Emergency repairs mean Newquay line will be closed for at least a week
'Network Rail is advising passengers that the Newquay line in Cornwall will be closed until at least Friday 6 December while emergency repairs are carried out.
Engineers working on the line discovered that a significant amount of ballast - the stones which hold the tracks in place - near St Blazey, had become displaced and as a result repairs must be carried out before trains can run again.
The line is currently shut while engineers lay new track into Newquay station as part of the Mid Cornwall Metro project and was due to reopen on Sunday 1 December. The issue with the ballast is not related to this planned engineering work, which is running on schedule.
Passengers are advised that rail replacement services currently operating during the engineering work will continue to the same timetable. These have been updated in industry systems and will be available from Saturday 30 November.'
Further reading available on the Network Rail media centre - click here.
Engineers working on the line discovered that a significant amount of ballast - the stones which hold the tracks in place - near St Blazey, had become displaced and as a result repairs must be carried out before trains can run again.
The line is currently shut while engineers lay new track into Newquay station as part of the Mid Cornwall Metro project and was due to reopen on Sunday 1 December. The issue with the ballast is not related to this planned engineering work, which is running on schedule.
Passengers are advised that rail replacement services currently operating during the engineering work will continue to the same timetable. These have been updated in industry systems and will be available from Saturday 30 November.'
Further reading available on the Network Rail media centre - click here.
Washed out earthworks near Prideaux Viaduct, Ponts Mill. Image from the Network Rail Media Centre.
St. Blazey Bridge Crossing
Tony Shore
Whilst the Newquay branch is closed to traffic, it seems that the opportunity to carry out some work on the crossing at St. Blazey bridge has been seized. The road is closed until Saturday 30.11.2024. Copyright Tony Shore.
Network Rail contractors have lifted the sections of covering which make up the crossing, exposing the rails. 29.11.2024, copyright Tony Shore.
The worksite on the A390, outside Highway Garage. 29.11.2024, copyright Tony Shore.
Many thanks Tony - a good use of time with the line being closed.
Steam to Par - June 2014
Part 1
Roger Winnen
29.06.2014 - 45407 passing the site of the former Mutley Station on its approach to Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen.
29.06.2014 - Glorious sunshine at Plymouth with Black Five The Lancashire Fusilier. Copyright Roger Winnen
29.06.2014 - The motion and the nameplate with the engine sitting at Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen
29.06.2014 - Rounding the curve at Lostwithiel 45407. Copyright Roger Winnen
29.06.2014 - Gaining access to St Blazey after unloading its passengers at Par Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
Thanks Roger - more tomorrow
'The Stoneliner'
Jon Hird
Freightliners 66525 works a train of empty wagons through Dockyard on 02.09.2005. This was in connection with a short-lived traffic flow, bringing stone to Burngullow to create a virtual quarry. The trains would occasionally feature a 'Stoneliner' headboard. Copyright Jon Hird.
Friday morning at Swindon
Ken Mumford
6Q75 [Swindon Transfer to Slough] arrived at platform 3 and stayed there for some 5 minutes while the crew changed driving ends. In Swindon (Cockleberry Sidings) was 5L13 which had its white front lights on for quite some time awaiting its time to head to platform 1. 29.11.2024, copyright Ken Mumford.
Station Announcer, "FAST train approaching platform 4 DOES NOT STOP here." This train [5Z74 - unit 166207 - [Didcot Parkway to Bristol (Temple Meads)] was NOT FAST approaching platform 4 and DID STOP there for a few minutes! SO DID it leave 13 EARLY westwards though Real Train Times indicated that it PASSED THROUGH the station!! 29.11.2024, copyright Ken Mumford.
5L13 consisting of units 387160 and 387148 - now makes its move from the sidings [see photo [1]] to form 1L13 [Swindon to Paddington] which was cancelled between Cardiff and Swindon because of flooding. Coming into platform 4 I'm not too sure because 5L13s journey from the sidings into platform 1 is not too clear - or is it me?? 29.11.2024, copyright Ken Mumford.
FAST train approaching - does not stop. This announcement was 100% correct! 66563 hauling 6V53 [Oxford (Banbury Road) to Stoke Gifford] running 3 EARLY with its driver giving me more than one blast on its hooters which I acknowledged the correct way i.e. left hand held up high, no other gestures - honestly!! 29.11.2024, copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks Ken, nice pics - and the sun was out for you.