31st October 2018

October HST's
Clive Smith

With many days of prolonged sunshine and so far only sporadic IET takeover, October has been a good month to record the swansong of GWR London HSTs. Now with less daylight and an inevitable downturn in the weather, opportunities to grab that shot that keeps being put off will run out.  Here are a few of my efforts around South Devon over the last month.

(1) 43097 leads the 11.57 Paddington - Penzance away from Aller towards Dainton on 7th October 2018.

(2) 43088 brings up the rear of the 16.10 Plymouth  - Paddington at Rattery on 7th October 2018.

(3) 43024 leads the 12.55 Plymouth - Paddington at Harford Bridge west of Ivybridge on 18th October 2018.

(4) The 07.41 Penzance - Paddington on the sea wall between Dawlish and Dawlish Warren at 10.50 on a glorious sunny morning 30th October 2018.

(5) The 12.55 Plymouth - Paddington approaches Teignmouth on the 30th October 2018. Taken from Shaldon Bridge.

Regards,  Clive Smith 
​     Many thanks for your widespread pictures. Well done. 

Picture (1) Copyright Clive Smith

Picture (2) Copyright Clive Smith

Picture (3) Copyright Clive Smith

Picture (4) Copyright Clive Smith

Picture (5) Copyright Clive Smith

New
Elephant Rock Cafe
Roger Salter

Red Rock Café, Langstone  Rock, Dawlish Warren, famous for train enthusiast’s for years & a place where train drivers sounded their horn in acknowledgement has changed hands & been revamped & renamed as Elephant Rock Café.
This surprised me after so long, although the area had been neglected,but on research found this rock was called Elephant Rock & resembled an elephant with it’s trunk.
Since 1868 it looked as an Elephant but by 1888 the head was gone with erosion & by today the Elephant is no more

-The Red Rock Cafe in 2011. Copyright Roger Salter

The Red Rock Cafe in 2011 with its tables laid out for the visitors.. Copyright Roger Salter

The Red Rock Cafe now renamed The Elephant Rock Cafe. 11th October 2018 Copyright Roger Salter

New Burngullow Traffic?
Craig Munday

The long awaited DB Cargo sand trial finally got underway today (30th October 2018). 66015 in original EWS livery worked down 17 KEA (bogie box wagons) Didcot to Burngullow overnight ready for loading. The train was worked back in two portions, the first trip is seen at Bolitho in wonderful light.

Fingers crossed we see a steady stream of this traffic in 2019. 

Also sent is a picture of the RHTT departing St Blazey unusually mid morning (29th October 2018) bound for Newton Abbot & return following attention to the water jet system. 66104/067 the locos. 
All the best,  Craig 
As Craig suggests we'll all keep our fingers crossed!  Many thanks for the inside information and privileged lineside pictures.

66015 on sand Burngullow 12.16 30th October 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

66015 on sand Burngullow 12.41 30th October 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

66015 on sand Burngullow 13.00 30th October 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

66015 on sand seen at Bolitho 14.51 30th October 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

66067 and 66104 on the 3J13 St Blazey RHTT 12.01 29t October 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

St Erth
Andrew Thompson 

St Erth Sidings 25327 formally D7677 was the last of the class built and operated in Cornwall October 1971 through to January 1972 and again later in the 1970s Copyright Andrew Thompson

St Ives branch
Mark Lynam 

It's the standard shot from Lelant Golf Course over looking Porth Kidney Sands. The flag in the foreground adds interest as the smartly lined out 150 265 plies the branch. Looking from the Gwithian direction this livery makes the trains almost invisible but one must admit that in this view the unit stands out 'crystal clear' looking almost like a model. The tide is right out in this picture showing the narrow channel of the Hayle River, many ships have been wrecked trying to enter Hayle at other than full high tide. 29th October 2018. Copyright Mark Lynam

Again, in this view the wonderful sun makes such a difference. 150 265 29th October 2018. Copyright Mark Lynam

Many thanks Mark for the pictures above and below.

Falmouth Branch
Mark Lynam

The RHTT powered by 66104 & 66067 crosses Collegewood Viaduct, Penryn on the 28th October 2018 A beautifully lit shot. Note the piers of the original viaduct which was replaced w.e.f. 22nd July 1934 in the foreground. Copyright Mark Lynam

Severn Tunnel Junction
Roger Geach

25058 25106 on the return Cranmore to Stanlow bitumin train at Severn Tunnel Junction. 25058 was a Laira Plymouth loco from May 78 until the end October 1980 and as a consequence was seen quite frequently seen in Cornwall. This picture dated 14th July 1981. Copyright Roger Geach

Winnen's Westerns
Plymouth
Roger Winnen

1043 Western Duke arrives at Plymouth with the Birmingham Penzance service. 26th August 1974 Copyright Roger Winnen