15th June 2020

43 097 Now and Then.
Mick House.

Four photos of 43 097 two with its new name attached, but first two old shots with it old name Environment Agency.

43 097 in 2013 at Truro with its old name Environment Agency and in Blue livery. Copyright Mick House.

43 097 in 2019 at Wheal Bois with its old name Environment Agency and in the now familiar Green livery. Copyright Mick House.

43 097 at Truro (14-06-2020) on a down Plymouth Penzance, with its new name Castle Drogo. Copyright Mick House.

43 097 Castle Drogo at Apex Bridge (14-06-2020) on an up Penzance Plymouth. Copyright Mick House.

Lipson
Clive Smith

On a dull New Years Eve Hither Green allocated 33052 'Ashford' passes Lipson east of Plymouth station with 5M22 the 10.45 ECS from Laira to form the 11.38 Plymouth - Manchester Piccadilly which was worked by 47515. Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks Clive

Diesels history
Karl Hewlett

​In regards to the growing list of confirmed first diesels in Cornwall that Neil has compiled, we must not forget the baby English Electric power units! The first class 08 to reach Cornwall was D3526 and D3527 new to Truro shed 83F from Derby Works on 20/06/1958 later gaining TOPS numbers of 08411 and 412. Some members will recall that D3509/10/14 were down here in the early days, although being slightly older they were not allocated to Cornwall until D3526/27 had already arrived.

Pacer visit details
Karl Hewlett

​I saw the images of the Pacer drag to rescue again failed class 150249 ex Falmouth branch by class 143621, I can add some further details that it failed at Falmouth Town station on the last diagram of the day and was later rescued by another class 150 in GWR Green (I didn't get the number), which crept very slowly pass Penmere at approx 01:15am and returned with the errant 249 at approx 01:35am. Which unit was dragging it was in much better nick as it was making very good progress when it passed my house on the way back climbing a 1in96 gradient, nice to see a four coach train on the branch but it would have made my day if the class 143 had ventured down to retrieve it! Will a genuine Chocolate and Cream class 142 ever make preservation in the West Country?

Lynton and Barnsaple
Bratton Flemming
Karl Hewlett

​Some further news in Devon, it seems that the deal has fallen through with the person who tried to acquire Bratton Fleming station and it is again back on the market. 'Exmoor Associates' are now trying to raise funds and interest to attempt at buying this station again link: http://www.exmoor-associates.co.uk/2020/06/bf-station-for-sale-again/. Regards Karl (The Friends Of Penmere Station).

Many thanks for all the above information Karl.