Don't miss this weeks indoor meeting!
Bernard Mills presents:
Rails around Plymouth
on the Western side and returning on the Southern side
Saturday 11th April at the Redruth Methodist Church, commencing at 1830.
Members: free - visitors most welcome at £3 a head.
Refreshments available
Members: free - visitors most welcome at £3 a head.
Refreshments available
Cornish GBRf extravaganza!
An interesting day on Sunday 5th of April saw no fewer than 6 GBRf class 66's at work in the far West.
66744 and 66748 returned the Britannic Explorer stock to Castle Cary after their overnight stay at Fowey.
66734 in an eyecatching pink livery worked down light loco from Westbury to swap places with 66751 which was based at Goonbarrow. 751 returned east light loco having suffered a fault on its way down with the empty JIA's on Friday night.
Finally 66310 and 66719 worked the Rail200 exhibition train stock to Newquay from Minehead, arriving at Par at around 2000hrs followed by a bimble along the Newquay branch eventually arriving at the North-coast terminus just after 2100hrs.
66744 and 66748 returned the Britannic Explorer stock to Castle Cary after their overnight stay at Fowey.
66734 in an eyecatching pink livery worked down light loco from Westbury to swap places with 66751 which was based at Goonbarrow. 751 returned east light loco having suffered a fault on its way down with the empty JIA's on Friday night.
Finally 66310 and 66719 worked the Rail200 exhibition train stock to Newquay from Minehead, arriving at Par at around 2000hrs followed by a bimble along the Newquay branch eventually arriving at the North-coast terminus just after 2100hrs.
The Britannic Explorer heads east
Ron Westwater, Sam Sheldrick, Jon Hird, Clive Smith & Martin Scane
On a sparkling Easter Sunday morning.... 66744 TnT 66748 on the 1Z05 0900 Fowey Dock Carne Point to Fowey Dock Carne Point They even had a Church service there which was the first time I had seen the church in use. 05.04.2026, copyright Ron Westwater.
A sunny Sunday morning sees 66744 arriving into Lostwithiel from the Fowey branch. 05.04.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
66748 stands at Lostwithiel with the Britannic Explorer stock. The train had just arrived from Fowey and passengers were able to alight here to go on various excursions around the area. 05.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66744 waits at the head of the train whilst the passengers disembark. 05.04.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
66748 having just hauled the stock back towards the crossing at Coulson Park where the stock was serviced - litter removed, water tanks topped up, and the generator car refuelled. 05.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66744 now runs into the up goods loop at Lostwithiel and waits a while before departing for Castle Cary. 05.04.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
66748 in Lostwithiel up goods loop. 05.04.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
66744 leads the Britannic Explorer over St. Germans viaduct. 05.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
1C06 10.50 Fowey Dock Carne Point - Castle Cary passes Cantrell Works between Ivybridge and Bittaford . Despite a lot of sun I still got done by clouds. At least I have now got another seventeen attempts to get it right. 05.04.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
66744 leads 1C06 through Teignmouth. 05.04.2026, copyright Martin Scane.
66748 on the rear at Teignmouth. 05.04.2026, copyright Martin Scane.
Many thanks all - glad the sun came out for everyone (other than poor Clive!).
Although as Clive says, there are many more opportunities to photograph this train which seems to have now had a number of gremlins from last year resolved. All known dates are shown in our Railtour Calendar - it's back later this month!
Although as Clive says, there are many more opportunities to photograph this train which seems to have now had a number of gremlins from last year resolved. All known dates are shown in our Railtour Calendar - it's back later this month!
Clay loco swapover
Jon Hird
Pink/purple Jubilee liveried 66734 runs onto St. Germans viaduct, running light loco to Goonbarrow from Westbury. 05.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
With 66734 in place and ready to work the Imerys clay trains in the week to come, 66751 heads back to Westbury and is seen climbing past Tywardreath. 05.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Rail200 'Inspiration' to Newquay
Clive Smith, Sam Sheldrick & Jon Hird
66310 top and tailing with 66719 approaches Ivybridge at Daveys Bridge with the 3Z41 16.05 Minehead to Newquay Rail 200 Train. 05.04.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
66310 passes beneath the temporary footbridge at Lostwithiel with the Minehead - Newquay Rail200 exhibition train stock. 05.04.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
66719 on the rear of the train wearing a special red Rail200 livery. 05.04.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
66310 in the very last few minutes of light drops down the bank from Treverrin Tunnel with the Rail200 exhibition train, bound for Newquay. 05.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks Sam and Clive.
If you'd like to visit the Rail200 exhibition in Newquay, you can book your (free) tickets through their website - click here.
If you'd like to visit the Rail200 exhibition in Newquay, you can book your (free) tickets through their website - click here.
April 1976
Part 6
Roger Winnen
Four Class 50s and a 47 at Long Rock. 16.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The coal stage has gone at Long Rock. 16.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Class 50 at Long Rock. 16.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Double Headers on the Penzance to Birmingham, D1001 Western Pathfinder leads a class 47. 16.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1070 Western Gauntlet on the 09.20 Relief Paddington to Penzance at Long Rock. 16.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
47147 on the 09.30 Paddington to Penzance at Marazion. 16.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
45005 on the Cornishman passing Long Rock Shed. 16.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A St Ives DMU passes an 08 at slopers siding. 16.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Britannic in the far west
Roger Winnen
66744 Heart of Wales drawing into Penzance with Saturdays 'Britannic Explorer'. 04.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
The double header beneath the station roof at Penzance. 04.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
A close-up of 66744 at Penzance. 04.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.