24th December 2020 CHRISTMAS EVE

Merry Christmas
From Mick House

A big thank you to Keith, Roger, all of our contributors and you the readers for keeping this website as good as it is and may it continue. Regards Mick. 

Copyright Mick House.

Many thanks Mick

An appeal for construction picture
Exeter St Davids
Peter Jordan

Skeleton of New Exeter Power signalling box in January 1983 Copyright David Tozer

This maybe what Peter Jordan was requesting - Copyright David Tozer January 1983.
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West of England Woes
David Tozer and Keith Turley

With Covid playing havoc to timetables due to sickness further woes for GWR. Flooding between Exeter and Taunon has resulted in the diversion of GWR services via Honiton and Yeovil Junction to join the GWR route at Castle Cary.

802105 sits at Pinhoe with the 0604 Penzance to Paddington. Behind it at Bettysmead was the 0925 St David's to Basingstoke. Both were waiting for the 0738 Salisbury to Exeter to clear the single line at Pinhoe. This service also had been delayed by an earlier diverted GWR service.

Oh for the much talked about extra passing points.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year

Dave 

802105 approaching Pinhoe 24th December 2020 Copyright Keith Turley

802105 waits at Pinhoe 24th December 2020 Copyright David Tozer. GW Main line blocked by flooding.

Many thanks  Keith & David - you're on the ball!
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 Christmas & New Year memories over the years
Roger Winnen

191227c 75014 Standard Class 4 Braveheart tailing at Kingwear. on the train of lights last year. A feature which is not running this year owing to the pandemic. Copyright Roger Winnen

191227dd Looking from above as the passengers have alighted from The Christmas Train of Lights on 27th December 2019 Copyright Roger Winnen

781231f Class 50s on the milk and in Platform 2 at Penzance. Photograph taken 31st December 1978. Copyright Roger Winnen

790101o 50043 arriving with the Down Sleeper rather late at 11.45 a.m. Its New Years Day 1979 Copyright Roger Winnen

790101k HST in Ponsandane sidings, its 1st January 1979. Only the siding nearest the running line to the depot is now in use. Copyright Roger Winnen

Santa comes to town
Exeter St Davids
Bill Elston

RECORD BREAKING 43102 seen at Exeter St Davids on the24th December 1991. Practicing before his overnight journey!!! Copyright Bill Elston.

Hi Keith,
 Attached is photo of a cross country hst service led by 43102, driven by ‘Santa’, on Christmas Eve, 1991 – so much quicker than reindeer haulage!
This pc is notable in that it (with 43159) set a world record for diesel traction hauling a passenger train during a Press run on 27th September 1985 when it briefly touched 144 mph.  Both are now stored.
By the way, you can check Santa’s progress across the Country on Christmas morning by referring to Real Time Trains, service 1X01 .
 
                               Merry Christmas everyone
 
Regards Bill Elston  

Many thanks to you Bill and a Very Happy Christmas
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Farewell HST at
Kings Cross
​Dennis Clarke

HST farewell tour, on LNER, at Kings Cross, on 21st December 2019 Copyright Dennis Clarke

Here is a picture I took of the HST farewell tour, on LNER, at Kings Cross, on 21st December 2019. It seems such a long time ago when there was no social distancing etc. It’s been a difficult year for everyone and here’s hoping things get back to normal soon. Merry Christmas to all at the CRS and best wishes for 2021, Regards, Dennis

Out of bounds for our normal reporting area but as it's Christmas and a smashing picture plus  the sentiment expressed to all - many thanks to you Dennis.
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Greetings

Peter Radford writes :-  just to say what a great website you and Roger run ,keeping us informed of the happenings in the S.West, keep up the good work and lets’ hope for a better year in 2021,regards from Manchester , Peter Radford.

Victor Menhennet writes :- 
I still visit  CRS almost every day.   I particularly enjoy the photographs that everyone sends in.  The recent article of Hayle and the rail connection with the Power Station brought me a lot of pleasure.
Looking forward to a fresh start in 2021 but I suspect that we are still on a long road to full recovery. We do not hold much hope of visiting the Homeland next year.
Here's wishing you All the Best.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Be safe and healthy. June and Victor Menhennet

Thanks also to Roy Hart from Rangoon - it is100 degs. F. out there now.

Brian Willis  writes :- Merry Christmas Keith and to all the l helpers.  Thanks once again for my daily fix and the interesting happenings in Gods own county throughout the year. Brian, in far off Gig Harbour (Not very warm out there!!)
 

From Brian Willis.

An appeal for construction picture
Exeter St Davids
Peter Jordan

Good morning.
 I am currently compiling a book on the history of the signalling in Exeter that will be published by the ‘Signalling Record Society.’ The book is almost complete but at the moment I’m a bit stuck for suitable pictures of the exterior of the present panel signal box building.
 During an internet search I found a picture of the girder framework of the building that is credited to ‘Cornwall Railway Society’ but I haven’t been able to find it on you website. If possible I would like to use that picture in the book, along with a good picture of the completed building. They will, of course, be credited in the book but they also need to be of a digital size that will allow good reproduction on the printed page.
 Are you able to help me, please? This is the last part of the book I need to complete – once this is done I can send the remaining material to the SRS with a view to possible publication in 2021.
 Sincerely
Peter Jordan, Castletown, Isle of Man

Quite often we find pictures credited to the CRS though we have no idea who put them there - that's the way of the internet world I'm afraid - however if any body can help Peter would be very grateful.