Blog Archives

11th January 2020

11/1/2020

The Cornwall Capacity Enabling Project
Roger Winnen

Whilst visiting Penzance Station I came across this leaflet explaining the upgrade to the Plymouth to Penzance upgrade which has now been completed allowing many more trains to operate through Cornwall.

Can you see anything wrong with this photograph!
Roger Winnen

The Answer! The original nameplate Old Oak Common HST Depot 1976-2018 has been removed from this Power Car and being held at one of the Railway Museums. In this photograph is a vinyl nameplate out of true is pasted to the side of the Power Car. Copyright Roger Winnen

Salisbury
Ron Kosys

56055 [asses through Salisbury with a Whatley Quarry to Fareham stone train. 22nd August 1987 Copyright Ron Kosys. This would be to top up the artificial stone quarry established in the sidings at Pareham.

Many thanks Ron.

Exeter
Paul Barlow

47524 on the 11.36 Manchester to Plymouth 1V84 leaves Exeter St Davids on the 14th March 1983, Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul

Oath
Bill Elston

66563 on a ballast train seen at Oath on the 10th January 2020 Copyright Bill Elston. N.B. This is a seemingly un-ending train with about thirty vehicles in tow,

Many thanks Bill

Out of our area
Ely
Peter Murnaghan

Hi Keith & Roger,
Happy New year to you both.
This report is out of our area and you may decide not to use it on the website, but the rolling stock is relevant to Cornwall. The other day, I was in the Cambridgeshire city of Ely and took the 288 spiral steps up to the top of the tower for a spectacular view of the flat Fenland countryside. In the distance, it was possible to spot the freight terminal of Potter Logistics. Its sidings are currently used to store off-lease rolling stock, including Gatwick Express class 442s, recently withdrawn class 317s from Greater Anglia, and the remaining ex Great Western HSTs that have not been recycled as Castle Class 2+4s, or Inter7City units for ScotRail.
It is reported that they are stored, whilst new users are sought, possibly for light freight use, but I can't see any passenger operators wanting to take them on, in view of the profusion of new rolling stock currently in delivery and on order elsewhere.
Although the sidings are behind locked gates, they can be glimpsed from a footpath and the public road.
I hope the attached photos might be of interest.
Kind regards, Peter.
At fear of being accused of putting on pictures ot of our area we see here rolling stock which until quite recently was being chased, photographed and ridden on as the much loved HST's came out of service. Many thanks Peter for these pictures from 'abroad'!!

View from the top of Ely Cathedral. 6th January 2020; Copyright Peter Murnaghan.

Power cars (l to r) 43190, 43024, 43025, 43174 and 43017 at Ely on the 6th January 2020. Copyright Peter Murnaghan.

HST stock at the buffer stops, with Ely Cathedral on the skyline. 6th Jaunary 2020 Copyright Peter Murnaghan. A very 'well ordered ' yard with the sidings extremely clearly numbered.

10th January 2020

10/1/2020

Cardiff 37s
Michael Forward

Hello Roger,Happy New Year to you and thanks to all for contributing to and maintaining the excellent website.Very impressed to see you were at the station at 10pm for the Freightliner 66 and later for The noteworthy workings,well done to all.
I send the first of some pictures taken at Cardiff on a bright day on 17 February 1988,different liveries to see and very busy with freight.
The first photo. shows 37690 heading east through the station.Thanks and best wishes, Michael Copyright Michael Forward

Many Thanks Michael Wishing you a Happy New Year

Patchway
Ron Kosys

I visted Patchway on a number of occasions but never seemed to do well with the weather. Did I just pick the wrong days when I wasn’t working, or was it because the weather is generally dull in this country.
I suppose it could have been both.... Many thanks anyway Ron - a rare picture.

56037 Patchway 08.04.88 Theale-Robeston. Copyright Ron Kosys

Flower Pot
Exeter
Paul Barlow

47061 polybulk train Flowerpot Exeter14 March 1983 Copyright Paul Barlow

9th January 2020

9/1/2020

Don't forget our meeting this coming Saturday

Saturday 11th at 6.30PM
Brian Aston's New Year Railway Sound and Light Show. This will be another of Brian's whirlwind explorations of (mainly) railway happenings, spiced with his usual selection of quirky, amusing or hair-raising video clips.
This will be held as usual in the memorial Hall, Redruth Methodist Church.

For details of the venue please click here.

The new order in Devon from 1st January 2020
David Tozer

To comply with the latest regulations no longer will you see pairs of Class 143's working in multiple. From 1st January these can only work
with a unit which has a compliant toilet.

150232 along with a Class 143 works the 1039 Paignton to Exmouth. Copyright David Tozer

158745 was working the 1023 Paignton to Exmouth. Copyright David Tozer

Thanks David

Work is taking place to
renew bridge on the St Ives Branch
Roger Salter

Following the news on Radio Cornwall this morning I went to see the very large compound being cleared at the Hayle Causeway road, rail bridge crossed by the St Ives Branch Line in preparation for replacement bridge in February 2020 The following photographs illustrates the scene.

All photographs are Copyright Roger Salter

Thanks Roger

Llanwern
Ron Kosys

56045 seen at Llanwern on the 17th April 1999.. Copyright Ron Kosys

Many thanks Ron

Exeter West
Paul Rarlow

33061 1623 Exeter to Paignton 14 March 1983 Passes Exeter west Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul

Do you remember
Ethels?
Ken Mumford
ETHEL stands for Electric Train Heating Ex-Locomotive
These were class 25 diesel-electric locomotives converted to provide mobile generators to provide electric heating which hauling locomotives could not provide.
ORIGINAL NUMBERETHEL NUMBERW/DLAST DEPOTCONVERTED
25.31097.25010/'82Cricklewood06/'83Ethel 1Inverness - mid '93Glasgow - late '94
23.30597.25107/'83Bescot08/'83Ethel 2Inverness - mid '93Glasgow - late '94
25.31497.25203/'83Cricklewood10/'83Ethel 3Inverness - mid '93Glasgow - late '94
These ETHELs had mesh grills over their windows to stop coal falling on them and thus damaging them.
Steam enthusiasts hated them because their fast tick-over interfered with them recording the sound of the steam locomotive.
Tremendous amount of interesting information on the Internet worth exploring.
DID YOU KNOW that ETHELs were going to be replaced by THERMULS?
THERMULS stood for Train Heating Ex-Redundant Multiple Unit Stock

Many thanks for that Ken.

8th January 2020

8/1/2020

Stoke Gifford
Ron Kosys

56046seen at Stoke .Gifford on the 16th July 1987 with a Stoke Giffird to Tytherington Quarry train. .Copyright Ron Kosys.

A bright start to the New Year at
Middleway
Craig Munday

Happy New Year to you all. After a very drab new year weather wise, a gap in the clouds saw me head to the football club at St Blazey for 6G09 Goonbarrow to Fowey. The Goonbarrow plant (Rocks) now only dispatches one loaded clay train each day. The class 66 does all the shunting at either end, so only one rake of wagons being used at present. The train awaits the branch train to clear at 14.29 before setting off. Hopefully this may be a regular trip time wise.

66041 with 38 CDAs on for Carne Point at St Blazey.

Kind regards

Craig

Many thanks Craig.

66041 with 38 CDAs on for Carne Point at St Blazey. 6th January 2020. Copyright Craig Munday.

7th January 2020

7/1/2020

   Don't forget our meeting this coming Saturday
   Saturday 11th at 6.30PM
Brian Aston's New Year Railway Sound and Light Show. This will be another of Brian's whirlwind explorations of (mainly) railway happenings, spiced with his usual selection of quirky, amusing or hair-raising video clips.

   For details of the venue please click here.

66957 'Stephenson' on CWR Rail Train Penzance
Roger Winnen & Andrew Triggs

A Freightliner 66957 Stephenson Locomotive Society 1909-2009 worked the 6Y97 from Westbury to St Austell via Penzance this evening with a rail train

Arrival at Penzance of 66957 Named The Stephenson Locomotive Society 1909-2009 Copyright Andrew Triggs

A close up of the nameplate. Copyright Andrew Triggs

200107d Looking towards the buffer stops at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

Arriving from Paddington is 802009 on the 17.04 from Paddington. Copyright Andrew Triggs

200107a Viewed from the steps leading up to the former balcony. Copyright Roger Winnen

200107c Close up of the rail train prior to backing out to sloppers for the engine to run around. Copyright Roger Winnen

Exeter Panel Box
Paul Barlow

Very early days in the construction of Exeter Panel box - December 1982 Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks to you Paul for sending in the above picture of the early stages of the construction of the Power Box at Exeter and a reminder taken by our Chairman Dennis Flood of our most interesting visit to the box on the 4th May 2019.

Various members of the CRS party on the society visit to Exeter Panel Box. Group on the 4th May 2019 Copyright Dennis Flood

Westbury Freight
Ron Kosys

A bright sky makes for a nice shot of 47284 and 59001 on a stone and oil trains at Westbury 11th August 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys

Focussing now on 59001 with its loaded stone train we see that it has moved slightly forward. Westbury 11th August 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys

6th January 2020

6/1/2020

Moving the line at
Dawlish

Network Rail announce series of Public Consultation meetings on their ongoing and controversial options and plans to move the South Devon line out to sea etc.

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/more-details-revealed-plans-move-3703166

Regards Tony Hill.
Many thanks Tony for drawing our attention to this very interesting news item which will change the character of the Dawlish - Teignmouth stretch forever.

50042 Triumph at
Bodmin
Stephen Widdowson

50042 Triumph & D3559 ' 08444 ' seen at Bodmin General on the 16th March 1996. Copyright Steve Widdowson.

50 042 receives attention at Bodmin General on the 16th March 1996. Copyright Steve Widdowson.

Many thanks to Steve Widdowson for sending in his pictures of an event at Bodmin nearly 25 years ago, Lifting a 115 ton class 50 is no small task for a party of skilled engineers. It would have been a simple task at Laira but the tenacity of the workforce at Bodmin is to be admired - and 50 042 is still a working machine to be proud of - Triumphant'. Well done, congratulations to all concerned.

Basingstoke
Ron Kosys

A little bit off our area but nevertheless en route to our patch. 56053 seen near Basingstoke on the 11th July 1991 with the 6Z73 the 15.15 Woking - Whatley Quarry empties. Copyright Ron Kosys.

Exeter
Paul Barlow

33019 waits at Exeter St Davids to form the 17.25 Exeter to Paignton on the 14th December 1982. Copyright Paul Barlow.

5th January 2020

5/1/2020

A sad loss
Paddy Bradley

Viewers of our website will be saddened to know that Cornish Bard Paddy Bradley passed away on Saturday 28th December 2019. Paddy will always be associated with Redruth and district, he played a very active part in Redruth Rugby Football Club as a centre wing/ wing three quarter and he was also a keen golf player being Captain of Tehidy Park Golf team.
Paddy presented many slide shows of his photographs to audiences of local people who in turn participated with their personal memories of days gone by making for very enjoyable evenings.. Paddys popular shows considerably aided local charities.
To us, railway enthusiasts, Paddy will be remembered for his collection of photographs of old Redruth including pictures of the railways in the area, many of which have featured on our website. Paddy was, until recently, a member of the Cornwall Railway Society.
For those of you who wish to attend and pay respects Paddy’s funeral will be held at 1PM on Friday 24th January at St Stephens Church, Treleigh. For those of you not familiar the church is close by the main line where it passes under the A3047.
Our sympathies to Paddy’s family.

Paddy - taken on a visit to his home in June 2019. R.I.P. Paddy.

Exeter
Paul Barlow

31231 and 31203 Exeter stabling point note lights of West box in the background 8 February 1983 Copyright Paul Barlow

Wootton Bassett
Ron Kosys

Thought I’d start at Wootton Bassett.
At the time when visits to such sites were normally available following a polite request. In those days two trains normally ran per day from Merehead.
Loaded trains had to run to Swindon to run round to enter the yard from the east. 59004 slowly draws the train through the discharge facility.

59004 Wootten Bassett 10th August 1987. Copyright Ron Kosys.

4th January 2020

4/1/2020

Kilmersdons' Final Hurrah 4th January 2020 Helston Railway
Andrew Triggs

S&DRT 0-4-0ST 'Kilmersdon' made her final runs in service at the Helston Railway today before returning to Somerset for its 10 year overhaul, find 4 photos for CRS capturing the 11.30 run to Truthall Halt and return
All the Best
Andrew Triggs.
Many thanks Andrew for capturing this significant moment.

1. Awaiting 11.30 departure at Prospidnick (taken with HR permission). Copyright Andrew Triggs.

2. From Truthall bridge following arrival. 4th January 2020. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

3. Peter Galassini our Guard for the trip. (Peter is also a Cornwall Railway Society Committee Member) 4th January 2020. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

4. Dramatic departure from Truthall. 4th January 2020. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

Exeter Central
Paul Barlow

46045 at the rear pushing (Banking) with 33019 at the front . 1930 Meldon to Salisbury at Exeter Central 8th March 1983 Copyright Paul Barlow

Lostwithiel
Clive Smith

There are times when the cupboard seems almost bare when it is privilege to be able to turn to the various 'Banks of pictures' which we have with many details of workings such as this example provided by Clive. Many thanks Clive. This comment also applies to the picture and details supplied by Paul above.

50001 Dreadnought climbs the bank out of Lostwithiel to Treverrin Tunnel with the 09.15 Brighton - Penzance on Saturday 19th July 1986. Copyright Clive Smith. Note the white ballast, is this one wonders from clay spillage or is it fresh ballast, The whole scene dominated by the spire of St Bartholomew, the local church and punctuated by the lovely red semaphore makes for a superb picture.

3rd January 2020

3/1/2020

Midsomer Norton
Chris Osment

Trains were running again today (1st January 2020) at the Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust at Midsomer North (South) station, The weather was cold. damp and overcast, but it did not keep all the visitors away and at least the signalbox had a working fire!!. Sadly 'Joyce'. the Sentinel was out of service today, but I've included a view taken on a previous visit showing the end of the line as seen from Joyce's cab.

Best regards, Chris Osment Many thanks to you Chris.

Looking neat and tidy here we see Midsomer Norton on the 1st January 2019 Copyright Chris Osment

One can almost feel the heat of the fire in the cosy signalbox and Midsomer Norton. 1st January 2020. Copyright Chris Osment.

Looking ahead, last years view of the formation. Copyright Chris Osment.

47152 Plymouth 1982
Clive Smith

47152 stands at platform 7 at Plymouth with the 15.28 Penzance - Paddington relief on Sunday 21st November 1982. Copyright Clive Smith

Thanks Clive

Long Distance Heritage Working
Guy Vincent

On the second day of 2020 class 150-0 150002 calls at Romsey station, Hants, while working the 1O98 1041 Great Malvern-Brighton through service, a total distance of 213.25 miles with just one retention toilet available and no on-board catering or air conditioning . This unit, in company with its twin 150001 is reportedly due to transfer to Northern Rail at the end of March. Both of these three-car sets were built in 1984 and are the oldest second-generation DMUs still in service. Also note the banner repeater signal showing 'Off' or 'Clear' for the route towards Southampton. The banner is needed due to the junction signal being obscured by the platform awning.

Wishing a Happy Year to all readers and contributors

Guy V Many thanks Guy

Romsey with 150002 on the 10.41 GMV-BTN 2nd January 2020 Copyright Guy Vincent

Happy New Year
Colin Burges

To go with David Prout's piece on Great Western cartage at Hayle, here are images of the cover and title page of what I guess is the last B.R. equivalent, when the railway was still a general purpose, multi-function system.

And further to Andrew Jones's feature on bridge rail, here is a page from the 1915 Hudson light railway catalogue, illustrating cross sections of bridge rail, two weights of the many that must have been rolled.

The wagon turntable at Christow has bridge rails and there are specimens on show in the exhibition, either lacquered or nickel-plated.

The lighter section is about 11 lb. per yard; the one beneath about 32 lb. Clockwise from left: Scatter Rock Macadams (Christow); East Cornwall Mineral (as far as I know); and Exeter Corporation Tramways.

Bridge rail had many other uses such as travelling cranes or machinery which ensured it being rolled in light sections long after the end of its most extensive use in "baulk road." It can sometimes be seen as sliding door or gate runners and could be found in the likes of car washes. Although bridge must have been used on narrow gauge, it would not have been favoured over flat bottom rail.

And I know you won't have forgotten Richard Holladay's bits on the Exe Valley and South Devon Phoenix.

Cheers, Colin.

Many thanks to you Colin I will draw David Prout and and Andrew Jone's attention to you much appreciated notes.

P.S. I do have some of Richard Haladay's photographs and hope to slot them in to their relevant sections soon.

2nd January 2020

2/1/2020

The Lambourn Branch
Michael L. Roach

Sixty years ago today on 2 January 1960 I made my way to Berkshire for the last day of passenger services on the Lambourn Branch. Accompanying me was my good friend the late Charles Fennamore who not only worked in the same place as me in Southampton but also came from Plymouth and shared similar railway interests. We travelled north up the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway on the 6.28am Totton to Reading General train which was the first of four trains up the D.N.&S. We alighted at Newbury the junction for the Lambourn Branch on time at 8.25am. We had no clear idea of what we were going to do that day because there were so few trains to choose from and so bought a single to Lambourn for 2 shillings and 6 pence. Since the swingeing cuts to passenger train mileage of June 1958 when the line lost half of its passenger trains there had been just 3 trains a day each way on the branch. Lambourn is a major centre for training race horses, and the population then was about 2,600 and is now about 4,200.

We travelled up the branch on the 10.15am from Newbury to Lambourn, the first train of the day in that direction, hauled by pannier tank 4670 hauling two ex-GWR coaches (numbered W2214W and W2734W for those who are interested) We watched the pannier tank run around and then walked to the centre of the village, viewed the High Street, and quickly returned to watch 4670 depart at 11.15am on the second train of the day in that direction. The third and last train of the day, and the last scheduled passenger train ever, was not due to depart until 6.05pm. The staff shut up shop, including the signalman, and the station fell into a slumber. What to do now ?

We decided that the best course of action was to walk back the 12½ miles to Newbury which would allow us to view all the stations and halts, buy some last day tickets and keep us warm on a cold miserable winter day. There were no trains for hours so we just walked off the end of the platform at Lambourn and down the track, alternating regularly between the sleepers and the cess, as neither made comfortable walking. We averaged about 2 miles per hour passing through Eastbury Halt (1½ miles), East Garston (2½), Great Shefford (4¼), Welford Park (6¼), Boxford (7¾) and Stockcross & Bagnor Halt (9¾) before arriving at Speen (10¾ miles) as it was getting dark. Welford Park had 2 platforms and a crossing loop but all the others had only a single platform. The stations mostly had a pagoda hut as a waiting room and a wooden hut as a booking office. Most were manned as we passed but we were not challenged as we walked up along the platform and out the other end, after purchasing some Great Western tickets if possible.

Speen was perhaps the most interesting station for us and the one that has stuck in the mind ever since. We entered the booking office and shut the door because of the cold. The Tilley lamp was lit and the vertical stove was being fed with redundant books and printed material as well as coal. We managed to save some of the paper for posterity. However it was the smell and ambience of burnt oil and heat from the stove in a confined space that I have not experienced before or since. The wooden hut was manned by a porter/crossing keeper and measured just 6 feet by 10 feet (1.8 metres by 3.1 metres).It was here at Speen that we left the railway and walked the last 2 miles down the road through the centre of Newbury. The train home was the 7.25pm from Newbury to Eastleigh, where we had a half hour wait for our connecting train to Southampton. We did not know it at the time but the last train from Lambourn (due Newbury at 6.50pm) ran very late and did not arrive at Newbury until 8.15pm, and therefore failed to connect with the 7.25pm train to Eastleigh. A lucky escape from an uncomfortable night if we had travelled on the last train. All in all a very memorable day. The railway press reported that 2 of the people on the last train had also travelled on the first day of passenger services on 4 April 1898, which was opening day for goods as well as passengers.

During our 5 minute jaunt to the High Street in Lambourn we encountered one of those things that stop you in your tracks. There on the wall was an enamel advertising sign for Millbay Laundry. Now Millbay was a Plymouth institution in the days before most people had a washing machine with its base not far from the Great Western's Millbay Station and close to Millbay Docks. At its peak the laundry had more than 250 shops, vans and agents covering the whole of the West Country. Presumably the firm had an agent in Lambourn with the laundry travelling down to Plymouth in wicker baskets by train judging by the proximity of the sign to the station. Can anyone confirm this please ?

A final thought on that day long ago. Roughly half way through our journey down the D.N.&S. to Eastleigh between Whitchurch Town and Sutton Scotney I walked through the train and there were just 7 passengers in the 3 coaches. The D.N.& S. closed to passengers two months later on 5 March 1960

New Years Day
2020

On behalf of the Cornwall Railway Society may I wish our contributors and viewers of this website
A Happy New Year

The Mystery Photograph of 9351 taken by
David Tozer was photographed on the
Norton Fitzwarren Triangle

Congratulations to Roy Hart from Rangoon, Betty & Brian, Tony Hill and Roger Aston for giving us the correct answer.

New Years Day
Penmere Platform & Penryn
Roger Winnen

200101a Congratulation to the friends of Penmere Platform with its displays on the platform and information posted for all to see. Roger Winnen

200101b Over the years this station has won many awards. Copyright Roger Winnen

200101c The 13.45 service from Truro arrives at Penmere Platform. Copyright Roger Winnen

200101d The returning 14.15 service from Falmouth Docks arrives at Penmere. Copyright Roger Winnen

200101e Arriving at Penryn is the 14.15 service from Truro. Copyright Roger Winnen

200101f A passing photograph at Penryn with the 14.15 from Truro passing the 14.15 from Falmouth Docks. Copyright Roger Winnen

The start to the new decade early morning at Penzance
Roger Salter

200101a TP05 The 07.52 Penzance to Plymouth service behind 43092 Cromwells Castle running 6 mins late. Copyright Roger Salter

200101b New Years morning at 08.01 Penzance Station. Copyright Roger Salter

200101c Looking over the wall at 08.00hrs. Copyright Roger Salter

A New Year has dawned
Roger Winnen

These were photographs taken on the 1st January 2000 with a beautiful sunrise over Mounts Bay, Penzance.

000101h Sunrise on New Years Day 2000. Copyright Roger Winnen

000101k Sunrise on New Years Day 2000 with St Michaels Mount visible on the far left Copyright Roger Winnen

000101a The first train on New Years day was the 08.20 to Paddington with six passengers on board from Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

000101bThe first train on New Years day was the 08.20 to Paddington photographed from the shoreline of the Eastern Green beach. Copyright Roger Winnen

000101m 47805 Propels its train into the station being the first Virgin Train from Penzance on New Years day 2000. Copyright Roger Winnen

000101q Now a thing of the past Oil Tanks at Long Rock Depot awaiting collection. Copyright Roger Winnen

New Years Eve 2019

A where is it photograph of 9351

Please send in your answers

The last train of the HST slam door stock
Paul Barlow & Roger Winnen

Another era has come to its close this morning as the last train of Great Western HST slam door stock ran on the 10.50 Penzance to Bristol Parkway.
A number of enthusiats were to be seen at the station and riding the train on its farewell journey. It was later photographed by Paul Barlow at Cowley Bridge Junction

191231a 43161 the rear power car on the Bristol service. Copyright Roger Winnen

191231aa 43010 Awaits departure from Penzance with the last of the slam door stock. Copyright Roger Winnen

191231b 43161 Departing on the 10.50 to Bristol Parkway with the last train of slam door stock. Copyright Roger Winnen

43010 43161 1050 Penzance-Bristol 31.12.2019 heading past Cowley Bridge Junction, Exeter. Copyright Paul Barlow

The last trains of 1999 Plymouth and Penzance
Roger Winnen

991231zcThe 17.49 Glasgow Penzance service at Plymouth Station of New Years eve 1999. Copyright Roger Winnen

991231w Plymouth Station looks very quiet on New Years eve. Royal Mail traffic is seen in number 3 Bay Platform. Copyright Roger Winnen

991231x The 16.50 Virgin service from Plymouth awaits departure from Platform 8. Copyright Roger Winnen

991231x The 17.31 to Paddington stands at Plymouth platform 7. Copyright Roger Winnen

991231zb A Great Western loco hauled service from Paddington to Penzance. Held in the through road is 66031 running light engine to St Blazey Copyright Roger Winnen

991231ze The 158 unit from Portsmouth Harbour to Penzance is seen under the station roof. Copyright Roger Winnen

991231zd The last train for 1999 at Penzance being the 18.57 from Paddington. Copyright Roger Winnen

A ride on the very last
'Slam door set'
Paul Barlow

I made a bit of an effort today (30th December 2019) , with the demise of slam door trains (in our area) due tomorrow. I first went to Cockwood harbour to photograph the 1050 Penzance- Bristol on it's penultimate run with slam door stock. Also photographed one of the few remaining FGW Blue liveried 150 units. I then traveled on the 0633 Dundee-Plymouth from Exeter to Newton Abbot, the guard on this train even announced it as the last slam door cross country service. I had my final window hang on the sea wall!

All the best, Kind regards, Paul Barlow
Congratulations Paul, well done, we're envious, and of course thank you.

43010 43161 at Cockwood 30th December 2019. Copyright Paul Barlow

150246 and 150219 seen at Cockwood in the now rare FGW livery. The 12.57 Exmouth to Paignton. Seen at Cockwood. Caypright Paul Barlow

Final slam door Cross country set at Exeter, 30th December 2019. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43304 0633 Dundee-Plymouth about to leave Newton Abbot 30th December 2019. Copyright Paul Barlow

Taunton
Paul Barlow

45144 Royal Signals 1935 Exeter to Cardiff seen at Taunton on the 13th December 1982 Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul

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