Cornwall Railway Society
Visiting the railways of Devon on Saturday August 15th
A message from our chairman, Tony Wright:
Hello to all our Cornwall Railway Society members.
Earlier this summer, we had to cancel our day trip to various Devon stations due to bad weather and so this is a re-run of the same programme but with a few tweaks to allow travel to more destinations than we planned for previously to be included. We appreciate that many of our members are not Cornwall based, but August is in the main holiday season and there's a good chance some of you will be in the area enjoying your holidays and will be able to join us. Although the programme encompasses travel to and from Cornwall, the visit itself commences in Exeter. If you are able to join us on the day from whichever station, please ring Roger Winnen to let him know to expect you - 01736 350048
Hello to all our Cornwall Railway Society members.
Earlier this summer, we had to cancel our day trip to various Devon stations due to bad weather and so this is a re-run of the same programme but with a few tweaks to allow travel to more destinations than we planned for previously to be included. We appreciate that many of our members are not Cornwall based, but August is in the main holiday season and there's a good chance some of you will be in the area enjoying your holidays and will be able to join us. Although the programme encompasses travel to and from Cornwall, the visit itself commences in Exeter. If you are able to join us on the day from whichever station, please ring Roger Winnen to let him know to expect you - 01736 350048
Depart Penzance 07.10 St Erth 07.19 Camborne 07.33 Redruth 07.38 Truro 07.50 St Austell 08.07 Par 08.15 Bodmin Parkway 08.27 Liskeard 08.38 Plymouth 09.14 Exeter St Davids arr 10.13
Depart Exeter St Davids 10.37 to Okehampton arr 11.19
Refreshments available in the station restaurant.
Okehampton dep 12.25 Exeter St Davids arr13.04
Depart Exeter St Davids on the 13.25 Waterloo service arriving Honiton at 13.55 Honiton dep 14.16 Exeter Central arr 14.38.
Depart Exeter Central 14.56 to Exmouth arr 15.21 Stay on the train.
Depart Exmouth 15.25 through service to Paignton arr 17.02.
With over an hour at Paignton,it is suggested we have a Fish and Chips meal break.
Depart Paignton 18.19 Newton Abbot arr 18.36 Depart Newton Abbot 18.42 Plymouth arr 19.22 Depart Plymouth 19.34 Truro arr 20.50 and all stations to Penzance arr 21.32
Purchase a Cheap Day Return to Plymouth together with a Devon Day Ranger Ticket.
Please ring Roger Winnen to let him know you are coming and where you will be joining the group.
Depart Exeter St Davids 10.37 to Okehampton arr 11.19
Refreshments available in the station restaurant.
Okehampton dep 12.25 Exeter St Davids arr13.04
Depart Exeter St Davids on the 13.25 Waterloo service arriving Honiton at 13.55 Honiton dep 14.16 Exeter Central arr 14.38.
Depart Exeter Central 14.56 to Exmouth arr 15.21 Stay on the train.
Depart Exmouth 15.25 through service to Paignton arr 17.02.
With over an hour at Paignton,it is suggested we have a Fish and Chips meal break.
Depart Paignton 18.19 Newton Abbot arr 18.36 Depart Newton Abbot 18.42 Plymouth arr 19.22 Depart Plymouth 19.34 Truro arr 20.50 and all stations to Penzance arr 21.32
Purchase a Cheap Day Return to Plymouth together with a Devon Day Ranger Ticket.
Please ring Roger Winnen to let him know you are coming and where you will be joining the group.
Car on the line!
Craig Munday
News came in as I headed for a day shift that my colleague on nights had been called down to Carbis Bay in the small hours for a car on the line. I had previously been on nights for two similar incidents. Thankfully no trains were due and no one was hurt in the incidents.
I arrived in the area to liaise on behalf of Route Control and the BTP. My colleagues from Off Track had already made good the fence. The former green palisade fencing was twisted in a grotesque fashion, no match for an out of control vehicle.
All services had been cancelled, which was pitiful for such a beautiful day across the resorts, the sea and sky were fantastically lit all day. My Maintenance colleagues at Truro, led by Frankie Redman had formulated a plan to acquire a Quatro 360 with trailer on the day of the incident. This was pressed into action at Lunchtime to clear the line. The journey at 5mph max to and from St Erth meant that the 15.18 from St Erth to St Ives ran. A spectacular effort in difficult circumstances.
The remnants of the car in a bizarre cavalcade later passed Lelant. A bemused family on holiday could only look puzzled as it crept through the station!
The next day saw me cover Liskeard box at short notice. Two loco hauled services passed through. The down sleepers was cancelled leading to 5C50 being sent down (empty) with 57312 slightly later than the advertised time. Later 66751/744 worked the Belmond Britannic Explorer west, and it made a fine sight running off the viaduct. 57301 also headed west light engine too.
One interesting and rather macabre side to the Carbis Bay output on Social Media led to accusations of AI being used to construct the images of the car in mid air. It is a sad facet of society and accusations of image manipulation that is now employed to debunk or deride honestly obtained images.
I arrived in the area to liaise on behalf of Route Control and the BTP. My colleagues from Off Track had already made good the fence. The former green palisade fencing was twisted in a grotesque fashion, no match for an out of control vehicle.
All services had been cancelled, which was pitiful for such a beautiful day across the resorts, the sea and sky were fantastically lit all day. My Maintenance colleagues at Truro, led by Frankie Redman had formulated a plan to acquire a Quatro 360 with trailer on the day of the incident. This was pressed into action at Lunchtime to clear the line. The journey at 5mph max to and from St Erth meant that the 15.18 from St Erth to St Ives ran. A spectacular effort in difficult circumstances.
The remnants of the car in a bizarre cavalcade later passed Lelant. A bemused family on holiday could only look puzzled as it crept through the station!
The next day saw me cover Liskeard box at short notice. Two loco hauled services passed through. The down sleepers was cancelled leading to 5C50 being sent down (empty) with 57312 slightly later than the advertised time. Later 66751/744 worked the Belmond Britannic Explorer west, and it made a fine sight running off the viaduct. 57301 also headed west light engine too.
One interesting and rather macabre side to the Carbis Bay output on Social Media led to accusations of AI being used to construct the images of the car in mid air. It is a sad facet of society and accusations of image manipulation that is now employed to debunk or deride honestly obtained images.
A Road/Rail vehicle lifts the ill-fated car from the cutting where it had fallen, near Carbis Bay. 03.07.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
The car is loaded onto the RRV's trailer ready for transport. 03.07.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
Motorail at Lelant! The RRV propels the car on its wagon through Lelant station. 03.07.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
Never a dull day - many thanks indeed, Craig.
66751 & 66744 work:
The Britannic Explorer - 04.07.26
Belmonds luxurious land-cruising train visited Cornwall again yesterday, returning to Cranmore today (Sunday). 66751 and 66744 worked the train this time. A selection of images, individually credited, are below.
Britannic Explorer at Bishopsteignton over bridge. Teignmouth in the background. 04.07.2026, copyright Martin Scane.
The Britannic Explorer continuing on towards Newton Abbot. 04.07.2026, copyright Martin Scane.
GBRf liveried pair 66751 and 66744 pass Western Beacon just east of Ivybridge station with the 1C02 09.00 Bishops Lydeard - Penzance 'Britannic Explorer'. 04.07.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
66751 and 66744 approach Liskeard with 1C02 from Bishops Lydeard. 04.07.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
Perhaps my luck will be in next time - 66751 and 66744 pass Liskeard with an IET in the up platform. 04.07.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
66751 snd 66744 passing near to Buckshead near Truro on 04/07/26 on the way to Penzance. 04.07.2026, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
66751 snd 66744 passing near to Buckshead near Truro on 04/07/26 on the way to Penzance. 04.07.2026, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
The train passing Apex Bridge, Scorrier. Please click images for enlargements. All above images copyright Mick House.
GBRf 66751 with 66744 approaching Marazion Road overbridge working 1C02 09.00 Bishops Lydeard GBRf-Penzance. 04.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The two locos beneath the roof at Penzance. 04.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
Two of the trains travelling chefs step onto the platform for a quick break at Penzance. 04.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
The Britannic Explorer propelling to Slopers away from Platform1 at Penzance running as 5C03 14.26 Penzance-Penzance. 04.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The GBRf pairing of 66751 and 66744 stabled on Slopers prior to detaching and running to Longrock Depot. 04.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
66751 and 66744 passing Ponsandane Footbridge and heading to Longrock Depot. 04.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
A chance shot of the locos in double headed formation at the east end of the stock as 66751 is dropped onto the front of the train. 04.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
The locos running round each other and going to Long Rock for servicing, before reforming as top and tail in Slopers Siding. 04.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66744 now on the west end of the stock ready to run back into Penzance station. 04.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66744 draws the empty stock back into Penzance, the flower beds looking super this year. 04.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
66751 on the rear of the empty stock movement running into Penzance station. 04.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66751 awaits departure for Fowey. 04.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
66751 leads the Fowey leg of the trip through Marazion. 04.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66744 on the rear at Marazion. 04.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66751 leads the way over Gwinear Road Level Crossing. 04.07.2026, copyright Mick House.
66744 bringing up the rear. 04.07.2026, copyright Mick House.
Passing Apex Bridge, Scorrier. 04.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66744 on the rear at Scorrier. 04.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66751 passes through St. Austell en route to Fowey. 04.07.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
66744 tails the train through St. Austell. 04.07.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
'The Britannic Explorer' passing through Par. 04.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
An opportunistic photograph only possible on a dull day, 66751 leads the Penzance - Fowey leg of the trip down the gradient to Lostwithiel, passing Milltown. 04.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Now on the Fowey branch, 66744 leads the way past Lantyan Woods with St. Winnow church on the opposite side of the River Fowey. 04.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
'The Britannic Explorer' passing Golant, nearly at journeys end - Fowey. 04.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
Trouble on the sleeper
Craig Munday, Andrew Triggs, Clive Smith, Roger Winnen & Mick House
Hired-help 57312 failed with low power in Devon at the head of Friday nights down 'Night Riviera' sleeper service. The train was cancelled at Plymouth with passengers detrained and transferred onto 800319, which ran as 1C82, departing Plymouth at 0548 and calling in the path of 1C50.
57312 ran with empty stock as 5C50 to Long Rock, with 57301 (which had failed itself earlier on in the week) coming down light loco from Reading later in the day to replace it.
57312 ran with empty stock as 5C50 to Long Rock, with 57301 (which had failed itself earlier on in the week) coming down light loco from Reading later in the day to replace it.
57312 with the empty sleeper stock approaching Liskeard as 5C50. 04.07.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
57312 passing Arch Lane (Roseandgrouse) Overbridge working 5C50 07.00 Plymouth-Penzance. 04.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
57301 crossing Bittaford Viaduct with the 0C57 11.30 Reading Traincare Depot - Penzance T.& R.S.M.D. 04.07.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
57301 Passes through St Austell on a Reading to Long Rock working. 04.07.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
57301 approaching Gwinear Road Level Crossing. 04.07.2026, copyright Mick House.
Many thanks all - an extra bit of interest for those out yesterday for the Britannic Explorer.
A trip to Okehampton
Andrew & Diane Jones
Decided to visit Exeter yesterday, attending the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum at Exeter University.
Using the 09.24 Okehampton to Exeter service, we nearly missed the train due to the carpark being completely full illustrating the outstanding success since reopening.
Our train passed the new interchange facilities adjacent the A30 which look complete and ready to accept much needed additional parking.
Opening is imminent and I will endeavour to attend this significant milestone when the dates are released.
Using the 09.24 Okehampton to Exeter service, we nearly missed the train due to the carpark being completely full illustrating the outstanding success since reopening.
Our train passed the new interchange facilities adjacent the A30 which look complete and ready to accept much needed additional parking.
Opening is imminent and I will endeavour to attend this significant milestone when the dates are released.
Views of Okehampton Station. 04.07.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Views of Okehampton Station. 04.07.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Views of Okehampton Station. 04.07.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Many thanks Andrew & Diane - plenty of 'Southern Splendour' still lingering at Okehampton, thankfully.
July 1976
Part 5
Roger Winnen
47247 departing Penzance on the 18.00 Penzance to Leeds. 03.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1013 Western Ranger departs Penzance. 03.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
47233 Approaches Penzance Station. 03.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Long Rock Shed. 03.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.