in June 1976
Neil Philips
I saw Hugh Austin’s photo of D1072 Western Glory heading west at Gwinear Road on 26th June 1976 and realized that I had photographed the same train leaving Truro slightly earlier that day. The weather seemed to have been better in Truro though…..you have had this photo from me before, I hope you don’t mind me sending it in again as I think it was the best photo of a Western I ever took – imagine the noise, ‘Western Glory’ indeed!
Interesting to note that, looking at the ‘graffiti’ in the dirt on the yellow front, at some point during the two days between Hugh’s photos D1072 has been turned, presumably on the Laira triangle, although at that time the St Blazey turntable couldn’t be ruled out of course. I had visited Penzance 6 days earlier and noted 08643 and 08840 there, so the Class 08 just to the left of Hugh’s second photo would have been one of these two. 08840 was a very long-serving class member in the far South West.
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
Michael Forward
Guy Vincent
Guy writes :- A couple of pictures of the former GWR station building at Cirencester. Opened in 1841 and closed in 1964, sadly it will never see a train again as it now sits in the middle of a car park with the land beyond where the line came in from Kemble now occupied by a main road and supermarket. There is a proposal to bring a light rail system from Kemble station to Cirencester, if this happens the terminus will be situated opposite this station site on the former Tetbury Road, close to a leisure centre. Copies of leaflet included.
Regards Guy Vincent
The route crossed the River Thames near its source and formed the highest rail crossing point on the river.
Exeter
Paul Barlow
Swindon and Cricklade Rly.
Ken Mumford
Hope the weather is better!!