17th May 2023

Eight Golden Weeks
Craig Munday

​Hi Keith
Well. Summer 2023 beckons - where has the year gone? March and April were soggy to say the least. It seems we missed Spring and all of a sudden the trees are glowing with their new coat of leaves, hedgerows bedecked with flowers and the luscious late evenings most welcome. 

Been quiet on the railway scene of late, but the longest days always provide some novelty shots only available in those hours. 

10th saw a day or two down west and a London bound Class 802 hurried past Roskear box, a looming black sky further west.

The following day, I'm back in the Ranger as 43158 departs the Duchy for the following time with a Cardiff bound train see at Wheal Bois crossing. 

66104 is seen at St Blazey putting the CDAs to bed on Fri 12th, poinantly the only service running on that day. 

Finally for now - with the sun dropping leaving superb light to illuminate the GWR dark green that haunts us photographers, 43009 and 170 work 2C79 into St Erth passing under the by-pass bridge at Hayle. The area recently expertly cleared by Ground Control 

By the way - sections of the by-pass bridge which were brought down by train, hauled by a class 50 in the early 80s, anyone else remember this?

Best wishes for now,  Craig 

1A84 802014 at Roskear dark sky. 10th May 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.

43158 Wheal Bois 2U24 11th May 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.(Treleigh bridge in the background)

66104 6P25 St Blazey. 12th May 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.

43009 43170 2C79 St Erth 15th September 2023. Copyright Craig Munday

Many thanks indeed Craig -
​lets hope the 'Golden Months' continue.
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Class 33s at Reading
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, Last week we saw 33116 at Salisbury, this picture shows the loco.leading 33108 on a Westbound ballast train at Reading on Christmas Eve 1992. Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael

Michael Forward's photo published today (17th) of the two class 33s heading empty ballast hoppers through Reading on 24.12.1992. This was almost certainly the 6V96 0932 Tonbridge - Meldon working which would have taken the Berks & Hants route west of the station as far as Exeter Riverside yard where the 33s would have run round before continuing to the quarry.
Many Thanks to Guy Vincent

Plymouth today
Dennis Clarke

Hi Keith, A few pictures from Plymouth today. (16th May 2023) 43153 and 43040 in the bay platform, working 5C98 08:44 St Philips Marsh to Laira. This was booked to stay in the station from 11:19 until 13:51. 220016 1S49 09:25 Penzance to Edinburgh, Regards, Dennis

Plymouth 16th May 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke

Plymouth 16th May 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke

Plymouth 16th May 2023. Copyright Dennis Clarke

Many thanks Dennis - nice to see the bay in use.
​

An unusual interlude at
Swindon
Ken Mumford & Colin Pidgeon

     I did go to Swindon station today to photograph 5Q66 - new coaches going to Long Marston for storage] but I missed it.

However, I thought that the attached are unusual at that station.

[1] An IET between containers [of a 6C03 - Northolt Sidings to Severnside Sita] train hauled by 66183. Due Swindon 1319, passed 12.56.

[2]  A hand-written notice as one gets to the top of the stairs leading to platform 4 waiting area.

[3] A crow takes a walk along the track leadng to platform 4!

[4] Not quite a LOCKJAW but a split  begining to open??

[5] Where railway enthsuiasts hang their camera-bags  -  manbags maybe??

[6] and [7] Foxy railway enthuiasts maybe?? [by Colin Pigeon]

OR. . . . .

[8] and [9] Are these railway staff in disguist [only joking!!] keeping an eye on railway camera enthusiasts?? (cropped and enlarged by Ken!!)

Kind regards. Ken     

Pictures numbered left to right and then down.

Indeed unusual - we hope viewers will excuse occasional deviations off our usual subjects. Many thanks to Ken and Colin -  photographs are copyright to these two gentlemen.
​

Many thanks to Guy Vincent who adds the following footnote to Ken and Collin's collection above.

Crows on the line - picture 3.  ​Ken Mumford's crow walking on the line at Swindon (17th).  On many occasions I have witnessed this phenomenom at Swindon (and taken photos) and occasionally elsewhere too.  It is sometimes the case that several will be seen on or close to the rails at Swindon, usually on or about the 'up through' line.   I was once told it was believed these are the reincarnated spirits of long-deceased permanent way workers who still like to carry on their work in another form!!   Make of that what you will but it certainly is strange that they are seen so often in the same place.

Many thanks Guy.
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