23rd June 2020

Laira Depot Wheel Lathe  & Harry in the sun!
Nick Dyke

Evening guys, shed turning at Laira today so I thought I’d share these shots with you. A wheel lathe is fitted in number 1 road shed at Laira to re-profile the wheelsets when they get flats (more so during the leaf fall season) the coaches or power cars are moved axle to axle with this truck pusher operated by one of Laira’s fine maintenance staff. Also for good measure is an up to date shot of one of our favourites good ol Harry Patch & our resident pilot 08836. Cheers for now Nick Dyke

All photographs are the Copyright of Nick Dyke

Many Thanks Nick

Helland
Quentin Goggs

A couple of days ago we posed the request on behalf of Quentin for any pictures of the level crossing at Helland on the Wenford branch. We do hope you can help'  However, meantime Quentin has sent in one of his own pictures of an 08 shunter squeezing through the gap between the properties at Helland.  Remember that there is only a 42" clearance here!

An '08' squeezes through the gap on an outward journey. Copyright Quentin Goggs.

Many thanks Quentin.

Whiteball Bank
Paul Barlow

43036 emerges from Whiteball tunnel and proceeds down the bank. 43016 is on the rear. It's the 07.43 Penzance to Paddington. on the 28th May 2007. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Exminster
David Tozer

​A couple from last night. (22nd June 2020)
66414 and 66596 with the 1752 6Y11 Taunton (Fairwater Yard) - Totnes HOBC train.
Regards Dave 

66414 leads the HOBC train at Exminster 19.44 22nd June 2020. Copyright David Tozer

66596 brings up the rear on the HOBC train at Exminster 19.45 22nd June 2020, Copyright David Tozer.

Many thanks David.

China Clay
Private owner railway wagons
Bruce Harding

Hi From Bruce Harding at Wessex Wagons.
See http://www.wessexwagons.co.uk/ I'm considering commissioning several different china clay wagons from Dapol as part of our future releases. We've done a handful previously. At present I am looking at ideas based around refreshed versions of the sets from Mevagissey Model World issued about 25 years ago, comprising:

* H.D Pochin & Co.Ltd of St Austell, No.114
* Parkyn & Peters, Burngullow China Clay & Stone Works, No.35
* North & Rose China Clay & Stone Proprietors, St Austell, No.19
* Martin Bros China Clay Products, St Austell, No.26
* Great Treverbyn China Clay Co Ltd., St Austell, No.48
* West Goonbarrow China Clay Works Fowey, No.28
* North Cornwall China Clay Co Ltd , St Breward, No.3
* West of England Chinastone & Clay Co, Drinnick, No.126

I also have example wagons in later liveries, for E.C.C, English China Clays Ltd, English Clays Lovering Pochin, and E.C.L.P. Any suggestions? Do you have any 'favourite' privately owned China Clay wagons that haven't been produced as models? Might you have records/images with alternative 'running numbers' for any of the eight wagons noted above? Are there others I should talk to?  
                                 Best regards Bruce

Any suggestions - can YOU help please?