April 16th 2026

16/4/2026

The Nick Perring Collection - Part 16
North & East Devon
Clive Smith

33108 has just arrived at Barnstaple with the 2B68 08.43 from Exeter St Davids on the 1st August 1987 and is running round the train. Push-pull 33/1s were not that regular visitors at Barnstaple and other locations that the more common 33/0 sub-class operated to. Up until May 1988 these locos were usually tied up working Waterloo - Salisbury, Bournemouth - Weymouth and Sunday Reading - Portsmouth. The run round facility extending on to the old Torrington and Meeth line was still in situ in the late 1980s. The nascent Tarka Trail cycle path established in 1987 can be seen on the right. The Barnstaple - Bideford cycle path was opened fully in 1991 with the section to Torrington and Meeth the following year. This section of track disappeared in the early 1990s and I gather a loop still exists at the other end of the station that locos have to propel trains in to in order to run round. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).

In the late 1980s a bridge near Barnstaple was strengthened allowing type 4s to return to the north Devon town. A number of 50s and some 47s worked on DMU substitutions as well as 37s up to 1991. As far as I know 50008/015/018/019/023/031/032/036/042/046 got to Barnstaple and 50001 and 026 were rumoured. The run round loop at Barnstaple was taken out of action in July 1990 and the rails can be seen piled up. The locos would now have to propel their trains out to sidings to run round before reversing back into the station. Some of the sets were load 2 dubbed 'Annie' and 'Clarabel'. This seems to be those two plus two Network South East coaches cobbled together. I gather 50046 worked twice to Barnstaple this day 24th July 1990. I think this is the 12.57 Exeter - Barnstaple. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).

45109 stops at Tiverton Junction with the 1C11 06.50 Swindon - Penzance on the 2nd September 1985. This station would close on the 12th May 1986 and be replaced by Tiverton Parkway the next day two miles east located by the M5 and near the former Sampford Peverell station. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).

An amazing working as 45034 passes through Topsham on the Exmouth branch with a 10.00 Newton Abbot - Lympstone Commando ECS to form a troop special on the 14th August 1981 The squaddies' final destination was Sheffield. With no run round facility the train is top and tailed with another peak 45063 out of sight on the rear. I would have signed up with the marines just to have had this. The photo is by the late Ray Shinn of Exmouth who made reprints for Paul Barlow, one of which found its way to Nick's collection. Thank you Ray. I never met him but he was a regular fixture at the end of platform 5 at Exeter St Davids. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Ray Shinn).

Ian Thomas writes to say:

I like the picture at Topsham of the ECS to Lympstone Commando.. If I remember rightly, this train acted as a relief to the 1E37 10.50 Paignton-Leeds, so as to avoid it becoming overcrowded from Exeter. I think it ran to Sheffield and possibly to York at one point.

Thanks Ian.

Many thanks indeed Clive, another great selection from Nick. A Peak on the Exmouth branch - who'd have thought it!

Treviscoe - Fowey
Jon Hird & Tony Shore

Wednesday 15th saw 66734 working an unusual Treviscoe - Fowey trip (6G10). Trips from Treviscoe - Fowey have been extremely few and far between since the CDA fleet was withdrawn - it used to be a regular fixture on a Friday prior to that. To the best of my knowledge it happened once in 2024, but hasn't happened since - until this week.

66734 passes Carlyon golf course with 10 JIAs in tow, heading to Fowey from Treviscoe. 15.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Later in the day, 66734 has returned from Fowey and run round the empties and waits its path to Goonbarrow in Lostwithiel down goods loop. The blossom tree to the right almost a perfect colour match to the loco. 15.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Caught in a very jammy spot of sun - the hill in the background still in shade - 66734 descends from Treverrin tunnel towards Par. 15.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Having been held at Par for the Newquay unit to clear Goonbarrow, 66734 crosses Ponts Mill viaduct on its way back to Goonbarrow for the night. 15.04.2026, copyright Tony Shore.

One last shot as the 10-wagon train approaches Luxulyan. 15.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Many thanks for the additional photo Tony.

GBRf recently released a press release about their winning of the Cornish clay traffic. Click here to read.

Western Sunrise
Paul Barlow

A few photos of Past Time rail's tour with Western Champion 24 years ago.

This was D1015's second mainline tour.

D1015 with the 0839 Paddington to Paignton at Reading. 20.04.2002, copyright Paul Barlow.

D1015 heads out to Goodrington from Paignton with the empty stock. 20.04.2002, copyright Paul Barlow.

D1015 at Goodrington with the stock for the 1800 to Paddington. 20.04.2002, copyright Paul Barlow.

D1015 at Paignton on the 1800 to Paddington. 20.04.2002, copyright Paul Barlow.

D1015 with the 1800 Paignton to Paddington at Westbury. 20.04.2002, copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul. Didn't D1015 look the part in that Golden Orche livery?

Torquay 47's
Clive Smith

47810 (D1924) passes through Torquay at 14.23 with the 5Z19 08.40 Crewe - Goodrington ECS with 47805 (D1935) out of sight on the rear. The stock will stable overnight in the carriage sidings and will then form the next day's 'Statesman' tour from Paignton to Windsor & Eton Riverside with the ECS returning to Crewe on Friday afternoon. 15.04.2026, copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks Clive, a lovely scene.

Times and details for The Statesman are in our Railtour Calendar.