The test train visits Cornwall
Mark Lynam, Roger Winnen, Andrew Triggs & Sam Ryder
43274 + 43277 cross Brea Embankment working 1Q18 0543 Reading Triangle Sidings to Paignton via Penzance. 04.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
The Measurement Train crosses Hayle Viaduct on route to Penzance. 04.04.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Colas livery on the rear power car. 04.04.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
43274 leading 1Q18 (with 43277) passing Rospeath Road overbridge en route to Penzance. 04.04.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The return working with 43277 at the head passes Marazion. 04.04.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The returning test train crosses Hayle Viaduct on route to Paignton. 04.04.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
In the other direction 43277 + 43274 return at Brea on the NMT. 04.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
43274 and 272 skirt the river Teign. 04.04.2025, copyright Sam Ryder.
The pair are seen again heading for Paignton. 04.04.2025, copyright Sam Ryder.
43277 on the rear of the train heading to Paignton. 04.04.2025, copyright Sam Ryder.
Many thanks all!
Lucky number 13
Phil 'Shattered' Smith
A great night shot of 50013 beneath the lights at Bristol Temple Meads in 1987. Copyright Phil Smith.
Another cracker, thanks Phil.
XP64 at WSM
Tony Shore
47853 in its retro 'XP64' livery with the 06.00 Preston-Paignton is seen at Weston Super Mare on 13-07-2002. Copyright Tony Shore.
A smart livery, many thanks Tony.
Three for the price of one...
Guy Vincent
Three for the price of one / Twenty minutes at Berkley 04.04.2025
One of the weekday morning departures from Whatley Quarry, the 6A50 1026 Hanwell Bridge Loop, is worth looking out for as it can often produce up to three locos, two at the head with a third tucked away mid-train. This effectively means Freightliner run two trains for the price of one. Today (4th) 66610 & 66550 headed the train with 66559 behind the 18th wagon, followed by another 24 loaded HOAs. From Hanwell Bridge Loop the front portion continued as 6M52 1342 to Churchyard Sidings (near St Pancras) with the rear, led by 66559 forming the 6L52 1427 for Dagenham Dock. 04.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
66559 mid-train on 6A50 1026 Whatley - Hanwell Bridge Loop. 04.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
The tail end of the extremely long 6A50. 04.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Not far behind 6A50 was South Western Railway's 1O40, the 1059 Yeovil Pen Mill to London Waterloo via Frome, Westbury and Warminster. This was formed of a two car class 158 set, 158885 in old SWT livery with later SWR branding. From the end of May 2025 the SWR franchise is being taken under Government control so no doubt another new livery will be applied in due course.. 04.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Finally, another short wait and the 6A60 1050 Merehead - Colnbrook with 59005, now in its 36th year of service, hauling 36 loaded hoppers. 04.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Great stuff, thanks Guy. Wonderful to see railfreight live and well in your region.
Full sun in West Cornwall
Roger Winnen, Mark
Lynam & Andrew Triggs
Paddington in Peru seen crossing Hayle Viaduct. 04.04.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
Paddington in Peru seen crossing Hayle Viaduct. 04.04.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
802015 passing Rospeath Road overbridge working 2C09 06.47 Bristol T.M-Penzance. 04.04.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
While waiting at Brea for the NMT to return 2C65 was running a few minutes late so thought I may go bowled by it, luckily they passed further towards Camborne so I managed this shot in the cutting at Brea. (2C65 1042 Plymouth to Penzance). 04.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
About 10 minutes later 802106 passes, sadly the Paddington in Peru Vinyls were on the Penzance end, so here is the going away shot. 04.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
43186 (with 43188) approaching Marazion working 2C11 10.15 Plymouth-Penzance. 04.04.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Blue 150238 (with 150266) passing Marazion working 2P09 09.50 Penzance-Plymouth. 04.04.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
And later in the afternoon Blue 150238 at Chacewater working 2P19 1450 Penzance to Plymouth. 04.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Many thanks all - perhaps the last photos we'll see of 150238 in blue, if the rumour mill is correct.
Rails around Bodmin - 1972
By Roger Winnen
Part 2
02.09.1972 - Line to Wadebridge. Copyright Roger Winnen
02.09.1972 - Boscarne Junction. Left to Wenford and Bodmin North, right to Bodmin General. Copyright Roger Winnen
02.09.1972 - Dunmere Road Crossing on the Wenford line. Copyright Roger Winnen
10.06.1972 - Bodmin North June 1972. Copyright Roger Winnen
69004 at Plymouth
Guy Vincent
69003 'The Railway Observer', formerly 56018 of 1976 vintage parked up in Plymouth Park Sidings next to platform 8 on the morning of Friday 4th. The loco was due to return to Eastleigh at 1135 but the working seems to have been cancelled.
Of note is the design of the cabside window frame. Locos built by Electroputere in Romania have a separate window held in place with a rubber seal whereas those manufactured in the UK have a complete one-piece metal frame containing both windows. Included below is a photo of 69004, the former 56069, for comparison.
Of note is the design of the cabside window frame. Locos built by Electroputere in Romania have a separate window held in place with a rubber seal whereas those manufactured in the UK have a complete one-piece metal frame containing both windows. Included below is a photo of 69004, the former 56069, for comparison.
69003 parked in Plymouth Park Sidings. 04.04.2025, copyright Charlotte Vincent
69003 parked in Plymouth Park Sidings. 04.04.2025, copyright Charlotte Vincent
69004 (ex-56069) passes Dilton Marsh with 3Q00, the 0705 Exe Riv - ESL. Note the different design of cab window frames. 10.06.2023, copyright Guy Vincent.
Good observations - many thanks, Guy.
Trains by the Teign
Sam Ryder
An IET heads east, near Teignmouth. 04.04.2025, copyright Sam Ryder.
A Crosscountry class 220 'Voyager' skirting the river Teign. 04.04.2025, copyright Sam Ryder.
A GWR IET approaches the abandoned fishing vessel. 04.04.2025, copyright Sam Ryder.
A GWR Boundary marker on the shoreline. 04.04.2025, copyright Sam Ryder.
The GWR boundary marker. 04.04.2025, copyright Sam Ryder.
A wonderful set - many thanks, Sam.