6th December 2018

6/12/2018

RFM 10229 at Long Rock TMD
Andrew Triggs

2 Photograpgs for CRS taken on a dull old day of recently transfered MK3 RFM 10229 , which retains it's former Greater Anglia livery and is to be used as spare cover on the Night Riviera, it was transfered from Crewe via Reading and the Down Beds.

Many Thanks Andrew

HST Departure
Many thanks to Driver Nick Dyke
Paul Burkhalter

I am grateful to Nick Dyke for his report on the departure of 43181 off lease. I have a particular affinity for this loco as it was named Devonport Royal Dockyard 1693-1993 at Plymouth Station on 25 November 1993 by Rear Admiral Sir Roy Newman, Mike Leece (MD DML), and Brian Scott (MD InterCity GW). I was one of the party who were treated to 1st class with ‘refreshments’ to Exeter, lunch at the hotel and return – a grand day out! The nameplates were removed during an overhaul and never replaced. Interestingly, 43181 was in the Dockyard twice for various works, once 29 January to 19 February 2003 for a rewire and also 6 January to 9 May 2005 for crash damage repair.
Cheers, Paul Burkhalter. Thanks Paul, I'll pass on your thanks to Nick.

43181 at the Plymouth naming ceremony. 25th November 1993 Copyright Paul Burkhalter

HST's
Ivybridge and Plymouth
Clive Smith

With now just two weeks until the shortest day, photographic opportunities lessen . Recent wet weather has not helped. Last Thursday (30th) and Tuesday (4th) provided a break from what seems like constant rain. IETs will finally take over on other GWR lines next week eradicating HSTs with the timetable change, but not yet on ours. There are still some months to go for these stalwarts currently operating a majority of services on the West Of England line but for how much longer ?

(1) 43018 leads the 12.55 Plymouth - Paddington at Plymouth on the 30th November 2018 on a rare lovely bright sunny day.

(2) Despite a sunny frosty start to the morning the sky soon dulled over. 43118 leads the 09.00 Penzance - Paddington at Harford Bridge west of Ivybridge on 4th December 2018.

(3) It's 12.25 and the late running 10.00 Penzance - Paddington HST passes 150126 at Ivybridge on the 09.00 Cardiff to Penzance.

(4) 'Celebrity' Inter City liveried power car 43185 leads the 12.55 Plymouth - Paddington at Daveys Cross just east of Ivybridge.

Regards Clive Smith Many thanks indeed Clive.