43-533: The Maritime Line is a railway line that runs in the valley of the River Fal from Truro , the county town, to Falmouth on the south coast of Cornwall , England. The railway line, now known as The Maritime Line, was built by the Cornwall Railway as a broad gauge line of 7 ft ( 2,134 mm ) gauge from Plymouth to Falmouth . The purpose of the scheme was to link London with Falmouth,
86-406: A Class 150 two-car DMU (number 150265) in coloured pictures promoting the line and named it The Falmouth Flyer . The unit continued in service with First Great Western when the company won the franchise but it has now been repainted in the standard fleet colours. While in the pictorial livery the unit worked throughout the southwest, and not just on its named line. The branch was designated by
129-616: A feature of traffic on the line, and other than London Paddington, Bradford was one of the less likely destinations for a though train. Since the 1970s trains have only run between Falmouth Docks and Truro . Connections are made at Truro with services on the Cornish Main Line to Penzance , Plymouth and beyond. Service in the 1960s was 16 or 17 trains daily, and had been reduced to 12 by 1975. In 1984 there were still 12 trains each way every day on summer Saturdays with 11 trains each way on weekdays and winter Saturdays, although
172-518: A port where packet ships sailed to destinations in Europe, Africa, and America. As the main line of the company, the line was intended to be constructed as double-track throughout. Construction commenced in 1847 but the main contractor suffered financial problems which put a temporary stop to any work. Efforts restarted in 1859 on completion of the line from Plymouth to Truro which opened on 4 May that year. The inhabitants of Falmouth soon put pressure on
215-688: Is a ministerial department of the Government of the United Kingdom . It is responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland that have not been devolved . The department is run by the Secretary of State for Transport , currently (since 5 July 2024) Louise Haigh . The expenditure, administration, and policy of
258-494: Is nearer the National Maritime Museum , the waterside, and the shops. The station itself was constructed using items that were reclaimed from Perranporth Beach Halt after that station closed. It is now just a short distance to the terminus at Falmouth Docks railway station , 11.75 miles (18.91 km) from Truro. Falmouth Docks are below the station on the left, Pendennis Castle overlooks both these and
301-513: Is one of the railway lines supported by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership , an organisation formed in 1991 to promote railway services in the area. The line is promoted by many means such as regular timetable and scenic line guides, as well as leaflets highlighting leisure opportunities such as walking, birdwatching, and visiting country pubs . The Maritime Line rail ale trail was launched in 2003 to encourage rail travellers to visit pubs near
344-516: The Department for Transport as a community rail line in September 2006. This aims to increase the number of passengers and reduce costs. Strategies for investigation include more effective revenue collection, a passing loop, improved bus links, and working with ferry operators and colleges in the area. The line was originally double track at Penryn, to provide a crossing place. Evidence of
387-770: The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges and Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG, formerly WebTAG). The DfT maintains datasets including the National Trip End Model and traffic counts on major roads. The devolution of transport policy varies around the UK; most aspects in Great Britain are decided at Westminster. Key reserved transport matters (i.e., not devolved) are as follows: Scotland Reserved matters: Scotland's comparability factor (the proportion of spending in this area devolved to
430-621: The Gyllyngvase Beach on the other side of the line. Sidings serve the docks but are little used. When the line opened the signals were controlled by 'policemen' who walked between them. Signals and points at Truro station were in 1874 and signal boxes built in 1876. Other signal boxes were built at The Maritime Line crosses several steep-sided valleys that carry tributaries of the River Fal and there were originally eight viaducts built to cross these: The majority of passengers on
473-476: The down main line, the same line used by trains departing Truro for Penzance. The line from Penwithers Junction to Falmouth Docks has always been single track. From the tunnel the line emerges into the countryside outside Truro . The small excavated area of land on the left is a local nature reserve which supports rare plants due to its unusual position in a triangle of rail routes - the Maritime Line,
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#1732779681289516-445: The 1990s. At privatisation, the line was operated by Wales & West train operating company for a few years until the company split. From 14 October 2001, the Maritime Line became the responsibility of Wessex Trains . When the franchise became due for renewal, the tender was won by First Great Western (which has since rebranded as Great Western Railway ) and the company took over the operation on 1 April 2006. The Maritime Line
559-531: The Department of Transport are scrutinised by the Transport Committee . The Department for Transport has six strategic objectives: The department "creates the strategic framework" for transport services, which are delivered through a wide range of public and private sector bodies including its own executive agencies. The DfT sponsors the following public bodies: DfT publications include
602-635: The Maritime Line travel between Truro and the three stations in Falmouth, the busiest of which is Falmouth Town although passenger numbers at Falmouth Docks increased faster. Comparing the year from April 2008 to that which started in April 2002, passenger numbers at the Docks station increased by 214% while those at the Town station increased by 38% and at Penmere increased by 42%. Since the doubling of train frequency
645-837: The Scottish Government) was 91.7% for 2021/22. Northern Ireland Reserved matters: The department's devolved counterparts in Northern Ireland are: Northern Ireland's comparability factor (the proportion of spending in this area devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive) was 95.4% for 2021/22. Wales Reserved matters: The department's devolved counterpart in Wales is the Minister for Climate Change. Wales' comparability factor (the proportion of spending in this area devolved to
688-560: The Town station for five years before reopening to the original terminus at the docks in 1975 to permit through services from London. The Cornwall Railway was amalgamated into the Great Western Railway on 1 July 1889. Following the amalgamation, plans were put in place for conversion to standard gauge , which took place over the weekend of 21 May 1892. The Great Western Railway was nationalised into British Railways on 1 January 1948. Britain's railways were privatised in
731-498: The Truro to Falmouth line tended to be operated as a branch, with the trains from London Paddington operating to Penzance instead. The original stations on the line were at Truro , Perranwell (known as Perran until 19 February 1864), Penryn and Falmouth (now Falmouth Docks). Penmere was added on 1 July 1925, and Falmouth Town (originally known as Falmouth and later as The Dell) opened on 7 December 1970. The line terminated at
774-754: The Welsh Government) was 36.6% for 2021/22. This represents a significant reduction (e.g. it was 80.9% in 2015) due to the controversial classification of HS2 as an 'England and Wales' project. The Ministry of Transport was established by the Ministry of Transport Act 1919 ( 9 & 10 Geo. 5 . c. 50) which provided for the transfer to the new ministry of powers and duties of any government department in respect of railways , light railways , tramways , canals and inland waterways , roads , bridges and ferries , and vehicles and traffic thereon, harbours , docks and piers . In September 1919, all
817-537: The bay platform, at the left side of the main platform beyond the footbridge. The trains join the main line for the first half-mile to Penwithers Junction, passing through the 70-yard (64 m)-long Higher Town Tunnel on the way. At this point the line to Penzance curves away to the right; the line to Falmouth was originally the Cornwall Railway main line and so runs straight ahead while the Penzance line
860-496: The company to complete the line to their town as originally intended, and a further Act of Parliament was obtained in 1861. The line was costly to build with six viaducts and two tunnels and it opened on 24 August 1863, by which time the packet ships had been diverted elsewhere. The connection from Falmouth station to the docks was opened in 1864. After the West Cornwall Railway was converted to broad gauge in 1867,
903-659: The department was reorganised into three major sections: Secretarial, Finance and Roads. The ministry's functions were exercised initially throughout the United Kingdom. An Irish Branch was established in 1920, but then was taken over by the government of the Irish Free State on the transfer of functions in 1922. The department took over transport functions of Scottish departments in the same year, though certain functions relating to local government, loan sanction, byelaws and housing were excepted. In May 1937, power to make provisional orders for harbour, pier and ferry works
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#1732779681289946-482: The disused continuation of the West Cornwall Railway to the riverside at Newham, and a never-built route allowing Cornwall Railway trains to reach Newham. The route to Newham is now a cycle path round the edge of the city. One and a half miles from the junction, the line enters Sparnick Tunnel, which is a little over a quarter of a mile long. Although the line has only ever had a single track, most of
989-488: The double track can be seen at Penryn station, where two platforms are still visible. The Beeching Report in the 1960s instigated the reduction of the line there from two to one. In 2004 a proposal was put forward to reinstate a passing loop on the line, to allow for a doubling of service frequency. Funding was agreed with £4.67 million coming from European Union funds, £2.5 million from Cornwall Council , and £600,000 from Network Rail . The new 400-metre (440 yd) loop
1032-562: The engineering, including the tunnels, was designed to carry a second one. The line, which heads south-westwards until this point, now heads towards the south and passes high above the silted-up Restronguet Creek on Carnon viaduct . This valley was the route of the Redruth and Chasewater Railway down to quays at Devoran , about a mile beyond the viaduct. It is now part of the Mineral Tramway Trails . A half-mile later,
1075-653: The former two, but the increase in demand has resulted in GWR allocating sufficient stock to enable both services to be operated by two car units from 2012. Perranwell was a request stop for many years, but trains have called without being requested since 2017. During the 1960s and 1970 local services between Truro and Falmouth were operated by Diesel multiple units based at Plymouth Laira including Metro-Cammell Class 101s , BRCW Class 118s , BR Swindon Class 120s and Gloucester single units . Locomotive-hauled trains between Paddington and Falmouth were restored during
1118-1122: The government's Restoring your Railway programme. Download coordinates as: 50°12′30″N 5°07′59″W / 50.2084°N 5.1330°W / 50.2084; -5.1330 River Fal Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.226 via cp1108 cp1108, Varnish XID 219520025 Upstream caches: cp1108 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 07:41:21 GMT Department for Transport King Charles III [REDACTED] William, Prince of Wales [REDACTED] Charles III ( King-in-Council ) [REDACTED] Starmer ministry ( L ) Keir Starmer ( L ) Angela Rayner ( L ) ( King-in-Parliament ) [REDACTED] Charles III [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] The Lord Reed The Lord Hodge Andrew Bailey Monetary Policy Committee The Department for Transport ( DfT )
1161-537: The head of a large inlet of the River Fal . Penryn railway station is at the top of the town, and there are views across the town to St Gluvias on the other side of the harbour. The station is eight and a quarter miles from Truro, and the platform shelter is identical to the one at Perranwell. Beyond the station the line passes over the Collegewood Viaduct . The last timber railway viaduct in Cornwall
1204-584: The hillside above Perranwell village before passing through the 374-yard (342 m)-long Perran Tunnel. Turning south-eastwards, the line now passes over Ponsanooth Viaduct , the tallest on the line. Ponsanooth village is on the hillside to the right, while the River Kennal runs below to join up with Restronguet Creek. The line passes beneath the A39 road from Truro to Falmouth at Treluswell , Four Cross , and then shortly enters Penryn which grew up at
1247-448: The increases have been greater still. For example, between the years starting 2002 and 2010 Penryn's passenger count rose by 247%, Penmere by 126% and Falmouth Docks by 266%. Falmouth Town has increased further by 109%. Even Perranwell (where the extra trains do not always stop) has increased by a healthy 93% The statistics are for passengers arriving and departing from each station and cover twelve month periods that start in April. At
1290-541: The last train from Falmouth left earlier on summer Saturdays than on weekdays. In addition there were 8 trains each way on summer Sundays with the first train not leaving Truro until 10.35 but there was no Sunday service after 9 September. By 2008 there were 13 trains each way, but with the new loop installed at Penryn the May 2009 timetable provides for 29 allowing for a service interval of 30 minutes. The enhanced timetable resulted in trains being formed with one coach instead of
1333-445: The line comes to Perranwell railway station , nearly four miles from Truro. A modern shelter is situated on the platform, built in a style inspired by older railway buildings. As with all stations except for Truro, the platform is on the left as the train travels towards Falmouth. In the forecourt is the old Cornwall Railway goods shed . The line now begins to head west, passing over the short Perran Viaduct and then south again along
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1376-576: The line. Of the 14 participating pubs, four are in Truro, one in Perranwell, three in Penryn, and four in Falmouth. 10 stamps collected in the Rail Ale Trail leaflet entitle the participant to claim special Maritime Line Rail Trail tour shirt. The Rail Partnership promote a Foodie Guide to the line to encourage people to visit local cafes, restaurants and food events. Wessex Trains painted
1419-406: The opening of the Cornwall Railway there were five trains to and from Falmouth daily with two trains running on Sundays, with trains carrying first, second and third class accommodation. After the connection between the Cornwall Railway and the West Cornwall Railway the line to Falmouth was considered a branch line and local services were run on an out-and-back basis from Truro. Before World War I
1462-580: The powers of the Road Board, the Ministry of Health, and the Board of Trade in respect of transport, were transferred to the new ministry. Initially, the department was organised to carry out supervisory, development and executive functions, but the end of railway and canal control by 1921, and the settlement of financial agreements relating to the wartime operations of the railways reduced its role. In 1923,
1505-469: The responsibility of: The name "Ministry of Transport" lives on in the annual MOT test , a test of vehicle safety , roadworthiness , and exhaust emissions , which most vehicles used on public roads in the UK are required to pass annually once they reach three years old (four years for vehicles in Northern Ireland ). Following a series of strikes, poor performance, concerns over access for
1548-531: The summer timetable from 1975 but ceased again at the end of the 1979 summer timetable. During this period the services consisted on BR Mk2 D/E/F coaches typically hauled by a Class 50 . In the 2000s, passenger services were operated by Class 150 "Sprinters" or Class 153 "Super Sprinters", although Class 158 units did substitute on occasion. An unusual working in March 2000 was a visit to Falmouth Docks by preserved Warship Class locomotive number D821 which
1591-546: The winter timetable for the Cornish Riviera Express showed that it included at least one through carriage for Falmouth, this being detached/attached at Truro, and this facility continued until the summer of 1939 until the advent of World War 2 when that train ran through to Penzance only without any portions being attached/detached for any of the Cornish branches. During the 1950s through trains were again
1634-488: Was built by the West Cornwall Railway Company . When originally built, tho two lines here ran as parallel single line but were completely separate; the connection at Penwithers Junction only being made in 1893 when the section was converted to double track. The Maritime Line today only has a junction with the westbound ( down ) line; trains running towards Truro (the up direction) come inbound on
1677-471: Was established at the entrance to the inlet that leads to Penryn; it has now nearly spread to reach that town. Trains first call at the Penmere railway station , useful for people heading for the top of The Moor in the town centre, or for the newer western suburbs. Passengers get a quick glimpse on their right of Falmouth Bay before trains call at the concrete platform of Falmouth Town railway station , which
1720-536: Was here, but was replaced by this stone structure on 22 July 1934. At Penryn there is a wide open space now occupied by student housing for the Tremough Campus of the University of Falmouth. This was the goods yard where wagons were loaded and unloaded. There is also another platform visible on the other side of the train, though it is overgrown. The line soon enters the outskirts of Falmouth . The town
1763-790: Was installed over two long weekends in October 2008 and work on the platform extension was also started. The loop was brought into use ahead of schedule and to budget, with the formal opening by Kevin Lavery, the Chief Executive of Cornwall Council, taking place at Penryn station on 18 May 2009. Works included a new car park and waiting shelter at Penryn, in addition to the new loop, signalling and platform lengthening. Miles from London Paddington Truro – Perranarworthal – Penryn – Falmouth . Maritime Line trains start from Truro railway station , usually originating from
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1806-471: Was renamed Cornwall alongside the Royal Navy ship HMS Cornwall The proposed Mid-Cornwall Metro scheme would see hourly extensions of the service from Falmouth beyond Truro to St Austell and Newquay (with a reversal at Par ), creating a coast to coast through-service with the aim of easing road congestion for people living along the route. In 2022 the scheme was chosen to reach the next stage of
1849-490: Was transferred to the Secretary of State for Scotland. The growth of road transport increased the responsibilities of the ministry, and in the 1930s, and especially with defence preparations preceding the outbreak of war, government responsibilities for all means of transport increased significantly. Government control of transport and diverse associated matters has been reorganised a number of times in modern history, being
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