158881 & 159008 Departing Cranbrook
David Tozer
David Tozer
Roger, 158881 and 159008 with the 1325 Exeter to Waterloo leaving Cranbrook today. The 158 is still in SWT livery. Copyright David Tozer
Many Thanks David
47245 at Liskeard
Michael Adams
Michael Adams
Hello Roger, I hope you have all survived the latest gales and rain. Here is a picture from Michael Adams showing 47245 at Liskeard on 8 August 1986.The working was not known but it looks like a Speedlink service with a variety of wagons.Nice signals and box of course. Many thanks, Michael. Copyright Michael Adams
Many Thanks Michael
A Thornfalcon question
Can you help?
Hello
I am hoping that you may be able to give me some advice regarding a model railway locomotive
A colleague who is about to retire is a model railway enthusiast. His retirement project is to recreate Thornfalcon station and its environs as it was in the 1930s as an N gauge model
As a retirement gift we would like to give him a model locomotive that is period correct. Some discrete questioning has revealed that he would like a tank/pannier locomotive
Looking on line there appear to be several variants of GWR 57xx 0-6-0 locomotive models
Would you be able to advise on the correct model/variant/livery for this location and period
Kind regards
I am hoping that you may be able to give me some advice regarding a model railway locomotive
A colleague who is about to retire is a model railway enthusiast. His retirement project is to recreate Thornfalcon station and its environs as it was in the 1930s as an N gauge model
As a retirement gift we would like to give him a model locomotive that is period correct. Some discrete questioning has revealed that he would like a tank/pannier locomotive
Looking on line there appear to be several variants of GWR 57xx 0-6-0 locomotive models
Would you be able to advise on the correct model/variant/livery for this location and period
Kind regards
Can you help our reader? Please send an email to [email protected] if you have any information which may be helpful.
Unusual Sight at Swindon in 1974
Neil Phillips
Hello Roger and Keith,
Roger's photos posted yesterday (22nd) showing scenes around Plymouth on Saturday 9th February 1974 reminded me that on that same day I caught a bus into Swindon in pouring rain, and it was still raining when I made my way to see what was parked on Swindon's stabling point that morning - I did not expect this! Better still, as I stood there with camera poised the cloud cover miraculously and abruptly cleared from the west and the sunshine which Roger had already enjoyed in Plymouth arrived in Swindon, right on cue!
The reason for 1200 Falcon's presence that day is unclear - I recall reading a magazine article on the unique locomotive's exploits some years later which suggested that it had stopped over here on its way back to South Wales following a visit to the Brush Works at Loughborough, where BR had allegedly sent it to act as a standby generator during that winter's power shortages, apparently without telling Brush who knew nothing about it and at the time the works had no direct rail connection anyway! However some sources claim this mysterious visit occurred in late May/early June; if so then it may simply have reached Swindon from South Wales on a freight or engineer's working. It departed for home light engine later that day, but I missed that.
Regarding Roger's two photos of Class 03s at Laira, these show the same locomotive, D2128/03128 (D2126 was withdrawn from 8F Springs Branch, Wigan in October 1971 before it could become 03126 under TOPS). D2128 was renumbered in February 1974 but, unless this actually occurred while Roger's back was turned during his visit on the 23rd, the weather conditions and leaves on the trees suggest that D2128 was photographed the previous year, or earlier. (By the way, once again I know where I was when Roger was photographing 03128 at Laira - touring Woodham's Scrapyard at Barry!)
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
Roger's photos posted yesterday (22nd) showing scenes around Plymouth on Saturday 9th February 1974 reminded me that on that same day I caught a bus into Swindon in pouring rain, and it was still raining when I made my way to see what was parked on Swindon's stabling point that morning - I did not expect this! Better still, as I stood there with camera poised the cloud cover miraculously and abruptly cleared from the west and the sunshine which Roger had already enjoyed in Plymouth arrived in Swindon, right on cue!
The reason for 1200 Falcon's presence that day is unclear - I recall reading a magazine article on the unique locomotive's exploits some years later which suggested that it had stopped over here on its way back to South Wales following a visit to the Brush Works at Loughborough, where BR had allegedly sent it to act as a standby generator during that winter's power shortages, apparently without telling Brush who knew nothing about it and at the time the works had no direct rail connection anyway! However some sources claim this mysterious visit occurred in late May/early June; if so then it may simply have reached Swindon from South Wales on a freight or engineer's working. It departed for home light engine later that day, but I missed that.
Regarding Roger's two photos of Class 03s at Laira, these show the same locomotive, D2128/03128 (D2126 was withdrawn from 8F Springs Branch, Wigan in October 1971 before it could become 03126 under TOPS). D2128 was renumbered in February 1974 but, unless this actually occurred while Roger's back was turned during his visit on the 23rd, the weather conditions and leaves on the trees suggest that D2128 was photographed the previous year, or earlier. (By the way, once again I know where I was when Roger was photographing 03128 at Laira - touring Woodham's Scrapyard at Barry!)
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
The solitary Class 53 1200 'Falcon' on Swindon Stabling Point 9th February 1974. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Class 53 1200 'Falcon' on Swindon Stabling Point 9th February 1974. Copyright Neil Phillips.
What a catch! Many thanks, Neil. Excellent record keeping, too.
Merchant Navy L.P.S.
Thames Tamar Express
Roger Winnen
Thames Tamar Express
Roger Winnen
London Waterloo-Exeter St David's-Plymouth North Road-Lostwithiel-Carne Point-Lostwithiel-Plymouth North Road-Bere Ferrers- Bere Alston-Plymouth North Road-Lipson Junction-Plymouth Friary {Old Station )Plymouth North Road- Exeter St Davids- Westbury-Salisbury-London Waterloo
Motive Power 33104 and 33106
Motive Power 33104 and 33106
770416a The Thames Tamar Express at Respryn on 16th April 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen
770416b A going away photograph of the express heading for Fowey. Copyright Roger Winnen
770416c Arriving back at Lostwithiel from Fowey. The first known Class 33s to venture this far into Cprnwall. Copyright Roger Winnen
770416d Passing the old goods shed at Lostwithiel. Copyright Roger Winnen
770416e The Thames Tamar Express heads eastbound out of Cornwall. Copyright Roger Winnen
770416f Passing through the old Lostwithiel Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
770416g Crossing the Crossing at Lostwithiel. Copyright Roger Winnen
DRS Class 37's - The end
Jon Hird
Earlier this week, DRS (Direct Rail Services) announced that their remaining 6 Class 37 diesel locomotives are to be offered for sale, ending the operators long history of making use of the veteran locomotives.
The news article can be read on the DRS website by clicking here.
I had a quick scan through my photos to find a few of the locos in the DRS 'house colours' within our region.
The news article can be read on the DRS website by clicking here.
I had a quick scan through my photos to find a few of the locos in the DRS 'house colours' within our region.
10.01.2005 - 37611 stabled at Plymouth, it worked to the MOD dockyard the next morning. Copyright Jon Hird.
28.05.2011, 37087 and 37194 working 'The Curnow Irrupter' past Golant. Copyright Jon Hird
09.06.2012, 37609 leads Pathfinders '3-2-C' railtour past Doublebois. 37606 on the rear. Copyright Jon Hird
13.06.2012, 37603 rounds the curve into Par from St. Blazey with a test train. Copyright Jon Hird.
05.07.2012, now in the 'new' DRS livery, 37409 arrives at Liskeard with a Network Rail test train. Copyright Jon Hird.
05.07.2012 37409 heading for Looe. Copyright Jon Hird.
10.02.2013 37608 on the rear of 'The Hullab-looe' tour. 37218 leading. Copyright Jon Hird.