Extracts from Trains Illustrated (4) Jan - Dec 1961

These extracts from Trains Illustrated are continuing my search for information on train movements, locomotive allocations and historical events which might have an influence on any of my proposed projects based in and around Wadebridge - Bodmin area. Though most, if not all, of my projects will be fictitious I'm hoping to bring a good slice of historical accuracy to all of them.

April 1961 issue reports:
Western Region
"On January 30 the 5:10 a.m. St.Austell-Plymouth ran into a landslide at Wivelscombe Tunnel, between Saltash and St. Germans, and for the following fortnight the line was closed at this point, except for some freight traffic. Other freight workings and the milk and perishables trains between Cornwall and the east were diverted via Bodmin Road, Wadebridge, Halwill and Okehampton with Type 2 diesel-hydraulic locomotives and S.R. 2-6-0s as motive power. Passenger trains from Cornwall were terminated at St. Germans and a bus service maintained the connection between this station and Saltash, whence a diesel multiple-unit connected with Plymouth, where services from the east were terminated."

July 1961 issue reports:
Southern Region
"Of the U1 2-6-0s Nos. 31898-31900 have been acquired by Salisbury and Nos. 31901-4 by Exmouth Junction. We understand that the U1s will replace T9 4-4-0s in the West Country; all remaining T9 s have been stored to await scrapping ..... Of the South Eastern Division's B.R. Standard Class 2 2-6-2Ts Nos. 84020-3 have travelled to Exmouth Junction.."

September 1961 issue reports:
Western Region
"The bulk of mainline passenger traffic in Cornwall is now diesel-powered by Type 4 units; steam locomotives still work some parcels traffic and most - but not all - the freight traffic. Although the Par-Newquay line is still mainly steam, St. Blazey depot, which covers it, is expected to be all-diesel by the end of the year. At present, too, the Cornish Type 2 diesels have only two daily turns on the Truro-Perranporth-Newquay line, which is worked chiefly by pannier tanks owing to the current non-availability of many 2-6-2Ts of Cornish sheds."

Southern Region
"The S.R. aims to withdraw all the Class T9 4-4-0s, N15 4-6-0, C, C2X and Class 700 0-6-0s and H, and M7 0-4-4Ts as soon as possible and it's latest withdrawals show further steps to the ends with the condemnation of five T9s, Noos. 30117, 30313, 30701/9/17........ The S.R. is particularly anxious to replace its 0-4-4Ts with more modern power and already redundant Class 2 2-6-2Ts nos. 41238/69/1/70/2/83/4/7 have been moved from the L.M.R. ; but the S.R.s' standard Class 2 2-6-2Ts are to be moved to the L.M.R., as the S.R. has not enough of them to justify Regional maintenance of boiler spares."

October 1961 issue reports:
Southern Region
"Exmouth Junction depot has had a clear-out of ex-L.S.W. types. With the departure of Nos 30120 and 30313 for Eastleigh early in July it rid itself of Class T9 4-4-0s and it's stock of Class 700 0-6-0s was eliminated whenn No. 30691left in mid-July. However, No. 30309 (72B) of the latter class travelled through to Ilfracombe with an engineers special from Exeter on August 15, returning to Yeovil two days later."

November 1961 issue reports:
Western Region
"Type 4 "Warship" diesel-hydraulic No. D845 has emerged from Swindon with its roof fronts painted white and four-character head code panels framed in a broad yellow rectangle as a warning device; the Ministry of Transport is believed to be recommending that a prominent yellow warning panel off some kind be applied to the ends of all main line diesel locomotives. Western region Type 4 diesels are also beginning to appear with electrification warning notices a suitable points in their superstructure.."

"Several of the local workings in the Exeter district are now being covered by N.B. Loco. Co. Type 2 diesel-hydraulics, including the Kingswear portion of the up "Cornish Riviera Express"; these locomotives have also taken over the St. Ives branch, Bodmin Road-Wadebridge duties covered by St. Blazey depot and the Hayle-Hayle Docks workings."

December 1961 issue reports:
Southern Region
"B.R. Class 2 2-6-2Ts Nos. 84020/3 were still on Exmouth Junction shed in mid-October, although the S.R.'s entire allocation of this type has been officially transferred to the L.M.R. Exmouth Junction has now regained three 700 Class 0-6-0s; Nos. 30697/8 and 30700 have joined the allocation for winter snowplough work."

The April report of diverted traffic via Bodmin, Wadebridge and Hallwill is a very interesting working... I was also not fully aware when the "Warships" started to appear with yellow warning panels with white trim above the front windows so this information will be very useful if I ever need a Warship...