9th July 2022

9/7/2022

Last Day of diverted scrap trains at Kemble
Ken Mumford

I understand from the Traffic Manager responsible for Kemble station that the work concerning the Severn Tunnel is due to finish on Sunday evening.
So, I made a visit to Kemble today and these are some of my photos. I had hoped to see two other diverted workings but, for some reason they did not turn up. I also undertand that there was a problem at Gloucester

Taken from the minor road bridge just south of the station one sees a Swansea to Paddington train speeding through. Copyright Ken Mumford

This day was the last day that the Stewarts Lane to Newport (Sims) scrap train [5Q55] was due to be diverted. The loco was 66724 but I've not got any details of the barrier coaches or the scrap coaches. It passed me 6 minutes EARLY! Copyright Ken Mumford

Taken by complete surprise [the recorded anuoncement about a fast train approaching platform 2 didn't give me enough time to go up the steps to the fotobridge and take a photo of this train from the station footbridge] of 66605 going very well with a train from Hayes heading to East Usk Yard. According to Real Time Trains it passed Kemble 15 SECONDS EARLY! Copyright Ken Mumford

Many Thanks Ken

Today at Exeter St David's Station
David Tozer

A rare visitor to platform two at Exeter (St David’s) was Freightliner Class 66 66414. This appeared to be a route learner working, 0927 Westbury Tarmac – Exeter (St David’s) and 1159 Exeter (St David’s) to Newbury which in fact departed at 1102 57 minutes early. Copyright David Tozer

Finally 70000 ‘Britannia’ with the 0640 High Wycombe to Kingswear. Copyright David Tozer

Thanks David

Late Running Riviera
Andrew Triggs

1. 57306 leading 57605 on final approach to platform 4 at Penzance
2. Glorious summer sunshine lights up the late running Night Riviera, viewed from the Motorcycle park at Penzance
3. 57306 with 57605 slow to stop at platform 4 at 09.05

Picture 2 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Picture 3 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Many thanks Andrew.

Heritage Traction in the Duchy
Craig Munday

My first post to you for a little while. A very stale period for any variety around to be honest.
A week of nights saw the Network Rail UTU train in action on the mainline and Newquay branch. 37175 sounded great growling around the Newquay line in the dead of night. Pictures taken at Newquay and Goonbarrow.
Back onto a day off on 8th July and a trip up to Treboul Farm near St Germans to savour WCR's 47826 chattering up the bank with a heavy load of Northern Belle carriages, and 47804 dead on the rear.
43093 is also pictured. The once pride of the Old Oak Common fleet of power car now looks rather jaded with peeling paint.
Best wishes, Craig

37175 3Q53 Newquay 7th July 2022 Copyright Craig Munday

37175 3Q53 Goonbarrow 7th July 2022 Copyright Craig Munday

Treboul Farm St Germans 1Z57 47826 8th July 2022 Copyright Craig Munday

Treboul Farm St Germans 8th July 2022 Copyright Craig Munday

Many thanks Craig - you certainly get around.

Heritage Traction in Devon
Keith Turley

On a lovely sunny evening of 8th July 2022, Colas Rail Freight class 37/0 No.37175 is seen passing Cullompton, working the 3Q13 20:28 Exeter Riverside yard to Reading triangle sidings Network Rail test train. Regards Keith Turley.

8th July 2022 Copyright Keith Turley

Many thanks Keith - a glorious evening.

Sloane Square (Chelsea)
Simon Howard

With all this talk about Chelsea, I thought I’d send you something of the real thing.

This is Sloane Square station (in the heart of Chelsea) – the tracks are clear but plenty of vegetation growing up and out of the walls. You might be interested that the green bridge you can see carries the River Westbourne over the platforms – one of London’s lost rivers.

Kind regards, Simon

Sloane Square (Chelsea Flower Show) Copyright Simon Howard

Hi Simon, Many thanks - very interesting. This really is beyond our limits but as it is only two miles from Paddington we'll let it slip through this once.

The Northern Belle 'The Cornish Lunch'
Bristol Temple Meads to Par and Return 8th July 2022

The return 1Z58 15.27 Par-Bristol T.M-Par on time at 15.36 passing through Lostwithiel with 47804 leading. Copyright Andrew Triggs

47826 at the front top & tails with 47804 on the rear on the 1Z57 11.30 Bristol TM - Par 'Northern Belle' Pullman. Copyright Clive Smith

For further photographs of this railtour please go to STEAM & DIESEL RAILTOURS 22 ONWARDS

Summer Sunshine at Shaldon Bridge
Clive Smith

43184 in Inter City Executive livery heads the 1S51 12.27 Plymouth - Edinburgh with 43303 on the rear. What a wonderful sight. Copyright Clive Smith

A well planned lunch break while working in Teignmouth found me at Shaldon Bridge at 13.10 to photograph 43184 in retro livery and two 47s on the Northern Pullman. The trouble was they were both due at 13.11 with the possibility of a double whammy total eclipse if they both passed each other at the exact same moment. My preference was for the HST and so I pitched up on that side of the bridge. Thankfully the wonders of technology are available in the shape of the 'Open Train Times' link which provides real time signalling movements and as the clock ticked down I could see they would be a few minutes apart and so it turned out to be two and a half minutes. Phew.
Many Thanks Clive for your perfect timing of this event.

Caught at Creech
Bill Elston

Hi Keith,

Passing traffic at Creech; All on the 8th July 2022
Hope these are of interest.
By the way, did you receive my previous 2 emails with Hst odds and ends ?

Best wishes, Bill