1st February 2022

ECS Sleeper stock movement
Stoke Canon and Exminster
Keith Turley & David Tozer

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On 31st January 2022 GWR class 57/6 No.57604 'Pendennis Castle' passes Stoke Canon, working the 5C99 11:00 Reading Traincare Depot to Penzance T&RSMD night sleeper stock transfer move. Copyright Keith Turley.

57604 handles the ECS Sleeper move - seen at Exminster on the 31st 31st January 2022 Copyright David Tozer

Many thanks to Keith and David - David reports that it was bitterly cold! That's what you call devotion to duty!
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The View From
The River Exe
Clive Smith

​The last day of January saw me on a birdwatching cruise on the Exe. Sadly the light wasn't generally good but as well as seeing lots of wading avocets and a rare spotted redshank I also managed a few train photos of course . How could I not. Unfortunately I was way up river at Topsham when the 57 was due  on the sleeper ECS.
Regards

Clive Smith

(1) Cross Country's 12.27 Plymouth - Edinburgh passes Powderham formed of Voyager 221132 rather than the usual HST. With one or two dates excepted this has been the norm now since late November 2021 although this may change on Fridays and more dates in February. Copyright Clive Smith.

(2) 150263 forms the 13.20 Paignton - Exmouth as it skirts the River Exe approaching Starcross. The dull weather and GWR's drab green livery do not make for exciting photos but a little sun came out for this and the differing hues of green on the fields behind gave a lift to the picture. 31st January 2022, Copyright Clive Smith.

(3) 150263 is now on the other bank of the Exe as it heads north from Lympstone with the 14.57 Exmouth - Paignton. 31st January 2022, Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks Clive - two hobbies for the price of one!
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Parsons Tunnel
Paul Barlow

D1015 Western Champion on the 09.30 Gloucester to Par 1Z52 on the 27th February 2005. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks indeed Paul

Swindon Parade
Colin Pidgeon - via Ken Mumford

Note for Ken - I am getting material which you send me but my reply to you bounces back - I am okay with  all others.

57604 'Pendennis Castle' 31st January 2022 Copyright Colin Pidgeon

57604 'Pendennis Castle' 31st January 2022 Copyright Colin Pidgeon

66561, 540 and 547 on OV68 Convoy from Hoo Jct to Stoke Gifford 31st January 2022 Copyright Colin Pidgeon

Many thanks to Ken and of course Colin.
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Additional info
Onslow Box
Roy Hart.

No sooner had Barnard's picture appeared in yesterdays News than Roy Hart kindly wrote in with the following additional information concerning this almost forgotten location.
Onslow box opened òn 31st January 1931 to serve the Bowaters clay worķs there. The layout consisted of a long loop siding and a second, gated loop for the works. The box was normally switched out throughout its life, only opening for siding traffic on one or two days a week for a couple of hours.
Two historical features of the place: Onslow was the first complete installation of tubular steel signals on the GWR (they had wooden arms though) and secondly, Onslow lay at the foot of the long descent from Doublebois, so the down distant signal had to be a long way out. At 1920 yards it was the longest 'pull' in Cornwall.

The bos was of what the SRS calls 'type 28B'. It arrived 'flatpack' style and was erected in a day. The box closed on 10th November 1968.

Roy

Many thanks Roy for the extra info
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