November 21st 2024

Goonbarrow Engineers

Over the next few days, Goonbarrow Junction will see a number of engineers trains pass through. It is the end of the blockade on the Newquay branch, so these trains could end up anywhere on the line between Newquay and Goonbarrow.

20.11.2024
6Y60 2324 Westbury Down T.C. to Goonbarrow Jn (Freightliner)

21.11.2024
6Y61 1625 Westbury Down T.C. to Goonbarrow Jn (Freightliner)
6Y60 2200 Goonbarrow Jn to Westbury Down T.C. (Freightliner)

22.11.2024
6Y61 1600 Goonbarrow Jn to Westbury Down T.C.​ (Freightliner)
6G73 1714 Westbury Down T.C. to Goonbarrow Jn (GBRF)

23.11.2024
6Y44 1019 Westbury Down T.C. to Goonbarrow Jn (Freightliner)
​6G73 1554 Goonbarrow Jn to Westbury Down T.C. (GBRF)
​​​6Y44 1500 Goonbarrow Jn to Westbury Down T.C. (Freightliner)
​6Y45 1828 Westbury Down T.C. to Goonbarrow Jn (Freightliner)

25.11.2024
6G74 0900 Goonbarrow Jn to Westbury Down T.C. (GBRF)
6Y45 1505 Goonbarrow Jn to Westbury Down T.C. (Freightliner)

Sadly the weekend weather looks abysmal, but if you decide to brave it and go out for a photo, please send them in! [email protected].

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St. Pinnock
Jon Hird

Yesterday, the light looked pretty good, so I took a trip over to Largin to capture a few trains. Sadly the sun had dropped too low, and the viaduct was in shadow, so I quickly changed course and went to St. Pinnock viaduct instead. I was waiting for the Par - Exeter clay and got in position, and was surprised when from the opposite direction came 66179 and 66154 with the RHTT. 20.11.2024, copyright Jon Hird.

Just a few minutes later, from the opposite direction, came 66131 with 6C10, clay from Par Harbour going to Exeter Riverside, for later transport on to Cliffe Vale. The sun was being swallowed by a cloud, but it hung out just long enough to light up the train and viaduct. 20.11.2024, copyright Jon Hird.

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A day on the Castles
Trevor Tremethick

Hello Keith and Roger

I teamed up with an old Naval mate, Graham, for a trip down to Penzance on Castle HSTs while we can. We saw three sets in use:

·       Set GW06 43004 +  43187
·       Set GW08 43198 + 43186
·       Set GW09 43093 + 43188
We boarded set GW08 forming the 1042 from Plymouth; this had been preceded by set GW06 on the 1015 departure. At Penzance, we found set GW06  which gave the opportunity to photograph 43186 Taunton Castle and 43004 Caerphilly Castle together.
This gave us about an hour and ten minutes to get a pasty and a cup of tea from the kiosk outside Penzance station (what a lovely lady). After which, it was the 1350 back to Plymouth (set GW09). The driver of 43093 Berkeley Castle gave me a friendly wave as I photographed the locomotive and I was able to catch him for a thank-you after an excellent run back to North Road.
What struck me particularly was how pleasant everyone was (perhaps increasingly rare these days). From the lady in the ticket office at Plymouth to the 'pasty lady' in Penzance and finally the driver of Berkeley Castle.  All trains spotlessly clean and bang on time too.
Regards
Trevor

1042 Plymouth to PZ by Castle HST 43186 on rear at North Road Plat 7, 19.11.2024. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

43186 (left) and 43004 (right) at Penzance, 19.11.2024. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

43198 at the buffers in PZ, 19.11.2024. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

43188 'Newport Castle'Enters PZ with 1142 from Plymouth 19.11.2024. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

43093 waiting to leave PZ with 1350 to Plymouth 19.11.2024. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

43093 on arrival, North Road, 1350 from PZ. 19.11.2024. Copyright Trevor Tremethick

Many Thanks Trevor

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Arena Park
David Tozer

I had a tip off that 66787 'Three Bridges ASC has passed Pinhoe at 0830am. A quick dash to Arena Park, the old Devon County Show ground site in Exeter found the 0955 6G14 Pinhoe to Westbury Down T.C waiting for permission to leave the possession zone. Two PW staff were waiting to remove the warning lights etc.

This was the first train to actually run early. Mind you it was not released until the scheduled departure time.

The sun made photography difficult.

66787 at Arena Park 20.11.2024. Copyright David Tozer.

Many thanks David - the sun's always there when you don't want it, never there when you do!

Wick on the Somerset Levels

Beckoned today for the 0955 Pinhoe to Westbury 6G14 engineers' working.
This was headed by GBRf  66787, and was running about an hour early.  Oath farm is in the background.

Best wishes Copyright Bill Elston

Many Thanks Bill