Storm Goretti - a MOM's account
Craig Munday
Not many pictures from overnight, but an account from the front line:
I was duty night Mobile Operations Manager paired up with colleague Sam Clark for the evening of the forecasted Storm Goretti. As with previous (less serious) events, there's often a calm leading up to the storm. It felt odd preparing for the shift with the trees hardly moving. The Red alert which blared over I phones across the Duchy gave a morbid forewarning that the area was about to receive a bateeting from the storm, and a risk to life to ignore it!. The arching prawn-like shape curl was seen on various weather models as developing a low depression. The "prawn" shape would hurtle through the area, and the damage would come from the tail edge of it on NW gusts. The cold air bustled in behind it would bring different hazards, including blizzards, for folk well up the line.
At around 6pm the last of the trains were clearing the area, though three trains were on the move westbound from Plymouth, and would bear the brunt of the havoc. Report filtered in of vicious winds affecting the far west, whilst we monitored the situation from St Blazey, in relative comfort. This was soon to change!
From nowhere a hairdryer sound walloped into the area, I swear you could feel the depression brought with it, causing a slight headache (maybe it was tension)? Storm Goretti had arrived. The trees surrounding the area danced and swayed as if they were bamboo canes, fir tree types in leaf were snapped off like twigs and littered the area. The three trains were now caught up in a power supply issue affecting Roskear box, and the signaller there had their hands full dealing with multiple faults arising from this. Level crossings failed and signals remained stubborning red along the patch.
The power in the PL24 flickered four times, then gave in altogether, and we soon learned that a huge tree had fallen near Middleway level crossing blocking the road, and bringing down power cables. Ryan at St Blazey had his portable gas stove to provide a welcome cuppa though! Bluntly, it was simply too dangerous to venture out at this point. We were extremely pleased to hear from Penzance box that 5Z31 had arrived into town around 9pm. Our greatest strategic dread was a stranded train, full of people and an evacuation (to where?) with no immediate road transport. Other concerns included the day shift 9th Jan staff making it safe to work for their shifts. Some living 20 mins+ drive from the Signalboxes.
1C80 in the queue had reported trees down at Hayle and Redruth. Fortunately, the Off Track team with chainsaws attended these during the night. We also had information that a station bench was in the four foot (tracks) of the Falmouth bay at Truro. The high winds penetrated everything in its path with weak structures and trees standing no chance.
Thankfully, after a couple of hours the winds died down, leaving puchy gusts of occasion winds and ferocious showers. We ventured out from St Blazey after 22.30. Anything not secured was strewn across roads (wheelie bins, for sale signs). Large trees weren simply up-ended, root ball and all which contrasted with previous damage confined to limbs and trunk snaps. Blue lights of emergency vehicles lit the skies. Normally lit areas plunged into darkness with no power. The most exceptional sight was tree debris across the highway. It was like a chipper had discarded its load everywhere. The sludge resulting from this was deep in places. Limbs from trees and fallen ones lay in our path as we gingerly headed towards Truro. The headlights picking them out of the gloom, all senses alert.
We cleared St Austell and were then diverted into Sticker as the by-pass was blocked. Out near Griggs back onto the A390, we continued. approaching Grampound there was a van parked at a jaunty angle near the 30mph limit board with a (surprisingly jolly) community volunteer completely drenched informing us that Grampound was shut due to a gas leak. People agonisingly evacuated from their homes in these wild conditions.
We accepted the defeat that trying to use back roads would be completely ludicrous if the main roads were blocked. The bench would have to wait. Some time later we were called to attend a police incident near Truro, so took a similar run, via St Stephen this time. This journey was also fraught with hazards, until a passing motorist informed us the road was blocked between Menna and Brighton Cross. We were stumped once again.
Returning to St Blazey to see the area still without Power, and St Blazey bridge barriers lowered due to the power failure, we succeeded in raising the barriers locally much to the delight of passing delivery driver who gave us thumbs up and friendly honk on the horn. There would be no more trains for the time being here, a class 150 safely stabled in the platform at Newquay.
We checked in with route control who gave us the ever expanding list of infrastructure and power related issues which could be tackled during the day. We had no stranded trains thank goodness. For anyone wondering why the industry often takes drastic action, I hope this account helps persuade otherwise.
Our relief was briefed of the chaos left in Goretti's wake. We pondered the state of the main line and branch lines. How many trees and other obstructions would be discovered by the sweep trains?
I was duty night Mobile Operations Manager paired up with colleague Sam Clark for the evening of the forecasted Storm Goretti. As with previous (less serious) events, there's often a calm leading up to the storm. It felt odd preparing for the shift with the trees hardly moving. The Red alert which blared over I phones across the Duchy gave a morbid forewarning that the area was about to receive a bateeting from the storm, and a risk to life to ignore it!. The arching prawn-like shape curl was seen on various weather models as developing a low depression. The "prawn" shape would hurtle through the area, and the damage would come from the tail edge of it on NW gusts. The cold air bustled in behind it would bring different hazards, including blizzards, for folk well up the line.
At around 6pm the last of the trains were clearing the area, though three trains were on the move westbound from Plymouth, and would bear the brunt of the havoc. Report filtered in of vicious winds affecting the far west, whilst we monitored the situation from St Blazey, in relative comfort. This was soon to change!
From nowhere a hairdryer sound walloped into the area, I swear you could feel the depression brought with it, causing a slight headache (maybe it was tension)? Storm Goretti had arrived. The trees surrounding the area danced and swayed as if they were bamboo canes, fir tree types in leaf were snapped off like twigs and littered the area. The three trains were now caught up in a power supply issue affecting Roskear box, and the signaller there had their hands full dealing with multiple faults arising from this. Level crossings failed and signals remained stubborning red along the patch.
The power in the PL24 flickered four times, then gave in altogether, and we soon learned that a huge tree had fallen near Middleway level crossing blocking the road, and bringing down power cables. Ryan at St Blazey had his portable gas stove to provide a welcome cuppa though! Bluntly, it was simply too dangerous to venture out at this point. We were extremely pleased to hear from Penzance box that 5Z31 had arrived into town around 9pm. Our greatest strategic dread was a stranded train, full of people and an evacuation (to where?) with no immediate road transport. Other concerns included the day shift 9th Jan staff making it safe to work for their shifts. Some living 20 mins+ drive from the Signalboxes.
1C80 in the queue had reported trees down at Hayle and Redruth. Fortunately, the Off Track team with chainsaws attended these during the night. We also had information that a station bench was in the four foot (tracks) of the Falmouth bay at Truro. The high winds penetrated everything in its path with weak structures and trees standing no chance.
Thankfully, after a couple of hours the winds died down, leaving puchy gusts of occasion winds and ferocious showers. We ventured out from St Blazey after 22.30. Anything not secured was strewn across roads (wheelie bins, for sale signs). Large trees weren simply up-ended, root ball and all which contrasted with previous damage confined to limbs and trunk snaps. Blue lights of emergency vehicles lit the skies. Normally lit areas plunged into darkness with no power. The most exceptional sight was tree debris across the highway. It was like a chipper had discarded its load everywhere. The sludge resulting from this was deep in places. Limbs from trees and fallen ones lay in our path as we gingerly headed towards Truro. The headlights picking them out of the gloom, all senses alert.
We cleared St Austell and were then diverted into Sticker as the by-pass was blocked. Out near Griggs back onto the A390, we continued. approaching Grampound there was a van parked at a jaunty angle near the 30mph limit board with a (surprisingly jolly) community volunteer completely drenched informing us that Grampound was shut due to a gas leak. People agonisingly evacuated from their homes in these wild conditions.
We accepted the defeat that trying to use back roads would be completely ludicrous if the main roads were blocked. The bench would have to wait. Some time later we were called to attend a police incident near Truro, so took a similar run, via St Stephen this time. This journey was also fraught with hazards, until a passing motorist informed us the road was blocked between Menna and Brighton Cross. We were stumped once again.
Returning to St Blazey to see the area still without Power, and St Blazey bridge barriers lowered due to the power failure, we succeeded in raising the barriers locally much to the delight of passing delivery driver who gave us thumbs up and friendly honk on the horn. There would be no more trains for the time being here, a class 150 safely stabled in the platform at Newquay.
We checked in with route control who gave us the ever expanding list of infrastructure and power related issues which could be tackled during the day. We had no stranded trains thank goodness. For anyone wondering why the industry often takes drastic action, I hope this account helps persuade otherwise.
Our relief was briefed of the chaos left in Goretti's wake. We pondered the state of the main line and branch lines. How many trees and other obstructions would be discovered by the sweep trains?
Many thanks indeed Craig - a brilliant read and a great insight into what goes into looking after the railway when the weather really is not on side. Well done to you and your colleagues.
Gen - Class 37's/175 to Penzance
(Attempt 2!)
Karl Hewlett
A new set of times have appeared for the cancelled run of 37501 and 37512, with Class 175010 and barrier vehicles to Penzance. The times, note there are changes from the last set:
Tuesday 13th January 7Q86 0130 Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings to Penzance T.& R.S.M.D.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R28486/2026-01-13/detailed
Wednesday 14th January 5M57 0925 Penzance T.& R.S.M.D. to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail)
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K49920/2026-01-14/detailed
Tuesday 13th January 7Q86 0130 Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings to Penzance T.& R.S.M.D.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R28486/2026-01-13/detailed
Wednesday 14th January 5M57 0925 Penzance T.& R.S.M.D. to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail)
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K49920/2026-01-14/detailed
Many thanks Karl - second time lucky, we hope.
The South Devon Railway
Winter Steam Gala
Roger Winnen
Departure from Totnes Riverside behind GWR 2-8-0 2807. 03.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Judy in the sidings at Bishops Bridge. 03.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Restored GWR Coach at Buckfastleigh. 03.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Judy and 1369 arrive at Buckfastleigh from Staverton. 03.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Auto at Buckfastleigh. 03.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Tank engines little and large. 03.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
An immaculate 33002 at Buckfastleigh. 03.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Buckfastleigh renamed 'Grand Rapids' for the Christmas 'Polar Express' trains. 03.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
1589 'Newstead' built in 1929, believed to have been scrapped for many years before being found in a convent garden in Hertfordshire. 03.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Judy arrives at Staverton with a working from Buckfastleigh. 03.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
2807 at Staverton. 03.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Many thanks Roger, a great event, well done to the SDR.