1st February 2021

Down at
Aller Junction
Martin Baker

When asked for pictures for this months Home Page Martin kindly supplied four from the same location, here for your pleasure, are the other two.

50 019 'Ramiliies' hauls , 50024 'Vanguard' and 50050 ‘Fearless’ . on a move to Laira. Copyright Martin Baker

A now impossible 'going away' shot from the same location. The photographers location was swept away when the bridge on which he was standing was demolished over Christmas 2013. Copyright Martin Baker.

Many thanks for these and the Home Page Pictures Martin.
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A rare bird at
Plymouth
Clive Smith

Very rare down our way and certainly not often seen on passenger trains, 47373 is about to leave Plymouth on the 11.00 Plymouth - York relief on the 2nd August 1985.  This 47 was allocated to Tinsley at the time and had been based at the Knottingley depot in the coalfields of Yorkshire between 1967 and 1979 and was one of two 47's based there with specially equipped  remote-control, slow-speed control and flashing amber light (on the cab roof) for use when working within power stations on MGR duties. The other being 47277. To the right of 47373 is 47622 waiting to take over the 1E91 08.53 Penzance - Newcastle.
Regards, Clive Smith. As usual no details are spared from Clive's excellent description of this rare photograph.

Plymouth 47373 on the 2nd August 1985 Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks indeed Clive.
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Scrap trains to no more?
Marsh Barton
Paul Barlow

Hi Keith, A few shots of one of the scrap trains to Pearse's scrapyard in Marsh Barton Exeter. This was an early start as it left riverside yard at 0648. These train have continued to run on and off up until about 2 years ago. Don't know if there are any plans for them to restart?  Maybe somebody knows more? This line is the remains of the Teign Valley branch to Heathfield.
All the best, Paul 

37894 0648 Exeter Riverside to Marsh Barton bridge 18th August 1998. Copyright Paul Barlow.

37894 0648 Exeter Riverside to Marsh Barton St Thomas. 18th August 1998. Copyright Paul Barlow.

37894 0648 Exeter Riverside to Marsh Barton. 18th August 1998. Copyright Paul Barlow

37894 0648 Exeter Riverside to Marsh Barton. 18th August 1998. Copyright Paul Barlow

Is this another bit of history? Many thanks Paul.
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Marsh Barton
Graham Mann

Hi Keith. Maybe some interest for your readers.

The piece on the Marsh Barton scrap train this morning brought back memories for me, I can’t remember the year but to enable Sainsbury’s to be built I was tasked with shortening the branch which included removing the connection to the scrap yard.

Coincidentally this connection which was in reasonable condition was of the same hand that I required for another project in Exeter Riverside Yard involving converting 3 sidings into run rounds.

After these projects were completed, as normal I attended a financial review for Riverside Yard and as we only had to procure one new connection rather than two, we came in significantly under budget and it was implied by the financial manager that I’d carried out a form of financial manipulation, after restraining myself from throttling him I give a very strong and vociferous response.
Recycling is nothing new for me we were into it big style particularly following privatisation.

Regards 
Graham Mann
Mob. 07920155651

Many thanks for that Graham. Your background information is of special interest - typical.  At least you can have your say now! Happy retirement!!