Gwiwer

Many thanks Stewart. The next project will make use of the boards once intended to become a show layout here but which can be readily adapted for a different theme back in Blightly. As such the track is almost all down already and powered test runs took place several years ago!

Yes we do. See post 1669 above

The last video. Featuring a trio of typically Cornish trains including the very last to run on the Penhayle Bay Railway. Thank you, one and all, for the interest, support, friendship, comments, learning and everything which this layout has brought. With well over 10,000 Facebook followers in addition to being featured on three modelling forums it has proved far more popular and enduring than I ever expected. Life moves on. I am moving on. A new project will emerge in the future. I hope you will be around to share that with me too.

Easter Monday, 17th April, would have been Dad's 89th birthday has he lived a few more weeks. It was also the date, set some time ago, upon which the last trains ran on the Penhayle Bay Railway. In the morning there was a steady trickle of passengers some of whom seemed shocked at the state Treheligan station had been left in With the down tracks closed and the loop lifted most signals on the down side were marked out of use; only the route to the right across the diamond into the up platform remained available The footbridge remained but was fenced off on the up side to prevent unauthorised access to the now-closed down side. The hoods make their way slowly across the diamond to loop through the up platform ..... ..... before regaining the down road at the far end of the station. As can be seen this has always been a permitted and signalled move. The wreckers had certainly been at work; more signals out of use pending removal with rusted and torn up tracks. The clays ease over the western end crossover to regain double track For its last day of operation the St. Agnes branch was worked by the black-liveried Cornish promotional class 153 car, passing the glimpse of angry seas one last time And giving some idea of just how steep this gradient is. The branch was an afterthought and the need to have it clear the fiddle yard access tracks hadn't been thought through properly when the gradient went it. Waiting for the board to drop and move on into the platform; the weathering applied to the 153 is apparent in this light. There were still a few passengers for the branch trains right to the end. Most down trains were replaced by buses in order to have all rolling stock cleared from the end of the line by closure; there's always one idiot who thinks bus stops are free car parks. The final collection of vans was in the hands of a red-livery class 47 The reds of the train stood out against the sand dunes and sea of Penhayle Bay One last time a blue Western led the hoods above the beach, around the reverse-curves and through Penhayle Bay The final train from Ponsangwyn, where the shed was already deserted, was the empty milk tanks off to maybe a new working or perhaps a scrapyard. Warship 812 "Royal Naval Reserve" was in charge. Surprisingly the yard lighting was still working which allowed the weathering and the cast nameplate to be shown off. It's actually a Fox etch. A single class 37 was rostered to work the final up clay tanks, seen here on a downhill stretch across Darras Viaduct but no doubt providing a fair amount of thrash when working uphill. This train is usually a two-engine load. A group of mourners had gathered at Penhayle Bay later in the day as the class 22 struggles gamely with a long freight against a steep climb. Again the need to remove motive power before the end resulted in an under-powered train instead of a double-header The very last down train of all pulls away from Treheligan ..... ..... only to be brought to an ignominious halt at the section signal. Perhaps someone was having a laugh as there hadn't been anything in front for hours. With the road cleared there was one last opportunity to frame a train beneath Church Lane bridge amid the gorse and greenery The divisional inspection saloon conveyed some senior managers over the lines about to be closed including making a trip to St. Agnes worked by 66511, here seen pushing the saloon back to the main line. The photographers who have patiently waited for and recorded trains from the hillside at Darras all these years finally moved down to Treheligan station to record the very last trains. The maroon Western is back from Penzance for the final time. It's best not to ask how those lads got access to the closed platform! Even into the evening there were still a few passengers about though the numbers had been dwindling all day. The inspection saloon passes through Penhayle Bay where the gradient post shows the climb steepening from 1:50 to 1:37 Towards nightfall the very last shunt of clay wagons took place at Carreglyb; the duty 08 draws back one half of the train from No.2 (loading) Siding towards Treheligan station This half is then propelled forwards to be joined to the other half n No.1 Siding. Weathering work again in evidence on the Hornby shunter and Bachmann wagon. The shunter withdraws from the section; until recently it would have trundled off to the loco run-round loop alongside the St. Agnes bay platform but with that also now closed the move was simply to the branch itself and sit outside the signal to release the block on the main line The final departure from the clay dries was thus ready and led away by a green Warship One last time a string of short wheelbase clay wagons was seen threading the curves above Penhayle Bay Onwards and upwards to Nansglaw Tunnel The shunter followed as soon as the road was clear. Not one bus on the bridge but two. Just in case a crowd turned out for the very end. But both seem to be empty. The St. Agnes unit returned up-country pausing in front of the mourners One last loco-hauled train came up through Cornwall featuring a large-logo blue class 50 in a scene which typified the Cornish main line for some years The final loco-hauled working on the line Honour of being the very last train fell to a humble 2-car DMU calling at all stations to Exeter and "sweeping up" the very last passengers from Penhayle Bay. At least it seems to be decently loaded. The final station stop; the last train from Penhayle Bay Waved away by a couple of saddened locals

Oh dear. Straight reverse puts the Central in nip. Barry might not agree but I believe we have room in the game for SEVEN SISTERS

Many thanks Dave. It has been a great honour and my pleasure to be able to share a little of Cornwall with some of the best modellers around, your good self included. I just need an extra hour in the day to get the last videos sorted and I'll have the final moves posted for all to see and remember.

I am no expert on this Aussie stuff either but isn't the Daylesford one a DERM and the Healesville one a Walker? DERM being Diesel-electric Railmotor. Effectively a DEMU to us from the Mother Country

It's Musk. Funny. You will see my post is edited. I originally had it as Musk, posted, looked twice and again at the trees and my own photos and decided it was actually Ballarto. Musk is the intermediate station and terminus of the first morning service from Daylesford at least on some days.

Hi Peter The more I look at those last few pics the more i think how much they remind me of so many places in the late 60s right through almost to present day where rationalisation and eventual closure has occurred. Half-done demolition jobs, scrap left lying around and the growth of weeds and rust. I'm not sure how well that could be modelled if one set out to do it from scratch as opposed to removing what was already there as per prototype. I'll drop you a PM with my dates as there is time, but not much, for a final visit to Llanbourne which I would very much appreciate. I'll add the very last trains when I get a moment as videos take a bit longer to process. Cheers Rick

Rick from Melbourne will too. That's Bullarto isn't it? The terminus of the Central Highlands Tourist Railway from Daylesford.

A final entry from Penhayle Bay which closed yesterday having been singled, stripped of numerous items and with the down platform loop track lifted already. The one remaining platform required a crossover move by down trains ..... Meanwhile an up freight shows more of the appalling condition Treheligan station has been left in, having once been a busy junction serving two branches and a multitude of passenger and freight trains

The first few pictures from the final day. All taken at Treheligan (others will follow) where some drastic changes had taken place. What was once a busy four-platform junction with passenger and freight trains coming and going had become a half-demolished unstaffed halt. The canopies and shelters had all gone. The buildings had gone from the down platform which was closed altogether. The down main was rusty and disused but the down platform loop had already been lifted. All trains used the remaining through platform, once the up, on what had become a single line through the station. The ability to do this was built in to the layout from day one; it has always been a fully signalled move though seldom used except on winter Sundays. The sparse service on those days could easily be handled at a single platform and meant that the station could be single-manned. I had this planned but surprised myself at how realistic it looked after just a few minutes. One track was torn up, the other had wetted weathering powder "rust" applied and some new green scattered about. The signals have the requisite cross markers meaning out of use except for the bracket at the London end of the down platform which has already been cut though the scrap is lying on the ground for anyone to make off with as a souvenir. How many layouts get new work - even if it only took a few minutes - purely for their final day of operation, I wonder?

It would be quite normal retail practice to clear out the last few at cost or even less in order to make shelf space for new items and / or just to be rid of the end-of-line pieces. There might have only been one or two at the final offer price. Even though they can have their identities swapped (subject to fine detail if that matters to you) I managed to avoid a purchase this time. I'm already wondering where my loco collection is going to go in a small London flat.

Easter at Penhayle Bay has often brought a crop of special workings. Despite its imminent closure today has been no exception. The demolition of some buildings at Treheligan have given it a rather bare appearance but have opened up a better view of the branch bay platform. The DMU pair seen in some photos above remained on duty first thing today A class 52 Western gets the road up from Ponsangwyn to the Down Loop alongside the main line It wasn't too long before the first of the day's specials appeared. A Pullman dining train led by an as-built West Country light Pacific The Southdown coach in the parking area is also a visitor and is down from Portsmouth The 2-car DMU returned from its trip to St. Agnes and crossed to the Up Main rather than retiring to the bay platform Its place was taken by a single class 153 car in black Cornish promotional livery. Would this be big enough for the holiday crowds on this seaside branch? Shortly afterwards an enthusiasts' charter formed of a 6-car DMU also crossed over to take the branch for a farewell trip. The special ran through Treheligan station having crossed from Down to Up tracks and then onto the branch. One last special was a 2-car class 171 diesel unit in Southern livery and a long way from its usual home on the Brighton - Ashford "Marshlink" line The Western handled the china clay train with the usual ease seen here coasting down through the woods With no turntable available for the West Country the steam special was returned by an S15 which seems to be having too easy a time of it on Penhayle Bay's 1:37 bank Definitely not enough smoke for the task at hand. Something must be amiss What ever was amiss at the front all the work was being done by a class 66 at the back! Yinging its way around the curves and up the hill the "shed" pushed the ailing steamer clear as quickly as it could The railtour also powered up the hill into the lowering sun and bade farewell to the surf beach and sand dunes of Penhayle Bay And the branch 2-car DMU set also left for up-country never to be seen again in these parts but leaving a lasting impression in the sun's glow For at least one whole generation nothing said "Cornwall" louder than a grimy Western leading a rake of blue-hooded china clay wagons. The train exits the Down Loop, snakes beneath Treheligan station bridge in a move always popular with visitors, and enters the Down Platform Loop. And finally the clays ease back for the downhill approach and reverse-curves at Penhayle Bay, disappearing into the distance as the surf rolls in far below, the gulls cry and the distant sound of voices from beach and clifftops merge with the rustle of evening air. The last trains run tomorrow. Some changes have already taken place. One final picture-post will record their departure and the final "ring out" of the signalmen as the line closes for ever.

Good morning and a Happy Easter To our Christian members "Hallelujah - He is Risen!" To our Chocovian members "Hooray - The Easter Bunny is coming!" To the polytheists and terminally confused "Hallelujah - the Easter Bunny is Risen and is coming!" Painting today is being supported by a large breakfast of bacon, tomatoes, fried eggs (non-chocolate variety) and a thick slice of sourdough toast. A report has arrived from the Hill of Strawberries indicating SWMBO and my sister thoroughly enjoyed an afternoon strolling, lunching and coffee-ing around Twickenham and beside the Thames along Cross Deep. Both seem in very good spirits with SWMBO noticeably more able with getting around and managing steps than she has been, and sister enjoying the chance to get away from home, what to do with Dad's ashes (and when - waiting for me apparently) and an adult autistic son (plus his live-in "special needs" young lady) unable to leave home for all sorts of reasons. The layout small object of academic interest is into its final 24 hours in complete form. This time tomorrow the farm scene will be removed and collected by its new owner which leaves the way open for a quick dismantling of the rest during the week ahead. Painting-assistant friend has also staked a claim to anything he can recover by way of track and woodwork. Enjoy the day. Celebrate according to your tradition and beliefs. Try to not over-eat chocolate.

Space is relative. There's generally very generous space per house compared with British housing and most homes are free-standing (detached) on their own block of land. If you superimposed somewhere like Manchester onto the same photo there would be less green and a lot more homes for the same area. And with many of those homes joined to their neighbours in terraces, high rise or at least as semi-detached houses.

What a disgraceful way to manage what is always a difficult situation. Not better than being dismissed by email which has been the fate of a small number of colleagues here. Not that we can rest on any laurels as the Gummint is intent on scrapping penalty rates for weekend and public holiday working and insisting that everyone be paid the same rate no matter when they are at work. Quite apart from the fact that many in certain industries (catering, hospitality and transport among them) rely on penalty rates to keep a roof over their heads this is likely to guarantee a shortage of willing hands to work weekends / nights / public holidays in the future. For employees it's a severe kick in the loinal region. For employers it's a mixed blessing as they are not necessarily obliged to pay staff (for example) double time on Sundays but may find that fewer staff are prepared to work / more call in sick if offered just the basic hourly rate. And for the record - and because it is about to change - this is where we have called home these past 14 years: The cream coloured tin roof stands out from above. Penhayle Bay has lived alongside the NW-SE wall and the polycarbonate roof above it can just be made out. We're not so far from the beach and the calm, shallow waters of Port Philip Bay. Hardly a surf beach but there's around 30 miles like this all perfectly safe for shallow bathing and popular with the personal watercraft fraternity.

Yes. The Peter Principle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle Vice President? President of vice perhaps? President of the vice? Person in a suit with two jaws that can get a grip on things? I reckon the first more often than not

Morning all. While you slept (or tried to) I was busy with the floor sander. Two rooms and a hallway now await dust settlement, for which we are advised to wait 2 - 3 days, and then the application of clear low-sheen varnish to match the rest of the house. A noisy, dirty and tiring job but one which produces results which make the effort worthwhile. I have rewarded myself with BBQ sausages, jacket potato and some foliage washed down with a nice Margaret River Cab-Sauv. Best wishes all.

Chris Trerise is launching a new commission?

Paws, Sharon and myself would like to offer our deepest condolences on the passing of Toby. When a cat chooses to enter our lives we are honoured and considered trustworthy and special. For however long, or short, their time with us the bond of affection grows and we become a part of their kitty-dom, and they become a part of our families. I met Toby on a number of occasions. I must have smelled of Paws, or perhaps of Gwyn or Moren in earlier times, as Toby seemed comfortable around me. He will indeed be missed. Vale to Station Cat of this parish. And an honorary member of the Blackburn Thread Hijack Group.

Good to see the photos Peter, thank you. Negotiations having been successfully completed I can now also confirm that the farm scene will live on and will move just a short distance away in the next few days.

Some hours later ..... The two rooms currently undergoing renovation have had the remains of the carpet removed. the grip-strips chiselled up and all staples and nails associated with the former painstakingly removed. A task which required several hours. Tomorrow I shall nail-punch all the floor-board fixings to ensure none catches the sanding belt as I apply brute force and ear-muffs while sanding the floors. The hallway is also to be included having had its carpet removed a couple of years ago but not until now have I had space to remove everything from the front half of the house in order to do the floors. Meanwhile a friend popped over and offered to tidy the back garden which, given its condition, was jolly nice of him. He says he will be back next week to finish a job which is around half done. Good Friday used to be a sombre affair. In some ways it still is. Most shops don't open (and in Australia they must by law remain closed) other than take-away food joints. The tradition here seems to be fish and chips from the local. We are living in a multicultural community almost where ever we are and with multiple religions - and those who believe in none - to consider. I accept the opinion that not all of us will celebrate Easter in the Christian tradition however most will acknowledge it in much the same way as Christmas is a global event. Easter is, after all, a Christianised version of the Pagan festival of fertility and re-birth (hence all the eggs) and for those of us who believe in Christian teachings we shall be celebrating the return to life from death (winter into summer if you like) on Sunday. I am happy to accept the views and beliefs of others. But I am not so happy to accept Good Friday becoming another Day Off With Sport as it has become here this year. You cannot buy a Bible nor even a loaf of bread but you can buy a beer at a football match and you'd pay dearly for both. There is only muted Christian witness here but the worship of the football club of choice, often dictated by family allegiance or suburb of residence, is definitely at a religious level. Other opinions are available. I am willing to listen to them all.

Good Morning all. To those for whom it matters Welcome to Good Friday. For the rest of us remember the shops are open again tomorrow - the siege mentality seen yesterday is only temporary derangement. I see a newly-discovered shrimp, capable of killing other creatures with its own sound, has been named after Pink Floyd. And the shrimp is pink, apparently. https://www.facebook.com/topic/Synalpheus-Pinkfloydi/107784742577504?source=whfrt&position=1&trqid=6408626604661858741 Right. On with the motley. Four days of full-on hard work starts now. Would someone please put the coffee on and call me at 11 o'clock?

Morning all. I was once stopped by the Ossifers of the Lore whilst driving a fully-laden bus along the single-track road which was its scheduled route. Their car came up behind with blues and twos and, as I came to a stand, another approached head-on trapping me in a classic pincer move. Not that there was any option with six-foot hedges brushing both mirrors. Senior Plod approaches my driver's window and asks "What do you know about badgers? .............. " My fully professional reply was that they were black and white nocturnal creatures living hereabouts and that my employer had chosen to paint cartoon ones on its vehicles. The reason I was stopped, it seems, is that there was a badger cull in progress to which a large number of people were objecting and attempting to cause disruption. Quite why they thought a bus-load of schoolchildren displaying its route number and destination and with the statutory driver's duty card available for inspection might in any way be related to interference with badger traps still defies my comprehension. As an incidental those little cartoon badgers which my employer applied to the rear of its vehicles for a few years attracted other attention. One American tourist was wont to enquire why we "Had skunks humping the back wheels" of our buses! Avagoodun.