NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 9
Milk Trains (2)
Michael L. Roach
In 1962 – Part 70 titled Milk Trains (1) posted on Monday 19 February 2024 (click here) I described my fascination with milk trains. They were quite unlike any other trains on British Railways with their 6-wheel wagons and were never seen on many lines. Even through Plymouth where I lived, right in the middle of two dairying counties, there were just two loaded and two empty trains of milk wagons daily of which there was only one (loaded) train at a time when it was likely to be seen and photographed. That train was the Penzance to Kensington milk train 3A31 which in September 1962 left Penzance at 12.20pm and stopped for traffic purposes at St. Erth, Dolcoath Siding, Lostwithiel, Saltash, Totnes and perhaps other places further east. I saw it many times, but looking back not enough. It was scheduled to pass Hemerdon Summit at 4.30pm where I spent many happy hours on Sparkwell Bridge in the late nineteen fifties watching trains after cycling there from my home in Plymouth, about 7 miles and 35 minutes away.
The first three images were taken in different places in Devon and Cornwall and the last image sets a conundrum for the reader. Where was the photograph taken and what type of train is in the photograph – milk, passenger or mixed ? The answer will be revealed in the next instalment about milk trains due to be posted on 10 October 2024.
The first three images were taken in different places in Devon and Cornwall and the last image sets a conundrum for the reader. Where was the photograph taken and what type of train is in the photograph – milk, passenger or mixed ? The answer will be revealed in the next instalment about milk trains due to be posted on 10 October 2024.
0-4-2T 1442 shunts milk tanks at Hemyock in deep snow on the afternoon of 5 January 1963 between passenger turns. We had travelled to Hemyock via Okehampton where the line had only just been cleared of snow drifts (at Sourton) and was soon blocked again by heavy drifting snow a few days later. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Brush Type 4 1643 roars through Totnes with 30 loaded milk tanks ready to attack Rattery Bank at 6.50pm on 17 May 1969 The reason for milk to head west, possibly to be made into milk powder, was a strike of dairy workers at Torrington. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
D834 passes St. Germans with the up milk of 7 loaded tanks at 4.27pm on 7 June 1969. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
More about this train in Part 10 of the series. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Roy Hart replies this picture was taken at Camarthen.
Many Thanks Roy
Many Thanks Roy
Memories of the North Cornwall Line
March 1977
By Roger Winnen
Part 3
12.03.1977 - Egloskerry Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
12.03.1977 - Egloskerry Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
12.03.1977 - Egloskerry Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
Many thanks, Roger.. more to come!
Memories of the CDA's
Jason Snow
Hi Roger, Jason here, we met recently at St.Erth station
I said I may pop a few pictures your way from when I have been out working in the south west, once i have permission from the sites visited.
This has been obtained so am sending a picture of 08752 on a rake of cda's being loaded at Rocks Dryers (Goonbarrow) prior to departure on 19th June 2023
A timeless industrial shot i think you’ll agree.
Best regards
Jason Snow
I said I may pop a few pictures your way from when I have been out working in the south west, once i have permission from the sites visited.
This has been obtained so am sending a picture of 08752 on a rake of cda's being loaded at Rocks Dryers (Goonbarrow) prior to departure on 19th June 2023
A timeless industrial shot i think you’ll agree.
Best regards
Jason Snow
08752 shunts the CDA's at Rocks/Goonbarrow on 19.06.2023. Copyright Jason Snow.
Many thanks indeed, Jason - a wonderful view which we don't get to see very often, thanks for sharing it with us.
Liskeard Shift
Craig Munday
43097/188 approach Liskeard on the down working 2C02, just before daybreak. The change in temperature near sunrise causing the mist laying in the lee of the fields to rise. 03.10.2024, copyright Craig Munday.
The set returned working 2P08 in brilliant Oct sunshine, viewed from Liskeard signalbox. 03.10.2024, copyright Craig Munday.
Many thanks Craig - classic BR designs and semaphores - always the makings of a nice scene.
Flourishing stations
James Bown
I’ve enjoyed Roger’s pictorial record of those closed stations with all the sadness associated with those bleak scenes from yesteryear.
I’m happy to report that my journey today was from Maiden Newton (formerly junction) to that architecturally important train shed at Frome.
Passenger figures at both stations are both on the up, particularly at Frome which really needs that down platform reinstated!
Best wishes
James Bown
I’m happy to report that my journey today was from Maiden Newton (formerly junction) to that architecturally important train shed at Frome.
Passenger figures at both stations are both on the up, particularly at Frome which really needs that down platform reinstated!
Best wishes
James Bown
Maiden Newton station with a feel of yesteryears about it. 05.10.2024, copyright James Bown.
A sunny scene at Frome with the distinctive wooden train shed still standing over the one remaining pair of rails. 05.10.2024, copyright James Bown.
Frome train shed. Sad to see the redunant second platform, but at least everything still appears to be there, other than the metals. A contendant for reinstatement? 05.10.2024, copyright James Bown.
Inside the train shed at Frome as a GWR 'Turbo' approaches. 05.10.2024, copyright James Bown.
Many thanks for sharing your journey with us, James, and very glad to hear you are enjoying Rogers pictures of the closed NCL stations.