New Years Eve
May 2018 it be a good and prosperous year for you all. Many thanks to everyone for your support.
May 2018 it be a good and prosperous year for you all. Many thanks to everyone for your support.
The Winter Steam up
Bodmin & Wenford Railway featuring the restored Bagnell Austerity Saddle Tank
Roger Salter John Ball & Roger Winnen
Bodmin & Wenford Railway featuring the restored Bagnell Austerity Saddle Tank
Roger Salter John Ball & Roger Winnen
This Gala featured three engines GWR 6435 LSWR The Beattie Well tank and the restored Bagnell built Austerity locomotive 2766 being in steam after trials earlier this year during April to haul its first train since 1976, however in its lifetime this was the first passenger train that this engine has hauled as it was on colliery duties until 1976.. Work began on the restoration of this locomotive by the Cornwall Steam Locomotive Preservation Society at Bodmin in 1995 and has now been outshopped in its original guise as WD No 75178
A very fine job indeed!
A very fine job indeed!
171230k The rebuilt Bagnall Austerity tank awaits to haul its first passenger train. The last time thst this engine was in steam was over forty years ago in 1976. Copyright Roger Winnen
171230zn Road Ahead as the fireman steps down from the engine to change the points at Boscarne Junction. Copyright John Ball
171230zf 75178 waits for the Beattie to couple up for the return journey to Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Salter
171230s Returning from Boscarne Junction we see both engines rounding the curve into Bodmin General Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
171230zc 30587 rounds the curve into Bodmin General Station with the 10.30 goods from Boscarne Junction. Copyright Roger Salter
171230zk The beattie well tank after arriving at Bodmin General with the goods runs around its train. Copyright John Ball
171230v 6435 arrives with the goods from Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Winnen
More photographs of this event appear in the Features Pages September-December 2017
Roskear Level Crossing barriers damaged by high winds
Roger Salter
Roger Salter
171230zi Viewed from the 08.44 The Cornish Riviera Express to Paddington running under caution on leaving Camborne. We see Roskear Level Crossing barriers which were damaged in the recent gales. Copyright Roger Salter
171230zj Network Rail in attendance at Roskear. These barriers have recently been replaced, however after this damage it is believed that replacements were coming by road transport. Copyright Roger Salter
West Somerset Gala
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Good Morning Keith, spent a day at the WSRLY WINTER GALA
yesterday. After some heavy rain when we arrived at B/Lydeard
it cleared and we had a sunny day until 1430 when it clouded over.Three locos in steam 7822,6960 & 53808 plus a DMU which was covering for 53809, which wasn't available. Thanks John
yesterday. After some heavy rain when we arrived at B/Lydeard
it cleared and we had a sunny day until 1430 when it clouded over.Three locos in steam 7822,6960 & 53808 plus a DMU which was covering for 53809, which wasn't available. Thanks John
Copyright John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius
Boscarne Exhange Siding
Then and now.
Andrew Jones
Then and now.
Andrew Jones
Boscarne Exchange Siding, the 1978 photograph depicts the final layout, before closure and conversion. The empty china clay hoods are waiting collection by the frequent 08 shunting locomotive, having been deposited by a class 37 the previous day.
850 of these wagons were built by BR in 1955, unusually small, they had a 9 foot wheelbase and were only 16 foot six inches long with an end opening tipper door, for emptying on an inverter mechanism at Fowey Docks.
The once extensive clay railways were in the main lightly built with restrictive curves.
The first 300 wagons were unfitted, but within a short space of time, vacuum brakes were installed. These wagons replaced a similar GWR design fitted with patented Williams sheets,(the distinctive A frame shape covered with a blue tarpaulin in ECLP corporate colours).
They served the china clay system perfectly, simple in design, reliable and easily maintained at the dedicated wagon works, in St Blazey.
Typifying the Victorian philosophy of mechanical simplicity combined with sound design and build quality.
Please note the rail chair packing, on the right hand exchange siding, wooden blocks were rare even in the 70’s.
Access to this siding was only via a set of points adjacent the signal box next to the crossing gates and could accommodate a considerable amount of wagons.
Today the transformation is complete. Only a loop exists serving the excellent new build station. The triangle of land to the left, once part of the short lived exchange platform, has no apparent function and unfortunately this latest update photograph is slightly to the right of the original 1978 shot as I did not want to trespass onto railway property.
Best wishes Andrew Many thanks Andrew for your pictures and the extensive 'write up' it all adds very much to the interest.
850 of these wagons were built by BR in 1955, unusually small, they had a 9 foot wheelbase and were only 16 foot six inches long with an end opening tipper door, for emptying on an inverter mechanism at Fowey Docks.
The once extensive clay railways were in the main lightly built with restrictive curves.
The first 300 wagons were unfitted, but within a short space of time, vacuum brakes were installed. These wagons replaced a similar GWR design fitted with patented Williams sheets,(the distinctive A frame shape covered with a blue tarpaulin in ECLP corporate colours).
They served the china clay system perfectly, simple in design, reliable and easily maintained at the dedicated wagon works, in St Blazey.
Typifying the Victorian philosophy of mechanical simplicity combined with sound design and build quality.
Please note the rail chair packing, on the right hand exchange siding, wooden blocks were rare even in the 70’s.
Access to this siding was only via a set of points adjacent the signal box next to the crossing gates and could accommodate a considerable amount of wagons.
Today the transformation is complete. Only a loop exists serving the excellent new build station. The triangle of land to the left, once part of the short lived exchange platform, has no apparent function and unfortunately this latest update photograph is slightly to the right of the original 1978 shot as I did not want to trespass onto railway property.
Best wishes Andrew Many thanks Andrew for your pictures and the extensive 'write up' it all adds very much to the interest.
WENFORD BRIDGE COMPARISONS 005 Boscarne Exchange siding 1978 Copyright Andrew Jones
WENFORD BRIDGE COMPARISONS 006 Boscarne Junction 27th December 2017 Copyright Andrew Jones
Buckfastleigh
Ron Kosys
Ron Kosys
Going through Ron's extensive Buckfastleigh collection it was quite a surprise to find this. DVR No.2 ex D2192 alongside the new embankment of the A38. 30th May 1976 Copyright Ron Kosys