Immaculate 37057
Guy Vincent
Guy Vincent
Evening Keith,
While at Bristol Temple Meads yesterday I was fortunate enough to be able to take a few shots of Colas Rail's 'retro' class 37 no 37057 resplendent in it's original British Railways green livery. The loco is obviously very well cared for with clean paintwork and absolutely no signs of rust anywhere! Particularly nice touches are the working headcode boxes and authentic builders plates on each cabside (4 in total). Also notice the frost protection grilles over the radiators.
You will be interested to know that 37057 with it's structure gauging train consisting of coaches 9708 977985 and 977986 is due to cover lines in Devon and Cornwall this coming week. According to Real Time Trains it leaves Bristol at 1800hrs on Monday 6th and will be covering the Plymouth Friary and Gunnislake branches before stabling at Laira (arr 0125). Tuesday 7th it does 1850 Laira-Exeter Riverside (arr 2250) via Burngullow Jctn then on Wednesday 8th a 1535 departure from Riverside to Yeovil Jctn and back (arr 1930) so hopefully some of your locals can get shots of this rare visitor.
With best regards, Guy V Many thanks Guy - if only it was in daylight.
While at Bristol Temple Meads yesterday I was fortunate enough to be able to take a few shots of Colas Rail's 'retro' class 37 no 37057 resplendent in it's original British Railways green livery. The loco is obviously very well cared for with clean paintwork and absolutely no signs of rust anywhere! Particularly nice touches are the working headcode boxes and authentic builders plates on each cabside (4 in total). Also notice the frost protection grilles over the radiators.
You will be interested to know that 37057 with it's structure gauging train consisting of coaches 9708 977985 and 977986 is due to cover lines in Devon and Cornwall this coming week. According to Real Time Trains it leaves Bristol at 1800hrs on Monday 6th and will be covering the Plymouth Friary and Gunnislake branches before stabling at Laira (arr 0125). Tuesday 7th it does 1850 Laira-Exeter Riverside (arr 2250) via Burngullow Jctn then on Wednesday 8th a 1535 departure from Riverside to Yeovil Jctn and back (arr 1930) so hopefully some of your locals can get shots of this rare visitor.
With best regards, Guy V Many thanks Guy - if only it was in daylight.
37057 at Temple Meads 4th February 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent
Looking a picture. 37057 at Temple Meads 4th February 2017. Copyright Guy Vincent
37057 at Temple Meads. 4th February 2017. Copyright Guy Vincent.
A casual shot, even the policeman looks very smart. 4th February 2017. Copyright Guy Vincent.
For more detailed shots of 37057 and its train please go to 'Features for 4th February 2017'.
Castle Cary
Harry Patch in trouble
Guy Vincent
Harry Patch in trouble
Guy Vincent
Hello again Keith,
On Friday last (3rd) 1A73 0546 Exeter St Davids-Paddington unexpectedly ran into trouble approaching Castle Cary when leading power car 43172 'Harry Patch' reportedly suffered a problem with one of it's axles. The train terminated at Castle Cary with the relatively few passengers on board neatly transferring onto the 2D05 0640 Weymouth-Bristol Parkway DMU service. 43172 was detached from it's train then slowly moved into the up siding just west of the station where it remains today. The rest of the train, powered only by 43094, departed as 5Z77 1030 CLC-Laira TMD.
Here are 5 images of 43172 standing just beyond the partly dismantled former GWR brick goods shed, next to the 1980s signalling relay room. The former wartime replacement signal box ( built in 1942, demolished in 1985) stood between the main line and the siding directly in front of the goods shed. Recovery, either by rail or road, now awaits 43172. Many thanks Guy
On Friday last (3rd) 1A73 0546 Exeter St Davids-Paddington unexpectedly ran into trouble approaching Castle Cary when leading power car 43172 'Harry Patch' reportedly suffered a problem with one of it's axles. The train terminated at Castle Cary with the relatively few passengers on board neatly transferring onto the 2D05 0640 Weymouth-Bristol Parkway DMU service. 43172 was detached from it's train then slowly moved into the up siding just west of the station where it remains today. The rest of the train, powered only by 43094, departed as 5Z77 1030 CLC-Laira TMD.
Here are 5 images of 43172 standing just beyond the partly dismantled former GWR brick goods shed, next to the 1980s signalling relay room. The former wartime replacement signal box ( built in 1942, demolished in 1985) stood between the main line and the siding directly in front of the goods shed. Recovery, either by rail or road, now awaits 43172. Many thanks Guy
Castle Cary 43172 5th February 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent
Castle Cary 43172 43005 5th February 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent
Castle Cary 43172 43012 5th February 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent
Castle Cary 43172 from the end of the down platform. . 5th February 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent
Castle Cary 43172 seen from the head shunt of the siding on the up side at Castle Cary. The bridge on the left hand side takes the A371 over the Weymouth line. . 5th February 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent
Ornamental Railings placed in situ at Penzance
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
During the past few days ornamental railings have been extended across the station wall from the small section placed in situ a few years ago to the memorial to Hannah Bennett known as the Silver Tap by my Grandmother, this being a drinking fountain. Over the years a number of individuals have fallen over the wall, most probably the worse for wear. Photographers need not worry, the railings are low and your pictures will not be affected.
170205a Penzance Station viewed from the bottom of my street. Copyright Roger Winnen
170205b The station wall with its new railings. Copyright Roger Winnen
170205c Looking along the station wall. Copyright Roger Winnen
Demolition at
St Agnes
Laurence Hansford
St Agnes
Laurence Hansford
25 additional pictures added to our collection on the Chacewater to Newquay line of an unplanned Sunday visit to St Agnes station on the 23rd August 1964. Laurence was taken along to the St Agnes National Life Saving Competition at St Agnes purely to record that event as he had a camera. Thankfully, for us Launrence's camera was not up to taking long distance pictures of 'bobbing heads' and so he wandered off a couple of miles to St Agnes Station. Now over fifty years on we can see the fruits of his labours - for which his camera did a wonderful job.
Many thanks to Laurence for showing and sharing his collection with us.
Click here to go to the Chacewater - Newquay Collection and scroll down to to St Agnes. There is a new picture of the bridge over the old A30 at Blackwater as well - enjoy.
Click here to go to the Chacewater - Newquay Collection and scroll down to to St Agnes. There is a new picture of the bridge over the old A30 at Blackwater as well - enjoy.
St Agnes station on Sunday 23rd August 1964 The bare bones of the station and one signal remain but little track. Copyright Laurence Hansford.
The trackless formation looking towards Mount Hawke and Chacewater over the bridge which carried the line over the B3277. 23rd August 1964. Copyright Laurence Hansford.
Turning about and looking back into the station the windowless and roofless signalbox stands amid desolation. Piles of track and fittings await removal. The largely intact goods shed is very temporarily premoted to being an engine shed housing the contractors loco. 23rd August 1964 Copyright Laurence Hansford.
Sid at Swanage
Sid Sponheimer
Sid Sponheimer
Sid shows us pictures taken at Swanage in its very early preservation days - click here to go into our Swanage branch section.
A rather crowded scene at Swange in 1991/2. Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
It was also rather crowded in the actual station too. Copyright Sid Sponheimer.
Finally out in the countryside at Herston, the first stop on the re-incarnated line we see 41708, - Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Westerleigh
Colin Burges
Colin Burges
Very much at the extremes of our coverage we take a look at the remains of the former double track Midland Bristol to the north line where it passed underneath the M4 prior to being joined by a connection off the GW Cardiff - Swindon route. You will find this link to maps very useful http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore
Metals of the Old Midland terminate beneath the M4 alongside the Murco Oil Terminal.. The line beyond the buffer stops went to Mangostfield and thence either to Bath Green Park for the S & D or via Fishponds to Bristol Temple Meads. Colin notes that a fine bridge was provided here to span this line whereas the Southern Route out of Exeter under the M% which sees intensive rail traffic is limited to single track. Copyright Colin Burges.
The Midland route looking towards Westerleigh. A branch went off right along the course of the road to serve Froglane Pit and Mayshill Colliery. Copyright Colin Burges