Michael Forward
and Polsloe Bridge
David Tozer
David Anthony
No pictures I’m afraid and more national than Cornwall specific, but here’s a link to an item on the New Civil Engineering website about the way National Highways are getting around the government pause in infilling old bridges.
Maybe of interest to you and your members..
Council leader accuses National Highways of ‘riding roughshod’ over bridge infilling pause | New Civil Engineer
Cheers
Dave Anthony.
Swindon
Neil Phillips
The blue/red Departmental unit may look like a Derby Lightweight DMU, but the underframes give it away - it is in fact the unique BEMU (Battery Electric Multiple Unit) originally built at Cowlairs Works in 1957/8, using production bodyshells supplied by Derby. Numbered SC79998/9 it was put to work on the 43-mile Deeside line from Aberdeen to Ballater and could be recharged at both ends of the journey. Unfortunately it was prone to small fires in the battery bays which regularly took it out of service; closure of the line in 1966 made it redundant and it was stored at Inverurie Works for a while. Acquired by RTC Derby in 1967 it was renumbered DB975003/4 and named ‘Test Train Gemini’ (or Laboratory 16) – purpose, research into traction battery technology. Pictured in ex-works condition outside Swindon Works on 13 September 1975 (the day of the Works Open Day there) looking very smart – note the brown underframes. It remained in RTC ownership until 1984 when it passed into preservation, I believe it is currently on the Royal Deeside Railway – a remarkable survivor.
The all-blue Class 100 was procured as an inspection and route learning unit for the Eastern Region, formed from DMBS E51116 and DTS E56101 both withdrawn in October 1972. They were transferred into Departmental use in March 1976, becoming DB975349 and DB975539 respectively. Known as the ‘York Saloon’ (not to be confused with the more widely known Class 100 ‘Stourton Saloon’ which ran in Provincial light blue livery for a while) this 2-car set remained in use until January 1993 when it was withdrawn – unfortunately preservation eluded it. Captured ready to go following attention at Swindon Works on 31 August 1976.
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
Clive Smith
Regards
Clive Smith
John Roberts
I did it on a Plymouth Railway Circle DMU in the 80s, all the way to the quarry with a photostop at N Tawton.
Timetable: https://dartmoorline.com. I hope you'll try it and report back!
Good news too about the Portishead branch which looks like reopening with new stations at Pill and Portishead;
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And more thoughts from John - Keith, you may be interested for your blog that a new operator Lumo commences on 25th Oct between King's Cross and Edinburgh in competition with DfT East Coast: Search, Compare & Buy Train Tickets - Lumo.
Given that they're using Class 803 with 2+2 seating, their prices are about one-third of DfT, and they have an annoyingly flashy website, I guess they're aiming at the younger market, similar to SNCF's OUIGO and Stagecoach's Megabus.
It's not overt, but it's part of First. Given that they already run Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express and Hull Trains, I'm surprised they got through the Competition Authorities.
Best wishes, John R.
No doubt our faithful followers will be out for photographs on that opening day next month.
Shillingstone
I hope you are well and have been able to return to some sort of normality whilst recognising this will sadly not be the case for all.
As the summer season comes to an end at Shillingstone Station the Trustees are pleased to report that visitor numbers have recently returned to a similar level as pre Covid. It has been very rewarding for all to see and hear visitors and volunteers from near and far enjoying themselves once again at the station thanks to the work and support of volunteers and members over the many years since restoration began.
The volunteer team assembling our new restoration shelter is well on the way to completing it prior to Project 62's open day this Sunday. After several years of braving the elements, whilst working on their steam loco restorations, they will now be able to work under cover.
As planned, the permanent way and site volunteer teams started work on our Phase 1 track extension and Trailway enhancement at the beginning of September. Initial works focused on the site clearance work which has to be carried out during the winter months. Earthworks follow to enable the Trailway to be temporarily diverted whilst the enhanced new Trailway is constructed adjacent to the position of the new track extension. Regular updates are available on our NDR Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ShillingstoneStation/
As winter approaches, the preparatory work for the phase 1 extension continues and our larger events have been organised and successfully delivered, attention turns to our rolling stock restoration, volunteer training and the continuing development of our Safety Management System (SMS), Competence Management System (CMS) and Rule Book required to meet the requirements of the Office of Road and Rail. It will be a busy winter on site and behind the scenes!
As always members and volunteers support is vital to our continued work. Please see the attached document about our Brake Van restoration and let us know if you are able to support this work.
Hoping you can visit soon.
Best wishes
Colin Fisher
NDR Secretary on behalf of the Trustees