Re: Falmouth Seaweed
Karl Hewlett
Dear Roger,
Regarding Roger Geach's article with 31439 at Monk Fryston or Milford Junction, this was calcified seaweed and was going to Hull King George Dock for export. The location and the way the class 31 is facing is correct for this because after passing Roger it would have then turned right at Milford Junction Signal Box, passing Gascoigne Wood Power Station continuing east onto Hull via Selby, Brough and Hessle. Class 31's were fairly common around nearby Knottingley Depot on trip and departmental workings. This scene has changed since 2013 as the bridge in the background has been replaced with what I can only call a very less appealing replacement, in fact both bridges including the one Roger is standing on to take his shot were identical and has now been replaced.
A point of interest there was also a station at Monk Fryston, built by the North Eastern Railway as late as 1904 closing in 1964.
I've been trying to remember the sequence of how the freight was reintroduced back at Falmouth Docks. From the late eighties there was hardly any freight at all until c1996 when coal from Coedbach was moved for a merchant near Redruth, this used Cawood PFA wagons. Very shortly afterwards there was another contract using bogie container flats that held three containers each (FRA's or something very similar), that moved contaminated shot-blast off ships' hulls destined for Manchester. The calcified seaweed used HEA wagons as per Roger's image however I thought that did not start until a bit later than 1996 (31439 was not withdrawn until 1999), this was the last of freights out of Falmouth before it was reconsigned back to the history books again.
All freights came down at night after the last unit had cleared Truro, so they were not arriving in Falmouth until at least 10:30pm making it almost impossible to photograph. I also remember there being an issue with getting back to Truro by I think 00:00am, especially with the grit and coal. Truro box was not 24 hour manned then stranding the loco and wagons inside the docks if they were running late with no signalman to accept the token realise until opening back up at 05:00am. Loading was done just inside the docks gates using only a mechanical handler and the site could only do around 4 wagons at a time. On an odd occasion another class 37 was sent light engine from St. Blazey the next evening to collect the other and the wagons which made it interesting! The freights were exclusively run by Blazey based class 37's on the Falmouth and return leg, the only exception I remember was one Christmas when a denamed 37692 ex 'Lass O' Ballochmyle' was used on a trip and also 37196 was used as well. Later it was handled by EWS class 66's with MEA wagons on the seaweed finishing c2001.
With the points now removed and the rest of the sidings and track into the docks being in a bad state, any future return to Falmouth with freight would need a very good business case with regular running and the entire trackwork would also need replacing.
Hope this helps, I am trying to remember details which are now over 20 years ago!
Regards
Karl Hewlett - Friends Of Penmere.
Regarding Roger Geach's article with 31439 at Monk Fryston or Milford Junction, this was calcified seaweed and was going to Hull King George Dock for export. The location and the way the class 31 is facing is correct for this because after passing Roger it would have then turned right at Milford Junction Signal Box, passing Gascoigne Wood Power Station continuing east onto Hull via Selby, Brough and Hessle. Class 31's were fairly common around nearby Knottingley Depot on trip and departmental workings. This scene has changed since 2013 as the bridge in the background has been replaced with what I can only call a very less appealing replacement, in fact both bridges including the one Roger is standing on to take his shot were identical and has now been replaced.
A point of interest there was also a station at Monk Fryston, built by the North Eastern Railway as late as 1904 closing in 1964.
I've been trying to remember the sequence of how the freight was reintroduced back at Falmouth Docks. From the late eighties there was hardly any freight at all until c1996 when coal from Coedbach was moved for a merchant near Redruth, this used Cawood PFA wagons. Very shortly afterwards there was another contract using bogie container flats that held three containers each (FRA's or something very similar), that moved contaminated shot-blast off ships' hulls destined for Manchester. The calcified seaweed used HEA wagons as per Roger's image however I thought that did not start until a bit later than 1996 (31439 was not withdrawn until 1999), this was the last of freights out of Falmouth before it was reconsigned back to the history books again.
All freights came down at night after the last unit had cleared Truro, so they were not arriving in Falmouth until at least 10:30pm making it almost impossible to photograph. I also remember there being an issue with getting back to Truro by I think 00:00am, especially with the grit and coal. Truro box was not 24 hour manned then stranding the loco and wagons inside the docks if they were running late with no signalman to accept the token realise until opening back up at 05:00am. Loading was done just inside the docks gates using only a mechanical handler and the site could only do around 4 wagons at a time. On an odd occasion another class 37 was sent light engine from St. Blazey the next evening to collect the other and the wagons which made it interesting! The freights were exclusively run by Blazey based class 37's on the Falmouth and return leg, the only exception I remember was one Christmas when a denamed 37692 ex 'Lass O' Ballochmyle' was used on a trip and also 37196 was used as well. Later it was handled by EWS class 66's with MEA wagons on the seaweed finishing c2001.
With the points now removed and the rest of the sidings and track into the docks being in a bad state, any future return to Falmouth with freight would need a very good business case with regular running and the entire trackwork would also need replacing.
Hope this helps, I am trying to remember details which are now over 20 years ago!
Regards
Karl Hewlett - Friends Of Penmere.
Many thanks indeed Karl, for your very interesting and informative answer - much appreciated.
Decay at Moorswater
Steve Clark
The sad sight of nature taking over at Moorswater, looking towards the former dries and later cement works from the road crossing. 03.01.2025, copyright Steve Clark.
Things are no better looking the opposite way, towards Coombe Junction. 03.01.2025, copyright Steve Clark.
Many thanks, Steve - a very sad sight and also a waste of a valuable rail-connected industrial site in with good onward road transport links. Surely somebody must have a use for it?
37142
Roger Geach & Jon Hird
37142 is seen light loco climbing the bank at Milltown on 23.10.1978.
25 years later, in 2003, the loco is seen climbing another bank, Turf Street in Bodmin, being delivered to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway for preservation. Copyright Jon Hird.
Shortly after arrival at the B&W in 2003. Copyright Jon Hird.
And here again is 37142 climbing yet another bank, from Bodmin Parkway after restoration into BR blue. The loco is currently under overhaul at Bodmin General. Copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks, Roger
Parson Street
Martin Scane
A station rarely featured. Here’s 2K40 approaching Parson Street, Bristol with a Weston-Super-Mare to Avonmouth service at 14-39 today (11th January). Copyright Martin Scane.
Many thanks, Martin - you're quite right, we don't see much from here!
Memories of the slam doors
Paul Barlow
43172 Harry Patch leaves Exeter St.Davids with the 1648 Paddington-Penzance on 4 May 2019. Copyright Paul Barlow.
The nameplate of 43172. Copyright Paul Barlow.
43172 'Harry Patch' awaits departure from Exeter St. Davids. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Passengers board the slam door Mk3. coaches. (Whilst adding the watermark, I noticed a familar face - Mark Lynam is the gent with the backpack on!) Copyright Paul Barlow.
Passengers board the slam door Mk3. coaches. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Mk3 coaches. Copyright Paul Barlow.
A look back at Exeter from the open door. Copyright Paul Barlow.
The interior of a First Great Western Mk3. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks, Paul - feels like a lifetime ago already, doesn't it?