Items added on the 8th August 2016 Those added most recently come first

Fire stops trains.
Roger Winnen

It was reported to us that a serious fire adjacent to St Erth station has caused the cancellation of all train services.  The sleeper tonight will now start from Plymouth.  Further reports are expected from Roger who is proceeding at this moment (21.00) by bus from Penzance to St Erth station.  Up-dates expected later.

Roger phoned at 21.20 from St Erth Car Park - as near as he could get. He reported that St Erth signal box has been evacuated - the fire, which is still raging is right behind it. Nobody is allowed on the station premises. Roger hopes to catch the 21.54 bus back to Penzance and will report later, maybe with photographs

160808a On lookers watching the fire at St Erth, the St Ives Train going no where and the signals pulled off for an up train which would not be running. Copyright Roger Winnen

160808b Its like the London Blitz at St Erth. The former Western Growers site housed tyres which appeared to have gone up in smoke. Copyright Roger Winnen

160808c Blaze away at St Erth. Copyright Roger Winnen

160808d A nightime spectacle for the residents of St Erth and surrounding districts. Copyright Roger Winnen

160808e Five appliances were fighting the fire. The signal box can just be seen behind the signal in the middle of the picture. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many Thanks to Martin Duff for advising me of the fire, and a young lady who took some of my pictures standing on crash barriers at St Erth Station

An Interlude at Plymouth Station whilst waiting for the Royal Duchy Express
Roger Winnen

160807tu An interlude at Plymouth Station whilst waiting for the steam. 08641 Laira together with a coach and a HST Power Car 43056 The Royal British Legion makes a return trip to Plymouth Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

160807v Departing back to Laira Depot the train is passed by the incoming Voyager as it enters Mutley Tunnel. Copyright Roger Winnen

Tornado with The Torbay Express in Somerset & Devon
David Tozer & Andrew Triggs

160807zf 60163 Tornado departing Taunton with the Torbay Express to Kingswear. Copyright Andrew Triggs

160807a 60163 at Powderham on the Torbay Express to Kingswear. Copyright David Tozer

160807aa 60163 Returns with The Torbay Express seen passing Silverton on route to Bristol Temple Meads. Copyright David Tozer

Many Thanks David

Craig let loose in Devon
Craig Munday

Hi Keith
Had a most enjoyable shift covering the Exeter MOM. Added bonus were the two steam runs in the County. I would love to have got the locos at Tiverton Loops as one overtook the other being watered there. 

I headed off around the Torbay area, visitng Dainton bank first to see 46233 Duchess of Sutherland powering up the bank in fine style. 

I headed out to Cowley Bridge Jn, Exeter in the evening for Tornado with the Torbay Express.

Also pictured was 143611 looking rather snug in Exeter Depot in the morning. 

Kind regards

Craig          We are green with envy - many thanks Craig.

46233 Duchess of Sutherland - Dainton Bank 7th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

N.B.  Roger Winnen is making an extensive collection of pictures of the above railtour for publication tomorrow (9th August) - please send your pictures to Roger. You can use my own Email address winnen@btinternet.com

Using his privileged position Craig gets this wonderful ground level shot of Tornado with the Torbay Express approaching Cowley Bridge. 7th August 2016. Copyright Craig

143611 looking rather snug in Exeter Depot in the morning. 7th August 2016 Copyright Craig Munday.

Ilton, Chard branch
John Cornelius

Yes, it's just a bridge, it was on the Chard branch, but what a study of perfectly cut stone. Ilton Halt closed 10th September 1962, this picture was taken almost twenty years after the last train. Further information is that Ilton Halt was served by a footpath which emerged onto the public highway on the left just where the car is parked. The road straight ahead is for Chard, to the left for Taunton. Copyright John Cornelius.

Exeter Central
Mike Morant

S_BR_30925_Exeter_1-9-62 During the Summer of 1962 a Maunsell Schools class 4-4-0 was often rostered for the 10.15 SO Waterloo to the West of England and, according to “Locos of the SR Part 1” / RCTS, on Sat 1/9/62 30925 Cheltenham had the job. With a load of 10 corridors, 30925 arrived at Exeter Central 3 minutes early. It returned to Waterloo on the 11.00 service the following day.
My thanks go to Chris Knowles-Thomas for the above background data which, I have to say, came as a surprise to me.
[Mike Morant collection