20th December 2021

Around Bodmin area
Hugh Austen & Roger Winnen

180616a Its the 16th June 2018 57604 With the 17.50 Exeter-Penzance passing Restormal. Copyright Hugh Austen

180622a Its 22nd June 2018 HST 43156 Leading with a Paddington Penzance service at Respryn. Note the family waving at the train which in my opinion makes the photo. Copyright Hugh Austen

211218a 18th December 2021 47306 The Sapper works the Sulzar Santa 11.15 Bodmin General to Bodmin Parkway. Copyright Roger Winnen

211218b 18th December 2021 4612 Heads the return Santa by Steam working at 11.42 from Bodmin General. Copyright Roger Winnen

211218c 18th December 2021 Seen approaching Bodmin General 4612 together with the 08 shunter etc in the adjacent siding. Copyright Roger Winnen

211218d 18th December 2021 Diesels on Shed 50042 Triumph 37142. Copyright Roger Winnen

Bodmin Road
Paul Barlow

Taken from a lovely spot for photographing trains just east of the station.. 50018 Resolution 0955 Penzance to Leeds leaves Bodmin Road on the 6th July 1986. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul.
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Culham
Ron Kosys

47566 approaches Culham with the Sundays Paddington to Wolverhampton on the 18th June 1989. Copyright Ron Kosys.

Many thanks Ron.
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Pinhoe
Keith Turley

With the LSWR route closed between Axminster and Templecombe, SWR ran
a shuttle service between Axminster and Exeter Central on 19th December 2021 using SWT liveried class 158 No.158885,the unit is seen approaching Pinhoe station working the 14:09 Exeter Central to Axminster service.
Regards Keith Turley. 

Pinhoe SW Trains liveried 158 885 approaches Pinhoe with the 14.09 Exeter Central - Axminter service. 19th December 2021 Copyright Keith Turley

Many thanks Keith.  It's only a personal preference but the SW trains livery does make for a refreshing picture.
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Christmas - almost at 
Cardiff
Guy Vincent

Hello Keith,

Three long distance passenger services at Cardiff Central station late morning on the last Saturday before Christmas.

Guy Vincent

1) 'Castle' HST set with 43162 and 43098 'Walton Castle' in charge about to depart with the 2C73 1100 semi-fast stopping service to Penzance. Plenty of seats available inside the high-density refurbished HST carriages.. 18th December 2021. Copyright Guy Vincent.

2) Passengers flock to board the 1W93 1018 Maesteg-Holyhead formed of two class 153 units, 153327 and 153982, the latter being an ex East Midlands example. Transport for Wales operate a fairly large fleet of class 153s and those that have not received 'PRM' modifications (persons of reduced mobility) have had 600 added to their numbers so 153982 was previously 153382, Copyright Guy Vincent. 18th December 2021.

3) Next in was the 1130 Portsmouth Harbour departure formed of 2 car class 165 set 165134. Again customers rush to join, many with large items of luggage in tow. 18th December 2021. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks to you Guy for your detailed review of traffic at Cardiff Central two days ago. It seems few are wearing masks - sadly for train crew and others - are we dropping our guard.