7th January 2019

A final look at a fine job
Westbury  North Renewals Complete
Guy Vincent

​  Westbury station is now back to normal following the Christmas project that saw the complete North junction layout renewed along with signalling work in advance of the lengthening of platforms 2 and 3 later this year.   The following four pictures were taken on Sunday January 6th 2019.  Guy Vincent 
Many thanks to you Guy for your very through coverage of this major project.  Much detail has been given, not a stone left unturned, except in the ballast that is !!  Note how clean and tidy the station has been left - a credit to the engineers involved.

Photo 1) Celebrity HST power car 43185 preparing to leave for London Paddington with the 0947 from Penzance (headcode 1A83). It is 13.56 on the 6th January 2019. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Photo 2) Trailing 1A83 was 'old number one' although bizarrely British Rail gave it the number 43002. This historic power car has at last been recognised as worth saving and it was recently designated by the ''Railway Heritage Designation Advisory Board'' to become part of the National Collection when it is retired from service this coming spring. It's original partner from set 253001, 43003, is now set for several more years front-line service in Scotland. 13.59 on the 6th January 2019. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Photo 3) Looking north from the end of platforms 2 and 3. A 158 from Cardiff to Warminster is approaching. The diagonal symbols on the green boards indicate to drivers that the previous temporary speed restriction has been terminated earlier than planned and the normal line speed now applies through the junction. It is 12.59 on the 6th January 2019. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Photo 4) Looking south from the end of platform 3. New signals are in place and the platform will in due course be extended to about the point where the white concrete cable trough on the right ends. 13.05 6th January 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent

Footnote :- Noting the times on the previous two photographs gives some idea of the time it takes to get from one end of platform 3 to the other!!

A fine panoramic of the stock move
Stoke Canon
Paul Barlow

​Photo of the HST stock move at Stoke Canon on 21 December 2018.  An excellent view Paul, many thanks for contacting us.

004A 47815 and 47812 on the 09.35 Laira to Ely Papworth sidings stock move at Stoke Canon 21st December 2018 Copyright Paul Barlow

Celebrities return
Andrew Triggs

Celebrities captured passing Slopers Siding 43185 leads The Cornish Riveria Express on the 7th January 2019 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Celebrities passing Slopers Siding 43002 brings up the rear of The Cornish Riveria Express on the 7th January 2019 Copyright Andrew Triggs

With respects and thanks to our reporters,  I think that perhaps we'd better reduce the sightings of this pair a little, interesting though it may be. KJ

Filham Bridge (Ivybridge)
Clive Smith

Good Afternoon Keith
Today Sunday 6th January 2019 saw the celebrity pairing HST down our way in daylight on the 09.47 Penzance - Paddington. This time I had the 'gen' but again not the sun. The train is seen approaching Filham Bridge to the east of Ivybridge station. The farm track here was thankfully less stressful to cross to get the rear power car shot 'going away' shot. 
              Regards, Clive Smith.   Many thanks Clive

The intercity liveried power car leads. Celebrity pair at Ivybridge 6th January 2019 Copyright Clive Smith

- and a dash across the bridge to get the trailing power car in the original livery. 6th January 2019. Copyright Clive Smith