17th April 2021

Marsh Barton
David Tozer

Saturday 17th April 2021. Marsh Barton, Exeter. GWR Class 166 166215 passes the site of the new railway station where work near the Network Rail land has commenced. The train was the 1220 Paignton to Exmouth. Copyright David Tozer

Marsh Barton 1st August 2015. Copyright David Tozer

Marsh Barton today with land for the new station. Copyright David Tozer

Thanks David

Increased speeds on the
Barnstaple Branch
​Chris Bellett

Another change in our area from NR Western and Wales Weekly Operating Notice No.03 21-22:

BETWEEN MORCHARD ROAD AND  YEOFORD
PERMISSIBLE  SPEED  INCREASE FROM 0500  HOURS  MONDAY  19  APRIL  2021
A  permissible  speed  of  30/MU70  will  apply  between  180m  12ch  just  the  Barnstaple  side  of  Salmon  Pool  LC  (ABCL)  and  185m 74ch  (between  Copplestone  and  Morchard  Road). The  speed  indicators  (30/MU55  and  30/MU70)  at  184m  00ch  and  184m  40ch  will  be  recovered.

Kind Regards,
Chris Bellett
Retired S&T Engineer

Many thanks Chris - faster journeys always welcome.
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Happy 40th birthday Andrew
St Ives branch
Andrew Triggs

As today was my 53rd Birthday )16th April) , I treated the Wife to a trip to St Ives by train, we then walked the coastal route back to Lelant, unsurprisingly I remembered to take my camera! 4 shots of GWR 150248 in action on the branch for CRS. All the Best . Andrew.

1. 150248 rounding Porthminster Point, working 2A13 10.48 St Erth-St Ives, viewed from Carbis Bay Andrew Triggs 16th April 2021

2. 150248 working 2A12 10.33 St Ives-St Erth at Hawkes Point, viewed from the top of Porthkidney Bank Andrew Triggs 16th April 2021

3. Descending Porthkidney Bank, working 2A18 12.03 St Ives-St Erth Andrew Triggs 16th April 2021

4. Passing Lelant, with 2A21 12.48 St Erth-St Ives Andrew Triggs 16th April 2021

Congratulations Andrew - wish I was that young with a good camera!

Cranbrook
With a difference  - miles post 166
Dave Tozer

I learnt mid morning that the GWR route learner had run again with 150238 in blue. Finally decided on Cranbrook. Driving in on the approach road I noticed a lot of the trees and shrubs had been cut back on the rail embankment.. So rather than the station shot I ambled to a reasonable vantage point. I was rewarded with 159108 and 159102, both in South West Trains livery on the 1Z85 Salisbury to Exeter (St David's). Later the GWR unit with the 3Z20 Castle Cary to Exeter (St David's).

Dave Tozer

159108 and 159102 on the 16th April 2021 Copyright David Tozer

150238 near Cranbrook on the 16th April 2021 Copyright David Tozer.

Many thanks David. Personally I much prefer the old South West Trains livery. Very cheerful compared to the old - and new FGW livery. KJ
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Oath
Bill Elston

Over at Oath today (16th April 2021), for the 0900 Crediton to Westbury empty rail delivery train, top and tailed by Colas 70806 (leading) and 70808.  Murphy’s law states that if anything interesting is about, a cloud blocks the sun out,
as you can see from the first photo! 
 
Best regards
 
Bill

70806, leading 16th April 2021.Copyright Bill Elston

70808 brings up the rear of the empty rail carrying train, 16th April 2021. Copyright Bill Elston.

New rail for the Okehampton branch presumably. 
​Many thanks Bill.
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Exeter
Ron Kosys

33109+50043 have just arrived at Exeter on the 26th July 1988 with the 1V09 the 09.10 Waterloo-Exeter. Copyright Ron Kosys

Many thanks Ron - note the old wooden stores building where the new depot is well nigh finished.
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SVR Spring Steam Up
David Ward

​David draws our attention to -  This week the Severn Valley Railway is back in being-Spring Steam Up. The Star is the Saint 'Lady of Legend' from the Great Western Society, Didcot. It is being allowed to stretch its legs for the first time ,instead of the short demonstration line at Didcot. The other is to see it with a long rake of Great Western Coaches.

Yesterday a spent quite a lot of time enjoying the 'Spring Steam Up' live as Rail Cam UK is now installed at Bridgenorth, Highley, Bewdley and Kidderminster.

You can YouTube to get these Rail Cams.

Regards, David Ward.

Thanks David.
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