Re: Trinity House Depot, Penzance
Michael Hitchins & Mick House
From Michael Hitchins:
A recent submission to the website (click here, scroll down) mentioned rails leading into the former Trinity House building at Penzance. The trolley used here to transport the buoys is displayed at the Moseley Heritage Museum, Redruth. TR15 3TA.
With that in mind, we contacted Mick House who assists at the Moseley Museum and asked for some pictures:
As requested photos of the Buoy Carrier at Moseley. Also we have the Heritage weekend this Saturday, Sunday and Monday in conjunction with the Pasty Festival in Redruth and a free bus on the Saturday (only) from Redruth to Moseley Heritage Museum.
A recent submission to the website (click here, scroll down) mentioned rails leading into the former Trinity House building at Penzance. The trolley used here to transport the buoys is displayed at the Moseley Heritage Museum, Redruth. TR15 3TA.
With that in mind, we contacted Mick House who assists at the Moseley Museum and asked for some pictures:
As requested photos of the Buoy Carrier at Moseley. Also we have the Heritage weekend this Saturday, Sunday and Monday in conjunction with the Pasty Festival in Redruth and a free bus on the Saturday (only) from Redruth to Moseley Heritage Museum.
Please click any of the below images for an enlargement - all images are © Mick House.
Many thanks Michael and Mick for adding to this interesting little story.
As Mick writes, Moseley is well worth a visit this weekend, perhaps after seeing the Britannic Explorer head west! (More details on that one in our railtour calendar)
As Mick writes, Moseley is well worth a visit this weekend, perhaps after seeing the Britannic Explorer head west! (More details on that one in our railtour calendar)
The monthly visit of the NMT
Martin Scane & Roger Winnen
The Network Rail Measurement Train arrives at Penzance behind 43062. 43013 was on the opposite end. 19.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Broadside of the Measurement Train at Penzance. 19.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Stabled Penzance Platform 4. 19.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Network Rail’s NMT working 1Z18 Paignton to Taunton 4 minutes early at 15-59 between Teignmouth station and Sprey Point this afternoon. 19.09.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
Many thanks both - good to see 'The flying banana' back as a full-yellow formation.
'Cornish Lunch via Dawlish'
The Northern Belle visits Par
Jon Hird, Mark Lynam & Neil Phillips
57315 leads Northern Belle's 'Cornish Lunch via Dawlish' down from Treverrin tunnel and towards Par where it would reverse. 1Z10 1030 Cardiff Central to Par. 19.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Just a few miles west, 57315 pulls into Par platform 3. 19.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
The tour pulls into Par platform 3. 19.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
The below text from Neil Phillips:
Thanks to the CRS 'Upcoming Railtours' page - and 48hr reminder! - I intercepted WCRC's 'Cornish Lunch via Dawlish' special using the 'Northern Belle' stock at journey's end, Par station. The tour had left Cardiff Central 11 minutes late at 10.41 but had recovered 10 upon passing Laira Junction, so all looked good......
Arrival at Par's Platform 3 was due at 15.17 with departure for Cardiff at 15.40. My plan was to record the train arriving at Par, then drive to Lostwithiel to catch the return service passing through - but as usual for me it was not to be! I had checked the train's arrival at Plymouth before setting off but it was then held there for over half an hour, eventually departing 33 minutes down leading to a 35 late arrival at Par, at 15.52 - 12 minutes after it should have departed! Clearly Platform 3 had to be vacated before the 15.21 (2N17) from Newquay arrived on the scene at 16.09, so the necessary fast turnaround meant the Lostwithiel dash was out of the question! Hence all photos taken at Par.
Meanwhile further chaos ensued on the main line with the down 'Royal Duchy' (according the station announcer) 1C80 12.05 Paddington - Penzance departing the capital 39 down due to a "delayed train crew", which got progressively later with 800302 arriving at Par a whopping 64 down at 17.09 and causing less serious delays to other down services in the process. A widely missed connection with the 16.16 (2N20) to Newquay resulted in taxis being laid on for travellers to the seaside town. An expensive episode for GWR I would imagine!
Thanks to the CRS 'Upcoming Railtours' page - and 48hr reminder! - I intercepted WCRC's 'Cornish Lunch via Dawlish' special using the 'Northern Belle' stock at journey's end, Par station. The tour had left Cardiff Central 11 minutes late at 10.41 but had recovered 10 upon passing Laira Junction, so all looked good......
Arrival at Par's Platform 3 was due at 15.17 with departure for Cardiff at 15.40. My plan was to record the train arriving at Par, then drive to Lostwithiel to catch the return service passing through - but as usual for me it was not to be! I had checked the train's arrival at Plymouth before setting off but it was then held there for over half an hour, eventually departing 33 minutes down leading to a 35 late arrival at Par, at 15.52 - 12 minutes after it should have departed! Clearly Platform 3 had to be vacated before the 15.21 (2N17) from Newquay arrived on the scene at 16.09, so the necessary fast turnaround meant the Lostwithiel dash was out of the question! Hence all photos taken at Par.
Meanwhile further chaos ensued on the main line with the down 'Royal Duchy' (according the station announcer) 1C80 12.05 Paddington - Penzance departing the capital 39 down due to a "delayed train crew", which got progressively later with 800302 arriving at Par a whopping 64 down at 17.09 and causing less serious delays to other down services in the process. A widely missed connection with the 16.16 (2N20) to Newquay resulted in taxis being laid on for travellers to the seaside town. An expensive episode for GWR I would imagine!
The Northern Belle (1Z10) 10.30 Cardiff Central - Par arriving at Par 35 minutes late at 15.52, with 57315 leading. 19th September 2025, copyright Neil Phillips.
57313 'Scarborough Castle' brings up the rear of 1Z10 at Par. 19th September 2025, copyright Neil Phillips.
Framed by Par's still relatively new and not particularly attractive signalling hardware 57313 prepares to lead the return tour following a hasty turnaround - note that, unlike 57315, this '57' has had most of its Dellner coupling equipment removed from both ends......I don't think that has improved its appearance! 19th September 2025, copyright Neil Phillips.
The train waits for a GWR service to pass at Par. 19.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
GWR's 158798 passes with a Penzance - Plymouth service. 19.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
With 57315 visible at the far end of the 11-coach rake, 57313 'Scarborough Castle' gets underway with the return 'Northern Belle' (1Z11) 15.40 Par - Cardiff Central 24 down at 16.04; this angle possible today due to the lack of sunshine! 19th September 2025, copyright Neil Phillips.
57315 now the 'tail' loco propelling the return 1Z11 special back to Cardiff. 19th September 2025, copyright Neil Phillips.
Mark and Neil must have been virtually shoulder to shoulder, as here is Marks 'going away shot' from the same location. 19.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
After a short 12 minute break and reversal via Par Platform 3, it is now 57313s turn to lead the way as it climbs away from Par through Treesmill with 1Z11, the 1540 Par to Cardiff Central. 19.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
A smart 57315 on the rear as the train heads on towards Stoneybridge. 19.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks, Neil - glad to hear the railtour calendar/reminder were of use to you!
Trains of interest at Swindon
Colin Pidgeon
66601 in Freightliner 60 livery passes Swindon with a Merehead Quarry - Wooton Bassett working. 18.09.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
66619 on 6Z42 Tytherington Quarry to Appleford Sidings. 18.09.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon
66797 in Beacon Rail livery on 0G97 Bicester MOD to Westbury Downside TC. 18.09.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon
175003 on 5V84 Wolverton Centre Siding to Laira. 18.09.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon
67027 & 67023 on 0Z67 Westbury to Swindon Transfer. Both Locos later returned to Westbury as 0Z68. 19.09.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon
Many thanks, Colin - a colourful selection.
About those Swindon '67's..
Alan Peters
Preparations for the forthcoming RHTT season (rail head treatment train) Colas Rail 67023 'Stella' and 67027 made a visit to Swindon Transfer Sidings to shunt the sets in place on 19th September 2025. Copyright Alan Peters.
RHTT sets in place ready for the leaf fall season, note the water tanker and water storage 'pillow' at Swindon Transfer Sidings. 19.09.2025, copyright Alan Peters.
Passing Swindon Transfer Sidings GWR 802 114 with 1C11 London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads on 19/09/25. 19.09.2025, copyright Alan Peters.
Many thanks for the great behind the scenes photos, Alan. Particularly interesting is the water storage pillow - I had no idea such things existed - a novel solution to a problem.
A visit to
The Helston Railway
Dennis Clarke
I visited the Helston Railway on Thursday and have enclosed a few pictures from the day. The first train at 10:30 was cancelled due to the locomotive having flat batteries, but all was resolved in time for the 11:30 departure.
It’s always nice to have a day there and all of the staff and volunteers are so friendly.
It’s always nice to have a day there and all of the staff and volunteers are so friendly.
Dennis with the running in board from Gwinear Road, now at the Helston Railway. 18.09.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
A plinthed industrial diesel at the terminus of The Helston Railway. 18.09.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
A DMU driving car, now in use as a cafe. 18.09.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
The cab of the DMU. 18.09.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
Journeys end at Truthall Halt. 18.09.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
The diesel shunter propelling the DMU driving car and a coach at Truthall Halt. 18.09.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
Traction engines in storage in the barns at Trevarno. 18.09.2025, copyright Dennis Clarke.
Many thanks Dennis - we wish all the best to team Helston in their bid to rebuild the line over the viaduct.
50 Years Ago - September 1975
Roger Winnen
Part 4
Avonwick Station. 21.09.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
The junction at Brent for the Kingsbridge Branch. 21.09.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
Brent Station with the John Bryant Mini Bus of Lanner. 21.09.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
Brent Signal Box. 21.09.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
Gordon Dobbs and Chris Clark looks over the fence as a Class 50 heads east with the 13.15 express from Plymouth. 21.09.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.