Dennis Clarke presents:
'My life on the railways'
From Willesden and Wembley, to North Pole and Temple Mills
- 12th October 2024 -
Please come along to Dennis' presentation on October 12th, at the Memorial Hall, Redruth Methodist Church. Redruth Methodist Church is easy to find - it is alongside the railway adjacent to the tunnel.
Exiting the station from the up-side, turn right.
Exiting the station from the up-side, turn right.
50008 in Cornwall
(the first time round)
Roger Geach
With the recent photos of 50008 at Bodmin, I thought I'd find a view of 50008 from years ago.
50008 was one of the later 50 arrivals to the west, it did not arrive until 1976 from the LMR.
50008 was one of the later 50 arrivals to the west, it did not arrive until 1976 from the LMR.
50008 'Thunderer' on the 1000 Penzance - Paddington seen at Lostwithiel on 22.04.1987. Copyright Roger Geach.
Many may recall the foul day of 26.01.1991 when 'The Cornish Crusader' railtour ran in the county. 50008 was painted up into this all-over blue livery. It's seen at the rear of the train going away near Laddock. Copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks indeed for taking the time to dig these out, Roger. It was nice to have 'Thunderer' back on home turf for the weekend.
New Bristol Station - Ashley Down
Richard Giles
Having been completed during August, a second new station, within the City of Bristol boundaries was opened on Friday 27th September 2024 (this following Portway Park & Ride in August last year) at Ashley Down, built on the site of Ashley Hill Station closed 60 years in 1964, but now with two platforms (instead of four) on the Filton Bank 'relief' lines.
West of England Mayor and North-East Somerset & Hanham MP Dan Norris (with his dog Angel), Tom Pierpoint GWR Business Development Manager, Local MP Darren Jones and Lord Mayor Andrew Varney arrived for the ribbon cutting (which took place in the presence of local school children), 166213 having brought the party in with other Network Rail, GWR officials and further invited guests on 1005 Bristol Temple Meads - Filton Abbey Wood (2H58) service arriving at 1015.
There was a choice of 166213 again with 1051 (2H59) or 165135 on 1151 (2H61) Filton - Temple Meads for the returning ceremony guests, all trains being allowed to call under 'special' arrangement.
The following day, Saturday 28th saw the much publicized in advance debut public passenger working (associated infrastructure footpath and road links having being now completed (but preventing a planned August opening), 165135 calling at 0734 (1 late) with 2H52 0725 Bristol TM - Filton Abbey Wood, the same set returning 2H53 0753 to Temple Meads (the first down public service to call), 166213 then appearing (again) on the next booked stopper 2H54 0803 Temple Meads - Filton and 2H55 0851 return.
The station was believed to have been used for GWR DMU driver stop/start training normally under the cover of darkness previously, as well as being viewed during a visit by officials travelling on the West Coast operated saloon 999503 (top n' tailed by locos 47848 + BR green 57009 GJ Churchward) during the early afternoon of 30th August.
This train had covered the Metro-West part 1 (Portishead Branch to Royal Portbury Dock) and also the Henbury loop (via Holesmouth Junction), the planned new passenger (currently freight-only) routes under scrutiny by the new incoming Government.
West of England Mayor and North-East Somerset & Hanham MP Dan Norris (with his dog Angel), Tom Pierpoint GWR Business Development Manager, Local MP Darren Jones and Lord Mayor Andrew Varney arrived for the ribbon cutting (which took place in the presence of local school children), 166213 having brought the party in with other Network Rail, GWR officials and further invited guests on 1005 Bristol Temple Meads - Filton Abbey Wood (2H58) service arriving at 1015.
There was a choice of 166213 again with 1051 (2H59) or 165135 on 1151 (2H61) Filton - Temple Meads for the returning ceremony guests, all trains being allowed to call under 'special' arrangement.
The following day, Saturday 28th saw the much publicized in advance debut public passenger working (associated infrastructure footpath and road links having being now completed (but preventing a planned August opening), 165135 calling at 0734 (1 late) with 2H52 0725 Bristol TM - Filton Abbey Wood, the same set returning 2H53 0753 to Temple Meads (the first down public service to call), 166213 then appearing (again) on the next booked stopper 2H54 0803 Temple Meads - Filton and 2H55 0851 return.
The station was believed to have been used for GWR DMU driver stop/start training normally under the cover of darkness previously, as well as being viewed during a visit by officials travelling on the West Coast operated saloon 999503 (top n' tailed by locos 47848 + BR green 57009 GJ Churchward) during the early afternoon of 30th August.
This train had covered the Metro-West part 1 (Portishead Branch to Royal Portbury Dock) and also the Henbury loop (via Holesmouth Junction), the planned new passenger (currently freight-only) routes under scrutiny by the new incoming Government.
27 09 2024 Opening day Souvenir Touch card ticket available to mark the first train to call at Ashley Down Station, Bristol. Copyright Richard Giles.
27 09 2024 New Ashley Down footbridge view looking in down direction. Copyright Richard Giles.
27 09 2024 New View in up direction. Ashley Down, Bristol official opening day. Copyright Richard Giles.
Saturday 28 09 2024 165135 calls new Ashley Down, Bristol with 2H52 0730 Bristol TM - Filton Abbey Wood local service, first train to call here since 1964. Copyright Richard Giles.
Richard, many thanks indeed both for your comprehensive report and for sharing with us your fantastic photographs. It's not every day we can report a new station opening, so this is something to really celebrate! Well done.
Cornwall Metro & Resignalling
John Roberts
Readers may have seen Spotlight on Friday evening, where Craig Munday explained the replacement of Newquay Branch token working by axle counters in 2025. I assume this is part of Mid-Cornwall Metro, although I have not seen it mentioned previously, and I’m intrigued how the BBC found it sufficiently newsworthy to visit the two signalboxes. There can’t be many single-track passenger lines with a fully-signalled freight facility left.
https://midcornwallmetro.com
www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/ox1hcazv/mcm-graphic-21-nov-2023-53416.pdf
www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/western/mid-cornwall-metro
The below article reviews the mainline resignalling, but Metro is a separate project.
www.railengineer.co.uk/west-country-signalling-upgrades
It’s a pity that the performance benefits foreseen have recently been compromised by the Cancellation & Significant Lateness caused by the “shortage of traincrew” and “more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time”, especially west of Plymouth.
https://midcornwallmetro.com
www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/ox1hcazv/mcm-graphic-21-nov-2023-53416.pdf
www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/western/mid-cornwall-metro
The below article reviews the mainline resignalling, but Metro is a separate project.
www.railengineer.co.uk/west-country-signalling-upgrades
It’s a pity that the performance benefits foreseen have recently been compromised by the Cancellation & Significant Lateness caused by the “shortage of traincrew” and “more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time”, especially west of Plymouth.
Many thanks John, some interesting reading in your links, worth a look for anybody interested in the 'Metro' project.
A rainy day in South Devon
Paul Barlow
D2271 Shunting at Buckfastleigh 29 September 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.
4612 & 233 auto coach in the pouring rain Buckfastleigh 29 September 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.
5526 at Totnes on 29 September 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks, Paul - well done for braving the weather.
'The Mayflower' at Plymouth
Roger Winnen
27.09.2024 - Arriving on Platform 4 at Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
27.09.2024 - Clun Castle was a regular engine working in the West Country during the days of steam. Copyright Roger Winnen
27.09.2024 - Much interest was shown in this tour with the two castles at Plymouth on the 06.34 from Birmingham New Street. Copyright Roger Winnen
27.09.2024 - Arriving on Platform 4 at Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
27.09.2024 - Clun Castle built in Swindon Works May 1950 being one of the last castles being built, Copyright Roger Winnen
27.09.2024 - Pulling forward for the support coach to be moved to the through line. Copright Roger Winnen
27.09.2024 - 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe built 1936 originally named Barbury Castle then renamed to Earl of Mount Edgcumbe in Sept 1937. The name from one of the Dukedogs. Copyright Roger Winnen.
27.09.2024 - Running into the through line with the support coach. Copyright Roger Winnen
27.09.2024 - The duo off to Laira for turning. Copyright Roger Winnen
27.09.2024 - Having turned on the Laira triangle, the pair arrive back into Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen
27.09.2024 - Vintage Trains 'The Mayflower'. Copyright Roger Winnen.
27.09.2024 - Not to be moved! Copyright Roger Winnen.
27.09.2024 - Going into Dock 2 at Plymouth for coal and watering. Copyright Roger Winnen
27.09.2024 - Dock 2 was the former through Platform 2 at Plymouth Station until the rebuilding of the track layout in March 1974. Copyright Roger Winnen
'Creech Castle'
Bill Elston
Making what are probably their last runs in the West Country are HST pcs 43094 and 43122 working 5Z43 from Laira to Kidderminster for a gala, seen here passing Creech.
What happens to them after that, who knows!
What happens to them after that, who knows!
43094 heads for Kidderminster as 5Z43 on 30.09.2024, passing Creech St. Michael. Copyright Bill Elston.
43122 bringing up the rear. 30.09.2024, copyright Bill Elston.
Many thanks Bill, and farewell to another two power cars, it would seem.
Laira - Kidderminster
Paul Barlow
43094 43122 pass through Marsh Barton station Exeter, on 0950 Laira to Kidderminster 5Z43. This debranded and denamed set will be running at the Severn Valley diesel gala this coming weekend. 30.09.2024, copyright Paul Barlow.
The going away shot. 43094 43122 pass through Marsh Barton station Exeter, on 0950 Laira to Kidderminster 5Z43. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks, Paul.