June 16th 2025

16/6/2025

The CRS Visit on Sat 21st June 2025
The Plym Valley Railway Transport Weekend
Please note Change of Date and times

'Our Transport Weekend is back for 2025. Join us as we celebrate everything that moves and 200 years of railway development throughout the UK! The event will see an intensive timetable, driver experiences, along with vehicle displays and the miniature railway in use plus lots more.'

Penzance 09.11 St Erth 09.22 Camborne 09.36 Redruth 09.42 Truro 09.55 St Austell 10.12 Par 10.20 Bodmin Parkway 10.32 Liskeard 10.41 Plymouth 11.09 arrive.

On arrival at Plymouth, catch the Route 51 bus to Marsh Mills which runs every 30 mins, then a short walk to the Railway.

Return trains from Plymouth at 16.18 onwards

Re: A Middleway Query

Yesterday, we posted the following query from a reader:

Does anyone know when Middleway Level Crossing in Cornwall, near Par, was converted from gates to barriers please?

We were delighted to receive a number of responses, which are shown below.

Martin Duff writes:

Evening admins,

Middleway crossing was converted in the period 26 July to 30 August 1981

During this time the ground frame, together with associated signalling equipment was taken out of use and recovered.

Full lifting barriers were provided worked by cctv from St. Blazey box.

Chris Bellett writes:

As posted on the website Martin Duff is correct concerning the Middleway conversion and control from St.Blazey signalbox monitored by CCTV. According to the WR Weekly Engineering Notice K2/30/81 it took place between 26 July 1981 and 30 August 1981 and was commissioned on 31 August 1981. Hope that clarifies matters.

And Roy Hart writes:

Work was scheduled to convert the crossing to barriers with CCTV supervision from St Blazey box, in September 1973. However these works were abandoned and were later completed in 1981.

Many thanks all for your responses

Lappa Valley
'200 Gala'
Jon Hird

The Lappa Valley Railway held a 'Rail 200' event over the weekend of 14/15.06.2025. All the home fleet were in action, along with some visiting steam locos on the 7 1/4" miniature railway. It was an action-packed event with plenty for both kids and big kids! Below are some photos, with many thanks to Lappa for granting my friend and I trackside access for the day.

At one end of Lappa Valley, the track curves around a pond/lake and comes back on itself, running as double track for a stretch. The line becomes single again just past this location, Metha Bridge, where a token is exchanged (or picked up) for the trains to proceed in either direction. Double headed diesels 'City of Truro' and 'City of Derby' pass steam locos 'Muffin' and 'Ellie'. This line is laid on the trackbed of the former Newquay - Perranporth line, and there are many railway relics from when it was a 'big railway' still dotted around. 15.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

The lines original locomotive, 'Zebedee' emerges from beneath Metha bridge. 15.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

A visiting steam locomotive on the 'Lakeside' 7 1/4" gauge railway. This circuit is normally worked by a petrol or battery powered locomotive. 15.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

One of the highlights of the day was a 'race' between trains, both having departed from East Wheal Rose in opposite directions around the loop, therefore rejoining each other and heading in the same direction on the double track section. On the left are 'Zebedee' and 'City of Derby', and to the right is 'Ellie'. 15.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

'Ellie' edges ahead! 15.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

There were many miniature traction engines driving around at East Wheal Rose. Behind is the engine house of the mine. 39 miners lost their lives here in the 1800's, after a period of intense rain flooded the workings, trapping the miners below the surface. 15.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

'The Grand Finale' - all locos and all coaches formed the final round trip of the day, they're seen here departing Benny Halt. 15.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

Plenty of power on tap for this long train! 15.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

Many thanks again to the team at Lappa for allowing some lineside photography, and congratulations to them on a well-run and highly enjoyable event.

Re: D1660 'City of Truro'
Karl Hewlett

I had another hunt around whilst having a quiet day on class 47 D1660 'City Of Truro', it seems that the loco carried another non-standard feature than already reported. During its early BR Blue days, in 1971 at least, the loco carried incorrect BR Green Serif Style numbers on number two end only.

Regarding images of City Of Truro's naming, I have managed to find an image of the naming ceremony at Platform 1, Truro Station. There are no details of who the holder is, so I have copied the images link over for the CRS to use how it sees fit: Click here for the picture.

Many thanks, Karl - well done on finding the photograph - we won't host it directly, but the link is there for all to view.

We've received the below picture and text from Simon Howard in response to the above article:

…apparently a depot repaint.

'City of Truro' at Truro. Copyright Simon Howard.

Many thanks, Simon

New locos for GB Railfreight
Guy Vincent

Recently delivered new-build locos for use by GB Railfreight, 99001 and 99002 pictured below at Avonmouth towards the end of last week awaiting onward movement to Leicester.

This is currently scheduled, paperwork and other factors permitting of course, to take place on Tuesday 17th.

A total of thirty of these Co-Co locos are being built for Beacon Rail by Stadler in Valencia, Spain. They are capable of running on diesel / bio fuel or electricity and have a top speed of 75mph.