14th April 2022

Good Friday 16th April 1976
Roger Winnen

A selection of photographs taken this day with glorious weather

760416a Four Class 50s and a 47 at Long Rock. Copyright Roger Winnen

760416b The coal stage has gone at Long Rock. Copyright Roger Winnen

760416c A Class 50 at Long Rock. Copyright Roger Winnen

760416d Double Headers on the Penzance to Birmingham D1001 Western Pathfinder. Copyright Roger Winnen

760416e D1070 Western Gauntlet on the 09.20 Relief Paddington to Penzance at Long Rock. Copyright Roger Winnen

760416f 47147 on the 09.30 Paddington to Penzance at Marazion. Copyright Roger Winnen

760416g 45005 on the Cornishman passing Long Rock Shed. Copyright Roger Winnen

Station buildings destroyed by fire
Totnes
Michael L. Roach

TOTNES FIRE 1962                                                          Michael L. Roach
It was 60 years ago today on Saturday 14 April 1962 that Totnes Station was devastated by a fire which started in the early hours. The fire destroyed all the main buildings on the downside i.e the Plymouth-bound platform, including the booking hall/office, the parcels office and refreshment room. The debris was cleared and the platform used for the day's train service as normal. A Portakabin was delivered next day and used as a booking office and waiting room for some time. Thanks go to The Railway Observer for recording this item. On the same page of the same Railway Observer (June 1962) a news item records that the complete dieselisation of the Cornish main line and its branches is nearing completion with very few steam turns remaining.
MLR / 12 April 2022
 
 

Totnes down platform buildings - the heart has been destroyed by fire. 14th April 1962. Copyright the late Sid Sponheimer

Totnes station down platform buildings 14th April 1962 - the sun shines through the shattered windows and onto the platform. Copyright the late Sid Sponheimer

Totnes station - the up platform on the day of the fire. A '55' waits to continue its journey. 14th April 1962 Copyright Sid Sponheimer N.B. The signalbox here is one of the lucky ones saved for preservation as a restaurant.

Many thanks to Michael for reminding us of this anniversary - we also remember our very good friend the late Sid Sponheimer.

Newton Abbot
Clive Smith

43046 in matching blue pullman livery leads the 1Z51 16.15 Kingswear - Bangor 'Midland Pullman' through Newton Abbot under a grey sky while short sighted spotters should have no trouble with newly Inter City liveried 43049 on the rear. Nice to see a power car in this livery following the demise of the much missed 43185 in May 2019.

Regards, Clive Smith.

Blue Pullman pauses at Newton Abbot. Copyright Clive Smith

Newton Abbot - newly repainted power car 43 049 13th April 2022. Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks Clive - if only all HST power cars had their numbers displayed as in the lower picture!

Blue Pullman at
Exminster
David Tozer 

A couple of photos from a rather gloomy Exminster of the 0515 1Z50 Bangor - Paignton - Devon Pullman. Note the leading power car was in a different livery and very smart too.
Dave 

Newly painted 43049 at Exminster. 13th April 2022. Copyright David Tozer

The Devon Pullman at Exminster 13th April 2022. Copyright David Tozer

Many thanks David.
​

Blue Pullman at
Stoke Canon
Paul and Alison Barlow

Hello Keith
A few shots of the Blue Pullman, a bit of a dull day but the rapeseed field has made up for it a bit.

This is the Youtube link to my wife Alison's video on the return run https://youtu.be/o1HUBBNcX9M

Kind regards, Paul.

Panned close up shot of Inter-city swallow livery 43049 Neville Hill Copyright Paul Barlow

43046 leading and IC 43049 at Stoke Canon on 1615 Kingswear to Bangor 'Devonian Pulman' 1Z51 Copyright Paul Barlow

43049 leading and 43046 approaching Stoke Canon on 0515 Bangor to Kingswear 1Z50. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks indeed Paul and a special thanks to Alison for the video - well worth looking at on Yotube - the yellow field of rape seed makes for unusual and interesting pictures.
​

Blue Pullman at
Creech St Michael
Bill Elston

The Devonian Pullman from Bangor to Kingswear operated today, and is seen passing Creech  t/t by Inter-city liveried 43049 and blue 43046.

All the best, Bill

43049 Creech St Michael, 13th April 2022 Copyright Bill Elston

43046, 13th April 2022 Copyright Bill Elston

Many thanks Bill - well caught.
​

A visit to
Eastleigh
Andrew Triggs

Andrew continues his exploration of the eastern extremities of the Freedom of the South West Railrover.  On my return from the Isle of Wight I visited the classic location of Eastleigh for a few hours photography, still a fair bit of variety to be had there
All the Best, Andrew.

1. Fresh out of the paint shop, GBRf 66708 'Glory to Ukraine' in the yard opposite platform 3. 7thApril 2022 Copyright Andrew Triggs.

2. GBRf 47739 approaching the station working 5Q50 10.54 Cricklewood South Sidings-Eastleigh Works GBRf, running 32 early at 14.35 7th April 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

3. GBRf 69001 hauling 69005 working 0Z69 10.05 Longport F.D-Eastleigh Works GBRf, 69001 bringing rebuilt 69005 (56007) to Eastleigh for repainting 7th April 2022 Copyright Andrew Triggs

4. Freightliner 66418 with 66593 restarting from platform 2 working 09.31 Crewe Bas Hall S.S.M-Southampton M.C.T 7th April 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

5. 69003 at Campbell Roadbridge working 4Y19 12.30 Mountfield Sidings (GBRf)-Southampton W Docks (GBRf) running 17 early 7th April 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

6. Eastleigh Works plays host to two pairs of back to back Rail Adventure buffer fitted viewed from the works access road. 7th April 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Many thanks Andrew - smashing pictures and detail.
​