April 9th 2025

- Don't miss this one! -
David Thomas presents:
The railways of East Cornwall
Prior to Dr. Beeching
Saturday April 12th

Join us for an interesting talk from David Thomas this coming Saturday, in the Memorial Hall at Redruth Methodist Church. The show commences at 1830. Admission is free for members, or £3 for non-members.

We hope to see you there!

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Sunny selection
Mark Lynam

The Sunday sleeper on Platform 4 at Penzance during blue hour with blue hire-in 57312 before working 1A50 2115 Penzance to London Paddington, which was later delayed at Camborne due to trespassers. 06.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.

43097 at Camborne in the early morning sun working 2P08 0850 Penzance to Plymouth. 07.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.

66127 crossing the small bridge at Golant with 16 JIAs behind and with the tide in reflecting the lovely blue sky working 6G09 1236 Goonbarrow Junction Dbc to Fowey Dock Carne Point. 07.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.

Up to Restormel for a shot of 43187 + 43193 working 2C31 1555 Plymouth to Penzance, another location sadly where lineside vegetation is slowly growing up. 07.04.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.

A fine selection - many thanks as always, Mark.

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Ashwater Station
Roger Fletcher

Good Afternoon Jon. I enjoyed your visit to Port Isaac Road Station on the website today. My favourite railway station on the withered arm was Ashwater station which closed on 3rd October 1966.

I enclose 2 photos on 7th April 1973 - First one looking towards Tower Hill and second one towards Halwill Junction. I have some earlier ones in Black and white. Many thanks Roger Fletcher

Ashwater station site looking towards Tower Hill. 07.04.1973. Copyright Roger Fletcher.

Looking towards Halwill Junction at Ashwater. 07.04.1973. Copyright Roger Fletcher.

Many thanks indeed Roger, some lovely photographs and full of interest. A sad sight, just imagine what could have been.

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67s at Cardiff
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, I spent a very enjoyable two days at Cardiff last week and I was pleased to see five class 67s on passenger trains on the first day,a treat to see proper trains with engine and coaches.
Here is 67022 about to push away with the 12.53 to Manchester Piccadilly,on 1 April 2025.
Michael.

Roger, Later on the same lovely sunny April 1st we see 67020 bringing in the coaches from Canton depot to form the 16.53 to Piccadilly.
Best wishes and thanks, Michael Forward.
More tomorrow.

Hello Roger, Thank you for dealing with yesterdays pictures.
Here is another shot of 67020 bringing in the stock to form 1W63 the 16.53 to Manchester Piccadilly on 1 April 2025.One of TFW's class 197 units stands on the right.
Michael

Roger, On 2 April 2025 we see 67008 at the rear of  1W57, the 10.53 to Manchester Piccadilly.
Nice to see these engines and in different liveries.
Thanks, all the best, Michael.

Hello Roger, My final pictures of class 67s at Cardiff on 1 April 2025 show 67010  going through Central station  at 12.15,running as OZ10 . 

Michael.

67010 then returned from Canton depot at 13.45 taking 67015 up to Crewe depot.

Thanks and best wishes, Michael.

Many Thanks Michael for the modern power at Cardiff Central

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Memories of the 'Cromptons'
Phil 'Shattered' Smith

The year is 1988, and in this moody photo we see 33023 arriving at Bath Spa with a short train of mk1's. Copyright Phil Smith.

Great stuff Phil, thank you.

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A visit by Caroline
David Tozer

37418 hauling Inspection Saloon 'Caroline' through Pinhoe. This was the 1035 2Z32 Exeter St David’s to Guildford U.C.H.S. 08.04.2025, copyright David Tozer.

Inspection saloon 'Caroline' trails through Pinhoe en route to Guildford. 08.04.2025, copyright David Tozer.

Many thanks, Dave.

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Returning Rail Drop
Guy Vincent

GB Railfreight locos 66713 'Forest City' (leading) and 66310 'Bo'ness and Kinniel Railway' (tailing) the return leg of an overnight rail drop from Westbury to Pontypridd captured just to the east of Bradford on Avon. 

The river Avon, just two months ago was overwhelmed following weeks of continuous heavy rain and on several occasions the weir seen here disappeared 'under water'!  Now, after 6 weeks and no significant rainfall, the picture is completely different. 

66713 leading 6G97 at Bradford on Avon. 08.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.

LWR Train 6G97 at Bradford on Avon 08.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.

66310 rear of 6G97 at Bradford on Avon 08.04.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.

What a lovely spot to watch the trains go by - many thanks, Guy.

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Swindon Scenes
Ken Mumford

It appears that 66169 went to rescue 66069 which failed [so I was told] due to low oil pressure. From Real Train Times, I note that 66069.headed 6B51 Llanwern Exchange Sidings for Swindon Stores 25 EARLY passing Little Somerford 58 EARLY but its timings in the Wootton Bassett Junction area were 6-38 to 9-09. Thus when rescued by 66169 it left that junction 151 LATE and brought it to Swindon Station.157 LATE. It seems as though after arriving at platform 1, its wagons were shunted down to Swindon Stores to the west of the station, then 66169 dragged 66069 to the little used track parallel to that alongside platform 1. 66169's engine was left ticking over for some time, then the failed loco was pushed towards the west end of the station and parked - RTT stating that 6B51 was 208 LATE at Swindon Stores. I needed to go home for lunch but it seems as though the return working statrared from Cocleberry Sidings. 07.04.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

6J02 Bristol (Kingsland Road) to Kemble arriving in platform 2, reversed, and then left [note 'K' above signal indicating Kemble]. Driver was very helpful with information as to what happened to his vehicle at Kemble. On entering platform 2, the driver had to pull up a bit more so as to clear the signal. 07.04.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

66531 pulls out of Swindon East loop with 6V53 [Oxford (Banbury Road) to Whatley Quarry] and accelerates west to get out of the way of other trains heading that way. 07.04.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

4L33 [Wentloog to London Gateway Freightliner [with 66568??] also accelerates in a way to get out of the way of other trains heading east. 07.04.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

70813 speeds through the station on the UML with 6M40 [Westbury Down to Cliffe Hill Stud Farm some 17 LATE. 07.04.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

After my session at Swindon yesterday, I went home for lunch and some church business preparation, then off toKemble to phonograph mainly the Tamper that its driver at Swindon told me would be in what was the Cirencester branch platform util about 10 that evening. 07.04.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

The tamper in the Cirencester branch platform at Kemble. 07.04.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

A Cheltenham bound IET (1G19 Paddington to Cheltenham Spa - unit 800003) passes Kemble. 07.04.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

Some good variety, thanks very much, Ken.

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Another sunny day in Cornwall
Jon Hird

66127 leads the Goonbarrow - Fowey clay, seen just past Luxulyan tunnel. 08.04.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

Later in the day, GWR’s 43097 and 43198 are seen heading east away from Treverrin tunnel in the setting sun. 08.04.2025, copyright Jon Hird

66127 on its way back from Fowey with the empty JIA’s is seen at the opposite side of the hill, coasting down through Treesmill with 6G05. 08.04.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

66127 reverses the wagons back into St. Blazey yard for the night. 08.04.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

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Staverton Steam
James Bown

Pannier tank 1369 on duty on the South Devon Railway today. 08.04.2025, copyright James Bown.

Many thanks to you, James.