Todays Treat
Andrew Triggs
Andrew Triggs
Hi Keith/Roger
This morning Cross Country Trains passengers were treated to 43357 and 43285 working 1S49 09.25 Penzance-Edinburgh in place of the usual Voyager, 4 shots for CRS on a pleasant Bank Holiday morning at Penzance, departing from Platform 1 unusually
All the Best
Andrew
This morning Cross Country Trains passengers were treated to 43357 and 43285 working 1S49 09.25 Penzance-Edinburgh in place of the usual Voyager, 4 shots for CRS on a pleasant Bank Holiday morning at Penzance, departing from Platform 1 unusually
All the Best
Andrew
1. XC 43357 leading 1S49 on departure from Platform 1 at 09.25. Copyright Andrew Triggs/
2. XC 43285 trailing 1S49 as it clears the station. 2nd May 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs.
3. 1S49 viewed from the Sea wall. 2nd May 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs.
4. 43357 leading 1S49 at platform 1. 2nd May 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs.
Many thanks Andrew - a very smart turnout.
Late April Action
Craig Munday
Craig Munday
Hi Keith,
A catch up of recent workings, including the steam Charter. I was nights last week so didn't surface Saturday morning for the up train. Nights have a habit of catching up with you!
25th April I caught 66165 leaving Carne Point on the causeway at Golant, just in the nick of time. It was also pictured near Treverrin Tunnel in super light near the Hot Box detector.
28th I popped around to Spring Farm at Coombe to arrange a visit to the freshly ploughed fields with the Round family, and watched a flurry of down trains (4 in an hour) pass by. The additional signal sections allowing such an envelope of movements. In fact, the section between PR107 at Burngullow and PR113 at Probus (5 miles) was a bit of a log jam. This remains a long section in the Duchy.
A class 802, Castle set, light class 47 and the charter itself was seen in golden light as the sun dropped behind me.
The 29th saw the turning move from Penzance to Liara and return led by the WCR class 47 47802. This was seen at Merthen Farm, Par and returning from the Brea. The new housing estate by Tricky Dickies severely reducing the green fields around Redruth.
On the final day of April, 30th, the swan song of 08444 pre overhaul took place on the B&W railway. It put in a good shift working with temporary replacement 08359. They are pictured on the last train of the day.
Cheers
Craig
A catch up of recent workings, including the steam Charter. I was nights last week so didn't surface Saturday morning for the up train. Nights have a habit of catching up with you!
25th April I caught 66165 leaving Carne Point on the causeway at Golant, just in the nick of time. It was also pictured near Treverrin Tunnel in super light near the Hot Box detector.
28th I popped around to Spring Farm at Coombe to arrange a visit to the freshly ploughed fields with the Round family, and watched a flurry of down trains (4 in an hour) pass by. The additional signal sections allowing such an envelope of movements. In fact, the section between PR107 at Burngullow and PR113 at Probus (5 miles) was a bit of a log jam. This remains a long section in the Duchy.
A class 802, Castle set, light class 47 and the charter itself was seen in golden light as the sun dropped behind me.
The 29th saw the turning move from Penzance to Liara and return led by the WCR class 47 47802. This was seen at Merthen Farm, Par and returning from the Brea. The new housing estate by Tricky Dickies severely reducing the green fields around Redruth.
On the final day of April, 30th, the swan song of 08444 pre overhaul took place on the B&W railway. It put in a good shift working with temporary replacement 08359. They are pictured on the last train of the day.
Cheers
Craig
66165 provides a splash of colour with the 6G05 at Golant 25th April 2022 Copyright Craig Munday
66165 is seen at Treverrin with the 6G05 on the 26th April 2022. Copyright Craig Munday
6233 hauling the down Great Briton X1V railtour crosses the viaduct at Combe St Stephens. 28th April 2022. Copyright Craig Munday.
Coombe St Stephens again - this time with the 2C79 powered by 43160 & 041 . 28th April 2022. Copyright Craig Munday
Steam for turning.
47802 hauls 6233 on the 5Z51 on the turning trip to Laira - seen here at Merthen farm. 29th April 2022. Copyright Craig Munday
47802 hauls 6223 on the 5Z52 working across Barncoose embankment below the slopes of Carn Brea. 29th April 2022. Copyright Craig Munday
Quote courtesy Wikipedia - It is thought that Carn Brea Castle was first built around 1379 AD as a chapel to St. Michael. Around 1790 the building was converted into a castle folly by the Basset Family who once owned the hill as part of their Tehidy Estate.
Bodmin and Wenford Gronks
08359 & 08444 depart Bodmin Parkway for Bodmin General on the 30th April 2022. Copyright Craig Munday
08359 and 08444 on the Bodmin & Wenford on the 30th April 2022. Copyright Craig Munday
Many thanks Craig as usual for your detailed record of local happenings - always very welcome.
Stoke Canon and Silverton
Colin Burges
Colin Burges
Another very welcome report from our good friend Colin Burges of his 'scouting activities' alongside the main line east of Exeter,
Dear Keith,
At last I've been able to get into the old paper mill at Silverton. In publishing the photos I took, I hope very much that I won't be the cause of people finding the place.
If you care to use my piece, perhaps you could just mention Stoke Canon, which is interesting enough, leaving your readers to find more if they choose.
https://www.teignrail.co.uk/scouting/64-silverton/
Cheers,
Colin
At last I've been able to get into the old paper mill at Silverton. In publishing the photos I took, I hope very much that I won't be the cause of people finding the place.
If you care to use my piece, perhaps you could just mention Stoke Canon, which is interesting enough, leaving your readers to find more if they choose.
https://www.teignrail.co.uk/scouting/64-silverton/
Cheers,
Colin
Clicking on Colins link above reveals a mass of extremely interesting information together with pictures - highly recommended.
Stoke Cannon Crossing signalbox. 9th October 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen
A CRS expedition on the Silverton Mill branch. 6th September 1980 driver KJ - Copyright Roger Winnen -
Many thanks to Colin - I hope you all click on the link above - you'll find it very rewarding.
Andrew and Diane Jones
A first class log.
A first class log.
Dear Keith and Valerie,
Please find attached a rudimentary log (plus or minus 30 seconds on each timing!) of our journey back from Salisbury using the 13.57 South West trains service to Honiton on Saturday 30th April 2022.
We couldn’t avoid the bank holiday weekend and expected to encounter engineering works at any point on our lengthy journey from Brighton. It didn’t start well with our booked 09.04 service out of Brighton being cancelled due to engine failure, so we were advised to take the following 09.32 service with a change at Southampton.
Travelling first class on these services is a bit hit and miss, but luckily both sections to Salisbury had first class accommodation and all went without a hitch.
We had been advised initially at the start, that our journey from Salisbury would possibly involve a bus journey from Salisbury to Yeovil junction, due to engineering works, but the very helpful guard on the approach to Salisbury said our luck was in, as every other service that day to Honiton was being replaced by a diversion via Westbury and Castle Cary and we were not to worry if the train reversed at Westbury!
Our 10 coach ex London Waterloo service arrived at Salisbury a little early so that the last 4 coaches could be removed, something to do with the racing at Goodwood and Southampton playing at home.
Now this was a dream come true for me as I have never travelled this diversion route and I had to beg, steal and borrow a pen and paper to log the journey,
although I must warn readers that I have very limited experience of this process so please accept my apologies in advance.
Here goes….Class 159 159103 leading and 159020 on the rear 6 coaches heavily loaded.
Salisbury depart 12.48
Junction for Westbury 12.51 (Wilton Junction)
Warminster Arr 13.11, dep. 13.13
Dilton Marsh 13.16
Westbury arr 13.19
Westbury reversal dep. 13.22
Frome avoiding junc 1 13.29 (Clink Road Junction)
Frome avoiding junc 2 13.30 (Blatchbridge Junction)
East Somerset junction 13.34
Bruton 13.38
Castle Cary 13.40
Yeovil Pen Mill 13.52
Yeovil Junction arr 13.56 dep 14.00
Crewkerne arr 14.08. dep 14.10
Axminster arr 14.23. dep 14.26
Seaton Junc 14.31
Honiton arr 14.38
So there we are, 2 hours exactly from Salisbury using the deviation against a booked timing of 1 hour 28 mins direct, all in the comfort of first class, a very interesting journey indeed!
Very best wishes Andrew and Diane
Please find attached a rudimentary log (plus or minus 30 seconds on each timing!) of our journey back from Salisbury using the 13.57 South West trains service to Honiton on Saturday 30th April 2022.
We couldn’t avoid the bank holiday weekend and expected to encounter engineering works at any point on our lengthy journey from Brighton. It didn’t start well with our booked 09.04 service out of Brighton being cancelled due to engine failure, so we were advised to take the following 09.32 service with a change at Southampton.
Travelling first class on these services is a bit hit and miss, but luckily both sections to Salisbury had first class accommodation and all went without a hitch.
We had been advised initially at the start, that our journey from Salisbury would possibly involve a bus journey from Salisbury to Yeovil junction, due to engineering works, but the very helpful guard on the approach to Salisbury said our luck was in, as every other service that day to Honiton was being replaced by a diversion via Westbury and Castle Cary and we were not to worry if the train reversed at Westbury!
Our 10 coach ex London Waterloo service arrived at Salisbury a little early so that the last 4 coaches could be removed, something to do with the racing at Goodwood and Southampton playing at home.
Now this was a dream come true for me as I have never travelled this diversion route and I had to beg, steal and borrow a pen and paper to log the journey,
although I must warn readers that I have very limited experience of this process so please accept my apologies in advance.
Here goes….Class 159 159103 leading and 159020 on the rear 6 coaches heavily loaded.
Salisbury depart 12.48
Junction for Westbury 12.51 (Wilton Junction)
Warminster Arr 13.11, dep. 13.13
Dilton Marsh 13.16
Westbury arr 13.19
Westbury reversal dep. 13.22
Frome avoiding junc 1 13.29 (Clink Road Junction)
Frome avoiding junc 2 13.30 (Blatchbridge Junction)
East Somerset junction 13.34
Bruton 13.38
Castle Cary 13.40
Yeovil Pen Mill 13.52
Yeovil Junction arr 13.56 dep 14.00
Crewkerne arr 14.08. dep 14.10
Axminster arr 14.23. dep 14.26
Seaton Junc 14.31
Honiton arr 14.38
So there we are, 2 hours exactly from Salisbury using the deviation against a booked timing of 1 hour 28 mins direct, all in the comfort of first class, a very interesting journey indeed!
Very best wishes Andrew and Diane
Andrew Jones. Salisbury to Honiton Diane sneeks a photograph of me studiously logging our journey 30th April 2022. Andrew Jones - a study by Diane Jones. Copyright.
Salisbury awaiting 12.47 train to Honiton 30th April 2022. Copyright Andrew Jones (The station looking nice and tidy)
159103 which Andrew reports was skillfully driven 30th April 2022. Copyright Andrew Jones.
Many thanks Andrew for the log - and the photographs. In the first photograph of you, I thought that heaven forbid, you were holding cigar!! First class fares would appear to be about £45 each.
Neil Phillips
Observes & reports
Observes & reports
Neil Phillips writes - Last week I heard from Simon Howard who sent me a link to a photo collection on Flickr which includes many Devon views, the photographer seemed to have a thing for Class 31s! As luck would have it I was taking a look through this and one pair on a Liverpool to Paignton working looked familiar, as one of them unusually had a grey roof and the train included Mark 3 coaches in Inter City livery. I have retrieved Dave Pagett’s photo and he appears to have photographed them at Newton Abbot on the return working – I have compared the dirt/staining patterns on the side of the all-blue loco (as the grey-roofed one is quite clean) and both are the same way round (No 1 ends facing each other), so I’m convinced it’s the same pair. So we have the loco identities – 31462 + 31412 (with the grey roof) – and a date - 20th September 1986. Sometimes things just work out!
Regarding the two marked ‘possibly Teignmouth’, at first glance it does look like the curve between Teignmouth station and the seawall section but although the road overbridge is a similar style the detail is different. Also there should be part of the disused end of the down platform visible through it, no signal and no crossover. I’ve had a look at Google Earth but too much time has passed to be certain of anything now – just that it’s not that location. The elevated viewpoint means that there must be (or have been) two bridges in close proximity but nothing immediately west of Teignmouth station seems to fit the bill. I’m wondering if these two photos were taken somewhere along the Aller Junction to Paignton line…….?
I was out watching 6233 ‘Duchess of Sutherland’ on Friday/Saturday but discovered that my phone’s camera is slightly too slow-witted to capture moving subjects! Never mind, I think you have that tour well-covered…..! Oooh, that reminds me, I was going to look up the support diesel 47802’s original identity, hang on, it’s here somewhere………….….yep, D1950. Ah yes, I have a photo of that, at Swindon on 27 April 1974……...not very good, I don’t appear to have processed it in Photoshop at work when I had the chance! Interesting view in that it shows when the car parks and road access were installed…..info only, not publishable quality!!
Best regards,
Neil
Regarding the two marked ‘possibly Teignmouth’, at first glance it does look like the curve between Teignmouth station and the seawall section but although the road overbridge is a similar style the detail is different. Also there should be part of the disused end of the down platform visible through it, no signal and no crossover. I’ve had a look at Google Earth but too much time has passed to be certain of anything now – just that it’s not that location. The elevated viewpoint means that there must be (or have been) two bridges in close proximity but nothing immediately west of Teignmouth station seems to fit the bill. I’m wondering if these two photos were taken somewhere along the Aller Junction to Paignton line…….?
I was out watching 6233 ‘Duchess of Sutherland’ on Friday/Saturday but discovered that my phone’s camera is slightly too slow-witted to capture moving subjects! Never mind, I think you have that tour well-covered…..! Oooh, that reminds me, I was going to look up the support diesel 47802’s original identity, hang on, it’s here somewhere………….….yep, D1950. Ah yes, I have a photo of that, at Swindon on 27 April 1974……...not very good, I don’t appear to have processed it in Photoshop at work when I had the chance! Interesting view in that it shows when the car parks and road access were installed…..info only, not publishable quality!!
Best regards,
Neil
W51078 + W59436 + W51106 P587 Unknown location possible Teignmouth Dave Pagett # S Widdowson collection
31462+31412 + Pullman Newton Abbot 20 Sep 1986 Dave Pagett # S Widdowson collection[
D1950 later 47 802 which was down on the Great Briton Railtour X1V Thurs 28th April to 30th April 2022. The location is Swindon. Dave Pagett # S Widdowson collection[
Many thanks for sorting that out - well done. Neil.