3rd November 2018

The South Devon Railway Diesel Gala 
2nd & 3rd November 2018
Andrew Triggs & Roger Winnen

This Diesel Gala turned out to be a very interesting event, on Friday it was perfect weather however today Saturday was quite the opposite with the expected rain coming in during mid afternoon.
Also 60 years ago this weekend saw the closure of the Ashburton Branch by British Railways. To mark this occasion a special steam service will operate on Saturday evening to the timings of the last train in 1958

Friday 2nd November 2018

181102a The low speed train departing Buckfastleigh with visiting locomotive 08483 from Laira Depot working the 08.56 Auto Coach for Totnes. Copyright Andrew Triggs

181102b The 2nd Visitor for the Gala D9526 (West Somerset Railway) at Hood Bridge working the 12.22 Buckfastleigh -Totnes with resident D6501 at the rear - Copyright Andrew Triggs

181102c New resident D7523 'Mercury' double heading with Class 25 D7612 clagging nicely in the afternoon sunshine,on the final approach to Buckfastleigh. - Copyright Andrew Triggs

181102d As the shadows lengthen 08483 working the Auto Coach with resident Class 08 D3721 on the 12.31 Staverton-Buckfastleigh, nearing its destination. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Saturday 3rd November 2018

181103a D9526 arrives at Staverton on the 09.54 from Buckfastleigh. Copyright Roger Winnen

181103b D6501 'Sea King' and D7535 'Mercury departs Staverton on the 10.40 from Buckfastleigh to Totnes Riverside. Copyright Roger Winnen -

181103c The Teddy Bear D9526 arrives at Staverton on the 10.40 working from Totnes. Copyright Roger Winnen

181103d Some nice exhaust as D3721 and D8483 shunts its train to the sidings at Buckfastleigh. Copyright Roger Winnen

181103e Plenty of interest in this picture with locomotives in and around Buckfastleigh Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

181103f A credit to Laira Depot as 08483 Auto Coach and D3721 enters the yard at Buckfastleigh. Copyright Roger Winnen

181103g D7535 'Mercury' which has spent many years at the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway, however it now resides on the South Devon Railway in exchange for D6975. Copyright Roger Winnen

181103h The Teddy Bear D9526 arrives back into Buckfastleigh framed with the footbridge and signal box.. Copyright Roger Winnen

David's Day Out
David Tozer

First of all a look at the work in progress on the New Depot at Exeter St Davids 

Work in progress on the New Depot at Exeter St Davids. The time is 08.57 on the 3rd November 2018 Copyright David Tozer

David Tozer was also at the 2nd Day of the south Devon Railways Diesel Gala - his pictures follow :-  

08483 is of interest. Built at Horwich Works in October 1958 and entered service at 83C (Exeter St David's), then numbered D3598. Well this is what the South Devon Souvenir Guide states. I suspect that this is in-correct as the heading relates to 08644 which was not present. As D3598 it first went to Old Oak Common from Horwich. Exeter's first Class 08's were D3518 and D3521 from October 1958. 
​                        Regards  Dave.          Many thanks.

Further to David's note we have the following from Karl Hewlett.
With regards to David Tozers report on the South Devon Railway's Diesel Gala and class 08 D3598, the booklet is correct as this locomotive was built at Horwich Works, Manchester, then entered into service on 03/10/58 to Exeter Shed 83C.  It went to Old Oak Common 81A on the  weekend of 01/11/58 with other allocations to Southall 81C weekend 21/05/60, back to 81A weekend 18/06/60, renumbered 08483 on 01/74 and was at Newport Ebbw Junction EJ by 11/12/76.  It was in a batch of D3593 to D3607 that was allocated new to the Western Region with notable Cornish allocated machines D3593 to D3595 new to St. Blazey, D3596 and D3597 new to Penzance.  Coincidentally D3594 and D3596 are both preserved at 'East Lancashire Railway' and 'The Vale Of Glamorgan Railway' respectively.
Hope this helps! Kind Regards     Karl (Friends Of Penmere Station).
Many thanks for the up-date Karl.
Plus a further update from Karl -  D3596 has since been scrapped by EMR from The Vale Of Glamorgan Railway.

08483 It's 11.51 on the 3rd November 2018 Copyright David Tozer Doesn't the loco look immaculate?

A bit of 'clag' as D3721 and 08483 leave Buckfastleigh at 12.02 on the 3rd November3rd November 2018

D9526 pauses on the 'run round' with the main line behind. It's 10.31 on the 3rd November 2018 Copyright David Tozer

At least four very regular and very welcome contributors to our site were present at the South Devon Diesel Gala - Roger Winnen combined his pictures and those of Andrew Triggs together,  David Tozer sent his own contribution though he was there with Roger. Clive Smith sent in his pictures later in the evening. All I can say is, they enjoyed it and I hope you will.  Thanks to Roger, Andrew, David & Clive.

South Devon Diesel Gala
Clive Smith

Newly acquired by the SDR D7535 and stalwart D7612 wait at Totnes Littlehempston to attach to the 12.22 to Buckfastleigh. This daily diagram was the only regular service pairing of the 'rats' over the three day gala.3rd November 2018. Copyright Clive Smith

D7535 and D7612 3rd November 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

D7535 and D7612 3rd November 2018 (Friends for life!!) Copyright Clive Smith

West Somerset visitor class 14 'Teddy Bear' D9526 waits to attach to the 14.00 Totnes -Buckfastleigh. Copyright Clive Smith

Back in Kernow
Craig Munday

This week has seen some of the most stunning light I can remember. It coincided with the clocks going back an hour - which benefited both these scenes. As the days grow shorter, and the lack of wind, we have almost all our leaves in place. An Autumn like no other since I returned in 2008. 

I have been targeting the clay train as the morning train from Rocks may be retimed much earlier in 2019, rendering the lovely 08.30 approx departure from Lostwithiel a thing of the past. With a bright red 66, and 18 wagons on the 2nd Nov it was a fitting end to visit Ian's farm for the arrival. The canopy of trees simply took my breath away, and the warm sunshine made it feel like a May morning. Is our climate really changing so much I wonder? 

Later in the day news came in of the failed HST from Largin recently being hauled back to Laira by 57603. A shot was grabbed at Coombe. All before work too! 

           Cheers for now, Craig.                   Many thanks Craig

Milltown 66165 6G06 09.49 1st November 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

Milltown 66165 6G06 0950 1st November 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

6G06 66165 Carne Point 10.04 2nd November 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

And finally 57603 tows 5Z77 at Coombe at 12.51 on the 2nd November 2018. This is the HST that was on the 'up Hind' but which failed a couple of days ago between Bodmin Parkway and Liskeard. Copyright Craig Munday

Severn Tunnel Jct.
Roger Geach

47611 passing Severn Tunnel Junction with 09.25 Swansea to Paddington service on the 28th May 1985 . Plenty of locos and vans in the background. Copyright Roger Geach

Hallenbeagle
Andrew Thompson

Hallebeagle, Wheal Busy. Classic picture - 50 in original livery. Copyright Andrew Thompson

Winnen's Westerns
Newton Abbot
Roger Winnen

D1054 Western Govenor on an express at Newton Abbot. 26th August 1975 Copyright Roger Winnen