30th April 2020

Two Routes to Oxford
Roger Winnen

These two routes covered a Merrymaker Special to Oxford for Blenheim Palace in 1977 and the commemorative Class 52 Tour with D1010 Western Campaigner on the 26th November 1976 which covered the route to Oxford via Birmingham and returning to Plymouth via Reading West, Mortimer, Basingstoke, Salisbury, Yeovil Junction, Exeter Central & St David's

Merrymaker to Oxford and Blenheim Palace 17th July 1977

770717a A Peak in the down refuge siding at St Erth photographed from the Merrymaker to Blenheim Palace. At St Erth where our train reversed onto the down main for wrong line working to Roskear Junction,Camborne. Copyright Roger Winnen

770717e On the approach to Westbury we turn off at Hawkridge Road Junction, avoiding Westbury Station to gain the Berks & Hants line to Reading West and onto Didcot and Oxford. Copyright Roger Winnen

The Class 52 Commemorative Tour to Oxford
​27th November 1976

761127c D1010a Western Campaigner 27th Nov 1976 at Newton Abbot. Copyright Roger Winnen

761127xD1010d Western Campaigner 27th Nov 1976 at Oxford. Note the photographers1 BT Police would have a field day today.Copyright Roger Winnen

For futher coverage of these Two Railtours
Click Here for the features section 2009 January-June 2020

Visit to Cardiff Canton Depot
Michael Forward

Thanks for putting the last picture on site; here are two taken from a visit to Cardiff Canton depot on 31st January 1981.

The first  shows 46026 ‘The Leicestershire  and Derbyshire Yeomanry’and 33117,the latter  was crew training prior to the class working services from Cardiff  to Crewe. Copyright Michael Forward

In the second photograph we see 25042 and 25167 at Cardiff Canton
Copyright Michael Forward

Thanks Michael

Burning the Midnight Oil 
​ the Weedkiller arrives Penzance
Roger Winnen

Its early to start my daily permitted exercise from home at 23.52 hours to the Railway Station which I found locked up, deserted with not a soul in sight and not a sound to be heard. However making my return journey to home distant sounds could be heard from the east. Walking to the end of the station wall the Weedkiller had just arrived at the end of Platform 2.
This being the 22.20 St Blazey to St Blazey via Penzance 23.52/00.07 -St Ives 00.54 -Penzance 01.33/02.18 -St Blazey arr 03.04.
Its rare indeed to see the self contained weedkiller top and tailed by locomotives

200429aa The time is 23.59 hrs on Wednesday, 66017 Heads the Weedkiller from Penzance to St Ives. Copyright Roger Winnen

200429b The self contained Weedkiller Train at Penzance at 00.02 hrs. Buddleia growing out from the station wall made photography difficult at times.Copyright Roger Winnen

200429c 66155 Brings up the rear of the train as it departs for St Ives at 00.07hrs.. Copyright Roger Winnen

The very early bird catches the worm - well done Roger.

Golant
Roger Geach

Having eased for the crossing 66108 passes the inlet at Golant with the 13.50 Fowey to Rocks empty CDA's On Monday 2nd November 2015. Copyright Roger Geach

It's with many thanks to Roger Geach our photographer of the month as we show the last of his kaleidoscope of views around the west country, 

Westbury
Alan Peters

Westbury Holding Sidings on 29th April 2020 with Colas a clean 70816 with new logo and work stained 70817 awaiting their next turn of duty, the modern containerised buildings and fuel point are operated by Colas Rail - Copyright Alan Peters

Many thanks to you, driver, Alan Peters for this 'on location' shot of yesterday.

Penzance
Andrew Thompson

50043 Eagle and 50022 Anson waiting their turn of duty at Penzance. Copyright Andrew Thompson.

Many thanks Andrew