China Clay Gala 2023
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th September
Photographs by Jon Hird Mark Lynam & Roger Winnen
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th September
Photographs by Jon Hird Mark Lynam & Roger Winnen
230909h A quick dash across the road to catch the returning special. Copyright Roger Winnen
5553 Working hard on the climb to Bodmin General. Copyright Jon Hird
The Statesman Railtour Shrewsbury to Penzance and Return
Saturday 9th September 2023
Saturday 9th September 2023
The Statesman Railtour passes Cockwood Harbour. Copyright Roger Salter
The Statesman at Penzance Copyright Mick House
The Blue Pullman Paignton to Fort William
Andrew Triggs
Andrew Triggs
43047 leading the LSL charter at Platform 4 at Taunton Copyright Andrew Triggs
43046 on the rear of 1Z43 05.46 Paignton-Fort William 'Blue Pullman' 3 day Scotland excursion at fog bound Taunton at 07.10 Copyright Andrew Triggs
Many thanks Andrew.
Somerset HSTs
Andrew Triggs
Andrew Triggs
Evening Keith/Roger,
Spent this afternoon driving around West Somerset endeavouring to capture the planned final Sunday Cross Country HST workings, as the final sets are due to be retired from traffic next Saturday 16th September, the weather eventually breaking around lunch time into a lovely late Summer's afternoon..What will we do when they're gone? Cross Country's poor old 'Customers' having to tolerate 'Voyagers' only from next Sunday onwards...premium prices for awful traction and even worse comfort. Anyway, enclosed 5 shots for CRS
All the Best
Andrew
Spent this afternoon driving around West Somerset endeavouring to capture the planned final Sunday Cross Country HST workings, as the final sets are due to be retired from traffic next Saturday 16th September, the weather eventually breaking around lunch time into a lovely late Summer's afternoon..What will we do when they're gone? Cross Country's poor old 'Customers' having to tolerate 'Voyagers' only from next Sunday onwards...premium prices for awful traction and even worse comfort. Anyway, enclosed 5 shots for CRS
All the Best
Andrew
XC 43304 (with 43303) passing Silk Mills Bridge, Taunton, working 1V48 08.11 Leeds-Plymouth, running 15 late at 12.45 Copyright Andrew Triggs
Going away from Norton Fitzwarren, XC 43303 (with 43304 leading) working 1S55 14.27 Plymouth-Edinburgh, running 7 late at 15.57 Copyright Andrew Triggs
GWR 43092 (with 43154) running 17 late at 16.12, working 2C79 14.00 Cardiff Central-Plymouth, passing Norton Fitzwarren Copyright Andres Triggs
XC 43321 'Dusty Bin' leading 1V56 09.08 Edinburgh-Plymouth (with 43378) passing Norton Fitzwarren at 16.21 (1 late) Copyright Andrew Triggs
In between the HST 'chasing' I popped over to Crowcombe Heathfield, WSR as the 12.20 Minehead-Bishops Lydeard service arrives Tender first Copyright Andrew Triggs
Many Thanks Andrew
1962 Part 41
The Life of GWR Prairie Tank 4555
Michael L. Roach
The Life of GWR Prairie Tank 4555
Michael L. Roach
The Great Western Railway's small prairie loco 4555 would become well-known towards the end of its service with British Railways and after its subsequent preservation. The loco was built in September 1924 and was one of a batch of six constructed that month numbered 4555 – 4560. Two of the six locos went new to Laira and four went to Tyseley – a shed that would become very familiar to 4555 many years later. Two of the batch have been preserved i.e 4555 and 4560. 4555 was condemned by British Railways in December 1963. During its 39 years of service the loco was quite nomadic moving sheds a total of 7 times accordng to one source but another quotes 13 moves just after nationalisation, including 8 between Machynlleth and Pwllheli in 4 years. 4555 spent a total of 17 years at those two sheds working trains up and down the Cambrian Coast. I was privileged to see 4555 working out of Laira because it has become one of the most well-known tank engines and non-named engines in preservation.
My interest in 4555 began when it moved to Plymouth on 19 May 1962 because that was where I lived at the time. It would be in service at Laira for about a year and was condemned on 2 December 1963. I photographed 4555 for the last time on 8 June 1963 so it may have not done much work in the last few months. From May until December 1962 the loco would be mostly hauling passenger and freight trains over the 34 miles between Plymouth and Launceston via Tavistock South until the line closed. In the first couple of months of 1964 the loco was hauled away to Swindon Works for a light overhaul before entering preservation in the spring of 1964.
For the next 18 months 4555 was based at Tyseley Shed in Birmingham which was still open to steam at the time and the loco operated some railtours while based there. The first one was on 2 May 1964 when it hauled a railtour from Merthyr to Brecon and back, in tandem with pannier tank 3690 on the weekend the line closed to freight (it had already closed to passengers at the end of 1962). The loco did not formally change ownership until 19 May 1964. The new owners paid just £750 for the engine which included the cost of the overhaul and a spare boiler which surely was the bargain of the twentieth century. While the loco was based at Tyseley it was used on all sorts of normal BR trains. It is worth looking at the story of 4555 on the website preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com
Note: This is a revised version of an article which first appeared in the Newsletter of the Norfolk Railway Society
MLR / 21 August 2023
My interest in 4555 began when it moved to Plymouth on 19 May 1962 because that was where I lived at the time. It would be in service at Laira for about a year and was condemned on 2 December 1963. I photographed 4555 for the last time on 8 June 1963 so it may have not done much work in the last few months. From May until December 1962 the loco would be mostly hauling passenger and freight trains over the 34 miles between Plymouth and Launceston via Tavistock South until the line closed. In the first couple of months of 1964 the loco was hauled away to Swindon Works for a light overhaul before entering preservation in the spring of 1964.
For the next 18 months 4555 was based at Tyseley Shed in Birmingham which was still open to steam at the time and the loco operated some railtours while based there. The first one was on 2 May 1964 when it hauled a railtour from Merthyr to Brecon and back, in tandem with pannier tank 3690 on the weekend the line closed to freight (it had already closed to passengers at the end of 1962). The loco did not formally change ownership until 19 May 1964. The new owners paid just £750 for the engine which included the cost of the overhaul and a spare boiler which surely was the bargain of the twentieth century. While the loco was based at Tyseley it was used on all sorts of normal BR trains. It is worth looking at the story of 4555 on the website preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com
Note: This is a revised version of an article which first appeared in the Newsletter of the Norfolk Railway Society
MLR / 21 August 2023
5728 4555 Leaves Yelverton Tunnel and passes through Yelverton Station with 11 wagons on the 2.20pm freight from Launceston to Tavistock Junction Yard running a few minutes late at 4.28pm on 22 September 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
7255 4555 powers down the bank between Lipson Junction and Laira Junction past Laira steam shed on the 12.14pm SO Plymouth to Launceston train on 28 July 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
7310 4555 stops at Coryton with the 3.05pm Plymouth to Launceston train on 18 August 1962., Copyright Michael L. Roach.
7312 4555 sets out from Coryton with the 5.40pm Launceston to Plymouth on 18 August 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks Michael we look forward to Part 42.
Comment on the current livery on
4555
Roy Hart
4555
Roy Hart
Dear Keith,
Further to Mike Roach's nice piece on 4555, I notice that the poor little engine has been decked out by its present owners in an absurd parody of Great Western livery. When purchased back in 1964 by the late Pat Whitehouse, she was painted in unlined green - correct GW livery for tank engines. Now, she carries a copper capped chimney (she never carried one in service. Only the first dozen of the class did, but they were removed before the first world war), Her tanks are adorned with the full GWR insignia (only carried, between the wars by Castles and Kings) The final insult to aesthetics ithat the lining goes round the back of the bunker!
I suppose that one could say "It's their engine,,," etc., but alternatively, it just looks ridiculous.
Roy Hart
Further to Mike Roach's nice piece on 4555, I notice that the poor little engine has been decked out by its present owners in an absurd parody of Great Western livery. When purchased back in 1964 by the late Pat Whitehouse, she was painted in unlined green - correct GW livery for tank engines. Now, she carries a copper capped chimney (she never carried one in service. Only the first dozen of the class did, but they were removed before the first world war), Her tanks are adorned with the full GWR insignia (only carried, between the wars by Castles and Kings) The final insult to aesthetics ithat the lining goes round the back of the bunker!
I suppose that one could say "It's their engine,,," etc., but alternatively, it just looks ridiculous.
Roy Hart
Thanks Roy - all the best.
Above and alongside at
Staffords Bridge
Paul Barlow
Staffords Bridge
Paul Barlow
Out and about with Pauls wonderful flying machine.
166220 + 166206 Exeter to Cardiff Staffords Bridge approaching 9 September 2023 Copyright Paul Barlow.
D1924 and 47712 The statesman The 05.00 Shrewsbury to Penzance at Staffords Bridge near Exeter. 9th September 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.
43098 43162 0800 Cardiff to Penzance approaches Staffords Bridge 9 September 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.
43122 43094 0930 Plymouth to Bristol ECS 5C73 passes over Staffords Bridge 9 September 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.
43154 43092 on the 06.40 Penzance to Cardiff passes over Staffords Bridge 9th September 2023
43321 43378 0611 Leeds to Plymouth 1V44 in the vicinity of Staffords Bridge 9 September 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks indeed Paul - superb pictures.
Dawlish & Cockwood
Bill Elston
Bill Elston
Hi Keith,
I managed to escape from Somerset today and visit Dawlish and Cockwood to observe the last day's workings of the Summer timetable,
especially those involving HSTs
Photos attached are of,
1) Blue 150219 passing Coryton Cove,
2) 43155/153 on Exd -Pnz
3) Turbo 165131 on Paignton-Exmouths
4) 43378/321 on Plymouth-Glasgow
5) 66101 on Riverside to St Blazey china clay empties. atCockwood
6) 43303/304 on Edinburgh-Plymouth, at Cockwood
Hope these are of interest
Cheers, Bill Elston.
I managed to escape from Somerset today and visit Dawlish and Cockwood to observe the last day's workings of the Summer timetable,
especially those involving HSTs
Photos attached are of,
1) Blue 150219 passing Coryton Cove,
2) 43155/153 on Exd -Pnz
3) Turbo 165131 on Paignton-Exmouths
4) 43378/321 on Plymouth-Glasgow
5) 66101 on Riverside to St Blazey china clay empties. atCockwood
6) 43303/304 on Edinburgh-Plymouth, at Cockwood
Hope these are of interest
Cheers, Bill Elston.
Photo 1) Copyright Bill Elston
Photo 2) Copyright Bill Elston
Photo 3) Copyright Bill Elston
Photo 4) Copyright Bill Elston
Photo 5) Copyright Bill Elston
Photo 6) Copyright Bill Elston
Many thanks Bill - you obviously had a good day.
More Lyme Regis
Colin Burges
Colin Burges
Dear Keith,
A return to Lyme Regis on Tuesday 7th September 2023 has enabled me to fill the gaps in my "scouting" piece.
There is mention of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Meryl Streep, and also a detailed look at Cannington, particularly the less obvious stabilization work.
https://www.teignrail.co.uk/scouting/89-lyme-regis/
Colin
A return to Lyme Regis on Tuesday 7th September 2023 has enabled me to fill the gaps in my "scouting" piece.
There is mention of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Meryl Streep, and also a detailed look at Cannington, particularly the less obvious stabilization work.
https://www.teignrail.co.uk/scouting/89-lyme-regis/
Colin
The few words above are insufficient to advertise what is a very detailed coverage of the Lyme Regis branch - I urge one and all to use his link - you'll be fascinated I can assure you. KJ Highly recommened.
Pilning signs
Phil Smith
Phil Smith
Both photos Copyright Phil Smith
Apologies Phil for not including the second picture.