2nd December 2023

2/12/2023

Dawlish Seawall
Clive Smith

On Wednesday (29th November 2023) I was on the sea wall in glorious low sunsine to photo the last few days of regular daytime Castle HSTs in south Devon. The next day certains locations in Devon and Cornwall had some morning snow with wintry scenes before winter has even begun. There a still some yellow leaves on the trees even this late in November. The Rail Head Treatment Train is still going about its business but just for one more week.

Regards, Clive Smith.

(1) 43154 brings up the rear of the 2U20 10.50 Penzance - Cardiff Central with 43198 on the front as it enters Parsons Tunnel between Teignmouth and Dawlish. The light had been flat all morning with thick high level cloud which broke up around midday producing three hours of glorious low winter sunshine. This train will run with its last official booked HST on Friday 8th December rail strikes permitting. Copyright Clive Smith.

(2) Just two minutes later and another Castle HST emerged from the tunnel on the 11.14 Newport - Penzance vice an IET. 43156 is on the front and 43004 on the rear.Hard to think in just over ten days there will be no more booked HST workings along this stretch of beautiful line other than around 07.30 on a Saturday morning and 21.00 on a weekday. Copyright Clive Smith.

(3) 43154 heads the 2C09 06.50 Bristol TM -Penzance across a snowy Bittaford Viaduct. 43198 is on the rear. Copyright Clive Smith.

(4) It was still snowing at 13.00 at the higher levels in Ivybridge towards the east of the town so I went to Hardford Bridge for some of the white stuff. There was none left on the trees but enough for a rare wintry scene in south Devon.This is 43187 leading the 2U20 10.50 Penzance - Cardiff Central. 43029 is on the rear. Copyright Clive Smith.

(5) 66113 is on the front of the 3J11 17.36 St Blazey - Westbury Rail Head Treatment Train with 66097 on the rear. The train was due at Plymouth from 19.02 to 20.03 but was running 24 minutes early and parked up at platform 7 to wait time. Copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks for your excellent collection and all the details Clive - sorry I am a day late in publishing.

Hungerford
Peter Todd

An overcast and cold day but a few snaps to keep the cold at bay.

34046 hauling a Steam Dreams Special from Bury St. Edmunds to Bath. Passing time around 1225. 1Z46, 1222 hours.

Brush 47 D1924 acting as support loco to 34046.

Freightliner 59205 double heading with 66531. Running under caution as it was heading into the loop at the eastern end of Hungerford station. Rep. No 7A17. Merehead Quarry to Colnbrook Foster Yeoman. 1212 hours.

Peter Todd