As the railways became more affordable, and potential users increased, locomotives were designed and built larger so they could pull heavier trains. The 4-6-0 format became the norm for the GWR, and lasted a decade or two into BR days; and being the most impressive of the company’s engines and more frequently in the public eye, many classes received names – among them Stars, Granges, Manors, Halls, Castles and Kings. Depending on the availability of smaller engines, they were sometimes to be found on more menial duties as well. On the most important turns (termed “top links”) they were designated to carry name boards on the front of their smokebox, to advertise themselves as they sped by.
A seven coach train is squashed into the original, short, Platform 1 as people flock to board. A rather complicated signal with a “calling on” arm is beside the locomotive, and the tide drives gulls to flock with many others on the Goods Shed roof. 340907A01-PNZ-S_YRD-VI_SW
Reversing its train out of Penzance Station, 4090 “DORCHESTER CASTLE” is also carrying old mattresses on its front – presumably for further use in firelighting or something when it has deposited the coaches and gone to the shed for refueling. 480519A01-PNZ-s4090-SHU_S
On a calm Summer’s day, 6967 “WILLESLEY HALL” brings the ‘Cornish Riviera’ working into one of the arrival platforms at Penzance Station on 19th July 1951. The signalman watches from his cabin, and has already set the train’s approach signal to ‘on’. Though concrete lamp posts are now in situ, the wooden signals have yet to be replaced by tubular steel ones. 510719A01-PNZ-s6967-PAS_D
4095 “HARLECH CASTLE” powerfully chuffs away from Penzance Platform 2, between a van train with milk tank, and a rake of maroon coaches. To its left are railings where carriage final connection doors are stored, and the flower bed around the running-in board uprights show beautiful, well tended plants, that add to the welcoming and attractive condition of the station. 6####IY15-PNZ-s4095-PAS_U
While station staff loiter for some particular reason at the end of Platform 2, 5053 “EARL CAIRNS” arrives with a down passenger service – a few people leaning from side windows towards the closest train, a long express headed by a ‘Warship’ diesel. The clam-like objects on carriage roofs are ventilators, and the various black lines access handles; the flat tops forming a walkway. 6####IY13-PNZ-s5053-PAS_D
On a grey day, a rail enthusiast watches 6873 “CARADOC GRANGE”, with a clear road ahead signalled for it, about to move off from Platform 2 at Penzance Station. A water hose lies between the tracks and flowers proliferate in the running in board garden. Despite the grey weather, the Signalman has his side window wide open, and will no doubt carefully watch the train’s exit. 6####IY14-PNZ-s6873-PAS_U
With waves lapping gently, 1007 “COUNTY OF BRECKNOCK” arrives with a down service on 26th September 1956. It passes the station pilot, parked opposite the signal box that is hidden to view to the right in the shadows of the dying day. The mortar of the parapet of the overlooking wall seems to have been selectively renewed recently. Photo: H.C. Casserley 560926A01-PNZ-s1007-PAS_D
5058 “EARL OF CLANCARTY”, a Long Rock engine, waits at the end of Platform 2 to follow on to the depot after an outbound DMU leaves the platform beside it with an ‘up’ service. The box on stilts to its other side is a telephone box, and you will notice that wires run horizontally between lamp posts well above head height in connection with this, as well as power for the station lighting. 6####IY10-PNZ-LOCOS-PARKD
In a lifeless setting, gleaming 5029 “NUNNEY CASTLE” runs into Penzance Station hauling a down passenger service of maroon stock, with steam cut off and coasting the last part of its journey. The sea wall beside it has had blocks re-mortered at four locations, probably following storm damage, and the stantion of the lamp post array wisely has a board to stop people walking into it. 6####IY09-PNZ-s5029-PAD_D
Possibly making a quick departure, the attention of the driver of 6828 “TRELLECH GRANGE” is on the rear of the loco as his fireman supervises its coupling to the carriages beyond – a few passengers make their way further back along the train as a porter waits with open door. A nice detail to this picture is the wire mesh bins for refreshment room empty cups by the lamp posts. 610908A01-PNZ-s6828-PAS_U
With the sun high overhead and watched by family members and staff, 7022 “HEREFORD CASTLE” with a seven coach maroon-finished train enters Platform 3 of Penzance Station. The platform has both a wooden and a tubular steel signal, suggesting a transition from the first to the latter; the difference in size of the shunting discs beside each can also be clearly seen. 6####IY05-PNZ-s7022-PAS_D
4095 “HARLECH CASTLE” catches the evening sun as it waits with a mixed ‘up’ service, its construct including a rather unusual tank before the normal milk tank, van and carriages. Opposite on Platform 2 is 1002 “COUNTY OF BERKS” – an indistinct service number chalked on its front end. Between the two trains, the three segments of the running in board can be clearly discerned. 6####IY04-PNZ-s4095-GDS_U
With shiny buffers, and possibly released from the Works too early as it lacks its smokebox numberplate, a ‘Castle’ Class locomotive slows as it enters Platform 2 of Penzance Station with a local passenger service. Around it, matching the calm sea, the Station is commendably clean and orderly, with the flower beds around the nameboard and tub by the lamp neatly attended to. 6####IY03-PNZ-S_LCO-PAS_D
5021 “WHITTINGTON CASTLE” commences a passenger service eastwards, crossing the boardwalk at the end of Penzance’s Platform 1 while an early ‘Warship’ waits with a train of vans being filled from trolleys on Platform 4, to follow at some time in its wake. The station yard is filled with stock, and the isolated carriage to the left waits to be added to its appropriate service. 6####IY02-PNZ-s5021-PAS_U
The pillar of steam shows power is being applied as 5021 “WHITTINGTON CASTLE” eases out of platform 2 at Penzance Station with a long passenger service – non-travellers turn and walk back down the platform to the station entrance. Beside it an 08 shunter and truck have brought in coaching stock – the scene being overlooked by many watchers on the station wall. 6####IY01-PNZ-s5021-PAS_U
Smoke drifts seaward from 6800 “ARLINGTON GRANGE” as it heads an up passenger train at Penzance’s Platform 2. Shiny new signals stand sentinel over the right hand tracks, but Platform 3/4’s still have wooden uprights. Through the goods awnings can be seen the concrete Western National bus shelters I vagely remember as a little boy. Photo: Michael Hale. 590728A01-PNZ-s6800-PAS_U
Steam billows seawards from 4940 ‘LUDFORD HALL’ heading an up passenger service at Penzance Station. Tucked in behind is a 45XX tank with a local service, and the unusual wagons in the stub siding contain gas for carriage lighting. Photo: L R Peters. 520903A01-PNZ-s4940-PAS_U
6978 “HAROLDSTONE HALL” arrives in Penzance Station with the ‘CORNISH RIVIERA’ express on 26th September 1956. Steam oozes against the adjacent carriage and from the open doors of the first van, bags have been removed and piled together for onward transit. Photo: H.C. Casserley 560926A01-PNZ-s6978-PAS_D
1023 “COUNTY OF OXFORD” reverses out its stock onto one of the two sea sidings outside Penzance Station on 6th August 1957. Recovered track and lumps of granite parapet are dumped beside the engine, and in the background the fields stretching to Long Rock are still in agricultural use. Photo: E R Morten 570806A01-PNZ-s1023-SHUNG
A 1956 view of a ‘Castle’ and ‘County’ (with the headboard) awaiting departure from Penzance as another long passenger train draws out. Reminding me of many such pleasurable send-offs by my family, it is waved away by a schoolboy. 56###AB01-PNZ-STATN-VI_SW
B.R. (W.R.) in the finest G.W.R. tradition! Everything shipshape and Swindon fashion, with carriages so gleaming that the running-in board is perfectly reflected. 6931 “ALDBOROUGH HALL” is inspected by a guard before departure. Copyright: R. B. Parr. 580416A01-PNZ-s6931-PAS_U
The evening sun picks out the side of well-cleaned 4095 “HARLECH CASTLE” as it waits for departure time with a mixed goods service at Platform 4 of Penzance Station. A crewman chats with a friend of the photographer. 520614A01-PNZ-s4095-PAS_U
4087 ‘CARDIGAN CASTLE’ waits at Penzance with ”The Royal Duchy’ on 10th September 1960. It has been modified with some sort of equipment next to the smokebox. New lamp posts have been placed along the station edge, but not yet on the platforms. 600910A01-PNZ-CASTL-PAS_U
The cab of 6826 “KINGSTONE GRANGE” is manned, and station staff further down the platform ensure doors are shut, as the loco simmers before departure with an ‘Up’ passenger from Penzance. A man walks the wall as I, later, very frequently did. Copyright: Stan Brown / Keith Jones. 60###AJ01-PNZ-s6826-GDS_U
Smoke is blasted upwards, steam rises from the safety valve, and water drips onto the line side as 5011 “TINTAGEL CASTLE” is prepared for departure. The driver attends to something in the cab as the fireman looks warily at the photographer. 5####AX01-PNZ-s5011-PAS_U
This is possibly official remembrance of the inaugural service of ‘THE ROYAL DUCHY’ behind spruced-up 1002 “COUNTY OF BERKS” for the local paper. The arch behind was the large entrance to the lamp store, now reduced in size by block infilling. 5####AO01-PNZ-s1002-PAS_U
The Eric Curnow Collection 