9th April 2021

Tribute to
HRH  Duke of Edinburgh
Guy Vincent

Following the sad but not totally unexpected news today (April 9th)  of the passing of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh  I thought it would be nice to pay tribute to him by contributing some photographs taken by David Bartlett at Westbury on Monday 31st May 1971.  They show an immaculate  D1046 'Western Marquis' on Royal Train duties shunting the coaching stock from the station across to the up sidings.   On this day Prince Philip used the train for a journey from Gloucester to Westbury and later continued to Shirehampton (Bristol).  I can only assume that the Duke had engagements close to both stations (possibly military connections?).   The train was formed: D1046 (ex general overhaul at Swindon, released 12th May) with coaches 5155 798 45006 45005 and 5154.  The headcode was 1Z02.   Just weeks later on 30th July  D1046  was working the 1420 Theale-Westbury empty tipplers when it overran signals and ended up in a ditch at the west end of Woodborough down loop.   It was moved back to Swindon for repairs on 14th August and when it emerged on 25th November it had lost the headboard clips at 'B' end.    

Incidentally April 9th also happens to be the anniversary of the birth of Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806 - 1859)  and Dr  Alexander Moulton of  The Hall,  Bradford-on-Avon (1920 - 2012), designer of the Moulton range of small-wheeled bicycles and various suspension systems used by the British Motor Corporation in the 1960s and 70s.  Dr Moulton received the Queen's Award for Industry in 1967 and met the late Duke on a number of occasions,  Prince Philip having a deep interest in technology and engineering. 

Details of Royal Train workings are accessible from the NRM, York under 'Royal Trains List.pdf'

Guy V

D1046 Western Marquis 1Z02 31st May1971 (1) Copyright The late David Bartlett

D1046 1Z02 31st May 1971 (3) Copyright the late David Bartlett

D1046 1Z02 31st May 1971 (4) Copyright The late David Bartlett

D1046 1Z02 31st May 1971 (5) Copyright The late David Bartlett

Many thanks to Guy Vincent for this tribute.
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And yet more of the NMT at
Stoke Cannon
Keith Turley

In beautiful late afternoon light Colas Rail Freight class 67 No.67023 'Stella' with classmate No.67027 'Charlotte' on the rear pass Stoke Canon on 9th April 2021, Copyright working the 1Z18 15:39 Paignton to Taunton Network Rail test train.

Many thanks Keith.
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More of the NMT
Burngullow, Chacewater and Angarrack
Andrew Triggs Andy Bryon

67027/67023 Reading TS-Paignton seen passing Burngullow on route to Penzance. Copyright Andy Bryon

1. Passing the former Chacewater station working 06.11 Reading Triangle Sidings-Paignton 9th April 2021 Copyright Andrew Triggs. N.B. No real sign of a busy little station ever having been here.

2. Having cleared the road over bridge, heading for Scorrier, the trackbed of the former Chacewater-Newquay branch has recently been cleared by Network Rail 9th April 2021 Copyright Andrew Triggs

3. The return from Penzance, viewed from Sampson Farm Road bridge, clearing Angarrack viaduct. 9th April 2021. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

4. Heading for Gwinear Road, having just cleared Sampson Farm Road bridge. 9th April 2021. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

The returning NMT passes Burngullow on route to Paignton. Copyright Andy Bryon

Many thanks Andrew Triggs & Andrew Bryon.
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NMT Down West
Craig Munday

A trip down west to collect a car under repair saw an opportunity to call by at Chacewater (or Scat-ups as my wife's family call it) to see the NMT. The usual HST power cars replaced by class 67s this week. Colas 67023 / 67027 approach Chacewater on 9th Apl 2021. 
The area's vegetation is being cleared by contractors and they have worked along the up main side revealing the former Newquay branch track bed. The wonderful splash of colour from the wild rhododendron may be cut back this year prior to it blooming. 
Kind regards, Craig 

67023 and 67027 1Q18 Chacewater 9th April 2021 Copyright Craig Munday.

Many thanks Craig.
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A trip down
Further West.
Mark Lynam

Good afternoon Keith/Roger,

Today saw Colas Rail 67023/67027 on this months test train, instead of the New Measurement Train.
Seen below at Carn Brea and Hayle.
67023+67027 at Carn Brea working 1Q18 0606 Reading Triangle Sidings to Paignton via Penzance surrounded by the gorse currently in full bloom!
43155 at Carn Brea on the rear of 2U20 1050 Penzance to Cardiff Central.
67023+67027 at Hayle working back up the mainline on 1Q18 0606 Reading Triangle Sidings to Paignton via Penzance.
158766 calls at Hayle working 2P16 1315 Penzance to Plymouth, while 43171+43029 on 3 coach GW13 set departing over the viaduct behind working 2C67 0800 Cardiff Central to Penzance.

Thanks,
Mark Lynam

67027 & 67023 at the site of Carn Brea Station. 9th April 2021 Copyright Mark Lynam

Carn Brea 9th April 2021 Copyright Mark Lynam

The returning NMT at 67023 & 67027 Hayle 9th April 2021 Copyright Mark Lynam

43171 & 43029 head towards Penzance while 158766 heads est. Seen at Hayle Copyright Mark Lynam

Many thanks Mark.
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Colourful Cockwood (3)
Paul Barlow

A pair of FGW Blue class 153s on a local service to Paignton 15th July 2015. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul.
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Newton St Cyres
Ron Kosys

I’ll never apologise sending phots taken at Newton St Cyres. I cycled there from Exeter aged 10, and on to Crediton, to buy Southern Railway platforms tickets that were still available at that time. Copyright Ron Kosys 33107 and 33063 could be heard not long after leaving Cowley Bridge Junction it was so still on the afternoon of 28th July 1988, with 6V96 0938 Tonbridge to Meldon Quarry empties.

Many thanks Ron, yours and our memories are brought back by the picture.  Note the redundant down platform.

Penzance
The late John Cornelius

A 'dated' scene at Penzance. Taken by the late John Cornelius. Copyright

In memory of John.
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