NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 49
Calstock Church - 25.07.1964
Michael L. Roach
It's a few weeks since we visited an ex-Southern Railway line, so to rectify that we pay a visit to the Callington Branch near Calstock Parish Church during the last few weeks of steam haulage on Saturday 25 July 1964.
The line went over to DMU operation at the beginning of September 1964. The LMS Ivatt 2-6-2 tanks had been working on the line for many years, and in sole charge for the last few years. I travelled out from Plymouth by car to the length of line between Calstock and Gunnislake. The road between the two stations is direct and almost in a straight line but the railway describes a huge horseshoe curve in order to gain height. Leaving Calstock Station the gradients are steep, with more than two miles at 1 in 38 and 1 in 40. The Ivatt tanks were limited to 120 tons which equated to 3½ to 4 coaches depending on the weight of each.
I left home just before 10.30am and my first call was at Chilsworthy Halt - the first station north of Gunnislake and the point where the branch changes from basically heading north to heading west to reach Callington. It was a fine morning and the first train to appear was the 10.40am from Bere Alston, behind 41317 with a two coach set and two wagons as well (because this was one of the mixed trains, which by this time were very rare anywhere in the country).
There was then a long gap until two SO timed trains both leaving at 13.00 and crossing at Gunnislake Station at 13.21/13.24. To see them I had moved on to the horseshoe bend where it was not easy to find a photographic spot. First to appear was 41291 with the 13.00 from Bere Alston and 13 minutes later 41317 coasting down the 1 in 40 with the 13.00 from Callington. 41317 returned with the 13.58 from Bere Alston to Gunnislake, which with its return working at 14.24 off Gunnislake, only ran on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
I moved on again to a point where the railway ran alongside the minor road between Calstock Parish Church and Sandiways Crossing. At this point the line is on a spur of land with amazing views to the east across the very deep valley of the River Tamar, all the way to the high moors of Dartmoor between Dousland and Princetown some ten miles away. 41317 appeared again on the 14.55 from Bere Alston to Callington; it was my last photo of the day, so I must have been going out that evening. 41291 was seen just the once.
Both engines were based at Exmouth Junction Shed at the time, but 41317 had been based at Friary and Laira from May 1957 to September 1963. Although 130 of the Ivatt 2-6-2 tanks were built, only four entered preservation. Three of the four preserved engines had spent time at Barnstaple Junction Shed with one of them (41298) being there for ten years 1953 to 1963.
The line went over to DMU operation at the beginning of September 1964. The LMS Ivatt 2-6-2 tanks had been working on the line for many years, and in sole charge for the last few years. I travelled out from Plymouth by car to the length of line between Calstock and Gunnislake. The road between the two stations is direct and almost in a straight line but the railway describes a huge horseshoe curve in order to gain height. Leaving Calstock Station the gradients are steep, with more than two miles at 1 in 38 and 1 in 40. The Ivatt tanks were limited to 120 tons which equated to 3½ to 4 coaches depending on the weight of each.
I left home just before 10.30am and my first call was at Chilsworthy Halt - the first station north of Gunnislake and the point where the branch changes from basically heading north to heading west to reach Callington. It was a fine morning and the first train to appear was the 10.40am from Bere Alston, behind 41317 with a two coach set and two wagons as well (because this was one of the mixed trains, which by this time were very rare anywhere in the country).
There was then a long gap until two SO timed trains both leaving at 13.00 and crossing at Gunnislake Station at 13.21/13.24. To see them I had moved on to the horseshoe bend where it was not easy to find a photographic spot. First to appear was 41291 with the 13.00 from Bere Alston and 13 minutes later 41317 coasting down the 1 in 40 with the 13.00 from Callington. 41317 returned with the 13.58 from Bere Alston to Gunnislake, which with its return working at 14.24 off Gunnislake, only ran on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
I moved on again to a point where the railway ran alongside the minor road between Calstock Parish Church and Sandiways Crossing. At this point the line is on a spur of land with amazing views to the east across the very deep valley of the River Tamar, all the way to the high moors of Dartmoor between Dousland and Princetown some ten miles away. 41317 appeared again on the 14.55 from Bere Alston to Callington; it was my last photo of the day, so I must have been going out that evening. 41291 was seen just the once.
Both engines were based at Exmouth Junction Shed at the time, but 41317 had been based at Friary and Laira from May 1957 to September 1963. Although 130 of the Ivatt 2-6-2 tanks were built, only four entered preservation. Three of the four preserved engines had spent time at Barnstaple Junction Shed with one of them (41298) being there for ten years 1953 to 1963.
41317 approaches Chilsworthy Halt with the 10.40am Bere Alston to Callington on 25 July 1964 photographed from the adjacent road bridge. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
41317 departs from Chilsworthy Halt. On the horizon is Hingston Down Quarry which once provided lots of stone traffic for rail transport. The Halt closed on and from 7 November 1966 when the Callington Branch was shortened to terminate at Gunnislake. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
41291 pounds up the gradient on the horseshoe bend with the 13.00 Bere Alston to Callington train. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
At the same spot 13 minutes later 41317 drifts down the bank with the 13.00 Callington to Bere Alston. The River Tamar is on the right but hundreds of feet below. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
41317 returns with the 13.58 Bere Alston to Gunnislake train past an ancient and basic pway hut. Note the check rail. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
41317 passes over Okeltor Crossing with the 14.24 Gunnislake to Bere Alston train. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
41317 approaches Sandiways Crossing with the 14.55 Bere Alston to Callington train. Behind the rear coach was a GWR SW (sound whistle) cast iron sign. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks as always Michael, nice to return to a Southern line for a change.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
Recent pics and retro 47076
Craig Munday
Sun and showers seem to have haunted mid June. This has allowed some nice sky effects - even if the traction is rather mundane. Two pictures below from the box window.
A london bound GWR IET is seen at Liskeard. 10.06.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
Another London-bound IET at Roskear. They are quite impressive with a telephoto lens pointing at them. 13.06.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
A trip to London saw our train 1A82 luckily diverted into Westbury. I stood at the door and caught this trio thoughtfully positioned in the yard. Three classes, three different operators, how the railway has evolved over recent years. 06.06.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
I've enjoyed the coverage of the WR's 47076 City of Truro in its different guises over the years. It was one of many 47/0's involved in the Hayle derailment of 47125 back in 1983. In the shot below, it cautiously propels the Brake Down coaches through Hayle station bound for the errant locomotive 500 yard up the track. The crane arrived that evening behind 46037. Did anyone capture this working, I wonder?
47076 'City of Truro' propels the break down train through Hayle in April 1983. Copyright Craig Munday.
Many thanks Craig - some great dramatic skies in the recent pics, and good to see another shot of 47076/D1660 etc.
Flying Scotsman heads West
Ken Mumford
The story behind my mid-morning attached photographs:- I had an expected e-mail from my good friend, Colin Pidgeon, this morning, 60103 'Flying Scotsman' was going from the Didcot Railway Centre [where I'd seen it at Didcot last month - click here, scroll down] to the West Somerset Railway. This news caused me to make plans to see it - but where?
My favourite type of photograph is looking down on my subject matter if possible.
I often go down to Swindon station to take photographs BUT as the sun was shining quite strongly then photographing 60103 passing through the station via platform 4 from the opposite platform - 3 - would cause me to have the side I was photographing in shadow.
So, I went about an hour before 'Flying Scotsman' was due to Marston Footbridge [just beyond Gablecross Police Station] taking with me a a collapsible seat while waiting and to get a good position on that bridge I thought that there would be several photographers there but I was the only one!!
My favourite type of photograph is looking down on my subject matter if possible.
I often go down to Swindon station to take photographs BUT as the sun was shining quite strongly then photographing 60103 passing through the station via platform 4 from the opposite platform - 3 - would cause me to have the side I was photographing in shadow.
So, I went about an hour before 'Flying Scotsman' was due to Marston Footbridge [just beyond Gablecross Police Station] taking with me a a collapsible seat while waiting and to get a good position on that bridge I thought that there would be several photographers there but I was the only one!!
66414 heading west with 6V53 [Appelford to East Usk Yard] hauled by locomotive 66414. 17.06.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
IET unit 800301 forming 1C12 Paddington to Bristol (Temple Meads)]. 17.06.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
60103 'Flying Scotsman' at Marston Footbridge, heading to the West Somerset Railway. 17.06.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
60103 and the support coach head west. 17.06.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Great to see Ken - well done for capturing it.
I'm sure we'll see plenty of pics of The Flying Scotsman in action on the WSR.
I'm sure we'll see plenty of pics of The Flying Scotsman in action on the WSR.
60103 - further West
Bill Elston
LNER pacific 60103 FLYING SCOTSMAN passed through Bathpool on its way to the West Somerset Railway. It had worked as 5Z81 ecs from Didcot GWR Centre. 17.06.2025, copyright Bill Elston.
Many thanks, Bill - well caught
Peak in distress
Steve Widdowson
46041 at Taunton, failed on a wheelskate 16th Oct 1980, believed to have failed on 21st August 1980 while working 1V76 0920 Liverpool Lime St - Penzance. Copyright Steve Widdowson.
Many thanks Steve, a scene which has changed drastically over the years.
More 'white gold'
Jon Hird
66127 crosses the moors at Lavrean, on its way to Fowey from Goonbarrow with 6G09. The train is made up of 15 JIA wagons. 17.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Yesterdays Mystery Station
The answer to yesterdays mystery station, with thanks to Martin Scane was:
Montpelier, on the Bristol TM to Severn Beach line.
Rather wobegone these days it seems.
Montpelier, on the Bristol TM to Severn Beach line.
Rather wobegone these days it seems.
Montpelier, on the Bristol TM to Severn Beach line. 16.06.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
Many thanks to Martin for the pics.