6th December 2023

Two freights run into
Par Harbour today
Roger Winnen

231206a The Par Harbour freight departs from the loading area at Par Harbour. Copyright Roger Winnen

231206b 66165 nears Par Crossing. Copyright Roger Winnen

231206c 66165 on the road crossing at Par. Copyright Roger Winnen

231206d Imerys Freight crossing the road at Par. Copyright Roger Winnen

CDAs Going to Par Harbour for preservation

231206e A fleet of 9 CDAs being propelled into Par Harbour for preservation Copyright Roger Winnen

231206g 66165 Propelling the wagons over the level crossing. Copyright Roger Winnen

231206h Heading towards Five Arches Bridge where a Castle Class HST, the 11.50 Penzance to Plymouth crosses Copyright Roger Winnen

231206i Backing into Par Harbour being spied upon from a drone. Copyright Roger Winnen

231206j Joh Hird controls his drone as it takes photos from above. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many thanks Roger - unique pictures.

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And now we see Drone views of the CDA Movement.
Jon Hird 

CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird. Roger W has just crossed the road and is heading towards the level crossing. Jon can be spotted controlling his 'magnificent flying machine' from further up the road towards the docks.

CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

Many many thanks to Jon and Roger.

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Dawlish
Phil Smith

Virgin trains buffer fitted 43080 heads through Dawlish in 2002. The steeple would appear to be that of the local URC church, Copyright Phil Smith.

Many thanks Phil.

Oldfield Park
Paul Negus

A Castle on Brunel's Main Line!
I was in my old stomping ground of Bath today and Vintage Trains ran a special to the Bath Christmas Market from Solihull. It was with great pleasure that I discovered that 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe was rostered for this run. I understand that this was a last minute decision and I must say that it was a real treat to see a Castle running on the original GWR Main Line!
Here are three shots of 5043 - the driver shut off coming through the station as there was a substantial number of passengers waiting for a service train on the Bristol bound platform - but then opened up with great acoustics once through! 

Incidentally, there was a procession of London bound trains going East through Oldfield Park today as Badminton Tunnel was impassible due to flooding. 

Kind regards
Paul Negus

5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe approching Oldfield Park 5th December 2023. Copyright Paul Negus

5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe dashes through Oldfield Park. 5th December 2023. Copyright Paul Negus

5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe heading towards Bath from Oldfield Park 5th December 2023. Copyright Paul Negus

Meant to say that 5043 was 6 early arrival into Bath Spa despite the widespread disruption due to flooding. Perhaps the controllers appreciated a classic GWR loco heading to Bristol along the original Great Western main line?

Kind regards
Paul

Many thanks, A very worthwhile effort on your part Paul.

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Earl of Mount Edgecombe
Swindon
Ken Mumford

The passage of 5043  generated many photographs by Ken which took a lot of sorting.  As he said pick and choose - here they are.

5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe at Swindon 5th December 2923, Copyright Ken Mumford

5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford

A gentle push by D1755 at Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford

5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe. heads on for Bath. Seen at Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford

The return journey

5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe heading back through Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford

Wreathed in steam the 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe at Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford

A picture of power as 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford

Ancient and modern - 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford

A classic photograph 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe Swindon 5th December 2023, Copyright Ken Mumford

The above collection of pictures is edited down from about twenty kindly sent by Ken Mumford.

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Cogload
Bill Elston

Hi Keith,

I went over to Cogload today, but this time at Northern end (Durston).

Passing traffic was in fairly quick succession,

1)  Voyagers 221144 and 220023 on 1S51 Plymouth-Glasgow
2 &3)  IETs 802004&017 on the  1C80 Pad - PZ, diverted via Bristol.  Seen going up the ramp, then down.
4&5, Castle class 43189+153 on 2U20  PZ-CF.

Please see photos,

Best wishes, Bill Elston 

221144+220023, Cogload. 5th December 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.

802004+802017, Cogload. 5th December 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.

802004+802017 heading on down the slope towards Taunton crossing over the lines on the direct route towards London. Cogload. 5th December 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.

43189, Cogload. 5th December 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.

43189+153, Cogload. 5th December 2023. Copyright Bill Elston.

Many thanks indeed Bill - this is an unusual but good location for views of Cogload.

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