These images were taken on different trips to the sheds much as I might have taken, but a few years earlier, in 1964. Rather than split them between locations, I have kept them together to give a feel of walking to Long Rock and back, by way of the platforms, sea wall and Chyandour.
A rare picture of a ‘Hymek’ diesel at Penzance, at the head of the up Postal in September 1965 – the ubiquitous lamp standard curving above the sight as it has in so many other pictures of the station. It is in two-tone green livery – a bit grubby but basically presentable. 6509##A08-PNZ-D7090-ROY_M
In smooth green livery, catching the light, this picture of D804 “AVENGER”, this picture is reminiscent of the German original it was modelled on, where the bodyside grilles contrasted strongly with the loco’s sides. This is shown at the stop blocks end of Platform 4. 6407##A09-PNZ–D804-PAS_D
Rather distorted in the printing, the well-over 60′ long D600 waits before the signals, pictured from the station wall with St Michael’s Mount in the background in 1964. A totem sign and light standard identify the image, and a calm sea presents a peaceful evening scene. 6407##A03-PNZ–D600-LIG_U
Warship class D816 “ECLIPSE” trundles between the station sidings and the Shed, its bodyside pitted with surface damage covering its original green livery. The sea wall behind has seen remedial attention, and sleepers awaiting recovery straddle the rails of the crane road. 6407##A04-PNZ–D816-LIGHT
A ‘Warship’ takes out the Post Office red TPO in the darkening of the day, passing a D63XX parked in the sea siding and joining the main ‘up’ line. Maroon stock is parked in Platform 3, and the discrepancy in size of shunting signals on the right mast are clearly seen. 6407##A05-PNZ–D816-ROY_M
A ‘Warship’ reverses stock into the Sea Siding after bringing in the 1B32 to Penzance, prior to retiring to the Sheds. Near the centre of the track work there is an expanse of points rodding, several no doubt serving the scissors crossing to the right of the water tower. 6407##A07-PNZ–D8##-SHNTG
It seems surprising that the ‘Warship’ in the Sea Siding has “got the road” according to the signal as D6347 seems to be crossing before it, blocking the way. The ‘Baby Warship’s’ driver is smartly dressed in BR uniform with tie and cap, responsibly alert as to the road ahead. 6407##A01-PNZ-D6347-LIG_D
In the gloom of early evening, a ‘Type 2’ D63XX with a goods van train passes into the station yard at Penzance. The sea behind is at half tide and although calm, laps up with some vigour onto the rock armour at the closest end of Eastern Green. 6407##A02-PNZ-D63##-GDS_D
A scene in July 1964 where an original D6XX ‘Warship’ is awaiting release to the Sheds and a successor, D8XX, ‘Warship’ heads an up service of maroon stock. In the background there is a ‘Swindon’ DMU set or two and vans under the goods awnings. 6407##A06-PNZ-D_LCO-VI_SW
D856 “TROJAN” passes the photographer on the ‘up’ line at Chyandour, with Sloper’s Siding before it – Ponsandane woods reflected in one of the bodyside windows. The appearance of the 4-holed wheels of the ‘Warships’ and ‘Westerns’ often caught my attention. 6407##A10-PNZ–D856-LIGHT
D816 “ECLIPSE” rumbles over the ‘Three Tunnels” bridge en route to the Sheds – its appearance a disgrace to British Rail. The louvre hatch without a bottom sill next to the white warning ‘Danger. Overhead live wires’ sign is where access to the tank for steam heating is made. 6407##A11-CHY–D816-LIG_Uc6
Three sequential views of a ‘Warship’ leaving Long Rock shed, passing the sister locos plus a D63XX, hint at the tolerance rail staff had at Penzance depot for genuine railway enthusiasts, not likely to do anything stupid or malicious. Good views of a fuelling point, too! 6407##A12,13&14-LRK–D8##-PARKD
The nameplates of North British Locomotive Company-built D853 “THRUSTER” and Swindon-built D824 “HIGHFLYER” ‘Warships’ contrast a little in appearance as the latter seems to have a glossy sheen to it – probably repainted more recently. 6407##A15-PNZ–D853&D824-NMPLT
Although ‘Warships’ seem to have been the predominant movie power to Penzance at this time, ‘Westerns’ also made their appearance D1006 “WESTERN STALWART” moves off the Shed, its bodyside showing the horizontal lines of welding to the superstructure behind. 6407##A17-LRK-D1006-LIGHT
The Eric Curnow Collection 