History Maritime Line

1 history

1.1 great western , br
1.2 privatisation
1.3 community rail
1.4 improvements in 2009

history

the original timber-built carnon viaduct

the maritime line built cornwall railway, broad gauge railway 7 ft (2,134 mm) plymouth falmouth. purpose of scheme link london falmouth, port packet ships sailed destinations in europe, africa, , america.

the section plymouth truro opened on 4 may 1859, , inhabitants of falmouth put pressure on company extend line town intended. extension opened on 24 august 1863, time packet ships had been diverted elsewhere.

after west cornwall railway converted broad gauge in 1867, truro falmouth line tended operated branch, trains london paddington operating penzance instead.

the original stations on line @ truro, perranwell (known perran until 19 february 1864), penryn, , falmouth (now falmouth docks). penmere added on 1 july 1925, , falmouth town (originally known dell) opened on 7 december 1970. line terminated @ dell 5 years before reopening original terminus.

great western , br

the cornwall railway amalgamated great western railway on 1 july 1889. following amalgamation, plans put in place conversion standard gauge, took place on weekend of 21 may 1892. great western railway nationalised british railways on 1 january 1948.

privatisation

britain s railways privatised in 1990s. @ privatisation, line operated wales & west train operating company few years until company split. 14 october 2001, maritime line became responsibility of wessex trains.

when franchise became due renewal, tender won first great western , company took on operation on 1 april 2006.

community rail

the maritime line 1 of railway lines supported devon , cornwall rail partnership, organisation formed in 1991 promote railway services in area. line promoted many means such regular timetable , scenic line guides, leaflets highlighting leisure opportunities such walking, birdwatching, , visiting country pubs.

the maritime line rail ale trail launched in 2003 encourage rail travellers visit pubs near line. of 14 participating pubs, 4 in truro, 1 in perranwell, 3 in penryn, , 6 in falmouth. 5, 10 or 14 stamps collected in rail ale trail leaflet entitle participant claim special maritime line rail trail souvenir merchandise.

wessex trains painted class 150 two-car dmu (number 150265) in coloured pictures promoting line , named falmouth flyer. unit continued in service first great western when company won franchise has been repainted in standard fleet colours. while in pictorial livery unit worked throughout southwest, , not on named line.

the branch designated department transport community rail line in september 2006. aims increase number of passengers , reduce costs. strategies investigation include more effective revenue collection, passing loop, improved bus links, , working ferry operators , colleges in area.

improvements in 2009

work underway @ perranwell install signalling equipment new loop being installed @ penryn.

the line dual track @ penryn. evidence of dual track can seen @ penryn station, 2 platforms still visible. beeching report in 1960s instigated reduction of line there 2 one. in 2004 proposal put forward reinstate passing loop line, allow doubling of service frequency. funding agreed £4.67 million coming european union funds, £2.5 million cornwall council, , £600,000 network rail. new 400 metres (440 yd) loop installed on 2 long weekends in october 2008 , work on platform extension started. loop brought use ahead of schedule , budget, formal opening kevin lavery, chief executive of cornwall council, taking place @ penryn station on 18 may 2009. works included new car park , waiting shelter @ penryn, in addition new loop, signalling , platform lengthening.