19th August 2018

Video - Feedback Requested.
Yesterday Mick House and Ian Mercer up loaded a video - 'Down Sleeper'.  We ask for feedback on this and would be grateful if you would take a look and let us know. We had good reports from USA and New Zealand but please let us know how you see it. It takes some time to load.

Steam Specials
​this weekend
Guy Vincent

Frome. LNER 60009 1Z09 0815 Padd'n-Minehead 18th August 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent

​No sign of summer now, just thick, dull cloud as LNER 60009 'Union of South Africa' calls at Frome for a water top-up working 1Z09 0815 London Paddington-Minehead on Saturday 18th.  This loco is due to be retired from main line service when it's boiler ticket expires in 2019 and the owner, John Cameron plans to place it on permanent display in a purpose-built museum and visitor centre  now under construction on his estate at Balbuthie, Fife.   A three road display shed will accommodate 60009 along with Gresley 'K4' 61994 'The Great Marquess' and Mk 1 support coach 35486 (seen here behind 'Union').  With a few more west country runs planned for the remainder of 2018 now is the time to get out and see it in action. 

Westbury SR 35028 1Z27 0800 Bristol TM-Kingswear Torbay Express 19th August 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent

​Today   Sunday 19th and another 'Torbay Express' (0800 Bristol Temple Meads-Kingswear) arrives in platform 2 at Westbury headed by SR 'Merchant Navy' 35028 'Clan Line'.   I first saw this loco at this very same location on Saturday April 27th 1974 when it headed the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society's 'Southern Return to Steam' charter from London Waterloo via Salisbury.  A local newspaper reported that over 2000 people turned out to see this train in the Westbury area alone; today about 25 passengers boarded with around another 25 watching the proceedings from the platforms.  You already have a picture on the site of the April 1974 special departing Westbury for Basingstoke. This was courtesy of  Brian Pibworth and added on June 24th 2016. Happy days indeed.

Regards,  Guy Vincent.  Many thanks indeed for this weekends pictures, especially the one taken this morning - you do us all proud!

The Dockyard Goods
​Plymouth
Clive Smith

08576 makes slow progress through Plymouth station on 26th February 1982 Copyright Clive Smith

08576 makes slow progress through Plymouth station on 26th February 1982 with what was known locally to Plymouth enthusiasts as 'the dockyard goods', the 7B71 11.12 Keyham to Friary. This freight followed the marshalling at Keyham goods yard of various 'as required' trip workings, these being from the naval base itself or the Royal Navy armament depots at Bull Point and Ernesettle. The train was worked by a class 25 in the 70s switching to an 08 in 1980 with the ending of class 25s based at Laira.. Of particular note in the consist is a Southern Region PLV behind the 08. Note also the rows of BRUTES full of parcels on platform 4 and the red Royal Mail parcels truck waiting in the loading bay . The station pilot 08 sits at the end of the 'park sidings' and look at the embankment falling away to the right which is bereft of trees - unlike today. 

   Regards,  Clive Smith. 
​
   Very interesting, many thanks indeed, a picture well worth studying.

Norden Mining Museum
Colin Burges

This 1865 wagon I thought deserved a snap, making C.R.S. members seem like youngsters. Note the sprung buffers at one end and dumb buffers at the other, and a brake that acts on the wheel tread or the rail. 7th August 2018. Copyright Colin Burges.

    To read Colin's interesting article on his bicycle tour in the 'Corfe' area please click here and scroll down.

Gupworthy
Robert Lindley

As I was passing, here is a picture of the end of the line at Gupworthy, high on the Brendon hills. The building you see was the weigh-bridge. The Station house itself lies beyond. I’ll try and get another photo when the leaves have gone! Cheers Rob 
​         A most interesting find, congratulations and many thanks.

Gupworthy Terminus, West Somerset Minerals Railway. The weighbridge house, the station lies beyond. 16th August 2018 Copyright Rob Lindley

You will find a map of the location - 25" courtesy the National Library of Scotland using this link.
​  ​https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=51.1099&lon=-3.4818&layers=168&b=1

Plymouth & Dartmoor Tramway
Leigham Tunnel
Peter Murnaghan

In 1985 Peter came across this tunnel on the outskirts of Plymouth City. Plymouth and Dartmoor Tramway, the south end of Leigham tunnel 1985 Copyright Peter Murnaghan

The north end of Leigham tunnel, the nearby cottages are named 'Tunnel Cottages' picture again in 1985 Copyright Peter Murnaghan. The young Peter with his two eldest boys, James and Dan.

I believe these pictures are at either end of the tunnel.  KJ

For history please use this link :- 
​https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_and_Dartmoor_Railway

Please use this link to access the National Library of Scotlands 25" Map of the this area.
 https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=50.4080&lon=-4.0973&layers=168&b=1

Par
John Cornelius

Copyright John Cornelius