20th November 2021

The very first public service to
Okehampton
Paul Barlow

I traveled on the first train (0632) to Okehampton this morning, quite busy but not full. The 1046 to Okehampton however was full and standing leaving Exeter.
A brass band met the first train at Okehampton and several TV crews were recording the event.
Hope the pictures are of use.
All the best,  Paul 

150233 and 150221 on arrival Okehampton returning at 0730. First regular service in 49 years. 20th November 2021 Copyright Paul Barlow

Brass band at Okehampton station. 20th November 2021 Copyright Paul Barlow

Free chocolate at Okehampton today! 20th November 2021 Copyright Paul Barlow

Busy Okehampton station 20th November 2021 Copyright Paul Barlow

TV crews recording the event Okehampton station 20th November 2021 Copyright Paul Barlow

150221 and 150233 at Okehampton ready to depart at 0730 to Exeter. First regular service in 49 years. 20th November 2021 Copyright Paul Barlow

150233 and 150221 await the first depature to Okehampton at 0632. First regular service in 49 years. 20th November 2021 Copyright Paul Barlow

It was great that our very regular contributor Paul Barlow rode on and captured scenes on the very first train on the very first day of regular operation.  Congratulations and many thanks to Paul.
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Try this link  https://youtu.be/b8BFlKuIkfI to obtain a the video of the event as recorded expertly by Pauls wife.
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The first train to Okehampton on the 20th Nov. 2021
Okehampton
​Driver Alan Peters

Although we share the honour of seeing pictures of the first public service today provided by Paul Barlow. The way was cleared before the very first public train by Driver Alan Peters with the RHTT. Here is Alans pictue showing the arrivals board at Okehampton with the very first rain displayed.

Before the first public train - Driver Peters was there with the RHTT. 20th November 2021. Copyright Driver Al Peters.

Many  thanks Alan. And the first shall come last - but then it was a very special day. Paul Barlows train is clearly on the board.
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I hope that you will understand that at the risk of duplicating views I have to restrict pictures at present to Paul Barlow - who was first in with his selection and to Alan Peters who was the driver of many of the trains used during the reconstruction of this line. I think that at the Okehampton end we have cover the first day very well.   However if viewers took any pictures at intermediate points during the 20th November 2021 I think we can try to fit them in. Thanks to Paul and Alan.

The Dartmoor Line
Alan Peters

The first passnger train from Exeter to Okehampton the 06.29 waits to depart from Exeter St Davids. 20th November 2021. Copyright Alan Peters.

The firsr passenger train to arrives at Okehampton. 20th November 2021. Copyright Alan Peters.

The brass band at Okehamton makes a fine sight and sound. 20th November 2021. Copyright Alan Peters

Crowds wave away the first train from Okehampton the 07.30 to Exeter St Davids. on the 20th November 2021 Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Very many thanks indeed to you Alan - some very fine pictures taken at the start and completion of the run to Okehampton.  20th November 2021
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Peaks & Class 37s  Newton Abbot
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, here is the last of my selection of pictures taken at Aller Junction on Saturday 28 July 1984 and it shows 45130 heading the 12.30 service from Newquay to Leed Copyright Michael Forward

Returning from Aller junction on 28 July 1984 I was lucky to see 37273 and 37181 pass through against the backdrop of the lovely box and signals,Thanks, Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael

The very interesting life of
37884
Neil Phillips

Ken Mumford’s report on activity around Swindon included another visit by 37884 leading another withdrawn EMU to its doom this week. This English Electric Type 3 started life as D6883 in November 1963, and was one of the batch of steam-heat locos briefly trialled in pairs on some Western Region expresses in the mid 1960s, but like all WR Class 37s its main occupation was shifting coal and steel products in South Wales. It was overhauled and repainted blue at Crewe Works in April 1970, one of a pair (the other being 6882) which inexplicably gained BR arrow logos on the cabsides and numbers on the bodysides. Renumbered 37183 in March 1974, ten years later it had been reallocated to the Scottish Region, which had taken to repainting its Class 37s into Large Logo blue livery. For what I believe was the first and only time, this livery was applied to 37183 at Swindon Works – my photo shows it on Swindon Stabling Point on 8th April 1984, shortly before departure for the north. Unusually it retained glass headcode panels, bufferbeam valances and radiator frost shields.
In October 1988 it finally lost these features during refurbishment to ‘heavyweight’ 37884. After a further decade hauling British freight, latterly in Loadhaul black/orange colours, and having been made redundant by the influx of EWS Class 66s, it was one of 14 Class 37s selected for export to Spain to work infrastructure trains during construction of a new high-speed rail line from the French border to Madrid via Barcelona. It departed the UK on 21st August 2001 and once in Spain gained GIF (Continental Rail) light blue livery with broad dark blue stripe, numbered L34 in large black numbers on the former headcode panels but retaining its UK identity on the driver’s cabsides. I’m not sure when it came home (3 of the 14 never did, being scrapped in Spain) but it was still at work there in July 2007. It is great to see it still in action on home turf over 58 years after construction, even if its duties have a somewhat sombre note.....!
 
Best regards,
Neil Phillips

37 884 at Swindon Stabling point 8th April 1984 Copyright Neil Phillips

Very many thanks Neil for putting on paper the results of your research and considerable knowledge. It is and will be much appreciated by all.
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Dirty old job.
RHTT at Purton Collins Lane
Ken Mumford.

The reason that the locos used on the RHTT get so dirty is very well illustrated in these views take at a crossing near his home town of Swindon

PURTON (Collins Lane) Crossing 66023 Leads the RHTT at 19th November 2021 Copyright Ken Mumford.

66023 brings up the rear (Collins Lane) Crossing 19th November 2021 Copyright Ken Mumford

Having its 'mud bath' 66023 brings up the rear (Collins Lane) Crossing 19th November 2021 Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken for these revealing phonographs - did you need to return to 'your shed' for washing down afterwards!!!
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Last two in blue
App.  Polsloe Bridge
Keith Turley

On 19th November 2021 the final two GWR Blue liveried class 150/2 DMUs
were paired together on Paignton to Exmouth diagrams,
No.150238 leads classmate No.150219 approaching Polsloe Bridge station
with the lovely Autumn colours cheering up the day,
working the 2T19 12:57 Exmouth to Paignton service.
Regards Keith Turley. 

The last two 150's approach Polsloe Bridge.near Last two blue 150's 238 and 219 paired together 19th November 2021. Copyright Keith Turley.

Many thanks Keith for your observations off the main lines.
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