7th June 2022

Dashing through 
Dawlish
Phil Smith 

Emerging from Kennaway tunnel 43197 heads an up Virgin Service through Dawlish in 2000. Copyright Phil Shattered Smith

Many thanks Phil, nicely caught long before 'the wall'.

British Telecom Unit at Liskeard
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, here is a picture of our old friend the B.T. unit at Liskeard on 8 August 1986 waiting to leave with the 14.28 service to :Looe. Copyright Michael Forward

Thanks Michael

Exhibition Way
Exeter
David Tozer

A sunny evening at Exhibition Way overbridge, Exeter.

A chance to compare the variations of the three car 158 fleet.

A)  159010 and 159013 with the 1520 Waterloo to Exeter. These units were built as part of the Class 158 order and were modified for Network South East and became Class 159/0's

B)  158798 with the 1832 5Z90 Axminster to Exeter. This is GWR's only true three car Class 158 having transferred from First Trans Pennine. Since the introduction of the 1631 Barnstaple to Axminster the unit usually works to Castle Cary and back and is used as a route refresher. For the second time since the introduction of the GWR service the unit has returned to Exeter in similar timings to what SWR did years ago.

Dave Tozer

(A) 159010 and 159013. 6th June 2022 Copyright David Tozer

(B) 158798 6th June 2022 Copyright David Tozer.

Many thanks David for the pictures and the 'Gen'.
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Unusual visitors to Didcot
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, Hope you are well and that you enjoyed your trip up to Bodmin Railway. Here is a picture of 31171 and 33058 stabled at Didcot station on 1 December 1983. Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael

Creech St Michael
Andrew Triggs

Afternoon Keith/Roger,
A visit to the classic location of Creech St Michael (east of Taunton) today, with great views either side of Dunnings Farm overbridge, a fair bit of variety to be seen, and the weather generally playing 'ball' for a change 
All the Best, Andrew.

1. Network Rail Plasser and Theurer Tamper DR73122 approaching Dunnings Farm overbridge working 6Q55 09.55 Severn Tunnel Junction 6th June 2022 Copyright Andrew Triggs.

2. XC 43378 (with 43207) working 1V50 06.06 Edinburgh-Plymouth 6th June 2022 Copyright Andrew Triggs.

3. 66587 'As One We Can' working 6C73 12.18 Westbury Down T.C-Fairwater Yard HOBC 6th June 2022 Copyright Andrew Triggs.

4. 66587 'As One We Can' working 6C73 12.18 Westbury Down T.C-Fairwater Yard HOBC 6th June 2022 Copyright Andrew Triggs.

Many thanks Andrew. Holidays again!
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Marston Footbridge 
Ken avoids arrest !

​Subject: Police, Trains and me.

Regarding the police photo - Don't worry - i wasn't arrested - the two young policemen were concerned about seeing a person [ME!] being on a footbridge over a high speed electrified main line and wanted to make sure that I was OK - I very much appreciated their concern !.
Kind regards,
Ken

[1] 66614 heading west with a Theale to East Usk train.

[2] 60055 with the Oxford to Machen empties

[3] 70803 [?] heading east with a Westbury to Banbury train

[4] Northolt to Severnside train hauked by 66104 [?]

[5] Surprised to see empy vehicles at the end of the train to Severnside

[6] A plain police car + a police van + two young policemen were concerned about someone [ME?] sitting on a footbridge. Policemen seen walking away after they were satisfied that I was OK!

[7] 66744 heads the scrap train - see taking coaches for scrapping from Stewart's Lane (London) to Newport (Sims). N.B. Seems a shame to scrap a smart looking rake of stock.

Many thanks for your observations Ken - surprised you didn't make the National Newspapers!
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