21/1/2024

Sunshine on a rainy day
​Phil 'Shattered' Smith

Summer in 1994 and 47817 heads west at Cockwood Harbour. Copyright Phil Smith.

Many thanks Phil, it's impressive how smart the loco hauled sets looked in this livery whilst they were clean.

A 'Castle' to Paignton
Paul Barlow

Hello Keith

A rare working tonight (19.01.24), a castle set HST stood in for a failed/unavailable DMU working an Exmouth to Paignton service to and
from Exeter.  This is the first HST working to Paignton to my knowledge since August last year - will it be the last?

Kind regards

Paul

43098 waits on platform 6 Exeter to work the 1832 to Paignton 19 January 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43156 heads the 1944 Paignton to Exeter 19 January 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43156 heads the 1944 Paignton to Exeter 43098 on rear 19 January 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul, a great job by the railway, using its available resources to provide a service during a time of difficulty. How will we manage once they are gone?

Sleepers and semaphores
Jon Hird

I made a quick visit to Par last night (19.01.24) to see 57602 working the up sleeper. The thud of the semaphore dropping and the slamming of the guards door were a pleasant audial reminder of how the railways were 20 years ago. All set to change soon, of course.

22:54 and 57602 rolls into Par working the up Night Riviera Sleeper service. The signal is already dropped giving the driver the road. Copyright Jon Hird.

57602 waits for passengers to board (there were none) at Par. In the distance the Newquay unit can be seen berthed in Chapel Siding ready to start work the next morning. Copyright Jon Hird.

Coal to Didcot Power Station
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, Thank you for dealing with the last pictures. Here is a shot ,from Michael Adams,of 47190 powering through the middle road at Oxford with more coal for Didcot power station. The spotters look on during a hot 23 August 1983. Thansk, Michael. Copyright Michael Forward

Empties from Didcot Power Station

Hello Roger, Moving South now, Michael captures 47337 on film with mgr empties from Didcot to Welbeck colliery, Notts.on 10 September 1986. Where the cows graze there is now a car park and the signalling centre and now no more power station,no British coal .How quickly things change. Thanks and best wishes, Michael Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael

Wooly Hat Looking for owner

Denise Chubb advises us that she has a wooly Hat let behind after last Saturdays Meeting at the Memorial Hall.  If you would like to claim this please ring Denise at 01209 314690. The office is open on Thursday Mornings.