15th June 2018

The H.S.T. Diversions on the Southern
Roger Winnen

An opportunity to photograph HSTs on the Southern Route was taken on 14th June 2018 before their replacement by the IET Trains later in the year. An upgrade at Cowley Bridge Junction, Exeter to prevent further flooding, resulted in the the lines east of Exeter St David's being closed between 12th-14th June 2018 with bus replacement services running to Taunton connecting into mainline services and to Barnstaple. However a limited service of Great Western Trains,one every two hours in both directions ran via the Southern to Yeovil Junction, then Yeovil Pen Mill to Castle Cary and London Paddington. This caused long delays throughout the day to both South Western Railway Trains and the Great Western Services and had knock on effects. 
Many thanks to David Tozer for keeping me informed by the bush telegraph updating me of the movements during the day.

180614a The 13.25 service from Exeter St David's to London Waterloo was cancelled owing to the trains late arrival. The train however commenced its journey from Exeter Central where the incoming train due at 12.40 had terminated running nearly an hour late. Passengers were conveyed by bus between St David's and Central Station. The service is shown at Pinhoe awaiting the HST to clear the single line from Honiton. Copyright Roger Winnen

180614aa The 11.03 Paddington Penzance service passes through Pinhoe on route to Exeter Central. Copyright Roger Winnen

180614b The rear of the 12.04 Penzance to Paddington service departs Honiton at 15.37 running 20 mins late passing the 159 service to Exeter St David's - Copyright Roger Winnen

180614c The 13.03 service from Paddington to Penzance arrives at Honiton at 16.02. Copyright Roger Winnen

180614d The 15.03 Paddington to Penzance services passes Axminster at 17.30 hrs running 10 mins late. Copyright Roger Winnen

180614e The 13.48 service from Penzance is seen passing through Axminster at 17.39 bound for London Paddington. Copyright Roger Winnen

Keyham & Mid Hants
Richard Hay

Please see attach a photo of 66013 crossing St Levans Viaduct (Keyham) with today's 1506 St Blazey-Exeter clay.  14th June 2018

 Also, I note with interest the photos on the webpage of 34007's arrival on the Plym Valley in 1981.  I was fortunate enough to be a participant on a photo charter on the morning of 34007's last day in steam on the Mid Hants in March 2016. I was last on the Mid Hants a couple of weeks ago and 34007 is looking a bit forlorn again stored in the headshunt at Ropley.  I include a shot of 34007 'going out in style' on that charter!  

            Yours,   Richard                        Many thanks

1506 St Blazey-Exeter-66013-St Levans Viaduct Keyham 14th June 2018 Copyright Richard Hay

1506 St Blazey-Exeter-66013-St Levans Viaduct Keyham 14th June 2018 Copyright Richard Hay

Westbury
Guy Vincent

Further shots of GB Railfreight's 59003 Yeoman Highlander 'at home' (sort of) on an aggregate-derived working, although this job brings in stone from the Midlands to the south west and not, as is more usual, away from the local quarries.

Let's hope this loco remains in our part of the country and can be seen alongside some of it's former class members.

                  Guy V                                 Many thanks Guy

Westbury 59003 6M40 14th June 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent

Westbury 59003 6M40 14th June 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent

Hastings DMU Railtour
1985
Clive Smith
​Part 2

Clive continues to share his unique selection of photographs for which many thanks.  Has anybody got any pictures of this unit on the Gunnislake branch please.

Z851221g After leaving Plymouth Friary DEMU 1032 brings the railtour across the Tamar for the first ever visit to Cornwall of a Hastings Line unit. Hastings Goliath Railtour Copyright Clive Smith

Z851221h The perennial question for Cornish folk . Is Saltash the first station in Cornwall or the last ? The DEMU basks in its moment of history. Hastings Goliath Railtour Copyright Clive Smith

Z851221i The railtour leaves Saltash at 14.15 heading across the Royal Albert Bridge for Gunnislake. Hastings Goliath Railtour Copyright Clive Smith

Z851221i On the shortest day of the year the railtour waits to leave platform 7 at Plymouth with the 17.40 to Waterloo via 'the Southern'. Note the classic red telephone box. Hastings Goliath Railtour Copyright Clive Smith

Dawlish Sea Wall
John Cornelius

Copyright John Cornelius