Three Rivers Scenic Cruise - 23rd July 1994
By Roger Winnen
Part 5
Before we begin..
A tribute to The Late John Binding - Keith Jenkin
The CRS inspiration to follow the original GWR route between Wearde and St Germans as best possible by boat comes from reading and very much enjoying the Late John Bindings book ‘Brunels Cornish Viaducts’ which is a Pendragon publication from the Atlantic Transport Publishers in association with the Historical Model Railway Society. Published in 1993 this extensive collection of photographs and engineering drawings cover the construction and history and history of the GWR main line from Plymouth to Penzance and include the Falmouth branch.
This highly recommended book is still available from several sources at reasonable prices. Try Google as a source.
On the day of our adventure I distinctly remember joining to boat at Calstock and being asked by the ‘Captain’ “Well, where do you want to go?" – I explained our plan to travel down the Tamar to its junction with the Lynher and then to follow as best possible the railway route up to St Germans. At the junction with the Tavy our ‘Captain’ was unsure about whether the depth of water was sufficient to allow the boat through or for that matter whether the boats mast would pass under the bridge deck. Unfortunately we didn’t see a Gunnislake train – perhaps the service was running late.
It was a very pleasant day weather wise and we were delighted to make it to just under the viaduct at St Germans, as we turned, the boats propellers turned up a fair amount of mud – we just made it!
Having reached that extremity we made as great a speed as possible on the falling tide and with great relief passed the extensive Devonport ship yards we docked at the Barbican.
It would prove useful if you have a copy of John Bindings to hand.
Many thanks to Roger for providing the many pictures.
A tribute to The Late John Binding - Keith Jenkin
The CRS inspiration to follow the original GWR route between Wearde and St Germans as best possible by boat comes from reading and very much enjoying the Late John Bindings book ‘Brunels Cornish Viaducts’ which is a Pendragon publication from the Atlantic Transport Publishers in association with the Historical Model Railway Society. Published in 1993 this extensive collection of photographs and engineering drawings cover the construction and history and history of the GWR main line from Plymouth to Penzance and include the Falmouth branch.
This highly recommended book is still available from several sources at reasonable prices. Try Google as a source.
On the day of our adventure I distinctly remember joining to boat at Calstock and being asked by the ‘Captain’ “Well, where do you want to go?" – I explained our plan to travel down the Tamar to its junction with the Lynher and then to follow as best possible the railway route up to St Germans. At the junction with the Tavy our ‘Captain’ was unsure about whether the depth of water was sufficient to allow the boat through or for that matter whether the boats mast would pass under the bridge deck. Unfortunately we didn’t see a Gunnislake train – perhaps the service was running late.
It was a very pleasant day weather wise and we were delighted to make it to just under the viaduct at St Germans, as we turned, the boats propellers turned up a fair amount of mud – we just made it!
Having reached that extremity we made as great a speed as possible on the falling tide and with great relief passed the extensive Devonport ship yards we docked at the Barbican.
It would prove useful if you have a copy of John Bindings to hand.
Many thanks to Roger for providing the many pictures.
23.07.1994 - F234 HMS Iron Doke at Devonport. Copyright Roger Winnen
23.07.1994 - LTC 1907 alongsidean unknown Frigate at Devonport. Copyright Roger Winnen
23.07.1994 - Approaching Plymouth Sound. Copyright Roger Winnen
23.07.1994 - The Southern Belle has landed us at the Barbican. Many Thanks for a splendid cruise. Copyright Roger Winnen.
23.07.1994 - 940723zj Rails on the Barbican at Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Many thanks Roger for supplying these images and to Keith for the additional words, we hope you have enjoyed this and the previous instalments.
Furness Railway No 20 at the West Somerset Railway
Trevor Tremethick
Trevor Tremethick
Good evening Keith and Roger.
Hope all is well down there in God's Country.
Today, Barbara and I went to Minehead for the final day of the West Somerset Railway 150th Anniversary Event, marking the opening of the line between Watchet and Minehead. The weather was not kind.
Our main reason for going was to meet up with our friend Ben, who is part of the team looking after Furness Railway No. 20 of 1863, said to be Britain's oldest working standard gauge steam locomotive. This was one of two visiting locomotives, the other being Marston, Thompson and Evershed No.3, a former brewery locomotive.
The afternoon saw the arrival of an RTC Charter headed by Class 5 44871, 23 late owing to problems in the London area.
Hope all is well down there in God's Country.
Today, Barbara and I went to Minehead for the final day of the West Somerset Railway 150th Anniversary Event, marking the opening of the line between Watchet and Minehead. The weather was not kind.
Our main reason for going was to meet up with our friend Ben, who is part of the team looking after Furness Railway No. 20 of 1863, said to be Britain's oldest working standard gauge steam locomotive. This was one of two visiting locomotives, the other being Marston, Thompson and Evershed No.3, a former brewery locomotive.
The afternoon saw the arrival of an RTC Charter headed by Class 5 44871, 23 late owing to problems in the London area.
44871 arrives Minehead with RTC Special, WSR 150 Event 20.07.2024. The signalman walks away having received the token. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
47812 on rear of RTC Charter, WSR 150 Event 20.07.2024. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
FR No. 20 at Minehead, WSR 150 Event 20.07.2024. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
FR No. 20, Minehead, WSR 150 Event 20.07.2024. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
FR20 on Shuttle at WSR 150 Event 20.07.2024. M, T & E No. 3 on other end. The brollies are deployed! Copyright Trevor Tremethick
Marston, Thompson and Evershed No.3 at WSR 150 Event 20.07.2024. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
On the turntable in the rain at Minehead WSR 150 Event 20.07.2024. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
Many Thanks Trevor
The English Riviera Express
Sat. 20.07.2024
Guy Vincent
Two photos taken at Penleigh Park footpath crossing on the Westbury avoiding line this morning, Saturday 20th July.
47712 'Lady Diana Spencer' heading Saphos Trains 1Z60 0529 Bedford - Kingswear 'The English Riviera Express' with loco 57311 bringing up the rear. At Taunton 47712 was removed and replaced by LNER A4 Pacific 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley'. The photos were somewhat spoiled by flying feathers from an unfortunate pigeon that was struck as the train approached the foot crossing. The coaching stock was, as usual for Saphos, immaculately turned out and consisted of vehicles 35451 3330 3140 3107 1863 3125 3148 3100 80044 3122 3045 and 17013.
Note: A second tour arrived at Westbury station a short time later, photos to shortly follow.
Regards
Guy Vincent
47712 'Lady Diana Spencer' heading Saphos Trains 1Z60 0529 Bedford - Kingswear 'The English Riviera Express' with loco 57311 bringing up the rear. At Taunton 47712 was removed and replaced by LNER A4 Pacific 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley'. The photos were somewhat spoiled by flying feathers from an unfortunate pigeon that was struck as the train approached the foot crossing. The coaching stock was, as usual for Saphos, immaculately turned out and consisted of vehicles 35451 3330 3140 3107 1863 3125 3148 3100 80044 3122 3045 and 17013.
Note: A second tour arrived at Westbury station a short time later, photos to shortly follow.
Regards
Guy Vincent
47712 'Lady Diana Spencer' heading Saphos Trains 1Z60 0529 Bedford - Kingswear 'The English Riviera Express' over the Westbury avoiding line. 20.07.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.
Immaculate 57311 on the rear of the train. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks Guy - a dramatic ending for the poor pigeon!
The West Somerset Steam Express
Sat. 20.07.2024
Guy Vincent
The second tour to pass through the Westbury area today was the Railway Touring Company's 'West Somerset Steam Express', 1Z25 0713 Paddington - Minehead, which arrived on the down reception line (adjacent to disused platform 1) at 0938. Here, LMS 44871's tender was refilled with water from a waiting road tanker in the station approach road. Diesel 47812 was at the rear and the all-maroon coaching stock consisted of vehicles 35508 3392 3352 1961 3326 3431 3395 6724 6115 & 9493.
Again my regards
Guy Vincent
Again my regards
Guy Vincent
Westbury with LMS 44871 working 1Z25. 20.07.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.
WCRC 47812 on the rear of the train. 20.07.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.
Westbury with LMS 44871 making a water stop. 20.07.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.
LMS 44871 on Down Reception, making a Water Stop. 20.07.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.
A Scania water tanker arrives to replenish 44871's tender. 20.07.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.
47812 on the rear. 20.07.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks indeed, Guy - much appreciated.
Par - as it was
Finnley Hancock
GWR 800 approaching Par with the Semaphores and Signal box still in use and a class 150 in Chapel Sidings. Copyright Finnley Hancock.
Thank you very much, Finnley - some marvellous lighting.
Bugle Castle
Jon Hird
Yesterday, 20.07.2024, GWR substituted the booked Class 150 on the Newquay Shuttles with one of their 'Castle Class' 2+4 HST sets. This time, it was the turn of 43098 and 43156. The HST worked 3 round trips over the line.
In the last of the evenings light, 43098 arrives at Bugle with 2N12, the 20:25 Newquay - Par. It stopped to allow just one passenger to alight. 20.07.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
A view from the station steps as 43098 makes its brief pause at Bugle. 20.07.2024, copyright Jon Hird.