I was increasingly amazed in collecting photographs that there were so many of Penzance. At the time of my interest, as far as I knew, virtually nobody locally was interested enough in trains to watch them, let alone photograph them, and I hardly saw any other enthusiasts around. I imagined at the big centres like Bristol, London and Reading there would be quite a lot of photographic material still available, but virtually nothing at the end of the system – so far from the more interesting locations. To relieve the collection having a long scree of locos at the terminus, I have extracted the ‘Westerns’ to this page, making it a bit easier, hopefully, for searchers to find the material they want. I must acknowledge thanks for permission from Malcolm Arnold’ and Dave Lazenby in bolstering the content of this page.
‘Westerns’ were impressive machines, and my favourites – though after many years of seeing little else, I was pleasantly surprised by other types of loco appearing from time to time. Even so, with their run-down and withdrawals, it was sad to see familiar friends no more.
Viewed from the Heliport bus, D1010 “WESTERN CAMPAIGNER” – newly arrived after its non-stop journey from Paddington – sits under the goods handling awning at the end of Platform 4. Staff and sightseers watch the unprecedented event. 660507A06-PNZ-D1010-PAS_D
With the “X” in the headcode denoting this is a special service, the Second Man chats to an enquirer from the cab of a well-spruced up ‘Western’ at its head. Boys photograph the train as other onlookers mill around, or decide they’ve seen enough. 660507A08-PNZ-D10##-PAS_U
A ‘Western’ heading the “up” Riviera smokes under the oppressive atmosphere of a wet morning in the mid 1970s. Carriages are variously spread around the site, and the massive size of the granite coping stones to the retaining wall can be clearly seen. 6####GO01-PNZ-D10##-PAS_U
With leading cab hard up against a ‘Motorail’ GUV, a ‘Western’ has brought a van train into Platform 4 of Penzance Station, beside the Goods Area loading awning. The loco’s roof edge reflects the light, dividing caked-on black exhaust from the body sides. 7####AU01-PNZ-D1064-PAS_D
Enamel signal arms are nearly within reach from the station wall at Penzance, on this rather grey 1974 Summer’s day. Each platform and siding has some stock in it, and a Western heads an up passenger service while a Brush Class 47 waits with the TPO. 7408#AA01-PNZ-PLTFM-VI_SW
A ‘Western’ waits with the “Sleeper” at platform 4 of a rather full Penzance Station as the day draws in. An Eastern Region rake is in the foreground, and a single car DMU by the Goods awnings behind the loco. Two NCL trailers are parked on the platforms. 740615C01-PNZ-D10##-PARKD
The redundant headcode box of D1033 “WESTERN TROOPER” now displays its number as it is left by its driver, walking towards Penzance station buildings with his lunch box. This is a particularly interesting view to me as I never saw it myself. – although I sometimes ventured onto the platform slope, I never went close to or across the running lines. 7####GZ01-PNZ-D1033-PAS_U
Physically obscuring most of the Class 08 parked up station pilot, and with sea mist enveloping the background, D1009 “WESTERN INVADER” gets “called on” by Platform 3’s starter signal to run to the shed on 3rd April 1974. The driver peers up line from the far window of the rear cab. Photo: Malcolm Arnold 740403A01-PNZ-D1009-LIG_U
It’s high tide as D1021 “WESTERN CAVALIER” passes coaching stock awaiting reuse at Penzance Station in May 1975 – the sea mist dampening down visibility. The trees of Ponsandane House provide a nice “softness” to the scene. © Dave Lazenby Collection. Used with permission. 750522A01-PNZ-D1021-LIG_U
At 5.10pm, D1043 “WESTERN DUKE” is pictured, pulled forward from the passenger train it has brought in. A trolley piled with cardboard boxes is on the concourse beyond the ticket barrier, and people examine the wall timetable. © Dave Lazenby Collection. Used with permission. 750616A01-PNZ-D1043-PAS_D
D1038 “WESTERN AMBASSADOR”, lately arrived with a van train, attracts the attention of a guard at the barriers of Platforms 1 and 2 of Penzance Station. The John Menzies bookstall, as I think it was then, is bottom right, and the seating solely on Platform 3 reinforces its ‘Arrivals” role, for waiting greeters. 760501A01-PNZ-D1038-PAS_D
The cab profile of a ‘Western’ at the head of an up train on Platform 2 of Penzance Station. Oil has run from the inspection hatch above the wheelset, and the lower tread of the cab access steps, sand box cover and brake pad are rust encrusted. 7509#AB01-PNZ-D10XX-PAS_U
The gleam from the side of D1009 ‘WESTERN INVADER’ is carried along the side of the Mk IId carriages behind as it waits in the sunshine to head off with a Paddington service. A service behind has got signal clearance to pull out before it. 75###AC01-PNZ-D1009-PAS_U
Under a lowering sky, a ‘Western’ heading the afternoon Leeds service smokes away, awaiting departure time. Nearby a train crew member chats with another employee, and on the opposite platform a father explains the view to a child. With the absence of a station wall in the background, it seems the Bus Station was under redevelopment at this time. 7####GG01-PNZ-D10##-PAS_U
Just inside the trainshed, sheltered from the rain falling outside, D1045 “WESTERN VISCOUNT” waits until it is relieved of its train. Sun picks out the upper side of the locomotive and new lamps protruding from the walls the length of the carriages. 7509#AC01-PNZ-D1045-PAS_D
With cab window wide open, the driver of D1041 “WESTERN PRINCE” breathes in fresher air than that from the engine behind that smokes dirtily away. The loco seems in reasonable external condition under superficial grime. Behind, waves chase each other along the harbour wall. Photo: Malcolm Arnold 76###AH01-PNZ-D1041-PAS_U
A cluster of men in high-viz bibs watch D1041 “WESTERN PRINCE” as it draws away from Penzance, Platform 2 in 1976. Behind it is a 3-Car DMU and to the left a Class 50 at the head of a freight service. Everything is wet, as is commonplace at any time of the year in West Cornwall. Photo: Malcolm Arnold 76###AG01-PNZ-D1041-PAS_U
Steam spreads below D1049 “WESTERN MONARCH” as it waits with a passenger service at Platform 2 on 28th January 1976. Its headcode is wound to its number, and a first class carriage is intentionally at the London end of the consist to assist its passengers getting taxis first! Photo: Malcolm Arnold 760128A01-PNZ-D1049-PAS_U
D1041 “WESTERN PRINCE” makes its way towards the ‘up’ line with a passenger service as it leaves Penzance on 28th January 1976. It is overlooked by Chyandour Terrace, the signal box and staff facilities on the left, and on the right the land falls away to the sea where the tide is out. Photo: Malcolm Arnold 760128A03-PNZ-D1041-PAS_U
Trundling at slow speed towards the train it will return east with, D1049 “WESTERN MONARCH” looks just as wet as its surroundings as sea mist predominates at Penzance Station. The loco’s headcode has been neatly wound to four zeros and the signals behind are all set at ‘on’. Photo: Malcolm Arnold 760128A04-PNZ-D1049-LIG_D
Reflected sunlight from water on the platform dazzles and is reflected around the coach sides as D1023 “WESTERN FUSILIER” awaits departure time on 28th January 1976. A “Motorail” van is parked against the stub of the goods platforms with its far doors opened for car loading. Photo: Malcolm Arnold 760128A05-PNZ-D1023-PAS_U
Its roofline caked with exhaust residue – except from around the vent where it has been burned off – D1049 “WESTERN MONARCH” rolls into the main arrivals platform with a down passenger service on 28th January 1976; a gaping engine room window contrasting with all others. Photo: Malcolm Arnold 760128A07-PNZ-D1049-PAS_D
On a rather damp day, “White Horses” are plunging against the rocks at Chyandor as D1070 “WESTERN GAUNTLET” arrives with a short formation train into Penzance Station on 29th January 1976. Above the exhaust clouds are trees bordering the Ponsandane Estate and the heliport. Photo: Malcolm Arnold 760129A03-PNZ-D1070-PAS_D
Exhaust pulses from D1070 “WESTERN GAUNTLET” as it prepares to leave Penzance – protruding from the platform beyond its signal. On Platform 1 a team of carriage cleaners are brush-washing the sides of carriages, and lone figure with a sack barrow walks towards the end of Platform 2. Photo: Malcolm Arnold 760129A04-PNZ-D1070-PAS_U
With the throttle wide open, “WESTERN GAUNTLET” leaves Penzance with its train on 29th January 1976 now the signal arm has dropped – showing it pouring out exhaust in a rather unhealthy cloud as it gains traction. The horizontal smoke, puddles and wet sleepers suggest a gusty south easterly gale. Photo: Malcolm Arnold 760129A01-PNZ-D1070-PAS_U
‘1B45’ draws slowly away from Platform 3 as D1070 “WESTERN GAUNTLET” slackens to line speed to run across the pointwork at the end of Penzance Station. Swash and backwash have coloured the sea white, and even the boardwalk seems to have suffered the spray from the sea’s reach. Photo: Malcolm Arnold 760129A04-PNZ-D1070-PAS_U
D1070 “WESTERN GAUNTLET” smokily passes Penzance Signal Box with an up passenger service, the nearby track wet with drizzle and sea spray. The adjacent gap in the sea wall shows well the intent to widen the site for the “Marine Walk”, eventually abandoned for cost reasons. Photo: Malcolm Arnold 760128A03-PNZ-D1041-PAS_U
Having brought in the 10:30 Paddington to Penzance on 4th April 1976 the crew of D1056 “WESTERN SULTAN” staff relax awaiting removal of its train by the station shunter. Beside it on a trolley is one of the brown wooden boxes used for taking items between stations of GWR origin, repainted as BR ( W ) many years ago. 760404A01-PNZ-D1056-PAS_D
At the end of its run, D1015 “WESTERN CHAMPION” enters Penzance Station – its headcode apparently damaged by a strike of some sort. The first carriage contains a mini-buffet, used where a full provision wasn’t justified. Passengers look expectantly from the windows. Photo: John Vaughan 7####FU01-PNZ-D1015-PAS_D
Both locos smoking badly, this 70s view of Penzance Station shows D1072 “WESTERN GLORY” heading an up passenger train at the end of platform 2, as D1048 “WESTERN LADY” runs in light engine to head a similar service. To the right is the pilot’s siding and the two courses of brick of the old crane’s road, and to the left on top of the sea wall onlookers watch. 7#####999-PNZ-D10XX-MISCS
Viewed from the cliff wall, the briefcase of someone aboard D1054 “WESTERN GOVERNOR” lies unattended by the cab as it waits on a calm day in July 1976. This sort of view was familiar to me as I looked back on return from Ponsandane by the inland route. 760723A01-PNZ-D1054-PAS_U
A couple of enthusiasts admire D1054 “WESTERN GOVENOR” as it backs on to passenger stock at Penzance’s Platform 2 in the twilight of the class’ existence. A Class 47 heads a similar train on Platform 1, and the stock of the Mail Train is central in the station yard, awaiting its later use. All seems peaceful and calm in the Summer sunshine. 760723A01-PNZ-D1054-PAS_U
In the late afternoon sunshine of a day in 1974, D1048 “WESTERN LADY” and a Class 47 loco mirror each other as they await departure – the Western with an up passenger and the Brush with a freight. In the area just inside the sea wall a bulldozer is at last removing the ballast and remaining track disconnected from the system and out of use for decades. 740910A01-PNZ-D1048-PAS_U
Figures stand stock still, staring at D1046 “WESTERN MARQUIS” as it arrives with the 2B10 local service from Plymouth on 20th May 1972. In the foreground, drifting exhaust, with bodyside panels reverberating and about to leave the platform is D7504 – still in an unkempt two-tone green livery. Beyond the tide is full: in motion and well-lit by the weak sun. 750220A01-PNZ-D7504-UNKWN
The Eric Curnow Collection (BAK) 