Camborne honours
Richard Trevithick
13th April 1771- 22 April1833
Richard Trevithick
13th April 1771- 22 April1833
On the last Saturday of April Camborne honours the Cornishman Richard Trevithick born at Illogan in 1771, and died in Dartford, Kent.
He was one of the great inventors of the steam engine and today the theme of the event was 'Innovation' for Camborne Trevithick Day 2017 is a reminder that engineers of imagination, working on creative ideas, can still be found in the local area today
Roger Winnen
He was one of the great inventors of the steam engine and today the theme of the event was 'Innovation' for Camborne Trevithick Day 2017 is a reminder that engineers of imagination, working on creative ideas, can still be found in the local area today
Roger Winnen
A brilliant action shot by Roger. The Replica of Trevithicks 'Puffing Devil' built in 1801stands in Bassett Street, Camborne. 29th April 2017 Copyright Roger Winnen
The steam engines salute the statue of Richard Trevithick situated outside Camborne Library. 29th April 2017 Copyright Roger Winnen
Heavy haulage The Crane engine in Camborne. 29th April 2017 Copyright Roger Winnen
Long Rock Progress Craig Munday
Hi Keith
Some pictures from last week showing sterling progress with the new depot at Long Rock. The steelwork all but complete. Engineers using theodolites showed us the uprights must be within 3mm of true prior to the final cementing in. Incredible attention to detail.
The Western end shed clearly shows the two door apertures for no 2 & 3 road. No 2 road will be the main maintenance road as the rails will be housed on steel uprights - so an all round inspection can be conducted. No 3 road will have inspection pits.
The new stores and accommodation block can be seen to the right of the new depot. The cladding & guttering has arrived for the roof, and these sheets will start to be bolted on in the coming weeks.
Cheers for now, Craig Many thanks Craig
Some pictures from last week showing sterling progress with the new depot at Long Rock. The steelwork all but complete. Engineers using theodolites showed us the uprights must be within 3mm of true prior to the final cementing in. Incredible attention to detail.
The Western end shed clearly shows the two door apertures for no 2 & 3 road. No 2 road will be the main maintenance road as the rails will be housed on steel uprights - so an all round inspection can be conducted. No 3 road will have inspection pits.
The new stores and accommodation block can be seen to the right of the new depot. The cladding & guttering has arrived for the roof, and these sheets will start to be bolted on in the coming weeks.
Cheers for now, Craig Many thanks Craig
Long Rock Shed 28th April 2017 Copyright Craig Munday
Long Rock Shed 28th April 2017 Copyright Craig Munday
Long Rock Shed 28th April 2017 Copyright Craig Munday
40 years ago today David Tozer
Hi Keith,
Thought that these two photographs might be appropriate for your 30th April pages.
Hastings Unit 1033 heads away from Exmouth Junction with the Saturday only Exeter ( St David's) - Brighton service, whilst set 1034 brings up the rear. Yes, a 12 car DEMU. Those were the days.
Dave
Many thanks for your reminder
Thought that these two photographs might be appropriate for your 30th April pages.
Hastings Unit 1033 heads away from Exmouth Junction with the Saturday only Exeter ( St David's) - Brighton service, whilst set 1034 brings up the rear. Yes, a 12 car DEMU. Those were the days.
Dave
Many thanks for your reminder
Hastings set 1033 heads away from Exmouth Junction, Brighton bound. 30th April 1977. Copyright David Tozer
And in sequence, bringing up the rear is set 1034. A nice combination. 30th April 1977. Copyright David Tozer
St Blazey
Sid Sponheimer
Sid Sponheimer
Sid takes a peep inside St Blazey depot during the rail strike. 8th March 1973 - Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Crewkerne
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Marlpitts lies about a quarter of a mile west of Crewkerne. Copyright John Cornelius
Cornish War Diary
By Phil Hadley
Part 2 1940
Monday 1st January 1940
Lostwithiel to Fowey branch line closes to passenger traffic to allow for military use. (Wikipedia – citation needed). Passengers for Fowey would have to go via St Blazey. It is believed the port of Fowey was used to transport ammunition to France. After Dunkirk Britain’s supply of chemical weapons which had been taken to France was brought back through Fowey. It is possible these were stored at Woodgate Pill until safe passage and storage were arranged upcountry. I am still looking for documentary evidence to confirm this.
Undated May
The Railway Executive Committee raised fares by 10%, both to urge against travel and to cover the mounting costs of the railway. (GWR Handbook 1923-1947 by David Wragg)
Monday 13th May
The government cancelled the Whitsun holiday since the Germans were sweeping through the Low Countries and into France. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
Thursday 13th June
Evacuation train arrives from London in Penzance. CM
Saturday 15th June
Evacuation train arrives from London in Penzance. Many of these children from a Roman Catholic school were bused the following morning to Hayle. CM
Sunday 16th June
An evacuation train from Vauxhall to North Cornwall intended for 600 passengers only carried 417 children and 32 adults as many parents changed their minds at the last minute and kept their children. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
The train arrived at Bude about 7pm when several hundred tired children and teachers detrained at the station and were shepherded into Cann Medlands Garage where a real Cornish meal was provided and the children were medically examined. Around 30 of the children from a primary school in Croydon found themselves billeted in Week St Mary. (Week St Mary Village Community website)
Tuesday 18th June
A train to London carried, under guard by Polish soldiers, the Wawel Treasures. The state art collection from the Royal Castle of Wawel in Krakow, Poland arrived in Falmouth on the ship Chorzow having left Bordeaux on the 15th to escape the advancing German army. The treasures include the Coronation Sword and were taken by train from Falmouth to the Polish Embassy in London and then on to Canada for safe-keeping. (See photograph below)
Friday 21st June
A special train left Falmouth in the evening carrying some of the world’s top scientists and the world’s entire supply of heavy water which had been brought from Norway via France to prevent it falling into the hand of the Nazis. Lord Suffolk, on a mission to rescue top French scientists from France, rounded up a number including Hans van Halban, a German born Jewish physicist who had escaped with the heavy water out of Paris. Lord Suffolk commandeered the SS Broompark to carry the jerry cans containing the 52 gallons to Cornwall. In the overnight train from Falmouth to Paddington the heavy water was in the baggage van under military guard. Once the UK government was informed of their coup, it was hidden with the Crown Jewels at Windsor Castle, until being shipped out to Canada later in the year. This one action meant it was the Allies and not the Nazis who developed the nuclear bomb first.
Undated June
The GWR issued special instructions for the running of ammunition trains and petrol (aircraft fuel) trains.
The GWR tender ‘Sir John Hawkins’, usually based in Plymouth Sound, took part in Operation Ariel, the evacuation of troops from France after Dunkirk, bringing troops back to Millbay Docks in Plymouth.
The GWR ran 200 special trains from Plymouth and the Cornish ports to transport the returning military personnel back to their bases.
Undated July
Armoured Train D arrives to support the defence of the Bodmin Stop Line. It is powered by a LNER F4 class 2 4 2T engine. Bob Gregson, a private in the Royal Engineers, was the fireman & later became the driver. The train was originally manned by the Tank Corps but the role was soon taken over by Polish troops. A locomotive for the train was kept in steam at all times until May 1941. Based at Wadebridge, the train covered all the lines from Padstow to Bodmin Road, down the main line to Lostwithiel and down the branch line to Fowey.
Monday 8th July
In Falmouth Police Supt Norrish reports “4 bombs dropped. 2 in water near Western Breakwater, 1 practically on edge of Eastern Breakwater, 1 on docks property – made a large crater and knocked over 2 railway trucks. No casualties.” PWD
Tuesday 9th July
The guns for St Catherine’s Fort, Fowey, which had been delivered by rail to Fowey Goods Yard at the end of June were taken by lorry to the fort. (Fort Record Book)
Thursday 11th July
Two DELs (searchlights) & 2 Lister generators on trailers which had been delivered by rail to Fowey Goods Yard early in July were taken by lorry from the station. (Fort Record Book)
Sunday 21st July
“4 bombs dropped at 0229 on Falmouth Docks, 2 in water, 2 on Western Wharf. The Dock Railway was damaged and Stevedores’ hut was demolished.” (Falmouth Air Raid Book.)
Tuesday 20th August
An evening bombing raid on the station and locomotive depot at Newton Abbot caused severe delays to GWR services running into Cornwall. Four railway staff & 10 members of the public were killed with 29 seriously injured and considerable damage done to the trackwork, station buildings and rolling stock. Tiny, Brunel’s broad-gauge locomotive displayed on the down platform escaped unscathed. GWR
Saturday 7th September
On the day the London Blitz began a high explosive bomb hit the approaches to Waterloo, penetrating the brick viaduct before exploding and causing so much damage that the station had to be closed. Two lines reopened on the 19th and normal operations resumed on 1st October. Services to North Cornwall were seriously hampered during this time. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
Wednesday 2nd October
An early morning raid in Penzance saw part of a store and Hoskings garage demolished. The blast damaged the railway station and many houses and buildings nearby lost their glass. WBF
Friday 11th October
“One bomb, an oil bomb, failed to ignite at Blankednick Farm, Perranworthal, only about 150 yards from the Truro – Falmouth railway.” WBF
Monday 14th October
The Monday evening edition of the West Briton reported “A fatal accident occurred at Falmouth Docks this morning. Mr Edmund Vincent Pascoe, age 46, of 27 Bar Terrace, Falmouth was caught between two goods trucks on the Docks goods line and suffered such injuries that he died soon afterwards.” He was a former 100 yard Cornish Champion and a wing-threequarter at rugby for Cornwall. He left a widow and a daughter Shelia. WB/FP
Monday 4th November
The crash on the down line at Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton killing the fireman and 26 passengers of a train that went through catch points and derailed at 40 mph caused severe delays for trains in and out of Cornwall.
Saturday 7th December
For the four weeks ending on this day the average lateness for GWR West of England services was no less than 105.44 minutes. The average for passenger trains to the West of England for the whole of 1940 was 45.80 minutes late. In 1938 it was just 5.2 minutes late.GWR
Sunday 29th December
On the night termed ‘The Second Great Fire of London’ Waterloo had to close for a time because of incendiary bombs. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg) This caused disruption on services to and from North Cornwall for several days.
SOURCES (if not fully given in the text)
CG Cornish Guardian (Cornwall Centre)
WB West Briton (Cornwall Centre)
FP Falmouth Packet (Cornwall Centre)
CM Cornishman (Cornwall Centre)
PWD War Diary of Cornwall Constabulary (County Records Office)
WBF When Bombs Fell by Phyllis Rowe & Ivan Rabey
ECMR East Cornwall Mineral Railways by Maurice Dart
GWR History of the Great Western Railway by Peter Semmens
BLP Branch Line to Padstow by Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith
RM Railway Magazine December 1939
Many thanks to Phillip for his hard research work
By Phil Hadley
Part 2 1940
Monday 1st January 1940
Lostwithiel to Fowey branch line closes to passenger traffic to allow for military use. (Wikipedia – citation needed). Passengers for Fowey would have to go via St Blazey. It is believed the port of Fowey was used to transport ammunition to France. After Dunkirk Britain’s supply of chemical weapons which had been taken to France was brought back through Fowey. It is possible these were stored at Woodgate Pill until safe passage and storage were arranged upcountry. I am still looking for documentary evidence to confirm this.
Undated May
The Railway Executive Committee raised fares by 10%, both to urge against travel and to cover the mounting costs of the railway. (GWR Handbook 1923-1947 by David Wragg)
Monday 13th May
The government cancelled the Whitsun holiday since the Germans were sweeping through the Low Countries and into France. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
Thursday 13th June
Evacuation train arrives from London in Penzance. CM
Saturday 15th June
Evacuation train arrives from London in Penzance. Many of these children from a Roman Catholic school were bused the following morning to Hayle. CM
Sunday 16th June
An evacuation train from Vauxhall to North Cornwall intended for 600 passengers only carried 417 children and 32 adults as many parents changed their minds at the last minute and kept their children. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
The train arrived at Bude about 7pm when several hundred tired children and teachers detrained at the station and were shepherded into Cann Medlands Garage where a real Cornish meal was provided and the children were medically examined. Around 30 of the children from a primary school in Croydon found themselves billeted in Week St Mary. (Week St Mary Village Community website)
Tuesday 18th June
A train to London carried, under guard by Polish soldiers, the Wawel Treasures. The state art collection from the Royal Castle of Wawel in Krakow, Poland arrived in Falmouth on the ship Chorzow having left Bordeaux on the 15th to escape the advancing German army. The treasures include the Coronation Sword and were taken by train from Falmouth to the Polish Embassy in London and then on to Canada for safe-keeping. (See photograph below)
Friday 21st June
A special train left Falmouth in the evening carrying some of the world’s top scientists and the world’s entire supply of heavy water which had been brought from Norway via France to prevent it falling into the hand of the Nazis. Lord Suffolk, on a mission to rescue top French scientists from France, rounded up a number including Hans van Halban, a German born Jewish physicist who had escaped with the heavy water out of Paris. Lord Suffolk commandeered the SS Broompark to carry the jerry cans containing the 52 gallons to Cornwall. In the overnight train from Falmouth to Paddington the heavy water was in the baggage van under military guard. Once the UK government was informed of their coup, it was hidden with the Crown Jewels at Windsor Castle, until being shipped out to Canada later in the year. This one action meant it was the Allies and not the Nazis who developed the nuclear bomb first.
Undated June
The GWR issued special instructions for the running of ammunition trains and petrol (aircraft fuel) trains.
The GWR tender ‘Sir John Hawkins’, usually based in Plymouth Sound, took part in Operation Ariel, the evacuation of troops from France after Dunkirk, bringing troops back to Millbay Docks in Plymouth.
The GWR ran 200 special trains from Plymouth and the Cornish ports to transport the returning military personnel back to their bases.
Undated July
Armoured Train D arrives to support the defence of the Bodmin Stop Line. It is powered by a LNER F4 class 2 4 2T engine. Bob Gregson, a private in the Royal Engineers, was the fireman & later became the driver. The train was originally manned by the Tank Corps but the role was soon taken over by Polish troops. A locomotive for the train was kept in steam at all times until May 1941. Based at Wadebridge, the train covered all the lines from Padstow to Bodmin Road, down the main line to Lostwithiel and down the branch line to Fowey.
Monday 8th July
In Falmouth Police Supt Norrish reports “4 bombs dropped. 2 in water near Western Breakwater, 1 practically on edge of Eastern Breakwater, 1 on docks property – made a large crater and knocked over 2 railway trucks. No casualties.” PWD
Tuesday 9th July
The guns for St Catherine’s Fort, Fowey, which had been delivered by rail to Fowey Goods Yard at the end of June were taken by lorry to the fort. (Fort Record Book)
Thursday 11th July
Two DELs (searchlights) & 2 Lister generators on trailers which had been delivered by rail to Fowey Goods Yard early in July were taken by lorry from the station. (Fort Record Book)
Sunday 21st July
“4 bombs dropped at 0229 on Falmouth Docks, 2 in water, 2 on Western Wharf. The Dock Railway was damaged and Stevedores’ hut was demolished.” (Falmouth Air Raid Book.)
Tuesday 20th August
An evening bombing raid on the station and locomotive depot at Newton Abbot caused severe delays to GWR services running into Cornwall. Four railway staff & 10 members of the public were killed with 29 seriously injured and considerable damage done to the trackwork, station buildings and rolling stock. Tiny, Brunel’s broad-gauge locomotive displayed on the down platform escaped unscathed. GWR
Saturday 7th September
On the day the London Blitz began a high explosive bomb hit the approaches to Waterloo, penetrating the brick viaduct before exploding and causing so much damage that the station had to be closed. Two lines reopened on the 19th and normal operations resumed on 1st October. Services to North Cornwall were seriously hampered during this time. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
Wednesday 2nd October
An early morning raid in Penzance saw part of a store and Hoskings garage demolished. The blast damaged the railway station and many houses and buildings nearby lost their glass. WBF
Friday 11th October
“One bomb, an oil bomb, failed to ignite at Blankednick Farm, Perranworthal, only about 150 yards from the Truro – Falmouth railway.” WBF
Monday 14th October
The Monday evening edition of the West Briton reported “A fatal accident occurred at Falmouth Docks this morning. Mr Edmund Vincent Pascoe, age 46, of 27 Bar Terrace, Falmouth was caught between two goods trucks on the Docks goods line and suffered such injuries that he died soon afterwards.” He was a former 100 yard Cornish Champion and a wing-threequarter at rugby for Cornwall. He left a widow and a daughter Shelia. WB/FP
Monday 4th November
The crash on the down line at Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton killing the fireman and 26 passengers of a train that went through catch points and derailed at 40 mph caused severe delays for trains in and out of Cornwall.
Saturday 7th December
For the four weeks ending on this day the average lateness for GWR West of England services was no less than 105.44 minutes. The average for passenger trains to the West of England for the whole of 1940 was 45.80 minutes late. In 1938 it was just 5.2 minutes late.GWR
Sunday 29th December
On the night termed ‘The Second Great Fire of London’ Waterloo had to close for a time because of incendiary bombs. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg) This caused disruption on services to and from North Cornwall for several days.
SOURCES (if not fully given in the text)
CG Cornish Guardian (Cornwall Centre)
WB West Briton (Cornwall Centre)
FP Falmouth Packet (Cornwall Centre)
CM Cornishman (Cornwall Centre)
PWD War Diary of Cornwall Constabulary (County Records Office)
WBF When Bombs Fell by Phyllis Rowe & Ivan Rabey
ECMR East Cornwall Mineral Railways by Maurice Dart
GWR History of the Great Western Railway by Peter Semmens
BLP Branch Line to Padstow by Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith
RM Railway Magazine December 1939
Many thanks to Phillip for his hard research work
Wawel Treasure Coronation Sword passed thru Falmouth June 1940 Copyright the Phil Hadley Collection
BEF troops given food on the Falmouth Branch Line June 1940 Copyright Phil Hadley Collection