Items added on 26th February 2017 Those added most recently come first

40 Years ago today
THE  WESTERNS  BOW  OUT
Neil Phillips

​Any diesel-hydraulic fanatic worthy of the title will know that this Sunday, 26th February, marks 40 years since the end of the Western Class 52s and also, of course, the Western Region’s 19-year diesel-hydraulic era. The final day saw D1013 + D1023 haul the Paddington – Swansea – Plymouth – Paddington ‘Western Tribute’ special throughout, with D1010 + D1048 shadowing the tour partway as back-up. All four survive in preservation.
 
The photos show the first two legs of the tour - it was dark by the time the train was on the third and final leg although I was in position on the surviving footbridge at the site of the former Patney & Chirton station on the Berks & Hants line to witness its passing. The day had thankfully been bright and sunny, although by 22.15 it was bitterly cold! Vision may have been impaired by then but the still clear night air meant the sound of 4 Maybachs working flat out could be heard for miles in both directions.

The Western Tribute final farewell special passes Little Somerford on its way to Swansea with D1023 leading D1013 on 26th February 1977. Copyright Neil Phillips

The Western Tribute special passes Bedminster Park, Bristol, now with D1013 leading D1023 heading for Plymouth. Copyright Neil Phillips

D1013 leads D1023 past Bedminster Park and into the sunset – literally and metaphorically! Copyright Neil Phillips

​Turning the clock back eight months to the day, bitter cold was certainly not an issue as the great heatwave of 1976 had just arrived and Cornwall was still all go on the Western front! I was only a visitor to Cornwall by then but I managed to pick the week the heat started. Of all my Western photos this one of D1072 blasting out of Truro westbound with the driver clearly enjoying himself is my favourite. Western Glory indeed! By the time D1072 was on its return run I had decamped to Tomperrow (we knew it as Hugus) and this photo would be my very last one of a Western in Cornwall. Well, until 9th August 2003 anyway…… This location was magic on Summer Saturday afternoons when the Warships were still in traffic, as they had to work harder than the Westerns to lift 12 coaches uphill from Penwithers Junction. Happy days!
 

D1072 Western Glory departs Truro in fine style on 26th June 1976. Copyright Neil Phillips

D1072 Western Glory heads an up Paddington service past Tomperrow on 26th June 1976 Copyright Neil Phillips

An anniversary which might well have been missed were it not for your reminder - many thanks indeed Neil.
​

My memories
Keith Jenkin

Tuesday 22nd February 1977 is a day I remember well.  My wife and I had been shopping in Plymouth were entering the station Bernard Mills caught my eye.  He said "It's the one with the red nameplate on this evening".  I didn't have a camera but nevertheless savoured the scene. We joined the train and enjoyed the ride - we felt like celebrities with all the pictures being taken. Back home at Redruth we sadly watched Western Ranger head out over the viaduct and roar away into the darkness.
Later that evening I went to Trevingey Crossing complete with a tape recorder. It was a still night and 'Ranger' could be heard from a long distance. However it was all over in flash and I watched the tail lamp of the train round the bend under Coach Lane bridge - the end of an era. As I slowly walked home the sound of two Maybachs came again as Ranger was opened up at Redruth station - it could be clearly heard until it passed Scorrier.

Penzance D1013 'Western Ranger'. The last Western hauled train to leave Penzance, with 2210 Penzance to Paddington 22 February 1977 Copyright Trevor Tremethick

Bullwork at Cogload
John Cornelius

D1073 Western Ballwarok was the highest numbered of the class. This loco was built at Crewe in 1963 and scrapped at Sindon in August 1975 Copyright John Cornelius