It is sad to learn that Ian Allan, that gentleman of loco log Books and Railtours has passed away. Our sympathies to his relatives. http://www.railmagazine.com/news/2015/06/29/ian-allan-dies-at-the-age-of-93#.VZGORUYllGs.facebook
 Remember the days when we boys used stand on platforms taking numbers? Here is 6874 Haughton Grange arriving at Plymouth Station in July 1962 Copyright Adrian King  Its again July 62 and we've moved to Laira Junction. A Warship flashes by with an up service. Note the 'stacked' track panels, perhaps the remnents of that point in time when the Lea More tramway lines which crossed the main line at this location were removed. Oh yes, and where's that gentleman with a black bag going - is he the relief signalman? Copyright Adrian King  July 62, the same day and almost the same time as in the picture above as another Warship, this time with a down service flashes by. The busy box is now in view as that gentleman with a black bag turns away from the signalbox, we'll never find out where he was going!!  Adrian takes another shot on his '120' film, this time of a steam loco heading into Laira. However, interestingly, one can see the level crossing gates which were used when horse drawn traffic on the Lea Moor tramway crossed here. July 1962  A class 22 with a down freight passes Laira Junction. The fields in the background as yet to be covered with houses are another clue to the year - 1962. Copyright Adrian King  150627k 57303 Hauls the ECS 10.15 service from Long Rock to Par seen passing Gwinear Road. Copyright Andrew Triggs.  150627l 57303 Pride of Carlisle at Gwinear Road Level Crossing. Copyright Andrew Triggs  150627m After clearing the Level Crossing at Gwinear the empty stock working rounds the sharp bend towards Camborne. Copyright Andrew Triggs  150627n The 11.00 Penzance to Paddington HST nicely fills Angarrack Viaduct. Copyright Andrew Triggs  150627o The Pathfinder Railtour with 66194 heads for Penzance seen crossing Angarrack Viaduct. Copyright Andrew Triggs Sid, having been given a few minutes off at Okehampton spotted the ex BR Class 205 118 Thank you Sid For further information on these units and the operation of the Dartmoor Railway see the item on 1st July 2015  The Thumper awaiting business at Okehampton. 27th June 2015 Copyright Sid Sponheimer.  The view looking towards Coleford Junction from the footbridge. 27th June 2015 Copyright Sid Sponhiemer  150627f The 06.32 Dundee-Newquay arrives at Bodmin Parkway. This day was not a good day for Cross Country services in Cornwall, as the 07.50 Glasgow-Penzance was terminated at Plymouth and the 16.25 Penzance-Leeds ran E.C.S. to Plymouth owing to the lack of a train manager. Copyright Roger Winnen  150627g Plymouth City Bus has taken over the Padstow service from the demised Western Greyhound Company. Route 75 is seen leaving Bodmin Parkway for Padstow. Copyright Roger Winnen  150627h Under gloomy skies 57303 Pride of Carlisle crosses the border into Cornwall on the 17.50 Exeter-Penzance working known as 'The Beds'. Copyright Roger Winnen  150627i Coming off the Royal Albert Bridge for the first stop at Saltash. On leaving this station a vicious frenzy took place in the rear coach between two males, one the worse for drink and possibly drugs. blood being spilt! The train crew in their professional wisdom contained the situation well, before summoning the police who boarded the train at Bodmin Parkway to remove the offenders and take statements. Copyright Roger Winnen  150627j The end of Mazey Day as 57303 Pride of Carlisle arrives at Penzance at 21.19hrs. The last train due to depart from Penzance at 21.32 being a Cross Country Voyager service to Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen Quite a productive 35 minutes for Roger Aston today as he photographed no less than four trains at Apex Summit. Nice pictures, thank you Roger These were starting with 1A83 to Paddington followed by Pride of Carlisle with empty stock to Par. In the other direction 1C72 from Bristol to Penzance and then 66194 with special 191F from Tame Parkway (dep 0445) to Maisy Day at Penzance  With the A30 on the right of the picture and Hallenbeagle Mine engine house in the distance. The trains is the 1A83 to Paddington. 27th June 2015 Copyright Roger Aston  Looking very smart indeed is 'Pride of Carlisle' with empty stock to Par. 27th June 2015 Copyright Roger Aston  1C72 from Bristol to Penzance climbs up from Chacewater. 27th June 2015 Copyright Roger Aston Rogers last picture of the Tame Parkway - Penzance Railtour appears in the sequence below.
 David Tozer saw it first - here is the railtour near Powderham headed by 66 195. 27th June 2015 Copyright.  Craig Munday writes "I was in full Bear Gryls mode for this photo today near Brownqueen tunnel. The location is Slip Wood east of Restormel. The sun hardly ever penetrates this glade except late morning. Added to this - the location is completely untouched by humans making it almost inaccessible. I did persevere however, and got this shot of the train heading west. Well done, hope you didn't get too scratched! Nice to see a shot from this rare angle. Copyright  66194 with special Pathfinders Railtour 191F from Tame Parkway (dep. 04.45) to Penzance for Maisy Day. Pictured at Apex Summit near Scorrier. A nice almost head on view of the long train. Copyright Roger Aston  150627a 66194 Heads the Mazey Day special to Penzance seen crossing Angarrack Viaduct, Hayle. Copyright Roger Salter.  150627b 66194 Running around its train at slopers siding Penzance. Copyright Roger Salter  150627c 66194 Waiting to push back its rolling stock used on the Torbay Express from Bristol to Kingwear on Sundays. Copyright Roger Salter  150627d The return charter awaits its passengers at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen  150627e Homeward bound passing through Bodmin Parkway as the special heads for the West Midlands. Copyright Roger Winnen A couple from Craig from his privileged position on duty in St Erth Signalbox, aren't we envious?  A down HST approaches its penultimate stop at St Erth on the 26th June 2015 Copyright Craig Munday  150 244 disappears off on yet another journey to St Ives on the 26th June 2015. The semaphore signal really makes this picture. Copyright Craig Munday  150625a 66200 Passing Exeter St David's on route to Exeter Riverside with an Imery's Freight from St Blazey to the Potteries at Cliff Vale. Copyright Roger Winnen  150625b This was a long train indeed passing St Exeter St David's, for Riverside Yard. Copyright Roger Winnen  150625c Within 11 mins of the previous photograph we have 66133 heading the Alphington to Cardiff Tidal Scrap Train passing through St David's. Copyright Roger Winnen  150625d Ten minutes later at 17.37 we had 66200 returning light engine to St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen  150625e Waiting at Topsham crossing the 12.43 service from Barnstaple to Exmouth. Copyright Roger Winnen Hi Keith. A rather faded and practically numberless 66200 heads East past the foxgloves at Bolitho near Liskeard with 6C53 25th June 2015. The second portion departed at around 9pm from St Blazey. There are only ten British 66s running in the 66200 - 66250 series, the other 4/5s are working abroad. Cheers Craig Many thanks Craig  66 200 near Bolitho with Liskeard Church in the background. 25th June 2015 Copyright Craig Munday |