17th August 2022

37s at Churston & Lostwithiel
Michael Adams & Michael Forward

Hello Roger, here is a picture from Michael Adams showing 37674 at Churston on 19 September 1993 ,waiting for the road with a train for Paignton. Copyright Michael Adams

Here is 37674 working over the crossing at Lostwithiel and heading for Fowey docks.Sorry but I have lost the date. Best wishes, Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks to both of you for the photographs

Strikes - what a mess
John Roberts

John has kindly been scanning the papers and other new sources and reports-     Keith, I was pleased that you reported two trains running on Saturday 13th August. This illustrates a crucial safety point that was drummed into me on my first day on the railway that you never rely on the timetable - special and engineering trains can run unannounced at any time. In addition, some drivers and most operations staff don't belong to ASLEF so in some areas there's a full complement of staff on duty. London news reported a householder who put a scaffold on the track to clean his windows and was rather surprised when a train came along; luckily there were no injuries but I imagine his insurance would decline to pay for the damage to the train!

Moving on to this week, GWR has issued a useful notice which I attach. In addition, TfL will be striking on Underground, Overground, Crossrail and Buses. John.

www.gwr.com/strike

Many thanks John - what a sad situation we find ourselves in.
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Regulator at Truro
Mick House

DR 77010 Plasser & Theurer USP 6000 Ballast Regulator.
A report by Mick House.
We had a visit today 16th August 2022 by yesterdays cancelled plant move, the DR 77010 Plasser & Theurer USP 6000 Ballast Regulator operated by Network Rail. 6Q55 Tavistock Jn to Tavistock Jn via Truro. It departed Tavistock Jn at 10.13 then arrived Truro at 12.02 and finally back at Tavistock Jn at 13.46. To the best of my knowledge this machine has never been this far West.

1) DR 77010 Plasser & Theurer USP 6000Photo arrives at Truro. 16th August 2022. Copyright Mick House

2) DR 77010 Plasser & Theurer USP 6000 passes through Truro Station. 16th August 2022. Copyright Mick House

Photo 3) Driving cab A of DR 77010. 16th August 2022. Copyright Mick House.

Photo 4) centre module of DR 77010. 16th August 2022. Copyright Mick House

Photo 5) Driving cab B of DR 77010. 16th August 2022. Copyright Mick House.

Many thanks Mick - on the ball as usual with all the plant movements.
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Southampton
Roger Geach

47475 on a Portsmouth to Cardiff service departs Southampton on the 27th February 1988. Copyright Roger Geach

Many thanks Roger.
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Kemble Engineering
Driver Alan Peters

Kemble 1 It's 08.45 and work is in progress renewing with up main line, 16th August 2022. Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Kemble 2 Looking towards Gloucester note the fine GW Tower 16th August 2022. Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Kemble 3. Colas Rail's 66848 has now moved towards Coates to depart the engineering worksite with 6C24 and will proceed to Gloucester New Yard where the loco will run round the train and head to Hinksey. Copyright Driver Alan Peters 16th August 2022.

My final picture.66848 stood on the bridge at Coates - the last time I was here was in 1985 to see the the GWR steam specials. 16th August 2022. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

Many thanks indeed Alan.  One wonders if the trailing point which served as a connection to the former branch platform for Cirecester has survived? 

Many thanks to Alan Peters for a very rapid answer concerning the Cirencester branch access.

Hi Keith,
Rest assured the pointwork is all still there, as the relay is from the point for the old branch on the Up Kemble line to the stop signal that allows down trains to cross over and reverse on the up, obviously it is the dreaded rail replacement bus for passengers.
Of note the crossover and former branch pointwork is actually concrete sleeper replaced when doubling between Kemble and Swindon.
Alan Peters