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Items added on the 31st October 2016 Those added most recently come first

31/10/2016

Part 2 of Michael Forward visit to Salisbury

840717e 33014 on the 08.30 Brighton to Cardiff arrives at Salisbury. Copyright Michael Forward

840717f 33008 'Eastleigh' with the 10.10 Bristol (11.28 Salisbury) to Portsmouth Harbour. Copyright Michael Forward

840717g 50008 'Thunderer' arrive at 11.30 with the 09.30 from Exeter to London Waterloo. Copyright Michael Forward

840717h To add to the variety and busy nature of that day, 56053 heads west with stone empties. Copyright Michael Forward

Thanks Michael

Helston Railway Progress
John Ball

Dear Keith

I have visited this railway, which is steadily making progress to restore a significant section of the old Helston branch, which has been closed for over 50 years. There is much enthusiasm, and you could see that the kids on half term were having a good time. At £7 (adult) for a two mile trip it may seem expensive, but I enjoyed the general atmosphere and the brake van was fun and was more of an adventure than a 'proper' passenger coach. The café and second hand bookshop are added attractions.

At present this line is diesel worked, but a steam engine - this can be seen - should be up and running before very long. There have been planning permission problems but these have been overcome by a successful appeal, clearing the way to building a bigger terminal. Watch this space!

Regards, John . Many thanks John.
This railway is recommended to all, why not visit.

The latest arrival - 'William Murdock' stands at Prospidnick. 30th October 2016 Copyright John Ball

Ready for the off, a journey towards Truthall Halt. 30th October 2016 Copyright John Ball

Passing the Trevarno Site. 30th October 2016. Copyright John Ball

For more news of the Helston Railway, and there's lots of good news click here http://www.helstonrailway.co.uk/news

Langstone Rock
John Cornelius

Many thanks to John Cornelius, Copyright

Merehead 98
Mike Morant

GWR 57XX 7760 at Merehead Quarry on the 28th June 1998. Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection This loco is currently at Tysley on staic display awaiting overhaul.

GWR 7760 at Merehead Quarry on the 28th June 1998. Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection Into traffic 31st December 1930, withdrawn 30th December 1961

Items added on the 30th October 2016 Those added most recently come first

30/10/2016

Warship near Crewkerne
John Cornelius

This loco to traffic 8th February 1961 and was in BR service until 16th December 1972. Onslaught as been on the West Somerset Railway for a time, However it has now returned to the East Lancashire Railway. Class 42 Warship 'Onslaught' came home in mid 2016. Owned by the Bury Hydraulic Group it will be based on the ELR. Copyright John Cornelius

Avon Valley Railway
Guy Vincent

Good evening Keith,
A visit to a family friend this afternoon at Bitton near Keynsham took us past the entrance to the Avon Valley Railway preservation site so, naturally, it made perfect sense to stop for twenty or so minutes and have a quick look at what was going on. Bitton station lies on the former Bath Green Park-Mangotsfield-Yate (or Bristol Temple Meads via Fishponds) section of the former Midland Railway route from Derby to Bath, which of course until 1966 fed the lamented Somerset & Dorset line that ran southwards out of the city towards Shepton Mallet and Bournemouth. Just running in was D5518 (31101) with four maroon Mk 1 carriages complete with working steam-heating ready to form the 1445 departure to Oldland Common and back to Bitton before then heading south to Avon Riverside and returning again to Bitton. The loco was immaculate and reminded me of years gone by when such a sight was common on Bristol-Weymouth off-season local stopping trains. In the yard beyond the station were diesels 07010 08202 31130 and DMU cars SC52006 and SC52025 along with an assortment of industrials, small steam locos, carriages and wagons. SC52025 was actually a 'cop', never having been seen by me in BR service! A return visit is definitely planned for March 2017 when diesel services recommence after the winter 'Santa' season and winter break. There is a wide footpath adjacent to the line for it's entire length which continues in one direction to central Bristol and the other to the outskirts of Bath while Keynsham is the nearest mainline station approx 1.5 miles away. Bitton station has all the usual visitor facilities one would expect (cafe, souvenir shop, displays etc) and the staff we met during our brief stay were very friendly and approachable.

Guy Vincent Frome, Somerset

Bitton, the station building, looking very smart. 29th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

Just running in at Bitton D5518 (31101) 29th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

33101 ready to start with the 14.45 departure for Oldland Common. 29th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

The 07010 at Bitton 29th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

31130 with SC52006 at Bitton on the 29th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

Bitton 29th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

A general view looking towards Oldland 29th October 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent

Trial of strength at
Merehead
Mike Morant

Class 9Fs 92212 and 92203 "Black Prince" with owner David Shepherd in the cab, flat out - accelerating a 1700 ton stone train through the sidings towards the junction with the branch. For a video of this click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uDf7cmnn4E

92212 & 92203 at Merehead Quarry on the 28th June 1998

A view from the far side. 28th June 1998 Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

Items added on the 29th October 2016 Those added most recently come first

29/10/2016

Once an everyday scene at
Taunton
John Cornelius

A pity it isn't the daily scene at Taunton nowadays but fortunately Dumbleton Hall is still with us. Note the young lad complete with loco number book looking along the platform. Copyright John Cornelius

Merehead Quarry
Mike Morant

Not exactly railway but seen at a rail event! Seen at the Merehead 75th Anniversary of Foster Yeoman on the 26th June 1998 a Foden steam tractor of 1923 vintage. It has compound cylinders and has 2 gears. The registration is PC9928. Picture courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

Further on the
Carn Brea branch & quarry
John Root

Hi Keith
You could well be right. However the end of the branch would undoubtedly had a run around loop and sidings. Leave the verdict to the jury? Of a loco on the inside line running round or indeed a steam plum from some kind of hoist machinery which you can see in front-below the parked wagons on ‘this’ edge of the embankment?
Perhaps-maybe not? JR
And further thoughts - half an hour later. . Bit of dog plus bone perhaps?
I did some drawing in red & blue on a snip of your scan. There appears something behind the tracks (outlined in red) which on re-reflection actually looks like some kind of kiln with a dark access way on the extreme left of the working face. If you look carefully at the base of the emission you can see it curves out of the top of some kind of flue which is visible under it!
The blue structures appear to be a water tank on a plinth and some kind of hoist in front of the rail lines. JR

JR;s sketches.

My thanks to John for doing his very best to 'Root it out' (Apologies for that)
The original picture is taken from a point about 640 yards east of the quarry, very near where I live. If you look at the area on Google Earth you will see the quarry on the east face of the Carn. There was obviously more working at the quarry long after the railway had gone. A 'lower level' access cut through what would have been the rail formation. Looking at the 'lie of the land' the slope of the Carn shows no sign of sidings. Maybe trucks were simply pushed up from the siding and head shunt alongside the main line. There is a track diagram of the main line end on our section on the Carn Brea Quarry branch in 'Cornwall Galleries'.

Items added on the 28th October 2016 Those added most recently come first

28/10/2016

Carn Brea Query
John Root

Hi Keith
I was playing with the picture you have of the quarry and the strange trail of smoke.
Looking at it hard through a very big enlargement you can see:
a) The steam plume is flattened as the equipment is moving, ie a long flat plume dispersing in the wind as seen in many classic steam loco photographs.
b) The photo shows the very top of a chimney and the base of a loco (I think) with a cloud of dust or smoke obscuring most of it.
I thought the plume was too high for a loco on the track until I saw this photo of an SDR loco and saw how high the body an chimney were, at least twice the height of the guy leaning against the frames.
If you do a crude scaling then the height of the plume works for the top of one of the very tall old locos.
Perhaps maybe? John Root

In the foreground can be seen the tower of St Euny Church. the lane in the foreground is Church Lane which was at this time separated from Trevingey Road which ran alongside by a Cornish hedge. In the distance we see Carn Brea complete with the castle and monument. To the left of the Church tower can be seen the plume of smoke or steam.

An enlargement of the picture above reveals wagons standing in from the the quarry. The source of the steam or smoke seems to be well up above the wagons.

Finally tweaking as much as is possible I really don't think that is from a loco chimney. The area beneath the 'emission' looks too much like the rest of the landscape in the area. There is also a dark shape which vaguely resembles a human form, but it is too big when compared to the wagon on which IT is standing. I think maybe it is a film fault or a dark shape on the ground behind?

This is a picture of the loco of the type which John suggests - you can see that copies of the man on the ground have been pasted in to give a scale to the chimney.

I'm afraid that I'll have to leave this one up to our viewers. The smoke or steam could have come from some form of quarry machinery or even from the burning off of bracken or gorse. There is frequently a westerly wind around that corner of the Carn which would take the smoke away as shown. The end of the line is to the left within yards of the left of the wagons - the loco certainly couldn't have worked up any speed. N.B. I understand that some of these SDR locos were re-gauged to standard gauge which would have meant that operation of this type might have been possible as it is thought the branch was standard gauge.

Taunton
John Cornelius

She was rescued by the Dumbleton Hall Preservation Society in 1974 and restored at Buckfastleigh. Having worked on a number of lines, she is now awaiting overhaul. Previously too heavy to work on the South Devon Railway, 4920 will be able to work on the line in future as the SDR has recently been upgraded for use by heavier locomotives.

Merehead
Mike Morant

On the 27th June 1998 Foster Yoeman celebrated its 75th Anniversary with an open day at the quarry.
A rail shuttle service to Cranmore was provided from Westbury via Witham. From Cranmore a fleet of vintage buses provided a service to the quarry. A number of steam and diesel locomotives were on display and in action.

Here we see D821 Greyhound at Merehead 28th June 1998 Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Items added on the 27th October 2016 Those added most recently come first

27/10/2016

Frome area Today
Guy Vincent

Good evening Keith,
A day off today and reasonable weather conditions made a visit to the railway close to home in Frome an attractive proposition. First stop was Berkley Marsh where between 1120 and 1235 four MRL workings were captured. In order they were: 1) Recently repainted and named 66055 with a loaded 6M20 1037 Whatley-St Pancras 'up' at 1108. Second was 59101, up at 1149 with 7B12 1135 Merehead-Wootton Bassett. Third was 60091 which came down at 1234 with the empty 6C31 0840 Theale-Whatley just before 59201 went up at 1237 on 7A77 1142 Merehead-Theale. I then drove the short distance to Clink Road Junction and got 60091 a second time as it had been held to allow 7A77 to pass over the junction. A third attempt at catching 60091 on the Whatley branch was successful as it was held for some time at Frome North to allow 59002 to come up from the quarry with an early running 6L21 1330 Whatley-Dagenham Dock, the loco now fully recovered from it's failure on the same train on 24th! Finally, after depositing it's empties at Whatley 60091 departed light at 1330 as 0F31 to Merehead via a reversal at Frome North and this was recorded at 1410 shortly after leaving the 'Frome loop' at Blatchbridge.
Some nice autumn colours starting to appear and seemingly no end in sight to demand in the south-east of the country for the products of Whatley and Merehead quarries (waiting for 60091 at Spring Gardens I could clearly hear the pre-blast siren sounding at Whatley, the result of which will be the cargo for next week's workings). Plus, of course, plenty of HST's and a few DMUS, however no RHTT as it appears to have developed a fault overnight and returned home to St Blazey without getting any further east than Exeter this morning.
With regards, Guy Vincent
A very good days work Vincent, many thanks.

Berkley Marsh is about two miles east of Frome.

66055 Berkley Marsh 6M20 1037 Whatley-St Pancras 27th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

59101 Berkley Marsh 7B12 1135 Merehead - Wootton Bassett 27th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

Berkley Marsh 6C31 0840 Theale - Whatley 27th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

59201 Berkley Marsh 7A77 1142 Merehead-Theale 27th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

60091 Clink Road Junction 6C31 0840 Theale - Merehead 27th October.2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

Down on the Whatley Branch - part of the former branch to Radstock. Spring Gardens is about one and half miles north of Frome.

59002 Spring Gardens Frome 6L21 1330 Whatley - Dagenham 27th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

60091 Spring Gardens Frome 6C31 0840 Theale - Whatley 27th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

60091 Blatchbridge, Frome. 0F31 1330 Whatley - Merehead 27th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

Blatchbridge is about one mile west of Frome on main line.

Taunton
John Cornelius

D602 Bulldog is about to cross the bridge over Station Road which passes under the station. Copyright John Cornelius

The Great Western Livery of the 'The Welshman'
Andrew Triggs

161026a 43188 Carrying the livery of The Welshman arrives at Penzance on the 12.05 from Paddington. Copyright Andrew Triggs

161026b The Welshman at the blocks. Copyright Andrew Triggs

161026c 43187 heads the return 17.39 service to London Paddington. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Weymouth
Mike Moranrt

The unusual pairing of two Merchant Navy class locos seen at Weymouth on a railtour. 35013 & 35030 on the 11th June 1962 N.B. 35013 21C13 Blue Funnel was built February 1945 Rebuilt in May 1956 Withdrawn July 1967 Scrapped at J. Buttigieg, Newport 1968 35030 - Elder Dempster Lines April 1949 April 1958 July 1967 Scrapped at J. Buttigieg, Newport 1968 Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

11th June 1967
Warwickshire Railway Society
Farewell to Steam on the L.S.W.R. Tour
Locos Used34004, 34023, 35013, 35030, 73085, 80146 & E3113 & E3119Route :
Loco(s)Route
E3119Birmingham New Street - Coventry - Rugby - Northampton - Bletchley - Willesden Junction - Mitre Bridge Jn
73085 + 34004Mitre Bridge Jn - Clapham Junction - Point Pleasant Jn - East Putney - Wimbledon - Woking
34004Woking - Southampton Central - Wareham
34004 (1)Wareham - Swanage
80146 (2)Swanage - Wareham
34004Wareham - Weymouth
35013 + 35030Weymouth - Dorchester South
35030Dorchester South - Poole - Southampton Central - Eastleigh - Romsey - Tunnel Jn - Salisbury
34023Salisbury - Worting Jn - Basingstoke
73085 + 34023Basingstoke - (reverse of outward route) - Willesden Junction
E3113Willesden Junction - (reverse of outward route) - Birmingham New Street

Courtesy Six Bells Junction Railtour Files

Items added on the 26th October 2016 Those added most recently come first

26/10/2016

Cogload Flyover
John Cornelius

For the latest news on Pendennis Castle click here http://www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk/guide/projectitems/4079project.html

Blandford Forum
Mike Morant

BR standard Class 9F 92209 seen here at Blandford Forum on the Southern Counties Touring Society '' The South Western Rambler Railtour' on the 8th March 1964. From the Mike Morant Collection

Southern Counties Touring Society
The South Western Rambler Rail Tour
Locos Used4634, 70020 'Mercury' & 92209Route :
Loco(s)Route
70020London Waterloo - Clapham Junction - Brentford Central - Staines Central - Ascot - Wokingham - Reading General - Basingstoke - Andover Junction - Ludgershall
70020Ludgershall - Andover Junction
70020Andover Junction - Salisbury
92209Salisbury - Gillingham - Templecombe
4634 (1)Templecombe - Templecombe No. 2 Jn
92209Templecombe No. 2 Jn - Blandford Forum - Broadstone - Hamworthy Jn
92209Hamworthy Jn - Poole - Bournemouth Central
70020Bournemouth Central - Brockenhurst - Southampton Central - Eastleigh - Winchester City - Basingstoke - Woking - Surbiton - Wimbledon - Earlsfield - Clapham Junction - London Waterloo
Courtesy Six Bells Junction Railtoru files

Items added on the 25th October 2016 Those added most recently come first

25/10/2016

The last fortnight
Jamie Dyke

43185 leads the 1559 Penzance to London Paddington approaching St Austell. - 18th October 2016 Copyright Jamie Dyke

43002 0n the 10.45 Penzance to Paddington.23rd October 2016 Copyright Jamie Dyke

68003 'Astute' leads 'The Armada' Northern Belle into Taunton. - 22nd October 2016 Copyright Jamie Dyke

Nicely framed by the old footbridge. 66160 leads the RHTT thorugh St Austell on 23rd October 2016 Copyright Jamie Dyke

Comment & Classic retort.
Craig Munday

I got it at the golf course yesterday avoiding the golf fraternity traffic out on a lovely Saturday morning. Always an odd exchange - "Are you trainspotting? " well, I'm taking a picture. Are you chasing a small white ball around grassland? ... Each to their own I guess!!??

Autumn Collection
Craig Munday

Autumnal tints at St Blazey on the 22nd October 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

Almost lost, and it would be in the new GWR colours, a single class 153 works 2C43 down Westbound over the Fal viaduct. 22nd Oct 2016 Craig Munday

Carlyon Bay HST power car 43163 with the Plymouth vinyls on the side. 22nd Oct 2016 Craig Munday

Branch traffic
Ron Westwater

66168 Has just passed Lanjeth Level crossing with the weekly trip of Jia's on the 6C01 ThO 1129 Parkandillack-St.Blazey. Copyright Ron Westwater

The same train crosses St Austell viaduct - a nicely lit shot. Copyright Ron Westwater

66186 drifts down Trevarrin bank and into Lostwithiel with the 6C53 ThO 14:50 St.Blazey-Exeter Riverside

Chard Junction
John Cornelius

Both locos and the coaching stock all in the striking livery of Network South East. Copyright John Cornelius

Templecombe
Mike Morant

Taken from the overbridge just before Templecombe Lower as 34042 Dorchester, a regular locomotive on the S & D, heads a train for Bournemouth West. Courtesy the Mike Morant collection

Items added on the 24th October 2016 Those added most recently come first

24/10/2016

59002 'Sits Down' on Clink Road Jct
Guy Vincent

Hello Keith,
In filthy weather this afternoon 59002 hauling 44 loaded MRL 100 ton bogie hopper wagons as 6L21 1330 Whatley-Dagenham Dock suffered loss of power in the Frome area. By Clink Road Jctn speed was down to 2mph and as the loco joined the double track main line at 1347 it failed. The driver attempted to get it going but with around 4400 tons and a length of approx 2168 feet on a rising gradient with wet rails this was unsuccessful. 60039 was sent 'wrong line' from Westbury as 1Z99 to assist and, having attached to the front of 'Alan J Day' which was sort of coaxed back into life to give a degree of smoky assistance, the train finally departed for the 4 mile trip up to Westbury at 1610 where it was terminated.
Several trains were affected including 2M09 1247 Swindon-Frome having to return 'wrong line' to Westbury as Clink Road Junction was blocked. 1A83 1000 Penzance-Padd'n was put into Frome Station for 2 hours and 2E24 1310 Weymouth-Gloucester was kept back at Bruton for a considerable time. 1A85 1256 Plymouth-Padd'n was diverted via Bristol and Chippenham and 2O90 1251 Great Malvern-Weymouth ran via the Frome avoiding line. (Times from Real Time Trains).

Apologies for the poor quality of the attached images but the weather was foul and lighting very poor.
With best regards
Guy Vincent Frome Somerset
Many thanks Guy - report received at 18.32

59002 Clink Road Jctn 6L21 failure 14.45 24th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

60039 & 59002 on 6L21 get away from Clink Road Junction 24th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

60039 & 59002 leave Clink Rd Jctn with the 6L21 heading for Westbury. 24.th October 2016 Copyright Guy Vincent

I think Guy deserves a medal for being out in these conditions.

Lizie at Lydeard
Chris Osment

6201 Princess Elizabeth on arrival at Bishops Lydeard. at 13.00 22nd October 2016 Copyright Chris Osment

Swindon scrap
John Cornelius

As Johns caption says - the final hours and end of a monarch. Many thanks to John for this rather sad picture. In this view the scrap yard seems rather empty. Copyright John Cornelius

Bath Green Park
Mike Morant

Ian Allan: The Western Sunset 22/9/62
Somerset & Dorset 7F 2-8-0 No. 53808 rests at the buffer stop in Bath Green Park station having brought this tour in from Weymouth.
[Slide taken by Mke Morant]

Items added on the 23rd October 2016 Those added most recently come first

23/10/2016

Visitors at Plymouth
The Northern Belle, RHTT Train and the Long Term Class 70
Roger Salter

161022q 68003 'Astute heads the Northern Belle into Plymouth. Copyright Roger Salter

161022r A Contrast in front end designs. An HST dating from 1976 and a Class 68 built from 2014. Copyright Roger Salter

161022s 680019 'Brutus' at Plymouth Station awaits departure for Mount Gould Junction. Copyright Roger Salter

161022t Taken by surprise as the RHTT arrives at Plymouth running some 50 mins early from Westbury .Copyright Roger Salter

161022u The damaged Class 70 in Laira Depot, seven months after the accident. Copyright Roger Salter

The Northern Belle and The West Somerset Express at Taunton
Andrew Triggs

161022j 68003 'Astute' leads the 1Z70 The Northern Belle from Stevenage into Taunton at 10.35 on a very cold Autumn morning. Copyright Andrew Triggs

161022k 68003 'Astute' waits to depart Taunton. Copyright Andrew Triggs

161022m 68019 'Brutus' tails the train from Taunton. Copyright Andrew Triggs

161022n The West Somerset Express hauled by 46201 Princess Elizabeth departed Paddington at 07.14 Copyright Andrew Triggs

161022o 46201 Princess Elizabeth departing Taunton for the West Somerset Railway. An engine change took place at Bishops Lydeard where 6960 Ravingham Hall took the train forward to Minehead and return. Copyright Andrew Triggs

High tide, Golant
Craig Munday

Hi Keith, As the Indian Summer continues:- The morning clay got held at Lostwithiel due to a lever frame problem which was attended by the S&T department. This caused 6G06 to run 33 late. This shot was captured at Golant in stunning light with a full tide which was lapping over the road along the water front.
Cheers for now, Craig Many thanks Craig

Weymouth Quay
Sid Sponheimer

This picture, taken in 1984 clearly shows how convenient the connection was between the train and boat at Weymouth Quay. The young lady posing in the picture is Sids' daughter Lisa. Copyright Sid Sponheimer. MV Godwin new in 1977 started service to Channel Isle in 1878. Was laid up in the Fal River 1987/88 and was sold to Italy in 1990.

Newton Abbot Shed
John Cornelius

This loco, now preserved, was withdrawn on 28th February 1977 Copyright John Cornelius

Evercreech
Mike Morant

Ian Allan: The Western Sunset 22/9/62
Somerset & Dorset 7F 2-8-0 No. 53808 takes on water at Evercreech Junction having brought this tour in from Weymouth.
[Slide taken by Mke Morant]

Items added on the 22nd October 2016 Those added most recently come first

22/10/2016

Four More of the NMRT
Ron & Jenny Westwater
and Craig Munday

NMRT passing Marazion Marsh on route to Penzance. 21st October 2016 Copyright Jenny Westwater.

Heading now for Paignton the Test Train passes some properties which have a superb view of Mounts Bay and also of course, the railway. 21st October 2016 Copyright Ron Westwater

Jennt Westwater catches the outward working as it passes the long closed Marazion station. 21st October 2016

and finally last but not least this grand photograph by Craig Munday includes a lot of interest. Not only the yellow line of the NRMT crossing Burncoose embankment but of course Carn Brea Castle and Redruth beyond - home of the CRS. Also in the distance can be seen St Agnes Beacon. Rumour has it that two giants one on the Beacon and one on the Carn fought a battle throwing boulders at each other! The giant on Carn Brea lost - that is why there are no boulders of St Agnes Beacon and many on Carn Brea. Various rock formations are named after the giant - his head, his couch, his well and of course the Cup and Saucer Rock. If you haven't visited the Carn you ought to try it out. Other points of interest are the numerous hut circles and of course, the monument. Pick a good day though as has Craig - a most interesting picture. Many thanks. KJ is, of course, a 'Redruthian'!

More of Todays Action
David Tozer and Ken Mumford

Seen at Powderham - Cross Country 0600 Leeds - Plymouth HST 22nd October 2016 Copyright David Tozer

374 0647 1Z70 Stevenage - Plymouth - The Armada - with Northern Belle stock and 68003 'Astute' on the front, whilst 68019 'Brutus' was on the rear 22.10.2016 Copyright David Tozer

Pewsey as 6201 “Princess Elizabeth” speed past westwards about 10 minutes late with 1Z64 London to Minehead with THE WEST SOMERSET STEAM EXPRESS.22nd October 2016 Copyright Ken Mumford

6021 thunders away westward heading for the West Somerset. 22nd October 2016

The Northern Belle
Stevenage to Plymouth and return
Roger Winnen

A prestige train ran today with Class 68 locomotives and the luxury Pullman Stock including Sleeping Cars in the Chocolate and Cream Livery of the Northern Belle departing Stevenage at 06.47 via Welwyn Garden City, Potters Bar, Finsbury Park, Gospal Oak, Willesden Junction, Acton Main Line, Reading and the Berks & Hants to Taunton, Exeter & Plymouth arriving at 12.39
The return train departed Plymouth at 17.08 and routed via Bristol Temple Meads and the Badminton Line to Swindon, Reading, Acton Main Line and the same as the outward route in the morning. The train was due to arrive at Stevenage 22.45

161022a 68003 Astute arrives at Plymouth with the Northern Belle from Stevenage. Copyright Roger Winnen

161022b 68019 Brutus awaits to head the train for Mount Gould Junction for servicing. Copyright Roger Winnen

161022c Whilst waiting for the Class 68s and the Northern Belle to move HST 43163 advertising Plymouth Ocean City leaves Plymouth with the 10.58 Penzance to Paddington service. Copyright Roger Winnen

161022d 68019 Brutus departs to Mount Gould Junction. P.S. Can someone please cut the grass before my next visit! Copyright Roger Winnen

161022e The Wash Plant at Mount Gould, no sign of the train. Returning towards Laira on foot we saw the train in the distance proceeding towards Mount Gould, to late then for a U Turn. Copyright Roger Winnen

161022f Taken just outside the former Royal Eye Infirmary, the 68s and the empty stock arrive back into Plymouth for the 17.08 return working to Stevenage. Copyright Roger Winne

Weymouth
Sid Sponheimer

The days of push -pull operation between Bournemouth and Weymouth station. An undated picture. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Evercreech Junction
Mike Morant

Home Counties Railway Society: Somerset & Dorset Tour 7/6/64.
Fowler 7F 2-8-0 no. 53807 and 4F 0-6-0 no. 44558 run round their stock at Evercreech Junction having negotiated the Highbridge branch and will shortly head northwards for Bath.
[Mike Morant collection]

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