19th July 2020

The IET Thank You Message
Leslie Curnow

Good evening Roger

Returning from our day at Exeter I notice the two ends of the IET are slightly different. It seems to be 'Thank You' in different languages.. Pictures of bothe ends enclosed

The 12.20 Penzance to Paddington seen and photgraphed by Leslie Curnow at Exeter St David's Copyright.

Many Thanks Leslie

Newton Abbot
Paul Barlow

A few shots of Peaks at Newton Abbot depot on the day of closure. It was the last summer Saturday of 1981 which was 27 September. Also a shot of the class 24 which was used as a carriage heating unit, I believe.
Also my piece of 46029 which I purchased some years ago.
Just wish I took more photos of the depot that day!
Kind regards,  Paul Barlow.

45060 inside Newton Abbot being 'topped up' on the 27th September 1981. Copyright Paul Barlow

45060 'Sherwood Forester' having been 'topped up' waits for its next turn of duty. It's Newton Abbot Depot's last day of opening the 27th September 1981. Copyright Paul Barlow

Also seen at Newton Abbot Depot by Paul was 45029. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Paul's proud possession a piece of the machine 'flame cut' at the time of scrapping. Copyright Paul Balow.

ADB968008 former class 24054 used for carriage heating outside Newton Abbot depot. August 1980 Copyright Paul Barlow.

A record of another sad day - Many thanks Paul

Contrasting views of
Newton Abbot shed
Roger Winnen and Ron Kosys

Newton Abbot shed in happier days - taken on the 19th April 1981 Copyright Roger Winnen

50149 'Defiance' seen at Newton Abbot. A very interesting view as the yard is torn apart and the engine shed isolated. 19th January 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys

Many thanks to Roger and Ron.

Last night - the weedkiller at
Falmouth Docks
Mark Lynam

Last night the weedkiller visited the Falmouth Branch, seen below at Falmouth Docks working 3Z15 2325 St Blazey LIP to St Blazey LIP via Lostwithiel UGL, Falmouth Docks & Lostwithiel UGL Formation of 66117 + MPV + 66015. Thanks,Mark Lynam

66107 Falmouth Docks (1) 18th July 2020. Copyright Mark Lynam

66107 Falmouth Docks (2) 18th July 2020. Copyright Mark Lynam

Many thanks Mark - now do you know where Ken Naylow was??

Calling all Falmouthians!
Ken Naylor

Ken writes :- I realise that this may seem a strange question, but here we go. I camped with a Leicester scouts group in the late 50s early 60s on a farm between Falmouth and Helston. And have for a number of years been trying to locate where it was. I can remember that the road we used to get to the farm ran along side of a railway for a short distance and that we had to cross the railway track to drive up to the field . Do any of your members have any idea were this crossing might have been or still is. Long shot I know!! Kind Regards Ken.  Can anybody help!!

Can anybody help Ken - he's lost!!

A locos life History
Karl Hewlett

Dear Keith. Regarding email from Micheal Manning about class 03 D2177, here is its full service history: From Swindon Works In service 27/12/61 to 73F Ashford Chart Leacon shed. Reallocated 28/01/62 to 83H Plymouth Friary shed. Reallocated 11/08/62 to 83D Plymouth Laira shed. Reallocated 01/06/68 to 83B Taunton shed. Withdrawn 21/09/68 at 83B Taunton shed. Moved 29/10/68 to Worcester Shrub Hill shed. Moved between 4/05/69 and 29/06/69 to Birds Long Marston. Observed 26/07/69 intact at Birds Long Marston. Cut up 01/06/70 at Birds Long Marston. So as you can see it wasn't withdrawn from Worcester but Taunton shed and for being seen at Wadebridge in March 1968, it is quite likely as it was not transferred away until June and not withdrawn until September. There were quite a lot of loco's at Worcester awaiting their fate, class 03 and class 22 e.t.c. In fact it seems like a central dumping ground which for most was to the scrapman. In D2177's case a mere eight years of service, rather a waste of a good loco. There are memoirs that some of these loco's at Shrub Hill were actually serviceable and were used for shunting if one of theirs was out of action despite being officially withdrawn. Regards Karl (Friends Of Penmere Station).

Many thanks Karl for your very much in depth report on D2177. I'll forward it to Michael Manning.