Norton Fitzwarren LSL HST Midland Pullman
Andrew Triggs
Andrew Triggs
Hi Keith/Roger
On vacation once more in Somerset, captured 43049/046 passing Norton Fitzwarren working 5Z69 08.12 Crewe H.S-Plymouth Friary S.S ECS for CRS
All the Best
Andrew
On vacation once more in Somerset, captured 43049/046 passing Norton Fitzwarren working 5Z69 08.12 Crewe H.S-Plymouth Friary S.S ECS for CRS
All the Best
Andrew
Inter City Swallow liveried 43049 'Neville Hill' leading 5Z69 approaching the footbridge at Norton Fitzwarren, the first Mark 3 carriage being in the Staycation S&C Green livery Copyright Andrew Triggs
43046 'Geoff Dury 1930-1999' trailing 5Z69, clearing Norton Fitzwarren footbridge, running on time at 12.00 Copyright Andrew Triggs
Thanks Andrew
Additional Stops advertised on IETs to and from Newquay
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
Travelling to Newquay yesterday the on train information system displayed on the IET displayed St Blazey Signal Box as the next stop out of Par, St Blazey Station closed in 1931 then Goonbarrow Juction both passing places on route to Newquay. Any information would be grateful.
220602d The 09.04 London Paddington arrives in Newquay Set 802 004. Copyright Roger Winnen
220602e On screen displays, rather difficult to read inside the set include Par-St Blazey Signal Box-Goonbarrow Jct and Newquay. Copyright Roger Winnen
220602f Calling at Goonbarrow Jct. It would be nice to alight! Not a hope. Copyright Roger Winnen
220602g After arriving at Newquay 802 004 makes the return journey to London Paddington at 14.55 attaching at Plymouth a further five cars. Copyright Roger Winnen
Surprise visit to Westbury
Platinum Jubilee
Guy Vincent
Platinum Jubilee
Guy Vincent
A surprise evening arrival at Westbury almost straight out of the paint shop at Eastleigh works from where it emerged yesterday (Wed 1st). Newly painted in 'Platinum Jubilee' livery with temporary sticker-type nameplates (pending arrival of a pair of the traditonal cast variety) 66734 'Platinum Jubilee' stands in the down yard in failing light. Quite why it was sent here is currently unknown and no doubt the loco's movements over the next few days will be widely reported!
Please note that this is the SECOND GB Railfreight loco to carry the number 66734. The first one, formerly 66402 prior to renumbering, was written off following a derailment in Scotland in June 2012 and has since been broken up. This one was imported last year and is GBRF's 100th class 66.
Regards once again, Guy Vincent.
Please note that this is the SECOND GB Railfreight loco to carry the number 66734. The first one, formerly 66402 prior to renumbering, was written off following a derailment in Scotland in June 2012 and has since been broken up. This one was imported last year and is GBRF's 100th class 66.
Regards once again, Guy Vincent.
Seen at Westbury 66734 'Platinum Jubilee' on the 2nd June 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent.
This was the third much appreciated item of News for the day which came from Guy last evening. What more can I say but a very sincere thank you to you Guy from me and all our viewers. Your pictures together with masses of relevant information are a significant bonus to our website and to of those who study our News Column.
HST Construction at
Crewe
Guy Vincent
Crewe
Guy Vincent
Not within our normal reporting region, however very relevant, these wonderful workhorses found employment far from their original allocations.
Crewe Works Open Day 24th September 1977 New HST Cabs for the ECML Batch. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Guy writes :- Hello again Keith,
The attached photo was taken at Crewe Works during the open day that took place on Saturday 24th September 1977. It shows pre-formed class 43 power car cabs awaiting fitment to their respective frames inside one of the workshop areas. The cabs each had a number written on to the nose end and I think the one closest is for 43078 which became part of set 254012 along with 43079. Both these PCs finished their long careers with GWR and 43078 is currently at Laira for parts recovery pending final disposal. 43079 was disposed of at Newport Docks at the start of 2022.
Regards, Guy Vincent.
The attached photo was taken at Crewe Works during the open day that took place on Saturday 24th September 1977. It shows pre-formed class 43 power car cabs awaiting fitment to their respective frames inside one of the workshop areas. The cabs each had a number written on to the nose end and I think the one closest is for 43078 which became part of set 254012 along with 43079. Both these PCs finished their long careers with GWR and 43078 is currently at Laira for parts recovery pending final disposal. 43079 was disposed of at Newport Docks at the start of 2022.
Regards, Guy Vincent.
This was the second piece of information from Guy for the day - for which many thanks.
Morbid interest.
Caerwent & Newport
K.J.
Caerwent & Newport
K.J.
At the present time we have featured quite heavily the progress of HST power cars from Laira to SIMS metals at Newport. Previous to this we have witnessed courtesy of Ken Mumford various classes on route for destruction passing through Swindon – virtually all the stock looked clean and in pretty good nick –it seemed sad to see them go.
Caerwent - Many years ago I, KJ was at Swindon and witnessed the passage of an southern EMU being towed through - minus collector shoes. I guessed it was heading for the Ex. M.O.D. depot at Cearwent served by a short branch off the main line about a mile east of Caldicot Halt and virtually opposite the short branch to Sudbook pumping station. If you are interested you can go to Caewent on Google Earth and zoom in. Having got this far by turning back the clock at the top of the display and zooming in further one see the branch and the vehicles stored within the depot site. My sad thoughts on the EMU were renewed as we passed the unit sidelined at Wooten Bassett.
Newport :- A well known colleague has directed us to a location on the world wide web where one can see three pictures of the SIMS processing plant – for reasons of safety it is obviously a place to stay well clear of. Do not go there.
For anyone interested the photo dealing firm Alamy (alamy.com) have a number of photos online showing the rail vehicle processing area at Sims Metals in Newport Docks. There are two sets of photos. The first set was taken in January 2020 showing EMUs and Pacer DMUs in the scrap pile, the second batch, taken on a murky morning in January 2022, are generally of inferior quality due to the prevailing weather conditions at the time but show a number of vehicles either awaiting disposal or undergoing processing such as class 365 EMUs and the 3 HST power cars 43053 070 and 079.
To find the location search for Alamy for 'Sims Metal Management' and you should find the photos. There is also a high quality aerial photo on Alamy showing the metal processing plant and yard. Hopefully of interest.
Caerwent - Many years ago I, KJ was at Swindon and witnessed the passage of an southern EMU being towed through - minus collector shoes. I guessed it was heading for the Ex. M.O.D. depot at Cearwent served by a short branch off the main line about a mile east of Caldicot Halt and virtually opposite the short branch to Sudbook pumping station. If you are interested you can go to Caewent on Google Earth and zoom in. Having got this far by turning back the clock at the top of the display and zooming in further one see the branch and the vehicles stored within the depot site. My sad thoughts on the EMU were renewed as we passed the unit sidelined at Wooten Bassett.
Newport :- A well known colleague has directed us to a location on the world wide web where one can see three pictures of the SIMS processing plant – for reasons of safety it is obviously a place to stay well clear of. Do not go there.
For anyone interested the photo dealing firm Alamy (alamy.com) have a number of photos online showing the rail vehicle processing area at Sims Metals in Newport Docks. There are two sets of photos. The first set was taken in January 2020 showing EMUs and Pacer DMUs in the scrap pile, the second batch, taken on a murky morning in January 2022, are generally of inferior quality due to the prevailing weather conditions at the time but show a number of vehicles either awaiting disposal or undergoing processing such as class 365 EMUs and the 3 HST power cars 43053 070 and 079.
To find the location search for Alamy for 'Sims Metal Management' and you should find the photos. There is also a high quality aerial photo on Alamy showing the metal processing plant and yard. Hopefully of interest.
On a serious but lighter note.
Cremation
Cremation
Some years ago a member of our local group of the PRC, a former fireman who worked on the Plymouth - Penzance section of the main line told us many most interesting stories of what happened in the real world. A driver keen to see how fast he could go through Camborne on a down non stop train used to flog the steed from Redruth west.
With the dieselisation and the consequent reduction in footplate staff this gentleman left the railway employ and took another job but again feeding the fires - this time at a local cematorium. Our good friend used to joke about the similarity of the two jobs but said he never wanted to be cremated. His dying wish was upheld and Roger and I attended his funeral many years ago after which he was interred in a local churchyard. As the coffin was lowered into the grave a traction engine nearby sounded his whistle in salute R.I.P.
With the dieselisation and the consequent reduction in footplate staff this gentleman left the railway employ and took another job but again feeding the fires - this time at a local cematorium. Our good friend used to joke about the similarity of the two jobs but said he never wanted to be cremated. His dying wish was upheld and Roger and I attended his funeral many years ago after which he was interred in a local churchyard. As the coffin was lowered into the grave a traction engine nearby sounded his whistle in salute R.I.P.
Dawlish
Paul Barlow
Paul Barlow
67019 1350 Plymouth to Willesden passes Dawlish. 4th September 2009. Copyright Paul Barlow
Many thanks Paul.