13th April 2022

West Country Westerns
Guy Vincent

Firstly thanks to Neil Philips for his wonderful 'period' photo of D1021 at Patney on Saturday May 8th 1976.  Looking on 'Track Record Press 1976' (an invaluable source for checking out the workings of most of the 'Westerns' during 1976), Neil was lucky to record D1021 on the 1B39 1056 PAD-PNZ as approaching Westbury it was diverted into the station and declared a failure with D1071 taking the train forwards.  This would have taken some organising as 1B39 was an 'express' in every sense of the word with the first stop being at Totnes at 1423!      After repairs at Westbury diesel depot D1021 spent much of the remainder of the month working off Westbury before disappearing at the start of June.   I've included a scan of an Instamatic colour print I took dated 15 May 1976 showing D1021 engaged in shunting wagons at Westbury. 

Now to Martin Scane's photos of the Royal Train and support loco D1010 at Trowbridge.  On 2nd June 1966 D1010 worked the train to Yeovil, then presumably as ECS back to Westbury before returning to Frome for the evening pick-up of the royal party. I've a picture in an Ian Allan book taken early in the evening of the ECS at Clink Road Jcn, about to go into Frome with D1010 displaying headcode 1X00. At Frome D1010 would have run-round before setting off to Holt Jcn.  A further photo in another book shows D1041 at Hawkeridge, dated 3rd June 1966 so confirming when Martin made his sightings and that D1010 must have followed the train to Castle Cary, displaying headcode 0Z00.   The two locations near Trowbridge are fairly close to each other and the bright sun on D1010 from the right suggests early to mid-morning. Sun would not have affected the photo of D1041 so much due to being in a cutting at that point.

Just 4 weeks beforehand on May 7th 1966 D1010 had made it's record-breaking non-stop run from Paddington to Penzance hauling a 6 coach special 1Z40 0735 Paddington - Penzance run by Ian Allan Ltd.  See Six Bells Junction for info and pictures. 

Wonderful locos, great stories.. 

Guy Vincent

D1021 Western Cavalier Patney and Chirton 8th May 1976. Copyright Neil Phillips

D1021 Western Cavalier shunting at Westbury 15th May 1976. Copyright Guy Vincent

Many thanks indeed Guy for your information and picture. 
​

Penzance
Nick Trudgian

Sea and semaphores as 50026 Indomitable arrives at the terminus. Copyright Nick Trudgian.

Many thanks Nick.  The bright red of the semaphores certainly makes this picture.

Colourful Stone
Pewsey
Ken Mumford

66528 passes Pewsey. Copyright Ken Mumford

Alan J Day passes Pewsey. Copyright Ken Mumford

59206 at Pewsey. Copyright Ken Mumford

Thanks Ken - colorful shots.
​

Isle of Wight
Andrew Triggs

Although not strictly within the scope of Freedom of the South West Railrover and our coverage  it is only a ferry away from Portsmouth and was the subject of a CRS railtour some years ago. Furthermore the line has recently been reopened after a 'facelift' and receiving refurbished stock.
So thanks to Andrew we bring you these pictures.

1. Class 484 No.484003 arriving at Ryde St Johns Road working 2U34 13.15 Shanklin-Ryde Pier Head 4th April 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs

2. Later approaching Ryde Pier Head 484003 working 2U42 15.14 Shanklin-Ryde Pier Head 4th April 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs

3. LMS Ivatt Class 2 No.41313 arriving at Haven Street with the service from Wooton. 5th April 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs

4. Earlier in the day No.41313 running round at Smallbrook Junction. 5th April 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs

5. Recently retired Class 483 Unit No.483007 inside the 'Train Shed' Museum at Haven Street. 5th April 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs

6. On the western side of the Island, the beautifully preserved Yarmouth Station, closed in 1953, now the 'Off The Rails' Cafe and Restaurant 6th April 2022. Copyright

Many thanks Andrew.
​

2nd May 1983
​Isle of Wight CRS

At Haven Street. Copyright Keith Jenkin. 2nd May 1983.

Shanklin 2nd May 1983. Copyright Kevin Jenkin

Proof we were on the Isle of Wight 39 years ago!!  It was a wet day!!
​

Naming of the locomotive
City of Truro
Simon Howard

I see that Neil Phillips has been rummaging in his collection, so I thought I’d do the same – and attach a not very good photo of 1660 City of Truro at Truro (in perhaps 1972).
 
As you’ve covered before, D1660 was named City of Truro on 8th June 1965. I did once get agreement from the management of the West Briton to go through their archives, but was never able to make the appointment. Is anyone ever going to come up with a picture from that event??
 
KR

City of Truro departing Truro. Copyright Simon Howard.

Many thanks Simon - keep rummaging.
​