4th October 2021

Class 03 D2128 at Laira
Roger Winnen

D2128 Photographed at Laira on 1st December 1973. Records state that she was withdrawn in July 1976 and exported to Maldegem, Belguim Dec 1976. Copyright Roger Winnen

Lee Mount
Roger Salter

With vegetation removed from Lee Mount the view to the north portal of Parson’s Tunnel where the new rockfall shelter is being built. Preparatory work has commenced with car/lorry parks , access lanes ,& cliff netting in place so that entry to this  difficult site can be achieved

View from Lee Mount as vegetation cut down looking towards north portal of Parsons Tunnel. Copyright Roger Salter

From Lee Mount towards the north portal of Parsons Tunnel after the vegetation has been removed. Copyright Roger Salter

Removed vegetation from Lee Mount. Copyright Roger Salter

Thanks Roger

Liskeard '73
Andrew Vines

Although the attached scene at Liskeard has a degree of lamp clutter, I thought it may be of interest: 25306 shunting clay wagons on a fine Spring morning, 21st May 1975.  Dad often stood back to take the wider railway scene, as in this picture.  How many of us have stood here before walking down the slope to see what lay beyond?
Best wishes
Andrew 

Liskeard 25 306 shunting clay wagons on the 25th May 1975 Copyright the late John Vines and Andrew Vines.

Another one of the classics from the Late John Vines, Andrews Dad. All those of that era will remember the very steep descent from the station buildings to platform level, think of controlling the heavy platform rucks.  But to include the doors in this rare picture of a class 25 working the sidings to my mind makes this a classic. Is somebody holding back the door? The relatively new layout here makes it less dangerous.

Steam at
Swindon '21
Ken Mumford

7029 Clun Castle put in an appearance at Swindon on the 2nd October

With the drain cocks open 7029 hides itself moving away from Swindon.. 2nd October 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Despite the miserable weather 7029 Clun Castle still drawa the enthusisats to Swindon. 2nd October 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

7029 pulls away heading east with no doubt with that characteristic 'bark' 2nd October 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken for turning out in inclement weather - a true enthusiast.
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 Cowley Bridge '88
Ron Kosys

Although featured many times on our site one can never tire of this location.

47431 Cowley Bridge 5th July 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys.

Many thanks Ron.
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Light load through
Creech St Michael
Bill Elston

Attached photo of GBRf 66768 working 6G70, 1300 Athelney level crossing to Westbury, via Taunton and Bristol.

Best wishes, Bill

66768, hurries through Creech St Michael with the on the 3rd October with the 13.00 Athelney Level Crossing to Westbuty. Copyright Bill Elston.

Many thanks Bill - keep up the good work.
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Remember the 03's with a Cornish connection 
Barrow Hill
Neil Phillips

In 1980/81 I was living in Lincoln and so within reach of Barrow Hill depot for its Open Day which was held 40 years ago today, 4th October 1981. Amongst the exhibits in the roundhouse was this Class 03 diesel mechanical shunter, 03129. Unlike the Class 25 also on show, 25157, which as the former D7507 I quickly recognised as a former Laira machine, it would be around three decades later that I discovered that as D2129 this shunter had been the first (of only three) of this type allocated to St Blazey depot during the 1960s, arriving in October 1961, exactly 20 years earlier. It stayed until April 1965. Whereas the other two ‘Cornish’ Class 03s, D2127/83, didn’t survive beyond 1968, D2129 fared considerably better, moving to the LMR’s Barrow depot (12C) by the autumn of 1967  then on to ‘the other Barrow’, the ER’s Barrow Hill (also known as Staveley – 41E) by the end of 1968, where it was to stay for the rest of its life, gaining its TOPS number there in February 1974. However when photographed its luck was about to run out as it was withdrawn from service just two months later.
Interestingly, at some point during its career it had its ‘flowerpot’ style exhaust replaced by a conical type, a modification applied to very few Class 03s – only D2000-32 & D2370/1 (originally Departmental 91/2) were built new with conical exhausts.
 
Best regards,
Neil Phillips

Apologies for a late submission to General but I’ve just realised that my visit to the Barrow Hill Open Day in October 1981 was 40 years ago tomorrow. Outside your usual area but as you’ll see there’s a Cornish Class 03 connection with a story worth telling I thought. You may decide otherwise of course!
 
Best regards,
Neil

Ex Laira 03 at Barrow Hill. 4th October 1981. Copyright Neil Phillips.

Many thanks indeed, your knowledge and detail imparted is very much appreciated.
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