22nd July 2021

Reading
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, The heat continues,Oh for a dip at Eastern Green! Here is a picture of a very unusual visitor to Reading on 27 May 1986 in the shape of 73120.It come from the Southern link line with some vans, two of which are ex Southern bogie luggage vans. Thanks and best wishes. Michael. Copyright Michael Forward.

Many thanks Michael

Paddington-Penzance Motorail Service
Chris Harvey

Hi Keith, Please find attached a shot from the July of twenty years ago, which is unrepeatable for all sorts of reasons! On the 28th July 2001, a FGW 47 heads west with the 0930 Paddington - Penzance motorail service - note the two vans coupled behind the loco. The location is the overbridge near Hendra, about a mile west of Burngullow on the single line section to Probus, now of course re-doubled. The Blackpool clay works at Burngullow is visible above the trees in the far in the background. Best Regards, Chris Harvey Bodmin

Many Thanks Chris for your interesting photo of times gone by.

Oath
Bill Elston

 I hope you and yours are managing to cope in this ' inclement ' weather !
I was at Oath today for the  14.27  Westbury to Burngullow  rail train operated by GBRf as 6G98.
This was top and tailed by 66732 and Colas 66848.
Take care in this hot weather. Cheers. Bill

66732, 21st July 2021 Copyright Bill Elston,

66848, 21st July 2021 Copyright Bill Elston

Many thanks Bill - you take care too.

Copplestone +
Colin Burges

Yesterday (21st July 2021), after collecting some steel from Crediton, I rode to North Devon in the blistering sun, stopping to inspect all the stations except Umberleigh. The valley turnpike was closed north of Pompei Arms and I diverted uphill via High Bickington and Atherington, which gave me sweeping views I would not have had from below.

The volunteers who make Copplestone such a delight deserve more recognition. I'll leave you to choose one or two from these, if you think they're worth publishing.

Copplestone 20th July 2021. Copyright Colin Burges. Note the tiny model signalbox by the station sign.

Copplestone 20th July 2021. Copyright Colin Burges

Copplestone 20th July 2021. Copyright Colin Burges

Chenson Number 3 Crossing 20th July 2021. Copyright Colin Burges. It's a shame that the PW couldn't have been kept tidier!

Note:- Chenson No. 2 Crossing now has red and green lights for the safety of its very infrequent users. There have been telephones by the gates for a long time.

Chenson Number 3 Crossing approach . Copyright Colin Burges.

Chenson Bridge. Copyright Colin Burges.

A viewer of one of my videos, thinking himself clever, commented that Tarka lived on the Torridge. I replied saying that the full title of the book was Tarka the Otter. His Joyful Water-Life and Death in the Country of the Two Rivers. As Henry Williamson explored the whole of the country roamed by his fictional Tarka, in preparation for the great work, it is certain that he strode over the pretty Chenson Bridge, which lies just beyond the crossing. The rivers Yeo and Taw meet just upstream from here.

River Taw that was made where it was threatening the line at Colleton Mills is naturalizing well, Copyright Colin Burges.

Many thanks Colin
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Okehampton
Tony Hill

The 2054 Tues 20th July 21 the overnight ballast train worked by 66784 from Westbury to the Okehampton line, having unloaded, proceeded to Meldon Quarry to run round, is seen here at Okehampton at midday on Weds 21st July 2021  killing time, before heading to Crediton and thence forward as the 2100 to Westbury.
This train was unusually (but more economically) worked by just one loco (instead of a loco each end) necessitating a run round at Meldon Quarry and Exeter Riverside yard.  Tony Hill.

Okehampron 21st July 2021 Copyright Tony Hill

Glad you are still keeping watch at Okehampton - many thanks Tony.
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