16th July 2020

Timings for today
Choppers Return
Karl Hewlett

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/38539/2020-07-16/detailed*Thursday 16th July 0M16 Plymouth to Derby RTC* The return although under an 0 headcode has a trailing load of 245 tonnes? Regards Karl (The Friends Of Penmere Station).

Thanks Karl

Twenty's today
David Tozer

I caught the 20's at Silverton 11.40 on the  0M16 Laira - Derby R.T.C.
Sadly as I write they had got no further than Taunton. Stopped here due to the second fatality in two days on the Taunton to Exeter line. GWR diverts again via Honiton.
When will they wake up and put the extra passing points in.
Dave 

20205 & 20007 at Silverton on the 16th July 2020. Copyright David Tozer.

Thanks David

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Choppers on the run yesterday!
Andrew Triggs David Tozer Paul Barlow  Bill Elston & Roger Winnen

Good evening Roger/Keith,
3 shots of todays Class 20 run from Derby to Plymouth, which ran as 0V16 which ran as the OV16 11.16 Derby RTC Network Rail Loram Driver Refresher run, arriving 45 early at 16.45. Good to see and chat with Roger today
All the Best
Andrew Triggs
Two Class 20s 20007 and 20205 ran today on the Loram Rail route learning trip, after an overnight stay it returns back home tomorrow. It is many years since one of these engines were seen on the main line in the South West. 20007 formally D8007 was built nearly 63 years ago in September 1957, 20205 followed ten years later in March 1967.
Roger Winnen

200715d 20007 and 20205, seen coming off the Cogload Flyover Copyright Bill Elstone

20007e built in 1957 and 20205 at Cogload heading perhaps to the Antiques Roadshoe. Copyright Bill Elstone

20205f 20205 and 20007, heads for Taunton & Plymouth. Copyright Bill Elstone

The pair is seen passing Stoke Canon on route to Plymouth on 15th July 2020. Copyright David Tozer

20007 20205 pass a newly trimmed back Cowley Bridge Junction on 1118 Derby to Plymouth 15 July 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

20007 leading 20205 on final approach to North Road Station. Copyright Andrew Triggs

0V16 accessing the Dock platform road at Plymouth Station. Copyright Andrew Triggs

20007 and 20205 Temporarily stabled outside the number 2 Dock platform. Copyright Andrew Triggs

200715a 20007 & 20205 Arrives at Plymouth on a Loram Rail Route learning operation from Derby. Copyright Roger Winnen

200715b 20205 formally numbered D8305 built March 1967 in number 2 dock at Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

200715c 20007 formally D8007 built September 1957 now nearly 63 years old at Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

Around Exeter today
Paul Barlow

57603 1000 Penzance to Reading ECS working approaches Sandy Crossing Stoke Canon 15 July 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow

15th July 2020

Newton Abbot Works
Michael Roach

The South Devon Railway built the line from Exeter to Plymouth via Newton Abbot, and the first passenger train arrived at Newton Abbot on the last day of 1846. The passenger service was extended to Totnes in 1847 and Torquay in 1848. The SDR soon constructed a running shed and locomotive repair works at Newton Abbot which survived the takeover by the Great Western Railway and nationalisation, finally closing in 1970. In steam days the works would repair all sizes of loco except the King-class and from sheds all over the Western Region but it specialised in the smaller steam locos from West Country sheds. The works closed to steam in 1960 but was repurposed to maintain diesel locomotives for a few years. 
The last steam locomotive to receive an overhaul at the works was small prairie tank number 4566 of Penzance Shed in June and July 1960. The loco left the works on Wednesday 15 July 1960 in a ceremony which was attended by local dignitaries and reported in the local press. Two weeks earlier on 3 July there were 6 locos in the works including 2 Castles. The choice of 4566 as the last loco to go through the works was a masterstroke because the loco had been sent new to Newton Abbot as its first shed in October 1924 immediately after construction. 4566 was transferred from Penzance to Laira Shed, Plymouth in October 1961 and withdrawn from there in April 1962. Sent to Woodham Brothers scrapyard at Barry the loco was saved for preservation on the Severn Railway Railway arriving there in August 1970. So this is a notable year for 4566 being 60 years since it left Newton Abbot Works and 50 years since it arrived on the Severn Valley Railway.
What of 4566 in the year 2020. The loco still resides on the Severn Valley Railway where she is stored in The Engine House at Highley awaiting an overhaul. 4566 was last steamed on 2 January 2017 when the loco made two return trips between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, and performed very well. Its a little over four years until 4566 celebrates its 100th birthday. Lets hope that the overhaul can be completed in time for this wonderful little locomotive to celebrate its centenary in steam and earning its living on passenger trains. I am obliged to David Cook of The 4566 Group, owners of the locomotive, for assistance in writing this article and for providing the photographs.
Another veteran of the steam era with strong connections to South Devon is the coal-fired paddle steamer Kingswear Castle built by Philip & Son on the banks of the River Dart. The ship is back where it belongs doing the pleasure trips it was designed for between Dartmouth and Totnes. The steamer entered service in 1924 and will also celebrate its 100th birthday in 4 years time.
                           Michael L Roach 10 July 2020  

A few days earlier Mike wrote -  ​Another anniversary coming up shortly, this time 60 years since Newton Abbot Works closed and the last steam loco departed. I remember it because my friend Charles Fennamore used to have the WMN sent to Southampton (where we both worked) by post and he was showing me the item in the newspaper just a couple of days after the ceremony.                    Regards Mike

From the David Cook collection but should be shown copyright: the late Peter W Gray/Transport Treasury whose permission to use them I have been granted.

From the David Cook collection but should be shown copyright: the late Peter W Gray/Transport Treasury whose permission to use them I have been granted.

​Please find attached two photographs for use with Mike Roach's article about the 60th anniversary of the closure to steam of Newton Abbot works on the 15th July 1960. Both are from my collection but should be shown copyright: the late Peter W Gray/Transport Treasury whose permission to use them I have been granted.

I'm not sure if the first one with 6845 Paviland Grange is a before or after shot as it looks likely 4566 is not in steam! Whilst the classic ex-works photograph taken by Peter Gray (front three quarter view) has been seen many times I think the second one I have submitted with the crew posing is the better one but that is just my opinion!

Regards, David Cook (4566 Group) 

Many thanks indeed to Mike Roach,a mine of information,  for the above  very detailed Anniversary Reminder and to his good friend David Cook for the stunning photographs of 4566 from his collection.

Note the buildings in the background of the top photograph are in Forde Close - you can still take a stroll courtesy of Google Earth Street view along there, but, my word how the view has changed!!

Taking a look inside
Marazion Station
Andrew Triggs

Morning Keith,  While out on Saturday 11th July 2020 photographing in the Marazion area, I was asked if I would like to look inside the former station building by the on site staff who were preparing the Holiday cottages for the season, naturally I was pleased to accept the invitation. Currently the building is being restored internally and not in use for Tourists, enclosed shots of the interior for CRS.
​All the Best, Andrew

Looking immaculate - Marazion station building 01 11th July 2020 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Marazion station building 02 The internal roofing timbers have been preserved. 11th July 2020 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Marazion station building 03 11th July 2020 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Marazion station building 04 11th July 2020 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Marazion station building 05 11th July 2020 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Marazion station building 06 Looking west along the former down platform. 11th July 2020 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Many thanks Andrew, and to the owner, for that rare glimpse inside the old building tastefully decorated..

From the Mike Hitchens Collection. One wonders what these gentlemen would have thought of the refurbished and thankfully preserved former down platform building.

Many thanks Mike.

Millendreath Bench 
Stephen Remington

Hello I’m hoping you can fill a gap in my knowledge. The plaque pictured below is fixed to a stone bench on the coast path east of Millendreath and on the way to Bay View Farm and the Monkey Sanctuary. Did the Metropolitan Railway have plans for a line along the coast there? If so, what happened?           Many thanks. Stephen Remington

This land was given to the National Trust by the Metropolitain Railway. Copyright Stephen Remington

Thanks for your query Stephen we know of a plan for a new railway from Menheniot to a 'high level' station at Looe - but will ask our expert for comment on this.

Night visitors to
Newquay
Mark Lynam

Hello, During Tuesday night 66107 + MPV + 66015 visited Newquay with the weedkilling train, arriving at Newquay 65 minutes early on the 3Z15 2029 St Blazey LIP to St Blazey LIP via Parkandillack & Newquay. Below we see 66107 at Newquay 66015 about to head back down the line. Thanks,Mark Lynam

66115 about to head back to St Blazey. at 23.39 on the 14th July 2020. Copyright Mark Lynam.

66107 at the terminus end of the train. 14th July 2020. Copyright mark Lynam.

Congratulations on your late night catch Mark - a real enthusiast.

Late info today but early for tomorrow!
​Karl Hewlett

Class 20's to Plymouth.
This has fallen under my radar for prior research, so I have rushed the information through as quickly as I possibly can. Two Class 20's 20007 and 20205 are currently on their way from Derby RTC to Plymouth light engine, the times are: *Wednesday 15th July 0V16 Derby RTC to Plymouth* https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K26444/2020-07-15/detailed *Thursday 16th July 0M16 Plymouth to Derby RTC* https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K36866/2020-07-16/detailed The return although under an 0 headcode has a trailing load of 245 tonnes? Regards Karl (The Friends Of Penmere Station).

Thanks for the message Karl - received at 14.18 - but good time for tomorrow.