The Chairmans Train
St. Ives - Shrewsbury - 19.04.2025
Mark Lynam, Tony Shore, Jon Hird, Joe Birchall, Martin Scane, Jack Burchill, David Tozer, Paul Barlow, Bill Elston
The Locomotive Services LTD. 'Chairmans Train' left the southwest behind on 19.04.2025. Cornish veteran class 37's 37667 and 37521 worked the train from St. Ives to Shrewsbury via Penzance. The locos were plagued by a multitude of issues at Penzance, which led to a 188 minute delay leaving the terminus. Please enjoy the below images which have been sent in, documenting the journey of the train through our region (in some typical bank holiday weather!).
37667 (37521 out of view on the other end) at 5.56 this morning before it worked 1Z33 0600 St Ives to Shrewsbury via Penzance. 19.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
A little after 6am, 37521 hauls the LSL chairmans train through Lelant. 19.04.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
37521 heads away towards St. Erth. 19.04.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
37667 from the wall at Penzance on Platform 2 after returning from St Ives. 19.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
37667 from the other side. 19.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
37667 + 37521 departing Penzance for an unscheduled stop in Slopers siding to run round. 19.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Both locos were having issues so it took ages for anything to really happen at Slopers, but I got this shot when the sun made a brief appearance and cloud to break up. 19.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Both locos were uncoupled from the coaches and started to go towards Longrock once the ECS sleeper had past to go to the shed. These then ended up coupling up between Ponsandane Footbridge and the washer plant to then run into Penzance station, leaving the coaches in Slopers. 19.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
37667 + 37521 at Penzance, where I think they managed to start both engines. 19.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Now double headed the set seen propelling towards Penzance. 19.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
37667 + 37521 clagging as they depart Penzance 188 late at 10.28 working to Shrewsbury, where 47810 was attached to the front at Bristol Temple Meads. 19.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
The class 37s climbing the 1 in 78 out of Truro. 19.04.2025, copyright Joseph Birchall.
In a lucky spot of sun, 37667 and 37521 wind around the curves at Tywardreath. 19.04.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
Just round the corner from Tony's shot above, the pair pound their way up the bank past Stoneybridge. 19.04.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
My offering of the ill fated run of the 37s. Captured leaving Teignmouth some 163 minutes late. 19.04.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
After issues in Cornwall 37667 'Floppsie' and 37521 finally passes the site of the old Exminster Railway Station with the 0600 1Z33 St Ives to Shrewsbury some 160 minutes late. 19.04.2025, copyright David Tozer.
Running 160 minutes late 37667"Flopsie" and 37521 with 1Z33 0600 St Ives to Shrewsbury passes Tobie's Reclamation Yard (Exminster).19.04.2025, copyright Jack Burchill.
37667 37521 work the 'The chairmans train' 0600 St Ives to Shrewsbury 1Z33 past Cowley Bridge Junction running 156 minutes late. 19 April 2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
The Chairman of LSL's train ran from St Ives to Shrewsbury today, headed by 37667 and 37521. After a substantial delay it finally passed through Creech 167 late. 19.04.2025, copyright Bill Elston.
Many thanks everyone for the excellent coverage of this interesting working. We will put a 'feature' together over the coming days and compile all the images in one place.
Meldon Quarry Activity
Sarah Bell
Hello,
I took a walk along part of the Granite Way this week and there was a fair bit of activity at the old Meldon Quarry. I thought your members might be interested in the video I've posted on YouTube showing the latest situation.
Feel free to share this link on your excellent news page.
Best wishes,
Sarah Bell
I took a walk along part of the Granite Way this week and there was a fair bit of activity at the old Meldon Quarry. I thought your members might be interested in the video I've posted on YouTube showing the latest situation.
Feel free to share this link on your excellent news page.
Best wishes,
Sarah Bell
A YouTube video showing the activity at Meldon - click the red button to play.
Many thanks, Sarah - very interesting!
57002 - in a past life
Guy Vincent
A photo of 57002, complete with Rail Express nameplates, on 9th April 2021 when it worked a one-off 6Z82 1057 West Ealing (Plasser Works) - Taunton Fairwater movement conveying refurbished vehicles back to then HOBC base at Fairwater Yard. Seen on the Westbury avoiding line at Penleigh. Copyright Guy Vincent.
That DRS blue looks good on anything, many thanks Guy.
The South Devon Railway
Easter Gala
Sam Ryder
We've been sent a number of photographs of this event, which we will add to the 'Features' page over the next few days. Below are a selection from Sam to whet your appetites!
5526 working on the South Devon Railway during the Easter Gala. 19.04.2025, copyright Sam Ryder.
Class 33 33002 in action on the South Devon Railway. 19.04.2025, copyright Sam Ryder.
1369 awaits departure from Buckfastleigh. 19.04.2025, copyright Sam Ryder.
0-4-2 14xx 1420 under restoration at Buckfastleigh. 19.04.2025, copyright Sam Ryder.
37037 awaiting restoration at Buckfastleigh.19.04.2025, copyright Sam Ryder.
Many thanks Sam - more of this event coming soon.
The Chairman heading west
Neil Phillips
Hello Roger, Keith and Jon,
I popped down to Par station to see D6851 (37667) and D6817 (37521) pass through on LSL's 1Z31 'The Chairman's Train' - shame about the weather after all the nice days we've had lately (last Tuesday excepted!) The sound of the two locos growling up the incline and away to the west certainly brought back some memories. D6817 is a former china clay loco at one time named 'English China Clays', and I think I took a photo of the other one paired with a second heading a rake of CDAs east through St Austell in 1999 or 2000 when the majority of clay trains were already in the hands of brand new Class 66s.
Sorry they're a little late.
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
I popped down to Par station to see D6851 (37667) and D6817 (37521) pass through on LSL's 1Z31 'The Chairman's Train' - shame about the weather after all the nice days we've had lately (last Tuesday excepted!) The sound of the two locos growling up the incline and away to the west certainly brought back some memories. D6817 is a former china clay loco at one time named 'English China Clays', and I think I took a photo of the other one paired with a second heading a rake of CDAs east through St Austell in 1999 or 2000 when the majority of clay trains were already in the hands of brand new Class 66s.
Sorry they're a little late.
Best regards,
Neil Phillips
Seen from the footbridge D6851 (37667) leads D6817 (37521) through Par on LSL's 1Z31 'The Chairman's Train'. 18th April 2025, copyright Neil Phillips.
D6851 and D6817 prepare to tackle the climb away from Par. 18th April 2025, copyright Neil Phillips.
No problem for a combined 3,500hp and 24-wheel drive! 18th April 2025, copyright Neil Phillips.
Many thanks indeed, Neil
Colonel Holman Fred Stephens
Dennis Clarke
I visited the Kent and East Sussex Rail Museum, at Tenderton station, on Thursday.
I was quite intrigued to find several artefacts and memorabilia in the museum relating to the Plymouth, Devonport and South Western Junction Railway, Callington Line.
I did a bit of research and discovered that a certain Colonel Stephens was involved in engineering the line and getting it opened in 1908, having reconstructed it from a narrow gauge Mineral Railway. This was just one of many railways that he was involved in.
I have enclosed several photos I took in the museum, most of them through the protective glass cases, so forgive the quality. There are a few photos with regards to Bere Alston and Callington.
Here is a link to the Wikipedia page regarding Colonel Stephens.
It is not really a surprise that he was involved in The South West with a middle name of Holman !
I was quite intrigued to find several artefacts and memorabilia in the museum relating to the Plymouth, Devonport and South Western Junction Railway, Callington Line.
I did a bit of research and discovered that a certain Colonel Stephens was involved in engineering the line and getting it opened in 1908, having reconstructed it from a narrow gauge Mineral Railway. This was just one of many railways that he was involved in.
I have enclosed several photos I took in the museum, most of them through the protective glass cases, so forgive the quality. There are a few photos with regards to Bere Alston and Callington.
Here is a link to the Wikipedia page regarding Colonel Stephens.
It is not really a surprise that he was involved in The South West with a middle name of Holman !
Artefacts in the Kent and East Sussex Rail Museum, at Tenderton station. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
Artefacts in the Kent and East Sussex Rail Museum, at Tenderton station. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
Artefacts in the Kent and East Sussex Rail Museum, at Tenderton station. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
Artefacts in the Kent and East Sussex Rail Museum, at Tenderton station. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
Artefacts in the Kent and East Sussex Rail Museum, at Tenderton station. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
Artefacts in the Kent and East Sussex Rail Museum, at Tenderton station. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
Artefacts in the Kent and East Sussex Rail Museum, at Tenderton station. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
Artefacts in the Kent and East Sussex Rail Museum, at Tenderton station. Copyright Dennis Clarke.
An interesting find with a local connection, so far from home. Many thanks, Dennis.
Re-signalling Penzance
Roger Winnen
Part 4
Looking at the long and sea sidings. December 1981, copyright Roger Winnen.
50041 in resident at Penzance. December 1981, copyright Roger Winnen
The scene prior to the track alteration. December 1981, copyright Roger Winnen
The scene prior to the track alteration. December 1981, copyright Roger Winnen