23rd February 2022

'Digit as in finger'
A digital disaster struck two days ago when, amid the trauma of storm damage, when I (KJ) ‘hit’ the delete on the Home Page. Luckily our two sons were at hand to recover the situation using ‘Way back machine’ and a lot of cut and paste – this took a long time. So many thanks to sons Kevin and Peter and to Diane plus Granddaughter Anna the web page is back on line slightly improved. A real family effort.

Delayed recent Cornish Action
Andrew Triggs

Hi Keith/Roger,
Due to having no internet at home since last Friday I've been unable to send in 'as they happened' shots, but now we've been reconnected I've put a selection for CRS together of recent events
All the Best
Andrew

. 57603 with 5C50 passing Arch Lane bridge, with the Night Riviera ECS (with 57604 at the rear) from Truro Yard, having just through St Erth 19.2.2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs

158959 passing Lelant, St Ives branch working 2A13 10.48 St Erth-St Ives 21.2.2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Later in the afternoon returning with 2A14 11.03 St Ives-St Erth pausing at Lelant 21.2.2022 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Blue skies over St Ives as 158959 again appears on the 'St Ives' dropping down Porthkidney Bank working 2A26 14.03 St Ives-St Erth 22.2.2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs

A rarity these days as XC 43366 (with 43303) awaits Penzance departure with 1S49 09.25 for Edinburgh 22.2.2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs

XC HST 1S49 with 43366/303 from above the Station wall, having previously arrived as 1C09 06.18 from Plymouth 22.2.2022 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Many Thanks Andrew

Porthkidney 158
Mark Lynam

Today was the second day in which 158959 was working on the St Ives branch. Below are two photos taken near Porthkidney Sands, it was swapped with 150263 after these services.

The return working 2A26 1403 St Ives to St Erth above Porthkidney Sands. Copyright Mark Lynam

2A25 1348 St Erth to St Ives by West Cornwall Golf Club. Copyright Mark Lynam

Thanks Mark

The first run of a Class 158 on the St Ives Branch in 2020 on passenger traffic
Roger Salter

Arrival at St Erth of 158747 from St Ives on the 28th January 2020. Copyright Roger Salter

158747 ready to depart for St Ives on 28th January 2020. Copyright Roger Winnen

Thanks Roger

Blatchford Viaduct
Chris Harvey

​Please find attached a colourful shot from the archives dated 20 years ago that you might be able to use.

On 16th Feb 2002, a red train is captured under a blue sky surrounded by green scenary! A Virgin XC HST forming the 1300 Plymouth - Edinburgh is crossing Blatchford viaduct, just a few minutes into its marathon journey.

Best Regards, Chris Harvey.

 I think we all miss the bright red of the Virgin Trains as compared to the smart clean but dull GW colours.  A fantastic shot by Chris Harvey our Home Page contributor this month - well done and many thanks Chris. pared to the smart clean but dull GW colours.  A fantastic shot by Chris Harvey our Home Page contributor this month - well done and many thanks Chris.
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Exeter West
Paul Barlow

It's the 25th June 1980 and 31412 powers away passing Exeter West on 19.55 Exeter to Paignton 2B46 Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul
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Coal train at 
Didcot North
Roger Geach

60087 Toton Bicester special coal service Didcot north Sat 17th September 1994. Copyright Roger Geach.

Many thanks Roger
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Between Semington Halt and Holt Junction
Devizes Branch
Guy Vincent

The remains of the former Devizes branch trackbed approximately half a mile east of the site of the former Semington Halt and the old Wilts and Berks Canal bed, plus the former A350 road, now an unclassified no-through route since the opening in 2004 of the A350 Semington bypass.   The pictures were taken where the new bypass cuts across the railway line formation on a slightly lower level and a gate gives access to the heavily overgrown trackbed.  Another location where countless GWR steam locos, WR Diesel Hydraulics and First-Generation DMUs plied their trade up until April 1966 when Beeching's Axe took a fatal swing.   Today, 20th February 2022, the A350 (built across this small area once occupied by the branch line) played host to DB Cargo-owned Type 5 diesel electric loco 66044 en-route from Westbury to Toton (Notts) for repairs.

Guy Vincent

Bowerhill, Trackbed of Devizes Branch looking west towards Semington Halt from A350 20th February 2022

Bowerhill nr Melksham Trackbed of former Devizes Branch towards Semington Halt from A350 Semington Bypass 20th February 2022 Copyright Guy Vincent

Bowerhill, former Devizes Branch looking east towards Seend & Devizes from A350 Semington Bypass. Factory sited against northern boundary. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks Guy - brings back memories of a line which saw its last passenger trains on the 18th April 1966. If you want to see more of this line try clicking here.