In December 1962 regional border changes all the former Southern lines in Cornwall (and everywhere else west of Wilton South, near Salisbury) were transferred to the Western Region's control.

One of the lines which did not close in our alternative North Cornwall is the Chacewater to Newquay line which, in real life, was closed completely from 4 February, 1963, except for Tolcarn Junction to Trevemper Siding which survived for freight until the October.

The first weekend of September 1964 was to see momentous changes: on the 5th, Bulleid 'Light Pacific' 34015 "Exmouth" brought the 'Atlantic Coast Express' into Padstow for the last time. From the 7th, through services between Waterloo and Bude and Padstow were withdrawn.

The chief loco. shed for the SR lines in North Cornwall, Exmouth Junction, closed to steam on 1 June 1965 and the staff transferred elsewhere in 1966, although a few WR diesel-hydraulics, D63XX (Class 22) and D70XX (Class 35), were stabled there until final closure on 6 March 1967.

N Scale GW125 poster and headboard (may be too large?) to print cut out and use:

Quote from: Chris in Prague on June 07, 2015, 10:13:12 AM
Thanks, Martin. For me, July would be best but I'm not sure, yet, which two weeks would be good for the "celebration of steam" fortnight when as many services as possible will be steam-hauled with specially cleaned and polished locos. and carriages, some in GWR livery. The dates for the special 'Cornish gourmet' program have not been fixed, yet, either. (Although, in real life that would have been done months ago!) I'm still quite busy this month and, probably, won't have track laid and locos., here, until July. Then I have my youngest brother and two friends arriving in August so August is not good for me either.

However, throughout the Summer timetable (beginning June 12th 1960) there are steam-hauled services Saturdays and Sundays throughout the West Country with special through trains from the WR, LMR and ER (in addition to the normal holidaymaker weekend services), so almost any weekend can feature special trains to allow the maximum number of people to participate as suits them.

July suits me as long as it's over by 27th. So....perhaps we can go for a 10 day or so period just before then ??

Thanks, Martin. July suits me, too; coincidentally, also as long as it's over by 27th, as my youngest brother is coming, to Prague, then.

Looking at my July 1960 calendar, I would, therefore, suggest that for North and West Cornwall, at least, the events should run from Friday, July 15th to Sunday, July 24th, inclusive.

Back in 1960, we are talking about BR WR's Plymouth District, which then covered non-SR lines in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset (SR lines were covered by BR SR's Western District). So anyone who wants to run a special train to North and West Cornwall on Friday 15th or 22nd (some long-distance specials might actually depart in the evening of the Thursday before), returning Sunday 17th or 24th (some long-distance specials might actually arrive home in the morning of the Monday after), is very welcome to. (It would not be possible to schedule specials on the Saturdays as, in 1960, the railways were already full to over-capacity with scheduled Summer Saturday holidaymakers' trains.)

Of course anyone can run GW125 specials in their chosen area when they wish.

I will try to produce some poster templates, at least, for specials.

With the recently announced track rationalisation at Port Perran, (West Cornwall) (to lower the running costs and safeguard the line's future into the 1960s and beyond) this (1960) July will be the last chance for railway enthusiasts to visit Port Perran in its current configuration. So, another reason for special trains from across the WR and from the LMR and ER as well as the SR to be scheduled! 8-)

Quote from: Chris in Prague on June 20, 2015, 05:53:32 PM
With the recently announced track rationalisation at Port Perran, (West Cornwall) (to lower the running costs and safeguard the line's future into the 1960s and beyond) this (1960) July will be the last chance for railway enthusiasts to visit Port Perran in its current configuration. So, another reason for special trains from across the WR and from the LMR and ER as well as the SR to be scheduled! 8-)

Should be an interesting Summer of special trains in Cornwall

Here is the local poster, as promised. I'm happy to make more for different stations but you'll have to set the fares for the special trains from your area to Wadebridge, Newquay, or Truro, as you wish.

Excellent stuff Chris. I'll print one and make an A Frame for Trepol Bay and Port Perran stations.

Many thanks, Martin. I'm afraid scaled down to N Scale it'll be almost invisible, Martin:

Maybe better to use this one:



OR:

The Transport Reporter for the Western Morning News was out and about at Trepol Bay today with his photographer to try to gain some advance information in respect of the forthcoming special events being held to commemorate 125 years of the Great Western Railway.
His timing could not have been better as the pair witnessed a number of train movements in connection with the forthcoming event .
First up we have the Bullied Q1 0-6-0 which is on trial in the area with a PW train which has been working on the line between Wadebridge and Port Perran making sure that the track is in tip top condition for GW 125.all week
The train has made a brief stop at Trepol Bay where it will be shunted into one of the station carriage storage sidings to allow the passage of a scheduled passenger train.

Next we see an ex GW 45XX prarie tank which has worked up from Truro with specially cleaned ex GW goods wagons. The prarie and wagons have been restored with the help of the CLPG and will run demonstration goods trains throughout Cornwall and in particulat between, Port Perran, trepol Bay and Cant Cove.

A while later a similar train worked by an ex SR Black Motor (700 Class) consisted of a set of restored SR wagons which will also be used for demonstration goods working. The Battle of Britain will later work its 2 coach train up to Wadebridge whilst in the background the 14XX and autocoach will work a local to Port Perran.

Finally, we have a reasonably unusual working (which the photographer couldn't resist capturing) as we see a Hymek with a train of logs headed up country.

It is expected that there will be more unusual stock movements in the area over the coming weeks as vehicles are moved into position for the big Special Events which are planned. It is also expected that the event itself will see many unusual workings both into and out of Cornwall featuring unusual motive power. Indeed , it is hoped that several such workings will originate in the Midlands.
We await further pictures from our intrepid photographer.

It

Many thanks, Martin, for these excellent photos. I have / will have most of those GWR and SR wagons and vans. I will post update photos. Very nice to see some of the signs I worked on in place.

Quote from: Chris in Prague on June 22, 2015, 09:46:10 PM
Many thanks, Martin, for these excellent photos. I have / will have most of those GWR and SR wagons and vans. I will post update photos. Very nice to see some of the signs I worked on in place.

Thanks Chris. Other signs will appear in due course.

It is rumoured that there will be some unusual locomotives and stock appearing in the North and West Cornwall area as part of the GW 125 Celebration event in July.
Hopefully, some interesting pictures will appear in due course............

A very interesting report, Martin. The 'Fat Controller' from BR's Plymouth District is, according to a well-informed source, on his way to Port Perran, via Trepol Bay, as part of his tour of North and West Cornwall to inspect the arrangements from BR's side. Maybe a local photographer will be able to take a photo. or two of him? 8-)