18th June 2023

Chaos on the Roads and Railways of Cornwall yesterday
Roger Winnen

The 3rd Saturday of June each year is always the date of the Bugle Band Festival
With long diversions from the Chiverton Cross Roundabout lasting through to Monday morning we decided to go by train to St Austell then travel on the 26 service from St Austell to Bugle. Whilst waiting for the bus to arrive, coaches started arriving at St Austell Station on the Royal Blue run from London to Cornwall and return over the weekend taking in various routes used by the coaches many years ago, We left St Austell about 15 mins late and were advised that our bus would not arrive at Bugle as the road was closed! Luck was on our side as Tony Brokenshire from the CRS stepped in and rescued us from Bowling Green for the remainder of our journey.
There was problems on the Newquay branch as the 06.19 Bristol to Newquay was cancelled, However a replaced 150 unit ran from Plymouth to Newquay and returning with the 11.14 Newquay to Paddington service, passengers changed trains at Plymouth for sets 802009 and 802010

230617n The Royal Blue run from London to Cornwall and return to London ran over this weekend. This is the scene at St Austell Railway Station just after 10.00 on Saturday. Copyright Roger Winnen

230617b One of the early Royal Blue coaches arrive at St Austell for a short stopover before heading west. Copyright Roger Winnen

230617c A line up of vintage vehicles at the bus station. Copyright Roger Winnen

230617d Viewed through the window of the 26 Bus to Bugle, this bus never got to Bugle as the road was closed for the band contest. Copyright Roger Winnen

230617h The train service on the Newquay Branch had IETs replaced by 150 units on one morning train between Plymouth & Newquay. Copyright Roger Winnen

230617l Isaac at Rocks Dries Bugle taken through the train window.. Copyright Roger Winnen

Surprise visit to the Swindon and Cricklade Railway
Blunsdon
Ken Mumford

       I went out to Purton yesterday (16th June 2023)  to photgraph some of the diverted trains because of the closure of the Severn Tunnel.  I plan to send these later or tomorrow because of other commtiments!

However, on the way home I thoght I'd call in at the SWINDON & CRICKLADE RAILWAY base at Blunsdon - what a surprise I had.  So surprised that I didn't take a proper photo of 6695 BUT got some others and a few shots of other parts of the S & C.
The 0-6-2T [such locomtoives were often used on coal trains and sometimes passenger trains in the Rhymney Valley line from Rhymney via Bargoed, Caerphilly to Cardiff and beyond to Barry  etc].was very slowly hauled by a diesel called 'BLUNSDEN'. One of the photos shows a little smokey haze arising from the 0-6-2T's chimney and it did very briefly whiste passing along the platform..   6695 was in GWR green with its safety valve bonnet painted green and the letters LDR inscrtbed on its frames indcatiing Landore shed, Swansea.

Kind regards, Ken       

The Swindon and Cricklade Railway looks well worth a visit this weekend if you are up that way.

Please click on picture to obtain an enlargement.  All pictures are the copyright of Ken Mumford.
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Magic Carpet Railtour
Bill Elston

The Magic Carpet railtour ran today from Waterloo to Exeter and back.

It was hauled by EDs 73962 and 73964 with 66768 bringing up the rear

The first two pictures were taken just west of Crewkerne en route to Exd  and the next two
on the return leg passing North Perrott.

Best wishes, Bill Elston.

17th June 2023; Copyright Bill Elston.

On the rear 66768 , 17th June 2023 Copyright Bill Elston

73964+73962, 17th June 2023 Copyright Bill Elston

66768 17th June 2023. Copyright Bill Elston

Many thanks Bill.

Dawlish
Paul Barlow

Paul samples the new vantage point aforded by the new footbridge just to the west of Dawlish station.. We see 43097 and 43162 entering Dawlish on the 17th June 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43042 and 43029 pass Coryton cove Dawlish on the 0740 Penzance to Bristol . 17th June 2023 Copyright Paul Barlow.

43285 and 43357 on the sea wall near Dawlish on the 0612 Leeds to Plymouth. 17th June 2023 Copyright Paul Barlow

43285 and 43357 pass Coryton Cove on the 0612 Leeds to Plymouth 16 June 2023 Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul.
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Something Blue
Craig Munday

Hi Keith
Not something blue for a wedding, but a welcome addition from the DB Cargo fleet this week. 66109 sporting an attractive dark blue, not dissimilar to the DRS colours worked down on the JIA wagons. Teesport Express was the name and it carries PD Ports branding. Perhaps the equivalent of a Thornaby class 37 arriving in the South West back in the 1980s? (maybe not then)! They simply dont have the same character do they? 
Anyway it spent two days in the Golden eight week period of longest days poodling around Par Harbour and Treviscoe in stunning sunshine.If I'm honest it was TOO sunny around midday with harsh light and an almost white sky, mustn't grumble though. 
I was out and about and caught it in my travels, I also saw new arrival 08752 being fettled up by the FSS engineers at Goonbarrow, I understand it was in action yesterday. The days of the CDAs may be numbered now we hear, so grab your photographs before the replacement wagons arrive. 
Finally yesterday, a catch up with a legend in railway photography and railwayman alike, Mr Bernard Mills was at Trerulefoot. I couldn't resist a snap of the master in action as 2U24 approached the bridge! 

Kind regards - Mazey day next - watch the weather turn.....

Craig 

Don't forget to click on a picture to obtain an enlargement.

We look forward to seeing and hearing from Bernard Mills when he comes to give us a talk at Redruth on Saturday 14th October.

Many thanks to you Craig, keep up the good work.
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