25th June 2020

Holt Junction
Guy Vincent

​Three pictures taken at Holt Junction (for Devizes Branch) almost 59 years apart.       1) NBL 'Warship' D602 'Bulldog' eases its 11 coach load off the Devizes branch with the diverted down 'Royal Duchy' 1.30pm Paddington-Penzance at 3.38pm on the sunny Saturday afternoon of September 9th 1961.  One of the four members of traincrew visible in the cab is handing the single-line token to the Holt Junction signalman before the driver opens up and accelerates away towards Bradford Junction and Westbury.   This diversion was necessary due to a severe land slip on the direct 'Stert Valley' route at Crookwood west of Patney & Chirton which resulted in closure of that line from 22nd August until repairs were completed on 25th September.  This saw the single track Patney-Holt Jcn via Devizes line run at almost full capacity with trains waiting to pass at Holt Jcn plus at Devizes and Patney & Chirton. (Photo David Bartlett)
​ Photo's 2 & 3).No longer a Junction!  The same location from the rear of  two Swindon-Westbury 'Trans Wilts' shuttle services in early May and late June 2020.  The horse chestnut trees visible in the background of the 1961 picture are still very much in evidence and can be seen in both the later shots slightly to the right of the remaining single track.  The Devizes branch diverged just beyond the white ballast bags below the trees.  Milepost 102.111 indicates that Holt Junction station was one-hundred-and-two and three-quarters of a mile from London Paddington station via Swindon.  Following closure in 1966 the station was demolished in 1969-70 with the rubble simply being bulldozed across to the right and heaped into a long bank which is now hidden by dense vegetation. Guy Vincent

1) Holt Junction D602 on down Royal Duchy dropping off token for Devizes branch 9th September 1961. Copyright The late David Bartlett.

2) Holt Junction Site 6th May 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent

3) Holt Junction looking north 22.06.2020 Guy Vincent.

Many thanks to Guy and the late David Bartlett for the article and especially the 'Golden Oldie' picture of David Bartlett's.

Many thanks Paul.

Along the wall at
Dawlish
Paul Barlow

A few shots tonight 924th June 2020) at Dawlish of the continuing sea wall work and the Fairwater to Totnes HOBC train

Kind regards, Paul Barlow

Dawlish sea wall work - close by Parsons tunnel. 24th June 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Seawall reconstruction in progress. 24th June 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

66414 1752 Fairwater-Totnes passes through Dawlish 24th June 2020 Copyright Paul Barlow.

66596 on rear of the 1752 Fairwater-Totnes passes through Dawlish. 24th June 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul.

Wednesday Freight to
Par Harbour
Mark Lynam

​66056 at Par Harbour Crossing reversing towards the harbour. 66056 shunting at Par Harbour. 66056 at Par Harbour. 70809 shunting at Moorswater cement works. Thanks,Mark Lynam

66056 Par Harbour Crossing 23rd June 2020 Copyright Mark Lynam

66056 Par Harbour (1) 23rd June 2020. Copyright Mark Lynam

66056 Par Harbour (2) 23rd June 2020. Copyright Mark Lynam

70809 at Moorswater Copyright Mark Lynam

Thanks Mark.

The closest thing you'll get to a book launch for
"A Place And A Name"
Phil Hadley

Greetings.I am writing to let you know that my second novel “A Place And A Name” is finally here with an official publication date of Monday 29th June2020. It’s been a long time coming, having dealt with another book project forsomeone else and house moves, and then had the virus restrictions delay theprinter & cause the planned launch at the VE75 Celebrations in Gorran Havento be cancelled but I am now glad to be able to recommend it to you. A Place AndA Name continues the wartime saga set in Cornwall of Major Isaac Trevennel ashe seeks to track down an enemy agent on the loose in the spring of 1941 whenfears of invasion are again on the rise. Set against an accurate historicalbackdrop, the story encapsulates the work of the Radio Security Service attheir wireless listening post at St Erth, the strategic vulnerabilities of theCable & Wireless Telegraph Station at Porthcurno and the horror and heroismof the attack on the SS Registan off Cape Cornwall. All the while the Major isseeking to further his romantic cause with the ATS Corporal Elizabeth Treluckeywhom he takes one weekend to meet his parents. How they all fare you’ll only findout by reading the book! If youwould like to purchase a copy you can do so in one of three ways: 1)      Direct from me. You can either send me acheque for £12.50 payable to Phil Hadley to 40 Eastcliffe Road, Par, Cornwall,PL24 2AH or by using online banking and making a payment for £12.50 to SortCode: 11-00-88  Account Number: 00154730and marking the payment P&N. If you use this method you also need to sendme an email giving your order and the address to which you want the book postedand alerting me to your payment. This method is available immediately For people local to St Austell & Gorran Haven the cost is just thecover price of £10.00 as the book can be hand-delivered. 2)      From Monday 29th June youcan purchase the book on eBay where it will cost you £13.00 to cover thebook, postage & packing, etc. 3)      From Monday 29th June youcan purchase the book on Amazon where it will cost you £10.00 plus thepost & packaging charges set by Amazon even though it’s me posting themout! Should yourequire a personalised inscription let me know either in your email or letter,via eBay message or Amazon message to seller. This needs to be done at the timeof purchase. Copies ofthe first book in the planned trilogy “No Small Stir” are still available at£10.00 direct from me or via eBay or £10.80 on Amazon. Please state clearly thetitle required. Should youhave a rush of blood to the head and want to purchase multiple copies, thenplease get in touch regarding prices. All postingis by Royal Mail First Class and posting is done within 2 working days. RoyalMail delivery then varies across the country. Hand delivery for locals may take2-3 days depending on your location. Any questions, do get in touch. Yours sincerely, Phil

You want fiction get Phil's book - you want fact get Craig's book!

A peep at the
​Newquay Branch
Jamie Dyke

150219 - the last remaining blue liveried class 150 seen from Demeza bridge. 15.09 23rd June 2020. Copyright Jamie Dyke

150219 at Tregoss Crossing at 16.01 on the 23rd June 2020. Copyright Jamie Dyke. To my mind a classic picture - nicely framed. KJ.

Thanks Jamie.