August 23rd 2024

23/8/2024

The Bodmin Railway
China Clay Gala
07.09.24 - 08.09.24

From Bodmin Railway:

Please join us over the weekend of the 7th and 8th of September for our ever-popular 'China Clay Gala', celebrating the rich history of China Clay in Cornwall and that of moving China Clay by rail.

We’ll be running an intensive timetable with:

GWR Small Praries 5552 and 5553 in steam and Class 47 No. 47306 running, each hauling both the Service and Goods trains.
Port-of-Par Bagnall 'Judy' in steam and ex-ECC Sentinel Shunter 'Denise' running, providing clay wagon rides and mini driver experiences at Bodmin General.
'Judy' will make a trip to Boscarne with a Brake van at the end of each day.
The rake of CDA wagons will be out for one trip each day behind 47306, with limited capacity for footplate rides (book online).
In the yard we will have on display the Beattie Well Tank, the GWR shunters truck and ex-Fowey Docks Class 10 D3452, showcasing our China Clay collection.
The workshops will be open once again with 'Alfred', Austerity Saddle Tank 2766 & 08444 under overhaul.
There will also be a clay modelling activity for kids, to see who can make the best clay model of the Beattie!

A selection of traction engines will also be on display in the yard.

We hope to see you there!

For further info or to book your tickets, please click here.

47306 with the CDA rake. Copyright Jon Hird.

Brake van rides with 'Judy'. Copyright Jon Hird.

Double headed GWR 'Praries' 5552 + 5553. Copyright Jon Hird.

Many thanks - it sounds like a good weekend is planned!

Swindon Scenes
Colin Pidgeon

43046 & 43049 on 1Z43 Norwich to Paignton LSL'S Torbay Riviera Pullman. 21.08.2024, copyright Colin Pidgeon.

60047 on 6Z52 Tytherington Quarry to Quainton Railhead. 21.08.2024, copyright Colin Pidgeon.

66092 on 0Z41 Westbury to Swindon via The B&H. 21.08.2024, copyright Colin Pidgeon.

Many thanks to you, Colin (and to Ken for sending these over).

The end of 1976 and the start of 1977
By Roger Winnen
Part 1

30.12.1976 - A Class 47 opens up at Gwinear Road. Copyright Roger Winnen

30.12.1976 - 47104 Runs light engine to Penzance at Gwinear Road. Copyright Roger Winnen

30.12.1976 - Viewed from the train window with Carn Brea in the background. Copyright Roger Winnen

30.12.1976 - A Class 47 in the bushes. Copyright Roger Winnen

30.12.1976 - A Class 50 near Wheal Busy. Copyright Roger Winnen

30.12.1976 - 50032 near Holmbush, St. Austell. Copyight Roger Winnen

31.12.1976 - D1054 Western Governor at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

Thanks Roger - more to come from this period over the next few days, stay tuned!

Britannia at Bath
Paul Negus

Hi Keith

Please find attached images of Britannia hauling Steam Dream's "London and Chiltern Hills to Bath" excursion from Paddington via Beaconsfield, Princes Risborough, Bicester Village, Oxford and Didcot.

The train was 19 down at Challow but with the help of an 8 minute pathing allowance at Swindon and some smart running, Britannia was only 1 minute down on arrival at Bath Spa.

The passengers all alighted at Bath Spa so the train ran ECS thence to Bristol. It made a spirited departure from Bath Spa and the sound through Oldfield Park was wonderful - the two cylinder bark of a Britannia at full chat! It was hauling a Class 47 at the rear and this was idling as it passed by.

Images are copyright myself and my wife Maureen (just in case you wondered how I managed to scamper between platform and bridge level!)

Kind regards
Paul Negus

A great sight at Oldfield Park as 70000 'Britannia' arrives with a railtour. 22.08.2024, copyright Paul & Maureen Negus.

A platform-level shot of 'Britannia' passing Oldfield Park. 22.08.2024, copyright Paul & Maureen Negus.

One last view before the steam train passes beneath the footbridge. 22.08.2024, copyright Paul & Maureen Negus.

Many thanks Paul (and Maureen) - a great set of photos.

G&WR Diesel Day
Paul Barlow

Hello Keith

A few shots from the G&W.R not sure if it is in area, but I've sent them anyway!

The Peak was working a shareholders/supporters special and the 37's were on a Growler group special.

No normal services were running that day.

Kind regards

Paul