Items added on 4th July 2017 Those added most recently come first

A large step for man, a gigantic step for mankind.

King and Queen arrive Liskeard Station 7 May 1942 Phil Hadley Collection

With the greatest respect to our late King and Queen the above picture draws attention to the special steps available in those days from the Royal Train to the platform. As my wife and I get older we frequently have to take very great care when alighting from trains due not only to the gap but also the great height difference from the train to the platform.- if only such retractable  steps as seen above were available to all!!   K & V J
This picture and many other details can be found in the War Diary compiled by Phil Hadley  Click here to view.

Bristol Area Safari
Andrew Triggs

Many thanks Andrew, it looks like you had a grand day out, all the way from Penzance.

First stop Westbury, following arival on 1A77, DBC 59205 shunting in the 'Up' sidings by platform 3 Copyright Andrew Triggs

The first days of Turbo's on the Severn Beach line, 166212 arriving at Temple Meads with 2K15 from Avonmouth. Copyright Andrew Triggs

166212 at Severn Beach, following arrival with 2K18 from Bristol T.M. 3rd July 2017 Copyright Andrew Triggs

50008 'Thunderer' in the Yard at Barton Hill, viewed from the passing 2K18 3rd July 2017 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Class 591 No. 59104 'Village of Great Elm' arriving at Westbury, working 7C77 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Westbury New Colas 70815 running light behind platform 3, before departing for the Down Yard. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Stop Press - railtour rescheduled    Karl Hewlett advises
'The Torbay and Dart Flyer' to Kingswear with 50007 and 50049, has been rescheduled to Saturday 16th September.  In my previous email a gremlin appeared 50009 should read 50008, Conqueror not with us anymore. Karl (Friends of Penmere Station).   Thanks Karl

Penzance yesterday
Saltburn Pilgrim
Craig Munday

Craig Munday reports :-  Hi Keith, 
A class 57 dominated morning at Penzance with no fewer than 4 of the class during my shift in the station. WCR railway's 57313 & 315 worked the ECS for Plymouth - the return of the SWaltburn Pilgrim to the North East. 

GWR's 57603 & 605 doubled up on the down sleeper. Both trains in Top & Tail mode.

All the best now. Craig.                      Many thanks indeed Craig

A privilaged shot from inside the fence. Penzance Saltburn Pilgrim Railtour at platform 2 with 57315 ready to depart, though it is suspected the driver is on the platform. 3rd july 2017 Copyright Craig Munday

Yet another privileged shot this time from the signalbox as 56 31 takes the Saltburn Pilgrim away from the station at 07.10. 3rd July 2017 Copyright Craig Munday

Okehampton 
Ron Kosys

14th April 1988 was dull, wet and misty day. I called in at Okehampton on the way home following a few days in Cornwall. 47033 heads through with the Exeter Riverside to Meldon empties. Note the ‘To Let’ sign in the signal box window.
It returned some time later with the usual Meldon to Bristol East loadeds.

47033 at Okehampton 14th April 1988 Riverside - Meldon Copyright Ron Kosys

'To Let' notice in the signalbox window. 14th April 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys

47033 Okehampton 14th April 1988 1335 Meldon-Bristol Copyright Ron Kosys

Okehampton 14th April 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys The station looks pretty scruffy, but thankfully this was as low as it was going to get - it looks forward to a much brighter future. Note the cars in the car, one wonders whose these were?

Somerton
John Cornelius

Copyright John Cornelius