7th July 2020

Stoke Canon
David Tozer

66414 1752 Fairwater Yard to Totnes at Stoke Canon last night. Copyright David Tozer

802020 'Thank you Key Workers' on the rear of the 1815 Plymouth to Paddington. Copyright David Tozer

Thanks David

Problems of 35 years ago today !!!
The Great Western Limited
Paul Barlow

​A few photos of the GW 150 anniversary celebrations of 35 years ago.

These were taken on 7 July 1985- that is 35 years ago today.

5051 Drysllyn Castle and 4930 Hagley Hall were working the 0902 Paddington to Plymouth 'The Great Western Limited' which I followed from Whiteball to Dainton. All was well until the tour reached Dainton where the steam locomotives stalled near Stoneycombe quarry. Eventully 50045 Achilles was detached from the Liverpool- Plymouth service stuck behind and banked the steam tour up the bank. It then followed to Totnes where the tour was terminated. The tour passed Dainton 139 minutes late!

Kind regards,  Paul Barlow.

An unidentified class 50 on 09.45 Paddington -Plymouth running just in front of the steam tour . 7th July 1985. Copyright Paul Barlow.

5051 and 4930 on the 09.02 Paddington to Plymouth storm past Whiteball signal box 7th July 1985. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Shortly afterwards an HST enters a smoke filled Whiteball tunnel. 7th July 1985. Copyright Paul Barlow.

A marvellous picture, looking in in 'fine fettle' passing Countess Weir Exeter at this stage running about 20 minutes late

Moving on to Dainton Bank where eager photographers awaiting the 'The Great Western' view an HST from Paddington dot the landscape. 7 July 1985. Copyright Paul Barlow.

5051 and 4930 on the 09.02 Paddington -Plymouth seen finally pulling away on .Dainton bank. It;s 2 hours 19 min late 50045 off Liverpool Plymouth train behind banking. 7th July 1985. Copyright Paul Barlow

From the Six Bells Junction Railtour files. Much appreciated information.
           7th July 1985
  British Rail (W.R.) / S.L.O.A.
  The Great Western Limited
Loco Used47484, 50007 'Sir Edward Elgar., 50045 'Achilles' & steam: 4930 'Hagley Hall' & 5051Route : 1Z47 throughout
Loco(s)Route
47484 London Paddington - Slough - Twyford - Reading - Southcote Jn - Newbury - Heywood Road Jn - Trowbridge - Bathampton Jn - Bath Spa - North Somerset Jn - Bristol Temple Meads.
5051 + 4930 Bristol Temple Meads - Worle Jn - Weston-super-Mare - Uphill Jn - Cogload Jn - Taunton - Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot - stalled on the bank to (1)  Dainton Tunnel SB
5051 + 4930 Dainton Tunnel SB - Totnes
From Totnes 50007 (reverse of outward route) - Uphill Jn - Worle Jn - (reverse of outward route) (3) - London Paddington  Notes :
(1) Both steam locos stalled on Dainton Bank and had various attempts to get going without success. 50045 came on the rear and banked the train from m.p. 217 to 218 right by Dainton Tunnel box. 50045 was detached there then followed to Totnes where the train was terminated rather than running through to Plymouth as booked.
The  Booked route was: Cogload Jn - Castle Cary - Heywood Road Jn.

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Dick Franklin)
LocationBookedActual BookedActual
Paddington09.02d? 22.15a00.26
Southall09/13? 22/0300/17
Slough09/20? 21/5700/11
Maidenhead09/28? 21/5300/07
Twyford09/35? 21/4800/02
Reading09.43a ~ 09.48d? 21.37a ~ 21.39d23.54½ ~ 23.56
Southcote Jn09/51? 21/34?
Newbury10/05? 21/1723/39½
Bedwyn10/15? 21/0723/30
Woodborough10/25? 20/56?
Lavington10/33? 20/49?
Heywood Road Jn10/43? 20/4323/05½
Castle Cary 20/26DIV
Bradford Jn10/54? DIV?
Bathampton Jn11/06? DIV22/42
North Somerset Jn11/23? DIV?
Bristol Temple Meads11L25a ~ 11L45d??.?? ~ 12.13 DIV22.22½ ~ 22.25
Worle Jn12/1512/43 DIV21/58½
Weston-super-Mare12.20a ~ 12.46d12.50 ~ 12.55 
Uphill Jn12/5113/01 DIV21/56½
Bridgwater13.10a ~ 13.15d13.21½ ~ 13.25 DIV21/47
Taunton13w36a ~ 14w16d13.45 ~ 14.33½ 20/0621/36
Whiteball Tunnel14/3414/51½ 19/5821/28½
Cowley Bridge Jn14/5715/17½ 19/4121/11½
Exeter St Davids15w00a ~ 15w30d15.22 ~ 15.52 19.37a ~ 19.39d21.05 ~ 21.09
Dawlish Warren15p50a ~ 16p10d16.12½ ~ 16.42½ 19/2020/55
Newton Abbot16w30a ~ 17w00d17.15 ~ 17.50½ 19/1020.43½ ~ 20.44
Aller Jn17/0317/55½ 19/0820/37
Dainton Tunnel17/1119.27 ~ 19.30½ 19/05?
Totnes17/1719.44½a 18/5920.25½d
Brent17/33CANX 18/51CANX
Hemerdon17/50CANX 18/40CANX
Lipson Jn17/56CANX 18/33CANX
Plymouth18.00aCANX 18.30dCANX

Very many thanks to Paul Barlow for providing us with a photographic record of this remarkable railtour.

Gonamena Rail
Liskeard and Caradon Railway
Andrew Jones

I visited the Gonamena incline near Minions where a length of T section rail still exists, I have attached a photograph, its well over a 100 years old and probably should be in a museum. Like you I still feel 18 and Diane keeps reminding me that I am not!    Very best wishes Andrew and Diane

Gonamena - rail section. July 2020 Copyright Andrew Jones

Many thanks Andrew - it bit too heavy to bring home!!