D1072 Western Glory indeed
in June 1976
Neil Philips
in June 1976
Neil Philips
Hello Roger and Keith,
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
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
Many Thanks Neil
Binliner at Oxford
Michael Forward
Michael Forward
Hello Roger, I hope you are going on allright and thanks to all for the great pictures on the site. Here is another shot of the Calvert to Bath empty binliner passing through Oxford ,this time on 21 June 1993 behind 60041 ‘High Willhays’. Thanks and best wishes, Michael.
Many Thanks Michael
Cirencester
Guy Vincent
Guy Vincent
Fortunately for us Guy Vincent has been along to Cirencester and sent in a couple photographs of the fromer station site and also copies of a proposal to re-open the branch as a light rail project.
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
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
Cirencester Station Building 23rd November 2021. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Cirencester Station - the Blue Plaque 23rd November 2021 Copyright Guy Vincent.
Cirencester Community Trust - the Rail project.
Cirencester Community Trust - the Rail project. The back of the leaflet.
An enlargement of the 'Frequently asked. questions;
Wikipedia produces a lot of detail on the history of the line, a snatch of which is copied below. However if you click here you will open up the link to a most interesting article with many pictures.
The Cirencester branch line was a five-mile-long single-track branch railway line in Gloucesteshire, England that connected Cirencesterto the main line at Kemble. It was opened by the Cheltenham and Great Western Union Railway in 1841. The main line was extended from Kemble to a junction near Gloucester in 1845, by the GWR which had taken over the C&GWUR. The branch supported a busy passenger and goods business, but these declined in the 1930s, and closure was threatened in the 1950s. To reduce costs and maintain the viability of the line, lightweight four-wheel diesel railbuses were introduced, and they proved popular. Nevertheless, the line's decline was inexorable, passenger service closed in 1964 and the goods service ending the following year.
The route crossed the River Thames near its source and formed the highest rail crossing point on the river.
The route crossed the River Thames near its source and formed the highest rail crossing point on the river.
We wish this Light Rail Project every success.
Many thanks to Guy for his time and trouble getting and giving the information to us.
Snowy scene at Cowley Bridge
Exeter
Paul Barlow
Exeter
Paul Barlow
Peak 45042 heads the 14.15 Paignton Leeds 1E70 Cowley bridge junc. 9th December 1981. Copyright Paul Barlow.
A Christmas card scene - after last nights storm it could be looking like this today. Many thanks Paul.
Very early Christmas at Blunsdon
Swindon and Cricklade Rly.
Ken Mumford
Swindon and Cricklade Rly.
Ken Mumford
Blunsdon - Swindon and Cricklade - early Christmas display. 19th November 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford..
Many thanks Ken - a bit early!
Next Saturday - don't forget this.
Hope the weather is better!!
Hope the weather is better!!
ENJOY YOUR VISIT