April 28th 2026

28/4/2026

Rails out to Sea
Steve Clark

On a walk along Spit Beach in Par, I noticed what looked like Rails heading out into the Sea as the tide was a long way out. Was this ever part of an internal Railway line to do with the facility at Par Harbour at all? Wondered if any members had any info on this.

Rails leading to the sea at Spit Beach, Par. 25.04.2026, copyright Steve Clark.

Many thanks Steve, an interesting find. Railmaponline shows no known routes on Spit Beach itself, but there is a large defensive gun battery on the hillside behind it - perhaps these had some sort of military function? If anyone knows, please send us an email!

Down by the river
Jon Hird & Mark Lynam

66712 approaching Middleway Crossing with the Goonbarrow - Fowey clay. 27.04.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

GBRf's 66712 leads the midday Goonbarrow - Fowey clay, 12 JIA's, past Lantyan Woods on the Fowey branch. St. Winnow church is on the opposite bank of the river.

Just slightly further down the branch, the train is caught by Mark passing Golant. 27.04.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

Later in the day, 66712 runs into Lostwithiel station as part of its run round process using the down goods loop. 27.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

The last view of the River Fowey for the day as 66712 crosses above it once more with 6G05, the empties for Goonbarrow. 27.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Many thanks Mark, a smashing couple of photos.

Class 68 Convoy
Guy Vincent & Steve Widdowson

68 convoy, 68010, 68013, 68014, 68015, 68012 & 68011 seen passing Besford Worcestershire with 6Z68 0800 Crewe Coal sdgs - Eastleigh. 27.04.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.

An hour at Bathampton today for the unusual sight of no less than six class 68 locomotives making their way from Crewe to Eastleigh T&RSMD for cosmetic attention. These were formerly used by Chiltern Railways but have been replaced with a later batch modified to work with the mark 5 coaching stock Chiltern are now using. Rather than turning off right towards Westbury the convoy headed east towards Reading on the main line. 68010 heading the convoy which ran as 6Z68 0800 Crewe Coal Sidings - Eastleigh Arlington via Birmingham New Street, Yate, Bath Spa, Swindon, Reading West curve, Basingstoke, and Winchester. 27.04.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.

Images of the convoy - click for enlargements. Images copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks Steve and Guy - nice modern locomotives - hopefully a new owner soon steps forwards.

Swindon Scenes
Ken Mumford

6Z68 Crewe coal Sidings to Eastleigh TRSMD convoy [68010, 68013, 68014,68015, 68012, and 68011 as identified by Colin] approaching Swindon station with a Cheltenham Spa bound IET awaiting departure up the Gloucester branch. 27.04.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.

6Z12 Stoke Gifford to Appleford passing on the UML at speed 17 LATE headed by 66610. 27.04.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.

4L33 Wentloog (Freightliner) to London Gateway. Was 13 EARLY at Hullavington but passed Little somerford 125 LATE - presumably between these two there was a problem, hence this train double-headed by 66546 and 66528. Crawled alongside platform 3 where it seems there was a crew change of some sort. Then 4L33 crept up to the starter signal, leaving a few minutes later 94 LATE. 27.04.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks as always Ken.

Penzance views
Mark Lynam

A blue loco at Blue Hour - 57301 warms the stock at the head of 1A50, the Night Riviera sleeper service, on 26.04.2026. Copyright Mark Lynam.

'The new order' make their presence felt - 175011 + 175007 on 5Z23 1316 Plymouth to Par via Penzance and 175006 on 2P21 1552 Penzance to Plymouth. 27.04.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.