July 30th 2025

30/7/2025

More of the
Cornish Mineral Lines Tour
April 28th 1962
Paul Dorney

A wonderful photograph of 5531 pausing at Perranporth whilst working the Cornish Mineral Lines Tour on 28.04.1962. Original photographer unknown, copyright Paul Dorney.

With the unmistakable skyline of clay country behind it, the tour calls at Mellangoose Mill off the Retew Branch. 28.04.1962, copyright Paul Dorney.

Many thanks for sharing these remarkable photos, Paul. Incredible that they are coming to light all these years later.

Burnham to Evercreech Junction

.Dear Mr. Ball,
As a once owner of part of the S&DJR (The Lower Platform cutting at
Templecombe, that I purchased from BR for the sum of £5 in 1970) and
having studied the S&DJR for more than sixty years, I feel that I must
correct the caption to one of the pictures displayed in the above
Cornwall Railway Society presentation.
I have had the presentation listed among my "bookmarked" items for a
long time but have had little chance to study the captions in detail.
The easiest way for me to show my comment is to appended the picture to
this email with my comment added.

Yours sincerely,

Jonathan Clarke-Irons
Journeys End
Red Lane
Raymonds Hill
Axminster
EX13 5TA

Railway 200 exhibits en route
Clive Smith

GWR HST power cars 43198 and 43004 pass Harford Bridge in Ivybridge with the 0Z75 07.31 Laira - Derby Litchurch Lane light loco movement. These will be exhibited at this weekend's Railway 200 Event, the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway. HSTs will be represented from other owners too but GWR's examples are significant. 43004 is the third production power car and built in March 1976 and the second oldest in active service . 43198 was the last power car built and entered service in 1982.

GWR HST power cars 43198 and 43004 pass Harford Bridge in Ivybridge with the 0Z75 07.31 Laira - Derby Litchurch Lane light loco movement. 29.07.2025, copyright Clive Smith.

43004 looking very smart on the rear of the light engine movement. 29.07.2025, copyright Clive Smith.

Great photos Clive, many thanks - both power cars looking very smart, they must have received some TLC at Laira for the occassion.

'The Flying Banana' at Kemble
Ken Mumford

Passing Kemble station looking back towards the station and Gloucester. The line branching off to the right WAS the start of the Cirencester branch which was closed to passenger traffic.on August 5th 1963 and to freight traffic on October 4th 1965. 29.07.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

About to enter the 415 yard long Kemble Tunnel. It was built for no other good reason than to hide the railway from the occupier of the nearest Big House, one Squire Gordon, back in the 19th century. 29.07.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

1Q15 returning towards Gloucester with a worker putting up a notice about engineering work on this line. 29.07.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

Going away photos with the large water tank with pumping machinery below.Its details:- probably 1882, contemporary with main station buildings on G.W.R. Swindon to Gloucester line, opened 1845. Rectangular cast iron tank of riveted sections supported on 6 tall round columns, X-braced in pairs, with curved brackets supporting iron beam pierced with vertical ovals. Tank covered in curved bituminous roof. In the centre are 2 boxed-in pipes with attached wheels to operate pumping machinery presumably originally housed in a small adjoining wooden shed but interior of shed not accessible to check existence of machinery. Grade II listed from 27th February 1986. More details on the internet. 29.07.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken - interesting shots of an interesting station.

Cornish Castles
Malcolm Ashworth

Hi,

Just come back from my annual visit to the wonderful county of Cornwall,and went out a couple of times,to capture the HSTs,still operating the "Castle Class" services,I believe this is their last year of operation, before being replaced by the ex TFW units.

Photos taken at St Erth,and St Austell, w/e 26th July.

Love your website,and all the photos and information regarding ops in Cornwall and beyond.

Best wishes, Malcolm Ashworth.

43186 leans into the curve at St. Erth. July 2025, copyright Malcolm Ashworth.

43187 heading east at St. Austell. July 2025, copyright Malcolm Ashworth.

43186 near journeys end as it calls at St. Erth heading west. July 2025, copyright Malcolm Ashworth.

43097 heading east at St. Erth. July 2025, copyright Malcolm Ashworth.

And finally, 43042 heading west through St. Austell. July 2025, copyright Malcolm Ashworth.

Malcolm, many thanks indeed both for your wonderful photographs and for your kind words about the website. I'm glad you enjoy browsing!

Cornish weedkiller
Mick House

DR98906 & DR98956 arrived at Truro this afternoon 28/07/2025 from Exeter Riverside N.Y.

Departing 95 minutes early from Exeter Riverside yard at 12.17 and arriving 17.05 early by 124 minutes at Truro Yard.

DR98906 at Truro Yard. 28.07.2025, copyright Mick House.

The spraying module carried on the decks of the MPV units. 28.07.2025, copyright Mick House.

A smart bit of kit - thanks for the photos, Mick.

A visit to the West Somerset Railway
Martin Scane

I had a good visit to the West Somerset Railway today with a friend travelling up and down the line.

Three steam engines in service 9351, 7812 and 7828 although they were assisted, due to fire risk by a class 14 or 33.

It was a real treat to see 2999 Lady of Legend in the yard at Minehead (although I couldn’t get a clear photograph as it was being attended to).

Anyway, a few photos all taken at Minehead with the exception of the last one showing 7812 (assisted by the Class 33) entering Watchet station.