Falmouth Branch Line - stations, facilities, services and improvements - ongoing discussion, merged posts

[whole diary]

[The Tall Controller]

I had that experience too. I caught the 0926 from Perranwell and my sister and I had acres of room in the front coach. One hour later and the train was packed!

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Falmouth Tall Ships Regatta starts


Forty-three vessels from around the world are taking part in the Falmouth Tall Ships Regatta

A regatta featuring dozens of vessels and attracting thousands of visitors has started in Cornwall.

Forty-three vessels from around the world are taking part in the Falmouth Tall Ships Regatta.

It is the fifth time the town has hosted the tall ships since they first visited in 1966. In 2008 the event attracted more than 100,000 visitors.

The regatta will run until 31 August with the tall ships leaving Falmouth Bay on Sunday and sailing to London.

[LiskeardRich]

18000 people entered the docks facilities alone today.

Many didn't and went on boat trips to see from the water side. The Ferries, (100 capacity each on 10 minutely services) were all looking full on every trip.

[John R]

Good effort by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) to strengthen services. Though looking at the timetable I'm a bit worried that there is only one service back to Truro after the fireworks on Saturday night (ok, two if you count the one departing a couple of minutes after they're due to finish), which may struggle to cope.

[RichardB]

Good effort by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) to strengthen services. Though looking at the timetable I'm a bit worried that there is only one service back to Truro after the fireworks on Saturday night (ok, two if you count the one departing a couple of minutes after they're due to finish), which may struggle to cope.

There is an unadvertised "ghost" train too, just in case.

[phile]

One of the Falmouths (additionals running) today formed only 2 Cars.   Incidentally, St Ives only 2 carriages instead of 4.

[bobm]

There were problems last night when one of the units on the Falmouth branch failed, leaving just one shuttling up and down.  I suspect it hasn't been possible to fix it overnight so one has been borrowed from the St Ives branch.

[John R]

Good effort by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) to strengthen services. Though looking at the timetable I'm a bit worried that there is only one service back to Truro after the fireworks on Saturday night (ok, two if you count the one departing a couple of minutes after they're due to finish), which may struggle to cope.

There is an unadvertised "ghost" train too, just in case.

That's good to hear.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the West Briton:

Delays for people leaving Falmouth Tall Ships after train breaks down at Perranwell


Truro to Falmouth line

Hundreds of people leaving Falmouth Tall Ships have been left frustrated after a First Great Western train broke down at Perranwell, causing long delays.

Earlier reports were that there were no trains running in either direction between Truro and Falmouth after the train broke down at approximately 6pm this evening.

A First Great Western spokesman tweeted: "There is a train fault. However there's a train shuttling between Truro and Falmouth Docks. Replacement bus also available."

Thousands of people have been in the Falmouth today for the event, which is one of the town^s busiest days of the year.

One passenger said: ^The platform at Falmouth Docks was so full with people waiting for the train that they were not letting anyone else onto the platform. We have taken a taxi back to Penryn.^

Another passenger said: ^It has taken an hour and 20 minutes for us to get to Truro. It^s just ridiculous. I am sure there must be lots of angry people at Falmouth Docks."

[winterbourne]

West Briton twaddle: I was at Falmouth Docks, and the staff were excellent. Road traffic was arranged in a timely fashion, and we were delayed waiting the branch about an hour. I didnt any angry people at Falmouth Docks.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From West Briton:

Penryn station artwork designed by Falmouth University, Penryn College and Junior School pupils unveiled


Penryn station artwork designed by Falmouth University, Penryn College and Junior School pupils unveiled

A huge mural designed by school children has been unveiled at Penryn railway station, two years after it was originally hoped to be in place.

Falmouth University set up the project working with about 20 Year 9 pupils from Penryn College and Years 4 and 5 from the junior school to come up with the design.

Over several years, they came up with a 40 foot town timeline featuring key moments in its history and iconic buildings.

However the Cornwall Council funded project hit delays when Network Rail requested a costly engineers report and then the design had to be altered, requiring further approval.

Originally planned to be made of steel to give it a 3D feel, the mural eventually had to be created on a flat surface.

Penryn Town Council agreed to take over the management of the project to ensure its completion.

Mayor Gill Grant said: ^I am delighted they have captured so many of the key moments and iconic buildings that are so important to us. There were many people involved in the project who have helped bring it forward.^

These include people from Falmouth University, Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, First Great Western, FXPlus (the university student union), Cormac, Friends of Penryn Station, Cornwall Council and design company 20/20.

Town clerk Michelle Davey said: ^I am delighted to see the artwork finally installed. The project has been ongoing for more than four years when I took up the challenge of seeing it through to completion. We have had a great response from local residents and it was definitely well worth the effort.^

My own congratulations to all those involved in bringing this project to a satisfactory completion.  CfN. 

[Kernowman]

Trains will be terminating and starting from Falmouth Town over the weekend due to track relaying. Legs and feet will replace trains between Falmouth Town and Falmouth Docks stations. Hopefully the run around loop and connection to the docks themselves will remain intact.

[LiskeardRich]

A new form of rail replacement.

Service suspended between Falmouth Town and Falmouth Docks due to engineering works. Service suspended all weekend. Passengers will need to walk from Falmouth Town to the Docks. From 24th to 25th January.

[bobm]

I might be thinking of another west country branch line - but isn't a fairly steep climb between the two stations?

[grahame]

I might be thinking of another west country branch line - but isn't a fairly steep climb between the two stations?

Are you thinking of the the Lynmouth to Lynton line, Bob?