This Sunday
The Bodmin Railway 40th Anniversary
On Sunday 31st, the Bodmin Railway are holding a special event to mark their 40th year.
On 31st May 1986, the Bodmin Railway Preservation Society held their first ever open day and ran their first revenue earning trains with locomotive No.19 providing brake van rides within the yard at Bodmin General.
No.19 was crewed by brothers Jeremy and Martin Blackwell. Martin will be driving 'Judy' on Sunday 31st May 2026, again providing rides within the station limits at Bodmin General. Jeremy is also still heavily involved with the railway and will be around, however he mostly turns his hands to the diesel fleet nowadays.
In action on the 31st will be small Prarie 5552, Bubble Car 121020 and Bagnall 'Judy'. There will also be a brass band and classic vehicles on display.
For more details please see the Bodmin Railway website - click here.
On 31st May 1986, the Bodmin Railway Preservation Society held their first ever open day and ran their first revenue earning trains with locomotive No.19 providing brake van rides within the yard at Bodmin General.
No.19 was crewed by brothers Jeremy and Martin Blackwell. Martin will be driving 'Judy' on Sunday 31st May 2026, again providing rides within the station limits at Bodmin General. Jeremy is also still heavily involved with the railway and will be around, however he mostly turns his hands to the diesel fleet nowadays.
In action on the 31st will be small Prarie 5552, Bubble Car 121020 and Bagnall 'Judy'. There will also be a brass band and classic vehicles on display.
For more details please see the Bodmin Railway website - click here.
The CRS visit to:
The Launceston Steam Railway
Roger Winnen
On Tuesday 26th May, members of the CRS enjoyed a visit to the narrow gauge Launceston Steam Railway
We would like to express our thanks to the team at Launceston for their hospitality and for the catering.
Thanks also to Roger Winnen who organises our events - more details of which can be found in the events section.
We would like to express our thanks to the team at Launceston for their hospitality and for the catering.
Thanks also to Roger Winnen who organises our events - more details of which can be found in the events section.
Click any image below for an enlargement and caption. All images are copyright Roger Winnen.
Our thanks once again to the Launceston Steam Railway for being superb hosts.
The Atlantic Coast Express
Brian Pibworth
Apologies for lateness, but capturing a video frame with a new PC and an incompatible camera proved challenging for a while.
Modellers might appreciate an update on this iconic location in East Devon where nature and man have failed to eradicate, totally, the main scenic features.
From L to R the Shute Arms Hotel, the Express Dairy Milk Depot and the Station buildings complete with SR green paintwork on the riveted canopy framework, are all still there.
The passenger overbridge was recently demolished and unrestricted growth of Goat Willow has now all but concealed the Branch platforms and track layout on the R.
Still, like the Lost Gardens of Helligan, it's all there waiting to be "discovered" and one day we might have Seaton trams, with a through coach to Waterloo, coming up from nearby Coliton.
Here, 35028 "Clan Line" heads the ACE, aka the 1Z28 0714 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids, up Honiton Bank and through the former station on Saturday 23 May 2026
Modellers might appreciate an update on this iconic location in East Devon where nature and man have failed to eradicate, totally, the main scenic features.
From L to R the Shute Arms Hotel, the Express Dairy Milk Depot and the Station buildings complete with SR green paintwork on the riveted canopy framework, are all still there.
The passenger overbridge was recently demolished and unrestricted growth of Goat Willow has now all but concealed the Branch platforms and track layout on the R.
Still, like the Lost Gardens of Helligan, it's all there waiting to be "discovered" and one day we might have Seaton trams, with a through coach to Waterloo, coming up from nearby Coliton.
Here, 35028 "Clan Line" heads the ACE, aka the 1Z28 0714 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids, up Honiton Bank and through the former station on Saturday 23 May 2026
35028 'Clan Line' passing Seaton Jnc. with 'The Atlantic Coast Express'. 23.05.2026, copyright Brian Pibworth.
Many thanks indeed Brian - a superb choice of location to capture it. A sad sight seeing it slowly decay, perhaps it will someday rise from the ashes.
An early start
Jon Hird
Just after 6am at St. Germans, we see hired-in 57312 powering across St. Germans viaduct with the down 'Night Riviera' sleeper service. There is a narrow window in the year when the light is on the complete train here. 27.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Heading back to Mid-Cornwall before the working day began, I stopped in at Middleway to see 66735 bringing the empty JIA's down from Goonbarrow Junction as 6T53. 27.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
With the clay train in St. Blazey yard running around, GWR's 175011 was able to get by with the 0707 Par - Newquay. 27.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
After running round its train in St. Blazey, 66735 reverses its 11 JIA's over the gated crossing. A tradition which is sadly set to end next month, when the dryer at Par Harbour closes. 27.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
With the crossing gates reset to allow road traffic to resume, 66735 slowly propels its train into the harbour complex, passing beneath the mainline. 27.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Hot at Tregoss!
Andrew & Diane Jones
We thought a trip to check out to Tregoss crossing on the Newquay Branch was in order today.
The reintroduction of a passing loop, breaking the section from Newquay to Goonbarrow Jn., has really paid off, with an increase of capacity and traffic at this location.
The rationalisation and removal of the double track section in the 60's/70's had caused an unnecessary stricture, adding to the removal of run round facilities and a second platform in Newquay which has held back the branch for many years given that through services, (a remarkable survivor!), continued throughout the summer months.
Hopefully the new reinstatements will stimulate more usage and a return on a substantial financial investment, and perhaps illustrate to the current government that smaller, more manageable, projects are viable and bring local benefits.
The reopening of the Okehampton branch illustrates perfectly the cost benefits and in my opinion the folly of HS2 with ridiculous lead times, out of control spiralling costs and minimal schedule improvements on a relatively short journey.
Oops! Sounding like my Gran again ....
The reintroduction of a passing loop, breaking the section from Newquay to Goonbarrow Jn., has really paid off, with an increase of capacity and traffic at this location.
The rationalisation and removal of the double track section in the 60's/70's had caused an unnecessary stricture, adding to the removal of run round facilities and a second platform in Newquay which has held back the branch for many years given that through services, (a remarkable survivor!), continued throughout the summer months.
Hopefully the new reinstatements will stimulate more usage and a return on a substantial financial investment, and perhaps illustrate to the current government that smaller, more manageable, projects are viable and bring local benefits.
The reopening of the Okehampton branch illustrates perfectly the cost benefits and in my opinion the folly of HS2 with ridiculous lead times, out of control spiralling costs and minimal schedule improvements on a relatively short journey.
Oops! Sounding like my Gran again ....
A general look at the crossing, looking towards Par. 27.05.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
A look towards Newquay and the undergrowth surrounding this section, which given that Goss Moor is a nature reserve, perhaps excuses the lack of weedkiller! 27.05.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
150244 at 10.40 Newquay bound. 27.05.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
175011 coming back from Newquay at 10.50, next stop Roche. 27.05.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Set 802017 at 11.26, scheduled Paddington but terminated at Plymouth. 27.05.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Many thanks indeed Andrew and Diane. As well as the increased traffic on the branch, the Goss Moor itself has benefitted from many accessibility improvements recently, it's became a great place to go for a walk with glimpses of the railway here and there.
LSWR Adam's Designed T3
James Bown
A lovely scene at Swanage yesterday afternoon as the T3 takes on water prior to departure. Looking good in this original livery. 27.05.2026, copyright James Bown.
A question on Exmouth
Can you help?
I wonder if you could help me please.
As my email address suggests, I am a fan of Bulleid's loco designs. We recently had a display of Bulleid locos at the SW Miniature Engineering Show, where we had a diorama representing Exmouth Junction shed 72A.
I know your website has covered that area under the 'exeter-to-exmouth-junction' page.
However, I would like to ask whether any of your members may have detailed knowledge of the Exmouth Junction Coal hopper please ?
Although there are a few photos around, I have yet to see one that gives a clue as to how wagons were actually raised, and the coal tipped into the hopper.
Photos from the main-line side don't seem to exist (for perhaps obvious reasons).
I would like to demonstrate the operation on a working model; can you help please?
As my email address suggests, I am a fan of Bulleid's loco designs. We recently had a display of Bulleid locos at the SW Miniature Engineering Show, where we had a diorama representing Exmouth Junction shed 72A.
I know your website has covered that area under the 'exeter-to-exmouth-junction' page.
However, I would like to ask whether any of your members may have detailed knowledge of the Exmouth Junction Coal hopper please ?
Although there are a few photos around, I have yet to see one that gives a clue as to how wagons were actually raised, and the coal tipped into the hopper.
Photos from the main-line side don't seem to exist (for perhaps obvious reasons).
I would like to demonstrate the operation on a working model; can you help please?
Can any of our readers help this gent out with his query? Please send your thoughts to [email protected] - our thanks in advance.
'Severn' at Newton Abbot
Michael Adams
Michael Adams has sent across this lovely picture of 47513 'Severn' arriving at newton Abbot on 7 July1984 with a Paddington to Paignton service. Copyright Michael Adams.
Many thanks Michael, and thanks also to Michael Forward for sending it on.
The Bodmin Bubble
Jon Hird
Bodmins resident 'Bubble Car' 121020 is about to pass beneath the A38 below Colesloggett Halt, whilst working the 1345 Bodmin General - Bodmin General (via Bodmin Parkway). 27.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
After a short stop at Bodmin Parkway, the unit heads back up the hill to Bodmin General, passing Charlies Gate. 27.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.