Please join us on Saturday!
The CRS AGM and the Photographic Competition, presented by Ian McKey.
At the Memorial Hall, Redruth Methodist Church, TR15 2EG
Commencing at 1830.
The CRS AGM and the Photographic Competition, presented by Ian McKey.
At the Memorial Hall, Redruth Methodist Church, TR15 2EG
Commencing at 1830.
Newquay forrtnight!
Craig Munday
Many revellers look forward to Boardmasters at Newquay each year. Locomotive fans have had their own "festival" with a procession of Engineers trains visiting the new loop at Tregoss. I have grabbed photos on the branch and it's been super to see the line bask in the limelight.
Some other images are included taken in recent days too.
Some other images are included taken in recent days too.
Groundworks taking shape at the site of the new loop. 13.02.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
Groundworks taking shape at the site of the new loop. 13.02.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
Forward to 02.03.2025 and 70810 and 70814 are at the site of the new loop having their wagons loaded with spent ballast. Copyright Craig Munday.
New signalling 'under wraps' on Tregoss Moor. 02.03.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
Looking down the new trackwork on 02.03.2025. Copyright Craig Munday.
On 03.03.2025, 66152 brought the empty JIA wagons up to Goonbarrow and is seen alongside 08752. Copyright Craig Munday.
70810 departs Goonbarrow on a frosty 03.03.2025. Copyright Craig Munday.
In some stunning light, 43093 and 43004 work 2P08 past Polbathic. 03.03.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
66531 and 66504 head a train of autoballasters over St. Germans viaduct. The train was headed for the Goss Moor worksite. 03.03.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
Many thanks indeed, Craig - a great selection as always.
GWR Guard
Michael Forward
Michael Forward
Hello Roger, Thank you for dealing with the St.Erth picture. Here is another from one of the many boxes of pictures from my late brother,again not noted with any details. The name on the bottom could be Richard O'Brien but was this the subject or was it the photographer's name.? Again, any name or information would be pleasing. Not sure why my brother had these,our grandfather worked at Penzance station as a carriage cleaner, his name was Frank Thompson. Thanks, all the best, michael.
Thanks Michael
Par Resignalling - 1st Anniversary
Neil Phillips
Hello Roger, Keith and Jon,
Wonderful photographs of the loop installation on Goss Moor in recent days, congratulations to all concerned. That sky - wow!
As another reminder of how time flies (as if we need one), it has already been exactly one year since Par's semaphore signals were dismantled. Here are three views taken on Sunday 3rd March 2024 with the semaphores signalling some of their last trains, and much the same perspectives taken two days later on Tuesday 5th March after the signal arms had been removed. I still miss the twanging wires, clanging arms and the ability to tell whether a train was coming from BEHIND the signal!
Best regards
Neil Phillips
Wonderful photographs of the loop installation on Goss Moor in recent days, congratulations to all concerned. That sky - wow!
As another reminder of how time flies (as if we need one), it has already been exactly one year since Par's semaphore signals were dismantled. Here are three views taken on Sunday 3rd March 2024 with the semaphores signalling some of their last trains, and much the same perspectives taken two days later on Tuesday 5th March after the signal arms had been removed. I still miss the twanging wires, clanging arms and the ability to tell whether a train was coming from BEHIND the signal!
Best regards
Neil Phillips
A busy scene viewed from the road bridge, with the up starter cleared for the passage of a track machine. Note the second Class 150 in Chapel Siding. 3rd March 2024, copyright Neil Phillips.
150216 departs for Newquay having passed the familiar but doomed bracket signal, its new-fangled replacement shortly to be bolted to the blue-painted concrete base. The 'Stop, Look, Listen' sign appears to be dismantling itself in sympathy! 3rd March 2024
An IET passes the down starter, so familiar with users of this footpath over the decades. The path itself also now deserves an upgrade..... 3rd March 2024, copyright Neil Phillips.
The 'Orange Army' gets busy.... signal arms already removed, although the up home bracket signal in the distance would retain its arms for a few more days. 5th March 2024, copyright Neil Phillips.
More activity around the crossover at the west end; Par Signal Box has gone quiet after 145 years of activity; the bracket signal looks forlorn but somebody has straightened the sign, so that's good! 5th March 2024, copyright Neil Phillips.
The footpath will never look the same again. The replacement signal's near year-long slumber on the trackside ballast is about to end..... 5th March 2024, copyright Neil Phillips.
Many thanks indeed, Neil. A year ago already - wow.
If you fancy some more pics of this project, click here.
If you fancy some more pics of this project, click here.
Swindon Area ECS Trains
Ken Mumford & Colin Pidgeon
37218 hauling barrier coach 975974, 321318 321328 and barrier coach 975978 working 5Q64 09:27 Wembley Yard - Newport Docks passing Swindon 2 EARLY after spending about 6 minutes in Swindon East Loop. 04.03.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
A closer view of 37218. 04.03.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
5Q91 headed by, once again, 69012 but this time I chose a different location about 2 miles east of Swindon station - a few yards beyond the eastern end of Stratton Loop where, many years ago, a Churchward 47xx 2-8-0 came to rest by demolishing the buffer stop at the end of that loop!! 04.03.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks as always to the Swindon duo!
A question - can you help?
Any records of the two attempts to put a railway across Salisbury Plain?
I wonder if you, or anyone in your society can help me.
I’m researching the Plain generally and my village of Orcheston in particular, where w intend to start a local history society, and I have come across two attempts to run a railway line from Devizes to Salisbury, the first in 1840 and the second in 1897.
All I have been able to find so far is from the Bill in the House for the first and some reports on the Times for the second. Is there anyone in your society who might be able to point me to fuller accounts, not least any plan or map of the intended routes, and what caused them to come to nothing?
I would be very grateful for any assistance.
I’m researching the Plain generally and my village of Orcheston in particular, where w intend to start a local history society, and I have come across two attempts to run a railway line from Devizes to Salisbury, the first in 1840 and the second in 1897.
All I have been able to find so far is from the Bill in the House for the first and some reports on the Times for the second. Is there anyone in your society who might be able to point me to fuller accounts, not least any plan or map of the intended routes, and what caused them to come to nothing?
I would be very grateful for any assistance.
Chris Osment replies:
With regard to the enquiry about a proposed railway from Devizes to Salisbury, there was certainly a proposal in 1898 for a Light Railway from Pewsey to Salisbury.
I would suggest that your enquirer should read Chapter 1 of "Rails across the Plain" by Jeffery Grayer, published by Noodle Books in 2011.
With regard to the enquiry about a proposed railway from Devizes to Salisbury, there was certainly a proposal in 1898 for a Light Railway from Pewsey to Salisbury.
I would suggest that your enquirer should read Chapter 1 of "Rails across the Plain" by Jeffery Grayer, published by Noodle Books in 2011.
Many thanks, Chris - a big help