37142 breaks cover
Steve Clark
Whilst driving past the B&W railway yesterday, I noticed 37142 out in the station area. Luckily it was still there when I went on my break, so I popped down and grabbed a couple of piccies.
The Loco was outside to have a Roof panel fitted and has had its bodyside filled ready for rubbing down and painting. It will be going back into BR blue I am reliably informed and should be ready soon.
The Loco was outside to have a Roof panel fitted and has had its bodyside filled ready for rubbing down and painting. It will be going back into BR blue I am reliably informed and should be ready soon.
37142 in the open at Bodmin General. 12.05.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
37142 alongside Bubble Car 121020 at Bodmin General. 12.05.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
37142 and 08444 at Bodmin General. 12.05.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
Many thanks Steve - good progress - I bet the Bodmin guys are itching to press the button!
Thoughts on the 'New North Cornwall Line'
Ian in Helston writes in response to yesterdays news of a proposed new Okehampton - Bodmin (via Launceston) route:
I thought the idea of electrification in Cornwall was abandoned a while ago. While a new line between Okehampton to Launceston might work (at astronomical cost), continuing it onto the existing mainline was deemed impossible given the twisting route and constrictive tunnel dimensions being incompatible with overhead catenary.
I stand prepared to be corrected but that is what once read in rail news magazine a long time ago.
I thought the idea of electrification in Cornwall was abandoned a while ago. While a new line between Okehampton to Launceston might work (at astronomical cost), continuing it onto the existing mainline was deemed impossible given the twisting route and constrictive tunnel dimensions being incompatible with overhead catenary.
I stand prepared to be corrected but that is what once read in rail news magazine a long time ago.
Many thanks Ian - it certainly would be a very ambitious undertaking - with the 2050 target completion date, we will have to wait a while to see what happens!
RE: 45118
Roger Geach
Nice to see the pictures of 45118 at work in BR days, not a loco I ever got in Cornwall back in the day. Here are a couple of mine from elsewhere.
45118 departs York with two coaches, an empty stock working. 07.05.1987, copyright Roger Geach.
45118 on the 0922 Newcastle to Liverpool on the Diggle route near Greenfield on 18.09.1982. Copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks Roger - nice shots of a loco with a colourful history.
Par Harbour - Burngullow
Dennis Clarke & Tony Shore
An unusual movement occured on Wednesday 13th May, with GBRf's 66712 working a train of JIA's from Par Harbour to Burngullow.
With 7 wagons due to be loaded at the harbour and a further 4 at Treviscoe, the train was short enough to be taken to Cliffe Vale in one portion. So whereas normally the train would travel to Exeter Riverside in 2 portions, this week the train will go up as 1 rake of 11 wagons today, Thursday 14th.
The train ran from Par Harbour - Lostwithiel (to run round) - Burngullow.
With 7 wagons due to be loaded at the harbour and a further 4 at Treviscoe, the train was short enough to be taken to Cliffe Vale in one portion. So whereas normally the train would travel to Exeter Riverside in 2 portions, this week the train will go up as 1 rake of 11 wagons today, Thursday 14th.
The train ran from Par Harbour - Lostwithiel (to run round) - Burngullow.
66712 shunts the JIA's within Par Harbour, having worked 6T53 in from Goonbarrow Junction. 13.05.2026, copyright Dennis Clarke.
Shunting the yard at Par Harbour, a scene not to be seen for too much longer. 13.05.2026, copyright Dennis Clarke.
With 7 wagons loaded, 66712 pulls out of the harbour towards the gated crossing, passing beneath the Cornish mainline. 13.05.2026, copyright Dennis Clarke.
The timeless scene as the clay train crosses the road at Par. 13.05.2026, copyright Dennis Clarke.
With the additional 4 empty wagons added to the train, 66712 runs round the 11 wagons in St. Blazey yard. 13.05.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
66712 heads west through Par, en route to Burngullow after running round at Lostwithiel. 13.05.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
The giant, disused silos of Burngllow tower above 66712 and its train. The locomotive was shut down here and locked up for the night, ready to run up to Treviscoe for loading the next morning. 13.05.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
Many thanks Tony - interesting stuff.