12th June 2020

The 2nd Nodding Donkey visits West Cornwall

Photographs by Roger Salter- Andrew Triggs-
Roger Winnen

This is the second time within 5 days that a 143 Pacer 143621 has visited Penzance to collect a defective 150 sprinter, this time 150249 which failed on the Falmouth Branch yesterday.

200612a 143621 Seen approaching St Erth on the ECS Exeter-Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

200612b 143621 Is seen passing St Erth Station on a very wet June day, its Friday 12th June 2020. Copyright Roger Winnen

​ Passing Rosevidney bridge 143621 on time at 15.21 working 5Z79 13.00 Exeter TMD-Penzance. Copyright Andrew Triggs

200612c 143621 after passing Rosevidney arrives at Rospeath Bridge, this section of line was only doubled between Marazion and St Erth in 1929. Copyright Roger Salter

200612d 143621 is seen passing Rospeath Bridge on route to Penzance to collect defective 150 Sprinter unit. Copyright Roger Salter

200612e The 143 Pacer is seen coupled to the failed unit prior to departure for Exeter. Copyright Roger Salter

The return with defective 150249 in tow at Rospeath bridge, running 12 early at 15.53 as 5Z76 16.00 Penzance-Exeter TMD Copyright Andrew Triggs

Many thanks to Roger Salter , Andrew Triggs  and Roger Winnen.
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Loram LG 01Loram PLG (01)
Plain Line Rail Grinder ​Part 2
Mick House  

As I have received some interest in this machine I thought I would show you the complete 7 vehicle formation, comprising of 2 Driving cars, 4 Grinding cars and 1 Fluid car. You will also note some interesting artwork on the sides.

79501 is a driving Control car. Copyright Mick House.

79502 is a Grinding car. Copyright Mick House.

79504 is a Grinding car. Copyright Mick House.

79505 is a Grinding car. Copyright Mick House.

79506 is a Fluid car. Copyright Mick House.

79507 is a Driving control car. Copyright Mick House.

With respect to Micks article above David Ward has kindly sent the following additional information and links. This is a large International American Company Lorum from who build these machines from Minneapolis. I looked at their website and found an interesting video of what they do in Rail Maintenance. This is from the Rail Engineer 2017. Kind regards, David. PERMANENT WAY<https://www.railengineer.co.uk/category/permanent-way/>ROLLING STOCK AND COMPONENTS<https://www.railengineer.co.uk/category/rolling-stock-and-components/> Impressive new rail grinders [https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/27359e50b94ced78aad632ff6d282bf5?s=96&d=mm&r=g]<https://www.railengineer.co.uk/author/chris-parker/> CHRIS PARKER<https://www.railengineer.co.uk/author/chris-parker/> 1ST APRIL 2017 1<https://www.railengineer.co.uk/2017/04/01/in-case-you-missed-it-impressive-new-rail-grinders/#comments> RIDC Tuxford, Network Rail’s rail innovation and development centre at High Marnham, is where new on-track machines and heavy plant are put through their paces and certified for operation on the national network. Rail Engineer was there recently (issue 148, February 2017) to look at Network Rail’s new ballast cleaning train.

Many thanks David.

Thanks for the coverage on the grinder Mick - no more please.
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Exeter Liveries
Bill Elston

47460 at Exeter on the 11th June 1991 Copyright Bill Elston

Again at Exeter on a rather tatty condition is 47431. 11th June 1991. Copyright Bill Elston.

Attached is a photo of three class 47s at Exeter on 11 June 1991, namely 47100, 47431 and 47460. What they have in common is that were all allocated to Railfreight Distribution, Tinsley Depot at that time. Also, they all received the attentions of Tinsley’s name painter, and were named, unofficially, as follows, 47100 named MERLIN on the 20th September 1989 and withdrawn in July 1991, 47431 named SILURIAN on the 2nd November 1990 and withdrawn in July 1992 ( see photo of name ) 47460 named TRITON 6th March 1991 and withdrawn in February 1992. This loco is of interest as it was named GREAT EASTERN, by Stratford TMD staff unofficially, on 3rd April 1978 but BR management frowned on this and it was removed after only 18 days. It is widely regarded that this proved to be the catalyst to BR abandoning its no naming policy in effect since 1967. The painted names tented to be applied to locos in obsolete liveries and/or with a short service life left, and in general, the themes being Birds for 47/0's, Tanks for 47/3's and Racehorses for 47/4's. There were of course many variations I hope this is of interest, Bill

Many thanks Bill

Barnstaple Town
Roger Winnen

Barnstaple Town Station - taken on the occasion of a Charter Train - 'The Atlantic Coast Express' on the 17th May 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen. Note on the right in the distance the now long gone bridge which carried the metals over the river Taw and heading towards Barnstaple Junction station. This was demolished in 1977. Railtour participants seen here had walked over the bridge from the Junction station,

​An hours stop-over by the Atlantic Coast Express at Barnstaple Junction on 17th May 1975 gave time for participants to explore the town. Many took the opportunity to take part in what amounted to a mass trespass exploring the now long gone bridge and the route to Barnstaple Town. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many thanks Roger.

Getting back to normal
David Tozer

Getting back to near normal:-  Try the link below for services from 6th July.
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=23622.0

Good news for Roger.
Best regards to all. Dave.

Many thanks Dave