Maurice Dart Memorial Train
A special memorial train in honour of Maurice has been organised to take place on the Bodmin Steam Railway on Saturday 13 July 2024. All who knew Maurice are welcome to attend.
You may travel free of charge on the last service train from Bodmin Parkway at 16.15, arriving at Bodmin General at 16.35. Pasties and cream teas are available after arrival at Bodmin General - must be booked in advance and paid for on the day. The memorial train leaves Bodmin General at 18.00, probably hauled by one of the 55XX Prairies after Morris Men have danced on the platform.
Bookings to Roger Winnen on 01736 350048 by 9th July 2024
You may travel free of charge on the last service train from Bodmin Parkway at 16.15, arriving at Bodmin General at 16.35. Pasties and cream teas are available after arrival at Bodmin General - must be booked in advance and paid for on the day. The memorial train leaves Bodmin General at 18.00, probably hauled by one of the 55XX Prairies after Morris Men have danced on the platform.
Bookings to Roger Winnen on 01736 350048 by 9th July 2024
Burngullow Banana
Jon Hird
The 'Flying Banana', or the Network Rail New Measurement Train (NMT) passes Burngullow on 28.06.2024. Copyright Jon Hird.
Bristol Open Top Bus
David Tozer
Gents,
Michael Adams photograph of the open topper in Minehead led me to delve into my slides of buses.
Attached is a photo of 1936 VDV 753 'Sir Humphrey Davy' working Service 507 from Penzance to Marazion on the the 11th June 1974, yes forty years ago this month. This vehicle was one of two Bristol LDL's converted to open toppers. The other was 1935. These also worked the open top service in Falmouth to Pendennis Point. The photo was taken near the old Marazion Railway Station. The second LDL was 1935.These were the only LDL's in the Western National fleet.
During that period Western National revised all service numbers and the majority in Cornwall were in the 500 services. The exceptions were some in East Cornwall and from Delabole to Plymouth.
Dave
Michael Adams photograph of the open topper in Minehead led me to delve into my slides of buses.
Attached is a photo of 1936 VDV 753 'Sir Humphrey Davy' working Service 507 from Penzance to Marazion on the the 11th June 1974, yes forty years ago this month. This vehicle was one of two Bristol LDL's converted to open toppers. The other was 1935. These also worked the open top service in Falmouth to Pendennis Point. The photo was taken near the old Marazion Railway Station. The second LDL was 1935.These were the only LDL's in the Western National fleet.
During that period Western National revised all service numbers and the majority in Cornwall were in the 500 services. The exceptions were some in East Cornwall and from Delabole to Plymouth.
Dave
1936 VDV 753 'Sir Humphrey Davy' working Service 507 from Penzance to Marazion on the the 11th June 1974. Copyright David Tozer.
The same bus at Minehead station in 2010, as published on our website on 27.06.24. Copyright Michael Adams.
Many thanks David, nice to see the old bus still going.
A day out with the Railway Touring Company
Mick House
Wednesday 26th June a lovely sunny day and the Railway Touring Company ran a day trip, 1Z92 from London Victoria (1 late at 08.17) to the Swanage Railway (74 late at 14.07). I photographed it passing under the foot bridge at Totton yard (54 late at 12.02), having started losing time between West Byfleet and Woking.
At the head of the train was 44871 LMS Black 5 and on the rear was West Coast Railways 47 826 both locos were under power to enable the train to try and make up some time.
I was en route home to Cornwall a short time after photographing the train and was listening to the local radio (radio Solent), an announcement came in with reports of delays on the railway between Beaulieu Road and Brockenhurst, due to line side fires, this affected services for a long time, the return journey of the steamer was delayed even with the diesel leading, 29 late from Swanage 16.58, 45 late at Woking 21.13, the train was terminated at Clapham Junction 21.57 now only 4 late, due to a fire, no more reports after that.
At the head of the train was 44871 LMS Black 5 and on the rear was West Coast Railways 47 826 both locos were under power to enable the train to try and make up some time.
I was en route home to Cornwall a short time after photographing the train and was listening to the local radio (radio Solent), an announcement came in with reports of delays on the railway between Beaulieu Road and Brockenhurst, due to line side fires, this affected services for a long time, the return journey of the steamer was delayed even with the diesel leading, 29 late from Swanage 16.58, 45 late at Woking 21.13, the train was terminated at Clapham Junction 21.57 now only 4 late, due to a fire, no more reports after that.
44871 leads the tour past Totton Yard. 26.06.2024, copyright Mick House.
44871 leads the tour past Totton Yard. 26.06.2024, copyright Mick House.
47826 giving a good push from the rear. 26.06.2024, copyright Mick House.
47826 giving a good push from the rear. 26.06.2024, copyright Mick House.
Many thanks to you, Mick
An interlude at Par
Neil Phillips
Hello Roger and Keith,
I had an appointment this afternoon (27.06.24) which took me past Par station on the way home, where 66101 was awaiting a path eastwards with 6M53 11.51 Parkandillack - Cliffe Vale china clay comprising 8 JIAs. It appears that the summer use of IETs on the Newquay branch resulting in the Class 150 occupying Chapel Siding for 2 hours (14.12 - 16.05) complicates matters for the 'clay' which would usually lay over in the siding itself; instead it is planned to run to Lostwithiel to run round before returning to recess in St Blazey Yard, where another run-round would be required - this is according to Realtime Trains, although a lack of reporting from Lostwithiel and St Blazey suggests it simply awaits time in the loop alongside Par station. A much simpler (and cheaper) solution to be sure!
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
I had an appointment this afternoon (27.06.24) which took me past Par station on the way home, where 66101 was awaiting a path eastwards with 6M53 11.51 Parkandillack - Cliffe Vale china clay comprising 8 JIAs. It appears that the summer use of IETs on the Newquay branch resulting in the Class 150 occupying Chapel Siding for 2 hours (14.12 - 16.05) complicates matters for the 'clay' which would usually lay over in the siding itself; instead it is planned to run to Lostwithiel to run round before returning to recess in St Blazey Yard, where another run-round would be required - this is according to Realtime Trains, although a lack of reporting from Lostwithiel and St Blazey suggests it simply awaits time in the loop alongside Par station. A much simpler (and cheaper) solution to be sure!
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
66101 awaits its path at Par with 6M53 while 43042 + 43189 call with 2C26 13.40 Plymouth - Penzance. In the distance 150202 is parked up in Chapel Siding. 27th June 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
An elevated view of 66101 from the footbridge. 27th June 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Following a 10-minute late departure by an up IET, 66101 gets underway with 6M53 22 minutes early at 15.07. Recent clearance of tall vegetation outside the railway boundary fence immediately below where I'm standing has allowed this angle to be taken from the very end of the bridge parapet. 27th June 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Many thanks Neil, as you say - seems a good use of the available space to save running the train round multiple times.
Newquay HST
Jon Hird
A nice little working which almost slipped undetected beneath the radar. Owing to a late-running Paddington service, GWR dispatched 43004 and 43187 to Newquay working as 1Z74. The return working, 1A94 Newquay - Paddington, is seen here passing a rather overgrown Middleway. The HST would be swapped at Plymouth for an IET. Copyright Jon Hird.
43187 leads the train away from the branch platform at Par right on time at 15:43. The 'beheaded' semaphore still standing for now. Copyright Jon Hird.