Paul Negus
West Cornwall
Mark Lynam
Keith Jenkin
Ken Babbage
Paul Barlow
TV Tonight Paul Negus Channel 5 at 9pm this evening has a Most Scenic Railway Journey starting in Devon at Dawlish and travelling down to Penzance on The Statesmanq. (Info courtesy of Radio Times). Best regards Paul Negus Thanks for the reminder Paul and congratulations to Craig Munday - star of the show in the Royal Albert bridge sequence. Engineering work West Cornwall Mark Lynam Mark Lynam brings us the following report on the forth and final day of major track renewal when the down main line was replaced in the vicinity of the old Carn Brea station. A hub for the many road vehicles was established on the down side alongside and immediately east of the footbridge located which provides access to the Cowlins Mill area. Many thanks for this and your previous reports Mark. Quattro Changes lines Keith Jenkin Many thanks Peter Engineering Trains at Redruth Ken Babbage Thanks Ken An interesting morning. Exeter Central Paul Barlow Many thanks Paul
Engineering work West Cornwall Mark Lynam Another day of trying to locate the various engineers trains around West Cornwall. I found 66192 near Carn Brea, although not in the best place for a photo. 66014+66849 were in the cutting by Barncoose industrial estate, luckily I didn't have long to wait until they started slowly moving towards Redruth. After just missing 66001+66002 at Truro station which came down the previous night running 36 minutes early, I headed to Paradise crossing just outside Truro, It seems the next train wasn't that far up the line! 66014+66849 at Paradise Crossing on what I believe is called Newbridge or Penwithers Viaduct. This waited out of view until it's 13.15 departure from Truro! A quick stop off at the footbridge at Drump Road, Redruth 70812 was stopped, which is due to take the track placement machine back to Westbury tomorrow night. I headed back to Barncoose/Pool area to find 66192 was still there, which later moved forward to this position, then left for Truro at 2pm for its 15.13 departure this afternoon. Thanks, Mark Lynam Many thanks to Mark for his hard days work. Exeter Paul Barlow Many thanks Paul Crofton curve Roger Geach Many thanks Roger Powderham Parade Bill Elston Hi Keith, I managed to escape to various places along the Exe today, mainly to photograph some class 143s as they have only a few days left in service. However, other fare was to be had. Hope these are of interest, Stay safe. Bill Many thanks Bill - you obviously had a good day.
Arch lane Bridge Nr St Erth Mark Lynam Good evening Keith/Roger, Here are a few photos of the 66's from yesterday at Arch Lane bridge near St Erth. Thanks, Mark Lynam N.B. Arch Lane bridge is approximately 1000 yards west of St Erth Station. Many thanks indeed Mark, time well spent at Arch Lane. Class 143 Bonanza Paul Barlow A few shots all taken today to compliment Clive's pictures of the class 143 Pacer units. It seems definite that their last day of operation will be next Saturday 11 December. The end of an era in the west country! Hope all is well, All the best Paul Thank you Paul. For the sake of the editors - not too many bonanza's please.
Progress at the park St James Park David Tozer Afternoon Keith, A very rare visit to the City Centre this afternoon so I strolled via St James' Park. The down platform extensions appear to be complete and using polystyrene as they did at Lympstone Commando. Still plenty of work on the up platform to complete. I expect my photograph of 143621 and 150246 working the 1319 Paignton to Exmouth will be the first of many in the next few days. Yes it appears that this is the last week of operation for these units prior to withdrawl from passenger service. Regrads Dave Many thanks for the results of your expedition - I am sure the city feels hounoured. Exeter Central Paul Barlow Many thanks Paul Last week of the Pacers Clive Smith This Saturday 12th is supposed to be the last day of the pacers in Devon but rumours persist that some will continue beyond that date. Not wishing to get caught out I took a trip to Paignton and Exmouth on the 7th to capture their last days. Regards Clive Smith Lest we forget. Many thanks Clive for your record of a sentimental journey. Lunch at Lostwithiel Mike Bojko Hello Keith, I trust that everything is okay with you in these challenging times. I had a day off today and i found myself at lunchtime at Lostwithiel station. I managed to photograph the DB class 66 number 66018 running around its train, the 613A. The second picture is of the same locomotive heading to Fowey docks Carne point. Regards Mike. Many thanks Mike.
West Cornwall Engineering work Mark Lynam Roger Winnen The Cornish Main line is closed from Penzance to Truro on Monday 7th December 2020 through to Thursday 10th December 2020. A bus replacement service is in operation. Whimple Paul Barlow The station was opened by the LSWR on 19 July 1860, along with its Exeter Extension from Yeovil Junction to Exeter Queen Street. The station was situated to the east of the village and designed by the architect Si William Tite. The main building was situated on the up platform and was two-storeys high to provide the station master with accommodation. The good shed was nearby at the east end of the station, and a signalbox was built opposite on the other platform in 1875. In 1892 Henry Whiteway established a cider factory on the north side of the station. This generated much of the goods traffic at the station; in the 1930s it was estimated that the factory was responsible for 30,000 tons of traffic each year. On 11 June 1967 all passenger trains were diverted to the down platform. The track through the northern platform was retained to serve Whiteway’s factory, but the signal box was closed and the train crew operated the points Public goods traffic was withdrawn on 4 December 1967 but Whiteways continued to handle rail traffic. The station became unstaffed on 5 October 1970. The Whiteways factory closed in 1989 and this allowed a redevelopment of the site. The goods shed was demolished in 1991 and houses were then built instead. The following year the original London bound platform was extended across the disused formation of the London bound track to meet the running line and was brought back into use. The other platform and the footbridge were then demolished. I well remember the cider orchards on the up side just before the station and the sidings just beyond. The history very much courtesy of Wikipedia makes very interesting reading. Many thanks Paul Swindon Ken Mumford and Colin Pidgeon Friends, Immaculate class 37s numbered D6817 and D6851 in their original green livery - superb! {Not sure if these are in the present day numbers of the locos) - would be 37667 and 37521 but I'm so glad that they are in this livery! Rolling stock:- 67061, 99993, 3100, 310, 17159, 6311. Passed Swindon 2 minutes early and as they passed they opened up! Kind regards and keep safe, Ken Mumford Many thanks to Ken and Colin. Steamy day at Didcot Doug Nicholls Many thanks Doug. Out and about with Craig Munday Hi Keith After a raft of more nights, some sunny pictures on Sun 6th Dec. A delight to have two down engineers trains with a fine forecast. It very nearly got scuppered by an annoying cloud through. With three of the Colas 66s at Penzance it was a busy day for freight heading west. Relaying sites at St Erth and Carn Brea will keep these trains amply employed. The Colas operated class 66 trains are seen on the blocks in plat 1 & 2 at Penzance in the small hours of 6th Dec. Sunday 6th saw some glorious sunshine and two daytime services heading west too. A BD Cargo service with 66014 and Colas service with 66849 are seen in the Lostwithiel area around lunchtime. Also pictured are some recent revenue earning freight, 70810 is seen near Liskeard with one of the final cement workings bound for Moorswater on 26th November. Also pictured is 66018 from the high perch of Treffrey aqueduct working the clay for Carne Point on a bright 4th Dec. Cheers for now, Craig Many thanks Craig - keep up the good work.
Engineering Works in West Cornwall Mark Lynam Roger Winnen Didcot Michael Forward Here is the first of some pictures taken at Didcot which I hope will be of interest. This one shows 47488 on 6 January 2000,with a Cross Country service which terminated here because of late running.(In 1999 and 2000 we were worried about the Millenium Bug ,how things have changed this year, Copyright Michael Forward Thanks Michael Nr. Feniton Paul Barlow The former Sidmouth Junction was 159 1/2 miles from Waterloo so this must be the scene where the Sidmouth branch left the main line. Feniton railway station serves the village of Feniton in Devon , England. It was opened by the LSWR in 1860 but is now operated by South Western Railway which provides services on the West of Englan main line. It is 159 miles 24 chains (256.4 km) down the line from London Waterloo. It has been known by several different names, but from 1874 to 1967 it was Sidmouth Junction while it was the junction for the branch lines to Sidmouth and through Budleigh Salterton to Exmouth. The above courtesy of Wikipedia. Many thanks Paul. Didcot Roger Geach Many thanks Roger.
A Good Good Friday Totnes and St Erth Clive Smith A Good Friday selection from the 9th April 1982. I'd gone to Totnes to take some photos around the station. This all ended when 45063 rolled in on a relief to Penzance which was the 1V75 07.00 Newcastle - Bristol TM extended so I thought I would have a trip west. In order to get home to Plymouth I had to disembark at St Erth for the 18.00 Penzance - Bristol with 47437 on load three or face a near four hour wait for the sleepers. The semaphores at Totnes are now long gone but at least we still have them at St Erth. Regards Clive Smith Many thanks Clive Exeter Paul Barlow Many Thanks Paul Crofton Roger Geach Many thanks Roger
Moreton area Roger Geach Moreton is just east of Didcot which will be seen in the background of several of these shots from the Roger Gaech Archives. Many thanks Roger Grogley Work Andrew Jones Keith and Valerie, Please find attached photograph of the rebuilt Ruthernbridge Railway retaining wall adjacent the Nanstallon junction at Grogley. The council have done a very good job, with an additional wall protecting the road. Hopefully no one will damage the works as the road is now very narrow at this point. I think the original Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway Company would be very proud. Best wishes Andrew and Diane. Thank you Andrew - work complete. Dennis Clarke Didcot Please find enclosed a couple of pictures I took at Didcot Parkway yesterday. 60065, still in EWS livery, was stabled alongside the station. It was great to see it still in use in the old livery. 66074 was also stabled. 37612 came into the station on a Tyseley to Bristol test train. Regards, Dennis Many thanks Dennis New Trains for the Isle of Wight Ken Mumford The IOW is just about reachable from the FOSW ticket - from Portsmouth Harbour has suffered problems with the EX London Tube Stock which currently runs the Ryde to Shanklin service. Ken Mumford sends us this link showing the delivery of new stockSubject: FIRST NEW TRAIN FOR ISLAND LINE ARRIVES ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT - Island Echo - 24hr news, 7 days a week across the Isle of Wight NOTE:- If you watch the video, nothing happens in first half, so fast forward ! Sent from a fellow railway enthusiast, Kind regards, Ken. https://www.islandecho.co.uk/first-new-train-for-island-line-arrives-on-the-isle-of-wight/ Thank you for the link Ken. Advertising New Website Phillip Hadley Greetings, I am writing to tell you of the launch today of the website my 13 year old son has created for me as a portal to sell my books direct to my readers and to provide them with all manner of information on the locations and history behind them as well as a monthly blog to maintain interest between books. You'll also find news on forthcoming publications including a short Christmas story which should be available as an eBook in about 10 days time in time for this Christmas. I think he's done a grand job, so take a look using the link below and feel free to pass it on via email, Facebook, Instagram, whatsApp or whatever social media platforms you use to anyone you think would be interested. Feel free to review it on your blog, post a link on your website, share it with family, friends, book circle, clubs & societies, etc. or pass the word on in any other way you feel is appropriate. Take a look at the Shop section - you never know you may be able to tick someone off your present buying list! As always - enjoy the read and thank you for your interest. Yours sincerely, Phil Home | Phil Hadley Publications A picture from the past Bristol TM Mike Roach Will see what I can do. Meanwhile I have just looked at Bristol TM for the first time and enclose one pic of the outside just in case its of any interest. The date is 18 August 1991 and the registration is C499BHY believed to be a Mercedes-Benz L608D. Work going on to the station frontage. Regards, Mike Many thanks Mike
Yeovil area Bill Elston A few phots from the Yeovil area today ( 2 Dec 2020 ) First, leaf - bashing, Southern style, MPVs DR 98920 and 98970 at Yeovil jct about to return to Totton Second, over to Pen Mill for the 1313 Weymouth - Gloucester, with 166208,and , Finally, the Tyseley to Bristol High Level sidings, test train, via Reading and Weymouth, with 37610 and 37612. Luckily the sun came out briefly to highlight the train and the remaining Autumn colours. Hope they of interest, Stay safe, Bill Lots of interest, many thanks, Bill. An unusual view of Cowley Bridge Paul Barlow Many thanks Paul, from an unusual spot - note the signalbox beyond the bridge. Dawlish Views David Tozer Many thanks David - a lot to observe and I think you've caught it all. Swindon observations Ken Mumford Many thanks Ken - keep up the good work.
A Mini HST working the OZ77 Long Rock to Laira Andrew Triggs Roger Winnen Christmas at Westbury Alan Peters On the First Day of Christmas, well the 1st December 2020 GBRf class 59003 "Yeoman Highlander" was conveniently parked under the flood lights in Westbury yard, just to good to resist a quick photo! Alan Peters Colas Rail Freight 70805 on the holding sidings at Westbury, the loco is being prepared to work the Mon - Thu 6M50 to Bescot, of note is GBRf 59003 "Yeoman Highlander" pictured in the background and one of the few remaining FGW blue 165 turbo units can be made out on the stabling point, pictured before day break on 01/12/20 - Alan Peters Many thanks to Driver Alan Peters who uses his privileged position to our benefit to obtain superb views. Shaldon Bridge Clive Smith Todays post - Good Morning Keith, I was working in Teignmouth yesterday and like last Thursday in Dawlish the sun was out so thought I'd take a few photos. Hopefully other contributors take some more pictures over the next week or so to capture the pacers' swansong as they have been under represented on CRS. A shame there will be no farewell tour but covid and disability toilet provision have seen to that. A rest day for me tomorrow for possibly the last cements. Unfortunately it's a grim weather forecast. We shall see. All the best. Clive. Tribute to the 143's (2) It's the final countdown as the class 143 pacers based at Exeter have just ten days left before withdrawal. 143618 leads a First Great Western blue liveried 150 on the 12.20 Paignton - Exmouth. After many obituaries it looks like the Grim Reaper has finally come looking for the 'bus on rails' after thirty five years. I can't say they will be missed but they have certainly etched their name into railway folklore. History will judge them but as a low-cost stop gap that went on well past their use-by date I think they have contributed to saving a number of rural lines. Many thanks Clive Rewe Paul Barlow Many thanks Paul. Remember Warspite Martin Baker Here she is in the BR blue days emerging from a downpour at Lostwithiel in the mid 1970's and then shortly after her demise at Laira in 1988. 50014 was one of the first members of the class to be withdrawn in late 1987, succumbing to the cutters torch two years later at Vic Berry, Leicester. Older viewers may remember that HMS Warspite was a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship launched in 1913. She served in the First World War and in numerous operations in the Second World War, earning the most battle honours of any Royal Navy ship. She broke her tow and ran aground at St Michael's Mount on her way to be broken up in 1947 and was scrapped over a period lasting ten years at Marazion way into the 1950s Many thanks Martin. Salisbury to Exeter Rail Users Group David Tozer David Tozer very kindly sent in the following link which you will find very interesting www.serug.co.uk Many thanks Dave - feedback is very valuable.
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