South West Trains return
David Tozer
David Tozer
Following the cancellation of the 0710 Waterloo to Exeter SWR ran a special from Salisbury formed with 158885 and 158886. The units should have run in the pathway of the 0710 from Waterloo. However a 22 minutes late departure meant that making up time was impossible. At Yeovil Junction the train was delayed even further having to await the arrival of the 0925 from Exeter which was given priority in the longest single line section of the route(16.87 miles).
I went out to film/photo the units heading into Exeter, but was held up by a refuse collection lorry. I managed to get to Arena Park to catch the return working. The inward service was terminated at Exeter (Central). Whilst the occasional 158 reaches Exeter along with a Class 159 it is not common to see a pair of 158's, both in the former South West Trains Livery in Exeter these days.
Dave
I went out to film/photo the units heading into Exeter, but was held up by a refuse collection lorry. I managed to get to Arena Park to catch the return working. The inward service was terminated at Exeter (Central). Whilst the occasional 158 reaches Exeter along with a Class 159 it is not common to see a pair of 158's, both in the former South West Trains Livery in Exeter these days.
Dave
158886 28th June 2022 Copyright David Tozer
Many thanks David.
Swanage Railway
James Bown
James Bown
Looking immaculate we see 34028 Eddystone at Norden . 27th June 2022. Copyright James Bown.
SR Bulleid Pacific has returned to the Swanage Railway after a £350,000 overhaul by Southern Locomotives Ltd, the locomotive’s owners.
After testing and running in, the West Country class locomotive is hauling trains between Norden, Corfe Castle and Swanage.
The locomotive was based at Bournemouth when the locomotive was in service with British Railways in the 1950s and 60s and hauled trains on the London to Weymouth line.
After testing and running in, the West Country class locomotive is hauling trains between Norden, Corfe Castle and Swanage.
The locomotive was based at Bournemouth when the locomotive was in service with British Railways in the 1950s and 60s and hauled trains on the London to Weymouth line.
Many thanks James.
An hour or two at
Cogload Junction 85
Paul Barlow
Cogload Junction 85
Paul Barlow
Our very good friend spends a while at Cogload shortly before the 'four track arrangement between Cogload and Taunton was reduced to two tracks. One wonders if in these days of railway resurgence if thought may be given to 'four tracking' this stretch once more as has been done north of Bristol.
Cogload Juction as it was on the 17th November. A line of white markers denotes the proposed route of the line from Bristol where it will join the down main towards Taunton. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Class 33030 heads the14.00 Bristol to Taunton passes Cogload Junction. 17th November 1985 - Edited Copyright Paul Barlow
43014 and 43026 pass Cogload Junction on the 12.45 Paddington to Penzance. 17th November 1976. Copyright Paul Barlow.
33030 heads the 14.00 Bristol to Taunton passes Cogload Junction
Looking towards Taunton 43024 approaches Cogload Junction 17th November 1985. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Moving to lineside now as a westward bound HST tops the Cogload flyover and heads for Taunton. 17th November 1985. Copyright Paul barlow.
On 29th March 1986 the two Bristol lines were taken out of use between Cogload and Taunton, returning the line to its original two tracks. The following weekend saw Cogload signal box closed on 5th April, and the points and signals were then operated from Exeter Panel Signalbox. A slight realignment of the up Bristol line at the same time allowed the junction to be moved and the speed limit raised to 90 miles per hour.
The above courtesy Wikipedia. For further reading please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogload_Junction
The above courtesy Wikipedia. For further reading please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogload_Junction
Many thanks indeed Paul for your historic collection.
Long Marston
Mick House
Mick House
Mick goes slightly off our patch calling at Long Marston on the 22nd June.
A couple of old friends by Mick House
I paid a visit to Rail Live last week (22nd & 23rd June) at Long Marston and on display were a couple of ex-motor rail wagons, 96603 Oliver & 96605 Ernest. They have been converted into Universal Barrier Vehicles (UBV) by Meridian Generic Rail Ltd. These wagons are used to move rolling stock from one place to another in a top & tail formation along with a locomotive. The wagon have a number of unique features that make them standout from others: 1) is that the couplings can be adapted to virtually any rolling stock, with the use of interchangeable coupler heads, examples are Dellner Type 10 & 12, Scharfenberg Type 10 & 136, Tightlock and Wedgelock. 2) Is that they are also height adjustable in that the couplers can be raised from 670mm to 1070mm above rail head. 3) They are also fitted with Brake Interface Units (BIU), that will allow the hauling locomotive to apply the brakes though the whole train, eliminating the need for extra brakeforce wagons. They can also each carry a payload of 6 tons, for spare parts and tools.
I paid a visit to Rail Live last week (22nd & 23rd June) at Long Marston and on display were a couple of ex-motor rail wagons, 96603 Oliver & 96605 Ernest. They have been converted into Universal Barrier Vehicles (UBV) by Meridian Generic Rail Ltd. These wagons are used to move rolling stock from one place to another in a top & tail formation along with a locomotive. The wagon have a number of unique features that make them standout from others: 1) is that the couplings can be adapted to virtually any rolling stock, with the use of interchangeable coupler heads, examples are Dellner Type 10 & 12, Scharfenberg Type 10 & 136, Tightlock and Wedgelock. 2) Is that they are also height adjustable in that the couplers can be raised from 670mm to 1070mm above rail head. 3) They are also fitted with Brake Interface Units (BIU), that will allow the hauling locomotive to apply the brakes though the whole train, eliminating the need for extra brakeforce wagons. They can also each carry a payload of 6 tons, for spare parts and tools.
1) UBV 69903 Oliver. Live Rail at Long Marston. 22nd June 2022. Copyright Mick House
2) UBV 69905 Ernest Live Rail at Long Marston. 22nd June 2022. Copyright Mick House
3) Height adjustable and interchangeable couplers, Live Rail at Long Marston. 22nd June 2022. Copyright Mick House
4) UBV 69903 Oliver Live Rail at Long Marston. 22nd June 2022. Copyright Mick House
Many thanks Mick for your contributions. N.B. Long Marston is about 35 miles NNW of Oxford.