Calstock
Roger Geach
Roger Geach
A very quick visit to Devon / Cornwall last week had a day out with Bernard Mills .
Here is the 1054 Plymouth - Gunny at Calstock still a lovely shot .
Roger Geach Many thanks Roger, glad you had a good day.
Here is the 1054 Plymouth - Gunny at Calstock still a lovely shot .
Roger Geach Many thanks Roger, glad you had a good day.
Calstock 150234 2g67 the 1054 Plymouth to Gunnislake 10th May 2018 Copyright Roger Geach
The Class 37s return to Crewe Gresty Bridge (DRS)
Andrew Triggs
Andrew Triggs
180515b The return working at 10.25 this morning 37218 37259 approaching Ponsandane. Copyright Andrew Triggs
180515c Approaching the wooden overbridge at Ponsandane .Copyright Andrew Triggs
180515d The clag from the 37s is seen as they pass the washplant. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Five from Craig
Craig Munday
Craig Munday
The trip of two DRS class 37s caused a bit of excitement, in perfect times and light for some scenic pictures. I caught them on the way down on 14th at Respryn & cruising across Hayle viaduct with a high tide, and some small boats bobbing around.
I was at Liskeard for their return on 15th, and took a shot with the locos being passed by the down HST.
Cheers for now. Craig. Well 'copped', Craig. Many thanks.
I was at Liskeard for their return on 15th, and took a shot with the locos being passed by the down HST.
Cheers for now. Craig. Well 'copped', Craig. Many thanks.
37218 37259 at Respryn working down as OZ63 14th May 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Hayle 0Z63 37218 37259 passing over the viaduct 14th May 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
150002 on a down working at Respryn. 14th May 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
A smashing shot, perfect timing. 37218 37259 working back as OZ09 15th May 2018 Copyright Craig Munday
Well lit. Liskeard Box on the 15th May 2018. Copyright Craig Munday
Redruth
Jacob Hampson
Jacob Hampson
A smashing picture of the 37's as they pass through Redruth on the 14th May 2018. Copyright Jacob Hampson.
Ivybridge
Clive Smith
Clive Smith
DRS 37259 and 37218 pass Langham Levels in Ivybridge with the 0Z81 07.55 Crewe Gresty Bridge to Penzance Sloper Sidings light engine movement on Monday 14th May 2018. Copyright Clive Smith
Thoughts from
John Roberts
John Roberts
"A DfT consultation which ran from 8th May to 26th June 2014 proposed the GW franchise specification for 2015-2020. On 23rd March 2015, DfT published the results which then assumed that the next GW franchise would run from September 2015 to March 2019. However, instead of a competition, the First franchise was extended from 2015 to 2016, then to 2018 and currently to 2019.
On 29th November 2017 DfT published its most recent consultation which closed on 21st February 2018. The principal suggestions are:
1. It's inefficient to change operator in the middle of the current upgrade programme, so Dft proposes to extend the current franchise from 31st March 2019 to March 2020 and negotiate with First further to extend it to March 2022;
2. To split off a West of England franchise in March 2022, comprising Paddington to Penzance and branches, plus Cardiff to Portsmouth and Malvern to Weymouth, leaving GW with Paddington to Bristol, Swansea and the Cotswolds and branches. (Sub-options could see the recreation of Thames or Wessex. This is a policy reversal as the recent trend has been towards reducing the number of franchises and one operator per London terminal, eg Southern, Greater Anglia and East Midlands, and until now GW.)
3. Closer integration of Franchisee and Network Rail to improve customer service.
DfT says it will publish a summary of consultation responses and a plan for the 2020s in mid-2018 so watch this space!
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/great-western-rail-franchise
Arriva Cross Country is also currently in Direct Award with the tender process now starting with a view to a new franchise commencing in December 2019.
I note that hardly any of the projects foreseen by my report of 9th August 2012 have been completed and some have sunk without trace!
Many of us were surprised when DfT awarded EC and WC to the same operator, and then SWR and GW, as it used to be policy to promote competition and such monopolies would have been unlikely to have been approved."
Some thoughts on happenings in the railway world by Founder Member John Roberts. Very many thanks John.
On 29th November 2017 DfT published its most recent consultation which closed on 21st February 2018. The principal suggestions are:
1. It's inefficient to change operator in the middle of the current upgrade programme, so Dft proposes to extend the current franchise from 31st March 2019 to March 2020 and negotiate with First further to extend it to March 2022;
2. To split off a West of England franchise in March 2022, comprising Paddington to Penzance and branches, plus Cardiff to Portsmouth and Malvern to Weymouth, leaving GW with Paddington to Bristol, Swansea and the Cotswolds and branches. (Sub-options could see the recreation of Thames or Wessex. This is a policy reversal as the recent trend has been towards reducing the number of franchises and one operator per London terminal, eg Southern, Greater Anglia and East Midlands, and until now GW.)
3. Closer integration of Franchisee and Network Rail to improve customer service.
DfT says it will publish a summary of consultation responses and a plan for the 2020s in mid-2018 so watch this space!
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/great-western-rail-franchise
Arriva Cross Country is also currently in Direct Award with the tender process now starting with a view to a new franchise commencing in December 2019.
I note that hardly any of the projects foreseen by my report of 9th August 2012 have been completed and some have sunk without trace!
Many of us were surprised when DfT awarded EC and WC to the same operator, and then SWR and GW, as it used to be policy to promote competition and such monopolies would have been unlikely to have been approved."
Some thoughts on happenings in the railway world by Founder Member John Roberts. Very many thanks John.
Dawlish Red Cliffs
Ron Kosys
Ron Kosys
It's high tide at Dawlish and the walkway is wet as 31445+31455 haul the 1M37 0840 Saturdays only Paignton-Manchester past those marvellous red cliffs at Dawlish 30th September 1989 Copyright Ron Kosys
Yeovil Railway Centre
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Models on display at YRC. Copyright John Cornelius