Newton Abbot
Michael Forward
Michael Forward
Photographs taken at Newton Abbot 10th August 1985
850810e 50038 Formidable calls at 13.15 with the Paddington-Paignton service. Copyright Michael Forward
850810f 45146 Passes through Newton Abbot with a Newquay to Newcastle service. How times have changed since then. Copyright Michael Forward
Plymouth
Mike Hitchens
Mike Hitchens
7029 Clun Castle at Plymouth on the 6th September 1985 From the Mike Hitchens Collection
Bodmin Road
Clive Smith
Clive Smith
With 50049 Defiance one of the stars of this weekend's Swanage Diesel Gala, here is the same loco in the evening sunlight on the 25th July 1982 arriving at Bodmin Road with the18.40 Penzance to Paddington. Regards Clive Smith Copyright
Heathfield Branch
Ron Kosys
Ron Kosys
50049 Defiance/ 50149 - Notes from Ron Kosys
50149 was a loco for which I had a particular affection.
I was heavily into Class 50’s, and the idea of Class 50’s dedicated to freight work especially appealed.
From a purely personal point of view, it’s a pity the scheme wasn’t proceeded with as planned.
After the planned trials, the modified 50149 was moved into Cornwall to work the clay traffic and associated Speedlink workings based on St Blazey.
This was only ever planned for the short term unfortunately, the loco was converted back to a standard Class 50, renumbered 50049, and repainted into the then latest version of the Network South East scheme.
My first attempt to photograph 50149 was on the dull, wet and horrible morning of 19th January 1988. Attempting railway photography not long after dawn using Kodachrome 64 is questionable in the first place.
Arrangements had been made for me to visit Heathfield on this morning, as not only was I after phots of 50149, but I was keen to photograph the Ambrosia traffic that was being railed from Heathfield for a trial period.
The train crew were very accommodating to say the least. It’s a pity the weather wasn’t......
Anyhow, two appalling shots of the four loaded Ambrosia vans being collected from the oil depot at Heathfield. This would be later be moved via the Speedlink network from Tavistock Junction and St Blazey.
The Tiger that had been dropped at the English China Clays loading point at Heathfield for loading before collecting the Ambrosia traffic, was by now loaded. The clay traffic NORMALLY ran five days per week, but clearly not always...
This meant on this day there were five loaded wagons from Heathfield, a traffic level that was unfortunately very uncommon. The Ambrosia traffic sadly was not to last.
The crew practically stopped the well-early train for me to photograph from the platform that remained at Teigngrace. Boy was it dark. Not too many shots appear from here and had the sun been out it would have been wrong side anyway.
Although the light did improve as the morning went on, it still wasn’t very bright as 50149 headed 6C58, 1045 from Heathfield through Newton Abbot en route to Tavistock Junction and onwards to St Blazey.
And so began my association with 50149.
A fascinating bit of history for which many thanks Ron.
50149 was a loco for which I had a particular affection.
I was heavily into Class 50’s, and the idea of Class 50’s dedicated to freight work especially appealed.
From a purely personal point of view, it’s a pity the scheme wasn’t proceeded with as planned.
After the planned trials, the modified 50149 was moved into Cornwall to work the clay traffic and associated Speedlink workings based on St Blazey.
This was only ever planned for the short term unfortunately, the loco was converted back to a standard Class 50, renumbered 50049, and repainted into the then latest version of the Network South East scheme.
My first attempt to photograph 50149 was on the dull, wet and horrible morning of 19th January 1988. Attempting railway photography not long after dawn using Kodachrome 64 is questionable in the first place.
Arrangements had been made for me to visit Heathfield on this morning, as not only was I after phots of 50149, but I was keen to photograph the Ambrosia traffic that was being railed from Heathfield for a trial period.
The train crew were very accommodating to say the least. It’s a pity the weather wasn’t......
Anyhow, two appalling shots of the four loaded Ambrosia vans being collected from the oil depot at Heathfield. This would be later be moved via the Speedlink network from Tavistock Junction and St Blazey.
The Tiger that had been dropped at the English China Clays loading point at Heathfield for loading before collecting the Ambrosia traffic, was by now loaded. The clay traffic NORMALLY ran five days per week, but clearly not always...
This meant on this day there were five loaded wagons from Heathfield, a traffic level that was unfortunately very uncommon. The Ambrosia traffic sadly was not to last.
The crew practically stopped the well-early train for me to photograph from the platform that remained at Teigngrace. Boy was it dark. Not too many shots appear from here and had the sun been out it would have been wrong side anyway.
Although the light did improve as the morning went on, it still wasn’t very bright as 50149 headed 6C58, 1045 from Heathfield through Newton Abbot en route to Tavistock Junction and onwards to St Blazey.
And so began my association with 50149.
A fascinating bit of history for which many thanks Ron.
A dismal day at Heathfield on the 19th January 1988 as 50149 works the short lived Ambrosia traffic. Copyright Ron Kosys
50149 at Heathfield 19th January 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys
The light has improved as the train slows on the approach to Teigngrace - a view from the platform. 19th January 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys.
The light is even better as 50149 passes through Newton Abbot. Note in the background the yard being torn apart and the loco depot completely disconnected. 19th January 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys
Minehead
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius