Items added on 10th April 2017 Those added most recently come first

                           Advance Advice
Visit to the Launceston Steam Railway
     Thursday 13th April  2017
Penzance depart 09.35 St Erth 09.43 Camborne 09.56 Redruth 10.03 Truro 10.15 St Austell 10.31 Par 10.38 Bodmin Parkway 10.51 Liskeard 11.04
Group Travel Bus 236 Departs from Outside Liskeard Station by the Stag Inn at 11.27 (Have your
Bus Passes Handy) arr Launceston Westgate Street at 12.15. Depart Launceston Westgate Street at 12.20 on Group Travel service 223 and alight at the entrance to the Newport Industrial Estate at 12.24 which is near the Launceston Steam Railway.
Trains depart from Launceston Station at 13.00 14.00 15.00 16.00
Trains returning depart from Newmills at 13.20 14.20 15.20 16.20
Fares for Senior Citizens £9.15 unlimited travel

Buses depart from the Newport Industrial Estate at 40 mins pass the hour to Launceston Westgate Street.

A through Plymouth City Bus service is shown on Route 12B from Newport Industrial Estate at 16.16 then Westgate Street at 16.25 arriving at Plymouth Station at 17.47

A further Plymouth City Bus service 12B departs Launceston Westgate Street at 17.25 arriving at Plymouth Station at 18.34
Train depart from Plymouth at 18.42 Liskeard 19.07 Bodmin Parkway 19.19 Par 19.31 St Austell 19.39 Truro 20.00 Redruth 20.10 Camborne 20.18 St Erth 20.28 Penzance 20.42
or Plymouth depart 19.01 Liskeard 19.24 Bodmin Parkway 19.36 Par 19.46 St Austell 19.52 Truro 20.18 Redruth 20.29 Camborne 20.35 St Erth 20.46 Penzance 20.54
Purchase an Off Peak Day Return to Plymouth.
In the event of the 09.35 Penzance to Manchester service being cancelled please travel on the next available service being the 10.00 Penzance to London Paddington and alight on arrival at Plymouth at 11.57
Cross the road outside of the Station for the 12.04 or 13.04 bus being 12B Lauceston Bus which arrives 13.22 or 14.22
For any problems contact Roger Winnen on 01736 350048 or 0777 380 8074

Box Tunnel 
and Brunel's birthday

​Concerning Box tunnel and the speculation that it was designed on such a bearing that the sun would shine through it on Brunel's birthday - 9th April.  Please use the link below to see GWR's proof of this on the birthday of the great man.  

https://www.gwr.com/about-us/media-centre/news/2017/april/gwr-proves-brunels-sunshine-theory-is-there-light-at-the-end-of-brunels-box-tunnel ​
     Many thanks to GWR for providing this information.

Box Work
Adrian King

Hi Keith 
        Hope your keeping well and the sun is still shining in Cornwall. I thought you may be interested with these couple of photos. We paid a visit to our son on the weekend, he lives near Box in Wiltshire and I took the opportunity to visit the main line which was closed over the weekend for major drainage works. With the assistance of a very helpful engineer working at the site these are a few of the shots (it was he who took the one which is on the line itself) taken on Sunday afternoon of the work in progress at the western end of Middle Hill Tunnel. 
             Cheers Adrian                                   Many thanks

Box Middle Hill tunnel. 9th May 2017 Copyright Adrian King. Picture taken by railway staff.

Box Middle Hill tunnel works. 9th April 2017. Copyright Adrian King

Cornish Gnome
Low bridge ahead
Roger Winnen / Keith Jenkin

A really charming scene - 'olde worlde'. The Dell at Falmouth with a Metropolitian C & W Works DMU and the old garage with its pumps. 31st March 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen.

Just to the right of the picture above lies the railway bridge over Avenue Road.  Several years ago now a lady driving a double decker on route 41 caused it to be considerably modified as it attempted a 'pass' under the bridge shown below.  Whether the bus the bus continues in service as an 'open topper' is not known!!

It's the 3rd May 1998 and the 'Cornish Gnome' pauses at Falmtouth Town station. The loco stands on Avenue Road bridge. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Kingskerswell Station
Roger Winnen

As early as 1849 the residents of Kingskerswell were petitioning the South Devon Railway to stop trains at Kingskerswell, they would even pay towards the station. It was not until 1st July, 1853 that a station was provided on the then single line, however a loop was installed at Kingskerswell in 1861 followed by the line doubling in 1876 when a second platform came into use. The Station Buildings were situated at one end of the road overbridge which was on arches, with steps leading down to the platforms. The station closed on 5th October,1964.

170408d The remains of Kingskerswell Station today with its GWR railings in situ. Copyright Roger Winnen

170408e A booking office stood on one side of this road overbridge and steps descended to both platforms. Copyright Roger Winnen

170408f The 11.23 Exmouth to Paignton is seen passing the abandoned platforms of Kingskerswell Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

170408g The 12.13 Paignton to Exmouth passes through the deserted platforms. Copyright Roger Winnen

170408h A landmark for the station which can be viewed from the train window is The Parish Church of St Mary, Kingskerswell where a Wedding Service was taking place. The station is situated about two hundred yards after passing this church. Copyright Roger Winnen

170408i The 08.07 Manchester to Paignton heads towards its destination. Copyright Roger Winnen

Masbusy Summit
John Cornelius

Almost ten years after the closure of the Somerset and Dorset John re-visits site of the notorious bank between Shepton Mallet and Binegar. Copyright John Cornelius