doubt it as there is far less road traffic on the A485 road compared to the A49 on the east side of Wales which is a main transport corridor with an excellent and frequent train service serving the towns along the A49.
Conwil Station on the late afternoon of 30 December 1964. The station served the village of Cynwyl Elfed. On the left is the A484 road and on the right the River Gwili. The GWR spear fencing still separates the public road from the site of the station. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Llanpumpsaint is seen late on the afternoon of 31 December 1964 as the light fades. Looking north towards Pencader and Aberystwyth. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Pencader looking north on 31.12.1964 there were sidings to the left and the right and previously an engine shed as this was the southern limit of the Manchester and Milford Railway which constructed the railway from here to Aberystwyth. The M&M was leased to the GWR in 1906 and completely taken over in 1911. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Bryn Teify on 31.12.1964 looking north. Although two passenger trains could not pass here a passenger train could pass a goods train. Note the very basic M&M corrugated iron station building. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Maesycrugiau looking north showing the only five minutes of sun in the whole of a bleak cold day of 31.12.1964. A good collection of basic buildings but there were very few houses within reasonable walking distance of the station. On 19 August 1890 there was a serious railway accident here when the boiler of a goods engine blew up luckily with no injuries to anyone. There is a full report on the Railways Archive website. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Llanybyther looking south. It was one of the most important stations on the line because of the adjacent livestock mart which had earlier dispatched thousands of animals on the hoof by rail. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The diesels have arrived on the line in the shape of a Class 37 heading north with empty milk tanks on 31 December 1964 through Pencarreg Halt. The flat field on the left is in fact a lake, although it is not obvious. I remember getting off the bus here and feeling cold as the temperature was only just above freezing. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Looking north at Lampeter which was the largest station on the line. I had arrived at Lampeter by bus on the morning of 31 December 1964 and then worked my way back to Carmarthen by walking 13 miles between stations plus train and bus. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
7826 stands at Pont Llanio ready to depart after depositing four milk tanks in the loop outside the signal box in the distance. The milk depot was on the right and the tanks would have been winched into the depot by a wire. Note the M&M corrugated iron station building. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The driver of 7826 reads his newspaper at Tregaron while he waits for the 11.55am from Aberystwyth to pass the other way on 10 October 1964. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The timetable for Summer 1950. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks for another interesting instalment, Michael.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
Chetnole Tractors
Bill Elston
Bill Elston
Good afternoon Roger,
I took a gamble and went over to Chetnole to observe Test Train 1Q22, running from Derby r t c to Bristol, via Weymouth.
I was rewarded with a pair of 37s in t/t mode, nos 37402 and 37610, (vice HST), seen here passing Chetnole running about 15late.
Best regards
Bill
I took a gamble and went over to Chetnole to observe Test Train 1Q22, running from Derby r t c to Bristol, via Weymouth.
I was rewarded with a pair of 37s in t/t mode, nos 37402 and 37610, (vice HST), seen here passing Chetnole running about 15late.
Best regards
Bill
Class 37 37402 at Chetnolr. Copyright Bill Elston
Class 37 37610 tailing the train at Chetnole. Copyright Bill Elston
Many thanks Bill
Testing Times
Alby Johnson Doe
Below are a few photos of Network Rail's 950001 on its (cut short) trip to plymouth on Monday.
Network Rail's 950001 coasts through a beautifully restored Castle Cary station on its way to Yeovil Pen Mill. 17.02.2025, copyright Alby Johnson Doe.
Two Colas rail tamper track machines leave the up line siding bound for Swindon. 17.02.2025, copyright Alby Johnson Doe.
An IET thunders through the station. 17.02.2025, copyright Alby Johnson Doe.
Freightliner's 59206 stands at Taunton with the Riverside empty stone wagons , bound for the Mendip quarries. 17.02.2025, copyright Alby Johnson Doe.
950001 speeds through Taunton bound for Plymouth Park Sidings. Unfortunately this move had to be curtailed at Riverside Yard as the unit was only running on one engine , and it was feared that it would not make it over the South Devon Banks. 17.02.2025, copyright Alby Johnson Doe.
An IET crosses Red Cow bound for Paddington. 17.02.2025, copyright Alby Johnson Doe.
Many thanks, Alby - from what we understand, this was likely to be the last visit by 950001, with it being due to be replaced by converted class 153 units.
Swindon Sulzers
Martin Turner
A trio of Sulzers - 47802, 33207 and 33029 work 5Z77, the 1008 Bristol Kingsland Road - Southall ECS through Swindon on 17.02.2025. Copyright Martin Turner.
Many thanks Martin, and thanks to Ken for sending in the picture.
Clay & a 'Castle'
Jon Hird
43093 + 43004 climb towards Treverrin tunnel with a Penzance - Plymouth working. The farmer has recently given the hedge a trim. 19.02.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Hot on its heels was 66152 with 6C10 - just 4 JIA's heading for Exeter Riverside from Treviscoe. 19.02.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Views around Truro
Dennis Clarke
I was in Truro today (18.02) and took a few photos around the sidings.
Some of the old track lying around the yard was being loaded onto a lorry, for removal.
Here are a few images taken on my phone.
Some of the old track lying around the yard was being loaded onto a lorry, for removal.
Here are a few images taken on my phone.
Truro yard. 18.02.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
Redunant track panels being removed by road. 18.02.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
Track panels being removed by road. 18.02.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
43189 at the head of a Penzance - Plymouth working. 18.02.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
An IET approaches from the east, past the former signal box. 18.02.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
The IET on the level crossing at the east end of Truro station. 18.02.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
Many thanks, Dennis. Strange to think it's nearly a year since the semaphores went.
Engineering works
on the Boscarne - Wadebridge line
Andrew & Diane Jones
47 years after the last train passed over it, the cattle creep just west of Pendavey Bridge is receiving attention due to deterioration of the supporting brickwork.
In recent years the upper reaches near the Bridge have been allowed to flood possibly adding to the damage.
Interestingly this has uncovered previous works including some flat bottomed rail.
Please see attached photographs including Pendavy Bridge which also looks in need of some TLC.
In recent years the upper reaches near the Bridge have been allowed to flood possibly adding to the damage.
Interestingly this has uncovered previous works including some flat bottomed rail.
Please see attached photographs including Pendavy Bridge which also looks in need of some TLC.
Repairs to the Cattle creek near Pendavy Bridge on the camel trail. Flat bottomed rail has been used to level up the trackbed at some point in the past. 19.02.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
The cattle creep itself. 19.02.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Pendavey Bridge on the outskirts of Wadebridge, carrying the railway/path over the River Camel. 19.02.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Many thanks Andrew & Diane - interesting to see some hidden history surfacing.
Classic Traction at Swindon
Colin Pidgeon
37884 on 5Q76 Wembley DB Cargo to Newport Docks with 321313 & 321315 at Swindon 18/02/2025.
321315 brings up the rear. 18/02/2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks, Colin. Sunshine and a classic loco - it doesn't get much better!