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

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

60009 Westbury 1Z50 12th August 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

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. 

Union of South Africa at Norton Fitzwarren on the 12th August 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

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.

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

170812a 43305 Photographed on arrival at Exeter St David's. Copyright Roger Winnen

At Liskeard. 12th August 2017. Copyright Peter Murnaghan

Departing Liskeard 12th August 2017 Copyright Peter Mrunaghan

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

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

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

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