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  • Appendixes

7th September 2023

7/12/2023

 
The End Of HSTs Between Exeter And Cardiff
​Clive Smith
​With this week being officially the last week of booked Castle HST sets on services to and from Bristol and Cardiff east of Exeter I thought I would take a look back through  at these shortened versions of the iconic trains that have been such an improvement to local services since their introduction in 2019.  As they enter their final period in service centered on Cornwall here's a look at them in action 'further up the line'. Enjoy them while you can .

Regards,  Clive Smith.
Picture
(1) 43188 arrives with the ECS for the 2C87 18.00 Cardiff Central - Penzance on the 18th August 2023 at Cardiff's platform 1 on a really gloomy afternoon prior to a storm brewing in the west. This power car is appropriately named Y Cymro / The Welshman / Geraint Thomas as well as Newport Castle. 43156 is on the rear. Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture
(2) 43029 leads the 05.40 Penzance - Cardiff Central with 43188 on the rear at Newport on the 8th February 2023.
Picture
(3) 43188 & 43093 depart Bristol Temple Meads on the 25th February 2023 with the 06.40 Penzance - Cardiff Central. Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture
(4) A gloriously sunny day in Somerset as 43042 with 43187 work the 2U14 09.39 Plymouth - Cardiff at Weston-Super-Mare on the 10th November 2023. Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture
(5) 43153 at Taunton on 29th March 2023 with the 1G77 17.50 Plymouth - Gloucester with 43040 on the rear. The train did not operate in Cornwall due a week long engineering blockade between Par and Liskeard. Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture
(6) 43016 brings in the 14.00 Cardiff Central - Penzance at Tiverton Parkway with 43192 on the rear on the 17th February 2022. Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture
7) HST Sunset : 10th November 2023. On the 2C79 14.00 Cardiff - Plymouth between Taunton and Tiverton Parkway. Copyright Clive Smith.
Sad times, still we can continue to enjoy comfort  and less noisy carriages in Cornwall at least. 
Many many thanks Clive.

​

NINETEEN SIXTY TWO
PART 56
Michael L. Roach
Devonport Kings Road Station (3)
Regular readers will know that it is sometimes necessary to show photographs taken in years other than 1962 to complete a story. Such is the case here where the photos of Devonport Kings Road Station were taken in 1970, which was the year of the “Mayflower 350” celebrations in Plymouth. The two photos were taken on Saturday 7 March 1970 because the station buildings were “soon to be demolished” as my notebook records. Both views were taken looking east towards Plymouth Station and the platforms are trackless after the rails from St. Budeaux had been lifted. Although the passenger service had been withdrawn on and from Monday 7 September 1964 in fact on 7 March 1970 the station was still open for freight which continued for another 12 months to 7 March 1971 when it was withdawn and the station closed completely. Why didn't I walk to the other (east) end of the station and look over the wall to photograph that end of the station – I don't think I ever did which is quite strange in view of what I am about to write. At the east end the line passed under Paradise Road with the road carried over the line on a low multi-arched viaduct constructed of Plymouth limestone, as were the station buildings. I passed over that viaduct hundreds of times on my way to school in the nineteen fifties.
My secondary school was located immediately to the east of Devonport Kings Road railway station and is called Devonport High School for Boys, known to all as DHS; and I studied there from 1953 to 1959. The school was founded in Devonport in 1896 and during World War Two was evacuated to Penzance. When the school returned to Devonport in 1945 it was not to its pre-war buildings but to the historic buildings still in use to this day.  There are five main blocks in a straight line linked on the south side by a colonnade with a walkway on the top for when the weather is dry and to keep pedestrians dry underneath when it rains. The four original blocks were built in 1797 as a military hospital and would have dealt with casualties returning from wars such as the Napoleonic and the First Crimean War of 1853 to 1856. In their first term new boys were regaled with gory stories of the amputations of limbs that had taken place in the hospital in the days before anaesthetics. At the time I lived some 1½ miles away to the east but for the first three years I arrived by bus from the west as it described a horsehoe shaped route around Plymouth. Morning and afternoon I passed along Paradise Road and over the railway at the east end of Kings Road station. However occasionally I would walk home to save the bus fare and even less frequently catch the 4.19pm train from Kings Road station to North Road station which took me about half way home..
 In September 1956 my parents bought me a bicycle for my birthday and for the next three years I cycled to school each day. The bicycle allowed me to explore the railway infrastructure of Plymouth, and one of my particular interests was sketching track layouts of stations and yards in addition to taking photos. The bicycle also allowed me to go further afield to places like Wadebridge and St. Blazey. One of my regular rides, done dozens of times between 1956 and 1959, was to Sparkwell Bridge, which crosses the main line at the top of Hemerdon Bank. It was a marvellous place to see steam engines working hard to surmount the two miles of 1 in 42, and I felt lucky to live a mere 7 miles away from that wonderful location. It took me about 35 minutes to cycle from home to Sparkwell Bridge.
DHS now has about 1150 pupils but in my day the number was around half that at 600 pupils from a much smaller catchment area because there was a second boys grammar school in Plymouth which has since closed. As I passed through the school there were several railway enthusiasts in every class, and it was natural that most of my friends were enthusiasts too. I found watching trains far more interesting than chasing a ball around a field. Directly opposite the main school entrance was the fifteenth century Stoke Damerel Church which originally was the parish church for the whole of Devonport. In Plymouth the L&SWR and the Southern Railway were seen by many enthusiasts as the other railway, and the poor relation to the Western, and treated as such which is quite sad. I should have visited and photographed the Southern infrastructure a lot more than I did.
RECOMMENDED READING: The Okehampton Line by Irwell Press. ISBN 978-1-911262-03-9
MLR /  03 December 2023
Picture
7575 View of a trackless Kings Road looking east towards Plymouth Station at teatime on 7 March 1970. Kings Road is on the right. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Picture
7576 The pleasing architectural style and detailing of the main station frontage looking east. Paradise Road is at a higher level on the left. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks Mike,  you knocked up quite a few miles on your bicycle!

​

6th December 2023

6/12/2023

 
Two freights run into
Par Harbour today
Roger Winnen
Picture
231206a The Par Harbour freight departs from the loading area at Par Harbour. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231206b 66165 nears Par Crossing. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231206c 66165 on the road crossing at Par. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231206d Imerys Freight crossing the road at Par. Copyright Roger Winnen
CDAs Going to Par Harbour for preservation
Picture
231206e A fleet of 9 CDAs being propelled into Par Harbour for preservation Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231206g 66165 Propelling the wagons over the level crossing. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231206h Heading towards Five Arches Bridge where a Castle Class HST, the 11.50 Penzance to Plymouth crosses Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231206i Backing into Par Harbour being spied upon from a drone. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
231206j Joh Hird controls his drone as it takes photos from above. Copyright Roger Winnen
Many thanks Roger - unique pictures.

​

And now we see Drone views of the CDA Movement.
Jon Hird 
Picture
CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird. Roger W has just crossed the road and is heading towards the level crossing. Jon can be spotted controlling his 'magnificent flying machine' from further up the road towards the docks.
Picture
CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Many many thanks to Jon and Roger.

​

Dawlish
Phil Smith
Picture
Virgin trains buffer fitted 43080 heads through Dawlish in 2002. The steeple would appear to be that of the local URC church, Copyright Phil Smith.
Many thanks Phil.


Oldfield Park
Paul Negus
A Castle on Brunel's Main Line!
I was in my old stomping ground of Bath today and Vintage Trains ran a special to the Bath Christmas Market from Solihull. It was with great pleasure that I discovered that 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe was rostered for this run. I understand that this was a last minute decision and I must say that it was a real treat to see a Castle running on the original GWR Main Line!
Here are three shots of 5043 - the driver shut off coming through the station as there was a substantial number of passengers waiting for a service train on the Bristol bound platform - but then opened up with great acoustics once through! 

Incidentally, there was a procession of London bound trains going East through Oldfield Park today as Badminton Tunnel was impassible due to flooding. 

Kind regards
Paul Negus
Picture
5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe approching Oldfield Park 5th December 2023. Copyright Paul Negus
Picture
5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe dashes through Oldfield Park. 5th December 2023. Copyright Paul Negus
Picture
5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe heading towards Bath from Oldfield Park 5th December 2023. Copyright Paul Negus
Meant to say that 5043 was 6 early arrival into Bath Spa despite the widespread disruption due to flooding. Perhaps the controllers appreciated a classic GWR loco heading to Bristol along the original Great Western main line?

Kind regards
Paul
Many thanks, A very worthwhile effort on your part Paul.

​

Earl of Mount Edgecombe
Swindon
Ken Mumford
The passage of 5043  generated many photographs by Ken which took a lot of sorting.  As he said pick and choose - here they are.
Picture
5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe at Swindon 5th December 2923, Copyright Ken Mumford
Picture
Picture
5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford
Picture
A gentle push by D1755 at Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford
Picture
5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe. heads on for Bath. Seen at Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford
The return journey
Picture
5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe heading back through Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford
Picture
Wreathed in steam the 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe at Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford
Picture
A picture of power as 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford
Picture
Ancient and modern - 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford
Picture
A classic photograph 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford
The above collection of pictures is edited down from about twenty kindly sent by Ken Mumford.

​

Cogload
Bill Elston
Hi Keith,

I went over to Cogload today, but this time at Northern end (Durston).

Passing traffic was in fairly quick succession,

1)  Voyagers 221144 and 220023 on 1S51 Plymouth-Glasgow
2 &3)  IETs 802004&017 on the  1C80 Pad - PZ, diverted via Bristol.  Seen going up the ramp, then down.
4&5, Castle class 43189+153 on 2U20  PZ-CF.

Please see photos,

Best wishes, Bill Elston 
Picture
221144+220023, Cogload. 5th December 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.
Picture
802004+802017, Cogload. 5th December 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.
Picture
802004+802017 heading on down the slope towards Taunton crossing over the lines on the direct route towards London. Cogload. 5th December 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.
Picture
43189, Cogload. 5th December 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.
Picture
43189+153, Cogload. 5th December 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.
Many thanks indeed Bill - this is an unusual but good location for views of Cogload.

​

5th December 2023

5/12/2023

 
More colourful Class 47s
Michael Adams
Picture
Hello Roger, Here are a couple more shots from Michael Adams of class 47s in different liveries. Firstly we see 47707 at Reading on 19 March 1991 with a morning service from Paddington to Oxford. Thanks Copyright Michael Adams
Picture
Roger, Now a shot of 47358 at Bristol on Saturday 20 June 1987 with the 11.00 Paignton to Newcastle Copyright Michael Adams
Many Thanks Michael
​

NINETEEN SIXTY TWO
PART 55
Michael L. Roach
The Life of Small Prairie 5521
Small prairie 5521 was completed in December 1927 one of a hundred built between February 1927 and February 1929, numbered 4575-4599 and 5500-5574. The 4575 class was a development of the 4500 class with larger water tanks being the principal visual difference. Like 4567 in Part 52 5521 went to Newton Abbot on leaving Swindon Works and like 4567 it ended its days at Laira Shed. 5521 was dispatched north to Oswestry and Machynlleth Sheds in May 1951 but returned to the West of England in November 1951. Apart from that 6-month stint in Wales 5521 spent the whole of its 35 year working life at sheds no further north or east than Taunton. It spent four spells at Taunton Shed and for some of that time was fitted with token changing apparatus for working the 24-mile Minehead Branch and the 45-mile Barnstaple Branch. With runs of that magnitude 5521 was one of only a handful of the 4575 class to travel more than one million miles in GWR and BR service.
5521 arrived at Laira, from Taunton, in November 1961 and was immediately put to work on the branch to Tavistock South and Launceston. I was lucky enough to photograph it on 2 December 1961 the very day it was formally allocated to Laira Shed. I only photographed the engine working on one other occasion on 10 March 1962 when it was just 4 weeks away from being condemned on 5 April 1962. It was dispatched to Woodhams at Barry three months later and was lucky enough to escape the cutter's torch. It became the 72nd engine to leave Barry for preservation in September 1975 going first to the West Somerset Railway before being sold on to the Dean Forest Railway. 5521 is believed to be at the Epping Ongar Railway, one of three ex-GWR engines at the heritage railway in Essex.
5521 has one of the more interesting stories to tell since preservation as it has worked on several heritage lines in Britain and in 2007 travelled across the North Sea for a two year long working holiday in Europe. Much more on the internet; e.g preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com
Between the dates of the photographs attached; i.e 2 December to 10 March there were 13 Saturdays and I was out travelling on or photographing trains on the Launceston Branch on ten of those Saturdays plus a few weekdays and making several rail trips to Tavistock as well but I never once saw 5521 working on any of those days out. 
 
MLR / 26 November 2023

 
Picture
7573 5521 is seen at Shaugh Bridge Platform on 2 December 1961 while working the 3.05pm from Plymouth to Launceston train. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Picture
7574 5521 sets out from Shaugh Bridge Platform. The train was scheduled to take another 68 minutes to complete the 27 miles to Launceston. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Picture
6944 5521 sets out from Plym Bridge Platform with the 3.05pm again on 10 March 1962. Steam emanating from lots of places it should not have done perhaps. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks indeed Michael.

​

Sunny Friday
Mark Lynam

​Good afternoon Keith/Roger,

I have included a few shots from the St Austell area from sunny Friday last week. 
Thanks,
Mark Lynam
Picture
1. 43153 + 43189 pass Crugwallins working 2C09 0650 Bristol Temple Meads to Penzance. Copyright Mark Lynam.
Picture
2. 43187 + 43029 at Dowgas near Coombe working 2U20 1050 Penzance to Cardiff Central. Copyright Mark Lynam.
Picture
3. 43153 + 43189 coming back up the line working 2P13 1150 Penzance to Plymouth. Copyright Mark Lynam.
Picture
4. 802022 at Dowgas with the sun getting lower working 2C26 1342 Plymouth to Penzance. The field the 2nd photo was taken from seen on the very right of the photo by the bridge. Copyright Mark Lynam.
Many thanks Mark - a good day out.


4th December 2023

4/12/2023

 
47 Years ago
4th December 1976
Western China Clay Railtour
Roger Winnen
Picture
761204c D1023 Western Fusilier arrives at Falmouth with the Western China Clay. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
761204f D1056 taking the train forward to Newquay. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
761204i D1056 taking the train forward to Newquay. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
761204l D1056 taking the train forward to Newquay. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
761204m The special at Probus & Ladock Platform. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
761204o D1056 Western Sultan passes through St Columb Road Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
761204ss Western China Clay at Newquay. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
761204y D1023 at Golant. Copyright Roger Winnen
Many thanks Roger.

​
1
Rocks in the snow
Ian Roscorla
Picture
Goonbarrow Tube Press / Rocks Driers from above with some snow still on the ground, a GWR Class 150 calls at the signal box with a Newquay - Par service. 02.12.2023, Copyright Ian Roscorla.
Picture
Another view of the impressive Imerys complex. 02.12.2023, Copyright Ian Roscorla.
Picture
Turning around to look towards Bugle, we see 'Wheal Henry Siding' which was once a branch in its own rights, snaking through Bugle and up a steep incline through Stenalees and Treverbyn to eventually reach Carthew. 02.12.2023, Copyright Ian Roscorla.
Picture
Continuing towards Bugle we can see the current truncation of the former banch, now a long siding for incoming trains to use to push back. 02.12.2023, Copyright Ian Roscorla.
Picture
One final view of the siding, the formation of the old branch can be seen from the tree and fence lines of the properties in the area. This branch once served over 10 clay dries and an oil siding. 02.12.2023, Copyright Ian Roscorla.
Many thanks Ian for these most interesting views, the snow helps provide a little contrast to see the remains of what once was!


​
T9 memories
James Bown
As Andrew and Diane stated, 30120 was given a heavy repair at Eastleigh and returned for a short busy few months. I was travelling back from my school on the trolley bus and there was a bus stop by the bridge crossing Bournemouth Central Station, you can imagine my surprise to see a T9 in LSWR colours bearing the number 120 waiting at the up platform with a local train. I shot down the stairs of the bus, jumping off just as the bus accelerated away to the annoyance of the bus conductor and sprinted down to watch the beautifully prepared T9 make a faultless start unlike the Bulleids that used to slip slowly under the bridge. Happy days! Best wishes James Bown
Thanks for the memory James good old trolley buses too.

​
Swanage Railway
James Bown

Below is a link to some really superb shots of the trial run of the T3 on the Swanage Raikay - some taken at Corfe Castle. Highly recommended.
​https://youtu.be/xY4ycl29DXU?si=oVFzEI91wDDkRT6o If Michael L Roach would like to admire the splendid restored LSWR T3. This link might give great pleasure. Best James Bown Sent from my iPad
Many thanks James.

​

Stoke Gifford
Phil Smith
Picture
47812 passing the site of the new post office sorting office at Stoke Gifford The year is 2000. Copyright Phil Smith.
Thanks Phil.

​

3rd December 2023

3/12/2023

 
Bodmin & Clay Empties
Jon Hird

Hi both,

​Please find attached some photos from above of today.

First stop was Charlie’s Gate on the Bodmin & Wenford to see 47306 and 5552 heading for Parkway, it was a lovely bright and frosty scene and I also managed to get a shot of the 47 heading onto the viaduct at Bodmin Parkway (although the trees are so tall it doesn’t look much like a viaduct from this angle!!)

Then with minutes to spare, I headed down to the A38 just east of Bodmin Parkway for a shot of 66165 bringing the empty JIA’s back to St. Blazey ready for the weeks clay workings. The shadows in the valley had preserved the frost from the night before.

Back to Charlie’s Gate for a shot from the other side of 47306 and a top-down shot of the station with 5552, then up to ‘Racing Straight’ for a final couple of photos of 5552 heading back up the hill and 47306 disappearing around quarry curve with the ‘Bodmin Beacon’ visible on the hill in the background.

Hope they are of interest, please feel free to use as many or as few as you wish.

All the best, Jon
Picture
Picture (1) 47306 heads the train with 5552 bringing up the rear. 2nd December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
Picture (2) 5552 taking it easy. 2nd December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
Picture (3) 47306 leads into Bodmin Road [Parkway] crossing the very obvious viaduct over the river Fowey. 2nd December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
Picture (4) 66165 bringing the empty JIA's back to St. Blazey ready for the weeks clay workings. The shadows in the valley had preserved the frost from the night before. 2nd December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
Picture (5) 47 306 leads the way past Charlies Gate en Route to Bodmin Parkway/Road. 2nd December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
Picture (6) A very fine overview of Bodmin Road (Parkway) station as 5552 prepares to leave. 2nd December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
Picture (7) 5552 producing a fine clean exhaust as it returns its train home. 2nd December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
Picture (8) Quarry Curve. 47306 on the rear as 5552 heads for Bodmin General. Copyright Jon Hird.
Many many thanks Jon for the superb views you have taken on a bright frosty day.

​

Golden Hour
Craig Munday

Picture
Golden Hour at Resparveth 2C27 43153 and 43189 1st December 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.
The setting sun provides magical light to this view
​- many thanks Craig.

​

2nd December 2023

2/12/2023

 
Dawlish Seawall
Clive Smith
On Wednesday (29th November 2023)  I was on the sea wall in glorious low sunsine to photo the last few days of regular daytime Castle HSTs in south Devon. The next day certains locations in Devon and Cornwall had some morning snow with wintry scenes before winter has even begun. There a still some yellow leaves on the trees even this late in November. The Rail Head Treatment Train is still going about its business but just for one more week.

Regards,  Clive Smith.
Picture
(1) 43154 brings up the rear of the 2U20 10.50 Penzance - Cardiff Central with 43198 on the front as it enters Parsons Tunnel between Teignmouth and Dawlish. The light had been flat all morning with thick high level cloud which broke up around midday producing three hours of glorious low winter sunshine. This train will run with its last official booked HST on Friday 8th December rail strikes permitting. Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture
(2) Just two minutes later and another Castle HST emerged from the tunnel on the 11.14 Newport - Penzance vice an IET. 43156 is on the front and 43004 on the rear.Hard to think in just over ten days there will be no more booked HST workings along this stretch of beautiful line other than around 07.30 on a Saturday morning and 21.00 on a weekday. Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture
(3) 43154 heads the 2C09 06.50 Bristol TM -Penzance across a snowy Bittaford Viaduct. 43198 is on the rear. Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture
(4) It was still snowing at 13.00 at the higher levels in Ivybridge towards the east of the town so I went to Hardford Bridge for some of the white stuff. There was none left on the trees but enough for a rare wintry scene in south Devon.This is 43187 leading the 2U20 10.50 Penzance - Cardiff Central. 43029 is on the rear. Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture
(5) 66113 is on the front of the 3J11 17.36 St Blazey - Westbury Rail Head Treatment Train with 66097 on the rear. The train was due at Plymouth from 19.02 to 20.03 but was running 24 minutes early and parked up at platform 7 to wait time. Copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks for your excellent collection and all the details Clive - sorry I am a day late in publishing.

​
Hungerford
Peter Todd

An overcast and cold day but a few snaps to keep the cold at bay.
 
34046 hauling a Steam Dreams Special from Bury St. Edmunds to Bath. Passing time around 1225. 1Z46, 1222 hours.
 
Brush 47 D1924 acting as support loco to 34046.
 
Freightliner 59205 double heading with 66531. Running under caution as it was heading into the loop at the eastern end of Hungerford station.  Rep. No 7A17. Merehead Quarry to Colnbrook Foster Yeoman. 1212 hours.
 
Peter  Todd 
 
Picture
34046 Braunton Hungerford 1st December 2023. Copyright Peter Todd
Picture
34046 Braunton Hungerford 1st December 2023. Copyright Peter Todd
Picture
Back up loco D1924 Hungerford 1st December 2023. Copyright Peter Todd
Picture
59205 Hungerford 1st December 2023. Copyright Peter Todd
Many thanks Peter - looks quite a miserable day.

​

Exeter St Davids
Paul Barlow

Picture
43154 43198 1900 Cardiff to Plymouth 2C89 Exeter St Davids 24th November 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Picture
43198 43154 1900 Cardiff to Plymouth 2C89 Exeter St Davids 24 November 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul.

​

1st December 2023

1/12/2023

 
Class 47s
Bristol Temple Meads
Michael Adams
Picture
Hello Roger, An earthquake, now snow ,what next?! Here are two pictures from Michael Adams taken at Temple Meads station on 20 July 1991.The first shows 47812 with the 10.18 departure for Penzance, from Manchester. Copyright Michael Adams
Picture
The second train 47460 and 47470 with the 10.37 Paignton to Glasgow,both Saturdays only trains. Copyright Michael Adams
Many Thanks Michael
Glorious West Cornwall
Andrew Triggs
Afternoon Keith/Roger
Spent a couple of hours this morning driving to various sites to make the most of the clear Blue skies with added full sunshine, the enclosed shots of a fruitful trip for CRS
All the Best
Andrew

Picture
Hayle Viaduct RHTT with DBC 66097 and 66113 running early again on the day 64 early on the way down to Penzance from Par and 123 early on the way back to St Blazey. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Picture
Hayle Viaduct RHTT with DBC 66097 and 66113 running early again on the day 64 early on the way down to Penzance from Par and 123 early on the way back to St Blazey. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Picture
150247 departing Lelant working 2A11 10.18 St Erth-St Ives. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Picture
43187 (with 43029) approaching Marazion working 2U20 10.50 Penzance-Cardiff Central. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Picture
At around only 3 degrees in temperature 43153 (with 43189) approaches Marazion working 2C09 06.50 Bristol T.M-Penzance. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Many Thanks Andrew
Greyhound 120
Andrew & Diane Jones

Picture
T9 Charlies Gate 1 2010 Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones
​Dear Keith and Valerie, The articles written by Michael L Roach continue to enhance our Knowledge of 1962 and its importance in history as a major turning point for British Railways.
Unfortunately I was too young to witness this period, but through preservation its possible to get a glimpse of what I missed.
Please find attached photographs taken at Charlies Gate near Bodmin Rd of 30120 storming the grade in the period 2010/2011.
Although initially preserved by the National Railway Museum after being withdrawn from Exmouth Junction Shed in 1961, a subsequent heavy repair was carried out at Eastleigh in 1962 and it returned to service for a short while until late 1963.
After withdrawal, 30120 moved around a fair bit and eventually ended up on the Swanage Railway until 1993 and then to the Bluebell Railway where it was on static display until 2008.
Eventually moving to the Bodmin Railway, 30120 was retuned to steam after extensive repairs in 2010.
In engineering terms the Drummond design was relatively simple design and was well liked by Drivers and crew.
They were nicknamed ‘Greyhounds’ due to their top speed of 85mph and proved well suited to the Southerns western region partly due to their light axle loadings and short frame length.
13 of the class were converted to oil burning in 1947 but all were withdrawn in 1948 at the end of the experiment.
20 of the unconverted remained in service until the early 60’s.
30120 is now awaiting a boiler assessment at Swanage and possible reinstatement.
 
Very best wishes Andrew and Diane

Picture
T9 Charlies Gate 1 2010 Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones
Many thanks for your additional information Andrew - it is much appreciated.

​

Three Peaks
Ross Griffiths

Hope this finds you well,
Please find attached three images of 'Peaks' at different locations throughout the south west, for use on the site.
All three are scans of slides that have been acquired with copyright, the original photographers are unknown.
All the best, Ross Griffiths.
Picture
1. 45035 rounds the curve on the approach to Teignmouth with the 0639 Leeds-Penzance on 16th Sept. 1977. Copyright Ross Griffiths.
Picture
2. 46002 is seen running south towards Powderham crossing with a wonderful mixed freight that, amongst others, features a Siphon G 'Enparts' van, four Presflo wagons, a Trestrol wagon, various box vans, various OWV china clay wagons and two Polybulks, comprising 35 wagons in total. This could possibly be the Exeter Riverside to Plymouth Friary Goods, no exact date information is available but thought to be sometime during 1979. Copyright Ross Griffiths.
Picture
3. 46031 crosses the viaduct at Hayle with a mix of passenger and parcel coaches on an unknown up service on 12th July 1979. Copyright Ross Griffiths. Note in the foreground the nicely polished metals of the Hayle Harbour branch - this closed on the 7th July 1982.
Many thanks Ross - a real nostalgic collection.

​

Shades of Winter
Craig Munday

Hi Keith

A selection from previous weeks for you.

A couple of early morning shots from the box window at Liskeard. A ghastly forecast but some nice light effects first thing as the late running down sleepers ran by. This was followed by dramatic lighting to the Glasgow bound Voyager. Both taken on 20th Nov.

A visit to Hayle on 29th saw some usable light, so a nipped up to Laity's Lane east of Angarrack for 2U24 Cardiff bound. These are the final weeks for Castle sets running through to Wales on these services. 

A day later, the forecast produced 2 inches of snow across Clay Country. It melted quickly by midday, so I had to capitalise on it during the hour of 11. This saw two Castle sets in action, and 66165 arrive back at Burngullow with loaded JIAs for Stoke. A line of already loaded wagons sit in the wharf in the second picture. 
Notable that no Carne Point clay has been loaded by train from the plant at Treviscoe since the end of the CDAs.  

Cheers for now,  Craig Munday.

Picture
he down sleeper approaches Liskeard1C50 57602 (2) 20th November 2023. Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
1S43 departs Liskeard 220021 (1) 20th November 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.
Picture
2U24 Laity's Lane bridge (2) 29th November 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.
Picture
43153 43189 Henball Lane (1) 30th November 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.
Picture
Henball Lane 2U20 43029 43187 Henball Lane (4) 30th November 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.
Picture
66165 emerges from the Parkandillack branch at Burngullow 6B00 (5) 30th November 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.
Picture
66165 at Burngullow 6B00 (8) 30th November 2023. Copyright Craig Munday
Many thanks Craig for your usual crop of excellent pictures.

​

Statesman at Swindon
Colin Pidgeon

​      2 photos of D1935 (47805) t&t 47712 on 1Z48 Statemans Rail 'The Bath Spa Christmas Statesman at Swindon 29-11-2023.
            
Picture
D1935 Roger Hosking MA at Swindon on the 1Z48 Hull to Bath Spa. 29th November 2023. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Picture
47712 Lady Diana Spencer on the back. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks Colin, keep up the good work.

​

30th November 2023

30/11/2023

 
South Devon Autumn
for Castle HSTs
Clive Smith
​Just over a week left now to capture daylight GWR HST photos on the South Devon main line between Plymouth and Exeter. The concentration of three sets in Cornwall after 10th December will mean just an early Saturday train from Exeter and a weekday evening train to Exeter will be the only 'Castle' operated services in this part of Devon. 
Regards

​Clive Smith
Picture
1) 43189 heads past Hemerdon loop at the front of the2U20 10.50 Penzance-Cardiff Central 19th October 2023. Copyright Clive Smith
Picture
(2) In near perfect conditions and superb light 43162 leads the 2U12 08.48 Plymouth - Cardiff Central with 43027 on the rear between Newton Abbot and Teignmouth near Bishopsteignton on the 11th November. A two week engineering works blockade in Cornwall resulted in altered HST diagrams with the return of eastbound morning departures from Plymouth. Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture
(3) Taken from the Ness Car Park in Shaldon also on the 11th November . This is 43097 leading the 2C67 08.00 Cardiff Central - Plymouth through Teignmouth with 43098 on the rear. Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture
(4) The leaves are yellow and brown and have started to fall at Stoneycomb and the field I stood in is now full of cabbages mud. The curving tracks down from Dainton can be seen in the distance. 43098 is at the front of the 2U20 10.50 Penzance - Cardiff Central with 43097 on the rear. Copyright Clive Smith.
Picture
(5) Approaching South Brent from Marley Tunnel with Eastern Beacon (378m / 1240ft) looming in the distance, 43097 brings up the rear of the 2C09 06.50 Bristol Temple Meads to Penzance with 43153 on the front on the 21st November.
Picture
(6) 43153 leading and 43097 on the rear of the Saturday 2C67 08.00 Cardiff Central - Penzance crossing Bittaford Viaduct on the 25th November . What a glorious sight. Copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks indeed Clive for a glorious panorama of pictures - lovely light.


NINETEEN SIXTY TWO
PART 54
Michael L. Roach
LSWR Class of 4-4-0s known as “The Greyhounds”
​

The London and South Western Railway built 66 of the T9 class between 1899 and 1901, some at their Nine Elms Works in London. The remainder were built by Dubs and Co. of Glasgow. The LSWR works at Eastleigh did not start building engines until 1910. The T9s had a reputation of being fast and reliable and the last of the class was not withdrawn until 1963, a testimony to their usefulness but latterly relegated to lighter secondary work. The class was designed by Dugald Drummond who died in 1912 and his successor Robert Urie carried out several improvements to the class to enhance the performance. The class remained intact at nationalisation in 1948 with the first one being withdrawn in 1951. The tractive effort of 17,670 may be compared to that of the GWR 4-4-0 no. 16 Brunel described in Part 44 of this series.
Four of the T9 class appear in the photographs that follow from July 1959 which was the start of a great summer for weather: 30702/11/17/26. 30711 and 30726 were withdrawn the following month and 30702 in October 1959 leaving just 30717 to soldier on for a further two years until July 1961. A total of ten of the class were withdrawn in 1959 triggered by an influx of Bulleid Light Pacifics to the “Withered Arm” displaced from Kent as a result of the completion of the first phase of the Kent Coast Electrification Project.
Only one member of the class was to be preserved and that was 30120 one of the first batch of ten built in 1899 at the LSWR's own works at Nine Elms, London.

MLR / 25 November 2023
Picture
2903 30711 is seen outside Okehampton Shed on 4 July 1959. This engine was based at Exmouth Junction Shed right through the 1950s and was condemned there in September 1959. Earlier it had been based at Friary Shed at nationalisation on 1 January 1948. 30711 was built in 1899 by Dubs & Co. and was withdrawn just two months after the photo was taken. It had probably arrived at Okehampton that day on the Plymouth portion of the up ACE. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Picture
2931 30717 stands in the sun outside the shed at Wadebridge on 18 July 1959. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Picture
2934 A panoramic view of Padstow's single platform and sidings looking south towards Wadebridge with two T9s in view on same date as the previous photo. Nearest is 30702 and furthest is 30726. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Picture
2935 30726 waits to leave Padstow with the 3.13pm to Exeter Central on 18 July 1959. This was an 88-mile trip taking three hours. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks again Michael for a brilliant set of pictures with very comprehensive notes - keep up the good work - please

​

Gents, Interesting set of photos at Okehampton. 30726 was the odd one out. From memory it was the only Exmouth Junction based T9 with a six wheel tender. All the others had Drummond eight wheeled water carts. Dave Tozer
Many Thanks David

29th November 2023

29/11/2023

 
Views from on high
Goonbarrow
Jon Hird
I took a trip to Lavrean (between Goonbarrow and Luxuylan) at lunch time today 28th November 2023 to catch 66165 with the loaded Clay for Fowey. I was rewarded with some wonderful winter light, being so close to journeys start the excess clay dust was still being blown from the wagons too, which made for a nice photo.

2 images attached of that, one from quite high up showing the train heading away from me and approaching Luxuylan.

After that, I still had quite a bit of battery left and with no wind and sunshine I decided to see what Goonbarrow looked like from above.

Both resident shunters (a class 08 and an industrial loco) were visible.

The scale of the buildings surprised me, the main linhay is humongous!

I’ve attached a few views of the site you might find interesting.

All the best, Jon
Picture
66165 has jeft Goonbarrow and speeds up note the clay dust being blown off the train - seen in the distance with the loaded Clay heads for Fowey. 28th November 2023, Copyright Jon Hird,
Picture
66165 continues its journey towards Luxulyan seen in the distance, 28th November 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
Rocks Driers Goonbarrow looking from tht south west. Note the signalbox in font of the dries at the top of the picture.28th November 2023. Copyright John Hird.
Picture
Goonbarrow Rocks Drieers coplex, again note the signal box and semaphore signals will still be there for some time yet. 28th November 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
Picture
Swinging around and looking south west we see two of the shunters. Copyright Jon Hird.
Very many thanks indeed Jon for these remarkable views of the industrial scene at Goonbarrow,  We see things from angles and heights never seen before.

​
Class 47s
Thee two Michaels

Picture
Hello Roger, Nice pictures of your trip up through the Duchy and an interesting selection of locos. and units. Here is another picture of a class 47 in different livery ,still at Oxford and showing 47368 in Petroleum sector regalia,with empty tankers from Didcot power station.There used to be an occasional such train which ,I think,contained lubricants rather than fuel for burning and the train is returning to one of the Humberside refineries. Copyright Michael Forward
Picture
Roger, Michael Adams has sent me some pictures of 47s in different liveries and here we see 47703 ,named The Queen Mother ,at Temple Meads on 20 July 1991 with the 09.40 to Weymouth. Copyright Michael Adams
Many Thanks

28th November 2023

28/11/2023

 
Bridgwater & Cogload
Bill Elston

I travelled over to Bridgwater today to catch the Bridgwater to Crewe Coal sidings nuclear waste train.6M63.

This was hauled by bimode 88007 Electra,  and  68007 Valiant  ('Bonding'  at Bridgwater ??  )

On my way home I called in at Cogload Jct  for the Penz to Cf working 2U20  t/t 43156 and 43004.

Best wishes, Bill Elston
Picture
88007+68007 in the sidings at Bridgwater. 27th November 2023 Copyright Bill Elston
Picture
88007+68007 back out on the main line. Bridgwater. 27th November 2023 Copyright Bill Elston
Picture
88007+68007 just about to leave. Bridgwater. 27th November 2023 Copyright Bill Elston
Picture
43156 approaches Cogload. 27th November 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.
Picture
A nice view of the down main from Bristol rising up to cross over the direct lines from Reading. Cogload. 27th November 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.
Many thanks Bill.

​

NINETEEN SIXTY TWO
PART 53
Michael L. Roach
Devonport Kings Road Station (2)
Kings Road was converted to a through station on 12 May 1890 when trains started to arrive at the west end of the station over the double track of the Plymouth, Devonport and South Western Junction Railway from Lydford. The trains were operated by the London and South Western Railway as part of a route from Waterloo to Plymouth Friary, via Okehampton and Lydford. There were two main platforms with a short east-facing bay on the south side which was unlikely to have seen much passenger use after it became a through station as all trains from Friary were travelling as least as far as St. Budeaux.
The main station buildings were constructed on the north side of the line, parallel to but at lower level to Paradise Road which is one of the main routes from Plymouth to Devonport, both then and now. There were sloping station approach roads from Paradise Road to the main entrance from the east and the west. The layout at Friary Station was very similar, but the station buildings were more impressive at Kings Road. In a way it was quite strange that British Railways should choose to call the station Kings Road in 1949 because Kings Road was on the south side of the station  with only a secondary entrance to the station.
For the last few years Devonport Kings Road was only open for freight and final closure came on 7 March 1971 when the station, the line to Stonehouse Pool and the line from Kings Road to Devonport Junction were closed and later lifted. The whole area was redeveloped but the two station approach roads remain in use, are now public roads, and may be viewed on streetview.
One almost unique feature of the track layout at Kings Road was that the 76 chain Stonehouse Pool Branch to Ocean Quay on the River Tamar started from a junction in the middle of the goods yard and then descended steeply into a tunnel which started at the centre of the goods shed. Plymouth Friary station had a very similar layout for the start of the LSWR's Sutton Harbour Branch. The line opened to passengers on 9 April 1904 but the service was only for boat trains carrying passengers disembarking from ocean liners in Plymouth Sound in competition with the similar service offered by the GWR. To the best of my knowledge there was never a scheduled passenger service over the branch. The service only lasted until 28 May 1910. The rail disaster at Salisbury on 1 July 1906 when a boat train from Plymouth left the rails and 28 died, severely knocked confudence in the LSWR service for ocean passengers. A later agreement with the GWR saw the LSWR give up running boat trains but goods trains continued running to Ocean Quay for another 60 years. Again there is a very good history of the branch on the Old Devonport website.
One of the classes of steam engine passing through Devonport Kings Road regularly for many decades was the T9 class which we will look at in the next part of the series.
MLR /  25 November 2023
Many thanks indeed Michael, very interesting, we look forward to Part 54.

​
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