'The Chairmans Train'
Jack Burchill, David Tozer, Paul Barlow, Clive Smith, Roger Winnen, Jon Hird, Gareth Thornton, Joe Birchall, Mark Lynam & Mick House
5029"Nunney castle and 57311"The Institution of Mechanical Engineers" accelerates away from Exeter St Davids with 1Z29 Kingswear to Taunton. 18.04.2025, copyright Jack Burchill.
Thankfully it had ceased raining for a while when the 0750 1Z50 Kingswear to Taunton passed Rewe with 5029 Nunney Castle and 57311. Needless to say the rain soon started again soon after they passed by. 18.04.2025, copyright David Tozer.
D6851 D6817 (37667 37521) thunder through Exeter St Thomas on the 'The chairman's train' 1000 Taunton to St Germans 18 April 2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
Now down to Dawlish Warren for the 37's. 37667(D6851)"Flopsie" & 37521(D6817) power out of the station after letting a class 221 ahead. 18.04.2025, copyright Jack Burchill.
Fairly abysmal weather but not as grim as the forecast. Worth getting a bit wet for the sound of the thrash up the bank at Rattery which could be heard some distance away. 37667 (D6851) and 37521(D6817) head the 1Z30 11.00 Taunton - St Germans private charter 'The Chairman's Train' . 1963 BR era vintage locos looking and sounding good in 2025. 18.04.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
The managers special Kingswear to Penzance via Taunton. 18.04.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
The smart rolling stock for all to see. 18.04.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
Departing Plymouth Station for St Germans to set down. 18.04.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
The train had terminated at St. Germans with the passengers taken away by road. The train then ran as 5Z31 from St. Germans to Lostwithiel, the passengers rejoining the train later in the afternoon. 37667 and 37521 pound up St. Germans bank from a standing start on full power during a momentary pause in the rain. 18.04.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
From the signalbox at Liskeard, we see the Chairman's Train pass by, running a few minutes early. 18.04.2025, copyright Gareth Thornton.
250418h Heavy rain at Lostwithiel during the afternoon. Copyright Roger Winnen
Now running as 1Z31, 37667 and 521 are seen near Crugwallins. 18.04.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
37667 and 37521 approach Truro. 18.04.2025, copyright Joseph Birchall.
37667 and 37521 approach Truro. 18.04.2025, copyright Joseph Birchall.
37667 + 37521 working 1Z31 1538 Lostwithiel to Penzance at Apex Bridge, Scorrier in gloomy weather, thankfully the rain had stopped by then, just a bit of mist around. 18.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
37667 arriving at Redruth. The Chairman's Train had a bit of a problem as it had to make an unscheduled stop at Redruth this afternoon with Loco problems, with the driver having to go to the second loco to give some attention. On the departure from Redruth lead loco D6851s (Flopsie) engine was noted to only be idling wile second loco D6817 was taking full power. 18.04.2025, copyright Mick House.
A pause at a very wet Redruth. 18.04.2025, copyright Mick House.
Departure from Redruth. 18.04.2025, copyright Mick House.
37521 at Redruth. 18.04.2025, copyright Mick House.
Arrival at Penzance Station prior to its overnight stay at St Ives. 18.04.2025, copyright Roger Winnwn
Under the roof at Penzance. 18.04.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
Viewed from the steps leading up to the former booking office of years ago. 18.04.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
D6851 and D6817 Backs its train out to Ponsandane. 18.04.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
At around 11pm, 37667 passes through St. Erth en route to St. Ives running as 1Z32. 18.04.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
37521 on the rear of 1Z32 at St. Erth. 18.04.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Arrival at St. Ives. 18.04.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
37667 has gone as far as possible down the St. Ives branch. The train would stable here overnight. 18.04.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
A broader view of a sleepy St. Ives with the Chairmans Train snaking away over the viaduct and up onto the hillside beyond. Click to enlarge. 18.04.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks all for your photos, much appreciated - we'll create a 'feature' over the next few days.
Bristol Temple Meads
Martin Scane
A very smart 57002 stabled at the up end of Bristol TM this lunchtime. I wonder why the nameplates are covered? I’m sure someone will have the answer. 18.04.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
When I got back to Temple Meads after the football today I was just in time to literally snap 66659 at 17-30 with 6Z51 Portbury Auto Terminal to Margam. 18.04.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
Very smart indeed - Many thanks, Martin.
The answer to your question is below!
The answer to your question is below!
Bristol Temple Meads
& 57002 info!
Guy Vincent
A pleasant surprise at Bristol Temple Meads this morning: the sight of newly named 57002 ‘Winston Churchill’, supplemented by ‘The Roaring Lion’, in the loco spur at the east end of platform 7.
The loco is now owned by Locomotive Services Group and worked the London Paddington - Bristol leg of Thursday’s ‘Chairman’s Train’, handing over there to 5029 ‘Nunney Castle’ and classmate 57311 ‘Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ for the next stage to Kingswear.
Originally delivered to Tinsley (41A) as non-boiler fitted D1803 on 21st January 1965, coincidentally just 3 days before the wartime leader’s death, the loco was renumbered 47322 on 23rd March 1974. In July 1990 Tinsley depot applied the unofficial name ‘Desert Orchid’ which was carried until the end of 1995. Stored unserviceable in December 1997 it moved to the place it was originally built, Brush Traction at Loughborough, where re-engineering and conversion to 57002 was undertaken. On release from the Brush works in November 1998 57002 was named ‘Freightliner Phoenix’. Later sold to Direct Rail Services, repainted in their dark blue livery and fitted with the ‘Rail Express’ nameplates formerly carried by 47853. 57002 was repainted at Arlington Fleet Services, Eastleigh in November 2024 and the finish is stunning with a deep glossy lustre. The nameplates resemble those on SR ‘Battle of Britain’ 34051 which is part of the national collection at the NRM, York and was used to haul Churchill’s funeral train from Waterloo to Hanborough on 30th January 1965.
In 1978 class 87 AC electric 87019 was named Winston Churchill and carried the plates until 2005. The loco was later exported to Bulgaria.
Maybe photos of this loco in any of its former guises could be provided by members/readers?
Note: On one side the plates remained bagged over, due to not having been conveniently positioned since the official naming at Paddington on Thursday morning.
The loco is now owned by Locomotive Services Group and worked the London Paddington - Bristol leg of Thursday’s ‘Chairman’s Train’, handing over there to 5029 ‘Nunney Castle’ and classmate 57311 ‘Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ for the next stage to Kingswear.
Originally delivered to Tinsley (41A) as non-boiler fitted D1803 on 21st January 1965, coincidentally just 3 days before the wartime leader’s death, the loco was renumbered 47322 on 23rd March 1974. In July 1990 Tinsley depot applied the unofficial name ‘Desert Orchid’ which was carried until the end of 1995. Stored unserviceable in December 1997 it moved to the place it was originally built, Brush Traction at Loughborough, where re-engineering and conversion to 57002 was undertaken. On release from the Brush works in November 1998 57002 was named ‘Freightliner Phoenix’. Later sold to Direct Rail Services, repainted in their dark blue livery and fitted with the ‘Rail Express’ nameplates formerly carried by 47853. 57002 was repainted at Arlington Fleet Services, Eastleigh in November 2024 and the finish is stunning with a deep glossy lustre. The nameplates resemble those on SR ‘Battle of Britain’ 34051 which is part of the national collection at the NRM, York and was used to haul Churchill’s funeral train from Waterloo to Hanborough on 30th January 1965.
In 1978 class 87 AC electric 87019 was named Winston Churchill and carried the plates until 2005. The loco was later exported to Bulgaria.
Maybe photos of this loco in any of its former guises could be provided by members/readers?
Note: On one side the plates remained bagged over, due to not having been conveniently positioned since the official naming at Paddington on Thursday morning.
57002 at Bristol Temple Meads, 18.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
57002 at Bristol Temple Meads, 18.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
57002 at Bristol Temple Meads, 18.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
57002's nameplate seen at Bristol Temple Meads, 18.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
57002's nameplate seen at Bristol Temple Meads, 18.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Great photos and some useful info, many thanks indeed Guy.
Spring is here!
James Bown
This picture was taken yesterday from the bridge at Melbury Bubb (on the Yeovil Pen Mill to Dorchester line) showing the snaking line in all its spring beauty. 17.04.2025, copyright James Bown.
What an idyllic scene, well done James - many thanks for the photo.
Re-signalling Penzance
Roger Winnen
Part 3
Alterations to the track layout at Penzance. Coloured light signals glowing. December 1981, copyright Roger Winnen
Platform 2 Starting signal now redundant. December 1981, copyright Roger Winnen
New track being laid opposite the signal box. December 1981, copyright Roger Winnen
Track removal taking place. December 1981, copyright Roger Winnen
Many hands makes light work as the reorganisation of trackwork takes place. December 1981, copyright Roger Winnen
HST departing Platform 1 Penzance. December 1981, copyright Roger Winnen
An HST departs Platform 1. December 1981, copyright Roger Winnen