Seeking Railway Memories & Materials
Calling All Storytellers and Collectors
Hello! I’m a Cornish artist with a background in engineering and a passion for historical archives. I’m beginning a new art project that will explore the rich history of transport—particularly the railway—through mixed-media techniques.
To bring this collection to life, I’m looking for photographs, personal stories, and physical ephemera connected to transport and railway life. This can include:
Whether your memories are long or short, small moments or big adventures, I would love to hear them. My aim is to create a series of artworks over the coming year, each paired with the stories and materials that inspired them. These will eventually be displayed together as a visual record of the personal histories behind the rise—and decline—of public transport.
I would be especially grateful for stories shared in a more personal way — either handwritten or as a voice recording. These forms add a unique character and warmth to the project, and help preserve the individuality of each contributor’s voice.
I am also very happy to meet in person or with groups to collect materials, or to interview and record stories directly for those who prefer to share them face-to-face.
The older the better — I’m particularly drawn to early railway life and the people who shaped it, travelled it, or simply lived alongside it.
If you have something to share or would like to contribute to this collection, I’d be thrilled to hear from you.
Let’s preserve these journeys together.
To bring this collection to life, I’m looking for photographs, personal stories, and physical ephemera connected to transport and railway life. This can include:
- Old photographs (especially those featuring people)
- Letters and postcards
- Tickets, maps, stamps, manuals, books
- Any other items suitable for collage or reference
Whether your memories are long or short, small moments or big adventures, I would love to hear them. My aim is to create a series of artworks over the coming year, each paired with the stories and materials that inspired them. These will eventually be displayed together as a visual record of the personal histories behind the rise—and decline—of public transport.
I would be especially grateful for stories shared in a more personal way — either handwritten or as a voice recording. These forms add a unique character and warmth to the project, and help preserve the individuality of each contributor’s voice.
I am also very happy to meet in person or with groups to collect materials, or to interview and record stories directly for those who prefer to share them face-to-face.
The older the better — I’m particularly drawn to early railway life and the people who shaped it, travelled it, or simply lived alongside it.
If you have something to share or would like to contribute to this collection, I’d be thrilled to hear from you.
Let’s preserve these journeys together.
If you'd like to share your memories or stories, please get in touch with the CRS - [email protected] - and we will get you in touch.
Roger's mystery location
Well done to Tom Lloyd, Tony Hill, Graham Mann, Karl Hewlett who all correctly answered yesterdays brain teaser. The mystery station pictured by Roger in 1974 is indeed Portsmouth Arms Station on the Barnstaple branch.
Portsmouth Arms station on 07.12.1974. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Well done all - more historical pictures from Roger further down in todays 'news'.
A stranger on the clay
Tony Shore, Jon Hird & Mark Lynam
A welcome change from the usual came in the form of Maritime blue-liveried 66051 which was sent to Cornwall with the empty JIA wagons on Saturday 22nd. It's expected the locomotive will work the usual Cornish clay trains over the next week.
66051 crosses into Cornwall with 18 empty JIA's from Westbury, heading to Goonbarrow. 22.11.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
Just around the corner from Tony, 66051 accelerates away from Saltash and crosses Coombe Viaduct. 22.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
66051 passes Respryn with 6V76. 22.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Many thanks Tony and Mark, we look forwards to seeing the photos of this one out and about in Cornwall next week.
Around Westbury
Guy Vincent
66051 stabled in down yard where it has been working as a shunter for just over a week (note. late on 22nd the loco arrived at Goonbarrow!). 21.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Signage and ECC wagons reflecting the recent change in DB maintenance policy for the Cornish clay traffic. 21.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Cab ends in Westbury up yard, Colas sidings. 56051, 70802 and a track machine. In my view at least, British is best! 21.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
56051 'Survival'. Although for how much longer? Recent reports indicate Colas could take on up to 22 of GB Railfreight's oldest class 66s (66701-66722) rendered surplus by new class 99s. This would in turn displace the Colas 56s. 21.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
66594 runs past at dusk on the 6V18 1330 Oxford Banbury Road - Whatley. 21.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks Guy, good to see a busy yard.
Cornish 'Castles'
3 weeks to go
Tony Shore, Jon Hird & Mark Lynam
As time marches on we grow closer and closer to December 13th, the last planned day of GWR 'Castle Class' HST operations.
The start of the day at Gwinear Road with 2C16, the 1015 Plymouth - Penzance. 22.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Driver Brian Martin in the cab of 43198 at Plymouth before working his last booked turn on a HST, the 1241 Plymouth - Penzance. 22.11.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
43198 departs Saltash and heads into Cornwall. 22.11.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
43198 at the head of the 1241 Plymouth - Penzance crosses St. Germans viaduct. 22.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
43004 leads the 1150 Penzance - Plymouth towards Gwinear Road. 22.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
The 1150 PNZ-PLY crosses St. Germans viaduct between 43004 and 43156. 22.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
43098 and 43186 at St. Erth with the 1315 Penzance - Plymouth. 22.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
43186 on the rear of the 1315 service departing St. Erth. 22.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
The 1315 continues on past Trerulefoot with 43098 and 43186. 22.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
43004 on the rear of the 1443 Plymouth - Penzance crossing St. Pinnock viaduct. 22.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
The 1443 off Plymouth has reached its destination of Penzance. 22.11.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
43004 prepares to depart back to Plymouth and Laira for the evening. 22.11.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
Last light at Carlyon golf course for 43093 and 43198 passing through with the 1515 Penzance - Plymouth. 22.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Thanks Tony and Mark - a good record of one of the final Saturdays of Western HST operations.
Walking to Wenford
Roger Winnen
Part 1
Walking to Wenfordbridge. 07.12.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
Outlands Curve. 07.12.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Wenfordbridge line. 07.12.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
Sharp curves. 07.12.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
Approaching Pencarrow Water Tank. 07.12.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
Pencarrow Water Tank. 07.12.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
Keith Jenkin inspects the disused Pencarrow water tank. 07.12.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
Walking on from Pencarrow. 07.12.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
Old and new-to-us DMU's
Mark Lynam
150266 arrives at St. Erth from St. Ives. 22.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
175007 passes Respryn with a crew training run. 22.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Many thanks Mark - the white and red really does stand out.