Items added on 13th December 2017 Those added most recently come first

12/12/2017

Sunshine and Showers at Exeter St David's
Roger Winnen

My main purpose of going to Exeter today was to photograph a 2+4 Car HST working a trial run from Plymouth to Bristol and return. The weather was dreadful at times however it produced some interesting photos in the different lighting conditions

171213d 43135 leads the returning 2+4 Car HST through Exeter St David's on route to Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

171213e Empty stock in brilliant sunshine from the incoming Waterloo service heads for North Yard Stabling point prior to returning on the next service to London Waterloo. Copyright Roger Winnen

171213f What a contrast from the last photograph as this 159 unit heads for the siding. Copyright Roger Winnen

171213g A class 150 departs Exeter under stormy skies to Paignton. Copyright Roger Winnen

171213h 150002 a 3 Car 150 unit arrives at St David's on a service from Barnstaple. Copyright Roger Winnen

The RHTT completes its 2017 Leaf Fall Season
David Tozer

David photographed the returning RHTT at Dawlish Warren this morning running as the 6Z11 St Blazey to Exeter Riverside. Hauled by 66041 and tailed by the work stained 66127

171213a 66041 heads the RHTT seen passing Dawlish Warren after completing the 2017 season, 66127 brings up the rear. Copyright David Tozer

171213b What a contrast from the leading locomotive 66041. 66127 still displays its grime. Copyright David Tozer

171213c Interesting signs at Dawlish Warren, we think that the top sign relate to the IEPs, then below is the new signs for the introduction of the 2+4 Car HSTs and the third one "Don't walk any further" Copyright David Tozer

Bristol Sights
Guy Vincent

I snapped 3 of these 4 images yesterday at Bristol Temple Meads and the last one the night before (11th).
With best regards for now. Guy Vincent
Many thanks indeed for these excellent shots Guy and also for the much appreciated detail which really is the icing on the 'Christmas Cake'!

37025 Bristol Temple Meads 37025 on the High Level Siding to the east of the station behind P1 with an Ultrasonic Test Train. This short stub is all that remains of the line that used to lead to Bristol Harbour and Docks, crossing Temple Way at the foot of the incline leading up to the front of the station. Just 24 hours earlier 37025 was reported on the High Marnham test track in Nottinghamshire, testing the train that it is now working with. 11th December 2017. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Bristol Temple Meads 43093 in Platform 13 on the 16.30 Paddington departure, complete with a crane for company 12th December 2017. Copyright Guy Vincent

A rarity although becoming more common in the area due to ongoing DMU shortages, 143620 waiting to work the 2156 stopping service to Exeter St Davids. The 'Pacer' arrived in Bristol on the 2M67 1852 ex Paignton. Note the yellow 'Non Multi' sticker visible in the secondman's windscreen. This indicates a fault is suspected with the coupler at this end and the unit should not be coupled to another set until the fault has been checked out and rectified. 12th December 2015. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Two brand new IEP sets, 800017 & 800018 in P15 waiting to run to Stoke Gifford depot after arriving from Paddington. Copyright Guy Vincent. 12th December 2017

Class 800
First impressions Part 4
Derek Buttivant

The accompanying pictures show the kitchen on a class 800 unit. Each five-car set has a kitchen occupying part of one of the driving vehicles. These kitchens are very well equipped with much better preparation and cooking facilities than those on an HST. An important difference is that the new kitchens occupy the full width of the vehicle whereas the HST kitchens are narrow to allow for the side corridor. On the other hand, the 800 kitchens have to be at the extreme end of the train rather than between first and standard class. There is, of course, no buffet counter, all seats being served by trolleys. Obviously, passengers cannot pass through the kitchen so the kitchen/driving vehicle has a passenger entrance door only at one end, the door nearest the driving cab being solely for crew use (though with push buttons outside this clearly confused some passengers) The first Pullman service to make full use of the new kitchens is expected to run to Swansea in the near future. This will serve the first-class vehicles consisting of the remaining section of the driving coach plus the adjacent half of the next vehicle. Presumably, where two 800 sets are coupled only one will offer the Pullman dining service.

Kitchen (1) 4th December 2017 Copyright Derek Buttivant

Kitchen (2) 4th December 2017 Copyright Derek Buttivant

Winter Chill
Craig Munday

Hi Keith, Some recent pictures from a chilly time of the year.

A trip to Bristol on the 8th and some pictures from the East end of Temple Meads. The Turbos have taken over some local services. The 08.36 to Avonmouth heads for the East ganry just after sunrise.
A blue HST departs for Bath Spa and a pair of IETs arrive from North Pole on a test run. 66127 looks pretty battle weary on one of the final night RHTT circuits ready to leave St Blazey (Truro 9th photo).
Finally, today (11th) 66187 makes a fine sight romping down the bank at Treverrin with the afternoon clay 6G07.

All the best, Craig Many thanks Craig

A colourful sight at Penzance on the 3rd December 2017 . A delightful scene in the winter sun. Copyright Craig Munday

Moving out to Long Rock on the 3rd December 2017 we find the sleeper, sleeping!! Copyright Craig Munday

The new image approaches Bristol Temple Meads. Note the Ground Frame in the foreground - the notice nicely painted in the old GWR colours. 8th December 2017 Copyright Craig Munday