27th April 2022

A treat for all.
Steam alongside the Dart
Clive Smith

A beautiful morning without a trace of haze on the Dart Estuary looking up river from Higher Contour Road in Kingswear. Great Western Railway 2-8-0T steam loco 5239 Goliath arrives at Kingswear with the 11.15 from Paignton. In the second photo the 1924 vintage GWR loco steams along the River Dart by Britannia Crossing as it heads up the gradient to Greenaway Tunnel with the 12.55 Kingswear - Paignton. This picture was taken from Sandquay Road in Dartmouth.
Regards, Clive Smith

Great Western Railway 2-8-0T steam loco 5239 Goliath arrives at Kingswear with the 11.15 from Paignton. 26th April 2022 Copyright Clive Smith

The 1924 vintage GWR loco steams along the River Dart by Britannia Crossing as it heads up the gradient to Greenaway Tunnel with the 12.55 Kingswear to Paignton. 26th April 2022 Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks Clive - Marvellous pictures from Higher Courtour Road, Kingswear and Sandquay Road, Dartmouth.
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Today at 
Bristol T.M.
Guy Vincent

Guy writes :- ​Hello Keith / Roger

A rare visitor to the loco holding siding at the east end of platform 7 at Bristol Temple Meads.  73951 'Malcolm Brinded' (named after a non executive director of Network Rail)  arrived from Derby RTC during the afternoon of 26th.  Currently unable to establish the purpose of the visit.  73951 was rebuilt for Network Rail in 2014 and was previously numbered 73104.  It can usually be seen out and about on test train duties with sister loco 73952  'Janis Kong'.

Also a couple of views of 'celebrity' 43093, now looking a little the worse for wear.
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Regards, Guy Vincent

1) 73951 with 43094 approaching on 2C87 1800 Cardiff-Newton Abbot, 43093 at the rear (see below). 26th April 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent.

2) 73951 in the loco siding P7 Bristol Temple Meads. 26th April 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent.

3) 43093 at the rear of 2C87. The star of the 2018 Old Oak Common closure event, this power car is now in need of some TLC!, 26th April 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent.

4) Close up of 43093's cab showing late 1970s Yellow and BR Blue paintwork exposed. Some TLC needed! 26th April 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent

Many thanks Guy - keep up the good work.
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Steve's Day out.
West of Taunton
Stephen Widdowson

Steve takes a day trip down west and sends us the most interesting results.

43093 ~ 43094 Taunton { 5U22 1424 Taunton Plat 3 ~ Taunton Plat 6 } 19th April 2022. Copyright Steve Widdowson

43093 at Taunton 19th April 2022 Copyright Steve Widdowson.

43172 Tiverton Castle nameplate 19th April 2022 Copyright Steve Widdowson

802020 Exeter SD { 1C81 1233 Paddington Exeter St Davids } 19th April 2022 Copyright S Widdowson

A most interesting view of the extensive works at Dawlish seen at high tide. 19th April 2022. Copyright Steve Widdowson

Newton Abbot GWR bench 19th April 2022 Copyright Steve Widdowson. (Whether the old GWR would approve of the colour scheme is doubtful - I think we enjoy it?)

Many thanks for your very interesting collection Steve.
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Anybody know anybody?
Chacewater SB
Martin Duff/Tony Wight

​I've been asked by Martin Duff if any of our members recognise any of the men in this photo. Quite why he wants to know he didn't say!
Thanks,
Tony Wright 

I've been asked by Martin Duff if any of our members recognise any of the men in this photo. - No date given - looks like the time of renewal or change.

Thanks for the query - any answers please.
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The Chacewater photograph.
Roy Hart replies

After a few microseconds Roy Hart replies from Rangoon! This photo dates from around 1957. They are  replacing the 'lead off bed' opposite the box. It was probably connected to the replacement of all the old tubular point rodding with modern 'channel' rodding.
Second from the left is Bill Cheesman, interlocking engineer based at Par S and T depot. Bill was a Londoner who moved to Cornwall. He looked after the locking frames throughout Cornwall. At the left of the group, next to Bill, is Hedley (whose surname I forget), his assistant.

That's the best I can do!,  All the best, Roy

Your best is good enough for us - many thanks Roy.
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Is BR Logo coming back
Topsham
Steve Widdowson

Steve writes :- Whilst at Topsham on 20th April I noticed that 150233 has the BR double arrows on the doors. First time I have seen this.
I also noticed that 150221 also has the double arrows, is this the start of the New BR ?
Regards Steve Widdowson 

150233 { BR logo } + 150239 Topsham 2F14 1024 Paignton ~ Exmouth 20th April 2022. Copyright Steve Widdowson

150233 + 150239 Topsham {2F14 1024 Paignton to Exmouth} 20th April 2022. Copyright Steve Widdowson

Many thanks Steve.
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Schrivenham Scrap
Andrew Jenkins

Please see attached photos showing 365 506 passing through Shrivenham early this morning on (yesterday's - 25th April) 2345 Belmont Down Yard to Newport Docks (Sims).  This train was running 33 minutes late at Shrivenham, so the early morning sun was starting to lift the mist.  37601 + 37608 were on the front with 365 506 sandwiched between a number of barrier vehicles. the full consist being -
37601, 37608, 975875, 365 506, 977087, 6340, 6330, 6344.
Regards, Andrew Jenkins

37601 + 37608 with scrap EMU 365 506 at Shrivenham. 26th April 2022. Copyright Andrew Jenkins.

EMU 365 going for scrap passing Shrivenham. 26th April 2022. Copyright Andrew Jenkins.

Many thanks to Andrew and to Ken for passing it on.
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