13th December 2020

Class 37s at Didcot
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, I hope you are well and able to get about.Good pictures of all the engineer’s trains at Penzance. I now send a picture of 37042 and 37057 at Didcot on 6 January 2000. Thanks for dealing with this.Michael. Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael

The First Turbo to Exmouth
David Tozer

The 0950 Exeter St David's to Exmouth with 166211. The first Turbo in passenger service for this type on the Exmouth Branch. It failrly whipped through Polsloe Bridge now the speed limit has been increased to 40mph at Exmouth Junction. Copyright David Tozer

Thanks David

Paul gets the prize 
The very last Pacer working
Paul Barlow

Hello Keith,                         Class 143 update

143621 with 150266 worked the 2255 Exmouth to Exeter last night, the last class 143 working for GWR.
The staff of Exeter shed lost no time in debranding the units. The class 143's on Exeter shed were all debranded last night by 2330hrs!
King regards, Paul Barlow

143603 de branded Exeter St Davids 12 December 2020 Copyright Paul Barlow

143621 150266 2254 Exmouth Exeter St Davids 2E39 Copyright Paul Barlow.

143621 150266 ECS off 2255 Exmouth to Exeter St Davids. The last GWR class 143 operated service Copyright Paul Barlow

Congratulations and many thanks to Paul for your late night up.

AND FINALLY These are the links to my youtube videos of last night
https://youtu.be/aa9ocF7bq6k
https://youtu.be/IPQbFNG_N2k
all the best
Paul    Thanks Paul

Farewell to the pacers - Welcome to the WSR.

PACERS 
​     - THE LAST DAY
          Paul Barlow, Clive Smith & Roger Winnen

143611 and 150 Shunting Exeter St Davids 12 December 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow

143617 FGW Blue 150219 0955 Exmouth to Paignton arrives at Exeter St Davids. 12th December 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

150266 143621 1055 Paignton to Exmouth leaves Exeter Central. 12th December 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

143603 150246 off1056 from Exmouth shunts to shed. 12th December 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

143603 on 1056 from Exmouth 143618 1130 to Paignton. 12th December 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul

​No bonanza here .143617 is on the rear of the 09.55 Exmouth - Paignton at Newton Abbot with a 150 on the front. Light conditions were challenging with the camera pointing directly into the sun or cloud cover dulling the scene. Unfortunately work commitments meant this was my only capture of the last day . The conspicuous face mask poster will forever date the shot.
Regards, Clive Smith

Newton Abbot 143617 12th December 2020. Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks Clive.

201212a 143620 Departs Torre Station on the 11.28 service to Exmouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

201212a Torre Station showing the redundant Sgnal Box and the departing 150 and 143620 Pacer on the 11.28 service to Exmouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

201212b 143617 at Paignton working the 12.20 service to Exmouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

201212c 143618 arrives at Torquay on the 12.58 service to Exmouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

201212d 143618 seen at Digby and Sowton on the working to Exmouth. Here I bumped into David Tozer our Exeter contributor for the CRS website exchanging Seasons Gretings. Copyright Roger Winnen

201212e Only a short distance from Digby and Sowton is Newcourt Station. 143618 arrives at Newcourt on the 14.24 Exmouth to Paignton service. Copyright Roger Winnen

201212g The same service is seen departing Polsloe Bridge on route to Exeter, Newton Abbot and Paignton. Copyright Roger Winnen

201212h The amenities of Polsloe Bridge as an Exmouth train runs non stop through the platform. From here I caught a bus to Exeter City Centre which was full of Christmas Shoppers to Exeter St David's. Copyright Roger Winnen

Teatime at Dawlish Station with a Class 143 leading and 150244 on a Paignton Exmouth working. Copyright Roger Winnen

201212 The Wavewalker at Dawlish being my last photograph of the day.. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many thanks Clive, Paul and Roger,
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West Somerset Reopens
Santa Specials
Derek Buttivant

Hello Roger and Keith. Although I'm not in Cornwall any more, I keep in touch with the superb CRS web site - and also now have the West Somerset Railway on our doorstep.  You might like to use one or two of the attached photos.

Today, 12 December, saw the first public trains to run on the WSR for many months when "Santa Specials" began.  The first train was the 11.00 from Bishops Lydeard to Williton and two more were scheduled at 13.45 and 16.30.  The attached photos show the initial service, hauled by 9351 passing through Crowcombe.  On the rear was D6575.  About an hour later the train returned (passengers were not allowed to alight at Williton in order to comply with Covid restrictions) and it is pictured passing Roebuck crossing, this time with the diesel leading.

My best wishes to you and CRS friends.

Derek Buttivant

West Somerset first Christmas special 12th December 2020. Copyright Derek Buttivant

West Somerset first Christmas special 12th December 2020. Copyright Derek Buttivant

West Somerset first Christmas special 12th December 2020. Copyright Derek Buttivant

West Somerset first Christmas special 12th December 2020. Copyright Derek Buttivant

West Somerset first Christmas special 12th December 2020. Copyright Derek Buttivant

West Somerset first Christmas special 12th December 2020. Copyright Derek Buttivant

West Somerset first Christmas special 12th December 2020. Copyright Derek Buttivant

West Somerset first Christmas special 12th December 2020. Copyright Derek Buttivant

Many thanks indeed Derek. Welcome back to the W.S.R. and to you.
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