21st February 2021

Rare Motive Power on the
St Ives Branch today
Roger Winnen

220221a The 10.03 service from St Ives arrives at St Erth. Copyright Roger Winnen

220221b 158959 heads the 3 car 158 unit on the 10.48 hourly service to St Ives. Copyright Roger Winnen

220221c The trains passengers had left the train by this time, a three minute turnaround for this unit. Copyright Roger Winnen

220221e The 11.48 service from St Erth approaches Carbis Bay Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

220221f 158959 is seen departing Carbis Bay for St Ives. Copyright Roger Winnen

2202221g Visitors will know where they are when they read the Sign! Copyright Roger Winnen

Many Thanks to Peter Jeggo of Lelant informing me of the 158 working the branch today

20th February 2022
Unusual Movements
Guy & Cathy Vincent

1) 150248 150265 and 150246 on the Frome Avoiding line forming a 1A78 0933 Exeter St Davids-Westbury emergency additional service covering for unavailable class 800 stock.  This was in turn running over 30 minutes late due to a blanket 50mph speed restriction caused by ongoing inclement weather conditions.  The three units returned west covering for another absent '800' set by working 1C78 1157 Westbury-Exeter St Davids.

Frome Avoiding Line. 150248 150265 150246 1A78 0933 Exeter to Westbury. 20th February 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent

2) After being immobilised at Westbury since the middle of December 66044 was removed from the up yard at around lunchtime by Allelys low-loader bound for Toton.  Reportedly unfit to move by rail due to disintegrated brake block linings 66044, complete with a police escort, headed off and joined the A350 at Yarnbrook then went towards Melksham and Chippenham before joining the M4 motorway. Considerable manouvering was necessary before the low loader could exit the site, the wheelsets being turned independently under the loaded trailer by one of the operators.   All very interesting!

Westbury Up Yard 66044 being loaded. 20th February 2022 Copyright Guy Vincent.

Westbury 66044 preparing to leave Westbury Up Yard on Low Loader 20th February 2022 Copyright Guy Vincent.

Westbury Up Yard 66044 being manoeuvred back to exit through main gate 20th February2022 Copyright Guy Vincent

Westbury, Northacre 66044 on Low Loader 20th February 2022. Copyright Cathy Vincent.

Westbury 66044 departing for Toton on Allelys Low Loader 20th February 2022 Copyright Cathy Vincent

Westbury Northacre 66044 on Allelys Low Loader Bound for Toton 20th February 2022 Copyright Cathy Vincent

Westbury, Northacre. 66044 en route to Toton on Allelys Low Loader 20th February 2022. Copyright Cathy Vincent

Bowerhill 66044 crossing route of Holt Jcn-Devizes Branch, now A350 Semington Bypass en route Westbury-Toton 20th February 2022. Copyright Cathy Vincent

Melksham A350 Semington Road Roundabout 66044 en route Westbury-Toton on Allelys Low Loader 20th February .2022 Copyright Cathy Vincent

Many thanks to Guy and Cathy Vincent.
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Newton Abbot
Paul Barlow

An HST on 15.25 from Paddington at Newton Abbot. 20th September 1986. Copyright Paul Barlow.

A nice collection of vans in the yard also of semaphore signals. Many thanks Paul.
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Didcot West
Roger Geach

60089 60005 60079 37162 light diesels Old Oak Common to Canton seen at Didcot West Saturday 8th February 1992. Copyright Roger Geach

Many thanks to you Roger.
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An update on yesterdays post -
Castle Cary
Guy Vincent

  Thanks for your earlier message regarding Castle Cary.  So far the fields above the station are untouched and the footpath from the station bridge to the town is still as you remember.  Once on the single line towards Yeovil a couple of the fields to the left of the single track line have been built on and this is still in progress. 
Outside Castle Cary station the old dairy building is being converted to another use but I fear that what you said will happen soon, the value of the land for housing must be extremely high as it will be so easy to get to London from the heart of the Somerset countryside being so close to the station.  How many will drive to the car park rather than walk though?

I've attached a couple of the station taken on the misty afternoon of  January 7th 2021 when 165137 was working the 1242 Great Malvern-Weymouth and waiting for the 1455 ex Weymouth to come off the single line.

Apologies for overwhelming the CRS inbox recently but there seems to be alot going on.  I haven't done too much for some time and it is good to be out and about again chasing these unusual workings.

Keep safe and good wishes as always

Guy Vincent

160137 at Castle Cary calls with a service to Weymouth - note the temporary bridge at the west end of the station. 7th October 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent.

A misty Castle Cary with the original span over the main lines before refurbishment. 7th October 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent.

There is no need to apologise - all your material is very gratefully received.