16th March 2021

47079 G J Churchward at Reading
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, Glad to see you were able to view the HST with the LNER power car down at the station. This is the week I look forward to as its the run of 1Q51 etc.and I can see it near Guildford without causing myself or anyone else any harm. This month it will be powered by 37099/37254.Makes a real highlight. I send a picture of 47079 ‘G.J.Churchward’ at Reading on 29 August 1986 with a van train for Paddington. Thanks and best wishes, Michae Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael

Castle Cary
Ron Kosys

33102 with 2 TC sets pauses at Castle with the 09.53 from Weymouth . It's Saturday 13th August 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys

Many thanks Ron.
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Weymouth Tramway Finale
Guy Vincent

On June 3rd 1993 Regional Railways in association with Bristol University's Rural Tourism Unit hosted a seminar in the pavilion next to Weymouth Quay rail and ferry terminal. This was attended by representatives from various organisations including rail user groups, local and district councils and tourist authorities and was to lead to the formation of the Heart of Wessex Partnership which still exists to this day promoting and improving the line and its facilities.   Regional Railways provided their 6 coach loco-hauled set headed by 37408 'Loch Rannoch' and this formed a special 0900 Bristol Temple Meads - Weymouth in order to get delegates and attendees to the Dorset resort.  From Weymouth station 37408 propelled the train back to Weymouth Junction and then worked down to the Quay terminal where passengers for the seminar disembarked.  After running-round 37408 then worked a special 'Paradise Flyer' extra to Yeovil Pen Mill and back to Weymouth (Town station) before returning to Bristol at 1630.   Paradise Catering Ltd chartered the loco and stock on selected dates in 1993 and used it to form a Weymouth Quay-Yeovil & return (to Town) extra complete with refreshments.  I travelled on the train from Bradford on Avon to Weymouth then stayed on for the trip to the Quay and after attending the seminar returned home on the 1630 departure from Town.   Regrettably I didn't make any more trips behind a 37 over the tramway as on the day I chose to (1st September)  the loco, 37421, failed on the inbound ECS working behind the B&Q store and the train was cancelled.    A Youtube video shows the moment this happened when the loco's fire bottles suddenly discharged causing it to shut down.   As a bonus my return trip home was worked by departmental 37191 piloting the failed 37421, 054 having been summoned from Westbury to assist.

Best regards,  Guy V

Weymouth tramway finale 1 37408 arrives at Bradford-on-Avon on the 3rd June.1993 Copyright Guy Vincent.

Weymouth tramway finale 2 . 37408 enters onto the Weymouth Tramway. 3rd June 1993. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Weymouth tramway finale Weymouth Tramway 37408 3rd June 1993. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Weymouth tramway finale 4 37408 makes its presence felt before an admiring audience as it heads towards the terminus. Weymouth Tramway 37408 3rd June 1993. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Weymouth tramway finale 5 Weymouth Tramway. The quite unique scene as 37408 heads down a public road amidst cars and people. 3rd June 1993. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Weymouth tramway finale 6 Weymouth Quay 37408 runs around its train at the terminus. 3rd June 1993. Copyright Guy Vincent.

The current timetable of the period. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks indeed Guy - this is not be the final piece on the Tramway - Guy takes a look at the scene at Weymouth station in tomorrows News.
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Driver Refresher trains
Crewkerne
Bill Elston

Driver refresher trains have resumed this week on the old LSWR.
This time we're getting pairs of 150/2 units.  150234 and 150263 are seen west of Crewkerne heading back to Exeter from Castle Cary on 3Z20,   15//3/21

Stay safe, Bill.

Crewkerne Driver refresher. 150 2234 & 263 15th March 2021. Copyright Bill Elston.

Crewkerne Driver refresher. 150 263 & 234 15th March 2021. Copyright Bill Elston.

Thanks to you Bill - stay safe.
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Memories are made of this
Lostwithiel Clay Hoods
Alan Peters

Clay Hoods in the down sidings just a memory, the sidings are still there but disused. This was taken in 1987. Copyright Alan Peters.

Many thanks Alan

Stratton Green Bridge
Swindon
Ken Mumford

West bound IET at Stratton Bridge. 15th March 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Duke of Cornwall on the 14.34 from Towcester Road to Town Centre - I understand that a double decker is used on this working of Route 23 because it is also used on a school journey - Ridgeway School. Kind regards, Ken Mumford Copyright - Seems a bit of a cheek naming a Swindon Bus - 'Duke of Cornwall'!

5Q76 - 57312 with coaches 82219, 11411, 11403, 11303, 12301, 12478, 12459, 12201. 07.30 Workshop to Newport (Sims)about to go under Stratton Green road bridge, Copyright Ken Mumford. It seems difficult to believe that this smart train is heading for a scrap yard!

Many thanks Ken, and also for changing them to jpg format.