Newquay branch upgrade delayed
From the Network Rail Media Centre:
Rail passengers are being asked to plan their journeys between Newquay and Par in advance as services will now be impacted until Tuesday 18 November to allow the final stage of engineering work for Mid Cornwall Metro (MCM) to be completed.
Work on the branch line is currently taking place to bring a new digital signal system into use along with a second platform at Newquay, meaning buses are running in place of trains between Newquay and Par.
Trains were expected to return on Saturday 8 November but more time is needed to complete the required testing of the new signals.
Buses will continue to replace trains from Newquay to St Austell and passengers at Par should take the train to St Austell and change for buses towards Newquay. Trains will still run from Par towards Plymouth and Penzance.
When complete, the work will pave the way for an hourly train service to run between Newquay and Par from next year, more than doubling the current service, with a direct link from Newquay to Falmouth, via Par, St Austell and Truro set to follow. Newquay will also have two operational platforms for the first time since 1987.
MCM is funded by Government and Cornwall Council and being delivered by Network Rail in partnership with the council and GWR.
Network Rail’s Industry Programme Director Bogdan Lupu said:
“We’re really sorry to passengers for the extended delay. Signalling is the most complex work we undertake on the railway and unfortunately we need longer than planned to complete the required testing. Safety is always our number one priority and we can only reopen the railway when the signals have been thoroughly tested and are ready to use.
“Passengers planning to travel between Newquay and Par are advised to plan their journeys in advance at GWR.com as replacement bus services will be in place, meaning journey times may be extended.”
GWR Station Manager for West Cornwall, Lee Goodson, said:
"This improvement work forms part of the wider plans to enhance train services, making it even easier for people to choose to travel by train across Cornwall, with more frequent services, and direct services between Falmouth and Newquay.
“We recognise how frustrating it is that these works are taking longer than expected, and we are really sorry - it is however really important to complete them before we can introduce these services in the future.
"During the period trains will not be able to stop at Newquay, Quintrell Downs, St Columb Road, Roche, Bugle or Luxulyan stations.
"Trains will still run from Par on the Cornish main line and replacement buses will continue to operate on the branch line between Newquay and St Austell.
"It’s important that customers are aware this could make journey times longer, so please plan ahead."
Rail passengers are being asked to plan their journeys between Newquay and Par in advance as services will now be impacted until Tuesday 18 November to allow the final stage of engineering work for Mid Cornwall Metro (MCM) to be completed.
Work on the branch line is currently taking place to bring a new digital signal system into use along with a second platform at Newquay, meaning buses are running in place of trains between Newquay and Par.
Trains were expected to return on Saturday 8 November but more time is needed to complete the required testing of the new signals.
Buses will continue to replace trains from Newquay to St Austell and passengers at Par should take the train to St Austell and change for buses towards Newquay. Trains will still run from Par towards Plymouth and Penzance.
When complete, the work will pave the way for an hourly train service to run between Newquay and Par from next year, more than doubling the current service, with a direct link from Newquay to Falmouth, via Par, St Austell and Truro set to follow. Newquay will also have two operational platforms for the first time since 1987.
MCM is funded by Government and Cornwall Council and being delivered by Network Rail in partnership with the council and GWR.
Network Rail’s Industry Programme Director Bogdan Lupu said:
“We’re really sorry to passengers for the extended delay. Signalling is the most complex work we undertake on the railway and unfortunately we need longer than planned to complete the required testing. Safety is always our number one priority and we can only reopen the railway when the signals have been thoroughly tested and are ready to use.
“Passengers planning to travel between Newquay and Par are advised to plan their journeys in advance at GWR.com as replacement bus services will be in place, meaning journey times may be extended.”
GWR Station Manager for West Cornwall, Lee Goodson, said:
"This improvement work forms part of the wider plans to enhance train services, making it even easier for people to choose to travel by train across Cornwall, with more frequent services, and direct services between Falmouth and Newquay.
“We recognise how frustrating it is that these works are taking longer than expected, and we are really sorry - it is however really important to complete them before we can introduce these services in the future.
"During the period trains will not be able to stop at Newquay, Quintrell Downs, St Columb Road, Roche, Bugle or Luxulyan stations.
"Trains will still run from Par on the Cornish main line and replacement buses will continue to operate on the branch line between Newquay and St Austell.
"It’s important that customers are aware this could make journey times longer, so please plan ahead."
Our grateful thanks to Chris Bellett for bringing this article to our attention.
Cornish mainline variety
Mark Lynam
43093 and 43198 cross East Largin viaduct working the 1014 Plymouth - Penzance. 06.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
158951 crosses Largin viaduct with the 0950 Penzance - Plymouth. 06.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
A 5-car IET crosses East Largin Viaduct. 06.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
A 3-coach class 175 working the 0626 Plymouth - Plymouth via Penzance training run crossing Largin. 06.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
220004 on the 1115 Penzance - Edinburgh crosses Largin. 06.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
43187 and 43189 on the 1128 Exeter St. Davids - Penzance at Largin. 06.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Now to St. Pinnock viaduct where 43156 and 43042 are seen in an unusual 2+3 formation working the 1340 Plymouth - Penzance. 06.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Shortly followed by 43093 and 43198 working the 1315 Penzance - Plymouth. 06.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Many thanks, Mark. A fruitful day out in the woods for you. The past, the present and the future all photographed.
Re: EMU's for scrap
Simon Howard
Re: Ken Mumford's recent photo - A few weeks ago I boarded 455 stock at Waterloo, realising they hadn’t long for this world. Clean, graffiti-free, reliable (which their successors are not). Seems a shame that within weeks they’ll be just a pile of shredded metal…
And to boot, they were taken to Newport by a loco at least 20 years older!
And to boot, they were taken to Newport by a loco at least 20 years older!
Class 455 stock at Waterloo. These units are currently being withdrawn and scrapped. Copyright Simon Howard.
Smart interiors in the 455 units. Copyright Simon Howard.
Ken's photograph shown on the CRS a couple of days ago. 37800 throttles past leaving diesel fumes behind it with 5Q76 taking empty coaching stock from Wimbledon Park Sidings to Newport Docks (Sims) on time. 03.11.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
The branch line society have organised a farewell tour for the units to take place in December. More details through the link shown on the poster.
Many thanks Simon - seems a shame to see them go.
FGW green way out East
Steve Clark
Back in 2004, work was undertaken in Ipswich Tunnel to lower the track bed to allow Bigger containers to traverse the GEML. During this period, Liverpool Street to Norwich services were diverted away from Ipswich and 47s were used to drag the 90's under non wired sections of the route. Here we see 47813 in charge of a Norwich bound working passing Brandon, with 90018 just seen on the rear. Copyright Steve Clark.
Many thanks Steve, a good look for the 47's.
Countryside Castles
Jon Hird
A bit of an experimental shot down a tunnel of bushes at Coombe captures 43187 and 43189 heading west with the 1128 Exeter - Penzance. 06.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
A quick jaunt to the other end of the village of Coombe and a lucky break in the clouds lets a short burst of warm winter light flood the scene at Dowgas, as 43198 and 093 rush past with the 1315 Penzance - Plymouth. 06.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
The not-so-distant past
Paul Barlow
A couple from 2018 - both these Powercars are still with us, 43093 is still running for GWR and 43063 is preserved at the Plym Valley Railway.
43093 The legends of the Great Western vinyls are still looking quite fresh 43063 on rear 0748 Paignton to Paddington arriving at Exeter St. Davids. 27.08.2018, copyright Paul Barlow.
43063 with 43093 (on front) working the 0748 Paignton to Paddington are seen at Exeter St. Davids, whilst 43010 and 43098 arrive on the 0635 Paddington to Penzance. 27.08.2018, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks, Paul. Time marches on..