18th May 2020

Trains crossing Hayle Viaduct
Roger Winnen

Unable to travel by train to Hayle resulted in me using the T1 Bus service from Penzance.  Restrictions on the Network advises passengers that travel by train is only for key workers, as I found out when trying to purchase a return to Gunnislake last Saturday.
Years ago I would have qualified as being a Key Worker as I worked on the Docks and the Quay area of Penzance. That would surely be a Jethro Joke!

200518a An 802 Crosses Hayle Viaduct with the 09.11 Penzance to Paddington service. Copyright Roger Winnen

200518b 43170 Chepstow Castlewith the 05.28 Bristol-Penzance crossing the viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen

200518bb These photographs were taken on land adjacent to this bridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

200518c 43092 Cromwells Castle heads across the viaduct 0n the 10.15 Penzance-Plymouth service. Copyright Roger Winnen

200518c 158747 Heads the 2+2 formation of the 06.44 Bristol to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

The return of the Pacers!
Newton Abbot
Clive Smith

Yes it's the return of the pacers ! These photos are at Newton Abbot on Sunday 17th May 2020. Not much to get excited about these days but the obituary for these stalwarts will have to be postponed again. I thought they had been given the last rites back in mid March when steps were being taken to cutback services with rail staff self isolating and reduced services starting. The eight GWR 143s at Exeter were 'mothballed' until needed again when there was an upturn in services but with class 165 turbos set to be eventually introduced, it looked unlikely the pacers would return with so many of their northern cousins being stored and withdrawn. They have been used in the last two months as train crew taxis to take staff from Exeter to Taunton but have not seen passenger use since the third week of March if I am correct.
Regards Clive Smith.

(1) 143611 leading a two car 150 on the 15.39 Paignton - Exmouth.. 17th May 2020. Copyright Clive Smith.

(2) Five minutes after taking a photo of 143611 on platform 3 the announcement was made for a down service 'formed of 4 cars' so I waited to see if another pacer would produce and it did. 143619 bringing up the rear with a 150 on the 14.57 Exmouth - Paignton. The building to the left is the new Aldi that was built last year on the site of the old Victorian Carriage and Wagon Shed which was demolished after a fire. There was some sort of wall from the building left there for quite a while but that has now been reduced to rubble. 17th May 2020. Copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks Clive.
​

Another delight from Craig
Recent Pictures
Craig Munday

Hi Keith

Some pictures from recent days. It's a pretty standard set of workings these days. Most trains in dark green GWR livery. One exception was Colas Rail's 37116 working up to Parkandillack last week for route learning purposes. 

It is pictured at Little Treviscoe, Treviscoe & Parkandillack.
​Alan Peters and Andy Smith are pictured next to their steed at Parkandillack on 13th May. 

Also seen are some Castle set HSTs including a five car set from 12th May at Coombe. 

I was out at Angarrack on 14th, just after the 8pm NHS clap from deep in the village, quite poignant when 802020 drifted over the viaduct shortly afterwards. 

One very well known photographer captures another - Alan Peters by Craig Munday. Alan Peters and Andy Smith are 'captured' by their steed at Parkandillack. 13th May 2020. Copyright Craig Munday. N.B. I can't say the masks are an improvement!!

37116 at Parkandillack. 13th May 2020. Copyright Craig Munday.

Now time for a nice reflection shot. 37116 pauses at Treviscoe. Copyright Craig Munday. 13th May 2020.

Craig gets where others, can't or have difficulty in getting to. The level crossing at Little Treviscoe. 13th May 2020. Copyright Craig Munday.

Coombe 12th May 2020. Copyright Craig Munday.

Coombe 12th May 2020. Copyright Craig Munday.

Coombe 12th May 2020. Copyright Craig Munday.

I was out at Angarrack on 14th, just after the 8pm NHS clap from deep in the village, quite poignant when 802020 drifted over the viaduct shortly afterwards. Copyright Craig Munday.

Many thanks for this evidence of your travels in Cornwall on the 12th,13th and 14th May 2020. 
​Keep on clicking Craig.

Night time at
Exeter (6)
Paul Barlow

45061 stands to depart at Exeter with the 14.32 off Leeds to Plymouth. 23rd October 1980. Copyright Paul Barlow.