‘WESTERN’ BRANCH TERMINUS INSPIRATIONS

FALMOUTH The Falmouth branch story is quite complex. Opened throughout by the Cornwall Railway in 1863, the influence of Brunel (who died in 1859) was nevertheless evident in its viaducts and stations, not least at the original Falmouth terminus. The round-topped canopy is original, as is the nearer stone part of the platform, which has been resurfaced and a modern rear wall and glazed lean-to added. Everything else, including an exquisite Brunel station building, was demolished in the 1970s when the branch was cut back to a new terminus closer to the town centre. That terminus, a concrete platform which re-used parts of the closed Perranporth Beach Halt, was renamed The Dell, and later Falmouth Town, when the original terminus was re-opened as Falmouth Docks. Points to note include the substantial but very plain original columns, the modern cycle storage racks and the brick GWR platform extension. The red conduit (indicated) protecting cables under the track would be a handy way to disguise some of my above-baseboard wiring.