A new CRS headboard!
With many thanks to Railplates, Newton Abbot, the society have a new headboard, which we hope may be seen at our upcoming outdoor events and trips.
With further thanks to the Plym Valley Railway, it had a showing on Pacer 142023 at their open day on Sunday 8th Feb.
The society previously had a headboard, as shown on our home page, created by Peter Butt. This important CRS 'artefact' resides with Keith Jenkin. Although many of the trains which carried the original are now long gone, we hope that the new-age headboard will make some memorable journeys of its own.
With further thanks to the Plym Valley Railway, it had a showing on Pacer 142023 at their open day on Sunday 8th Feb.
The society previously had a headboard, as shown on our home page, created by Peter Butt. This important CRS 'artefact' resides with Keith Jenkin. Although many of the trains which carried the original are now long gone, we hope that the new-age headboard will make some memorable journeys of its own.
Roger Winnen, Jon & Charlie Hird with 142023 at Marsh Mills with the new CRS headboard, made by Railplates, fitted. A suitable destination is shown on the blind! Photo with thanks and copyright Jacob Hampson.
142023 at Plym Bridge with the new CRS headboard. 08.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks once again both to Railplates and to the Plym Valley Railway.
Please consider joining the society - we're a friendly bunch and we love to see new faces! Click here for info.
Please consider joining the society - we're a friendly bunch and we love to see new faces! Click here for info.
Cornwall, and a weekend away
Craig Munday
DB's Nick Edwards let me know he was on 6M53 from Par on 5th Feb. I grabbed a shot of him with Darrin Hart prior to it departing for Exeter. Nick thought it might his last trip on a clay service with changes in the pipeline. His first clay driving turn was over 40 years ago with 46013 apparently! Copyright Craig Munday.
There was sad news that St Blazey and latterly Penzance based Driver Donald Tregaskes had passed away. He retired some years back, but many will remember him as a gentleman, always with a kind word. He happened to be at Hayle the day 47125 infamously derailed on the catch point by Bodriggy School in 1983. He can be seen clambering aboard the errant Brush type 4. His colleague Frank Stead is also present. Copyright Craig Munday.
Finally, a little off area, a trip to Cardiff brought the usual visit to marvel at the incredibly busy Central station. Sadly, locos are at a premium these days, mainly DB class 66s on steel trains to/from Margam. There is loco hauled TFW passenger services to Manchester Piccadilly though, and 67012 crosses the maze of pointwork from Canton to plat 1 with the stock for 1W61. The train is a joy to head North on, with a splendid catering service, spacious seating and a whirl of semaphores passing your window along the North and West route via Hereford. Throw in the fact you avoid Voyagers and Birmingham NS altogether, It's a wonderful head to reach the NW. 06.02.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
On Sat 7th, 6H25 from Margam hosted three locos 66152/651 and 127. 152/127 regulars in Cornwall in recent years of course. 07.02.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
Many thanks Craig. Sad to hear of Donald's passing - I'm sure some readers and members may have known him.
Nice to see the photographs of Wales.
Nice to see the photographs of Wales.
HST Enthusiasts Day
At the Plym Valley Railway
Clive Smith, Jon Hird & Sam Ryder
The Plym Valley Railway held a special 'HST Enthusiasts Day' on Sunday 8th Feb. The freshly repainted 43063 was unveiled to the public, and resident 'Pacer' 142023 gave rides every hour to and from Plym Bridge.
A great event with an excellent attendance - congratulations to the Plym Valley team for hosting it.
A great event with an excellent attendance - congratulations to the Plym Valley team for hosting it.
Freshly repainted into its iconic former Intercity Swallow livery, 43063 basks in the morning sun at Marsh Mills. 08.02.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
'Skipper' 142023 arrives back at Marsh Mills from Plym Bridge. 08.02.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
142023 at Marsh Mills. 08.02.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
143618 in the yard at Marsh Mills. 08.02.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
A glimpse of 43063 from inside the railways BR brake van. 08.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
142023 and 43063 at Marsh Mills in the sunshine. 08.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The railways resident Sentinel Shunter, also wearing Intercity livery, alongside 43063 at Marsh Mills. 08.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Intercity little and large at Marsh Mills. 08.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
142023 awaits departure for Plym Bridge with the CRS headboard attached. 08.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
142023 passing 143618 in the yard as it departs for Plym Bridge. Roger Winnen is at the fence taking a photograph. 08.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
142023 at Plym Bridge. 08.02.2026, copyright Sam Ryder.
Sentinel 10077 and 142023 at Marsh Mills. 08.02.2026, copyright Sam Ryder.
43063 and 142023 at Marsh Mills with fitting headboards on each. 08.02.2026, copyright Sam Ryder.
A close-up of 10077. 08.02.2026, copyright Sam Ryder.
10077 shunts between platforms at Marsh Mills. 08.02.2026, copyright Sam Ryder.
Many thanks Clive and Sam, and congratulations again to the PVR for hosting a great day out!
A token mystery
Chris Osment
In the 1960s the Electric Train Staff working on the Falmouth Branch was replaced by Electric Key Token. The sections were Penwithers Jcn - Perranwell, which had blue 'B' configuration tokens, Perranwell - Penryn with green 'C' configuration and Penryn - Falmouth with yellow 'D' configuration. Examples of all three exist.
In 1966 the signal-box and passing-loop at Perranwell were abolished, after which the first section on the Branch became Penwithers Jcn - Penryn, re-using the green 'C' tokens with the labelling suitable altered. I have seen an example of those as well.
So...how is it that a token turned up at auction last year which was labelled Penwithers Jcn - Perranwell but is yellow with a 'D' configuration? Was there ever an unrecorded replacement of the tokens on that section, and if so why?
To view the auction listing, click here.
In 1966 the signal-box and passing-loop at Perranwell were abolished, after which the first section on the Branch became Penwithers Jcn - Penryn, re-using the green 'C' tokens with the labelling suitable altered. I have seen an example of those as well.
So...how is it that a token turned up at auction last year which was labelled Penwithers Jcn - Perranwell but is yellow with a 'D' configuration? Was there ever an unrecorded replacement of the tokens on that section, and if so why?
To view the auction listing, click here.
An interesting question, Chris. I expect we'll have a few readers who can answer this one - if you know, please drop us an email - [email protected]
Hoovers on tap!
Part 1
Ian Thomas
50006 at Plymouth on an up parcels train. 12.05.1982, copyright Ian Thomas.
50020 departs Exeter St. Davids with the 1045 Paignton - Paddington 1A46. 29.09.1984, copyright Ian Thomas.
50030 passing Langston Rock, Dawlish, with an up service. 08.04.1985, copyright Ian Thomas.
Many thanks Ian - we'll have some more 'Hoovers' tomorrow.
February 1976
Part 9
Roger Winnen
Castle an Dinas Quarry. 21.02.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Waterwheels and stamps at Nancledra. 21.02.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Waterwheels and stamps at Nancledra. 21.02.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Waterwheels and stamps at Nancledra. 21.02.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Waterwheels and stamps at Nancledra. 21.02.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1030 Western Musketeer at Long Rock. 21.02.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Guy Vincent writes:
Published Mon 9th Feb. D1030 Western Musketeer at Long Rock. Loco came down with the 1B45 1130 Paddington-Penzance ‘Cornish Riviera Express’ on Sat. 21st Feb 1976 and the following day left Penzance with the 1A35 1920 to Paddington. Another 0O00. Sadly D1030’s career came to an end when it was involved in a depot collision with sister D1013 at Laira on 18th April, withdrawal taking place the next day.
D1013 was to survive until the very end of Western operations in Feb 1977. On Saturday 8th May 1976 47033 left Laira towing D1016 D1030 and D1057 on their last journey to Swindon works for scrapping.
Published Mon 9th Feb. D1030 Western Musketeer at Long Rock. Loco came down with the 1B45 1130 Paddington-Penzance ‘Cornish Riviera Express’ on Sat. 21st Feb 1976 and the following day left Penzance with the 1A35 1920 to Paddington. Another 0O00. Sadly D1030’s career came to an end when it was involved in a depot collision with sister D1013 at Laira on 18th April, withdrawal taking place the next day.
D1013 was to survive until the very end of Western operations in Feb 1977. On Saturday 8th May 1976 47033 left Laira towing D1016 D1030 and D1057 on their last journey to Swindon works for scrapping.
A light load for Hercules
Roger Geach
50007 'Hercules' (or 'Sir Edward Elgar', depending who you asked) passing Coedkernew with just 2 vans from Cardiff - Roger isn't sure whether this train went to Weymouth. 12.05.1989, copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks Roger - some lovely low-sun lighting there.
On the naughty step
Jon Hird
175011 and 175002 parked on the Looe Branch connection at Liskeard on 08.02.2026. 175002 had failed at Liskeard with an electrical fault whilst working a Plymouth - Penzance service on 04.02.2026. 175011 was sent from Laira to rescue it, but when coupled, the electrical fault transferred to this unit too. After blocking the down main for several hours, the units were moved to this location to reopen the mainline. 08.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
A GWR Class 150 heads for Plymouth whilst the errant class 175's look on. This image shows how sharp the curve around to the Looe branch is quite well. 08.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.