In the Tracks of the Cornish Riviera Express a Journey of Rationalisation and Change

For almost sixty years from 1904, a stream hauled 'Cornish Riviera Express' left Paddington soon after 10am on a non-stop run to Plymouth. As was the fashion of the time, slip-coach working allowed a fast service to be provided to destinations en-route including Weymouth, Minehead and Ilfracombe. After Plymouth the train continued west to Penzance, again with connecting services to the principal seaside resorts. Author Amyas Crump retraces the route from Paddington with a feast of nostalgic images showing the railway in colour both in its heyday as well as what remains today.