8th February 2022

The Chairmans View.
Lostwithiel
Dennis Flood

Roger/Keith, Good afternoon to you. Herewith are three photographs of track being lifted from the down sidings at Lostwithiel. ‘There is nothing so temporary as the permanent way.!’ Taken from within the 1100 Cardiff Central to Penzance service today. They may be of use for the CRS website…. Another little bit of Cornwall railway history gone.! Regards, Dennis.

Lostwithiel 8th February 2022 Copyright Dennis Flood.

Lostwithiel 8th February 2022 Copyright Dennis Flood.

Lostwithiel 8th February 2022 Copyright Dennis Flood.

Taken by Dennis on his way to tonights committee meeting.
Many thanks Sir.
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Westbury Weekend
Driver Alan Peters

Alan gets the pictures we can only dream about.

Westbury Up side in the early hours of the morning of 3rd February 2022 sees GBRf 66776 'Joanne' stabled at the entrance to the recycling MHD Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Colas Rail 70803 was on the fuel point on the morning of the 4th February 2022, the fuel point having been moved from its original location for the additional 3 sidings that are yet to be commissioned Copyright Driver Alan Peters

In a brief spell of sunshine Colas Rail 70816 is pictured outside the 'Elephant House' at Westbury Down side before working 6C20 to Plymouth on 5th February 2022 Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Many thanks Alan, super pictures in super conditions.
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Instanter Couplings
Mark Howells

Having seen the request for information about instanter couplings (By Mike Roach) I can confirm that they are still in daily use on Network Rail infrastructure services.
 See attached images from a recent site visit near Swindon.
 Not the best images, but I wasn’t really focussed on taking pictures of the couplings!
 Hope the above helps.
 Mark Dennis Howells BEng (Hons) MPWI MIAM
Senior Asset Engineer (Drainage & Lineside)

From a recent site visit near Swindon which shows the rear of an engineering train comprised of Coalfish wagons (used for pea shingle) in which you can see the instanter coupling in which you can see the instanter coupling and the rear tail lamp. Copyright Mark Howells

The second image shows the instanter coupling in a stowed position and a tight screw coupling in use between a Coalfish wagon and MLA wagon (used for spoil). Copyright Mark Howells

Many thanks Mark - now we all know. A simple idea but an ingenious solution to having tight or loose couplings between wagons.
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Swindon area
Ashbury Crossing
Ken Mumford

Ken has been out of contact due to internet problems but brings us three pictures he took whilst out of touch. Ken was also in the Swindon area but out to the east at Ashbury Crossing.

Ashbury Crossing Lomdn bound IET - the sun is behind me about to set in the west. 13th January 2022. Copyright Ken Mumford

Ashbury Crossing 0230 & 0240 Track maintenhance vehicle on the north side of the track. 13th January 2022. Copyright Ken Mumford

Ashbury Crossing. A westbound IET. 13th January 2022. Copyright Ken Mumford

A 'Bootiful picture' of essential footwear - also at Asbury Crossing but on the 7th February 2022. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken.
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From a different location at
Creech St Michael
Bill Elston

The ecs sleeper stock, 5C99, ran today from Reading to PNZ, hauled by 57603, and is seen passing Creech St Michael
running a few minutes early.

The bridge in the background is my usual vantage point, but recent cutting back has opened this view from the main road bridge.

Best wishes, Bill

57603, 7th February 2022 Copyright Bill Elston.

Many thanks Bill.
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Livermead Tunnel
Colin Burges

Dear Keith,
Torbay Road Bridge on the Kingswear Branch is being replaced, giving me a purpose to visit the bay in winter. I have written a bit about the former tunnel which carried the road before the bridge was built. It may interest your readers.

https://www.teignrail.co.uk/scouting/1450-2/

Best wishes, Colin

Friends - I urge you to click on the link Colin has provided concerning his many 'Scouting Expeditions' there is masses of detailed and very interesting information there - and it's all indexed.
- I, KJ, feel not a little embarrassed the the credits given to me - the only bit that is maybe true is that I might be the oldest railway webmaster in the west.
Now a little about Colin - he is, as you will see, very capable with his pen and writes masses of extremely interesting and valuable information about his travels around the west on his bicycle. Colin is also a very practical person as you will discover if you visit his base - the Exeter and Teign Valley Railway at Christow. You will find there an amazing collection railwayana and you might even get a ride too. However you do need to make a prior arrangement before a visit.

Thank you so very much Colin.
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Try this link for contact details :-
Exeter and Teign Valley Railway - Christow Stationhttps://www.teignrail.co.uk

Quintrell Downs
Paul Barlow

50008 Thunderer seen at Quintrell Downs Unknown service heading for Newquay about to pass through the station non-stop, 30th August 1986 Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul well caught !