20th June 2021

Royal Scot on English Riviera Express
(Bristol-Kingswear via Westbury) 

Bradford-on-Avon station on an unseasonably damp and slightly chilly post-lockdown summer Sunday morning. Around 100 intending passengers and interested spectators gathered as LMS 4-6-0 46100 'Royal Scot' arrives and departs with Saphos Trains 'English Riveiera Express'  1Z27 0751 Bristol Temple Meads-Kingswear.  Temperatures were around 10 degrees cooler than they were just a few days ago and persistant drizzle with accompanying mist spoiled the occasion.   A further sighting of the train was made at Clink Road, Frome where conditions were far worse as can be seen from the amount of steam filling the cutting.  In the final shot notice the old GWR tin lamp hut on the right, this has now outlived the long-demolished Clink Road Junction Signal Box by almost 37 years and rising!

For the record the train was formed : 46100 'Royal Scot' (originally built in 1930 as 6152 The King's Dragoon Guardsman) 3125 3045 80044 3122 3100 3148 13227 9479 1203 3330 35465 (46100's Support Coach) and diesel D1935, previously 47805, 47650, 47257).

Guy Vincent  Many thanks Guy.

Bradford on Avon   Guy Vincent

Bradford-on-Avon 46100 Royal Scot on 1Z27 0750 BTM-KSW 20th June 2021. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Bradford-on-Avon 47805 (D1935) brings up the rear of 1Z27 0750 BTM-KSW 20th June .2021. Copyright Guy Vincent. Copyright Guy Vincent

Clink Road, Frome   Guy Vincent

Frome, Clink Road 46100 1Z27 0750 BTM-KSW 20th June 2021 Copyright Guy Vincent.

Frome Clink Road Jcn 47805 (D1935) 1Z27 0750 BTM-KGW 20th June 2021 Copyright Guy Vincent.

Norton Fitzwarren    Derek Buttivant   Many thanks Derek

No doubt you'll be inundated with photos of this - but perhaps not quite in this location!  The train is today's (Sunday, June 20) Bristol TM - Kingswear special, hauled by 46100 Royal Scot. The weather is typical railtour weather - with drizzle and low cloud - and the location is just west of Norton Fitzwarren at the point where the West Somerset Railway and the former Taunton-Barnstaple lines diverge. In photo 2, the complicated triangle layout, serving the spent-ballast plant can be seen in front of the train. The train had spent almost an hour at Taunton for a water stop and was exactly on time.

46100 Royal Scot on Bristol-Kingswear special 20th June 2021. Copyright Derek Buttivant

46100 Royal Scot on Bristol-Kingswear special 20th June 2021. Copyright Derek Bittivant

Cowley Bridge  Jct.   Keith Turley     Many thanks Keith

​In typical English summertime weather, a very heavy shower arrived just as the train approached,
Ex LMS Royal Scot class 4-6-0 No.46100 'Royal Scot' leads the 1Z27
07:51 Bristol T.M. to Kingswear Saphos Trains operated English Riviera Express, seen passing Cowley Bridge Junc. on 20th June 2021.

46100 Royal Scot on Bristol-Kingswear special 20th June 2021 Copyright Keith Turley

Exeter St Thomas       Paul Barlow           Many thanks Paul

A gloomy morning in Exeter, so just headed to St Thomas station this morning for the Kingswear special.

All the best. Paul 

46100 Royal Scot heads though Exeter St Thomas with the 0751 Bristol to Kingswear English Riviera Express on a gloomy Sunday 20th June 2021. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks to all our contributors for turning out on quite a miserable day.
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Somerset shunter arrival
Guy Vincent

A new arrival at Whatley Quarry for Mendip Rail is former Scottish based shunter 08730.  This was delivered new to 65C (Parkhead, a sub-shed of Eastfield, Glasgow) on 23rd August 1960.  All future transfers were to depots in Scotland and following privatisation it was eventually acquired by Alstom and based at Glasgow works and used as works pilot where it was still to be found in late 2018.  08730 was for several years named 'The Caley' but this is no longer the case.   In more recent times 08730 has been purchased by RSS (Railway Support Services) and overhauled for spot-hire use as per its arrival at Whatley.      The loco is painted in pale blue livery with a grey roof, yellow radiator end and red RSS branding.

Not too far away at Midsomer Norton station is another former Scottish shunter, D4095 / 08881.  Coincidentally this loco was also delivered new (23.08.1961) to a Scottish depot (Stirling) and spent most of its career in Scotland including a spell at Glasgow works.

Photos of 08730 taken through bars of locked entrance gates to quarry where, obviously, entry is strictly prohibited.   

Guy Vincent

Whatley Quarry 08730.13th June 2021 Copyright Guy Vincent.

Whatley Quarry 08730 13th June 2021 Copyright Guy Vincent

Midsomer Norton - 08881 (D4095) seen on the 6th January 2019 Copyright Guy Vincent

Many thanks Guy - the usual excellent pictures accompanied by a generous helping of information.
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Close encounters at
Compton Beauchamp 
Ken Mumford

Ken had been waiting for the Test Train and got two for the price of one!!

From Compton Beauchamp roadbridge 17th June 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Compton Beauchamp roadbridge 17th June 2021. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken.
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67027 at Swindon 17th June 2021 Copyright Ken Mumford

67023 at Swindon 17th June 2021 Copyright Ken Mumford

Many thanks again Ken.

The 'middle' signalbox at 
Exeter
Paul Barlow

Taken from an unusual angle a study of Exeter Middle Box as Laira based Peak 46006 is in charge of the 1245 Penzance to Crewe 4M05 parcels train passes by. 11th July 1979. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul.
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Claverton
Ron Kosys

Claverton is  a small village and civil parish about 2 miles (3 km) east of Bath at the southern end of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, ... Quote from Wilkipedia.

33208 cruises along the delightful Avon valley at Claverton 11th May 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys.

Many thanks Ron.
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