27th October 2018

                       Winter Time!                       
Please note all you kindly folk who send in photographs that the clocks go back at 02.00 tomorrow. As compilers of the web site we would be very grateful if you check that your cameras are showing the correct time. If your picture comes from a digital camera, we can, by going to 'Properties' followed by 'Details'  ascertain when the picture was taken. This is particularly valuable when a series of pictures are sent in 'out of order' as sometimes does occur. 
                  Thank you all for your support.

Permission to be excused!
Not on this Train
Roger Winnen

Over the past week I have seen Northern Rail unit 150207 now with GWR operating a service to Paignton from Exmouth and Exeter last Saturday 20th October 2018.  Today the service was seen at Bodmin Parkway on the 05.24 Bristol - Penzance service. On both occasions no toilet facilities were available aboard this unit. On making enquiries I was told that the company were awaiting spares. Not a comfortable journey in this cold weather.

181020z 150207 in Northern Rail Livery departs Exeter St David's. Copyright Roger Winnen

Strike Day
West of Yeovil
David Tozer

With the on-going RMT strikes only two SWR trains run West of Yeovil and both of these are ECS workings.

0453 Exeter New Yard - Yeovil Junction

2300 Yeovil Junction - Exeter New Yard.

If differs slightly on Saturdays with an ECS run from Salisbury to Exeter in daylight.

Friday however 159006 ran ECS from Loughborough to Salisbury via Bristol, Exeter(St David's) and Honiton. The unit was in the new revised, revised livery and like 159003 has lost the name it was given in SWT days.

        Dave   Many thanks David 

Pinhoe with 159006 passing through ECS during the strike week. Note the New livery 15.30 26th October 2018 Copyright David Tozer N.B. The headboard reads 'Rail Operations Group'.

Seaton Junction
and the Tramway
​Andrew Jones

Dear Keith, I am sending this prompted through the recent sad, but timely pictures by Roger , of Newton Abbot carriage sheds. I had visited Seaton Junction on the 5th September 2018 to find the original LSWR station still in reasonable condition over 50 years since closure on the 7th March 1966.
Fortunately the line to Seaton is still in use in its present form as a re-gauged tramway, but for the short distance from Colyton to Seaton Junction.
It would be interesting if this gap could be reinstated to reconnect with the ex LSWR mainline. (Please see attached map).
Hopefully the station will continue to exist and not meet the fate of so many historic buildings in this so called enlightened age!
 
           Best wishes Andrew             Many thanks Andrew
It would be nice if the tramway were to be extended to a re-opened Seaton Junction station but unless that re-opening occurs there would be little point in extending the tramway. It is approximately 1.5 miles from Seaton Junction to Colyton, but what would that cost what with the tram track + overhead + a new station at Seaton Junction?

The ornate Seaton Junction station still proudly standing. 5th September 2018 Copyright Andrew Jones

Seaton Junction station 5th September 2018. Copyright Andrew Jones.

A view from the long footbridge which still crosses the location, at one time, of multiple tracks. 5th September 2018. Copyright Andrew Jones.

Seaton Junction to Colyton. Map Courtesy National Museum of Scotland. Seaton Jct to Colyford is approx 1.5 miles

Bittaford Viaduct
Clive Smith

A view of what can be seen from a location as close as one can get to the former site of Bittaford Station. 16th October 2018. Copyright Clive Smith

Lyner Viaduct
A request from Clive Smith

Today I decided to have a look to see if I could find the spot on the River Lynher overlooking the viaduct. I did not have much success and rather suspect that one must ask permission from local farmers or trespass which I may have done in my misspent youth but no longer engage in as I approach senior citizenship. I would be most grateful if you or any of your contacts could assist me on this or tell me if it is a non starter. I do possess an old school Ordnance Survey map for S.E. Cornwall which I prefer although GPS can be quite useful when you get lost as I did today 
            All the best, Clive               Can anyone advise please?? 

Winnen's Westerns
Chacewater
Roger Winnen

An unknown Western hauls the 12.25 Penzance to Birmingham New Street seen climbing away from Chacewater and nearing the summit before coasting down towards Truro on the.6th July 1974 Copyright Roger Winnen.