Steam services on the Looe branch - now with photos!

[Captain Kernow]

I would like to remind folk that the first steam services on the Liskeard to Looe branch will operate on Sundays 19th and 26th September next.

 

The normal FGW Summer Sunday will have finished by then, and the steam services will have the branch to themselves on both days. There will be a total of four return trips between Liskeard and Looe on each day, together with a positioning move from Plymouth to Liskeard in the morning and back in the evening. The evening positioning move will be steam-hauled.

 

Locomotives are Tyseley-based pannier 9466 and a West Coast Railways Class 37, with four passenger coaches in between.

 

There are also positioning moves advertised from Solihull to Plymouth and back in connection with this event - diesel hauled by the Class 37. The pannier will travel to/from Laira by road.

 

The pannier will lead out of Liskeard, down as far as Coombe Jct, where the train will reverse, with the diesel hauling the train to Looe. The steam loco will then haul the train back up the Looe Valley, with the Class 37 hauling the final stage back up the hill from Coombe Jct to Liskeard.

 

The trains are being operated by FGW, Vintage Trains and West Coast Railways. More detail and booking information can be found on the Vintage Trains website

 

This event is part of the GW175 celebrations and may not be repeated for some time to come. If you like the idea of travelling behind steam on a Cornish branchline, I would strongly recommend this one!

[tre pol and pen]

nice to see steam return to the branch but its a shame they couldn't rustle up a 45xx

[Captain Kernow]

Yes, but unfortunately there aren't any main line certified Prairie tanks around at the moment. I had really hoped that they might use 9600 instead, but it's going to be 9466, so better that than nothing!

 

I would add, by the way, that the ticket price quoted on the Vintage Trains website does include some free travel on FGW services to/from Liskeard, check the website out for details.

[Captain Kernow]

Bump! First day of running is a week today, on 19th September.

[Rugd1022]

Bump! First day of running is a week today, on 19th September.

 

Thanks for the reminder Cap'n B) . I'm long weekend / rest days for the first day of working, might 'nip' down for it, even if it is a 500 mile round trip, sounds like it's not to be missed!

 

Nidge

[bcnPete]

Sounds great...although with my airline ticket from BCN and back makes it even more expensive

 

Would be great to see some photos though...it's even given me some ideas for another train to model

 

Pete

[Taz]

Just passed 9466 on my way home this evening at about 4.45. She was causing a bit of conjestion going up Holden Hill - barely 1/4 the way up and already down to about 5mph.

 

Could have done with a banker:rolleyes:

[Captain Kernow]

Could have done with a banker:rolleyes:

Not that bloke from Barclays, surely?!...

 

Anyway, everything is ready for these runs now.

 

The positioning move is running down as a passenger train from Solihull behind 37685 on Saturday (runs via Oxford, Swindon, Melksham and Athelney), and due to low-ish bookings, we are being asked by FGW to 'tell our friends', in case there are 37 fans out there who aren't aware of it!

[Glorious NSE]

I looked at it but I thought £30 for a trip from Exeter to Plymouth and back was on the steep side, even 37 hauled.

[The Stationmaster]

Are passes ok?

[Captain Kernow]

As an added bonus, I understand that arrangements are now being made for 9466 to run light from Laira to Buckfastleigh on Monday 27/9/10, once the two days are over.

[skipepsi]

There are times when I wish I was still living in Cornwall.

[Kris]

As an added bonus, I understand that arrangements are now being made for 9466 to run light from Laira to Buckfastleigh on Monday 27/9/10, once the two days are over.

 

Any timings on this run yet?

 

 

 

[Captain Kernow]

Any timings on this run yet?

Around 1055 ex-Laira, I believe...

[Kris]

Around 1055 ex-Laira, I believe...

 

Thanks for that.

 

 

 

[Dan Hamblin]

Timings:

 

Sunday 19th September 2010

Return to Plymouth

Sunday 26th September 2010

Return to Plymouth

 

And this Sunday (19th) 60019 Bittern will be pausing at Liskeard on both outward and return legs of The Cornishman.

 

Regards,

 

Dan

[Kris]

Did anyone get out on this today and get any photos?

[Kris]

Hunting about I have found some photo's of this. If the weather is next sunday I will try to get out to get some myself, and maybe of the train across the Royal Albert Bridge - Need to work out how this will be working with sunset though.

 

Photo's of the Pannier on the Looe Line (not mine)

 

[Captain Kernow]

Some nice photos on that link, Kris, thanks for that. I took loads of photos, and rode on the first train, then visiting lineside locations for the second and third trips. Also saw Bittern arrive at Liskeard, where dozens of passengers got off to catch the branch - maybe the first steam to steam connection for many a year? I'll post a few up when I have time....

[Captain Kernow]

Here are some of my photos taken yesterday.

 

Positioning move (running as a passenger train) arriving at Liskeard from Plymouth:

 

9466 was on the rear ex-Plymouth:

 

...and once the passengers had de-trained, she hauled the ECS through the west-end crossover and onto the branch:

 

The 37 eases the stock back into the branch platform at Liskeard, ready for the passengers to re-join the train (the connecting line through the yard is barred to passenger-carrying trains):

 

Nearly ready to depart with the first trip:

 

Running down the bank to Coombe Jct:

 

The driver hands the token to the Ground Frame operator at Coombe Jct (a GF operator was provided specially for the day to save a bit of time):

 

Stop and Proceed at Terras Crossing, just outside Looe:

 

Resting after arrival at Looe:

 

Steam leads on the way back to Coombe Jct:

 

 

Back up at Liskeard, we waited the arrival of 'Bittern' on a Bristol to Par charter. This train had over 60 passengers on for the second and third trips down the branch, possibly one of the few 'steam to steam' connections on the national network in recent years:

 

 

'Bittern' departs Liskeard, as one of CrossCountry's finest arrives:

 

Meanwhile, back on the branch, the second trip of the day was getting ready to depart:

 

 

A lonely FGW person awaits the arrival of the train at Coombe Jct station:

 

And was soon rewarded:

 

The same trip passing Sandplace station:

 

I then took some video footage with my camera, which I will upload to YouTube in due course.

 

One of my final photos of the day was the train resting at the buffer stops at Liskeard, prior to working another trip down the branch:

 

 

Just remember folks - there is still time to enjoy all this again next Sunday, 26th September!

 

You can book on the Vintage Trains website or there will probably still be tickets available on the day, as was the case yesterday.

[Kris]

Some nice photos there Tim. Looks like you had a good day.

[46444]

Hi Tim,

 

Really great photos and capture the spirit of the day.

 

I planned my week in Cornwall all wrong and missed this by a week. Would loved to have took some photos at Terras Crossing with 9466 reflecting in the water.

 

One consolation I guess is I saw 60019 double headed with 7029 last weekend. Certainly a noise or sight not easily forgotton.

 

Thanks once again for posting the pics.

 

Now where's that Farish 94xx?

 

Roll on next weekend too.

 

Mark

[Geoff Endacott]

More photos can be seen here http://www.tyseleylocoworks.co.uk/vt/vt_gallery_2010_looe_explorer.htm .

 

Geoff Endacott

[bcnPete]

Fantastic photos Captain - thanks for sharing them.

[bubbles2]

A few of my snaps from Sunday.

 

The 37 arriving at Liskeard with the positioning train from Plymouth.

 

 

 

9466 stands in the down platform after arrival on the back of the train from Plymouth, Who's that standing on the platform in the orange coat ?

 

 

 

An up service train arriving at Liskeard.

 

 

 

Waiting for clearance to cross to the up line.

 

 

 

9644 leads the train through the crossover at the west end of Liskeard station.

 

 

 

The 37 on the rear of the formation as it crosses the link line onto the branch.

 

 

 

The first train heads down the branch viewed from the crossing a little south of Coombe Jnt.

 

 

 

9644 trails down the branch on the rear of the train.

 

 

 

The 37 brings the first train round the bend before Terras Crossing between Sandplace and Looe.

 

 

 

After negotiating Terras Crossing the first train heads towards Looe.

 

 

 

9644 leads the first returning train between Terras crossing and Sandplace.

 

 

 

The 37 brings up the rear at the same location.

 

 

9644 brings the first up train past the ground frame at Coomb Jnt.

 

 

 

The 37 stands at Coomb.

 

 

60019 draws into Liskeard.

 

 

 

60019 coming to a stop at Liskeard down platform.

 

 

 

The second train is lead down the branch by 37 685 at St Keyne.

 

 

 

9644 on the front of the second up train between Terras and Sandplace.

 

 

 

9644 taking a third trip down the branch on the loop line between Liskeard and Coombe Jut. this view was taken from directly under Liskeard main line viaduct.

 

 

 

I bought one of the commemorative posters from the shop on the branch platform, I hope some of the proceeds go towards the upkeep of the line.