End of an Era: Cornwall's High Speed Train & Semaphore Farewell - Railway Photography

Cornwall's vanishing icons, they'll be both gone in 6 months' time, a last opportunity to photograph the HST's and Semaphore Signals across the railways of Cornwall.
The day started and ended at St.Austell, first stop Par, with a walk near St.Blazey, back to Par station for more GWR Castle Class HSTs and the semaphores signals around the station. A train to Lostwithiel get a couple of China Clay freight trains passing with more Semaphore Signals and GWR Castle Class High-Speed Trains. Onwards then to Liskeard for yet more semaphore signals and the branch line to Looe. Finally, a run across Cornwall to St.Erth to take in the GWR Semaphore signals around the station.
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[@marksingleton5176]

Fantastic video andrew, thanks for sharing 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@AndrewShenton]

My pleasure, Mark.

[@lukethomas.125]

The photos you take are sublime. I’m not sure how to describe it, but they have their own energy and looks to them

[@AndrewShenton]

Very kind Luke, I do appreciate that.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Fantastic video Andrew 👍🏻 it’ll be a shame when the signals are taken away and the HSTs but it’s called progress 😩 XC have just about stopped their HSTs so no more for Cornwall 😢

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks, yes its all change, I'll certainly miss the HST's, the days are really numbered on the mainline now, I came back to Cornwall in September and there were so fewer HST's running compared to May when I did this video.

[@johnspencer5295]

The ability to tell a story, in this case of a day in Cornwall on the railway, and bring your day to life, is a precious one - thanks for yet another enjoyable video brought with genuine enthusiasm and talent.

[@learningoogauge3452]

This comment hit the nail on the head

[@AndrewShenton]

Wonderful comment many thanks John and I really do appreciate that, as you can guess I get quite a bit of enjoyment and relaxation out of railway photography.

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks

[@michaelsansom6]

I accidentally sent comment before I could type THANK YOU! This clip is the first made by you that I have come across. I will follow you from now on. Best Wishes.

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks indeed.

[@michaelsansom6]

An excellent and entertaining study! I travelled from Paddington to Redruth many times over 50 years, the highlight being those semaphores between Liskeard and Rerduth. I also loved the semaphores St Erth when I took folk on the train to St Ives.

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks, its all changed now with the removal of many of the semaphore signals.

[@adrianj1829]

Absolutely brilliant filming Andrew your best yet. Catching the HST before they are retired. Always enjoy your videos. Cornwall rails are on our bucket list. The freights were fantastic filming. Thank you so much for sharing

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks, Adrian, I'm pleased you've enjoyed it, I believe the signalling project is delayed and its now next February when the Semaphores are replaced. There's not so many HST's though, I filmed this in May and re-visited in September, not so many HST's running in September.

[@keithchowney3392]

Lovely shots wish I was there

[@AndrewShenton]

Yes, I wish I was there today too!!

[@sggphotography]

Another excellent video, really enjoyed that one

[@AndrewShenton]

Thank you, Steve, it was fun on the day and enjoyable to edit together, glad you enjoyed it. Need to do it again!!

[@flippop101]

An absolute gem of a video. Really like your style of narrative!

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks Philip, I do appreciate that.

[@johnlawrence5757]

Now that was ace Andy wow!!!

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks, John.

[@stuartwarr4831]

Andrew, yet another marvellous video. I went down to Cornwall twice during April 2023 chasing Castles and semaphores, having viewed your trip I want to go again and as ever, you have given me some new ideas, many thanks!

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks Stuart, it was a super day out, made even better with the freedom to jump on and off any train, looking back now I’ve a real urge to get back before it’s all gone.

[@ianhorton2943]

Brilliant video Andrew. Thank you.

[@AndrewShenton]

You’re very welcome Ian

[@martynwells5594]

Great video Andrew thanks for sharing your travels and images taken

[@AndrewShenton]

My pleasure Martyn, Many thanks & glad you enjoyed it.

[@peterlittle6651]

Great video Andrew, Mrs Shenton is becoming very profficient with her bit of the video. Lovely way to spend a day especially with that weather.

[@AndrewShenton]

Thanks Peter, yep, she’s getting good with the trains now, it was a fabulous day out on the trains and fantastic weather too, although not my favourite weather for photography.

[@CJRich-z6g]

Inspirational video Andrew. I need to get down there very soon.

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks CJ, hopefully you make the trip, there’s something planned on the group for October too.

[@benGBRf]

Well done Andrew getting all these sights while you can. It seems all the good stuff will be leaving the West Country. HSTs, semaphores, CDA hopper wagons, BR 2nd gen units. Soon all to go. Sad times so thanks for sharing this soon to be history Andrew 👍🏻

[@AndrewShenton]

Thanks Ben, I didn’t realise the amount of change going on, I’d really like to get back and savour Railway down there whilst it still has character.

[@brianirving5889]

Great stuff Andrew!

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks Brian, really appreciate that.

[@robc9845]

What a fantastic video,absolutely lovely area of the country.

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks, Rob, it is a great place, and I only scratched the surface by only looking at the stations.

[@BrianTuckerRailvideos]

Excellent Video Andrew,lots of hard but enjoyable work.

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks Brian, yes, it does take a bit of effort, but great fun.

[@markeilo5065]

thoroughly enjoyed this video ty

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks Mark, I’m glad you did.

[@Sim0nTrains]

That trip to Looe almost went down the Looe! 😂 but Cornwall is a stunning area of England and really enjoyed watching, great video

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks Simon, yes I was getting a little worried, Real Time Trains was showing the train to Looe as cancelled but the train back to Liskeard as running, well if it’s cancelled coming there’s no way its running back, anyway it turned up bang on time and was I glad.

[@pedroradford9446]

Superb capture of every event which will soon be history ,thank you !,

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks, I think I timed the trip fairly well, most of the semaphores are now history.

[@johnriley4394]

Excellent photography and such a valuable and atmospheric record of so much that is to disappear. (It is a shame though that the intrusive and incongruous background track is included; surely, the sound of the trains should be allowed to speak for themselves). Lostwithiel and Par boxes are listed so should be safe and mechanical signalling is to remain in the medium term at least in other sections of the Cornwall main line. Looking forward to more of these videos.

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks, I've taken on board your comments, yes, I understand its not the end of Semaphores completely in Cornwall.

[@andyhoare9924]

Splendid Andrew, really captures the spirit of the railways of Cornwall.

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks Andy, watching through again makes me want to return.

[@matzkoooo]

beautiful video! nice contrast between the modern IEPs and the semaphores 😅

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks, it’ll lose all the charm when it’s modern signalling and IEP’s.

[@JonathanLDN]

What an absolute legendary guy Andrew is! Always a great day when he releases a video! Make my rubbish day at work a whole lot better! Cheers! 👍

[@AndrewShenton]

Wow, thanks Jonathan, funny thing I use my own videos to remember a great day out when things are tough.

[@pendolino_pete4621]

Lovely video as always, excellent photos featuring two historic elements of the UK rail network

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks Pete, I’ve found out the 4 wheel old MGR wagons are on likely to be on the way out too, so all change in Cornwall.

[@ElectraLevelCrossings]

Great video and photos as usual, Andrew! I particularly liked the one at Par with the signal box sign.

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks, I’d love to get back before all the semaphores disappear.

[@bodders306]

Great video with a bit of freight and semaphores - what’s not to like!?

[@AndrewShenton]

Exactly, it was the semaphores that did it for me, very nostalgic.

[@andrewhowe555]

Wonderful video Andrew. Much food for thought here, so many wonderful locations. I was scheduled to visit Devon/Cornwall in May to tie in with a trip on the Night Riviera, but it was cancelled because of the ongoing overtime ban (I was gutted)! Hope to schedule a trip in September, as I’d love to get shots of the signals and HST’s before they stop operating. Great video, and stunning photography 📷😊

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks Andrew, I filmed this in May and did wonder why the sleeper wasn’t running, yes I’d certainly recommend making the trip, from what I understand it’ll be November/ December when the signals at Lostwithiel, Par and Truro go.

[@peterdovey5182]

I liked the one of the clay wagons going away at Lostwithiel, I'm down in Cornwall in October so your tip may come in handy. re the train tickets

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks Peter, yes the ranger ticket is amazing value, I could do to get back too, the HST, signals a the clay wagons are all going.

[@ChangesOneTim]

Resignalling was postponed for a short while. Next month (Feb 2024) is your last chance to view spectacular semaphore action at Lostwithiel, Par and Truro. After that semaphores in Cornwall will survive only at Liskeard and S'nerth on the main line, and at St. Blazey and Goonbarrow on the Newquay branch. By the way, also last year the ever-meddling DfT ordered some TOCs to cut fleet running costs, so as of December 2023 GWR has fewer Castle class 255 pocket rocket sets in service. The 255s are now diagrammed only on Plymouth-Penzance services plus one daily return trip up to Exeter St Davids.

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks for the updates, It looks like I managed to capture the HST's and Semaphores just in time, a pity really that the traditional GWR signals have gone, it'll be so different the next time I get down there.

[@EpicRob1997Pokemon]

very good video but you forgot to show the mechanical box at Truro which also controlls trains at Falmouth

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks, yes we passed through Truro but didn't have the time to stop, I visited Truro later this year and enjoyed a trip down to Falmouth, didn't do a video though.

[@thegridnutter8377]

Andrew, yet another cracking Video. I noticed when the 150 Unit arrived at St Erth that a Robin flew onto the platform. Did you manage to get it in your Frame at all?!

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks, yes I did notice the little Robin, it’s in a couple of frames but completely out of focus, which is a pity.

[@stuartbroome1258]

Very good video, pity you dont say or show what the loco numbers are.

[@AndrewShenton]

Many thanks for that comment Stuart, I'm trying to decide whether to include the loco/ train number and working in the videos or just to enjoy the photography.

[@jonmorley1231]

Brilliant video and photos Andrew. What camera and lens did you use?

[@AndrewShenton]

Thanks Jon, still camera is Canon EOS-R with a mixture of lenses, video is a Canon DSLR EOS 70, supplemented with some phone footage and a DJI Osmo

[@mister5408]

Which railway lines in the UK still have stations with semaphore signals in 2024? Greetings from Germany

[@AndrewShenton]

Now that is a question, there's still a few about, but difficult to keep track of the latest situation.

[@jordangould4763]

Guarantee the line will suffer far more signalling issues and delays once the 'modernisation' is completed

[@AndrewShenton]

Jordan, why doesn’t that surprise me.