13th November 2021

Recent Activities
Craig Munday

It's been another busy spell with covering Boxes and MOM turns in the South West. Some cross cover recently allowed me to venture Eastbound, and I took the opportunity to look at a new bit of the Western Route as the line from the former Coleford Jn to Okehampton passes into our care! A crew training unit 150234 was out and about, and I followed the route of the railway along the B3215 calling in at Sampford Courtney, North Tawton and various bridges along the way. The work to restore the railway is outstanding. Brand new track and huge improvements to the route including drainage and structures. 

The station at Okehampton although on the Western Route and served by GWR services has tastefully retained some of its Southern heritage with malachite green paint and signage very much in evidence. 150234 was covering the crew training. 

Also in the news was the visit of some Freightliner class 66s to the Duchy. The Taunton crews including Jason Prole brought down a pair of 66s 66591/516 as far as Par on 10th, and just 6656 through to Penzance on 11th. The trips are seen at Par and Bodmin Parkway. The crews were refreshing the area for this weekend's engineering work which sees multiple trains working in the Dobwalls Sperrit Tunnel relaying site. Rail replacement is in action between Par & Liskeard. 

Some other pictures in the area are included. Sadly we've lacked sunlight to catch the wonderful canopies in the trees still bedecked with leaves. With little frost or gales to loosen them, There's a lot to fall just yet. 

Kind regards,  Craig  Munday

Royal Albert 8th November 2021 Copyright Craig Munday

Voyager Tresulgan 7th November 2021. Copyright Craig Munday

66591 66516 Par 10th November 2021. Copyright Craig Munday

66561 Bodmin Parkway 11th November 2021. Copyright Craig Munday.

Okehampton 8th November 2021. Copyright Craig Munday.

Many thanks indeed Craig for your comprehensive report.
​

Does anybody in the know know of future plans and dates for the 'New' line to Okehampton.  Are there any plans for Sampford Courtney which is a complete station to return to the timetables, maybe also services to Bow and Yeoford where there could be a useful connection once more for trains to Barnstaple. Is there any possibility of services to Meldon Hlt from Okehampton? Where will the suggested Okehampton Parkway station  be located - presumably adjacent to the A30? Comment would be appreciated.

The Railhead Treatment Train in Devon
Roger Salter & Roger Winnen

211110a No sign of life as the RHTT passes throuth Dawlish Warren. Copyright Roger Salter

211110a The RHTT skirts the Exe Estuary on November 10th 2021 Copyright Roger Salter

211112a Yesterday at Dawlish Warrwn with the RHTT. Copright Roger Salter

211111a 66116 full of grime arrives on the through line of Plymouth Station on its return working to St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen

21111b 66116 full of grime arrives on the through line of Plymouth Station on its return working to St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen

Just north of
Cowley Bridge Jct.
Paul Barlow

47828 Severn Valley Railway 10.02 Paignton to Newcastle 1E33 just north of Cowley Bridge on the 13th June 2002. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul for your picture of exactly nineteen and a half years ago. 
​

East of 
Taunton
Ron Kosys

In the days of four tracks east of Taunton as far as Cogload - one wonders if as in other locations there will be  need to put back the metals once more.

47409 east of Taunton 19th June 1984 Copyright Ron Kosys

Many thanks Ron.
​