19th January 2021

Teignmouth
Clive Smith

The new Genesee & Wyoming orange and black Freightliner livery is getting on for two years old now. Here is 66623 on hire to Colas passing under Eastcliff Walk Bridge at Teignmouth with the 6C97 08.45 Burngullow - Westbury infrastructure train. A fortuitous work assignment meant I was in the area so took an early lunch break at the adjacent road.  I wasn't going to submit this photo as it doesn't meet my usual quality control standards but as there have been no others sent for obvious reasons I hope it will suffice as a record of another 66 livery.
Regards, Clive Smith

Here is 66623 on hire to Colas passing under Eastcliff Walk Bridge at Teignmouth with the 6C97 the 08.45 Burngullow - Westbury infrastructure train. Copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks Clive, a very unusual livery, a bright refreshing change.
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Hayle
Roger Winnen

1010 Western Campaigner is seen at Hayle, Copyright Roger Winnen. An undated view. Note how things have changed - the booking office facilities at the far end of the down platform, no camping coach, The distinctive tall signalbox on the up platform. with at least one semaphore just visible.

The 09.30 Paddington to Penzance seen at Angarrack on the 26th February 1975. Headed possibly by Western Rifleman, Copyright Roger Winnen

Before Rogers unfortunate fall and hospitalisation he was expecting to enter hospital for a routine replacement knee operation and he left me a 'bank' of pictures - above are the first two.
Roger report  It is difficult to get through to the hospital but a current report of yesterday via his cousin was that a 'care plan' is being prepared for his return home. Lets hope that is soon. With the current lock down his routine operation is likely to be delayed further. Thanks to all for your best wishes.

Note re the above  now corrected pictures ​I always enjoy looking at Roger Winnen’s Class 52 ‘Western’ Diesel Photographs and what a cracker you published on the 19th January identified as D1031 ‘Western Rifleman’ passing Hayle Railway Station (enclosed). However, I’d conjecture that it was D1010 ‘Western Campaigner’ not just because of its 1010 Headcode, but it’s a Swindon built example (position of overhead live wire warning signs and no drivers name card holder give the game away), rather than a Crewe built example such as ‘Western Rifleman’. ‘Western Campaigner’ also had that distinctive weathering/markings under its headcode box. Regarding the year I’d say it was 1976 when BR stopped using headcodes and many locomotives had their numbers displayed in their headcode boxes. Perhaps the ‘Western’ in the 2nd photograph published on the same date is D1031 ‘Western Rifleman’ as it’s a Crewe built machine, although the locomotive was withdrawn 01/02/75. Keep up the good work regarding the website and best regards to Roger. Matthew Bradley.

Many thanks Matthew.

Level Crossings
​Graham Mann

Hi Keith,  in regard to Paignton South LC, I became a track supervisor on that branch in 1977 and the gates were still in use then as I can clearly remember the Capstan in South Box.
I’m fairly sure Paignton North and South LC were converted in 1988, not 100% on that.
In 1985 I took on the track maintenance of the North Devon Lines and Eggesford SB was in use with gates as once again I can recall the Capstan, from memory barriers were installed 1987 when the SB closed and the line was converted to NSTK working.
Not sure about Crediton, while I was the MAS project manager we singled the line from Crowley to Crediton in 1984 and I took on the maintenance of the route in 1985.

Hope this may be of some help

Many thanks to Graham Mann

Paignton North Box. 22nd July 1971. Copyright Mike Roach.

Paignton South Crossing 24th September 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen.

Eggesford in March 1971 Copyright Mike Roach

From Chris Bellett

Your 21 January 2021 News Page asked some questions about four level crossings.  Here are my responses:

Long Rock - Converted from four half gates to two full lifting barriers in January 1961.
Long Rock - Re-Controlled from Penzance using CCTV Supervision with four half lifting barriers on 24/06/1974.
Paignton South - Converted from four half gates to two full lifting barriers on 13/11/1972.
Eggesford - Converted from four half gates to two full lifting barriers on 30/11/1969.
Crediton - Converted from four half gates to two full lifting barriers in December 1984.

Kind Regards,  Chris Bellett

Many thanks Chris - best wishes - keep safe.

​From Graham Bowden
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An answer to Jack Hunts question of when Crediton and Eggesford signal boxes level crossings were converted from gates to full lifting barriers.
Crediton 27/01/1974
Eggesford 30/11/1969

Best Wishes,              Graham Bowden,          Signalman Crediton

Many thanks Graham - best wishes - keep safe.
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N.B. Replies in order received - many thanks.

Crediton. Graham Bowden handing over the token for Eggesford 16th April 2015 Copyright Roger Winnen.

Crediton 1 155314 05.09.89 0835 Barnstaple - Exeter Central. Copyright Roger Winnen.

Crediton to Barnstable bound DMU 13th April 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen