3rd May 2022

The 150th Anniversary of the Buckfastleigh, Totnes & South Devon Railway 30th April - 2 May 2022
David Letcher & Roger Winnen

220430zp Saloon 9044 built in 1881 originally used as a family saloon including the King Edward V11, then Prince of Wales. Copyright David Letcher

220502s Double heading to Totnes. Copyright Roger Winnen

To see more of this coverage of the 150th Anniversary of the South Devon Railway Click Here for Features April-September 2022 Item 2020

Former LNER at Westbury
Guy Vincent

A pleasant Bank Holiday Monday STP working on a typically dull day..

Direct Rail Services 57306 runs off the Berks & Hants line and passes through Westbury station with a further set of former LNER mark 4 coaching stock and DVT bound for Eastleigh.  These coaches will probably go to Transport for Wales once they have been attended to.  The working was 5Q86 1205 Wembley Receptions 1-7  - Eastleigh T&RSMD and consisted of 57306 with vehicles 12215 12324 12304 10305 12315 and 82220.     Hard to believe these carriages are over 30 years old with millions high-speed of miles to their credit, hopefully they will last a good few more running between Cardiff and Holyhead with class 67 locos in push-pull mode.

Regards, Guy Vincent.

Westbury 57306 5Q86 1205 Wembley-Eastleigh. 2nd May 2022 Copyright Guy Vincent

Westbury 82220 rear of 5Q86 1205 Wembley-Eastleigh. 2nd May 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks Guy for your colourful photographs and, as usual, generous information.
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Class 67 at Westbury
Guy Vincent

Colas liveried although now debranded 67027 'Charlotte' outside the maintenance shed in Westbury down yard today, 2nd May.  The loco was recently taken on by GB Railfreight but has yet to leave Colas custody and retains the nameplates they fitted some years ago.  

Regards, Guy Vincent

Westbury 67027 2nd May 2022 Copyright Guy Vincent

Many thanks for your report Guy
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Okehampton Enhancement
Driver Alan Peters

Just East of Okehampton station a new GSM-R mast has been erected as part of the re-opening of the Dartmoor line, Colas Rail 70806 is seen with the Rhomberg Sersa MFS train waiting to depart to the Fatherford area on 29/4/22, note the remains of the former down line. Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Drainage work taking place between Exeter Road Bridge (B3260) and New Buildings Farm Bridge 29/04/22 Copyright Alan Peters

Colas Rail 70806 has now moved to the cutting near Exeter Road bridge with the MFS train waiting to drop ballast, note the vegetation clearance and stabilization work on the bank 29/04/22 Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Dropping ballast towards Fatherford viaduct with the MFS train Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Many thanks Alan for your inside the fence reports and photographs.
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Does anybody know this Guy?
Trevor Tremethick asks.

Trevor writes :- I was looking at a British Transport Film from 1978 'Using TOPS' and this chap was featured. He was on the staff at Truro in the 1970s and, as a young photographer, I was on nodding terms with him but never knew his name. I wonder if anyone in the Society (or indeed elsewhere) may be able to identify him from the two attached screenshots and perhaps can say if he is still with us?

A long shot I know (as are most of my queries) but I thought it worth a try.

Best wishes to all. Trevor

A link to the BTF:  https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-using-tops-1978-online

Can anybody answer Trevors query please.