Items added on the 26th May, 2015 Those added most recently come first

In the Gloom as the first Class 68 into Devon reaches Exeter this evening.
David Tozer

160526e 68017 from Crewe Gresty Bridge at 15.20 made it to Exeter St David's this evening arriving at 20.21. Copyright David Tozer

Many Thanks David
Watch out for it in Cornwall tomorrow
Penzance arrive 13.33 depart 14.27

Keith Your info (David Tozers) was spot on - 68017 ‘Hornet’ currently shut down on Platform 4 at Exeter St Davids! Chris Jenkin  Message timed at 21.57 on 26th May - many thanks for this update to Chris Jenkin

Cornish Loco Fest
Ron Westwater
An early start but 4 different locos seen in a few hours on Thursday 26th May, 2016...is it really Cornwall

160526a At 05.43 70807 heads over Coombe by Saltash Viaduct with the 05.00 Lostwithiel to Westbury Down TC. Copyright Ron Westwater

160526b 57605 Totnes Castle heads the 1C99 23.45 Paddington-Penzance at Trerulefoot. Copyright Ron Westwater

160526c 66027 Heads over the causeway at Golant with the 6G06 07.37 Goonbarrow to Fowey. Copyright Ron Westwater

160526d 66002 at Par prior to working the 6B00 ThO 07.15 St Blazey to Parkandillack. Copyright Ron Westwater.

Many Thanks Ron

Taunton Goods Loop Bridge
Robert Lindley

Many thanks to Robert for these pictures showing preparations for the removal of the goods loop bridge. These were taken yesterday - apologies for the delay.

Taunton Goods Loop Bridge demolition 25th May 2016 Copyright Rob LIndley

Taunton Goods Loop Bridge demolition View towards the Station with the Crane holding a section while the cutters torch does its work. 25th May 2016 Copyright Rob LIndley

Taunton Goods Loop Bridge demolition 25th May 2016 Copyright Rob LIndley

Taunton Goods Loop Bridge demolition View from the station ramp. The old engine shed wall ( down to window sill level) can be seen on the right 25th May 2016 Copyright Rob LIndley

STOP  PRESS - Pictures on BBC News of the bridge actually being removed today - 26th May 2016.

Have your Cameras Ready Tomorrow
The first visit of a Class 68 to Cornwall

It is reported that a Class 68 will be coming to Cornwall on Friday 27th May,2016. Times shown on realtime trains show a departure from Exeter at 10.22 to Penzance arrive 13.32 and departing again at 14.27 to Exeter Riverside.
                                                                                 Many Thanks David

Shed Bash 2
John Cornelius

It is a great pleasure to include a picture of 5744 at Truro Shed.  Truro shed was notoriously difficult to access which dictates the rarity of pictures of locos on shed. We are lucky that John Cornelius was on an organised shed visit in May 1961. 

Copyright John Cornelius

Further information on 5744 from Roy Hart - Many thanks

Dear Keith,
Readers may wonder about the strange chimney: 5744 and 3709 of the same class came to Truro in 1960 from Didcot, where they had been fitted with wild west type spark arrestors for shunting in the vast Milton ordnance depot (latterly the site of Didcot power station). They came to Truro when that depot closed, with the spark arrestors still fitted.
Truro crews found that the spark arrestors hindered the draughting, making the engines poor steamers on sustained running such as Falmouth or Perranporth runs, so the arrestors were removed. I recall that this little stovepipe chimney gave the engines a rasping 'bark'. Both engines were regularly seen on Perranporth and Falmouth trains. When Truro closed to steam in March 1962, 3709 was transferred to Exeter and 5744 to Westbury.
Roy