16th January 2022

Plymouth Rail Circle/GWS
Railtour to the Bluebell Line
Peter Dale

It is nearly 50 years ago on Sunday 16th April that this railtour ran from Plymouth to Haywards Heath visiting the Bluebell Railway. Many railway enthusiasts from Cornwall travelled on this special.
Peter Dale has now uncovered these from his vast collection of photographs taken over the years.

60-Greyhound on Bluebell special StDavids Apr72 - Donald Stephens from Penzance is seen photographing this special at Exeter St David's Copyright Peter Dale

31027 A Class P Stands at Sheffield Park Station. Copyright Peter Dale

3217 Earl of Berkeley awaits departure at Sheffield Park Station. Copyright Peter Dale

The railtour enthusiasts at Sheffield Park Station with former Great Western 4-4-0 3217 Earl of Berkeley. Copyright Peter Dale

Many Thanks Peter

For further coverage on this Railtour go to features number 2011 and scroll down the pages
Click Here to go into Features Jan-June 2020 Item 2011

Winter Sun
Craig Munday

Hi Keith

A welcome bit of cold and frost (how fickle we photographers are) to share this week. On nights saw me venture out for some local workings.

 I had spied a low sun shot before Christmas at Bolitho, and waited for a sunny Thursday afternoon in Mid January for the time lag of the sun to "catch up" from the shortest day. A sun down time of 16.41 seemed ideal for the afternoon JIAs Exeter bound around 16.00, close behind the up London. The sheep were happily grazing as the light turned yellow and the sun over to the left burned brightly orange. Soon the sight of 66082 came into view and it was viewed for a full minute, first crossing the beautiful Liskeard viaduct, then Bolitho viaduct before passing LD35, the down Liskeard home board. The light held and the result was rather nice. Both images are included, the standard lens giving a sharp image even a 1/2 mile away. 
Best wishes, Craig 

The loco, 66082 is also seen that morning as it was started up for duty, the thermometer well below freezing. Nicely caught on the 13th January 66082 at St Blazey. Copyright Craig Munday

Bolitho 6C53 66082 13th January 2022. Copyright Craig Munday,

6C53 66082 (3) (Large) The same train - a little larger at Bolitho. 13th January 2022. Copyright Craig Munday. (Revised)

The NMT ran on Fri 14th and it's rare to get a fine day for this. Yesterday seemed ideal, but around clay country, large, fast moving fluffy cloud hindered the shot. I headed over to Trewiddle to grab a landscape view as the I'm concerned this view's days are running out with the housing being erected in the Trewiddle complex in the foreground. The houses are springing up at an alarming rate. The shot was nearly ruined by a westbound Castle set just creeping onto the structure. I had heard this toot-up for Homlbush FP crossing, and watched in horror as it departed the station just as the yellow HST was due on the up! The NMT nicely lit at Trewiddle. 14th January 2022, Copyright Craig Munday

From the archive, I saw a picture of 25261 at Par which created a lot of interest. The loco was not a "local" one and visited right at the end of the class being active in the Duchy around 1980. By chance I captured it passing Par arches with two railfreight vans from Burngullow. Being eleven years old, I didn't possess the "where-with-all" to pursue the loco and grab a better picture at Par. The impetulence of youth eh? 25261 at Par in 1981 Copyright Craig Munday.

Bolitho 6C53 66082 13th January 2022. Copyright Craig Munday

Bolitho 6C53 66082 13th January 2022. Copyright Craig Munday

Many thanks Craig.
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Horse Cove
Ron Kosys

47513 makes a nice picture as it trundles along the coast passing Horse Cove on the 23rd June 1989. Copyright Ron Kosys.

Many thanks Ron
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Winter at
Exeter
Paul Barlow

In contrast to hot June above snow still ies everywhere except on the locos as 31107 and 45071 stand Exeter St Davids. 1st January 1979 Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul.
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Bodmin Parkway
Stephen Widdowson

Back to the long summer days once more as 253 053 gives its class mate a healthy shove from behind leaving Bodmin Parkway and heading for the terminus stlll 52 and a half distant wuth the 13.50 Paddington to Penzance . 20th June 1987. Copyright Stephen Widdowson.

Many thanks Steve
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Little & Large at
Whatley Quarry
 Keith Gale

Dear Keith,

I hope this may be of interest - its a little way from Cornwall, but some may find this interesting.

Whilst out and about last Thursday (13th January 2022) I saw something which seemed to be a little unusual from the norm. Normally the resident GM shunter is powerful enough to push loaded trains into the quarry to make up the 'jumbo' trains unaided. It was quite frosty that morning and the shunter seemed to be losing traction so the crew asked for a shove from a big brother class 66. I attach a picture of the action. As can be seen, although the class 66 is a big GM loco, the GM shunter is built to the American loading gauge. It seems unusual to see a class 66 actually at the quarry. The shunter and class 66 are of course related, both being General Motors products.

66951 and GM 37903 work together at Whatley Quarry on 13 January 2022.

cheers Keith Gale 

I attach a picture of the action. As can be seen, although the class 66 is a big GM loco, the GM shunter is built to the American loading gauge. It seems unusual to see a class 66 actually at the quarry. The shunter and class 66 are of course related, both being General Motors products. 66951 and GM 37903 work together at Whatley Quarry on 13 January 2022. Copyright Keith Gale

Many thanks to Keith Gale for providing the above picture.
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