Pilning Glint
Phil 'Shattered' Smith
In some excellent low light, 47508 powers through Pilning with an interesting assortment of wagons. Copyright Phil Smith.
Great lighting, Phil - many thanks as always.
Bodmin General
Chris Bellett
Hello Gents,
A couple of photos for the website taken at Bodmin General on Wednesday 25 June 2025.
One showing the Class 10 being loaded up for transportation back to its home at Helston after having been on loan whilst Bodmins Class 08 was under refurbishment.
The second photo shows the lorry delivering its coal load after a long trip from Scotland!!
A couple of photos for the website taken at Bodmin General on Wednesday 25 June 2025.
One showing the Class 10 being loaded up for transportation back to its home at Helston after having been on loan whilst Bodmins Class 08 was under refurbishment.
The second photo shows the lorry delivering its coal load after a long trip from Scotland!!
D3489 'Colonel Tomline' loaded onto a lorry at Bodmin General for transport to The Helston Railway. 25.06.2025, copyright Chris Bellett.
A coal delivery for the season - the lorry and loading having come from Scotland! 25.06.2025, copyright Chris Bellett.
Many thanks indeed, Chris - some interesting aspects of preservation many of us probably don't even think about!
Marsh Barton Pullman
Jack Burchill
43047 passes Marsh Barton with a empty coaching stock to Crewe. 16/6/25, copyright Jack Burchill.
43055 was on the rear. The stock was working after a 3 day long trip to Fort William. 16/6/25, copyright Jack Burchill.
Many thanks, Jack
Livery variety at Worcester
Steve Widdowson
An interesting photograph of three Rail Operation Group (ROG) Class 37's, all in different liverys, on the middle Rd at Worcester Shrub Hill.
They (37800, 37608 & 37510) came down to Worcester S Hill as 0V94 0648 Derby RTC - Worcester Middle Rd, one was needed as thunderbird for the Hydro 799201 Long Marston to Kidderminster then Gloucester & back to Long Marston via Worcester. However, due to an issue the Gloucester run was cancelled, so 799201 went direct back to Long Marston from Kidderminster.
37800 was due to depart at 1600 to Bristol Parkway to move some 455's & take them to Sims at Newport.
They (37800, 37608 & 37510) came down to Worcester S Hill as 0V94 0648 Derby RTC - Worcester Middle Rd, one was needed as thunderbird for the Hydro 799201 Long Marston to Kidderminster then Gloucester & back to Long Marston via Worcester. However, due to an issue the Gloucester run was cancelled, so 799201 went direct back to Long Marston from Kidderminster.
37800 was due to depart at 1600 to Bristol Parkway to move some 455's & take them to Sims at Newport.
37800, 37608 & 37510 parked in Worcester Middle Siding. 25.06.2025, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Great shot, Steve - many thanks for sending it in
Thursday's Clay
Jon Hird & Tony Shore
An immaculate 66112 powers up the steep bank at Treesmill with 6M53 - Clay which had been loaded at Par Harbour on 25.06 being taken to Cliffe Vale. The slight telephoto effect exaggerates the clay dust blowing off the wagons, and the heat haze from the locomotives exhaust. 26.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
A more side-on shot of the very smart 66112 as it approaches Stoneybridge. 26.06.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Further east, Tony Shore captures the train in a lucky spot of sun at Bolitho (Liskeard). 26.06.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
Re: Lostwithiel Engine Shed
Karl Hewlett
A few days ago we asked a question from a reader, as to the whereabouts of the original (1800's) engine shed at Lostwithiel.
We have received the below - excellent- response from Karl, which helps answer the question.
Reading your inquiry from a reader regarding Lostwithiel Engine Shed in the 'Cornwall Railways' era, not a lot to go on as this was very early in the days of recording occasions, especially for photography and maps, the latter were not necessarily 100% accurate either. However I did find these snippets which your reader may/may not of seen and might be able to help:
Lostwithiel Station opened with the Cornwall Railway on 4th May 1859 a report at the time claimed. "Is generally admitted to be the handsomest station on the line, and looks bright as fresh paint can make it. It consists, first, of a departure station, a wooden building covered by rusticated boarding, having a projecting verandah, extending eight feet on each side of the carriage approaches and extending over the railway platform. This contains a spacious first class waiting room, second class ditto, ticket and other necessary offices and conveniences. Immediately opposite to this, is the arrival station, which is also of wooden construction, having spacious waiting rooms and porter and lamp rooms. The roof also projects over the platform in a similar way to that of the departure station. A short distance lower down the line is a convenient goods shed, 75 feet long by 42 feet span of roof. Near to the departure station is the train shed, 100 feet long, in which, in addition to the engines employed on the line, it is intended to contain first, second and third class carriages, in order to meet any extra requirements that may at any time arise." The workshops had been established during the construction of the railway to prepare the timber needed for the wooden viaducts, stations and track. It expanded to also maintain the carriages and wagons of the railway and was retained for some years by the 'Great Western Railway' when the two companies amalgamated on 1st July 1889.
Looking at the listing status for the surviving buildings at Lostwithiel Goods both the contractor and 'English Heritage' have described these as carriage, wagon and engine shed works. So it would suggest that this was the site of the engine shed, however the locos could have possibly come from the closer 'Cornwall Minerals Railway' St Blazey shed (called Par at this time), after it opened on 1st June 1874. It was the Cornwall Minerals Railway that purchased the 'Lostwithiel and Fowey Railway'. Was the shed at Fowey originally a CMR built structure?
The locomotives were provided under a contract with Messrs Evans, Walker and Gooch. This enabled the expensive equipment to be provided without a huge capital outlay. The South Devon Railway took over the contract in 1867 and worked both of the companies' lines and also that of the West Cornwall Railway with one common pool of engines, although throughout both contracts the Cornwall Railway was responsible for ordering its own engines and was charged for their costs. The locomotives bought for the Cornwall Railway were:
Eagle class 4-4-0ST passenger locomotives
Ex Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway 4-4-0ST passenger locomotive
Ex Great Western Railway Sir Watkin class 0-6-0ST goods locomotives
Buffalo class 0-6-0ST goods locomotives
Hope this helps with some of it!
We have received the below - excellent- response from Karl, which helps answer the question.
Reading your inquiry from a reader regarding Lostwithiel Engine Shed in the 'Cornwall Railways' era, not a lot to go on as this was very early in the days of recording occasions, especially for photography and maps, the latter were not necessarily 100% accurate either. However I did find these snippets which your reader may/may not of seen and might be able to help:
Lostwithiel Station opened with the Cornwall Railway on 4th May 1859 a report at the time claimed. "Is generally admitted to be the handsomest station on the line, and looks bright as fresh paint can make it. It consists, first, of a departure station, a wooden building covered by rusticated boarding, having a projecting verandah, extending eight feet on each side of the carriage approaches and extending over the railway platform. This contains a spacious first class waiting room, second class ditto, ticket and other necessary offices and conveniences. Immediately opposite to this, is the arrival station, which is also of wooden construction, having spacious waiting rooms and porter and lamp rooms. The roof also projects over the platform in a similar way to that of the departure station. A short distance lower down the line is a convenient goods shed, 75 feet long by 42 feet span of roof. Near to the departure station is the train shed, 100 feet long, in which, in addition to the engines employed on the line, it is intended to contain first, second and third class carriages, in order to meet any extra requirements that may at any time arise." The workshops had been established during the construction of the railway to prepare the timber needed for the wooden viaducts, stations and track. It expanded to also maintain the carriages and wagons of the railway and was retained for some years by the 'Great Western Railway' when the two companies amalgamated on 1st July 1889.
Looking at the listing status for the surviving buildings at Lostwithiel Goods both the contractor and 'English Heritage' have described these as carriage, wagon and engine shed works. So it would suggest that this was the site of the engine shed, however the locos could have possibly come from the closer 'Cornwall Minerals Railway' St Blazey shed (called Par at this time), after it opened on 1st June 1874. It was the Cornwall Minerals Railway that purchased the 'Lostwithiel and Fowey Railway'. Was the shed at Fowey originally a CMR built structure?
The locomotives were provided under a contract with Messrs Evans, Walker and Gooch. This enabled the expensive equipment to be provided without a huge capital outlay. The South Devon Railway took over the contract in 1867 and worked both of the companies' lines and also that of the West Cornwall Railway with one common pool of engines, although throughout both contracts the Cornwall Railway was responsible for ordering its own engines and was charged for their costs. The locomotives bought for the Cornwall Railway were:
Eagle class 4-4-0ST passenger locomotives
- Castor (1865–1882) GWR no. 2121, originally intended to be named Fal
- Cato (1863–1877) GWR no. 2118
- Eagle (1859–1876) GWR no. 2106
- Elk (1859–1877) GWR no. 2107
- Gazelle (1859–1865) GWR no. 2110
- Lynx (1859–1876) GWR no. 2109
- Mazeppa (1859–1885) GWR no. 2111
- Pollux (1865–1892) GWR no. 2120, originally intended to be named Tamar
- Wolf (1859–1878) GWR no. 2115
Ex Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway 4-4-0ST passenger locomotive
- Magpie (1872–1889) GWR no. 2135
- Dido class 0-6-0ST goods locomotives
- Argo (1863–1892) GWR no. 2151
- Atlas (1863–1885) GWR no. 2152
- Dido (1860–1877) GWR no. 2143
- Hero (1860–1887) GWR no. 2144
Ex Great Western Railway Sir Watkin class 0-6-0ST goods locomotives
- Bulkeley (1872–1890) GWR no. 2157
- Fowler (1872–1887) GWR no. 2158
Buffalo class 0-6-0ST goods locomotives
- Dragon (1873–1892) GWR no. 2164
- Emperor (1873–1892) GWR no. 2167
- Hercules (1872–1889) GWR no. 2163
Hope this helps with some of it!
Many thanks indeed, Karl.