21st October 2019

21/10/2019

Laira Depot Open Day Part 3
15th September 1991
Roger Winnen

910915j 37674 and 37417 at the Laira Open Day Copyright Roger Winnen

910915l 55015 Tulyar one of the 22 Deltics built from 1961. Copyright Roger Winnen

910915m Kenneth J Paynter 60024 plus Class 59 for naming at Laira Open Day. Copyright Roger Winnen

910915nA line up of withdrawn Class 50 engines awaiting their fate. Copyright Roger Winnen

a line up of engines 47975 59005 60024 & 59102 at the Laira Open Day 15th September 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen

Exeter Today Part 2
Paul Barlow

An update on the new DMU depot at Exeter. Cladding has started to befixed on the external and a bridge over the road has been erected to
carry a fuel line into the depot.
50049 is stabled in Hyde Park. It is here for crew training to Coleford Junction in connection with forthcoming engineering works.
Paul Barlow

What is the mystery building at Exeter.

Plenty of work still needed inside the new depot. Copyright Paul Barlow

An IET leaves Platform 5 at Exeter bound for London Paddington. Copyright Paul Barlow

50049 Is seen stabled at Exeter St David's prior to running on route learning duties on the Barnstaple Branch. Copyright Paul Barlow

A photograph I took on Friday (18th Oct) 43063 and 43156 on the 1253 Paignton-Cardiff passing Rewe. It has been said this train is booked for a pair of class 158 units from Monday. In any case slam door stock on these trains will soon pass into history. Copyright Paul Barlow

Thanks Paul

Crediton Today
David Tozer

The 10.10 Exeter St David's to Coleford Junction with 50049 at Crediton on route learning duties 21.10.2019 Copyright David Tozer

143611 & 143612 on the 08.43 Barnstaple to Exmouth passing 150266 .150239 on the 08.52 Exmouth to Barnstaple at Crediton. Copyright David Tozer

Thanks David

Keeping the trains running
Roger Winnen

190920a 66168 The return RHTT from Falmouth Docks passing St Austell this morning at 09.20 hrs destination Newton Abbot. Copyright Roger Winnen

191020b 66160 on the rear cleaning the tracks through St Austell. Copyright Roger Winnen

191020c Arrival back from Newton Abbot sees the train stabled in the through road at Plymouth where it spent an hour before departing for Par. Copyright Roger Winnen

191020d 66160 Is seen heading through Bodmin Parkway on its run to St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many thanks to David Tozer for keeping me posted on train times today which was most appreciated

Exeter Today Part 1
Paul Barlow

An update on the new DMU depot at Exeter. Cladding has started to be
fixed on the external and a bridge over the road has been erected to
carry a fuel line into the depot.

150244 stands in the road adjacent to the new shed at Exeter St Davids. Copyright Paul Barlow

This bridge has been erected for bring the fuel supply into depot. Red Cow Crossing can be seen in the background. Copyright Paul Barlow

The fuel tanks for the new depot being placed into position. Copyright Paul Barlow

The new shed takes shape. Copyright Paul Barlow

looking through the steelwork of this new building. Copyright Paul Barlow

An IET departs Exeter St David'sviewed from Red Cow Crossing with the frame work of the new shed in the background. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many Thanks Paul

Res 47 at Exeter St David's
Phil Shattered

47791 2002-leaving Exeter St Davids Picture dated 2002 Copyright Phil Shattered

Many Thanks Phil

Bodmin Area Visit
Andrew Triggs

Good Evening Roger/Keith
Three photographs from today, popping into the B&WR after visiting the Bodmin Model Railway show, and then visiting Respryn for the down RHTT to St Blazey
All the Best
Andrew

1. 26007 nearing Bodmin General, on Driver Experience duty, from Boscarne Junction. Copyright Andrew Triggs

2. 50042 'Triumph' passing Charlie's Gate, also on Driver Experience duty, shortly after departing Bodmin Parkway for Bodmin General. Copyright Andrew Triggs

3. 3J13 11.52 Castle Cary-St Blazey RHTT with DBC 66168/160 at Respryn. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Many Thanks Andrew

Laira Depot Open Day Part 2
15th September 1991
Roger Winnen

910915e D821 Greyhound at the Laira Open Day, Copyright Roger Winnen

910915f D1035 Western Yeoman renamed and renumbered from D1010 Western Campaigner. Copyright Roger Winnen

910915ff D7523 John F Kennedy at the Laira Open Day Copyright Roger Winnen

910915hD1015 Western Champion D1023 Western Fusilier and D1062 Western Courier at the open day. Copyright Roger Winnen

910915i D7018 at Laira onr of 101 built by Beyer Peacock. Copyright Roger Winnen

TUCKER'S HILL BRIDGE, CORNWOOD Michael L. Roach
Tucker's Hill Bridge is situated on the main line just west of the site of Cornwood Station at 237m 50c. The line was built by the South Devon Railway and opened on 5 May 1848, and was single broad gauge at the time. The line was converted to standard gauge in 1892 and doubled in 1893 when the bridge was extended on the south side to carry the new set of rails. The join can be seen in the middle of the bridge which is on a severe skew. The later arch consists of a 4-brick ring and the way the arches terminate makes an interesting feature. Modellers might like to look at the bridge on Streetview where they will note that each of the four wing walls are constructed differently in their angles and slope of the top of the walls. Tucker's Hill heads south from the village of Cornwood to the Plymouth to Exeter A38 road. At this point the railway cuts through a spur of land between two river valleys, with a major viaduct carrying the railway across the valleys. Just 10 chains to the west of Tuckers Hill is Slade Viaduct and 30 chains to the east is Blatchford Viaduct. There are fine views of Dartmoor from both of these Viaducts.

A Castle class 4-6-0 steam loco believed to be 5089 crosses Tucker's Hill with the down Cornishman at 3.13pm on Wednesday 9 September 1959 running a few minutes late. This side of the bridge was 66 years old at the time. Mike Roach

A new Castle class 2 + 4 shortened HST 43186 & 43005 crosses Tucker's Hill with the 11.41 Penzance to Newton Abbot train on Tuesday 15 October 2019. This side of the bridge is now 126 years old but little changed from 60 years earlier. The main change is the addition of handrails to protect track workers from falling. Clive Smith

Many Thanks to Mike Roach and Clive Smith for this article

Laira Depot Open Day Part 1
15th September 1991
Roger Winnen

910915a Laira Open Day viewed from the the Embankment Road. 15th September 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen

910915b The five Westerns Laira Open Day 15th September 1991 D1010 Western Campaigner D1013 Western Ranger D1015 Western Champion D1023 Western Fusilier D1062 Western Courer Copyright Roger Winnen

910915bb D400 to be named Rail Magazine at the Laira Open Day 15th September 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen

910915c Class 50 on the jacks at the Laira Open Day Copyright Roger Winnen

910915d The trade stalls inside the depot at Laira. Copyright Roger Winnen

47770 hauls the mail at Dawlish
Phil Shattered

Thanks Phil

Exminster 'Sleeper in Trouble'
David Tozer

The sleeper was in trouble again last night failing at Ivybridge, eventually being rescued by 66160 & 66168 on the Rail Head Treatment Train which hauled it back to Plymouth where the passengers were transfered into an IET arriving at Paddington 134 mins late. Hearing of an empty stock move of the sleeper to Reading Train Care Depot. I headed to Exminster for the overbridge photograph of 43040/198 hauling 57605 and the sleeper
coaches. Luckily the rain held off for a few moments.
David Tozer

Many Thanks David

South Devon Variety
Clive Smith

(1) 70807 passes through Follaton west of Totnes station on the 6C36 06.25 Moorswater - Aberthaw cements. This time the train did actually leave Moorswater at 06.25 and did run round at Lostwithiel and did run more or less to time thus leaving this photographer moderately satisfied unlike the previous week. Remarkably the light just held despite the passing shower clouds.

(2) Well this was quite an unexpected bonus on the commute home. It was not unusual for me to be cursing on my drive home from work in Newton Abbot to Ivybridge as the flow of traffic was stop-start as drivers were erratically changing lanes. I could see some lights flashing in the distance ahead so thought well at least I would be passing the hold up very soon. My eyes popped out of my head as I got nearer and saw a class 25 looming into view and naturally fixed my eyes on it as I overtook it and quickly thought about pulling into the next layby for a photo. The heavy showers had just subsided and thankfully at 17.45 the light was just useable. D7535 has been visiting various preserved railways around the country this summer and was returning from Llangollen to its home at Buckfastleigh on the South Devon Railway. The photo here is on the gradient between Drumbridges Roundabout and the Goodstone Interchange so the lowloader was going quite slow. Certainly a different drive home than normal.

Regards Clive Smith. Many thanks indeed Clive - an exciting catch.

Picture 1 70807 at Follaton on the 6G36 Moorswater to Aberthaw 17th October 2019 Copyright Clive Smith

Unusual working
Bristol Temple Meads
Guy Vincent

An unusual working at Bristol Temple Meads on Wednesday 16th October. 47815 'Lost Boys 1968-1988' and 47813 'Jack Frost' top and tail with a formation of barrier and translator vehicles en-route as 0817 Crewe South Yard to Portbury Docks. This was in preparation for the movement of brand new EMU 397010 from Portbury to Manchester International Terminal (Longsight) on 17th. Twelve of these 5-car units are being built by CAF in Spain for Trans Pennine Express.

Some years ago now 47813 & 47815 were both operated by First Great Western. 47813 was named 'SS Great Britain' and 47815 was 'Great Western', this latterly carried a version of original BR two-tone green livery. As can be seen here, both locos are now used by the Rail Operations Group and carry their distinctive blue livery and decals. As the convoy waited time 43172 'Harry Patch' arrived at the head of 2C81 1500 Cardiff Central-Taunton.

Interestingly, despite the Bristol area being controlled from the Thames Valley Signalling Centre at Didcot it is necessary for Network Rail to provide a Ground Frame Operator to release and set the points at each end of the carriage stabling siding next to the Up Through line at Temple Meads. The signal ahead of the points cleared to green with a 'U' displayed in the box indicator before the points had been set for the train to depart. Such are the wonders of technology today!

Regards Guy Vincent Many thanks for this most interesting article Guy

Bristol TM Up Siding Ground Frame Release 16th October 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent

Carvedras Viaduct
Truro
Paddy Bradley

Another view of Carvedras Viaduct from the north. Picture from the Paddy Bradley Collection.

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21st October 2019

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