Engineering Works on the Newquay Branch
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
241019a The Newquay Branch train and Tamping machines at Par. Copyright Roger Winnen
241019j Signals at Goonbarrow Juction throuth the coach window. Copyright Roger Winnen
241019p Making way for a passing loop near the former St Dennis Junction. Copyright Roger Winnen
241019qA Quattro Rail Roa d machine on site near St Dennis Jct. Copyright Roger Winnen
241019qq A Quattro Rail Roa d machine on site near St Dennis Jct. Copyright Roger Winnen
241019r On the approach to Newquay we pass under the new road constructed for the housing development. Copyright Roger Winnen
241019u Work progressing at Newquay Station on the installation of a second platform. Copyright Roger Winnen
241019x The second platform takes shape. Copyright Roger Winnen
241019z The new and the old platform links up. Copyright Roger Winnen
241019za The 13.10 service to Par awaits departure from Newquay. Copyright Roger Winnen
241019zb With only a few minutes prior to departure at 13.10 for Par. Copyright Roger Winnen
241019zc Newquay had the longest platforms in Cornwall until the early 1980s. Copyright Roger Winnen
241019zg Waiting for the Right Away.
241019zq Crossing the Trenance Viaduct on leaving Newquay. Copyright Roger Winnen
241019zy A stop at St Blazey to drop off the token, soon a thing of the past. Copyright Roger Winnen
Okel Tor Crossing
(near Calstock)
Andrew & Diane Jones
Diane and I are staying at Okel Tor Mine near Calstock this weekend. Situated a short walk from Okel Tor crossing I took the opportunity to photograph the second train of the day to Gunnislake.
A beautiful but misty start which I think added to the atmosphere of this remarkable Cornish survivor. The crossing was recently upgraded to automatic active protection under the Devon and Cornwall signalling programme, barriers were deemed inappropriate due to the restricted site.
Cut back in the 60's, the railway lost the Callington section, thus leaving many major towns in the area without a rail connection, Calstock and Gunnislake remain a testament to the need to reestablish the Tavistock line.
Okehampton Station has rejuvenated the town and proved that a relatively small investment can make a huge impact on our rural communities. Hopefully the new government will look again at the Tavistock Railway project which has the backing of Devon County Council, who own much of the trackbed and in my opinion, reverse poor short term decision making of the past.
A beautiful but misty start which I think added to the atmosphere of this remarkable Cornish survivor. The crossing was recently upgraded to automatic active protection under the Devon and Cornwall signalling programme, barriers were deemed inappropriate due to the restricted site.
Cut back in the 60's, the railway lost the Callington section, thus leaving many major towns in the area without a rail connection, Calstock and Gunnislake remain a testament to the need to reestablish the Tavistock line.
Okehampton Station has rejuvenated the town and proved that a relatively small investment can make a huge impact on our rural communities. Hopefully the new government will look again at the Tavistock Railway project which has the backing of Devon County Council, who own much of the trackbed and in my opinion, reverse poor short term decision making of the past.
GWR's 150239 emerges from the fog crossing the ungated Okel Tor Crossing on the Gunnislake Branch. 19.10.2024, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Really showing off the rural nature of the crossing as a Class 150 approaches. Copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Looking into the mist along the former Southern Route. Copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Many thanks Andrew & Diane for these lovely atmospheric photographs. Let's hope one day the Tavistock plan comes to fruition.
St. Erth footbridge - what comes next
Guy Vincent
A work colleague kindly loaned me a copy of the East Somerset Railway’s 2024 50th Anniversary booklet that was published at the start of the year. A short article on the St. Erth footbridge is contained within and hereby reproduced with full credit to the ESR.
Obviously the planned timespan of work has slipped a little since the article was published.
Obviously the planned timespan of work has slipped a little since the article was published.
Copyright East Somerset Railway
Copyright East Somerset Railway
Copyright East Somerset Railway
Many thanks, Guy - great to hear this much-photographed structure has a future ahead of it.
(I have also added your notes on Paul Barlows images to yesterdays 'news' post - thank you very much!)
(I have also added your notes on Paul Barlows images to yesterdays 'news' post - thank you very much!)
HST Hunting
Jon Hird
A few hours out this afternoon chasing the GWR 'Castle Class' HST sets around mid-Cornwall. First stop, Liskeard viaduct, to photograph 43097 and 43186 working 2C22 - the 13:43 Plymouth - Penzance. 19.10.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Next up was Bolitho for 43092 + 43098 with 2P90, the 13:15 Penzance - Plymouth. 19.10.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
The last shot of the day was an 'I wonder what that would look like' job - with the sun in my lens I wasn't sure what the results would be like, but it turned out to be my favourite of the day. 43004 and 43187 head east over St. Pinnock viaduct with 2P24, the 15:15 Penzance - Plymouth. 19.10.2024, copyright Jon Hird.