29th November 2021

Train of lights
Paul  & Alison Barlow

Hello Keith
A few shots from last nights train of lights 1845 Paignton to Kingswear.  75014 was at the Kingswear end with USA 2253 heading to Paignton.
A return trip to Kingswear with lots of special lighting effects on the way, including snow at Churston! The steam heating was working very well on the train.
Hope they are good enough quality!
All the best,Paul. 

The Train of light passes Churston station. Copyright Paul Barlow

Train of lights headed by USA 2253 Omaha. Copyright Paul Barlow

75014 Kings.wear on the 1845 from Paignton Train of lights. Copyright Paul

Kingswear Train of light photo. Copyright Alison Barlow.

Paignton train of lights. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks to Paul and Alison. A good evenings work.
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Dirty trains at
Swindon
Ken Mumford

The same RHTT in both directions with [ 'having had a shower for weeks'] Stella and Charlotte heading for the Transfer Yard east of Swindon station. and laer passing through platform 4 en route again.  Crew needed to attend to one of the vehicles hence a green signal  but the train stopped for a few minutes then accelerated rapidly away leaving a smoke screen..
could be called - HOW DIRTY ARE OUR TRAINS?  Well, at least some of them!

The RHTT approaches. See text above. 28th November 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

You can just about read the number on 67 027. 28th November 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford

Swindon, dirt, shadows and exhaust. The nameplates could do with a clean too, 28th November 2021 Copyright Ken Mumford

67 027 leads as the train having reversed returns through Swindon. 28th November 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Just passing through - thankfully. 28th November 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Departing Swindon. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken. The RHTTS do a marvelous job and deserve a through overhaul and clean up once their annual stint is done. The vast majority of trains these days are pretty clean.

Glorious Westerns
Neil Phillips

I saw Hugh Austen’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

D1072 Western Glory departs Truro on the . 26th June 1976. Copyright Neil Phillips.

Many thanks for your note Neil - your picture together with the details you have furnished certainly deserve repeating.
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Any info please
Micheal Manning

Could you put this pic of Okehampton (bought from Ebay) on the website to ask if anyone can date it? Members might recognise the very old coaches in view.

Micheal Mannings photograph. He asks if any one can provide any information concerning the two coaches seen at this location.

I am afraid the the photograph is of very poor quality, and it couldn't be improved by use of an editor. The advice required is difficult to provide unless the photogapher or somebody who was there at the time can help.