GWR 125 Celebrations

[Chris in Prague]

For those interested in sending steam-hauled special passenger trains to GW125 (July 1960), the WR (and from LMR, ER) specials' likely routing would be down the WR mainline to Bodmin Road where a portion could be worked through to Wadebridge (change for Penmayne, Weaver Cove and Trepol Bay) whilst the remainder would proceed on to Par then across to Newquay and then down to Port Perran. Alternatively, they can leave the WR mainline at Truro and travel on through Chacewater up via Perranporth and on to Port Perran if the Newquay line is too congested with normal Summer Saturday traffic.

Some specials (or portions thereof), however, work could through from Wadebridge to Trepol Bay or from Wadebridge to Penmayne (passing through Cant Cove).

SR specials would, of course, work via Exeter, Okehampton, Meldon Junction, Launceston, on the North Cornwall mainline, to Wadebridge (change for Penmayne and Weaver Cove) and on to Trepol Bay if they do not terminate at Wadebridge or Penmayne.

Special steam shuttles from Wadebridge to Penmayne (and return) serve Cant Cove and meet scheduled services as well, as connecting with special trains for GW125.

[port perran]

There may even be some specials working the "long way round" from Exeter to Truro via Okehampton, Meldon, Launceston, Wadenridge, Trepol Bay, Port Perran and Chacewater.
Such trains could then work back via the ex GW main line to Exeter via Bodmin Road, Liskeard and Plymouth.
This could produce some interesting locomotive and stock movements.

[Chris in Prague]

A special train was photographed being prepared for the journey to Port Perran ready for next month's GW125 celebrations.:



The brake van had still to be added after the non-vacuum-braked open wagon at the end.

Behind the GWS Bodmin's preserved 57XX, can be seen a preserved GWR van with spare parts just bought from Swindon Works for the GWR steam locos. based at, and visiting, Port Perran; an Italian Ferry Van conveying fresh fruit and vegetables to Messrs Prisk & Jones (Vegetable Wholesalers), Trepol Bay; one of the RMBs and one of the BCKs for the GW125 Special Trains; plus a newly overhauled, at Penmayne C&W and repainted at Cant Cove, BR open wagon. Travelling in the RMB are the Fat Controller from BR's Plymouth District off on a tour of inspection, the Head Chef from "The Station Hotel", Cant Cove, and the Head Brewer from the "Castle Brewery", near Cant Cove. All three will then travel on to Trepol Bay by scheduled service.

[Chris in Prague]

There may even be some specials working the "long way round" from Exeter to Truro via Okehampton, Meldon, Launceston, Wadenridge, Trepol Bay, Port Perran and Chacewater.
Such trains could then work back via the ex GW main line to Exeter via Bodmin Road, Liskeard and Plymouth.
This could produce some interesting locomotive and stock movements.

Such 'out one way and back another' special tickets have just been agreed by BR WR and BR SR thanks to the efforts of Lady Penelope of Trevelver Castle and the 'Fat Controller' from BR's Plymouth District and will be marketed by BR WR and SR and advertised for postal sale to enthusiasts coming from the LMR and ER by special train who can join these trains at Exeter or Plymouth where all special trains will be calling en route to North and West Cornwall. Demand is expected to be high for these bargain tickets and the chance to enjoy a never-to-be-equalled selection of BR WR and SR steam locomotives (not to mention special visitors from the LMR) with WR dieselisation already under way in the South West.

[port perran]

A very quick posting of the ensemble passing Trepol Bay station having made good time from the East :


Many thanks Chris.

[Chris in Prague]

Many thanks for that excellent photo., Martin. The GWS Bodmin team were very satisfied with the performance of their newly overhauled pannier tank which is expected to feature with its Port Perran based classmate on the Port Perran - Trepol Bay to Wadebridge shuttles during GW125 with some services extended to Penmayne calling at Cant Cove. The GWS Bodmin is expecting the arrival of their also newly overhauled B Set in GWS livery to run behind their 0-6-0PT. Additional coaches can be added at peak times from whatever is to hand at Port Perran, Wadebridge and Penmayne which is likely to mean a wide assortment of liveries and types being pressed into service! It is rumoured that SR locos. may also make guest appearances on the Port Perran - Trepol Bay to Wadebridge services, too.

A special train of BR Maroon mainly Gresley design coaches from the ER has been announced together with one of BR Maroon mainly Stanier design coaches from the LMR. They will run to Wadebridge and Penmayne. It is likely that they will be routed through Claverdon as other routes are fully occupied on Summer Weekends.

Following an inspection by the District Chief Civil Engineer, and subject to special low speed restrictions, it is rumoured that some interesting locos. will be allowed to run through from Bodmin Road to Wadebridge and on to Penmayne, as well as on the Chacewater - Perranporth - Port Perran - Trepol Bay to Wadebridge line, the additional work on the track having been sponsored by the North and West Cornwall Community Rail Partnership whose President is Lady Penelope of Trevelver Castle.

[port perran]

The Fat Controller from Plymouth is currently visiting North & West Cornwall to personally oversee preparations for GW 125. He is expexted to stay at the Station Hotel at trepol Bay for a few days. No doubt similar arrangements will be made if he visits the Cant Cove area.
The Controller has suggested that siding space is made available at both Trepol Bay and Port Perran in order to berth stock when not in use.

[Chris in Prague]

Thank you, Martin. The 'Fat Controller' is expected to make one of his regular visits to Cant Cove, not least to enjoy "The Station Hotel" restaurant after Wadebridge and before Penmayne after his tour of Trepol Bay, Port Perran, and Truro. In view of the limited siding capacity at Penmayne, the Wadebridge yardmaster has been instructed to keep the sidings clear of all vehicles that are not required for service or special trains.

The head chef from Cant Cove's "The Station Hotel" restaurant as well as the Head Brewer from the "Castle Brewery" near Cant Cove will also be staying at the same hotel as the 'Fat Controller' so that they can discuss the GW125 Food and Drink Festival arrangements with their respective colleagues from the "Headland Brewery' and "Station Hotel", Trepol Bay, away from their busy workplaces.

The recently arrived Chocolate and Cream RMB and BCK, arranged by the Lord of Tevelver Castle at BR WR HQ, Paddington, are reported as being made ready in Port Perran yard whilst the local catering crews trained by the staff of the two hotels are put through their paces and menus finalised for the hotels and the Restaurant Buffet cars ready for July's tourists and enthusiasts' arrival.

With temperatures soaring, an urgent shipment of Sam's Cider from Somerset as well as "Castle Ales" are also reported on their way to Trepol Bay and Port Perran with more ordered for July. A similar urgent request has been sent to the "Headland Brewery" for the Wadebridge, Cant Cove and Penmayne areas. Additionally, a French Ferry Van of "Kronenbourg" is also reported on its way to Penmayne where some of the contents will be transferred to the local pickup goods for Cant Cove where the cool lager is very well received by the patrons of the hotel's lounge bar!

[port perran]

There was a flurry of activity at Trepol Bay this afternoon.
A supply of Sam's Cider and Castle Ales arrived from the Castle Brewery at Cant Cove behind a Class 25 which is on trial in the area.  The supplies of ale are urgently needed in the area due to the current hot weather. It is expected that further vans will be added to freight trains in the coming weeks as demand is likely to be high during the GW 125 Celebrations.
Meanwhile on the harbour incline, an ex GW pannier shunts two vans from the Headland Brewery taking supplies to the Cant Cove area. These two vans will be added to the 17.55 local freight for Wadebridge.
Our intrepid photographer from the West Briton was on hand to photograph the action :

[Chris in Prague]

Many thanks, Martin, for another excellent photo. A lot of thirsty pub goers will be very pleased to hear this news.

[Chris in Prague]

Some photos. of the demonstration goods trains being prepared for GW125 this month.

First, the GWR train (still awaiting the arrival of a LWB open wagon and a search is on for a cattle van):



Second, the SR train (the CLPG are awaiting a SR livery guard's van):

[johnlambert]

Current planned services for the GWR125 celebrations in the Midlands include cross-country trains from both the London Midland Region and the Eastern Region.

It's possible that a Fowler-Hughes Class 5 2-6-0 "Crab" or a Class 5MT 4-6-0 "Black 5" will work the LMR train down through Claverdon but I don't know if they are expected to work all the way through to Truro.

The Eastern Region special, with a portion scheduled to work to Cant Cove, is currently scheduled to run behind an ex-LNER B1 that is running in its original LNER Apple Green livery.  I'm not sure if the B1 is cleared to work the line to Cant Cove so that portion of the train will probably be worked by a different engine.

Local services for the GW125 celebrations will include workings by a recently withdrawn streamlined GWR rail car that has been repainted in Great Western livery, a restored auto coach and B-set also painted in chocolate and cream.  The B-set will bring passengers from Birmingham Snow Hill while the auto coach and rail car will handle the services between Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon.  Three engines have been outshopped in GWR colours; two 45xx tanks and an 87xx pannier.  These will also work demonstration goods trains of GWR and private owner wagons.

[port perran]

Some photos. of the demonstration goods trains being prepared for GW125 this month.

First, the GWR train (still awaiting the arrival of a LWB open wagon and a search is on for a cattle van):



Second, the SR train (the CLPG are awaiting a SR livery guard's van):

Very similar trains should be in operation at the West Cornwall Railway Exhibition tomorrow.

[Chris in Prague]

Thanks, Martin. I need to make a removable coal load for the GWR Loco wagon and find the bogie coal wagon. Both the SR coal wagons were bought with fixed coal loads. I have a SR LWB open wagon (without a fixed load) on its way, too, to replace the one I passed on.

[Chris in Prague]

Thank you, John. It's likely that the Fowler-Hughes Class 5 2-6-0 "Crab" or a Class 5MT 4-6-0 "Black 5" will work the LMR train down to Bristol where they will be excahnged for a WR steam loco. Ditto, the ex-LNER B1. However, being a Summer Saturday in 1960 when there is no spare motive power available it's possible that they may have to work through to Exeter before being replaced by WR or SR steam locos. In case a steam loco. is not available, it is possible that one of the new WR diesel hydraulics in the South West for loco crew and  maintenance staff training may be pressed into service. Otherwise, if no WR loco. or SR steam loco. is available at Exeter the trains may have to work through to Plymouth where both WR locos. and SR steam locos. should be available to take over by the time the trains arrive. As both SR and WR crews have route knowledge of each others' lines between Exeter and Plymouth some interesting pairings of locomotives and carriages are expected and the photographers are stocking up with film. There are restrictions on which locos. can work from Bodmin Road to Wadebridge and even stricter ones on the line on from Wadebridge to Penmayne (through Cant Cove) which means that only some WR and SR locos. can be expected to be seen. However, it is rumoured that a LMR special train of Stanier designed carriages has been booked for a "Jubilee" which may work all the way through!