West Cornwall, and beyond

Railways of Penzance and beyond in the GWR and British Rail eras

In early 1969 in my early teens I developed an interest in railways local to me at Penzance in West Cornwall. During this period, the locomotives normally to be seen were diesels peculiar to the Western Region of British Rail known as ‘diesel hydraulics’, but some of these had already been scrapped, and the others were steadily withdrawn over the years until 1977 – the year I left the county. My story is told in ‘Sightings’, where text is interspersed with photos and captions, and that pairing is continued on the website’s other pages. ‘The Gallery’ are the photographs I took myself and ‘The Collection’ acquisitions of others pertinent to this story.

Recently acquired images appear temporarily below as a visual indication of recent website changes – the newest added at the top. They also appear, or will soon appear, definitively on appropriate pages. Please use the ‘Search Aids’ to find what you are looking for across the whole of the website.

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This view from the top of the stairs inside Penzance Station was often my first or my last on visits, as this was normally the route I used from home – via the main street rather than “across the Prom”. This particular shot was made a couple of years after I moved to London, as indicted by the presence of the Class 50 with domino headcode. The weather, however, was typical for both periods! 7903##A03-PNZ-STATN-INSDE

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This commendably well-snatched photograph from a moving train shows a ‘Western’ (possibly D1056 “WESTERN SULTAN”) and Class 08 shunter parked on Long Rock depot in the middle 70s. Through the gates is the pastoral view over towards Varfell and Ludgvan, much changed today, and the yard is spread with fuel drums, used brake blocks and the like. Photo: Edgar V Richards. 740929A01-LRK-DEPOT-VIS_N

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A huge web of electical and structural steelwork hangs above 55022 “ROYAL SCOTS GREY” and 55017 “THE DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY” at the end of the platforms at Kings Cross station, waiting to take passenger services north. Fencing around the new Signal Box is still in situ, and the whole scene has a freshness about it from the vast amount of money that has been spent. 77####A01-KGX-DLTCS-PAS_D

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Summer twilight in the 1970s finds 45003 parked on Long Rock depot with a 3-car DMU set behind, presumably from the St Ives workings earlier that day. The ‘Peak’ has inset split headcodes and, unusually, a number at both ends of its body when in BR blue. Fuel drums and brake blocks lie neatly grouped nearby, and a very dodgy piece of track is in the foreground. 7####IA16-LRK-45003-PARKD

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In view of the hands on the platform clock – which is unlikely to be wrong at such an important station as Bristol Temple Meads – this is 6am, when a ‘Western’ has come off shed and, judging by the driver in the cab, is being propelled into position to head a train westwards from platform 12. It’s 0O00 headcode suggests this is in the mid 70s, as does the general appearance of the locomotive. 7####IA01-BTM-D10##-LIG_U

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Bath Road depot is packed with locomotives and a dmu set, where D5705 (now in departmental service) is positioned at the centre with a couple of 03 shunters beside it, and 50s, 47s and a 37 and 46 are also in view. It is hard to think that such a long established and vital facility has been levelled and removed, but understandable now long fixed-formation trains are the norm. 7####IA02-BBR-D_LCO-PARKD

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Meanwhile, back at platform 12, carriages have been connected to the ‘Western’ and it awaits departure time – driver and second man are sitting at the control desks. Much of the station is a rebuild from the Second World War, and there has been minimal change since then, apart from new corporate identity signage. Wall tiles with brown ‘Century Old Style’ typeface are still in place, too. 7####IA03-BTM-D10##-PAS_D

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The engines of D1051 ‘WESTERN AMBASSADOR’ throb as it awaits movement back onto the main line from a “down” platform at Weston Super Mare station – the deviation suggesting this is not an express service. Extensive sidings for holiday traffic, out of sight and to the left of the loco, here have been removed, and since then foliage has encroached, softening the scene. 7####IA04-UNK-D1051-PARKD

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D1051 is guided by pointwork from the through road onto the down main platform at Exeter St David’s Station, passing a Class 33 diesel temporarily parked between services by Exeter Middle Box, just clear of Red Cow Crossing. Behind the signal box is the GWR Broad Gauge Goods Transit Shed that was sadly later burned down, so put beyond the reach of any preservation attempt. 7####IA05-EXD-33###-PARKD

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The cabside numberplate of “WESTERN AMBASSADOR” is a detail testimony to the great design of this class of locomotive, as even the wider than normal spacing of the characters made it easier to read at speed from the lineside. The font selected was virtually that of the eventual British Rail typeface. and the round cornered backplate sat well amid those of GWR steam locomotives. 7####IA06-UNK-D1051-PARKD

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These two images suggest the ‘Western’ is temporarily held up before St Pinnock viaduct, the track singled before it to just beyond Largin Viaduct to avoid the weight of two trains at the same time on their more delicate structures. In densely wooded country, while waiting for the line ahead to clear, a class 47 with an up passenger service rounds the bend towards the photographer. 7####IA07-UNK-D10##-PAS_D

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With a plume of exhaust pumping away, D1051 lumbers across the foot crossing at the west end of Par Station, rocking a bit as it gathers momentum. Centrally ahead is the Wesleyan chapel, and running towards it, Chapel Siding. Between the building and “WESTERN AMBASSADOR” on the skyline is the huge china clay dries, plus its chimneys, and to the right, the village of St Blazey. 7####IA09-PAR-D1051-PAS_D

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Watched by a no doubt concerned yet pragmatic Signalman, passengers from an up service risk using the foot crossing by the signal box at St Austell Station, but are paused by the exit of “WESTERN AMBASSADOR” as it powers away with a Penzance train. Under the bridge a dracanea palm peeps through luxuriant vegetation exemplifying the normally mild yet wet climate. 7####IA10-STA-S_BOX-VIS_W

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A group of mainly elderly passengers with suitcases pass the locomotive that has brought them to Penzance Station, with their attention no doubt focussed on getting to their accommodation and away from the confines of their railway carriages. The nearby tracks are empty and behind the crowd is a delivery trailer acting as a store and the tower for changing overhead light bulbs. 7####IA12-STA-D1051-PAS_U

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It seems that the headcode of “WESTERN AMBASSADOR”, opposite to the end displaying 0O00, usefully showed its fleet number, and suggests that some time has passed between its former arrival, now Platform 2 is occupied, and it is backing onto carriages at the other end of Platform 3. Rather than Mk1 coaches, these Mk2s are disgorging passengers from a Paddington service. 7####IA12-STA-D1051-PAS_U

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Now awaiting return east, “WESTERN AMBASSADOR” is at the head of an outgoing train, emiting light exhaust. The loco is in good external condition, and the only slight detraction is an incomplete Laira allocation sticker above its numberplate, and a scar from a bodyside “swipe” between the windows. The array of signals at the platform end all indicate a lack of movement of any kind. 7####IA13-STA-D1051-PAS_U

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The nameplate of D1051 is captured for posterity, the letters’ wide spacing and simple design helping recognition, though numberplates are vertically deeper. Below the overhang vertical yellow catches double seal the battery boxes as a result of a serious derailment at Ealing where an unsecured battery box cover swung down to the horizontal and led to its train’s derailment. 7####IA14-STA-D1051-NMPTE

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A final view of “WESTERN AMBASSADOR” as it awaits departure. ‘Westerns’ still normally retained their headboard clips and lamp irons for most of their lives, though both were redundant features soon after fixing. The large windscreen windows made cabs hot in summer, not helped by poor performing cabside windows nor various front end experiments to improve ventilation. 7####IA15-STA-D1051-PAS_U

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A virtually empty Long Rock Depot, with the two roads approaching the Steam section still in situ in 1965. The screen under its lintel has gone, and the sand drying hut is present. Roof and associated ventilators have been replaced on the Diesel Shed side, with a D63XX diesel inside and the Breakdown Tool Van in the Fitting Bay next door. Photo: F Hornby. 650618A01-LRK-DEPOT-VI__W

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Two breakdown train store vans, D6314 and D1012 “WESTERN FIREBRAND” are parked up on sidings at Long Rock depot on 18th October 1968, such a sight being familiar to me two months later. The Sand Drying Hut still stands and an old covered wagon body acts as a store by the site entrance. In the foreground is a redundant ash pit, just before the Coaling Stage. Photo: F Hornby. 68####A01-LRK-DEPOT-VI__W

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At steam’s zenith 5985 “MOSTYN HALL”, 7925 “WESTOL HALL” and 1018 “COUNTY OF LEICESTER” are on the apron at Long Rock Depot, the first two still in steam and the ‘County’ awaiting attention in the Fitting Bay. In the foreground is a water column and fire devil, and to the rear a new white ventilation unit; locomen attend to their charges. Photo: F Hornby. 59###AH02-LRK-DEPOT-VI__W

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Exmouth Station as I saw it on my first visit. The concrete fixtures and corporate Southern Railway Running-In Board’s days are numbered, as is the size of the station and station building, being rationalised to a 3-car DMU shuttle service to Exeter. Grass and weeds poke from between concrete slabs, and areas to either side have had trackwork removed – a sad sight indeed. 730218A01-EXM-PLTFM-VI__S

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The sea is calm before Newlyn’s North Pier and apart from the ubiquitous fisherman by the lighthouse and workmen sitting in the shade of the wall, all is imobile. The two tracks were for the little Ruston diesels to run back and forth, their train of hoppers being tipped over under the shed and the crushed greenstone taken by conveyors to the loading equipment for the stone boat’s holds. 63####A01-NYN-PIERS-VI__E

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These Bedford lorries were once a common sight shifting huge boulders through the streets of Newln and Penzance, shown here on the lower quarry site below the Mousehole Road. Adjacent to them is a train of filled hoppers and the old Steam loco that used to ply this route. Signs like the one in the foreground were deterents to trespass, but not necessarily effective! 63####A01-NYN-D_LCO-MINLS

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A freightliner train passes Class 47 diesel 1549 before a backdrop of trees. I thought these Brush Type 4’s were beautiful locomotives – their 1950s desingned lines minimising clutter, and components thoughfully arranged. The bogie in view seems to have faced fire recently as paint and grime has been burned away. In green or blue livery, they always seemed striking locos. 7####HY01-UNK-47###-PARKD

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Green-liveried D5803 powers towards Plymouth at Ivybridge on 26th April 1973. The gorse behind matches the loco’s front end warning panel and it has a white roof and bodyside stripes, now rather tarnished. At this time only the signal box and a siding remained, plus a nearby old china clay dry that was at that time used by Western Machinery Ltd., prominent from the lineside.730426A01-IVY-D5803-LIGHT

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An April 1971 view from Exeter St David’s Station platforms north across to the Stabling Point – now a de-roofed shed of walls and ancillary buildings in red brick. A steam age water column still exists in the mid foreground and among the locos in view are two Warships, a Western, Brush Class 47, Hymek and D63XX – the latter two engines especially sought by me at that time. 7104##A01-EXD-S_PNT-VI__N

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Truthall Platform on the Helston Branch – a very isolated spot on the line adjacent to an overbridge and a scattering of farms a mile or two from the centre of Helston. The platform is of wood construction backfilled with soil and surmounted with a corrugated iron ‘Pagoda’ shelter, gas lamp, running-in board,. and rather unusual bulls eye lamp directed at Gwinear-bound trains. 6####KB01-TLL-STATN-VI_NW

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Lostwithiel ‘up’ platform in 1975. The trains I travelled on seldom stopped at this station, and my attention was normally to the ‘down’ side where seeing a locomotive was possible. The building here seemed “flimsy” as it wasn’t built of brick, and as you can see was in poor condition. Interesting old GWR signs still existed, and beyond the palm trees is the Goods Shed. 7508##B01-LWL-STATN-VI__W

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A healthy number of “clay hoods” wait beside the bay platform at Lostwithiel, previously used by the Fowey branch service. Between the mainline tracks is a staff walkway, as there was no footbridge, and the crossing behind the photographer was not always accessible – you still needed to be reletavely agile to mount the platforms. All buildings were sadly rationalised away. 7508##B02-LWL-STATN-VI__W

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Whenever we travelled by car on the A30 back to Penzance, after crossing Chyandour Brook and following the road around the tight bend, semaphores like these would appear on the left and always attract my attention. The red arm was the ‘home’ signal requiring an immediate stop, and the yellow was the ‘distant’ warning of the need to stop at the next signal. 7#####B01-UNK-SGNLS-SEMAP

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2-6-2T 4167 pulls away from Marazion Station towards Long Rock Crossing with a 5-coach train on 2nd September 1952. Close to the middle of the train a signal has uncharacteristically been painted with black and white patches that might be indicative of the hidden foot crossing behind. On the banks is marram grass, typical of sand dune typography. Photograph: L R Peters. 520902A01-LRK-s4167-PAS_D

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25315 approaches Hayle Station on 14th September 1980 with an up service, As can be seen, the viaduct stands in granite piers topped with metal spans, built by the GWR several decades earlier. Sited below one is an electricity sub-station, and above it a signal that has had additional safety guards added due to its precarious and exposed position. 800914A03-HYL-VIADT-VI_NW

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Hayle railway viaduct is viewed from the footbridge slightly to the west of it, showing the crossover for trains coming up from the docks, and check rails to limit any damage from derailments. Either side of it are buildings associated with the former famous foundary here, and it looks like a westbound train is signalled at the station that is still staffed at this time. 800914A02-HYL-VIADT-VI__E

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The line under the bridge leads up hill to Hayle Railway Station – the steepness of the line necessitating a set of catch points ut of sight just below the bush. The crossing gates cover the track to the left heading towards the power station quay and the right to the gasworks. It is 1963 and I was only six, but I still remember the gates holding up the traffic on several occasions. 63###AK01-HYL-CRSNG-VI__S

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814 “DRAGON’ is parked up on line from Old Oak Common’s turntable area in the company of a ‘Brush’ Type 3 locomotive. Beside it is a stack of loco fuel drums and in the background old buildings including white paint on a wall where a building once stood before it. The leading nearside bogie displays a little oval builder’s plate, wheres the NBL locos were diamond shaped. 6####JG01-OOC—814-PARKD

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Not a very flattering image of Plymouth’s Power Signal Box at the west end of the station, built out from the end of Platform 1. It always seemed to me as a bit too ‘futeristic’ for the railway of the time, and the architectural style a bit too ‘brutal’. Still, as I was familiar with semaphores for most of my train spotting II found so many electric signals together very interesting. 820906A07-PLY-SIG_B-VI_SW

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50019 “Ramillies” is about to take the 11.10 Plymouth to Penzance on 5th September 1982, as a railman comes off duty. To the left behind the metal fencing is quite a drop to the field, where the ‘Kingdom Hall’ was built. Beyond the loco is the up refuge siding that was still in use at this time. The low starter signal enabled it to be seen below the footbridge on approach. 820905A06-SER-50019-PAS_D

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The distinctive signal box at Hayle as at 5th September 1982, Before it is a very basic waiting shelter and typical ex-GWR benches. Behind the nearest seat are metal uprights for a wire fence preventing people from falling off the far side of the platform that once had a loop line against it, handy for assembling goods trains serving the docks just out of sight below to the right. 820905A05-HYL-SIG_B-VI-NW

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Beautiful Carbis Bay, looking NNE towards St Ives in 1982. The beach is wide, shallow and rock free, with shell sand – ideal for bathing. The railway line runs just below the tree line and above the raised beach remnants, and the bark of the DMU diesel motors and squeel of flanges on the curves in the quiet environment attracts attention frequently as a train passes. 820905A04-CBB-BEACH-VI__N

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A familiar sight to me, and a shock when removed for the Plymouth Multiple Aspect Signalling programme, was the station’s East Signal Box, standing close to the Royal Eye Infirmary. Not being in traditional GWR style, it was probably constructed after war damage or the rebuild of ‘Plymouth North Road’ in the early 1960s. The van nearby seems wired to it for some reason. 820905A03-PLY-SIG_B-VI_SW

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Single unit DMU W55026 is at St Erth heading the 13:52 to St Ives on 5th September 1982, a beautiful “Indian Summer” day. Extra ‘Bubble Cars’ like this were added to help cope with Summer surges of passengers, although at this time of the day, visitors would still be in St Ives or on the beaches. Beyond the driver, taking the air, the horticultural business is still intact.  820905A02-SER-4XDMU-PAS_O

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I was very sad as I saw this neglected viaduct being demolished at Keyham, Plymouth – once carrying the London & South Western Line skirting the north of Dartmoor – realising that any attempt to reinstate the line would now be far harder. The viaduct seemed sound, and I can only think that its demise was due to people below being fed up with its unneccesary presence. 820905A01-PLY-VIADT-VI__N

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With its class number wound up in its destination blind, 50013 gets the “All Clear” signal at St Erth in October 1976, heading the 16:10 Penzance – Paddington or “School Train” as we called it, taking school children from Penzance as far as Hayle, having dropped the St Ives cohort. Nicknamed ‘hoovers’ because of their distinctive compresser sound, the engine pulls away. 7610##B01-SER-50013-PAS_U

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D1613, a W.R. allocated Brush Type 4, powers a train of emptiy wagons eastwards across Clink Road Junction, perhaps from nearby Merehead Quarry – the track deviating to the right being a cut off serving the town of Frome, and beyond this the coalfields of Radstock. I only passed through Frome on the odd occasion when engineering works blocked the Main. 7#####A01-FRO-D1613-MINLS

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A very smart looking D6308 waits in the mist at Plymouth Station with a carriage, perhaps to be added to or recently removed from an up service. It has had a small yellow warning panel painted on its front end and as it is 1966, some time after being built, must have received a repaint recently. It is difficult to know whether the camera or the weather is the cause of the darkness. 66###AH01-PLY-D6308-PARKD

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A shot westwards from the middle of the down platform at Liskeard showing the sidings once serving the wooden goods shed situated at the far end. The main line dips down to the viaduct to the left just out of sight, and above is the bridge carrying the road into Liskeard to the right. Today the up platform has been extended back across the sidings, and a carpark put in behind it. 7609##A01-LKD-STATN=VI__W

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This sign was positioned fairly close to the eastern end of the down platform at St Erth Station so that as a passenger train slowed to a halt, all disembarking would notice it while looking for orientation and guidance. It was produced in maroon stove-enamelled paint – the lower wording emphasised – on a steel panel, hanging from a frame slung between two pieces of redundant rail.  630812A01-STE-P_SGN-VI__S

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D820 “GRENVILLE” is half way along a platform at Plymouth Station with what seems to be an up perishables train. Although the top of its roof is exhaust deposit coated, and its front is dulled with a little grime, its sides and side windows are still reflective, suggesting a fairly recent repaint. At the western end of the adjacent platform sits a D63XX loco, in similar livery. 6608#BA01-PLY–D820-PCL_U

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In June 1986 50015 “Valiant” accelerates on the stretch of line between Long Rock and Mexico crossings, with an up passenger service of Mk1 stock. I’ve often wondered why this short stretch of line was singled, because frequently my westbound train was held at the eastern end of the section while the line was blocked by outward movements, and no doubt vice versa. 8606##A01-LRK-50015-PAS_U

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The signal arm indicates ‘All Clear” for a Class 47 to run at speed along a through road at Newbury with a London area passenger train in 1971. A local service DMU waits at a platform, presumably to follow in the wake of the Brush’s train, and the streets either side of the station are completely lined with cars, many awaiting the return of commuters at the end of the day. 7108##B01-NBY-47###-PAS_U

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This ‘Planet News’ photograph shows 5955 “GARTH HALL”, the GWR’s first oil-burning passenger locomotive, following its trial run from Paddington to Old Oak Common on 8th August 1946. The caption intimates 25 Castle Class locos and 19 freight locos are to be converted; each tank load permitting 250 miles of travel; and the change will save 50,000 tons of coal yearly. 460808A01-OOC-s5955-PARKD

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This 1947 rear view of a locomotive’s tender shows it being fuelled with oil at Old Oak Common, now it has a tank that has replaced its coal storage area. The Fox photo print has a caption pasted to the reverse saying sixteen plants are to be built for conversion from coal to oil, Old Oak being the largest, with two 175,000 storage tanks, one of which is seen in the background. 471112A01-OOC-S_LCO-FUELG

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With very presentable blue bodyside paintwork, but scuffs and scrapes on the former connecting door area at the front of the locomotive, TDB968008 (ex-24054) is pressed hard against the buffers for steam-heating purposes, even though in this position it couldn’t serve many carriages, as the rake would foul the connection line into the yard that was still in use at that time. 770317A01-PDN-TDB24-PARKD

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This eastern end view of Truro Station in the mid to late 1960s shows D6313 parked in a siding with a variety of artifacts of the time: maroon enamel signs; water columns; the short loading platform beside the parked vans; and a loading gauge – beside the Signal Box, tooth-edged station canopies, bridge windows, and a liberal application of GWR chocolate and cream everywhere. 6####KA01-TRU-STATN-VI_NE

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A Class 31 diesel runs south along the main lines beside Hinksey sidings south of Oxford in 1983. I only passed this site a dozen or so times during my 1970s visits to the city, but it was always a magnet because of the possibility of locomotives among the stock in the yard. The 31 is in pristine blue livery, with domino headcode, and engineers trains include hoppers and oil tanks. 83####B01-OXF-SDNGS-VI–N

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East Coldrenick is near Lostwithiel, and this image shows 47151 passing near on 13th June 1981. The graceful granite bridge in the background shows it and its access ramps have been added onto the landscpe, and the wooden boundary fence uprights seem remarkably free from overgrowth, despite their age. The Type 4 still has a glass headcode box, but with “dominos”. 810613A01-LOS-47151-PAS_D

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D1022 “WESTERN SENTINEL” ends a temporary lay-over on the Sea Sidings near Penzance Signal Box as it is just about to enter the scissors crossing to bring it into one of the station platforms for a service back east. It wears an inter-regional code on its front end, with a pair of headboard clips above, unused since much earlier days, if ever they were. Children play at the water’s edge. 7####HV01-PNZ-D1022-LIG_D

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The second man guides electro-diesel 73126 as it reverses into Waterloo Station, light engine, in 1980 – able to work from third rail electrification where power was available, or run off a small diesel engine where “off grid”. In the background are suburban units and a mainline emu, with platforms separated by large clusters of trackwork and multiple signals on various gantries. 80###AJ01-WAT-73126-LIGHT

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Double-heading of locomotives was relatively rare in West Cornwall, but here D1011 “WESTERN THUNDERER” (leading) and D1037 “WESTERN EMPRESS” (trailing) head a service to Bristol in 1973; 1011’s engine turns over but 1037 isn’t emiting exhaust. The platform has collected weeds down its centre, and plastic bags for rubbish hang over some railings nearby. 73###AH01-PNZ-2X52S-PAS_U

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A cab door stands open while D7046 rests between duties, coupled to another Hymek in green livery. In the background is part of an engineering consist and two high lighting towers. 7046 is in blue livery with white window surround, but small warning panel; it has an inter-regional code wound up in the recess at the cab end, and the glossy finish suggests a recent repaint.   6####JD01-RDG-D7046-PARKD

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This footbridge is west of the Carbis Bay Viaduct, carrying the Coast Path across the railway line. As can be seen from a close look at the wooden boundary posts at the foot of the steps, the wires have been widened allowing fairly easy access to the track – this is where we placed pennies for the train to flatten them on Sunday School Treat days, far from being told off by anyone(!)  6####JE01-CBB-F_BDG-VIS_E

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A Class 47 rounds a curve west of the Chacewater Station site with an up Class 1 passenger service to the Bristol area on 8th December 1974. In the background is a fringe of Blackwater village, and between there and the train, the remains of the earthworks of Blackwater North Junction that once took the line to Newquay – parts of which are still visible today.   741208A01-CWR-47###-PAS_U

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Chacewater Signal Box, probably sometime in the early 1980s. To the right is the huge Blue Circle Cement silo built on part of the former goods yard and further right was a spur off the down line to a couple of sidings, the closest of which ended just behind the signal box. The ‘Blue Circle’ corporate identity was held up as a good example of effective design when I started college. 8####CC01-CWR-S_BOX-VI__S

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Terraces of houses, hotels, the Engine Shed, the end of the platform, and the Loading Gauge are faintly seen through the entrance arch of the St Ives Goods Shed shortly before demolition. The edge of one of the two doors is in view, and inside on the platform is an office of some sort. The track has been lifted, and the whole scene has an aura of ancient functional simplicity about it. 6####JB01-STI-G_SHD-VI_NE