Latest News
Visit of Lyd
16th August 2010
The recently complete replica Lynton & Barnstaple locomotive, 'Lyd', will be visiting this September - click here for further details!
Proposed Egloskerry extension
25th August 2010
Talks between Cornwall Council, local landowners and the LSR with regards the development of a new 'Multi-User trail' between Launceston and Egloskerry, which would incorporate a two mile extension of the LSR from Newmills to Egloskerry, have proceeded for the last year. Negotiations between all parties continue, and it is hoped that an important announcement regarding the railway's proposed extension and the new trail will be made in the near future - watch this space!
Works Update
19th August 2010
A small number of projects have been undertaken in the railway's workshops this summer.
In June, carriage 3 was subject to a periodic exam, during which the bogies were removed and overhauled.
The railway's Simplex locomotive is currently undergoing a light overhaul, which will include converting it to electric start, in preperation for use on an increased number of permanent way trains. The most obvious change to the Simplex is that it has received a new coat of paint!
The power bogie for the railway's new diesel railcar has been fitted with a sprung bolster. The railcar's chassis will be constructed shortly. More information on the railcar project can be found here.
Dorothea
5th July 2010
Recent work on Dorothea has focused on lining her frames, as seen in the photos below. As far as known, the lining is an accurate reproduction of that which Dorothea had when she was first built - note that even the wheels were lined!
LSR "On Tour" - Ffestiniog 'Quirks and Curiosities' gala
4th May 2010
Over the recent Spring Bank Holiday weekend, the Launceston Steam Railway attended the 'Quirks and Curiosities' gala at the Ffestiniog Railway with two items of rolling stock; Chris Parmenter's vertical boiler locomotive 'Perseverance' and the new railcar power bogie (affectionately christened "The Gherkin"). As both are normally kept in the workshops when the LSR is open to the public, the weekend provided the rare opportunity for members of the public to see Perseverance and the Gherkin on display and in operation.
Throughout the weekend, both Perseverance and the Gherkin were often on display, either at Harbour station in Porthmadog or at Boston Lodge Works. Perseverance was often to be found running around Boston Lodge yard, and occasionally ran to and from Harbour station with two other vertical boilered locomotives 'Paddy' and 'Leary'. The Gherkin was accompanied by a bogie wagon for the weekend, and was frequently used to move staff and volunteers quickly around parts of the railway.
On the Saturday evening, Perseverance made a run up the line to a point just past Penrhyn crossing, accompanied by Paddy. Meanwhile on Sunday evening, the Gherkin made a spirited run to Tan-y-Bwlch station, with around 15 passengers riding in the accompanying wagon.
The photos below are a selection from the weekend:
Hunt's Crossing trackwork
20th April 2010
Maintenance work has recently become focused on modifying the trackwork in place at Hunts Crossing. For several years in the 1980s Hunts Crossing was the terminus of the railway, and a run round loop was laid here. When the railway was extended further up the valley, the point was removed at the eastern end of the loop, leaving a siding accessible from a point at the west end of Hunts Crossing. This siding was used to store several items of rolling stock which were seldom used, and over the years the siding became rather overgrown. After considering several options, it was decided earlier this year to remove the loop and point, and realign part of the mainline through Hunts Crossing. Previously all trains had to slow down in order to negotiate the point at the western end of Hunts Crossing; removing the point and realigning the mainline will allow trains to travel through Hunts Crossing at normal line speed, thus slightly reducing the journey time to Newmills.
The photos below show the track gang in action, working to slew the two sections of track which were either side of the point. Part of this track, as can be seen in the photos, is a section laid on experimental concrete sleepers.
23rd May
The track realignment work at Hunts Crossing has now been completed, in time for the railway to reopen at Whitsun. The opportunity was taken, as part of the work, to completely replace the lighter weight rail through Hunts Crossing with ex. Vale of Rheidol 45 lb/yd rail and a few lengths of ex. Dean Hill 50 lb/yd rail. In total the work was completed in just under 5 working days.
Dorothea's cab
20th April 2010
Restoration of Kay Bowman's Hunslet "Dorothea" continues well, with components for the cab being fitted in March, as seen in the photo below. Although Dorothea is now starting to appear largely complete, there are still a number of items and tasks that require completing and a return to steam remains some time away.
Maurice Dart book signing
8th April 2010
The Launceston Steam Railway today successfully hosted a book signing with well-known West Country author Maurice Dart. Maurice was signing copies of his new book - 'Industrial & Narrow Gauge Railways - Cornwall', which has just been published by Halsgrove. The book covers many railways which have long since passed into history, and it is copiously illustrated with photographs, many of which were taken by the author, who has been recording the railways of the South West since the nineteen thirties. A number of visitors took the opportunity to not only have their book signed by the author, but hear some of the fascinating stories and information Maurice has gathered through his life long interest in the railways of the West Country.
Maurice Dart is seen here alongside locomotive 'Covertcoat' with a copy of his new book:
Launceston - Egloskerry Multi User Trail & LSR extension
9th November 2009
Launceston and East Cornwall have long suffered from a lack of investment and facilities when compared with West Cornwall. The County Council is now aiming to redress the balance with a scheme that would place the area in the tourist spotlight, and assist in the regeneration of the Launceston area.
The scheme is to create a 'Multi User Trail' (often referred to as a 'cycle trail', although suitable for walkers) to link Launceston and Egloskerry. In time this could form part of a link between the Camel and Tarka trails, both of which have created significant economic benefits.
Funding will come from a number of external sources. The initial aim is to create a short section of 1500 meters, with Newmills at the mid-point. This would release significant funding for the rest of the project.
Because of the benefits that such a scheme would bring to Launceston and the surrounding area, the railway is fully supportive of the County's plans, and is demonstrating this support by agreeing to make the necessary land freely available. It is anticipated that, as with the Farm Park, access will mainly be by train.
The railway has long seen Egloskerry as a desirable goal, as this would take it to the optimum length for economic operation. The chance to incorporate this into the trail scheme presents the opportunity to achieve this, whilst at the same time bringing benefits to the trail scheme.
The railway's investment in the extension would release match funding for the trail. The availability of easy road access and parking in Launceston, together with rail access to the trail at Newmills and Egloskerry would minimize extra vehicular use of the local roads, whilst permitting many more options in the use of the trail, and opening it up to those who are less fit and unable to walk or cycle the entire route.
At the end of the trail and railway at Egloskerry, the railway would provide a simple platform and shelter only, and it is anticipated that an increase in the number of visitors to this attractive village would be of benefit to the community there. At this point the trail would join a short footpath to the centre of the village (the original station was much further away!), and this path would be upgraded. There is also access to other footpaths in the area.
Commercially the railway has no need for extension, but the present Directors, all being of 1940's vintage, are concerned to ensure the long term future and viability of the line. The extension to Egloskerry would make a significant contribution to this, bringing the line up to a length which is regarded in the tourist railway industry as optimum for this type of operation. The value for redevelopment of the property owned by the railway at Newport could also prejudice the future of the line in its present form.