3rd October 2021

Sunday Morning Freightliner 66 at Rewe
David Tozer

66617 Seen passing Rewe this morning 3rd October, 2021. Copyright David Tozer

Many Thanks David

CORNISH RIVIERA EXPRESS
Michael L. Roach

The early history of the Cornish Riviera Express has been well documented in books such as that of the same name by Stephen Austin in the “View From the Past” series. The CRE first ran on 1 July 1904 and the name was chosen after a competition with a prize for the winner and was applied to a train leaving mid-morning from Paddington and running non-stop to Plymouth a distance of 246¾ miles via Bristol reduced to 226½ miles via Westbury after the opening of various cut-off lines in 1906. Going for this distance without stopping to replenish the water in the tender would not have been possible without the  building of water troughs and the CRE would have picked up water four times between Aldermaston and Exminster. At the start the train was allowed 4 hours 27 minutes to reach Plymouth but this was reduced to 4 hours 7 minutes with the opening of the shorter route via Westbury. The train ceased to run as a named train during both world wars. The name was restored in July 1919, together with running non-stop to Plymouth, but not on a fast schedule. It was 100 years ago today on 3 October 1921 that the Great Western Railway restored the Cornish Riviera Express to its pre-war schedule of 4 hours 7 minutes.
The Times newspaper reported the acceleration of the CRE in 1921 with some enthusiasm as it was at the time the longest non-stop run in the world and 15 minutes had been knocked off the scheduled time for the 226½ to Plymouth thus restoring the pre-war time of 4 hours 7 minutes. The article recorded the events leading up to the introduction of the CRE and how the timings were often beaten by Ocean Mail Specials from Plymouth in the opposite direction. The locomotive used 4 tons of coal on the run and the train passed through 68 stations en-route and passed no less than 523 signals needing to be observed and complied with by the footplate staff. With limited forward vision from the cab of the steam locomotive one can only admire the concentration needed by the driver and fireman to observe and obey two signals every minute of the journey.
The 1921 article was repeated in The Times of 30 September 2021.
MLR / 2 October 2021
 

Many many thanks for your article Mike, my word a lot of statistics especially in the last paragraph.

Not so quiet
​Chris Bellett

After saying in yesterdays news that all has been quiet on our area the following popped up.

From the Western and Wales Route WON Week 28/21:

GW108  FORDGATE  TO PENZANCE
TRURO SATURDAY 02 OCTOBER 2021 
Truro Up Main line platform 3 has been extended by 8.5 metres (closer to Penzance) to be 219 metres (240 yards) long.


GW606 COWLEY BRIDGE JN TO BARNSTAPLE
BETWEEN CREDITON AND YEOFORD FROM 1100 HOURS MONDAY 4 OCTOBER 2021
From the above time and date, a new Whistle Board will be brought into use associated with Park 2 footpath crossing at 179m 54ch in the Down direction.  This whistle board will be 160 metres on approach to the crossing.

GW608  CREDITON TO MELDON
BETWEEN CREDITON AND OKEHAMPTON FROM 1100 HOURS MONDAY 4 OCTOBER 2021
From the above time and date, new Whistle Boards will be brought into use associated with Park 2 footpath crossing at 179m 54ch in the Up and Down directions.These whistle boards will be 160 metres on approach to the crossing.

Take Care.

Regards,
Chris Bellett
Retired S&T Engineer
CRS Member

Very interesting news Chris thank you, well worth recording. Nice to see Okehampton mentioned again.
​

38 years ago - Acquaintance and memories renewed.
Newton Abbot
Clive Smith

Thirty eight years ago saw a previous visit of 33207 to Plymouth on the Sunday 09.35 from Exeter St Davids seen here at Newton Abbot on the 24th June 1983. Who would have thought that in 2021 this loco would be working a train to Penzance .

Regards, Clive Smith. 

33207 at Newton Abbot 24th June 1983. Copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks Clive, well remembered and what good records you have.
​

Pictures from the past - 2006
Dartmoor Railway Diesel Gala
​Part 3
Paul Barlow

11. 47348 plus class 31s at Meldon. the 47 was cut up at Rotherham in January 2007. Copyright Paul Barlow.

12. 47348 31301 Stored locos at Meldon 2006. Copyright Paul Barlow.

13. Stored class 31's at Meldon October 2006

14. A dramatic picture as 37142 arrives at Meldon. 2006 Copyright Paul Barlow.

37142 37198 leave Okehampton pass the former motorail terminal on 1550 Coleford junc to Meldon. 2006 Copyright Paul Barlow.

This concludes Paul's collection of 2006 - many thanks Paul.
​

Sunshine,showers and lots of diesels
Craig Munday.

​Craig writes on the 2nd October 2021 :- What an interesting week that was. Two class 37s in action, one a former St Blazey favourite (37175) on the NR test train and a class 33/37 combo visiting the Duchy. 

The WCR charter tarried away a few days in Slopers siding at Penzance, and returned on Friday 1st Oct back to Plymouth. 

Starting with the NR Test train, this travelled down from Exeter to Penzance testing also on the Fowey and Parkandillack branch. The Falmouth leg couldn't take place due to defective equipment on Driving Trailer (DBSO). The train is pictured at Lostwithiel collecting the train staff prior to joining the branch to Fowey. The result of the DBSO fault entailed the class 37 running around the stock at Old Bank at Penzance and travelling back a night later than scheduled - with the loco leading. The briefest of stops at St Austell was captured under the super lighting there. 

Onto the charter now. This ran down to Penzance diesel hauled from Plymouth with a surprise treat of two type 3's, 33207 and 37706 working in multiple. We were expecting a class 47. The train is seen at Penzance on a gruesome evening - 37706 leading.

The return on Friday 1st was an 08.35 departure from Penzance, accompanied by blustery sharp showers. I visited east Cornwall and popped up to Largin in a fine spell, only for a sweeping band of torrential rain chasing the tail lamp of the train. It was probably one of the closet shaves ever, and I have to say I was pleasantly bewildered at the results which hopefully you will enjoy? A very lucky break for me, rainbow and all. 

3Q52 37175 on 3Q52 passes Lostwithiel. Copyright Craig Mumday. 28th September 2021.

1Z45 37706 and 33207 at Penzance after the arrival in the Steam Dreams Charter. 28th Se[tember 2021. Copyright Craig Mumday.

37175 3Q51 St Austell 30th September 2021. Copyright Craig Munday

33207 37706 crossing Largin viaduct with the Steam Dreams return Charter, 1Z47 1st October 2021. Copyright Craig Munday.

BUT Look to left in the same picture below.

33207 37706 crossing Largin viaduct with the Steam Dreams return Charter, 1Z47 1st October 2021. Copyright Craig Munday.

Talk about 'jammy' - you certainly struck lucky there Craig - well done.
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Steam Dreams Charter leaves
Pewsey
Ken Mumford

On a lovely evening the Steam Dreams Charter leaves Newbury. 1st October 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Very nice picture Ken, one can imagine the noise and smell - better than an IET anytime.