25th June 2023

25/6/2023

Clun Castle welcomed to the West Somerset Railway
Martin Duff

Morning Roger, Further afield yesterday we welcomed Clun Castle to the WSR, supported by 47773. I was afternoon shift in Bishops Lydeard signal box and here and some photographs. The train was worked over the branch by 2 WSR manors while the castle was turned and serviced at Norton Fitzwarren. In addition, visiting class 25 D7659 turned up on a service train. No photographs I’m afraid, wrong side for the light and duties prevented getting over.

Photos Copyright Martin Duff

Many Thanks Martin

Around Mazey Day in Somerset
Martin Duff

Morning Roger, Saturday June 24 was the day the just kept giving! Glorious sunshine and plenty of rail interest. Ahead of an afternoon working the WSR I jumped on my bike and cycled out to Starcross for breakfast (highly recommend any outlet run by Teign Bean), and then back to the bridge at Powderham where about 25 photographers were on site. First up was a pair of 47’s which were soon to be held at Newton Abbot while a points failure on the outskirts of Plymouth was put right. Once these passed, I moved closer to Turf Locks for the second train. I’m no fanatic of the modified class 56 (sic) yet the corporate blue coaching stock was the draw for me on this one. This train was recessed at Newton Abbot platform 1 alongside the 47’s waiting the road to Plymouth. Passengers were able to stretch their legs - indeed one photograph I’d seen taken beneath the canopies, you could be forgiven for thinking a beer festival was in session! A slight lull allowed time to reach Exminster on the bridge by the nature reserve. A few families and others were gathered here for the A4. While waiting, celebrity HST 43184 worked up on a short formed (1 TGS and 1 first class) empty stock move to Doncaster. I couldn’t help but wonder why one or two, with obviously very specialist camera equipment chose to position on the wrong side for the light - there was plenty of room on the downside and the light was perfect (Craig would approve 👍). Moments later the A4 went west toward Dawlish on its way to Torbay. Inter City executive livery 47828 was on the back. I later signalled the A4 light back into Bishops Lydeard (arrived 19.52) once she’d been removed from 1Z28 at Taunton. A great morning out with a compendium of classic liveries putting in an appearance in a short time. It’ll be a while before we see anything like this again. Slightly off topic, but nearby - the new Marsh Barton station opens on Tuesday July 4, plenty of information on the Devon Council website. Cheers for now,

Martin Duff

Thanks very much Martin

A very busy day
Bill Elston

As Bill Elston reports it was an extremely busy day and also extremley hot day. Roger Winnen, our faithfull reporter and keen photographer was out all day and said that he wouldn't be putting anything on until this morning. There were actually more than four railtours so if we've got our 47's and 69's a bit out of order somewhere please excuse us. Many thanks for all your contributions.

Busy day today with four railtours.

Photo 1) 1Z64, Solihul - PZ, with 47805 and 47614, passing Bathpool

Photo 2) 1Z69, Tame Bridge Parkway - PZ, with 69005 AND 69006 , also at Bathpool.

Photo 3) 1Z27, Shrewsbury - Kingswear, with A4 no. 60007, passing Norton Fitzwarren.

Photo 4) 1Z10, Birmingham Snow Hill - Bishops Lydeard, with Castle Class no. 7029 CLUN CASTLE. at Norton Fitzwarren

Photo 5) 47773, bringing up the rear of the above

Photo 6) 43184 + 43285, stock move from LA to Doncaster Works