Sunset on the CDAs...
Neil Phillips
Hello Roger and Keith,
I saw Matt Weston's report (31st January) that scrapping of the remaining ten CDA wagons had commenced at the far end of St Blazey Yard. I was unable to check this yesterday but went down this afternoon for a look. Progress has been rapid ('practice makes perfect', as the old saying goes) and all that remained at 4pm were two underframes cut in half, with no hopper bodies present. Photography from St Blazey Road is hampered by vegetation, both alongside the road and in the yard itself, but I hope these views, including a last look over the access gate at the far end of the yard, will suffice to mark this sad finale.
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
I saw Matt Weston's report (31st January) that scrapping of the remaining ten CDA wagons had commenced at the far end of St Blazey Yard. I was unable to check this yesterday but went down this afternoon for a look. Progress has been rapid ('practice makes perfect', as the old saying goes) and all that remained at 4pm were two underframes cut in half, with no hopper bodies present. Photography from St Blazey Road is hampered by vegetation, both alongside the road and in the yard itself, but I hope these views, including a last look over the access gate at the far end of the yard, will suffice to mark this sad finale.
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
A last look over the gate at the now near-deserted scrapping area, where 68 CDA wagons have been despatched over the past several months. 1st February 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
The final remnants - two severed underframes await collection in St Blazey yard. 1st February 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Thank you for taking the time to send these in, Neil. A sad sight indeed.
Middleway Crossing and Par Station
Neil Phillips
Hello Roger and Keith,
While out checking on the CDA situation (above) I thought it worthwhile to take advantage of the unbroken winter sunshine - after all it has been a rarity lately!
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
While out checking on the CDA situation (above) I thought it worthwhile to take advantage of the unbroken winter sunshine - after all it has been a rarity lately!
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
150248 traverses Middleway Crossing with 2N09 15.10 Newquay - Par. The nicely-framed view is largely dictated by rampant growth elsewhere along this side of the line at this location. 1st February 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
The rampant growth isn't restricted to the lineside - this stretch of the Newquay branch always looks like this nowadays, regardless of the season or alleged visits by weed-killing trains. The sight of IETs trundling along here during the summer months is almost comical! 1st February 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
It is not only the CDAs that the sun is setting on - now that we are in February the end of the semaphores and operational signal boxes at Lostwithiel, Par and Truro draws ever closer. As 150248 awaits return to Newquay, 800313 departs westward on 1C80 12.03 Paddington - Penzance. 1st February 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Thank you very much Neil, well done for making the most of a rare sunny day!
Exeter Memories
Michael Forward/Michael Adams
Exeter St. Davids on a gloomy 8 November 1980. A HST is waiting with a Paddington to Penzance service. Once it's departed, the DMU will then depart for Exmouth. Copyright Michael Forward.
50003 ‘Temeraire’ at E xeter with the 09.47 Paddington to Newquay on 25 June 1983. Copyright Michael Adams.
Thank you very much indeed to 'The two Michaels' for providing these excellent images of bygone times.
The Goss Moor
Roger Winnen & Jon Hird
A few then and now views around the infamous 'iron bridge' - sworn enemy of many a high road vehicle over the decades!
GWR Class 150 150248 crosses the iron bridge over the old A30 with a Newquay - Par service. 01.02.24. Copyright Jon Hird.
We now go back in time 48 years to 1976 when Roger caught a Gloucester 3 car unit just a little further along the line. Copyright Roger Winnen.
A 2024 view of the bridge carrying the B3274 road to Winards Perch, which Roger was stood on 48 years previously. Copyright Jon Hird.
10/07/1976 And an unidentified Class 50 on a Midday service from Newquay to Paddington crosses Goss Moor. Copyright Roger Winnen