28th March 2023

Hastings units in 1974 at
Swindon
Neil Phillips

The photos by Colin Pidgeon and Peter Todd of preserved Hastings unit 1001 at Swindon last Saturday (25th March) reminded me that I recorded one of these units, No 1011, at Swindon on 14th December 1974. This was the only time I ever saw one there – and I was there a lot between September 1972 and July 1977, especially on Saturdays! - and the reason for its appearance was, and still is, unknown.
 
The only other item of specifically Southern Region motive power I saw at Swindon during those 5 years occurred much earlier that same year, on 2nd February 1974, when Class 33 6501 arrived on a parcels train, totally unexpectedly so I had to photograph it against the light which was not ideal. Again, no idea where it came from and where it was going – no helpful websites back then, I suppose the crew would have known but I didn’t think to ask at the time! The two boys running up the platform also seemed to realize a Class 33 was not a normal sight at Swindon. 6501 would be renumbered 33002 later that same month, was withdrawn in November 1996 and is currently preserved on the South Devon Railway.
 
Best regards, Neil Phillips.

Andy Dunican from Torquay writes to say that he was there on that day at Swindon.  It was the day that Swindon played Maidstone United in the 2nd Round of the FA Cup a big event for a non league away side.hence the footex Special.
Many Thanks Andy

1 - Hastings DEMU 1011 at Swindon 14th December 1974. Copyright Neil Phillips.

2 - Class 33 6501 on parcels at Swindon 2nd February 1974. Copyright Neil Phillips.

Many thanks Neil for catching that rare event.
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Holiday at Dawlish
The Castle Class HSTs Part 2
Roger Salter

4 43198 Driver Brian Cooper (2C07 06.50 Bristol Temple Meads-Penzance) 27th February 2023 at Dawlish Warren Copyright Roger Salter

5 43094 St Mawes Castle with 43187 Cardiff Castle (2U14 07.40 Penzance to Cardiff) at Powderham 28th February 2023 Copyright Roger Salter

6 43097 Castle Drogo with 43072 Tiverton Castle (2C69 09.00 Cardiff-Penzance) Teignmouth Sea Wall 2nd March 2023. Copyright Roger Salter

6a 43072 Tiverton Castle (2C69 on 09.00 Cardiff-Penzance skirts the Teignmouth Sea Wall on 2nd March 2023. Copyright Roger Salter

7 43004 Caerphilly Castle with 43122 Dunster Castle (2U20 10.50 at Dawlish 3rd March 2023. Copyright Roger Salter

8 43122 Dunster Castle Departs Dawlish with (2U20 10.00 Penzance to Cardiff on 3rd March 2023 Copyright Roger Salter

Many Thanks Roger

Ballast working on the
Looe branch
Driver Alan Peters

Ballast drop on the Looe line on Sunday night with Colas Rail 66848 and 70807 top and tailed with auto-ballasters, special dispensation for the class 70 to traverse between Coombe Junction and Looe and auto-ballaster only loaded to 40 tonnes due to the route availability.

With the token and train staff collected from Liskeard signal box, ready for the off on 26th March 2023 - Alan Peters

Token and train staff for the Looe branch. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

A class 70 at Looe - for the first time ever. 70807 stood st the platfrom at Looe. No ststion lights. 27th March 2023. Copyright Driver Alan Peters. 27th March 2023

70807 stood st the buffers at Looe. No ststion lights making photography challenging!. 27th March 2023. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

66048 at Liskeard now ready to lead back to Westbury. 27th March 2023. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

Many thanks Alan - a very good nights work for both you and 70807 & 66048.
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