27th November 2020

43186 Taunton Castle at Long Rock
Leslie Curnow

43186. Taunton Castle stands lonely at Long Rock this morning probably awaiting any of its classmates having technical problems and having to substitute. Copyright Leslie Curnow

Many Thanks Leslie

Berkley Marsh
Guy Vincent

Berkley Marsh 66849 leads 70813 with the 6C98 Crediton-Westbury LWR Empties 26th November 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent

The empty 6C98 Crediton-Westbury LWR train seen at Berkley Marsh on the 26th November 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Here are a couple of still frames from a video taken at a foggy Berkley Marsh this morning of the returning empty LWR drop train from Crediton to Westbury.  ''The L&SWR Resurrection Special''    There is a story attached to this working: 

The 25th's outward 6C98 1412 Eastleigh East Yard - Crediton departed behind 70813 with 66849 'Wylam Dilly' at the back. En-route the class 70 reportedly suffered from loss of power so the train was sent via the Laverstock loop to Laverstock North where it reversed, 66849 then continuing to Westbury and on to Heywood Road Junction where a further reversal was made. 70813 then led via the Hawkeridge loop line to Bradford Junction and onto the Melksham single line where a further reversal was made, 66849 taking the train on from here via Westbury, Athelney and Taunton to Exeter Riverside yard.    With the rails successfully offloaded overnight the empty train returned to Westbury this morning with the class 66 heading the formation as seen.    I believe the empty LWR set returned to Eastleigh this evening on the 6O31 1730 Westbury-Eastleigh departmental behind GBRF's 66763.   

Regards, Guy Vincent.

Many thanks Guy.

Dawlish
Clive Smith

Two from Dawlish. The last cement & the woks at the station.
Regards, Clive Smith

(1) 70810 works what could possibly be the last 07.17 Moorswater - Aberthaw cements at Rockstone Flats Dawlish. Copyright Clive Smith.

(2) A quite amazing scene at Dawlish. It was now 14.00 and the glorious sun is very low in the winter sky and just above Lea Mount on top of Kennaway Tunnel casting a longer shadow along Marine Parade.The 2+7 Cross Country HST set is on the 06.06 Edinburgh - Plymouth. 26th November 2020. Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks to you Clive.
​

Taunton area
Bill Elston

 Hi Keith,
I went over to Taunton today, 26th November, taking advantage of the sunny weather.
At Cogload  was seen 66849 with 70813 working back to Westbury from Crediton after dropping more new rail on the Okehampton branch.
At Bathpool was seen 70810 on one of the final empty cement workings from Moorswater to Aberthaw.
Also seen was tamper no. 73924 working from Taunton to Swindon.

Best regards, Bill.

66849, 70813 returing from a rail drop for the Okehampton branch. Seen here at Cogload. 26th November 2020 Copyright Bill Eslston

70810, Possibly the last cement empties. Bathpool. 26th November 2020 Cp[yright Bill Elston.

73924 at Bathpool. 26th November 2020 Copyright Bill Elston

Many thanks Bill for your shots at Cogload & Bathpool.

The Okehampton line
The Moorlander
David Tozer

The Moorlander has published more news on th Okehampton line.

https://themoorlander.co.uk/breaking-news/

I see the second train with CWR for the Okehampton route departed Crediton at 0400 after dropping rails.

Dave  Tozer

Thank you David nice to read about the revival.

Blackboy Tunnel
David Tozer

In this age of political correctness there is a move in Exeter to re-name Blackboy Road, and one assumes, if this happens then the tunnel of that name will also be renamed. I must admit in the last couple of years I have wondered whether we should be using that name. Mount Pleasant tunnel is a name often used, perhaps this would be more acceptable?​ KJ

Try looking it up on Google - there is quite a row going on in Exeter about it.