Items added on 2nd September 2017 Those added most recently come first

 Old Oak Common Open Day             2nd September 2017

We have had several 'offers' of pictures taken at Oak Common Open day today.
This is strictly out of our region which is bounded by the Freedom of the South West Rover ticket. However as this is a 'one off' event we could included it as a Feature entitled 'A Peep at Old Oak Common Open Day'. Please send your entries to Roger Winnen who will select a representation of the days event. 
​Roger Winnen <winnen@btinternet.com>

Some interesting thoughts
from Guy Vincent

As usual, plenty of interesting images and information has been posted on the website in recent days; in particular two items were particularly appealing.  First, Ron's excellent shot of the motive power gathered on Exeter St Davids stabling point in July 1971.  Scenes like this were common at the time up and down the country and illustrate just how interesting and appealing the hobby of 'spotting' was to those who, like me, were bitten by the bug in the early 70s.  I used to look mournfully through my Ian Allan books and mags at the time wishing I could visit places such as Toton, Tinsley and Eastfield (Glasgow) which were always seemingly packed with row upon row of diesel locos never seen in the west country. Obviously having the 'Westerns' close by and with 'Peaks' and class 25's occasional visitors there was plenty to be thankful for!  The class 22's Ron saw are literally in their last  days of service as, having been deemed non-standard by 1967 many had already been withdrawn. However, several were reinstated and overhauled due to no diesel-electric replacements (class 25 and 31 locos) being released by the Midland and Eastern regions.  Sadly October 1971 saw a hydraulic holocaust with virtually all the 22's and many class 43 'Warships' withdrawn en-masse and sent eventually to Swindon works for disposal, many via a spell in storage at Bristol St Philips Marsh.

Second, the departure for storage/overhaul of GWR operated power cars 43021 and 43132 cannot be allowed to pass by without comment.  This movement marks the start of the final chapter of HST operations in the west of England. Both power cars were delivered to the WR new, 43021 in July 1976 as part of set 253010 and 43132 in October 1979 in set 253031. Although both worked cross-country services from 1982 until around 1997 when privatisation kicked in, they have been allocated exclusively to former WR depots only.  Today 43021 and 43132, now denamed and debranded, left St Philips Marsh at 0055 as 5E23 0100 SPM-Doncaster Wabtec, arriving 43 minutes late at 0545.  With them went the set of coaches 'LA02' which also came up from Laira yesterday afternoon.  Not so many years ago FGW were grabbing every redundant power car and carriage (even non-HST stock which was converted to work in such sets) to meet demand but now with the impending arrival into service of new class 800/802 sets the writing is certainly on the wall.  Farewell to two old friends who have served the west country for around 4 decades, covering millions of miles in the process.  Maybe they will see their 50th 'birthdays' working north of the border in Scotland?

Guy Vincent.                                                                                          Many thanks for your time and trouble Guy - if viewers would care to go back a day on this Newspage you will see the Roger Winnens pictures of the 'debranded' power cars on their way north.

S & D Templecombe Shed
John Cornelius

56 years ago long before HST's were thought of. Many thanks to John Cornelius for this one. Copyright

Southampton Docks
Mike Morant

RCTS: The Solent Rail Tour 20/3/66. Green liveried USA 0-6-0T no. 30064 arrives at Southampton (Ocean Terminal). [Mike Morant collection]