RichardTrevithick

As an aside to the last set of photo's posted, Captain Paul Bootherstone was awarded the DSC for his actions in the Falklands Conflict of 1982. At the risk of going off topic I'll just post a link, suffice to say it is worth a read. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1326084/Captain-Paul-Bootherstone.html

Test train, I hear, will be departing Penzance at some point after 10pm however it will run straight to Exeter.

Anyone thinking of heading out for this tonight may want to rethink. Train is still at Penzance at the moment with a fault apparently.

Saturday morning there was a private bus charter "bashing type thing" using some elderly buses from the Williams Travel fleet. The pick up point I believe was outside the station.

Finally for now:- On 12th October 1988 a special HST was run from Plymouth to Truro where one power car would be named City of Truro. The train was then to proceed to Penzance where the other power car would be named Seahawk after HMS Seahawk (RNAS Culdrose). Power car 43192 was named at Truro by Inter City Western Region manager Mr John Bourne and Truro mayor Mrs Carlyon. The honours were done at Penzance by Captain Paul Bootherstone Commanding Officer at RNAS Culdrose, CPO Robson (both who arrived in style from Culdrose), Western Region General Manager Mr Brian Scott and other dignitaries. Following the event at Penzance the party retired to the Lizard for afternoon tea!! Here is the day's events in picture:-

1) Bubble cars 55026 and 55000 at Carbis Bay working the 1954 from St Ives. 20th June 1988. 2) 43188 "City of Plymouth" and 43172 pass the Marazion camping coaches on the 1623 Penzance to Paddington. 21st June 1988. 3) P871 makes a smoky departure from Penzance on the 1605 Penzance to Truro on 13th July 1988. 4) P862 (51179 & 51570) passes St Erth up distant signal on the 1710 Truro to Penzance. 21st June 1988.

1) The ultrasonic test train formed of Derby Lightweight DMU 975007/8 stabled at Penzance 7th May 1986 seen from a passing train. 2) Matisa recording trolley DX50011 stabled at Par. This example was originally numbered 50013 but took up the number 50011 vacated by another example that was scrapped. 26th April 1986. 3) 50039 Implacable runs past Penzance signal box with the lengthy 0926 from Bradford Interchange on 7th June 1986. 4) An unusual working, 47319 hauls Derby based 975089/90 otherwise known as Laboratory coach No5 with the 1445 Penzance to Exeter. 23rd July 1986. 5) 50047 Swiftsure passes Hallenbeagle engine house on the 1922 Penzance TPO on 4th August 1986. 6) Bristol Bath road based 37135 heads west over Hayle viaduct with a short cement train on the way to "run round" at St Erth. 26th August 1986. 7) 47646 making an unscheduled stop at Camborne working the 1030 Penzance to Liverpool Lime Street. 19th August 1986. 8) 47612 Titan crosses Brea embankment with the retimed 1907 Penzance TPO. The train was on occasions retimed at short notice for security reasons. The date is 16th September 1986. Footnote:- Sorry some of the captions are in the wrong order & don't match up with the photo's but hopefully you can make sense of it all.

There's more............. 1) Unit P464 arrives at Truro with the 1130 from Falmouth on 9th February 1985. 2) 45124 arriving at Camborne working the 1500 service from Plymouth. 30th March 1985. 3) It's not all about the trains themselves. A friendly wave from the driver of 45121 on the 1354 Penzance to Bristol on 6th April 1985. 4) Another driver deep in thought whilst at the controls of 50044 on the 1354 Penzance to Bristol on 30th March 1985. Note the AWS sunflower visible in the cab.

Glad you like them, they are not the best quality but I hope the content makes up for that. I'll post a few more another day.

A couple more to finish and not a locomotive in sight! Firstly the exhibition train at Penzance on 29th July 1985. The coaches numbered in the departmental series were: 977215,977230,977231, 977217,977218,977216,977219 and 977232. Secondly the Radio 2 roadshow train at Penzance 2nd August 1985. The coach numbers in this instance were: 99625,99624,99623,99630,99622,99621 and 99620. The train later worked overnight to Salisbury.

A few more:- 1) P460 the then 3 car Telecom unit stands at Falmouth Docks on 16th July 1985 prior to departing with the 1345 to Truro. 2) 50021 Rodney at Penzance on 2nd August 1985. My notes state it later worked the 1527 to Plymouth then returned ECS to Penzance before later working the Night Riviera to Paddington. 3) 45070 is seen at Camborne on the 1030 York to Penzance "relief" on 6th April 1985. 4) 43124 in original livery and 43179 pass the remains of Dolcoath siding working the 1145 Paddington to Penzance. 25th May 1985. 5) With Truro cathedral visible in the background,37207 William Cookworthy arrives into the sidings at Truro on an engineers train. The train was destined to work in the Chacewater area later that day. Picture dated 13th July 1985. I'll post some more another day if anyone want's me to?

Resurrecting this thread with a few from 1987:- 1) 37196 "Tre Pol & Pen" passes Dolcoath with an up cement working on 25th March. A few months later the traffic ceased and by the summer 37196 lost it's nameplates and moved to Cardiff Canton. 2) HST power car 43022 worked what was the inaugural "up" Cornishman service on 8th May 1987 and had an embellishment applied to it. Later in the month it is seen at the rear of the 1100 from Leeds at Camborne passing 47435 on the 1830 Penzance to Plymouth. 3) Not long before it's conversion to 50149, 50049 arrives at Redruth on the 1310 Penzance to Paddington on 1st August 1987. Late in September 50149 appeared from Laira carrying it's new look. 4) 50019 Ramillies arrives at Par on 14th August 1987 whilst working the 0645 Swindon to Penzance.

Just to follow up on the class 70 movement yesterday - the return run was denied access to Laira by GWR, so diverted to Tavistock Junction yard.

70803 worked for the first time today following collision repairs. It undertook a test run from Laira to Penzance and return in company with 70812.

Colas 66's 66847 & 848 topped and tailed a short ballast train out on the Newquay branch last night reaching Newquay at around 0100 hrs. It returned to Par and was held there for some time waiting a relief driver before continuing to Westbury.

Not sure that this is correct. AFAIK it was just a request from the TOC, nothing else.

Central? I think you mean General!

Details of 60163's visit to the B&WR:- Home / Events / June / Tornado at the BWR Tornado at the BWR Event Date: 1st June 2017- 4th June 2017 Tornado at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway! 1 - 4 June Following Tornado’s triumphant journey on the reopened Settle to Carlisle route, we are VERY excited to announce that 60163 Tornado will be visiting Bodmin & Wenford Railway from 1st to 4th June 2017. This will be the first chance for passengers to travel on Tornado on a heritage line west of Taunton. Tickets go on sale soon, and we’re expecting them to be popular. Join our mailing list here and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates. Don’t miss out! Click here to join our Mailing List for the latest details on tickets, times, prices and more! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates. Tickets go on sale soon, and we’re expecting them to be popular. Don’t miss out! http://www.bodminrailway.co.uk/events/fullevent/93

Adding to the railtour list - 60163 "Tornado" is reported as going to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway for a week after it's trip down. The return leg of the railtour will therefore be hauled by something else if this is indeed the case.

Here is a list of known forthcoming excursions for 2017:- 5th – 7th May:- Belmond Pullman. London Victoria – Truro. DB Cargo Class 67’s. Exact itinerary to be confirmed. 6th May:- Great Britain X (Day 8). Bristol Temple Meads to Truro. Steam 34046 & 46100. (Railway Touring Co / West Coast Railway). 7th May:- Great Britain X (Day 9) Penzance to London Paddington. Steam 34046 & 46100. Note:- Was originally booked to start from Falmouth!! (Railway Touring Co / West Coast Railway). 29th May:- The Cornishman. London Paddington to Penzance & return. Steam 60163. (UK Railtours / DB Cargo). 24th June:- Mazey Day Cornishman. Worcester to Penzance & return. DRS Class 37 x 2. (Pathfinder Tours) 7th July:- The Devon Belle (Day 2). Kingswear to Penzance & return. Steam 48151. (Steam Dreams / West Coast Railway). 23rd July:- The Royal Duchy. Bristol Temple Meads / Taunton to Par & return. Steam - one from 6023, 34046, 46100 & 70013. (Railway Touring Co / West Coast Railway). 30th July:- The Royal Duchy. Bristol Temple Meads to Par & return. Steam – one from 6023, 34046, 46100 & 70013. (Railway Touring CO / West Coast Railway). 6th August:- The Royal Duchy. Bristol Temple Meads / Taunton to Par & return. Steam – one from 6023, 34046, 46100 & 70013. (Railway Touring Co / West Coast Railway). 27th August:- The Royal Duchy. Bristol Temple Meads to Par & return. Steam – one from 6023, 34046, 46100 & 70013. Tour to be confirmed. (Railway Touring Co / West Coast Railway). 3rd September:- The Royal Duchy. Taunton to Par & return. Steam – one from 6023, 34046, 46100 & 70013. (Railway Touring Co / West Coast Railway). The highlight of the year is the first visit of “Tornado” to the Duchy on 29th May (the tour has unsurprisingly already sold out), although two DRS 37’s on Mazey Day will be of interest to diesel fans. Again it is unclear what the arrangements will be for turning steam loco’s on the Royal Duchy excursions. All will probably become clearer nearer the time. ALL INFORMATION SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION.

Or even 2019/2020! Or even 2019/2020!

There is as much likelihood of Phase 2 resignalling happening in 2020/1 as NR sorting out the Dawlish conundrum once and for all in my opinion.

On the subject of changes to track layouts there are plans afoot to rationalise the track layout at St Blazey affecting the area where the double track from Par becomes single going past the signal box towards Pontsmill. Some signals will also be removed as part of the scheme so get your photo's while you can, before it all changes for the worse.

The same is happening bit by bit in Cornwall by the same people. Crossover at St Erth removed, down sidings at Lostwithiel to be removed? The station sidings at Penzance by the car park are down to one operational out of three, it goes on. It is going to take a lot of juggling about at Truro in the coming weekends to turn passenger trains around, pass engineers trains and run the Falmouth trains in and out without any disruption. Hardly any stabling sidings there either and the eastern connection into the sidings long gone. Enjoying the tales of the Royal train (special train) which I have a few times been involved with over the years, sadly my stories will not be revealed. :=) Is it true or myth that on one of Prince Charles visits one summer to Bodmin Road (as it was at the time) that prior to his visit the grassy areas on the platform were freshly painted green! The story goes that it was a hot, dry summer and the grass had turned brown and on a pre-visit inspection an official (who will remain nameless) arranged for the grass to be painted to look nice for the visitor! I have heard this from several people and it always makes me chuckle, wonder if the Prince noticed!

With all the recent works going on at Gwinear Rd level crossing west of Camborne I thought I'd share these with you. A real blast from the past!