The first indoor meeting of the winter season of the Cornwall Railway Society takes place on Saturday September 13th 2025.
Jim Collins presents:
'Spanning a career of 47 Years on the railways'
Not to be missed!
Taking place at the Wesley Memorial Hall, Redruth (TR15 2EG), commencing at 18.30 hrs.
Members free, non members £3. Refreshments available.
Jim Collins presents:
'Spanning a career of 47 Years on the railways'
Not to be missed!
Taking place at the Wesley Memorial Hall, Redruth (TR15 2EG), commencing at 18.30 hrs.
Members free, non members £3. Refreshments available.
Classic Railway Scenes
Michael Adams & Michael Forward
Hello All, Lovely pictures on the site of the weekend specials, thanks to all concerned. We go back in time now to see 37274 pulling into Par on 13 August 1981 with more china clay, probably for Fowey harbour. Copyright Michael Adams.
Moving East now and moving on to 8 August 1984 we see Michael's splendid shot of 33203 with the 16,32 Plymouth to Paignton and all those lovely signals. Even a 'bus on the bridge! Copyright Michael Adams.
Many thanks to Michael A and Michael F for sending in these fantastic photos.
Par to Paddington
Alan Peters
I took a trip to London Paddington last month, catching the 07:02 from Par. Looking from the road bridge at Par, a much changed station where I was based as a Driver when Par depot was set up in the station building back in 1995. The sad remains of the semaphore signals still stand some 18 months after the Mid-Cornwall re-signaling. 26.08.2025, copyright Alan Peters.
A Great Western IET rolls into Par forming the 07:02 to London Paddington on 26/08/25, Par Signal Box still stands but no longer are the sounds of bells and levers being pulled. Copyright Alan Peters.
At Plymouth XC Voyager 221 141 awaits with the 08:27 to Edinburgh on 26/08/25, the Virgin livery can still be seen on the roof and and many still show where the 'Virgin Trains' front badge was removed. 26.08.2025, copyright Alan Peters.
No trip is complete in the South West without the classic view out of the window along the Dawlish wall, although most passengers are too busy looking at their phones to notice the sea views. 26.08.2025, copyright Alan Peters.
Arrival into London Paddington at 11:27 on a rather murky 26/08/25, seen from the 'Country' end rather than the classic stop block view. Copyright Alan Peters.
Many thanks indeed Alan - hope you had a good trip.
Southern Route Learning
Bill Elston
Another route-learner was at large today (08.09) on the old Southern route to Honiton. Running as 0Z85 Honiton to Yeovil jct and back, 66702 is seen heading east near Crewkerne. Instead of returning to Honiton, it carried on to Eastleigh, its starting point. 08.09.2025, copyright Bill Elston.
Many thanks, Bill - great lighting and location.
New Signalling at Marsh Mills
Chris Bellett
Although its from 'across the border' you might be interested in the below photograph of the first new signal to be installed at Marsh Mills station as part of the new signalling scheme for the Plym Valley Railway.
The original signalling there was recovered when Marsh Mills signalbox closed on 4th April 1965, so its taken over 60 years to put it back! This is one of the structures recovered from last years Network Rail Mid-Cornwall Resignalling.
The PVR signalling scheme will be progressing over the next few years and construction of the 'replacement' Marsh Mills signalbox will be starting (hopefully) later this year.
The original signalling there was recovered when Marsh Mills signalbox closed on 4th April 1965, so its taken over 60 years to put it back! This is one of the structures recovered from last years Network Rail Mid-Cornwall Resignalling.
The PVR signalling scheme will be progressing over the next few years and construction of the 'replacement' Marsh Mills signalbox will be starting (hopefully) later this year.
New signalling installed at Marsh Mills on the Plym Valley Railway. 08.09.2025, copyright Chris Bellett.
Many thanks Chris - so good to see the ex-Cornwall semaphores rehomed in a working environment.
If you go down to the woods today..
Jon Hird
Viewed from the tunnel beneath the original tramway incline, 66054 crosses the recently refurbished Ponts Mill viaduct with the Goonbarrow - Fowey clay. 08.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Taken a couple of seconds later, a drone shot of the viaduct showing its smart new paint and the extensive vegetation clearance works which have been undertaken around the pillars. 08.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Later in the day - just before 8pm - 66054 is seen again going in the opposite direction, approaching Lavrean with the empties returning from Fowey. 08.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Double 56's in Somerset
Guy Vincent
56045 (repainted and renumbered from 56301) and 56103 at speed on the approach to Clink Road Junction, Frome, with the delayed 4V23 1034 Willesden DC Rail Sidings - Merehead consisting of 23 empty box wagons for loading. The fastest I've ever seen any such train of this type travelling with both locos powering well. Hopefully, these two will turn up again before too long. 08.09.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Train engine 56103. 08.09.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks, Guy.