Classic Traction in Cornwall
Craig Munday
The Chairman's train ran to Cornwall early in the Easter period and lay over in St Ives over the Good Friday into Saturday night. The train had to depart the resort early due to the 10mph restriction, and Branch departing Penzance at 06.50 bound for St Ives. The train was three hours late from Penzance back to Shrewsbury due to loco problems. The light had improved around St Austell bay, though multi layered clouds made an appearance of the sun a lottery. The locos disturbed two grazing horses at Coombe as they headed Eastward. 19.04.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
A Castle set is also pictured at Brea in fine light some days earlier. 43093 and 43187 pass Brea with 2P08 on 16.04.2025. Copyright Craig Munday.
Great shots, Craig - many thanks.
57002 - in a past life
Bill Elston, Steve Clark & Phil Smith
From Bill Elston:
Further to recent references to Class 57 no. 57002, I attach a couple of photos of it in its former guise as 47322, taken at Exeter.
Further to recent references to Class 57 no. 57002, I attach a couple of photos of it in its former guise as 47322, taken at Exeter.
The first in red stripe large logo grey livery, un-named. dated 8/11/1991. Copyright Bill Elston.
The second, as above, now unoficially named DESERT ORCHID. Many of Tinsley-based locos were so treated prior to repainting into trainload freight sector liveries, and I was able to capture quite a few at Exeter. 06.08.1992, copyright Bill Elston.
The third, detail of painted name, a fine example of Tinsley Depot's artwork. 01.05.1992. Copyright Bill Elston.
And the below images are from Steve Clark:
Have dug out a couple of images of 47322 before it became 57002. The Class 47 is seen in RFD Livery on Eastleigh Depot. Copyright Steve Clark.
A later image after the transformation into 57002. The loco is seen passing Poole on a DRS Route learner in preparation for the resumption of the movement of Low Level contaminated waste from the Winfrith site near Wool. Copyright Steve Clark.
And a couple from Phil 'Shattered' Smith:
47322 in Railfreight 'red stripe' at Bristol Bath Road in 1991. Copyright Phil Smith.
47322 in Railfreight 'red stripe' at Bristol Bath Road in 1991. Copyright Phil Smith.
Some really interesting images, thanks to you all.
Deforestation at Moorswater
Roger Winnen
An interesting shot from the window of a train from Roger. The trees surrounding the mothballed run round loop at Moorswater appear to have been cleared. This loop was almost invisible previously, such was the growth. 19.04.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
69006 on Westbury -Eastleigh 'Tripper'
Guy Vincent
Rebuilt and re-engineered class 56 loco 56128, now 69006 'Pathfinder Railtours', firstly at Dilton Marsh, light, as 0Z69 0810 Eastleigh East Yard - Westbury Yard and then heading back south with the daily 6O41 1014 Westbury - Eastleigh engineers trip working, today consisting of two class 66s, 66703 and 66705 and a LWR carrier set.
GBRF have recently been sending class 69s to Westbury for driver training and handling experience and this particular loco debuted last Monday (14th April) before making four further visits during the week. As 56128 I have no recorded sightings of the loco at Westbury so this was a fortunate opportunity to finally nail it.
56128 was stored at Toton for several years where it was stripped of many parts. It then moved to Log Marston for further storage, was sold to Devon and Cornwall Railways whose intention was to refurbish and reinstate it to traffic as 56313 following on from 56057 (56311) and 56003 (56312). This failed to take place and after further storage at the Nene Valley Railway, Wansford, the loco was sold to C F Booth, Rotherham and moved by road to their yard for scrapping. One cab was reportedly destined for 'The Cab Yard' outdoor museum near Bridgend. Fortunately the stripped and gutted loco was then resold to GB Railfreight and moved to Longport in late 2018 as a reserve donor bodyshell for the class 69 project. With the project increased to 16 conversions 56128 was included and emerged in July 2022 as 69006. It reached Penzance with sister loco 69005 on 24th June2023 when it worked Pathfinder's 'Mazey Day Special' from Tame Bridge Parkway.
I've included one picture each of 56311 (formerly 56057 and now 69002) and 56312 (formerly 56003, now 69013) with which 56128 would have been grouped as 56313 had the earlier Devon & Cornwall / BARS scheme come to pass. Also due to be included was 56114 which would have been renumbered 56314.
GBRF have recently been sending class 69s to Westbury for driver training and handling experience and this particular loco debuted last Monday (14th April) before making four further visits during the week. As 56128 I have no recorded sightings of the loco at Westbury so this was a fortunate opportunity to finally nail it.
56128 was stored at Toton for several years where it was stripped of many parts. It then moved to Log Marston for further storage, was sold to Devon and Cornwall Railways whose intention was to refurbish and reinstate it to traffic as 56313 following on from 56057 (56311) and 56003 (56312). This failed to take place and after further storage at the Nene Valley Railway, Wansford, the loco was sold to C F Booth, Rotherham and moved by road to their yard for scrapping. One cab was reportedly destined for 'The Cab Yard' outdoor museum near Bridgend. Fortunately the stripped and gutted loco was then resold to GB Railfreight and moved to Longport in late 2018 as a reserve donor bodyshell for the class 69 project. With the project increased to 16 conversions 56128 was included and emerged in July 2022 as 69006. It reached Penzance with sister loco 69005 on 24th June2023 when it worked Pathfinder's 'Mazey Day Special' from Tame Bridge Parkway.
I've included one picture each of 56311 (formerly 56057 and now 69002) and 56312 (formerly 56003, now 69013) with which 56128 would have been grouped as 56313 had the earlier Devon & Cornwall / BARS scheme come to pass. Also due to be included was 56114 which would have been renumbered 56314.
69006 at Dilton Marsh light engine 21 04 2025. Copyright Guy Vincent.
69006 passing between the platforms at Dilton Marsh 21.04.2025. Copyright Guy Vincent.
69006 at Penleigh about to enter Westbury Yard 21.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
69006, 66703 & 66705 in Westbury Yard awaiting departure. 21.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
69006 66703 & 66705 with 6O41 1014 Westbury - Eastleigh approaching Dilton Marsh Halt. 21.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
56311 (formerly 56057, now 69002) at Cardiff Central on 14th July 2011. Copyright Guy Vincent.
56312 (formerly 56003, now 69013) between Melksham and Bradford Junction on the Swindon to Westbury leg of a route learning trip that originated at Merehead Quarry, 24th September 2013. Copyright Guy Vincent.
A superb article, many thanks Guy
Clay and The Chairmans Train
Steve Clark
66127 with the Treviscoe - Cliffe Vale clay on the outskirts of St. Austell on 17.04.2025. Copyright Steve Clark.
37667 and 37521 head west through St. Austell with 'The Chairmans Train' on a rainy 18.04.2025. Copyright Steve Clark.
The pair of 37's returning east through Bodmin Parkway on 19.04.2025. Copyright Steve Clark.
Many thanks once again, Steve