26th July 2023

Todays movement Laira
to Papworth Sidings at Ely
Trevor Tremethick

Well, a miserable morning for photography here at Laira, so you might not want to bother with these.
 I was unable to go anywhere as we had a workman coming, so had to shoot from the loft, about half a mile away. Lens set to 500mm. The vegetation ruins the view, but from this angle there are no clear places. They left six minutes early, and presumably will have picked up 43158 at Tavistock Junction (if that is where it went). Hardly worth the picture, but it does show a partially-stripped power car in the background, in the older livery. The close-up was just done on a whim, but at least the roof of the bus shelter places it!
 
While I was waiting, the 2C09 0650 Bristol Temple Meads to Penzance came through, with Compton Castle on the front and Cromwell’s Castle at the rear. The seagull comes free of charge. One dark night, I am going to sneak down there with a chain saw and cut down those poles!
 Kind regards
 Trevor

Many Thanks Trevor for witnessing The Penultimate Journey of an HST Power Car

Coming to collect the scrap
Silverton
Keith Turley

On 25th July 2023 ROG operated class 37/6 No.37608 'Andromeda'with barrier vehicles 6346/4 seen at Silverton near Exeter, working the 5V84 07:35 Derby RTC to Plymouth Laira T&RSMD.
Regards Keith Turley.

37608 Andromeda coming to collect the scrap - seen at Silverton with vehicles 6346 & 6344. 25th January 2023. Copyright Keith Turley.

Many thanks to you Keith.

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CDA's For preservation
Jon Hird

The CDA’s time is really drawing short now and as if to reinforce that fact, the national wagon preservation group have today announced an ambitious plan to purchase 12 of the stored wagons currently at St. Blazey from DB Cargo, to base at the Bodmin and Wenford. I hope it comes off, I can already imagine a blue 50042 or 37142 with a dozen wagons  in tow passing Charlie’s Gate on a summer afternoon….

I’ve attached a screenshot of the Facebook post detailing this plan so that any of your readers who don’t use that platform can read their ‘press release’.

All the best, Jon Hird 

CDA Notice 25th July 2023. Copyright Jon Hird

I’ve attached 2 photos of todays CDA trip from Goonbarrow to Fowey and back, both are taken from near the old Blacksmiths shop in the Luxulyan Valley.25th July 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

Copyright Jon Hird.

We welcome the plan - hope it comes off - the Bodmin Railway already have three clay hoods to add to the collection. Thanks Jon for the advice and pictures.

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Exeter 2017
Phil Smith

43159 with 43102 - the fastest diesel train in the world. seen at Exeter St Davids in 2017. Copyright Phil Smith

Many thanks Phil.

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GWR Castings
Paul Negus

No doubt prompted by a recent view taken by our very good friend Driver Alan Peters of a GWR drain cover at Westbury another good friend Paul Negus has sent in the following example from Bristol.

Water cover casting spotted on a platform at Bristol by Paul Negus. Copyright.

Keep your eyes down Paul, well spotted.

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