X Country at
Swanage
Andrew Hickson
Swanage
Andrew Hickson
Hello Keith
The Cross Country HST Farewell Tour that ran on Tuesday from Leeds to Swanage was a public one and was fully booked very soon after tickets became available. I managed to join the "fill in" trip from Swanage to Bournemouth and back. A photo stop was made at Wareham. Coasters, programmes, pin badges and tickets were handed out as souvenirs.
Here is a selection of my photos. Also spotted at Swanage was a very pretty freshly painted Adams 563 T3 Class.
Andrew Hickson.
The Cross Country HST Farewell Tour that ran on Tuesday from Leeds to Swanage was a public one and was fully booked very soon after tickets became available. I managed to join the "fill in" trip from Swanage to Bournemouth and back. A photo stop was made at Wareham. Coasters, programmes, pin badges and tickets were handed out as souvenirs.
Here is a selection of my photos. Also spotted at Swanage was a very pretty freshly painted Adams 563 T3 Class.
Andrew Hickson.
HST to Swanage - 43007 leading arrives with the railtour from Leeds. 26th September 2023. Copyright Andrew Hickson.
43008 on the rear. 26th September 2023. Copyright Andrew Hickson.
Looking at the above pictures - the Swanage branch was closed - the track lifted - who in their wildest dreams would have thought an HST to Swanage was possible but here we are - marvellous - shows what sheer dedication can do. Congratulations all round.
Wareham - HST mania! 26th September 2023. Copyright Andrew Hickson.
I always say that I like to see people in railway pictures - I think I can see 63 heads in this view - excellent. KJ
LSWR T3 Adams engine built in 1893. 26th September 2023. Copyright Andrew Hickson.
Many thanks Andrew, an excellent days work.
X Country Staff final to Swanage at
Bristol Temple Meads
Guy Vincent
Bristol Temple Meads
Guy Vincent
Cross Country HST ECS Leeds to Plymouth Wednesday 26th September
Following the end of regular booked HST use by Cross Country, as covered recently on the CRS site, on Tuesday 26th a charity special was run ('The Pines Express') from Leeds to Swanage and back, with a fill-in return trip from Swanage to Bournemouth added for good measure. The main tour was fully booked, the outward leg ran from Reading via Basingstoke and Winchester to Southampton with the return after Southampton via Chandlers Ford, the Laverstock loop and Andover.
A spin-off from this was the return of the empty HST set from Leeds Neville Hill depot to Laira this morning (27th). 5Z43 0606 Neville Hill - Laira made good time and was some 20 minutes early at Bristol Temple Meads where it paused for just 3 minutes (1043-46) before setting off westwards, possibly for the last time? I barely had time to walk from the end of P9 to the far end of P10 before the signal cleared and 5Z43 was on its way. A planned staff special from Plymouth to Blackpool that was due to run on Friday 29th has reportedly been cancelled.
Guy Vincent
Following the end of regular booked HST use by Cross Country, as covered recently on the CRS site, on Tuesday 26th a charity special was run ('The Pines Express') from Leeds to Swanage and back, with a fill-in return trip from Swanage to Bournemouth added for good measure. The main tour was fully booked, the outward leg ran from Reading via Basingstoke and Winchester to Southampton with the return after Southampton via Chandlers Ford, the Laverstock loop and Andover.
A spin-off from this was the return of the empty HST set from Leeds Neville Hill depot to Laira this morning (27th). 5Z43 0606 Neville Hill - Laira made good time and was some 20 minutes early at Bristol Temple Meads where it paused for just 3 minutes (1043-46) before setting off westwards, possibly for the last time? I barely had time to walk from the end of P9 to the far end of P10 before the signal cleared and 5Z43 was on its way. A planned staff special from Plymouth to Blackpool that was due to run on Friday 29th has reportedly been cancelled.
Guy Vincent
43008 5Z43 0606 Neville Hill - Laira is pictured running into Bristol Temple Meads on the 27th September 2023. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Bristol TM 43007 rear 5Z43 0606 Neville Hill - Laira 27th September 2023. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Still bearing the headboard 'Cross Country High Speed Train Farewell' Bristol TM 43008 5Z43 0606 Neville Hill - Laira 27.09.202
A smashing picture - looking very smart Bristol TM 43007 rear of 5Z43 0606 Neville Hill - Laira is seen passing under Bath Road bridge at Temple Meads. 27th September 2023. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks Guy - a good catch - and good exercise.
A 'close call' for
David Tozer at Exminster
David Tozer at Exminster
Having not yet had the chance to photograph the Cross Country HST with the two power cars in previous liveries. I left my morning appointment early and reached the overbridge at Exminster in plenty of time. Then 166206 appeared working the 1120 Paignton to Exmouth. Luckily it got out of the way in the nick of time. 43008 top and tails with 43007 working the 0606 5Z43 Neville Hill to Laira. The set was still carrying the headboard which read 'Cross Country High Speed Train Farewell'.
Regards, Dave.
Regards, Dave.
166206 27th September 2023 Copyright David Tozer.
43008 27th September.2023 Exminster. Copyright David Tozer.
Many thanks David - again as in Guys case 'well caught'!
Exeter St Davids
Phil Smith
Looking very smart with a matching rake of coaches class 47 1677 pulls away from Exeter. Copyright Phi.
Many thanks Phil
Oh dear, a clash.
9th December
9th December
Unfortunately this event clashes with another, 'must go to event' here at Reduth when Amyas Crump presents 'The Southern in East Devon'. So if you live in Newton Abbot or beyond you know where to go but if you live in Cornwall come to REDRUTH - please.
Hello,
I am writing from the Railway Studies Collection to share our upcoming event.
The Railway Studies Collection, part of Newton Abbot Library, is believed to be the second largest collection of railway materials in the country, after York's National Railway Museum. All aspects of Britain's Railways are covered by the Collection, with material of interest to railway and social historians, writer's, modellers, researchers and those with a more general interest. As well as a vast array of railway books, the Collection holds thousands of photographs, and many original blueprint documents, track plans, maps, and timetables.
On Saturday 9th December, Newton Abbot Library will be holding its second ever Railway Studies and Modellers Show. Our first show back in 2021 saw over 700 people gather together to celebrate their hobby and passion for railways, raising hundreds of pounds for our charity, Libraries Unlimited.
We will have layouts in a variety of gauges, as well as trading stands, a photograph exhibition, rare and old books from the archives of the Railway Studies Collection, activities for families, and more.
We will also be holding two talks:
'Not Just Trains', 11am, presented by Graham Walker, Secretary of the Friends of the Railway Studies Collection
'From Railways to Royalty', 2pm, presented by Jack Boskett, Professional Railway Photographer
Please see the attached posters for full details. We would really appreciate it if you are able to share the Railway Studies and Modellers Show 2023 to your community. We also hope you'll come along yourselves for a great day out in Newton Abbot.
Many thanks, Emma, Railway Studies CollectionPassmore Edwards Centre, Market Street.
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ12 2RJ 01626 886223
[email protected]
I am writing from the Railway Studies Collection to share our upcoming event.
The Railway Studies Collection, part of Newton Abbot Library, is believed to be the second largest collection of railway materials in the country, after York's National Railway Museum. All aspects of Britain's Railways are covered by the Collection, with material of interest to railway and social historians, writer's, modellers, researchers and those with a more general interest. As well as a vast array of railway books, the Collection holds thousands of photographs, and many original blueprint documents, track plans, maps, and timetables.
On Saturday 9th December, Newton Abbot Library will be holding its second ever Railway Studies and Modellers Show. Our first show back in 2021 saw over 700 people gather together to celebrate their hobby and passion for railways, raising hundreds of pounds for our charity, Libraries Unlimited.
We will have layouts in a variety of gauges, as well as trading stands, a photograph exhibition, rare and old books from the archives of the Railway Studies Collection, activities for families, and more.
We will also be holding two talks:
'Not Just Trains', 11am, presented by Graham Walker, Secretary of the Friends of the Railway Studies Collection
'From Railways to Royalty', 2pm, presented by Jack Boskett, Professional Railway Photographer
Please see the attached posters for full details. We would really appreciate it if you are able to share the Railway Studies and Modellers Show 2023 to your community. We also hope you'll come along yourselves for a great day out in Newton Abbot.
Many thanks, Emma, Railway Studies CollectionPassmore Edwards Centre, Market Street.
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ12 2RJ 01626 886223
[email protected]
If you're very keen it just might be possible for you to attend all four happenings - the model show, both talks AND the CRS evening - now there's a challenge!!!