Don't miss our next indoor meeting:
Nigel Tregonning & Ian Cavill present:
A railway photographic evening.
Tomorrow - January 10th - at the Memorial Hall, Redruth Methodist Church
Members free. Guests welcome at £3. Refreshments available.
We hope to see you there!
Nigel Tregonning & Ian Cavill present:
A railway photographic evening.
Tomorrow - January 10th - at the Memorial Hall, Redruth Methodist Church
Members free. Guests welcome at £3. Refreshments available.
We hope to see you there!
NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 85
Mixed Bag from June 1977
Michael L. Roach
In previous mixed bags (Parts 72 and 76) I showed a few images of Cornwall from the Spring of 1977. In this part I show a few more from different parts of Cornwall all taken in June 1977.
Brush Type 4 no. 47327 with 11C is seen heading for Newquay on the evening of Saturday 4 June 1977. The time is 18.27 and the location is Coswarth Level Crossing. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
50046 is seen Leaving Bodmin Road Station at 17.08 on the evening of Sunday 12 June 1977. This location was visited, and the photo taken, to record the Rhododendron “Ponticum” which then grew in profusion along the Glynn Valley. I have always liked it for its wonderful coloured displays, although most professional gardeners consider it an invasive weed. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
50029 rounds the curve at MP 306½ which is at the former Blackwater East Junction at 18.38 on the evening of Wednesday 22 June 1977. The area of heath and fir tree on the right is similar to that at Demelza (on the Newquay Branch) which will be visited later. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
46004 heads towards the same curve fifteen minutes later. I am stood on the ballast of the former Blackwater West Loop. The dual carriageway A30 trunk road now passes through the spot where I was standing. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Another HST into storage
Bill Elston, Ken Mumford & Tim Hall
saw the second run of redundant GWR HST stock into storage at Ely Papworth sidings, running as 5Q43. This time it was t/t 43004 and 43042 with 8 trailers, and is seen passing Creech S M in very poor light. 08.01.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
A closer view of 43004. 08.01.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
43042 on the rear at Creech. 08.01.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
43004 and 43042 at Swindon, enroute to Ely from Laira for storage. 08.01.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
So far, all of the power cars and coaches which have left Laira were leased from Angel Trains by GWR. There are further power cars belonging to First Group Holdings, and one which belongs to GWR itself. The headboard reads 'GWR Angel Trains HST Farewell'. 08.01.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
GWR branding removed from the MK3 coaches. 08.01.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
43042 on the rear of the 2+8 set. 08.01.2026, copyright Tim Hall.
Many thanks Bill, Ken and Tim - let's hope somebody other than the scrap man can give them a home!
The new order in Cornwall
John Ball
Browsing on facebook today, on the bus to Truro, I picked up that one of the class 175 dmu replacements for the now withdrawn HSTs was due in Truro half an hour after my arrival in the cathedral city. So I made my way to the station. Photos below.
An ex-Transport for Wales class 175 now in service with GWR arrives at Truro. 08.01.2026, copyright John Ball.
The 175 departs for Penzance. 08.01.2026, copyright John Ball.
Many thanks John - well spotted and captured.
Bodmin Track Renewals
Chris Bellett
Hello Gents,
Happy New Year to you all.
Its not just Network Rail that undertakes major track renewals. Please find attached a few photographs taken today (7th January 2026) of work being carried out on the Bodmin Railway side of Bodmin Parkway station. These show point trackwork being recovered in preparation of major track renewal work taking place this coming Saturday and Sunday (10th/11th January 2026). I send some more photographs when the work is completed.
Happy New Year to you all.
Its not just Network Rail that undertakes major track renewals. Please find attached a few photographs taken today (7th January 2026) of work being carried out on the Bodmin Railway side of Bodmin Parkway station. These show point trackwork being recovered in preparation of major track renewal work taking place this coming Saturday and Sunday (10th/11th January 2026). I send some more photographs when the work is completed.
A busy scene at Bodmin Parkway where The Bodmin Railway are preparing to replace the point into the run round loop. 08.01.2026, copyright Chris Bellett.
The Road Rail Vehicle in action at Bodmin Parkway. 08.01.2026, copyright Chris Bellett.
Ex-ECC shunter 'Denise' on the left and 08444 at Bodmin Parkway with the rails of the point removed. 08.01.2026, copyright Chris Bellett.
Great work Chris - hope all goes well at the weekend for you all.
A wet day for the clay
Jon Hird
66122 eases to a stop at Burngullow Junction, exiting the Parkandillack branch with loaded JIA's containing China Clay for Cliffe Vale. 08.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird
Stuck at Worcester
Steve Widdowson
57303 with 701007 in Worcester Yd, which was being hauled from Long Marston to Wembley yesterday ( 7th Jan ). However after departing Long Marston had brake applications enroute to Worcester where is was booked to run round. It was declared a failure at Worcester. Where it stayed the night. After Technicians examined the train this morning the loco was run round this afternoon, and finally departed for Wembley 1600. 08.01.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Many thanks Steve, an unusual sight.