2nd April 2021

Bere Alston in 2018
Shane Webster

On a rather dull December day. The station approach - main buildings. 29th December 2018 Copyright Shane Webster

The station sign on an ornate post. 29th December 2018. Copyright Shane Webster,

The former up line - for Waterloo, shelter 29th December 2018. Copyright Shane Webster

The well preserved former signalbox. 29th December 2018. Copyright Shane Webster,

The Goods shed. 29th December 2018. Copyright Shane Webster.

The rear of the signalbox needs a little attention. 29th December 2018. Copyright Shane Webster.

Many thanks for the tour around Shane.

A reminder of the former branch destination. From the archve of Michael L Roach.

Thanks Mike,
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Introducing the Aeronian

Click below for a host of reading and viewing on Transport Topics in the Aeronian April edition edited by a popular contributor to our website - Ken Mumford.

aeronian_april21-2.pdf
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​Congratulations Ken and thank you. Another very interesting collection.
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Delightful
Dawlish Warren
Martin Baker

Hi Keith
A couple of NSE Class 50s at Dawlish Warren.
The former signal box on the down platform was freely accessible and a good vantage point to photograph from, until its dismantling in 1990.
50017 Royal Oak can be seen heading up country, while 50027 Lion heads west with a morning stopping service formed mainly of first class mark 2f coaches
Kind Regards, Martin Baker

Dawlish Warren. 60017 Royal Oak passes through with an up train. Copyright Martin Baker

Dawlish Warren. 50027 Lion looking very smart arrives at the down platform with a local service formed mainly of First Class stock. Copyright Martin Baker.

Many thanks Martin
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Bradford on Avon
Guy Vincent

60055 passing Bradford on Avon this morning (31st March) on a 0Z62 1129 Bristol Freightliner Terminal (Parson Street) to Westbury crew training / route learning trip.  Several similar trips were due to be carried out before the end of the week.  Good to see the loco carrying its old BR name 'Thomas Barnardo'.
Guy Vincent

Bradford on Avon 60055 passes through on a route learning trip 0Z62 31st March 2021. Copyright Guy Vincent

Many thanks Guy
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The Cornish Main Line
'April Fools Day'
Roger Winnen

210401a 66053 Hauls the 651J 15.17 St Blazey to Bescot China Clay today seen approaching Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Winnen

210401b The Imery's Nacco Wagons heads through Bodmin Parkway on route to Bescot. Copyright Roger Winnen

210401c The 12.04 Paddington to Penzance arrives at Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Winnen

210401d Crossing the new bridge installed at Lostwithiel during recent weeks. Copyright Roger Winnen

43093 HST Power Car 'Old Oak Common HST Depot 1976-2018 arrives at Lostwithiel with the 10.50 Penzance to Cardiff Central. Copyright Roger Winnen

Stoke Cannon
David Tozer

​66053 passes the site of the old Stoke Canon Railway Station with the 1517 St Blazey to Bescot tonight - 1.4.2021

Dave Tozer 

66053 at Stoke Canon on the 1st April 2021 Copyright David Tozer.

Many thanks Dave caught in nice light.
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Diesel Depot 1982 & 2021
Westbury
Guy Vincent

​Westbury Diesel Depot was built in 1958-59 and stood on the site of former carriage sidings used for ambulance trains during WW2.   The original purpose was simply a fuelling point and light servicing facility for the then new DMU fleet being delivered.  The two covered servicing sheds were spaced so that a 3 car DMU would have both power cars under cover and the centre trailer exposed.  Westbury steam shed on the opposite side of the yard complex closed in 1965 but with steady growth in freight traffic from the nearby Mendip quarries it soon became necessary to upgrade the facilities here to both service and maintain  a variety of diesel locomotive types from humble class 08 shunters through to the mighty class 52 'Western' diesel hydraulics which soon became synonymous with Westbury working the heavy Yeoman and ARC stone trains.     Following the introduction of  class 59 locos from 1986 Westbury's importance declined and this was accelerated with the replacement of the old and increasingly unreliable DMU types by modern 'Sprinters' from 1988.   Westbury depot closed in March 1993 and the buildings were demolished towards the end of that year but more recently demand has been increasing for space and this has led to the area once occupied by the depot buildings being opened up again so further sidings can be put in.    I visited the site of the former depot admin block today where deep excavations have revealed the servicing pits that were infilled and concreted over in 1993.   

Final word.  When visiting the depot in the 70s and 80s it was customary to go into the messroom or office and ask the foreman or whoever happened to be around if it was OK to walk round the sidings.    The most common response was ''OK, make sure you come back here before you leave  but if anyone asks then I haven't seen you!''   I think this was pretty much a standard reply at most depots that allowed these 'unofficial' visits to take place.  

Guy Vincent 

1) 46035 (now preserved) outside the servicing sheds on 3rd October 1982. The shed behind the loco is the site of the pit in picture 3. Copyright Guy Vincent.

2) The diesel depot site from platform 3 of Westbury station 23rd March 2021. Copyright Guy Vincent.

3) Looking in through the locked palisade gate at the depot site with the former servicing pit (finished in pale blue) visible in front of the class 70 loco. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks Guy for your most interesting article and photographs.
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FGW's Class 47 Farewell
John Hind

The farewell train on its way down. 12th November 2004 Copyright John Hird

This completes a trio of photographs of this train, the other two are on the Home Page for this month. Many thanks John.
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Near Wimple
David Tozer

Today (30th March 2021) I swapped the bracing air of the Exe Estuary and headed to Whimple for some countryside ozone. Just around the corner from Whimple Station on the Honiton side is overbridge EA2/504(think I got that right) my photographic location.

Here I photographed the 1256 St David's to Salisbury with 159021 and yet again the GWR route refresher this time with 150219 leading 150221 heading back to Exeter with the 1132 from Castle Cary. Even had a friendly toot from the driver.

Dave

Wimple - near. 159021 approaching. 30th March .2021 Copyright David Tozer

Wimple - near 159021 30th March .2021 Copyright David Tozer

Thanks Dave and apologies for late publication.
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Respryn 
Alan Peters

Alan writes - 
I Took the dog for a walk along the River Fowey and around Respryn Woods which was nicely timed to see the 15:55 Plymouth to Penzance 2C31 service formed of an unidentified castle set, the train is seen at Respryn Bridge after leaving Bodmin Parkway, note the new green palisade fencing that has recently been erected at this location.
Alan Peters

Respryn is a smashing location especially on a fine day. Alan draws our attention to the new fencing as down Castle class passes/ 31st March 2021 Copyright Alan Peters