22nd April 2020

Jonty Johnson at 
Bere Alston & Lelant
Craig Munday

Hi Keith.  Been on a very long stretch of nights recently. The Network Rail test train does much of its testing after hours once the other traffic dies down. 
Colas liveried 37219 was out on the 21st / 22nd April testing the Gunnislake and St Ives branches. The train is seen in the small hours at the charming station at Bere Alston. 
The train still ran as day break came, and is seen trundling back to St Erth from St Ives on the golf course at Lelant.
The five coach consist includes a former day coach from the Caledonian Sleeper set. The carriage has retention tanks fitted for the on board loos. 

Kind regards,  Craig 

37219 on the 3Q52 at Bere Alston. 21st April 2020. Copyright Craig Munday

Lelant Golf Course 37219 with the 3Q52 test train returning from St Ives. 21st April 2020. Copyright Craig Munday

Many thanks Craig 
​

and ​Jonty Johnson 
At Penzance
Roger Winnen

April 22nd 2020 37219 Jonty Johnson at Penzance after working a test train from Exeter via Gunnislake and St Ives to Penzance where the train will remain during the hours of daylight departing at 22.43 to Westbury. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many thanks Roger, a good effort within you limits.

200422b Jonty Jarvis in the afternoon sunshine. Copyright Roger Winnen

200423c The former GW Motorail Van in this test train. Copyright Roger Winnen

200423d A former Caledonian Sleeping Car Coach is also incorporated in this set. Copyright Roger Winnen

St Erth
Andrew Thompson

50007 Sir Edward Elgar working a down train from St Erth. Copyright Andrew Thompson. An interesting view looking towards and into the up refuge siding. Presumably the siding was level - this illustrates well the 1 in 70 gradient faced by the locomotive leaving St Erth.

50007 was named Hercules on 06 April 1978, after the British battleship of the same name. On 25 February 1984, the locomotive was outshopped in Brunswick Green and renamed Sir Edward Elgar, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Great Western Railway. After being withdrawn on 16 July 1991, the locomotive was re-instated for railtour service, and was one of the two Class 50 locomotives to haul the final BR Class 50 railtour, the 50 Terminator. 50007 was the second to last member of the fleet, being retired on 26 March 1994.

Many thanks Andrew

Cardiff
Adrian King

Cardiff-1963 A pair of English Electric Type 3's en route to Llanwern with an ore train from Margam, a regular sight in those days, with just coming in Copyright Adrian King

Cardiff Summer 1963 D1044 Western Duchess has just arrived at Cardiff from Paddington with a train for Swansea in 1963 Copyright Adrian King.

Many thanks Adrian.