Weekend Railtours
This weekend sees three separate charter trains visiting Cornwall.
We will see the LSL blue HST set heading from Penzance to Oxford and back on Saturday, before that heads away again to Lancaster on Sunday morning.
Also on Saturday, a pair of WCRC will visit Fowey with a railtour from Crewe.
Over the whole weekend, Belmonds luxurious 'Britannic Explorer' will tour Cornwall with an overnight stop at Fowey on Saturday night.
I wonder when was the last time that two passenger trains visited Fowey on the same day?
All times and details are available in our Railtour Calendar.
We will see the LSL blue HST set heading from Penzance to Oxford and back on Saturday, before that heads away again to Lancaster on Sunday morning.
Also on Saturday, a pair of WCRC will visit Fowey with a railtour from Crewe.
Over the whole weekend, Belmonds luxurious 'Britannic Explorer' will tour Cornwall with an overnight stop at Fowey on Saturday night.
I wonder when was the last time that two passenger trains visited Fowey on the same day?
All times and details are available in our Railtour Calendar.
The Portreath Branch Line
Stewart Frazer
I was chatting with friends in the pub the other night and old railways came up, Lee asked if anyone knew why his address in Illogan was “Railway Terrace”. I visited him the next day and was able to explain all.
He lived in a terrace about halfway between Paynters Lane End and Park Bottom right beside the old GWR Portreath branch line. The old cottages might well have been owned by the railway. Maps are shown below.
It’s not certain whether there was a level crossing at this point, I have found no photos nor mention of such.
The photo below is of the view northwards along the line towards Portreath.
The photo below is of the view northwards along the line towards Portreath.
Looking towards Portreath along the former trackbed. Copyright Stewart Frazer.
Many thanks Stewart, an interesting dive into local history - thanks very much for sharing it.
44 years ago today
Paul Barlow
A few from 19 September 1982, when 40025 went to Plymouth, with a pair of 37's taking the train onward to Carne Point.
40025 working the 0515 Crewe to Fowey Carne Point at Bristol. 19.09.1982, copyright Paul Barlow.
40025, 50008 and 50001 at Laira. 19.09.1982, copyright Paul Barlow.
40025 is serviced alongside 46031 at Laira. 19.09.1982, copyright Paul Barlow.
37206 37299 take over the 0515 Crewe to Carne Point and are seen at Laira wash plant. 19.09.1982, copyright Paul Barlow.
40025 at Mount Gould, Lucas Terrace Halt is just behind the loco. 19.09.1982, copyright Paul Barlow.
40025 storms out of Plymouth on the 1547 Carne Point to Crewe. 19.09.1982, copyright Paul Barlow.
40025 waits at Totnes while 50012 passes on a motorail to St Austell. 19.09.1982, copyright Paul Barlow.
40025 waits at Totnes. 19.09.1982, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks indeed Paul - fitting that all these years later we are once again out today for another railtour to Fowey.
The Monthly NMT Visit
Mick House, Mark Lynam, Andrew Triggs, Jon Hird, Clive Smith & Martin Scane
43062 John Armitt at the head of the train as it heads to Penzance, passing Scorrier. 18.09.2026, copyright Mick House.
The going-away shot at Scorrier and a shot from 2024 of the same train to show how the view has been lost with the construction of the new waste processing warehouse. Both images copyright Mick House.
43062 + 43014 at Carn Brea working 1Q18 0543 Reading Triangle Sidings to Paignton via Penzance. 18.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
43014 on the rear at Carn Brea as the train heads west. 18.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
43062 leading 1Q18 on arrival at Platform 4, running 10 late at 11.34. 18.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Departing 3 late at 11.44,43014 leads 1Q18 away from Platform 4 at Penzance. 18.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
43014 heads back through Chacewater on the next leg of the NMT's western journey. 18.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
43062 on the rear as the train passes the former Chacewater Station. 18.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
43014 leading the Penzance - Paignton leg of the NMT towards Crugwallins. 18.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
43014 leads the 1Q18 05.43 Reading Triangle Sidings - Paignton via Penzance / Dawlish Warren Network Measurement Train with 43062 on the rear. This is at Palace Lane Bridge just east of Ivybridge station. 18.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
43014 heads through Exeter St. Davids. 18.09.2026, copyright Martin Scane.
Paignton Peak
David J Ive
Having seen the recent excellent images of Peaks in the South West, you may be interested in the attached Peak photo. Taken on 31 July 1975, 45053 departs from Paignton station for Goodrington Sidings with the empty stock of 1V67 0643 Leeds to Paignton. Copyright David J. Ive / djipix
Many thanks indeed David, a smashing photo.
'The Cornish Riviera Pullman'
Clive Smith, Mick House, Mark Lynam & Andrew Triggs
43050 & 43059 in the landscape in less than sunny weather on the 1Z43 06.12 Lancaster - Penzance 'Midland Pullman' passing Cantrell Works, the former china clay drying works at Bittaford near Ivybridge. 18.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
43050 and 43059 about to pass beneath Apex Bridge, Scorrier. Click for enlargements. Both images copyright Mick House.
The Blue Pullman HST skirts the A30 at Scorrier. 18.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
The HST continues on towards Wheal Busy Crossing. 18.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
1Z43 06.12 Lancaster-Penzance with 43050 'Loch Morar' leading arriving at Platform 3 running 19 early at 17.40. 18.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
5Z43 departing 4 late at 18.21 from Platform 4 for Longrock Depot. 18.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Many thanks all.
September 1976
Part 19
Roger Winnen
Quintrell Downs. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Quintrell Downs. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Quintrell Downs. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1005 Western Venturer passing Quintrell Downs on the 1005 ex Newquay. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.