5th June 2021

Special Trains running Paddington to Penzance
Roger Winnen

Looking at Realtime Trains this evening a special train under the headcode 1Z31 runs on the 8th and 9th June being the 12.45 Paddington to Penzance calling only at Bristol Temple Meads 14.05/14.07 Exeter St David's 15.03/15.05 Plymouth 16.02/16.14 Truro 17.39/17.41 St Erth 18.06/18.12 Penzance 18.33 formed as a IET
On the 10th June formed also of IETs 1Z30 Paddington 08.45 Bristol Temple Meads 10.06/1010 Exeter St David's  11.07/11.11  Plymouth 12.03/12.07  Truro 13.10/13.13 St Erth 13.36/13.40 Penzance 13.49
Could this be in connection with a local event in the area, one wonders.
One also wonders will there be a special service on the St Ives branch in connection with the above workings? Photographs of any train activity on the St Ives branch would be of great interest - but don't get into any trouble. 
Many thanks to David Tozer for giving me the initial advice.

Photostop at Bow
Alan Peters

An opportunity for a quick photo stop at Bow, much to the delight of the owners, with Colas Rail 70812 working 6C45 back to Westbury from Okehampton with a loaded spoil, the train was top and tailed with 70814 on a dismal 2nd June 2021 Copyright Alan Peters

Many Thanks Alan

If you want to see our collection of pictures of this line before and after the 'relay' Please Click here - You will need to scroll quite  a lot to get to the relay part of this item,

Embryonic
Marsh Barton
Paul Barlow

Hello Keith,  A few shots in quarter of an hour at Grace road bridge which overlooks the site of the new Marsh Barton station, Exeter. This station will serve the large Marsh Barton trading estate in Exeter.

Kind regards, Paul. 

43303 43285 1527 Plymouth to Leeds 1E63 passes Marsh Barton Exeter. 4th June 2021. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43016 43009 1628 Exeter to Penzamce approaches Marsh Barton Exeter. 4th June 2021. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43299 43200 280C NMT train 1539 Paignton to Taunton via Bristol passes the site of Marsh Barton station Exeter. 4th June 2021. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul.
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Craigs
Colourful fortnight
Craig Munday

A very colourful fortnight of trains in the Duchy. Last week saw the maiden voyage west of the Midland Pullman HST, this week saw the Statesman visit once more, with blue class 47s hauling the beautiful carriages to penzance on 2nd. The week was rounded up by the equally colourful NMT formed of a HST with former LNER red power cars 43290/299 in charge. 

The special on 2nd was photographed down west, it coincided with dad's 79th birthday! The train is heading west beside a lovely wild flower meadow near Gwinear Road, and returning atop Angarrack viaduct. Tricky weather and light all day. 

A day at Lostwithiel saw sunshine and dark skies alternate throughout the shift. An eastbound 802014 is seen passing the box in fine light with dark clouds west. Whilst, a little later on, 66119 was swapped on to the local clay circuit having arrived the day before with the Stoke empties. It is seen departing Lostwithiel bound for Carne Point.

Finally, the NMT passes Mount Charles bridge (a 20 mins stroll from my home) with 1Q18 Reading to Penzance and return NR test train. The recent cutting back exposing views not seen for years, particularly from the social club there. 

Cheers, Craig. ​

The down Statesman seen at Penponds. Copyright Craig Munday.

47593 heads the Statesman - 2nd June 2021. Copyright Craig Munday

Under very dark skies at Lostwithiel 66119 eases 6G09 on to the main line. Its the 3rd June 2021. Copyright Craig Munday.

Those dark skies threaten once more as 802014 passes the box. 3rd June 2021/ Copyright Craig Munday.

1Q18 at Mount Charles 4th June 2021. Copyright Craig Munday.

1Q18 again at Mount Charles 4th June 2021. Copyright Craig Munday.

A fantastic Fortnight - Many thanks Craig.
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Westbury
Guy Vincent

​By chance the HST test train was briefly at Westbury yesterday afternoon (3rd June 2021) so I took some pictures of it, both PCs were ex LNER examples but now with NR branding applied. Two of the coaches are of interest as they formed part of the prototype class 252 HST set.  These are ex Trailer First (TF) 975814 (ex 11000 / 41000) and former Trailer Buffet (TRSB) 975984 (10000 / 40000).  The train was in Penzance today from 1124 until 1201 so I'm sure you will receive more pictures.  Until 2003,  43090 and 43099 were both part of the Virgin Cross Country pool so will be making a welcome return to the far west.

Cheers for now and all the best.  Guy

Westbury 43290 1Q23 3rd June 2021. Copyright Guy Vincent

Westbury 43299 1Q23 3rd June 2021. Copyright Guy Vincent.

975814 ex BR 11000 - 41000 (Class 252 Prototype 1972) Westbury 3rd June 2021. Copyright Guy Vincent,

975984 (ex BR 10000 - 40000) (Class 252 Prototype 1972) Westbury 3rd June 2021. Copyright Guy Vincent.

As usual, Guy is on the ball with his 'font of knowledge' no details spared.
Many thanks Guy.
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