31st October 2023

Todays News
Signalling work starts
Mick House

As the two week closure of the main line gets underway, this week and next week for the new signalling to be installed, I thought I would pop in to Truro to see what was happening and there was a lot of activity in the station area (Photos 1, 2, 3 & 4). Also in the yard was DR73936 Plasser & Theurer 08-4x44S-RT Switch & Crossing Tamper having arrived 23.42 from Liskeard on the 29th (photo 5) and in the cripple siding was  66 525 having dropped off a Railvac at Probus 00.18 this morning, coming from Westbury last night (photos 6 & 7).

1) 31st october 2023. Copyright Mick House

2) 31st october 2023. Copyright Mick House

3) 31st october 2023. Copyright Mick House

4) 31st october 2023. Copyright Mick House

5) DR73936 31st october 2023. Copyright Mick House 31st october 2023. Copyright Mick House

6) 66525 31st october 2023. Copyright Mick House

Many thanks Mick - on the ball for the start of work.

Renovation Work at Camborne Station yesterday
Roger Winnen

231030 The 10.15 Plymouth to Penzance at Camborne with Power Car 43097 at the rear. Copyright Roger Winnen

231030b The refurbished buildings at Camborne nearing completion. Copyright Roger Winnen

231030c Looking east towards Redruth. The brickwork has been repointed together with a new roof which makes the building looking very smart. Copyright Roger Winnen

231030d 43029 Heads the 11.50 Penzance to Plymouth service at Camborne. Copyright Roger Winnen

231030e 43154 at the rear leaving Camborne passing what remains of Holman Bros works adjacent to the railway line. Copyright Roger Winnen

An amazing view from the tower at
Starcross
Peter Murngahan

I don't think that I've sent you this view previously, but it's one for the Starcross Gallery.  In July 1984, an up HST passing a down Class 47 hauled train, viewed from the top of the tower of the Atmospheric railway pumping station at Starcross.
Happy days, with proper trains !
Kind regards, Peter Murnaghan.

July 1984, an up HST passing a down Class 47 hauled train, viewed from the top of the tower of the Atmospheric railway pumping station at Starcross. Copyright Peter Murnaghan.

Many many thanks Peter a most interesting view.

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43004: Hopes for the Future.
Guy Vincent

​Good to see Neil's photos and write-up on 43004, now the elder statesman of the WR fleet and, after 47 years still hard at work on the same routes it began on all that time ago.  

In 2005, 43004 and 43009 became the first two power cars to receive new MTU engines.  On Monday April 3rd 2006 they worked a FGW director's special from Paddington to Penzance, the day the new Greater Western franchise commenced.  This brought the smaller First Great Western Link (former Thames Trains) and Wessex Trains franchises into First Group's Great Western operation.  The special was formed of vehicles 43004 44049 40752 41003 and 43009 in the then new smart and attractive 'dynamic lines' livery.     43004 was bilingually named  'First for the Future / First ar gyfr y dyfodol'  and 43009  'First transforming travel'. 

Over the years 43004 has carried four names, 1) Swan Hunter  2) Borough of Swindon  3) As above  and 4) most recently Caerphilly Castle. 

CRS regular correspondent Alan Peters recorded the special train at Truro, published on this site on 21st January 2021.   Here are a couple of photos I took at Bath Spa of 43004 on possibly its most prestigious ever working, 1Z30 0912 London Paddington - Penzance on Monday April 3rd 2006.  Partner on that day, 43009, is one of the PCs about to depart the UK from Great Yarmouth for a new life in Nigeria.  Also, two shots taken on 27th October when 43004 headed the 2C89 1900 Cardiff - Plymouth.

Now could be the time to raise awareness of 43004's significance and encourage a following for it.  I, and I suspect others would very much like to see it put back into the original 1976 Inter-City 125 livery as Cross Country did with 43007.  Too late for original partner 43005 so here's hoping!

Guy Vincent

Bath Spa 43004 with 43009 on the 1Z30 0912 Padington to Penzance FGW Director's Special 3rd April 2006. Copyright Guy Vincent

Bath Spa a close up of 43004 3rd April 2006. Copyright Guy Vincent

Bristol Temple Meads 43004 2C89 1900 CDF-PLY 27th October 2023. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Taunton 43004 on the 2C89 1900 Cardiff -Plymouth. 27th October 2023. Copyright Guy Vincent.

As usual very many thanks indeed for your crop of pictures and a mass of most interesting detail. History in the making. 


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Thanks Monarch of all she surveys!
Dobwalls
Roger Geach

50010 on the 10.30 Penzance to Glasgow / Edinburgh between Dobwalls and Moorswater Saturday 5th September1987.

Cheers, Roger Geach

50010 'Monarch' on the 10.30 Penzance to Glasgow / Edinburgh near Dobwalls sat 5th September 1987. Copyright Roger Geach

Many thanks Roger - Monarch looking good with the large Logo.

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