Devonport HST's
Clive Smith
On Saturday 5th July, I was on my way via Devonport to the Torpoint Ferry and the 'Rame Buses & Beer 2025' event'. I know there are a few bus enthusiasts who read the Society pages, so I will just mention that for a third year running, a fleet of historic buses operated a network of services across the Rame Peninsula for the day.
Celebrating heritage buses and supporting the local community, all the buses are provided by private groups and owners who spend huge amounts of time and money restoring and maintaining the vehicles. The buses are free, but purchase of a timetable programme is recommended.
As in the previous years, between 11am and 9pm, the bus services radiate from Torpoint and Millbrook to take in many of the peninsula's pubs and bars, with the services being provided by classic buses from the 1950s up to the 2000s. Many pubs provide special food and have live music.
The buses also operate to St Germans station, and this year three vintage buses from the 1950s and 1960s provided an hourly service from the station to Anthony and Torpoint between 11.45 and around 20.00, thus allowing a great afternoon exploring this part of of Cornwall and all for free.
Hopefully this event will be repeated in 2026. Apologies for the bus picture amongst the trains but a 1953 built Leyland PD2 Titan in Plymouth Corporation Transport livery at St. Germans was worth getting a bit damp for.
Celebrating heritage buses and supporting the local community, all the buses are provided by private groups and owners who spend huge amounts of time and money restoring and maintaining the vehicles. The buses are free, but purchase of a timetable programme is recommended.
As in the previous years, between 11am and 9pm, the bus services radiate from Torpoint and Millbrook to take in many of the peninsula's pubs and bars, with the services being provided by classic buses from the 1950s up to the 2000s. Many pubs provide special food and have live music.
The buses also operate to St Germans station, and this year three vintage buses from the 1950s and 1960s provided an hourly service from the station to Anthony and Torpoint between 11.45 and around 20.00, thus allowing a great afternoon exploring this part of of Cornwall and all for free.
Hopefully this event will be repeated in 2026. Apologies for the bus picture amongst the trains but a 1953 built Leyland PD2 Titan in Plymouth Corporation Transport livery at St. Germans was worth getting a bit damp for.
43098 and 43189 stopping at Devonport on the 2C42 09.11 Plymouth - Penzance. 05.07.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Fifteen minutes later the 2P10 07.40 Penzance - Plymouth with 43198 and 43093 pass through. 05.07.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
43093 pushes the service away from Devonport. 05.07.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
A 1953 built Leyland PD2 Titan in Plymouth Corporation Transport livery at St. Germans during the Rame vintage bus event. 05.07.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Rame Beer & Buses poster. 05.07.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks, Clive - looks a good do. Shame about the weather, but this is Cornwall in summertime!
Re: Cornwall Broccoli Traffic
Howard Sprenger
In case no-one else mentions it, Cornish broccoli traffic features in the 1952 British Transport Films (BTF) documentary 'Train Time'. This film tells how the demand for extra wagons for broccoli farmers in West Cornwall affects the scheduling of trains across the system as far away as South Wales. The Cornish parts of the film were shot on the Helston branch. 'Train Time' occasionally pops up on YouTube, but not for long as the copyright is held by the British Film Institute (BFI) who released it in 2007 on a collection called 'On and Off the Rails'.
Also, while I'm here, I was interested to see the advert for a public meeting last Saturday to discuss the possible reopening of the line between Burngullow and St Dennis Jn as an alternative route to Newquay (the 'Real' Mid-Cornwall Metro as it was billed). It would be interesting to hear a report from anyone who went. The idea is far from new, having originally been suggested by BR back in 1987. John Vaughan's 1990 book on the Newquay branch (OPC) refers to it a lot, as it was considered at that time to be a real possibility. The scheme was prompted by concerns over the capacity of the A30 through the bridge on Goss Moor, but of course was made redundant when the road was upgraded to a dual carriageway on a different route. Had the scheme been carried through, the line between Par and St Dennis would have remained open for China Clay traffic only and would therefore be long gone by now. St Austell would have become the departure station for Newquay passenger trains and it is likely that Par station would have closed completely as a result.
Also, while I'm here, I was interested to see the advert for a public meeting last Saturday to discuss the possible reopening of the line between Burngullow and St Dennis Jn as an alternative route to Newquay (the 'Real' Mid-Cornwall Metro as it was billed). It would be interesting to hear a report from anyone who went. The idea is far from new, having originally been suggested by BR back in 1987. John Vaughan's 1990 book on the Newquay branch (OPC) refers to it a lot, as it was considered at that time to be a real possibility. The scheme was prompted by concerns over the capacity of the A30 through the bridge on Goss Moor, but of course was made redundant when the road was upgraded to a dual carriageway on a different route. Had the scheme been carried through, the line between Par and St Dennis would have remained open for China Clay traffic only and would therefore be long gone by now. St Austell would have become the departure station for Newquay passenger trains and it is likely that Par station would have closed completely as a result.
Many thanks, Howard. We'll see what we can find out about the meeting, but in the meanwhile, if you attended and you'd like to let us know about it, please get in touch - [email protected]
Cowley Bridge
Phil 'Shattered' Smith
47645 near Cowley Bridge, Exeter, with an engineers train. 1987. Copyright Phil Smith.
Many thanks as always, Phil.
'Back to the 70's'
With Roger Winnen
Part 3
D1048 Western Lady backs out at Penzance. 30.01.1977, copyright Roger Winnen.
25s at Penzance. 30.01.1977, copyright Roger Winnen.
Leasing plate on a Class 50. 30.01.1977, copyright Roger Winnen.
25216 plus another Class 25 at Penzance. 30.01.1977, copyright Roger Winnen.
Two Class 25s on the parcels at Redruth along with a 3 car DMU attached. 30.01.1977, copyright Roger Winnen.
Two Class 25s on the parcels together with a 3 car DMU attached. Redruth. 30.01.1977, copyright Roger Winnen.
Camborne Station. 30.01.1977, copyright Roger Winnen.
Class 50 at St Erth on the 09.30 Paddington to Penzance service. 30.01.1977, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1023 Western Fusilier Penzance. 05.02.1977, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1048 Western Lady at Penzance. 05.02.1977, copyright Roger Winnen.