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Items added on 21st August 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

21/8/2017

 
Penzance
​Last steam 
Mike Morant
Picture
A superb picture courtesy of the Mike Morant Collection shows 34002 Salisbury at Penzance. It stands at the head of the return working to Plymouth.The locomotive has been to Long Rock and used the turntable being the last engine ever to do so. In the background of this classic picture note the long gone Gas Works, the covered goods area at the station and the Heritage DMU stating at platform four. 3rd May 1964
Steam Request  I was wondering if anyone has pictures of No. 6920 'Barningham Hall' in the west country (particularly Cornwall). If so, I'd be grateful for a copy for my personal collection. 6920 was a shy Hall, not photographed very much and not appearing in print either. She was an Oxford engine in the 1950s, then Old Oak Common and finally Duffryn Yard. The only picture I have found in the west is one where she is double heading with another Hall up Dainton.   I'd be very interested to see what may be out there.                                                 
                                            Many thanks Trevor Tremethick

Newton St. Cyres
Ron Kosys

Picture
Newton St Cyres. Unit number 871 calls on the 3rd May 1991 with a Barnstaple - Exmouth service. Copyright Ron Kosys
Southampton
Mike Morant

Picture
Bulleid original 'Merchant Navy' class pacific no. 35021 New Zealand Line departs from Southampton Central whilst in charge of the down Bournemouth Belle. [Mike Morant collection]
Minehead
​John Cornelius
Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 20th August 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

20/8/2017

 
Clan Line and Company at
Staffords Bridge
David Tozer
With the onset of rain I popped out to Stafford's Bridge this morning. As I was doing a panning shot with my video camera I have taken a still off. As you can see I had a few interested friends.
Dave    
Many thanks David - this must have been a rather mooving experience!
Picture
35028 Clan Line at Stafford's Bridge 20th August 2017 Copyright David Tozer
HST Derails
It was reported that the rear power car of the11.57 Paddington to Penzance train derailed as it left platform 2 having got only a few yards.  Fortunately there were no casualties and passengers were transferred to another train.
 Clan Line at Berkley Marsh
Guy Vincent
SR 'Merchant Navy' 35028 'Clan Line' heads westwards at Berkley Marsh to the north of Frome this morning on the Torbay Express, 1Z27 0800 Bristol Temple Meads-Kingswear.  Good to see 35028 back on the main line after a major overhaul that lasted over 2 years.  As usual the loco was immaculately turned out and a credit to all those involved in it's upkeep.

Guy Vincent                                        Many thanks  Guy
Picture
35028 Clan Line passes Berkley Marsh 1Z27 0800 BTM-Kingswear 20th August 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent
Steam in Somerset & Devon
Roger Winnen

Picture
170819a 60009 Union of South Africa arrives at Taunton with a special Paddington Minehead service. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
170819b The WSR staff joined the train here at Taunton. The train pulls away from Platform 2 passing the buddleia growing on the end of Platform 3. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
170819c 4277 Hercules approaches Churston on the 14.15 service from Paignton. In the distance can be seen the turntable behind the first coach. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
170819d 75014 Braveheart departs Churston for Paignton at 14.34. The view of Churston Station from the road looks very cluttered as various buildings associated with the railway are built at this location. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
170819e 75014 Braveheart arrives at Kingswear. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
170819f 75014 enters Kingswear Station on the service from Paignton Queens Park. Copyright Roger Winnen
The Gateline is now operational at Newton Abbot Roger Winnen
Picture
170819g All Tickets Please! The new Gateline system at Newton Abbot Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
New Milton
Mike Morant
 
Picture
Ex-works Bulleid rebuilt Merchant Navy pacific no. 35018 British India Line in charge of the Bournemouth Belle at New Milton. [Mike Morant collection]
Athelney
John Cornelius

Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 19th August 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

19/8/2017

 
Oath
John Cornelius

Picture
Hi Keith, A picture I took of 60009 passing Oath near Langport on its way to the West Somerset Rly this morning. I may go out again this evening when it comes back. depends on the weather and light. cheers JOHN C.
Carn Brea
Roy Hart

6814 Enborne Grange hauls an up express through Carn Brea in the summer of 1953. She was a Newton Abbot engine at the time. This is yet another landscape which has been transformed in the last half century: once surrounded by mine tips (and a multitude of unfenced mineshafts) the area is now almost unrecognisable.
Copyright Roy Hart                                     Many thanks Roy.
Picture
Enbourne Grange at Carn Brea in 1953. Copyright Roy Hart.
Southern Green
Alan Harris

Dear Keith,
Attached are 4 photos of an interesting vehicle which I saw at the Helston Railway last Sunday. It is a Morris Minor split screen van in Southern Railway livery with a shed code of 72F Wadebridge painted on the door. If my memory serves me correctly, the "Moggie" split screen version had an 850cc side valve engine, although I once had a split screen car with a 1000cc OHC engine. What a super little van this is, my youngest son, Nick, appearing in one of the photos. 

The Helston Railway is well worth a visit, a very warm welcome, nice buffet car and a very well stocked shop - my congratulations to all those involved.

Alan.
     Many thanks Alan - that is indeed a smashing vehicle.
Picture
At the Helston Railway a Morris Van. 13th August 2017 Alan Harris Copyright. Alan's son spots a Southern Area 'Tee' shirt.
Picture
At the Helston Railway a Morris Van 13th August 2017 Alan Harris Copyright
Picture
Helston Railway Morris Van with Wadebridge shed code. 13th August 2017 Alan Harris Copyright
Picture
At the Helston Railway. A Morris Van 13th August 2017 Alan Harris Copyright
For the purist I know this a road vehicle but it does have extremely strong rail connections!  Congratulations to the owner.
Red domination
Craig Munday
With green dominating the traction units running around the County, it's a pleasure to any other colour range. The orange and yellow of the Colas livery is always striking, as is the bright red now adorning the fleet of the DBC class 66s. Slowly the fleet is being repainted. Quite remarkable that at 18 years old, many are seeing their first repaint. (Remember the hydraulics fading after just a few years?)

An uncommon sight was two such locos working side by side this week, and 66206 was seen on the Goonbarrow empties passing 66085 which had recently arrived in the yard from an overnight trip down with the JIA wagons. The light was rather special too at day break, so a snap was taken on the I phone.

Later in the week 66206 is pictured on the Fowey branch passing Golant with 6G08 on the day of the Red Arrows visiting the resort - another red arrow maybe? 

          All the best, Craig.                              Many thanks Craig 
Picture
66206 St Blazey 13th August 2017 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
66206 & 66085 St Blazey An uncommon sight was two such locos working side by side this week, and 66206 was seen on the Goonbarrow empties passing 66085 which had recently arrived in the yard from an overnight trip down with the JIA wagons. The light was rather special too at day break, so a snap was taken on the I phone. 16th August 2017 Copyright Craig Munday
Picture
A pretty shot:- There's a blue sky and high tide therefore blue water covers the mud flats as 66206 crosses the embankment on the 6g08 at Golant on the 17th August 2017 Copyright Craig Munday
Near Sway
Mike Morant

Picture
An inter-regional service shown here being hauled by Bulleid rebuilt Merchant navy pacific no. 35016 Elders Fyffes near Sway in May 1958. [Mike Morant collection]
Plymouth
John Cornelius

Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 18th August 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

18/8/2017

 
A tramp across the moors.
Andrew Jones

​Dear Keith,
                  Well today (17th August 2017)  I have been exploring a part of Dartmoor, which has proved extremely interesting, from the railway perspective.
   For a while, I have been aware of an intact military railway, near Okehampton, so with stout walking shoes, maps and of course, Google Earth, off I went, noting the weather was fine and no risk of mist!
  The Row Tor military target railway, is possibly known to the members of the Cornwall Railway Society, but I couldn’t find mention of it on your wonderful website, so I have set about trying to piece a few photographs and some history, which your members could add to or verify.
 Finding the railway, proved initially difficult, it is not marked on my ageing ordnance survey map ( so old in fact, that the railway was still shown as open to Halwill and Tavistock!)
Eventually after walking four miles in the wrong direction, I luckily met a dog walker, who was able to correct my terrible map reading and pointed me in the right direction.
The first clue that I was nearby, came when I stumbled over four wooden gun emplacements, but still no railway.
In the distance I noticed a long embankment and a stone mound. Now I was told by the dog walker not to pick anything up whilst on the firing range and I did note some rather military looking objects in the heather, so ignoring them I pressed on, for about half a mile. On reaching the embankment, I hit gold for there was the railway, stretching out in front of me, fully intact.
From the pictures you will see that the embankment, is in fact protecting the railway from gun fire. Their were four sets of points, the rails I judge were 2 foot or 600mm apart and laid on a mixture of metal and wooden sleepers.
The railway has a loop at each end allowing for continuous running.
    A building at the west end, heavily fortified, had contained two Wickham Type R1389 Target Trolleys, powered by a twin cylinder J Arthur Prestwick aircooled engine, one of which, No 3236, from my search, had been removed for preservation on the 9th September 2010.
Recently there had been a TV item which mentioned that the other Wickman Trolley had also been removed.
I believe as recently as 2005/6 the railway had been operational, but can find little information on this, hopefully your members can fill in some gaps.
Over the coming days I will sort out some more pictures and anymore information that I can dig out.
 
Best wishes Andrew    'Bang on Target' Andrew, very interesting - we look forward to your future discoveries. Many thanks.
You can find it on a Google Earth at  Lat 50.702201  Lon  -3.992943
See also Wikipedia
  ​http hen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowtor_Target_Railway
Picture
Row Tor 1 Target Railway Embankment protecting the long straight looking east 17th August 2017 Copyright Andrew Jones
Picture
Row Tor 2 Target Railway Engine Shed, West End of the railway 17th August 2017 Copyright Andrew Jones
Picture
Row Tor 3 Target Railway Points adjacent to the engine shed showing metal sleepers 17th August 2017 Copyright Andrew Jones
Picture
Row Tor 4 Target Railway Embankment Points to the engine shed and first loop. 17th August 2017 Copyright Andrew Jones
Picture
Row Tor 5 Target Railway Embankment. Points to the second loop at the east end of the railways. 17th August 2017 Copyright Andrew Jones
Southampton 
Mike Morant

Picture
A Weymouth - Waterloo train passes through Southampton - undated. [Mike Morant collection]
Minehead
John Cornelius

Picture
'Pretty as a picture' - this superb shot by John looks almost like a painting! Copyright.

Items added on 17th August 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

17/8/2017

 
The Dorset Coast Express at Millbrook, Southampton together with visits to Salisbury, Eastleigh and Romsey
David Tozer

Picture
170816a 60009 Union of South Africa passing Millbrook on route from London Victoria to Weymouth and back to London Waterloo. 16.8.2017 Copyright David Tozer
Picture
170816b 60009 heads towards one of the freighliner depots at Millbrook. 16.8.2017 Copyright David Tozer
Picture
170816g 159102 at Romsey Station. 16.8.2017 Copyright David Tozer
Picture
170816i 450555 departs Eastleigh for Winchester 16.8.2017. Copyright David Tozer
More photographs of this event appear in the Features Page May-December 2017
The Tamar Belle
Heritage Centre
Bere Ferrers
Roger Winnen

A warm welcome greeted me as I turned up a Bere Ferrers Station. Chris Groves of the Tamar Belle Heritage Centre entertained me by showing me his latest developments at this quite unique centre including the building of a memorial to the 10 New Zealander Army personnel who were killed 100 years ago on the 24th September, 1917 at Bere Ferrers Station. These men never had any food for more than ten hours and were told after leaving Plymouth Friary that the train would call at Exeter where refreshments would be available. However the train was halted at Bere Ferrers, the soldiers thinking that they were in Exeter climbed out onto the track to get their food only to be struck by a passing train in the opposite direction heading for Plymouth.
Picture
170815a The Tamar Belle Heritage Centre at Bere Ferrers. This sign was originally lettered Leg O Mutton, a pub which was in Yelverton and since demolished. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
170815b A view of Journeys End Platform and the recent signals at Bere Ferrers. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
170815c Chris Groves stands beside the diesel Earl of Mount Edgecombe and the Booking Office- Signal Cabin at Bere Ferrers. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
170815d Yours truly pulling the Distant lever of the North London Railway frame. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
170815dd Viewed from the turntable we see the other signals with the distant arm and the Saddle Tank awaiting restoration. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
170815e A memorial is in the process of being built a Bere Ferrers Station to commemorate the deaths of 10 members of the New Zealand Army who were killed at this station 100 years ago on 24th September, 1917. Copyright Roger Winnen
Bournemouth
Mike Morant

Picture
Bulleid rebuilt West Country pacific no. 34093 Saunton awaits departure from Bournemouth Central station. [Mike Morant collection]
Near Williton
​John Cornelius
Picture
A smashing shot by John, you can almost hear the engines and admire the smell without smuts in your eyes. Many thanks John

Items added on 16th August 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

16/8/2017

 
Shipshape and Bristol fashion!
Bristol Docks
Colin Burges

Dear Keith,  Though I'm prone to exceeding the subject boundary, I think you'll agree that this is acceptable. It is on rail. Try this link
​https://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/crane29
You'll have to tell Mrs. Jenkin that it is fully booked! Cheers, Colin
Picture
Picture of the rail mounted crane at Bristol Docks. Note the permanent stairway complete with a security gate. Most unusual, try the above link. That's Colin's bike propped up in the foreground. Copyright Colin Burges
Southampton
Mike Morant
Picture
LCGB: The Hampshire Branch Lines Rail Tour 9/4/67. Bulleid original Battle of Britain pacific no. 34057 Biggin Hill departs from Southampton Central. [Mike Morant collection]
50044 'Exeter' at Penzance
Michael Forward

Picture
870910a 50044 Exeter basking in the sunshine of Penzance awaiting to depart with the 12 noon vans to Bristol. Photograph taken on 10th September, 1987. Copyright Michael Forward
Thanks Michael
Minehead Crossing
John Cornelius

Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 15th August 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

15/8/2017

 
Every Tuesday in August
At the Yeovil Railway Centre

Hi Keith, on Tuesdays through August we are running brakevan rides
at Yeovil junction hauled by one of our diesels, plus the miniature railway operating as well. To encourage people to visit us on these days
We are charging an entry price 0f £3 per adult, children under four free,
and £1 for children from 5 to 15. We did this last year and it was very
well appreciated by the visitors.
We are doing the same again this year and  visitor numbers have been very encouraging  on the first three days.  Some pics of today from the junction cheers  JOHN C.             Next on 22nd and then 29th August all pictures by John Cornelius - Copyright
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
A Day on the West Somerset Railway
Andrew Triggs

Picture
170808a D1661 North Star clearing Blue Anchor heading for Minehead. Copyright Andrew Triggs.
Picture
170808b 53808 running back into Minehead Station. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Picture
170808c 7820 Dinmore Manor approaching Watchet heading for Minehead. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Picture
170808d Cllass 33 D6575 arriving at Watchet with a service to Bishops Lydeard. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Picture
170808e D1010 Western Campaigner in the yard at Williton, viewed from the passing train to Bishops Lydeard. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Thanks Andrew
Roger Aston
Roams Devon

Now back home after a long weekend in Devon where we visited South Devon Railway, Paignton & Kingswear Railway,  Exeter & Teign Valley Railway and on the way home a brief visit to the Dartmoor Railway.       Many thanks Roger
Picture
The fireman of L92 (Formerly 5786) drops the token. 11th August 2017 . Copyright Roger Aston
Picture
Kingswear 75014 'Bravehear't runs round its train. 12th August 2017 Copyright Roger Aston
Picture
Kingswear Higher Ferry unloading as 4277 HERCULES departs for Paignton. 12th August 2017 Copyright Roger Aston
Picture
Paignton - White 153305 waiting with 150120 to form the 2F41 to Exmouth. 12th Aug 2017 Copyright Roger Aston
Picture
Christow - The Teign and Exeter Valley Railway. Colin Burges's Trolley. 12th August 2017 Copyright Roger Aston
Picture
Okehampton. Class 205 Thumper 1132 without its TSO S60679 and not at the Platform. 14th August 2017. Copyright Roger Aston
New Forest
Mike Morant

Picture
RCTS: Farewell to Southern Steam 18/6/67. Bulleid original WC pacific 34023 Blackmore Vale and rebuilt West Country no. 34108 Wincanton double-head the special through the New Forest much of which is actually devoid of trees. This pairing of motive power hauled the penultimate leg of this tour from Weymouth to Salisbury via Bournemouth, Southampton, Eastleigh and Romsey and was, by this time, running some 45 minutes down on its schedule. The sixbellsjunction web site states that none of the locos wore their erstwhile names but Wincanton certainly did. However, whether they were the real deal or replicas I know not but I think, from a long-ago memory, that they were the real ones. [Mike Morant]
Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 14th August 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

14/8/2017

 
The Bideford, Westward Ho! & Appledore Railway
A Visit planned for
Saturday 2nd September, 2017.


This visit was planned for last year, but owing to weather conditions it was postponed into the 2017 programme.
The line opened partly on 2nd September, 1903 now 114years to the day and extended to Appledore in 1908 and closed on 28th March, 1917 being requisitioned by the government
. 
Train times for this visit can be found on the outdoor events page
Picture
170812e Appledore Station had a very short existance opening on 1908 and closing on 28th March 1917. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
170812f The carriage shed still stands at Bideford use now for other means of motive power. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
170812ff Still in existance 100 years after closure is these bridge abutments near to the site of Westward Ho1 Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
170812g The coastal footpath from Westward Ho! follows the formation of The Bideford, Westward Ho! & Appledore Railway to Cornborough Cliffs where spectacular views of the coastal landscape can be viewed. These two great houses in this photograph appear in pictures of the Railway during its short operational life Seafield House and Morley House. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
160723c This was the site of The Company Office of the Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway on the Quay at Bideford.. Copyright Roger Winnen
Cowley Bridge &
Norton Fitzwarren
David Tozer
Picture
With budlea growing from the bridge parapit photography is getting difficult. Still is the old First Group livery 143617/619 head towards Barnstaple with the 0954 Exeter (St David's) - Barnstaple. Copyright David Tozer
Picture
43086/198 approach the site of Norton Fitzwarren station with the 1C77 1006 Paddington - Penzance on the 12th August 2017. Copyright David Tozer. The bi-directional single line on the left leads on to the West Somerset Railway.
Padstow
Roy Hart

Picture
Maunsell N class mogul no 31841 stands in the sidings at Padstow at the head of a train. She was shedded at Exmouth Junction at the time. These engines were known to crews as 'Woolworths' - probably a corruption of Woolwich, because 50 of them were built as kits of parts at the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich in order to maintain employment after the end of the first world war. The newly-constituted Southern Railway bought the kits and put the engines in service as class 'N'. 31841 remained in the west. She was withdrawn in March 1964. Copyright Roy Hart
Paignton
John Cornelius

Picture
Copyright John Cornelius
Southampton
Mike Morant

Picture
An undated view of sparking clean former LBSC Marsh H2 Class 4--4-2 no. 32425 Trevose Head in charge of a Bournemouth - Brighton service at Southampton Central. [Mike Morant collection]

Items added on 13th August 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

12/8/2017

 
Plymouth
Andy Miller

Picture
This photograph was kindly supplied by Andy Miller, unfortunately, we do not have any copyright information. Nevertheless a most interesting picture. Access to the up main from the turntable was removed in October 1963 and the turntable was completely isolated March 1964 when the turntable was officially taken out of use. Ref Track Layout Diagrams Sect. 12 Plymouth by R.A. Cooke. Further information kindly supplied by Roger Winnen - The engine on the turntable at Plymouth is a Saint Class Engine numbered in the 29xx series, these were built without side windows to the cabs. The last one in that class which survived was 2920 Saint David and it was withdrawn in October 1953.This engine is possibly Saint David This photo was taken after nationalisation from 1948.
Par from above.
Ron Westwater

Picture
A view from the 'heights' overlooking Par. An HST threads the single line straight north of Middleway Level Crossing. St Blazey yard is clearly visible and a nice cloud of steam from the dries at Par Harbour. Gribben Head forms a back drop. Copyright Ron Westwater. 10th August 2017
Picture
66206 heads over St Blazey Bridge level crossing and on towards Lostwithiel and a FGW lurks in the top corner of the frame. 10th August 2017 Copyright Ron Westwater. We cannot leave this picture without drawing attention to the former lime kilns just beyond the train. The houses centre right are in Aberdeen Close, presumably so called as they are on the site of the 'Aberdeen Sanitary Steam Laundry'.
Picture
After running round at Lostwithiel 66206 heads down stream with the 6G06 07.39 Goonbarrow to Fowey, 10th August 2017 Copyright Ron Westwater
Picture
66202 again as it crosses Golant Causeway en route for Fowey. 10th August 2017 Copyright Ron Westwater
Brockenhurst
Mike Morant

Picture
Southern Maunsell 'Schools' class 4-4-0 no. 30925 Cheltenham at Brockenhurst on 8/7/56. No. 30925, a survivor into the heritage era, was built at the Southern's Eastleigh works in 1934, acquired it's BR number in April 1950 and was withdrawn from service at Basingstoke mpd in December 1962. [Mike Morant collection]
West of Athelney
John Cornelius

Picture
Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on 12th August 2017                                                                                               Those added most recently come first

12/8/2017

 
Union of South Africa 1
Guy Vincent
Also in our area today was ex LNER Gresley A4 no 60009 'Union of South Africa' on a Paddington-Bishops Lydeard-Minehead 'West Somerset Steam Express' charter.   'UoSA' was reportedly standing in for ex SR 34046 'Braunton' and is scheduled to work a repeat itinerary charter again next Saturday, 19th. I caught it this morning arriving at Westbury and then again as it left the Frome loop at Blatchbridge Junction following a water stop.  The A4 was due to give way to ex S&D 53808 at Bishops Lydeard.  I understand that in July 2019 when 60009's current boiler certificate expires owner John Cameron intends taking it off the main line and permanently preserving the loco in a new purpose-built museum he's currently having built on his farm in Fife, Scotland.  This museum will also house Mr Cameron's other steam loco, K4 61994 'The Great Marquess' which has already ceased operation due to a cracked inner firebox and expired boiler certificate.  The advice therefore has to be, like so many things on the Western Region at the moment, 'get it while you can'.

Guy Vincent.              12th August 2017
         Many thanks Guy
Picture
60009 Westbury 1Z50 12th August 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent
Picture
Union of South Africa, Blatchbridge Jctn Frome 12th August 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent
Union of South Africa 2
David Tozer
​Two up todate photographs from near the site of old Norton Fitzwarren station.

These are of 60009 'Union of South Africa' with the 'Cathedrals Express', the 0808 1Z50 London (Paddington) - Minehead. 
Picture
Union of South Africa at Norton Fitzwarren on the 12th August 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent
Picture
60009 UoSA Norton Fitzwarren 12th August 2017 Copyright David Tozer
Triple HST's at Westbury
Guy Vincent
For the past 3 years it has in theory at least and with luck on one's side, it just been possible on summer Saturday mornings to witness the three operational platform faces at Westbury each occupied by a GWR HST set.   Right-time running of 1C75 and occasional cancellation/late running of one or another of the services has often scuppered attempts but today I was rewarded with the spectacle.   The trains concerned are, left to right: P1 1C75 0835 Paddington-Paignton (due 0955-0956); P2 1O72 0906 Bristol Temple Meads-Weymouth,"The Weymouth Wizard" (due 0955-1003) and P3 1A77 0747 Plymouth-Paddington (due 0957-1001).   As luck would have it 1O72 arrived just 2 minutes late at 0955 into P2, followed by 1A77 into P3 one minute early at 0957. Finally, just 4 minutes late and making the shot 'work' for me 1C75 slipped into P1 at 0959.

With the impending arrival of new class 800 and 802 bi-mode DEMU's it is unlikely that this scene will be repeated next year although I hope I am wrong!  This past week night-time testing of the new traction has been taking place with 800005 and 802002 both observed passing through Westbury.  One day you will receive notification from 'our' end that an HST set is unexpectedly en-route to Penzance vice an unavailable 'Flying Cucumber!'

Guy Vincent     Many thanks Guy, anybody would think you're not too keen on the 800 and 802's !! I think that there are many who would agree.
Picture
Three HST's at Westbury on the 12th August 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent
A Riddle from
Roy Hart
​Re Uncle John
Here's a riddle:-   Roger Winnen fancifully refers to 'platform 4' at St Erth in yesterday's feature on the changes there. This track is today simply a siding (the only one) at St Erth, leading from the branch. Until 1965'ish, it was the branch run-around loop. The short spur between the engine release crossover and the buffers was known to railwaymen as 'Uncle John'. It was normally the home of the dedicated St Ives branch goods train guards van. Does anyone know the origin of this name?
Cheers Roy    Does anybody know Uncle John?
Virgin Trains
Back in Cornwall
For a short time

I have been advised that Virgin Trains East Coast powercar 43305 is coming down to Penzance this evening on the rear of 1V58 0900 Glasgow Central to Penzance and will then work 2C80 21:29 Penzance to Plymouth. 

East Midlands Trains powercar 43043 was on this yesterday but they took it off at Craigentinny last night.

Much oblidged to Messrs Martin Duff and Janie Dyke for this info
Picture
170812a 43305 Photographed on arrival at Exeter St David's. Copyright Roger Winnen
Picture
At Liskeard. 12th August 2017. Copyright Peter Murnaghan
Picture
Departing Liskeard 12th August 2017 Copyright Peter Mrunaghan
Picture
Getting near the end of a long run - Glasgow - Penzance. The Virgin HST makes an interesting sight, a reminder of days gone by. 12th May 2017 Copyright Jamie Dyke
Picture
170812c An unusual cab side door on the HST at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen
For more photographs of this event go to the Features Pages May to December 2017
Southampton
Mike Morant
Picture
Maunsell 'Schools' class 4-4-0 30913 Christ's Hospital in charge of a Lymington service at Southampton. [Mike Morant collection]
Exeter SD
John Cornelius

Picture
The signalman and the atendant watch as an interesting collection of cars head east across Red Cow Level Crossing. Copyright John Cornelius
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