18th July 2018

For full details of CRS Anniversary special  please see the announcement in the News for 14th July.

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East Somerset Today
Martin Scane

I called in at Cranmore on my way up to Wiltshire today just in time to see a rather resplendent 5637 which had just filled up with water. Regards Martin Scane.  Many thanks Martin 

5637 at Cranmore 18th July 2018 Copyright Martin Scane

Freshford
Guy Vincent

This afternoon  (16TH July 2018)  we were (eventually) treated to the rare sight of a recently repainted class 47, 47727, hauling two departmental EMU translator vehicles. These are both former class 508 EMU carriages numbered 64707 and 64664 and both painted in Arlington Green. They carry set number T7 and are each named, 64707 is 'Labezerin' and 64664 'Liwet'.   The class 47 hauling the unit was recently sold by Colas to GBRF who have quickly applied a coat of Caladonian Blue and bi-lingual nameplates. One side reads 'Edinburgh Castle' while the other carries a Gaelic version of the same name, 'Caisteal Dhun Eideann'.    This loco has previously carried the names 'Rebecca' (2007-2016), 'Castell Caerffili / Caerphilly Castle' (2002-2003),  'Duke of Edinburgh's Award' (1994-2002) and, finally, The Gloucestershire Regiment' (when numbered 47569) from July 1st 1990 to Nov 1993.   Numbering of this loco was: D1629 (17.10.1964 when new), 47047 (TOPS renumbering, February 1974) 47569 (ETH conversion January 1981) & 47727 (RES adaptations January 1994).

Regrettably due to signalling problems at Ashley Hill bank, Bristol the train was 75 minutes late passing me at Freshford and the sun had long since retired behind a mass of cloud!    I've included another view of the engine passing Freshford on 22 March 2013 when it was delivering sister loco 47739 to Westbury for a private ceremony.    Will it return again I wonder?

Best regards,  Guy Vincent  
My apologies to Guy for a delay in publishing - due to conflict with other events.

Advance Notice
From Craig

​A heads up for the coming weeks and months. Many of you probably already know this..

Wed 25th July
Class 37 and Caroline the green saloon is visiting Penzance running as 2Z02

The schedule is here:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P12347/2018/07/25/advanced

Have spoken to a Driver in DRS Iain who brought it down this time. I asked for a possibility of the 37 leading on the return. He's not on it but will ask anyway! Don't ask, don't get eh? 

Sat Sept 22nd A Railtour with class 37s visits Penzance. No timings yet, but one to look out for.

FINALLY a certain steam loco is down in Oct Flying Scotsman is visiting Penzance Sat 6th Oct 2018. 

Bound to be a sell out, and the lineside awash with everyone and their brother too!

              All the best for now. Craig           Many thanks Craig 

Craig's Super Summer
Continues

The combination of more great light and a charter featuring a class 47/57 combo was too good to miss. A picture of 57314 arriving at Par from the box, and returning east at Restormel with 47832 in fine fettle with 11 coaches and a dead class 57 on the rear was a stiff challenge for the veteran Brush type 4! 

A few days in the boxes saw me at Goonbarrow. Alarmed to see the recent scrub land fire got exceedingly close to the signalbox and infrastructure, reminding us how tinder dry the landscape is. Voyage 221139 works 1S55 to Motherwell past the scorched embankment and singed trees looking Autumnal early.  Some pictures of the slumbering industrial shunting locos are also included. 

A visit to Hayle later in the day and the flower beds along Penpol Terrace make a super foreground to the viaduct shot at high tide. A blue HST set is Penzance bound. 

        All the best,  Craig.            As usual Craig, many thanks. 

Par 12.00 14th July 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

47832 Restormel as 47832 heads the 1Z78 at 17.29 on the 14th July 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

The morning of the 15th July 2018 as PD405D slumbers at Burngullow Copyright Craig Munday

Also present at Goonbarrow on the morning of the 15th July 2018 was PD406D Copyright Craig Munday

Saved from the flames. Goonbarrow box on the morning of the 15th July 2018 PD406D Copyright Craig Munday

Approaching Goonbarrow from Newquay to Motherwell 1S55 formed of 221139 at Midday 15th July 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

Lovely with the tide up. Hayle viaduct, with a down HST Early evening 15th July 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

Yeovil Railway Centre
John Cornelius

Copyright John Cornelius. N.B. A local incident which occurred during WW2 at Camborne concerning a Gunpowder van was told to me (KJ) by the late Stephen Jeffery. A up goods train containing one of these vans stopped at Camborne to place the van in the sidings there. The instructions being that these vans were never to be 'fly shunted' but placed in the sidings. However as another train was due and in order not to delay it while the shunting was in progress it was decided to disobey the rules, The train was split and the section containing the 'Gunpowder' van was drawn forward and with the points changed for the yard, the van now detached from the loco and the rest its train was given a gentle nudge. It trundled over the cross over gaining speed. The shunter in charge of this hazardous operation ran alongside but unfortunately tripped and fell. Luckily he picked himself up and ran after the van just bringing it to a stand at the buffer stops! It is said that it was a lucky day for Camborne!!