24th November 2021

Class 70816 at Truro testing the fugro equipment
Mick House

Photo 1) Class 70 816 heads towards the crossover to the west of Truro station. Copyright Mick House.

2) With our good friend Driver Alan Peters at the helm 70 816 passes through Truro Station. Copyright Mick House.

3) Going over the level crossing at Truro with the Fugro on the rear and one of those lovely semaphore signals to the left, 70 816 heads for Taunton. Copyright Mick house.

Thanks Mick

37254 Cardiff Canton on tonights test Train
Roger Winnen

3770 20.48 Penzance to Exeter Riverside via Newquay and Looe (An ideal place to spend a penny)

211124a Driving cab 9714 at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

211124b 37254 Cardiff Canton Fuel Capacity 1670 Galls. Copyright Roger Winnen

211124c This train departs tonight at 20.48 hrs via Newquay & Looe to Exeter Riverside. Copyright Roger Winnen

The Duchess
Driver Alan Peters

Duchess of Sutherland takes on water on down relief between Wantage and Challow,Taken from a place of safety. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

An amazing picture - Many thanks Alan.
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You will find many more pictures of the Duchess on tour if you go to our Features Section July to December.  Please click here and scroll as necessary. 

Early start - cold morning
Driver Alan Peters

Winter is here and the reality of a cold morning start at 6am at Westbury Holding Sidings on 22nd November 2021, a frosty Colas Rail 66848 that will work 6M50 Westbury to Bescot via Hinksey Yard. 
Driver Alan Peters

Westbury Holding Sidings . 66484 waits to depart to Brescot via Hinksey Yard. 22nd November 2021. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

Many thanks Alan.
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Going Local at
​Bittaford
Clive Smith

​(1) In brilliant sunshine 43301 heads the 1S51 12.27 Plymouth - Edinburgh at Daveys Bridge between Ivybridge and Bittaford on the 22nd November. 43357 is on the rear. (2) The hastily taken going away shot of 1S51. (3) Very close to home for me and perfectly co-ordinated as part of my walk back from photographing the XC HST set further down the road. This was scheduled at 13.05 and was a little late. 43154 is the lead power car on the 10.50 Penzance - Cardiff Central crossing Bittaford Viaduct with 43088 out of sight on the rear.  I've been wanting to take a photo here for some time but the light has to be good and the sun in a very specific position. (4) It could be 66116 under the dirt which has been on the RHTT Rail Head Treatment Train. 66098 was definitely on the rear.  This is the 23rd and  it started at Exeter at 13.26. Of course the glorious sun in the morning couldn't last and high clouds dulled the scene at the bottom of the road in my village of Bittaford. Not a shot I've done before as the view of the viaduct is boxed in. However as I'm not very mobile at the moment I thought I'd go local and see if I could get something. No cars or buses zooming by and thankfully a couple of large trucks on my side of the road passed a few minutes before. Regards Clive Smith

​(1) In brilliant sunshine 43301 heads the 1S51 12.27 Plymouth - Edinburgh at Daveys Bridge between Ivybridge and Bittaford on the 22nd November. 43357 is on the rear. Copyright Clive Smith.

(2) The hastily taken going away shot of the 1S51. 22nd November 2021.

(3) Very close to home for me and perfectly co-ordinated as part of my walk back from photographing the XC HST set further down the road. This was scheduled at 13.05 and was a little late. 43154 is the lead power car on the 10.50 Penzance - Cardiff Central crossing Bittaford Viaduct with 43088 out of sight on the rear. I've been wanting to take a photo here for some time but the light has to be good and the sun in a very specific position. 22nd November 2021. Copyright Clive Smith.

This is the 23rd November and it started at Exeter at 13.26. Of course the glorious sun in the morning couldn't last and high clouds dulled the scene at the bottom of the road in my village of Bittaford. Not a shot I've done before as the view of the viaduct is boxed in. However as I'm not very mobile at the moment I thought I'd go local and see if I could get something. No cars or buses zooming by and thankfully a couple of large trucks on my side of the road passed a few minutes before. Copyright Clive Smith

A nice report of things in your local area, an insight of that tight bend of road and rail at Bittaford and of the viaduct of a view usually glimpsed from the train taken while on your essential exercise. We hope that this brings a speedy recovery and a return to your usual very mobile self. Many thanks Clive.
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Dust at
Dawlish
Paul Barlow

43171 leading with 43009 head through builders dust on 10.31 Laira to Doncaster works Dawlish station. 23rd November 2021. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43304 43303 approaching Rockstone bridge Dawlish with the 0611 Leeds to Plymouth 23 November 2021. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul.
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