17th July 2020

The returning 20's
Clive Smith Paul Barlow & David Tozer

20205 and 20007 return on the 0M16 11.40 Plymouth - Derby RTC light engine movement through Newton Abbot at 12.17 . They had left Plymouth station 103 minutes early for a visit to Laira Depot for refuelling, thankfully  regaining their booked path later until encountering a two hour delay at Taunton due to a fatality. What a great sight they are and a nice sound as they opened up along the platform. Regards  Clive Smith

The returning 20's at Newton Abbot. Copyright Clive Smith

What a grand sight and sound - the immaculate 20's at Newton Abbot. 16th July 2020. Copyright Clive Smith

A couple of shots of the class 20 move today, seen at Exminster.
Kind regards, Paul Barlow 

20205 20007 approaches Exminster on the 0M16. 16th July 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

The going away shot, 20205 20007 11.40 Plymouth to Derby Gissons. Seen at Exminster 16th July 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

I caught the 20's at Silverton 1140 0M16 Laira - Derby R.T.C. Sadly as I write they had got no further than Taunton. Stopped here due to the second fatality in two days on the Taunton to Exeter line. GWR diverts again via Honiton. When will they wake up and put the extra passing points in on the Southern Main Line. Copyright David Tozer Dave

Many thanks indeed to David  Clive and Paul - long time friends in the train spotting world. 

Ken's Collection
Ken Mumford

66529 on a eastbound freight 16th July 2020 Copyright Ken Mumford.

Same quite long but nearly empty freight. 16th July 2020 Copyright Ken Mumford.

The old and the new. A barn lineside near Swindon and the modern overhead lines. 15th July 2020. Copyright Ken Mumford.

A carved tree trunk at Hinton Parva - a few miles E of Swindon. 15th July 2020 Copyright Ken Mumford (Not quite sure if this is lineside or not - but interesting)

Many thanks Ken.

Craig's Cluster
Craig Munday

​A cluster of recent pictures dating back to the 9th July. I was just thinking we are nearly a month from the longest day, it's been poor sunlight and train interest wise since the 21st June. I cant recall such a long spell between any Charter trains visiting the South West. There is a Charter to Paignton this weekend coming, the first of 2020 I reckon. On 9th July 6Z60 is seen heading east near Polbathic, Trerulefoot with bright red 66175 doing little to illuminate a dull day. The loco is named after the children's railway club "Rail Riders". I was an original rail rider in the in 1980s when generator class 47 47406 was embellished with the same name. It visited Cornwall a couple of times, but was not a common visitor. On the 11th, 57603 with 57604 on the rear passes the crop fields west of Grampound Road with the sleeper empty stock bound for Long Rock. This daytime stock balancing diagram is not expected to run much longer. The 15th brought some unusual visitors to Plymouth in the shape of Loram class 20s 20007 and 20205. The pair are seen after dark in the old postal dock. They returned the next day after refuelling at Laira. Also on the 15th, I covered the afternoon shift at St Blazey. The evening presented some super sunshine. 66107 and 66015 were stabled with the weedsprayer train (MPV) and are pictured with 66118 working the clay empties up to Goonbarrow. 66160 is just visible on the JIAs in the distance. Four locos present - much welcomed. All the best for now Craig

66175 6Z60 - named 'Rail Riders;' Near Polbathic. Copyright Craig Munday

Sleeper Stock 5Z50 at Reparveth west of Grampound Road, 11th July 2020. Copyright Craig Munday

66015 and 66107 on the weedsprayer. 15th July 2020 Copyright Craig Munday

66015 and 66107 on the weedsprayer. 15th July 2020.Copyright Craig Munday

20007 20205 Plymouth 15th July 2020 Copyright Craig Munday

20007 20205 Plymouth 15th July 2020 Copyright Craig Munday

Many thanks Craig - a delightful cluster.

'HELP' a plea from
Michael Manning

Ever since you sent me that link from CRS ‘News’ I have been logging in most mornings to view mostly the photos. The article regarding the 03 Shunter No.D2177 was particularly informative. When Wards lifted the tracks on the NCR they had to hire a diesel loco for their demolition train as there’s had broken down and needed to be replaced. They hired an 03 from Laira and it was pictured by F.W.Crudass at Tressmere and Tower Hill but not identified. Neil Philips says it was ‘’seen at Padstow on track lifting duties on the North Cornwall line in March 1968’’. This ties in with the info I have up to a point. Which ever company lifted the Padstow to Wadebridge line probably wasn’t Wards as he usually liftted the complete rail sections using a crawler crane. This section was definitely not lifted this way. If he saw D2177 (possibly at Wadebridge) can he give me a little more info. Was it withdrawn in 1968 ? Another fly in the ointment is if you put D2177 into search you come up with www.miac.org.uk<http://www.miac.org.uk> that shows it to be allocated to Worcester in May 1960 and cut up at Birds Long Marston in April 1970. Was it moved from Laira to Worcester? Can you help. Regards, Mike

Can anybody help Michael in research - thank you for your query and the link to Steve Widowsons fine picture.

A sad week
David Tozer

It has been a bad week. We have had three fatalities this week. No 1 Lympstone on the Exmouth branch. Earlier this week the first down Exmouth hit a body hanging from a crane I am told. No 2 The Hele & Bradninch fatality. GWR diverted two trains via Yeovil. No 3 Cogload Junction. Fatality involving a pair of Class 158’s. Four IEP’s diverted. The Wednesday incident saw a pair of 802’s held at Pinhoe. Ten car IEP’s cannot pass each other at Honiton as the loop is not long enough. An up Salisbury was 14 late off Exeter and was right time at a Pinhoe. Crazy timing by SWR. Dave

One feels very sorry for those who have to 'literally' pick up the pieces, whether it be the bodies, sort out the timetables or especially sadly for the drivers. Not forgetting of course the families involved.