23rd November 2020

Introducing the
Moorlander
Andrew & Diane Jones

Dear Keith and Valerie,  please find a very interesting update on the Okehampton Railway 
          Best wishes Andrew and Diane   Thank you both

https://themoorlander.co.uk/oke-rail-update-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel

No rest for the weary!
Westbury
Guy Vincent

Loco 66850 wasted no time in returning to leaf busting duties following its jaunt to deepest Devon.  Exactly 24 hours after arriving to work the LWR train it was pulling into Westbury again on the 3S59 1452 Bristol Kingsland Road-Westbury-Bristol-Gloucester-Cardiff-Various Welsh Valleys and-back-to-Bristol RHTT.  The entire job can be found on RTT but it doesn't finish until 1107 tomorrow morning after a flip around the Avonmouth loop!    

Guy Vincent.

LWR Train ex 6C97 rests in Westbury yard after its overnight trip to Bow. 22nd November 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent.

66846 at one end of the RHTT 3S59 22nd November 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent.

66850 back to its daytime job on the RHTT 3S59 22nd November 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent

Many thanks Guy;
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GREAT NEWS
Crediton
Alan Peters

At the other end of the Devon and Cornwall line, as day breaks the first ballast train on the Okehampton line for many years stands at Crediton CN3 signal awaiting to exit the possession on 22/11/20. Colas Rail 66850 'David Maidment' and 70805 worked 6C97 as far as Bow dropping rail in preparation of the upgrade of the Okehampton line, this was also the first class 70 to visit the line. Once the rails were unloaded the train worked back to Westbury via Exeter Riverside. It is understood that the line is in the process of being purchased by Network Rail as far as Meldon Quarry and the upgrade will see many more trains visiting the line to bring materials over the coming months by various freight operators, it is planned the line will be reopened for regular passenger services and ballast trains from Meldon quarry in connection with HS2 -  Driver Alan Peters

Many thanks Alan.
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St Budeaux
Driver Alan Peters

It is rare to see a ballast train on the Gunnislake branch and even rarer to see a ballast train on the Gunnislake branch in daylight, Colas Rail 66849 'Wylam Dilly' is seen at St Budeaux Victoria Road top and tailed with 66847 'Terry Baker' with 15 auto hoppers waiting to leave the possession as 6C41 to Westbury on a rainy 18th November 2020 - Driver Alan Peters

Colas Rail 66849 'Wylam Dilly' is seen at St Budeaux on the 18th November 2020. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

Many thanks Alan.
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Nr Tamerton Foliot
Driver Alan Peters

A rare opportunity to work an engineering train either end of the Devon and Cornwall line, whilst the focus of attention was on the GBRf British Rail liveried 66789, Colas Rail also visited the Gunnislake branch with 15 loaded auto hoppers with top and tailed class 66's. The train worked as far as Tamerton Foliot old station dropping ballast on the worksite at 'Kawasaki' 66849 is seen waiting to return to St Budeaux near Tamerton viaduct on miserable 18th November 2020 - Driver Alan Peters

Near Tamerton Foliot 'Kawasaki' 66849 on an enineering train. 18th November 2020. Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Near Tamerton Foliot. 18th November 2020. Copyright Alan Peters.

Many thanks to Driver Alan Peters
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A 'Bumper bundle of pictures from much travelled Driver Alan Peters for which we are most grateful.
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