Apparently 57305 and 57311 are being hired in for a year to cover 602 and 604 which are both due heavy maintenance exams.
Hopefully that will improve reliability, however time will tell!

Although the missing section is only 2 miles long would the existing track from Parkandillack to Burngullow then need to be altered/upgraded to be suitable for passenger traffic? That would inevitably add significant extra costs, plus there would be need for at least one level crossing on the missing section, all of which would probably tip the cost to benefit ratio too far the wrong way 

57605 failed at Exeter with last night's Padd - Penz sleeper, passengers moved on to a 158+150 combo for their onward journey....

ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) awaiting rescue from 57603 which is currently en route to Exe and will then form this service to Longrock (not sure if it will drag 57605 too?)

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:49658/2025-01-16/detailed

A pleasant surprise at Saltash today as new signs have appeared at the London end of the up and down platforms



The signs are in the approximate position of the 'Cornish Railways' signs of the 1980s however the one on the up platform advised that passengers were leaving Cornish Railways, perhaps to emphasise that anything untoward occuring past that point was nothing to do with them 

Very strong look of the Glynn Valley (between Bodmin and Liskeard) about it - perhaps Penadlake viaduct?



Link to image source: https://flic.kr/p/G6hRQ2

Just went out for a run and as I crossed the Tamar bridge I was totally unprepared to see it being hauled  backwards across the RAB by a castle class set!

And what's the one thing I don't take with me when out running.....yes, a phone!

Trackside Cafe at Saltash station is now officially open Monday - Friday from 6.45am until 2.30pm serving breakfast baps, toasties, sandwiches, hot pasties, tea, coffee, soft drinks, etc, all available to eat in or take away.

I'm not affiliated in any way  - just very pleased to see another brilliant advance in the provision of services available at my local station 

(Image linked from announcement post in Facebook group 'Saltash Group')

I've just read that the decision on the Keyham bomb is to move it out to sea, requiring a journey from its current location to the Torpoint ferry slipway near Devonport which will enforce a 300m cordon along the entirety of the route and suspension of rail services whilst it is being moved as the line runs through the cordon.
No exact specifics but scheduled to take place between 1400 and 1700 today.

Fingers crossed all goes to plan!

From what I can tell, the Newquay branch (plat 3) connects to the up main (plat 2) and then there is a crossover to the down main

Three power cars have now been re-liveried into retro variations as a celebration of their contribution to the XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) fleet (and their overall long-term contribution to rail services since the mid 70's I guess!):

(apologies, the original image link is HUGE). Edit - Alex - I have added an attribute to have this show somewhat smaller - grahame



Original XC tweet:

https://twitter.com/CrossCountryUK/status/1686035858816700416?t=_eREOhP9blMGOp1goI_yjg&s=19

Apparently due to start in regular/normal service from today (3rd)........

An update from the SRUG^▸ (Saltash Rail Users Group) today:

"Saltash Town Council have agreed a deal to open the café and waiting room at the station. This will mean that an accessible toilet and somewhere dry to wait for your train will be available soon"

Not to do a disservice to the two waiting shelters already in existence on the platforms but the environment of the station building is certainly far nicer than either of those.

Another great step forward in this brilliant project.

They're finally cracking down on those passengers that bring particularly potent foodstuffs into the confines of a carriage - the dogs are looking forward to their diets of egg mayonnaise sandwiches and smoked kipper rolls.

Given that this thread is not far coming up for 10 years I think it's definitely time!
Would a class 67 or 68 be suitable for such duties, or are there issues with ETH/power incompatibilities?

Thanks for sharing that, I wasn't aware of the project - the area certainly would benefit from redevelopment.
I wonder if this forms part of the 'Plymouth Metro' vision? At the very least it should place St Budeaux in a better position to be part of it, should it ever come to fruition.

St Budeaux square has always been busy in terms of bus passengers, it would be interesting to know how many of those journeys could be served by rail instead, as the bus network spreads out far and wide from there, especially to the North of the city (i.e. Derriford for the hospital & science parks), for which there is no rail provision. Is it the relative infrequency of services that has previously deterred those heading for the city centre from using the train?

Overall though it's great to see investment in local transport initiatives 

Another significant step forward in the project this week as the security fencing has been removed, exposing much more of the building on the platform side. Keen to see what the next step will be!



Regards,
Ross