Launceston Steam Railway

Just a gentle reminder - if you want a post Christmas steam fix we'll be running a few days between Christmas and New Year. Judging by recent weather Covertcoat will be in charge, but Lilian should be out on Boxing Day.

 

**Stop Press** - the 2pm train on Boxing Day will be a recreation of our first train 30 years ago. Same loco, same driver and only running to the original end of the line, half a mile from Launceston.

Lilian will be in steam come rain or shine on Boxing Day, but judging by the current weather forecast Covertcoat will (probably) be out on the other dates.

 

Operating dates for this year are now available and are as follows:

13th-25th April
19th-23rd and 25th-31st May
Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays in June
1st July - 26th September daily except Saturdays
26th-31st October

Fares have been held at their 2013 prices too!

 

The last time I visited Launceston I was probably only 4 or 5, so I don't really remember much about it. However I do remember seeing Lilian out and going for a ride behind her. I would like to visit again sometime if I get the chance.

 

Part of this winter has seen the straight before Newmills relayed with 50lb rail - part of a scheme which releases the 40lb rail previously there to replace some 30lb rail nearer Launceston. The final joint (joining the 50lb to the ex.FR/Penrhyn bullhead rail used in Newmills station) was bolted up this afternoon, ready for when trains start running next Sunday....

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Busy so far since we opened on Sunday - Dorothea was out yesterday but as the weather has been good so Lilian has been the engine of choice!

News of some more quirky contraptions:

Perseverance was out today for his annual in-steam boiler inspection and now has the OK for a further 12 months.


We have an experimental petrol electric locomotive visiting at the moment from a private railway. It is on display in the 'Black Tin Shed'.

 

We're just about to finish one of our Locals' Weeks which has proved very successful. Trains running Sunday-Friday next week for half term and then Sun-Tues through June. Local steam rally this weekend as well if anyone wants a double steam fix!

The second section of relaying was completed in a few weeks off between Easter and Locals Week - the 30lb rail has been replaced by the cascaded 40lb rail and should be off for it's third or forth life at Lappa Valley later this year. Covertcoat's regulator has also been out to fix a slight leak that was developing.

 

Next Sunday we are hosting the 'Railway Day' part of the Charles Causley Festival - the town's annual festival of literature and arts, held in memory of the late poet Charles Causley, a Launceston resident all his life and some say the best poet laureate we never had!

This is the first time we are taking part in the festival and we hope will be a great success. We have four authors joining us through the day:

Georgie Adams is a children's author who lives in the Kensey Valley, overlooking the railway. Her popular book series 'The Railway Rabbits' was inspired by the rabbits which can often be seen from our trains. Readings and book signings at 11:15am and 2:15pm.

Roger Fogg is a retired teacher who confesses to 'owning more vintage motorcycles than are strictly necessary'. He writes on the subject of motorcycles for various magazines, and is a member and past Chairman of the Cornwall section of the Vintage Motorcycle Club. Informal talk and book signing at 12:15pm.

Ian Thompson has spent two decades researching roadside granite milestones throughout Cornwall. Ian's new book Cornish Milestones tells the history of the county's road development in the 18th and 19th centuries. Informal talk and book signing at 1.15pm.

Finally, Andrew Roden is a journalist and writer on transport matters. His first two books, The Flying Scotsman and The Duchesses are now joined by The Great Western Railway, published to coincide with the 175th anniversary of the company. Informal talk and book signing at 3.15pm.

 

Dorothea's in the "paint shop" this week for application of her final livery - watch this space...

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Hi.
Any progress with the railcar?

 

It's coming along as and when there's time for Nigel to work on it - and will be running some point next week to film an update for our DVD. Drivers controls are pretty much complete, just needs bodywork and fitting out. Provisionally to be in service next year to coincide with a visiting steam loco - but the usual disclaimer, best laid plans of mice and men etc.

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I thought that might be the case, thanks for the info

 

Dottie lined out:


Three Hunslets in steam - because we can!


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Video from Sunday:

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Dorothea looks lovely all lined out!

Chris

 

Something a little different...

A passion for steam - and apples!


Back in 1980, Velinheli's owner James Evans and his wife Mary Martin found and restored a disused cider press near their home in the Tamar Valley. Their quest to find the correct local apples to produce cider soon escalated, and they have spent over three decades saving nearly 200 varieties of Cornish apple trees (plus cherry, pear and plum trees) from extinction.

James and Mary have now published a book - 'A Cornish Pomona' - detailing all the varieties of local apple they have saved. We will have copies in our shop priced at £7.50 from tomorrow, or you can order copies direct from the authors for £10 including P&P at:http://www.marymartin.co/Mary_Martin_Cornish_Artist/Books.html

The photo above shows James and Velinheli admiring one of our apple trees (the variety is, appropriately, Bowman's Beauty!).

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Brief news away from apples:

Lilian and Dorothea now have new grates - our latest batch of coal which arrived in July has burnt poorly in all the Hunslets except Covertcoat. After much experimentation with firing techniques and blast nozzle diameter, the decision was taken to fit a copy of Covertcoat's grate to Lilian, since when she has been steaming wonderfully - so Dorothea has been fitted with the same grate too.
Main workshop project at present is building a new attachment for our JCB digger which will assist with clearing and cutting down trees along the line this winter.
Velinheli is provisionally going off to North Wales next year, 50 years since she was sold for preservation.

 

After a busy peak season we have a few weeks off at the moment, but will reopen for half term week (26th-31st). We will be repeating our popular Locals' Week offer with discount vouchers in the local paper. Half term is normally run with one engine, but this year we plan to use all four Hunslets over the course of the week, with double headed trains on some days.

 

This sounds good. Any cheap B&Bs in Launceston?

John

 

I believe the White Horse, a few minutes walk towards Bude from the railway, has rooms at a reasonable rate. The White Hart and Eagle House Hotel up in town are a bit more expensive. The TIC lists accommodation on their website at www.visitlaunceston.co.uk; they're very helpful, so if you phone or email I'm sure they will recommend somewhere.

We have author Andrew Roden here launching his new book 'Trains to the Trenches', all about the role the railways played in WW1, on Sunday 26th as well. Plus, of course, the castle (20% discount if you show an LSR ticket) and town museum (free) are well worth a visit too!