Items added on 8th January 2018 Those added most recently come first

Chasing the HST's
5th - 7th January 2018
Andrew Triggs

A few shots from over the weekend, as our faithful HST's are nearing the end of their frontline duties with the Great Western Railway as we know it!

180105a 43105 Leading the 1A80 12.03 Paddington Penzance at Cowley Bridge, Exeter. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180105b 43185 Great Western departing Exeter St David's. Photographed from Red Cow Crossing. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180106a A differant angle at Marazion as the 1Z94 heads eastwards to Plymouth. In the foreground lie cut granite blocks probably from the demolished waiting room on the upside platform at Marazion. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180107a The going away shot of 2E68 passing the former Marazion Station in glorious sunshine. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Chyandour Penzance
Mike Hitchens

47474 Sir Roland Hill together with another Res 47 stabled in the long siding at Chyandour Penzance. Mike Hitchens collection copyright

Severn Beach
Ron Kosys

Severn Beach comparison 1 Severn Beach station on the 16th August 1972. The station building here was curiously at right angles to the platform, The platform lighting looks a bit temporary to say the least, and the running in board has apparently been wrenched from its mounting posts leaving the site quite dangerous - no H & S in those days! Note that the metals to Pilning are still in situ although those over the crossing have been removed or tarred over. Ron, who was on a railrover, reports that he was the only passenger on this Bristol bound service back to Avonmouth. Copyright Ron Kosys

Quite rightly Guy Vincent has sent us three pictures to compare with Ron's super 1972 image showing Severn Beach in recent times.   The land beyond the station towards Pilning has been built on and the sidings area next to the former island platform has been fenced off, it is overgrown with a few pieces of track still evident.  On my last visit, 23rd December 2017, the single line into the station had been replaced the previous weekend. Brand-new concrete sleepers, welded rails and fresh ballast now instead of worn-out 1950s wooden sleepers sitting in mud!  Traction-wise class 150 and 158 sets have recently been superseded in the main by class 166 units although 153s used to make occasional appearances as on 21st August 2015 when 153325 worked the 0716 to Temple Meads following an earlier failure.  Many thanks Guy

Severn Beach comparison 2 21st August 2015 153325 on the 2K05 0716 SVB-BTM Copyright Guy Vincent

Severn Beach comparison 3 166202 Severn Beach 23rd December 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent

Severn Beach comparison 4 166202 23rd December 2017 Copyright Copyright Guy Vincent

Test Train
Karl Hewlett

​After the booked run of the last test train to our area (due to run just before Christmas), was changed to Weymouth almost at the last minute, a second attempt has now appeared to run this week.  Usual class 37 and test stock times are:

Tuesday 16 January Exeter Riverside NYD to Penzance via Falmouth Docks

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H33267/2018/01/16/advanced

Wednesday 17th January Penzance to Exeter Riverside NYD via Newquay and Looe

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H33273/2018/01/17/advanced

Running in a Q path so worth checking before deciding to see it.
Thanks Karl - I guess that somebody will be at Falmouth at 04.00 to see it!

Chard Junction
John Cornelius

Milk factory very much in use also the goods shed still standing. Copyright John Cornelius