16th June 2019

16/6/2019

The English Riviera Express
Guy Vincent and David Tozer

SR 34046 'Braunton' pauses at Bradford-on-Avon to pick up passengers that have booked on Saphos Trains 1Z27 0800 Bristol Temple Meads-Kingswear (for Dartmouth) 'English Riviera Express'. According to the Saphos website, bizarrely Network Rail would not permit the return leg of the trip to set down here, instead Saphos advised those who would have done to instead alight at Westbury for a connecting GWR service. No reason was given by NR for this strange turn of events.
Best regards, Guy Vincent. Many thanks to you Guy.

Bradford-on-Avon. 34046 hauls the 1Z27 the English Riviera Express on the 16th June .2019 Copyright Guy Vincent

34046 steaming happily as the English Riviera Express passes Exeter. 16th June 2019 Copyright David Tozer

Many thanks to Guy and David for the above reports.

Roger Matthews celebrates
Royal Albert Bridge Crossing
Gareth Thornton

Hi Keith, Today at 08:00 hrs marked 50 years since signalman Roger Matthew's joined the railway. When asked what he wanted to do to mark the event he said he'd like to walk across the Tamar Bridge. I was lucky enough to be among the few he asked to come along, how could I say no? So here's a couple of shots from this morning. The first picture shows Roger, an obvious Brunel fan with Steve Allen, the local operations manager who worked really hard to make it happen. All in all a great experience for all who attended, now to see what Roger has planned for the next 50 years! Congratulations to Roger on the celebration of a Happy Event, and thanks to Gareth for the pictures.

Roger Matthews with Steve Allen the local Operations Manager who made it all happen. 09.01 16th June 2019 Copyright Gareth Thornton N.B. Picture taken at the end of the walk - across and back.

Roger Webster and the lucky team at the start of the walk from Saltash. 07.36 16th June 2019. Copyright Gareth Thornton

It's 07.30 on the morning of the 16th June as the 'Ghost of Brunel' alias Roger Matthews surveys his masterpiece some 160 years on. Copyright Gareth Thornton.

Brunel on the steps of the Royal Albert Bridge Signalbox. 08.31 16th June 2019. Copyright Gareth Thornton.

The way back, viewed from the Devon side. 08.40 16th June 2019. Copyright Gareth Thornton.

Roger Mathews en-route back to Kernow. N.B. We believe the real Brunel went over on a trolley!!08.43 16th June 2019. Copyright Gareth Thornton.

Molinnis Crossing
Bugle 2019
Roger Winnen

190615a Molinnis Crossing Bugle on 15th June 2019 Copyright Roger Winnen

190615b With the warning bells of the crossing sounding and expecting the 09.40 service from Newquay to Dundee the 09.03 Plymouth Newquay service took me by surprise as I was facing the wrong direction as it heads away through Bugle Station. Copyright Roger Winnen P.S. Information from Realtime Trains state that the Plymouth to Newquay service and the returning Cross Country service was cancelled owing to an issue with the train crew.

190615c 43093 Old Oak Common working the 09.34 Exeter to Newquay service. Copyright Roger Winnen

190615d The Atlantic Coast Express heads for Newquay seen after leaving Goonbarrow Junction on the approach to Bugle Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

Cardiff
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, I hope you are well,nice pictures on the site ,as always.
I attach the first of two pictures taken at Cardiff on 4 December 1981,this shows 45148 on a service to Bristol. How times have changed!.
Copyright Michael Forward

A few moments later and the sun came out to shine on 37271 heading East with a short steel train.
Thanks for dealing with these,all the best, Michael
Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael

Purton
Ken Mumford

FLYING SCOTSMAN passing the second foot-crossing north of Purton station earlier this morning. As it approached us it was clear friom the exhaust that issued forth from the loco's double chimney that the fireman was feeding the loco's fire frequently.
It was noted that between the former Purton station and my vantage point there were several trespassers!
Kind regards, Ken Mumford Many thanks Ken

Featuring
Perranwell
The late John Cornelius

It should be noted that at the time the late John Cornelius was BR staff and as such the positions in which he took some of these photographs in 2007 was acceptable.