Items added on 27th March 2017 Those added most recently come first

New Franchise
New Trains

​https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-mtr-south-western-trains-limited-wins-south-western-franchise

Read all about it , Many thanks to David Tozer and Martin Duff for bring our attention to this latest press release.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-mtr-south-western-trains-limited-wins-south-western-franchise

This will inevitably bring a new livery into our parts - one can only hope that it will be as attractive as that of South West trains.

Glorious Sunshine at Marazion
Andrew Triggs

Andrew reports that this is the first day of Glorious sunshine for the year  that he has been able to photograph! long may it continue

170327ff Its 08.33 at Marazion, we see the first train of the day approaching in glorious sunshine being the 08.30 Penzance to London Paddington. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170327g Power Car 43027 90 Glorious Years of the Queen heads away from Marazion Station on the 1A85 to London Paddington. Copyright Andrew Triggs

170327h Recently painted 43194 leading 1A90 12.56 for London Paddington. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Signalmans life - boring?
John Cornelius

I asked John if it wasn't boring being on a long shift in the box?  His reply:-  Being on your own in the box wasn't too bad. Somerton was perhaps lonely as it was away from the main road and the view was rather restricted with the line being on a curve, and so not much to see.
At Athelney with the road traffic over the crossing and superb views across the Somerset levels to the Quantock hills, plus I knew a few of the locals,i never found it lonely. In fact I enjoyed working there, it was a lovely location
and besides, on Sunday mornings when things were quiet,i would nip over the to Bill Becks shed across the road for a quick glass of cider with him. Not only that, Mrs Ridd who lived in the house by the crossing used to give us,a roast Sunday lunch,what a meal!!, phew, I struggled to get through it,
In return for feeding her cats if she was way and  giving her morning a wake up call Mon - Sat, by the early turn man when he arrived.  They were great days.
Chard junction was ok with plenty of milk and quarry lorries and local traffic using the crossing. Again,I knew several local people, some of who would call in occasionally for a chat. From my angle the job was never lonely or boring,i enjoyed my time as a signalman. Cheers JOHN C. I thought you'd all enjoy that reply - many thanks for your memories John.

Althelney Signalbox. Copyright John Cornelius

The view west from the box. Copyright John Cornelius

A general view of the location at Athelney. Copyright John Cornelius

Praze
Alan Harris

Another one from Alan Harris'es £1 envelope of snaps.

An interesting box camera shot from the early 60's. There was once a loop here, however this was later reduced to a siding facing Gwinear Road. Note the casual scene with the lorry back up backed up to load/unload. There was no water at Gwinear Road and the water column saw regular use topping up the tanks of locos which were shunting at Gwinear. Copyright Alan Harris.

For a map OS 25" mile Courtesy National Library of Scotland click below
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=50.1715&lon=-5.3108&layers=168&b=1maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=50.1715&lon=-5.3108&layers=168&b=1