Blog Archives

21st March 2020

21/3/2020

The Last Down Night Riviera
Andrew Triggs

Three photographs of 57603 'Tintagel Castle' arriving at Penzance with 1C50 23.45 London Paddington-Penzance 'Night Riviera', the last run for the foreseeable future due to the ongoing Coronavirus situation
All the Best
Andrew

57603 arriving with 1C50 at 07.45, running 5 early.
Copyright Andrew Triggs

The last run for now of the Night Riviera has terminated at journeys end
Copyright Andrew Triggs

Old school technology for the 21st century railway.
Copyright Andrew Triggs

Thanks Andrew

Engineering on the
Newquay Branch
Alan Peters

In connection with weekend engineering on the Newquay Branch 6T26 from Westbury to St Blazey is seen from a trackside view at Dawlish Warren, Colas Rail 70801 with 10 autoballasters wait for a Plymouth bound XC service to pass, note the recently resorted camping coaches 20th March 2020. Copyright Alan Peters

70801 at Dawlish Warren. Copyright Alan Peters.

70801 Stabled at St Blazey. Copyright Alan Peters.

Stabled at St Blazey for the weekend, Colas Rail 70801 worked 10 autoballasters from Westbury to St Blazey as 6T26 on the 20th March 20 . Copyright Alan Peters

Many Thanks Alan.

Camborne
The late John Cornelius

Camborne was looking a bit 'bare bones' by the time our very good friend the late John Cornelius took it on the 9th March 2006. Copyright

Lynher Viaduct
Chris Harvey

Please find attached a shot taken during March thirteen years ago. From a spot at least a mile away, a long lens captures the rear of the 1400 Penzance - Paddington HST, powering away from the camera over Lynher viaduct. The date is 26th March 2007.
Hope you like this one! Best Regards, Chris Harvey, Bodmin.

We certainly like it - Chris specialises in long distance pictures - well done and many thanks.

Lynher Viaduct with the 14.00 Penzance to Paddington seen on the 26th March 2007 Copyright Chris Harvey

20th March 2020

20/3/2020

Drastic Changes to Rail Timetable.

57604 Pendennis Castle with the last Night Riviera from Penzance due to the emergency measures with the Coronavirus pandemic outbreak. It may be sometime before normal services are resumed. Copyright Roger Winnen

200320b This train was very quiet tonight with only a few passengers onboard. Copyright Roger Winnen

The message below comes from GWR with a request that the information is spread as widely as possible. Perhaps you might think it appropriate to put it on the CRS web site.

You may have seen in this morning’s media that following discussions with government and the wider rail industry, we are reducing services to reflect national advice against non-essential travel, while maintaining services critical to keeping key workers moving during the current situation. 
The new timetable will operate from Monday (23 March). There will however also be some changes to advertised services over this weekend. The new timetable will operate until further notice.
The changes prioritise key routes, essential for those people continuing to deliver vital services as the UK responds to the current situation. We will be operating hourly London services to Bristol Temple Meads, South Wales, Worcester Shrub Hill and Plymouth where customers will be able to connect for Cornwall. Customers for the South Cotswolds will be able to connect with a two hourly service from Swindon. There will also be significant changes to regional and branch line services.
We are working hard to enter all the changes into online and digital timetables, and these should all be updated in the next seven to ten days. From then individual journeys can be checked on www.gwr.com/travel-updates/check-your-journey.  
Until then we will be adding details to a dedicated page on our website gwr.com. This is being updated now and will be available later this morning.

Today at Truro
Mick House

I visited Truro today to photograph DR80301 Stephen Cornish that was in the yard and while I was there I took some shots of some of the arrivals. First I took some shots of DR80301 Stephen Cornish a Multi Purpose Stoneblower operated by Network Rail, this is the first time this machine has been this far west, possibly the first time into Cornwall. Class 802 013 arrived from Penzance and five minutes later class 150 244 came in with class 158 747 on the rear.
A report by Mick House.

Number 2 end of DR80301 Copyright Mick House.

DR80301 named Stephen Cornish. Copyright Mick House.

Class 802 0301 arrives from Penzance. Copyright Mick House.

Class 150 244 arrives from Exeter. Copyright Mick House.

Class 158 747 on the rear of 150 244 after arrival at Truro. Copyright Mick House.

Exciting tines
Weymouth Tramway
Peter Murnaghan

With the news that the Weymouth Tramway is finally to be removed, the scenes of railway staff bouncing parked cars out of the way of an approaching train are sadly now only a memory. My first encounter of the line was on a family holiday to Guernsey, as a small boy, and a GWR pannier tank was shunting on the roadway.
In sorting out some old slide boxes, I was reminded of a holiday in Jersey in 1977, which involved travel from Waterloo and back on the Channel Islands Boat Train (by then Class 33 haulage was the norm). A couple of my shots out of the carriage window captured the unique nature of the journey.
Great fun!, Peter

A tight squeeze - The Channel Is boat train forces a Wtn Nat Bristol VR 1066 up onto the pavement to pass on. 10th Sept 1977. Copyright Peter Murnaghan.

Channel Islands boat train headed by Class 33, leaving the road section of the Weymouth Tramway, past Western National's bus park. 10th Sept 77. Copyright Peter Murnaghan.

Memories are made of this - many thanks Peter.

A question from afar
Victor Menhennet..

From a Cornishman in exile. I have a question re the ornamental trim round the station canopies. Is there any history regarding this ? There seems to be a large variety of designs and styles. Were they 'created' by local craftsmen under the direction of the station architect ? The reason that I'm asking is that we are modifying some of our platform shelters on the Waterloo Central Railway to make them more like railway structures rather than the barn-look they currently have. At the present time work has been postponed due to a potential illness of one of our members so there is not a sense of urgency. Once they are complete I thought that adding such trim work would add authenticity to the structures. Therefore what I'm really asking for is dimensions of the trim such as shown in pic of Redruth. It is difficult seeing all the different styles to get a sense of the actual size of each 'leaf' as shown: the length, width, distance between, size of hole etc etc. Getting all that detail may be a tall order but I have to ask. If this is not possible, I fully understand and thank you for considering it.
Thanks for your question Victor, nice to know that you are thinking of something GW for far off places. Can anybody help? If you wonder where the Waterloo Central Railway is please use google or try the link below..

https://www.google.co.uk/search?sxsrf=ALeKk03BKrU9txLS1o4a_R3_PiJeZ6_Ehg%3A1584690025099&source=hp&ei=aXN0Xp7NA4-yauKrsNAJ&q=waterloo+central+railway&oq=Waterloo+Central+Railway&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0l7j0i22i30l3.2530.10555..14795...1.0..0.89.1615.24......0....1..gws-wiz.......0i131j35i39.av_Emqq4Uz4

Redruth station down platform building. Taken we guess by Victor. Copyright Victor Menhennet.

19th March 2020

19/3/2020

Looking down at
Cockwood
Paul Barlow

Hi Keith,
Some shots taken from a property I was working on a couple of weeks ago at Cockwood. Stunning views opposite to Exmouth, the spit of Dawlish Warren to the right and though the roof tops of Cockwood Harbour.

Weather was very changeable so had to pick my moments for photography (and between work!)

Kind regards Paul Barlow

The sun glints on the coach roof tops of 43004 43097 1300 Exeter-Pz 4 March 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

A class 143 and 150 form the 1257 Paignton to Exmouth 4 March 2020 Copyright Paul Barlow.

220 Voyager on 1515 Paignton-Manchester passes Cockwood 5th March 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

43005 43092 1300 Cardiff-Penzance 6th March 2020

From another angle 43005 & 43092 forming the 13.00 Cardiff to Penzance viewed through the rooftops. 6th March 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

66116 passes with the 13.42 Par to Exeter Riverside Light Engine move running 172 minutes early. Exmouth forms the back drop 6th March 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many many thanks Paul for your shots from unusual angles. Lovely views of Exmouth.

18th March 2020

18/3/2020

Engineering works between
Cogload Junction & Castle Cary.
Alan Peters.

A report by Alan Peters.
Photo 1. The line between Cogload Junction and Castle Cary was closed for major engineering works between 13th March and 30th March 2020, which included work to eight bridges including the 105ft long River Parrett Bridge and drainage work in Somerton Tunnel, where Colas 66846 is pictured just inside the East portal of the 1053 yard tunnel on 16th March 2020.
Photo 2. Drainage works took place in Somerton tunnel between 13th March and 30th March 2020, Colas Rail Freight 66846 is pictured inside the 1053 yard tunnel, top and tail with 70811 on 17th March 2020
Regards Alan Peters.

Looking at the East portal of Somerton Tunnel. Copyright Alan Peters.

Inside Somerton Tunnel. Copyright Alan Peters.

Some more privileged shots from Alan.
Many Thanks.

Southampton
Michael Roach

Is it time to have a few more black and white photographs as there have not been many recently. The date is 21 November 1959 and I am at Southampton Central standing on the footbridge at the east end.

MN 35029 Ellerman Lines is seen on an express to Waterloo at 9.58am. Copyright Mike Roach

WC 34012 Lapford is seen taking water at 10.13am, and believed to be also heading for Waterloo. Copyright Mike Roach

In between photographing the two locos I walked to the end of the footbridge and took this bus parked in the station forecourt on the south side of the station. Its Southampton Corporation number 230, a Guy Arab, on route 54. The bus is believed to date from 1951. The liner in the background was believed to be Pendennis Castle or Pretoria Castle. Copyright Mike Roach

Thanks Michael

Sunny Ivybridge
Clive Smith

On a glorious morning (Monday 16th March 2020) I went off to my local station with my fingers crossed that I could capture up and down 2+4 Castle HSTs both scheduled to stop at the station between 09.01 and 09.02 with the sun in perfect position. Alas the 'up' was a minute or so late with the 'down' on time and gone. Some lovely pine trees make Ivybridge station quite picturesque and it makes for an attractive picture with classic traction passing through. 43154 leads the 06.40 Penzance - Cardiff Central with 43198 on the rear.

Regards, Clive Smith.

43156 heads the 06.40 Penzance to Cardiff with 43198 on the back. Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks Clive.

17th March 2020

17/3/2020

Falmouth 1979
Michael Forward

Michael writes!
I am not going near London and on the underground and may suspend my trips altogether in the light of Boris’s pronouncement today.Just when specials are starting to run again and Galas coming up.Was planning a trip to Swindon and Cricklade on 28th but who knows if Ishall go or if it will be cancelled. We are in worrying times.
Back to more carefree times I attach a picture taken at Falmouth on 20 June 1979 of W51574 heading a Swindon Cross Country unit on the 2pm to Truro.
All the best ,Michael

Thanks Michael

South Devon Railway
'Old Friends Reunited'
Roger Winnen

Welcome to the South Devon Railway's Spring Steam Gala
'Old Friends Reunited' with 4555 1369 6412 & 5542
With many thanks to the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company that we welcome the newly restored Great Western Prairie tank 4555 to haul trains on this railway over the weekend of 14th & 15th March 2020, recreating scenes that haven't been seen for over 47 years on the line!

The Dart Valley Railway 47 years ago in 1973

1973a4588 Stands at Staverton prior to its transfer to the Paignton & Dartmouth Line. Copyright Roger Winnen

1973b A line up of 4588 14xx Class 6435 and 1369 at Staverton. Copyright Roger Winnen

1973c 4555 Approaches Staverton with a train for Buckfastleigh in 1973, How times have changed. Copyright Roger Winnen

1973d 4555 Arrives at Buckfastleigh. Copyright Roger Winnen

1973e How this area at Buckfastleigh has changed over the years. Copyright Roger Winnen

1973l Looking towards the shed area at Buckfastleigh with auto coaches in the view. Copyright Roger Winnen

The South Devon Railway Sunday 15th March 2020
47 Years Later 4555 pulls into Totnes

200315a 4555 Arrives at Totnes Riverside with the 10.30 from Buckfastleigh. Copyright Roger Winnen

200315b 4555 runs around its train at Totnes to form the 11.20 return working. Copyright Roger Winnen

200315c Arriving at Staverton, 5542 Spent most of it's working life around the Bristol area covering nearly one million miles before being withdrawn in 1961. Copyright Roger Winnen

200315d GWR Pannier Tank 1369 arrives at Staverton with the 15.15 from Totnes. Built at Swindon also in 1934, 1369 is returning to traffic after its recent overhaul and new livery for 2020. Copyright Roger Winnen

200315e 6412 built at Swindon in 1934 arrives at Staverton with the auto from Buckfastleigh. This engine arrived at Buckfastleigh in the mid 1960s and had the honour of hauling the first Dart Valley Trains alongside 4555. Copyright Roger Winnen

200315o 1369 Departs Buckfastleigh on the goods for Bishops Bridge.. Copyright Roger Winnen

200315f Springtime at Totnes with 5542 running around to work the last train to Buckfastleigh at 16.45. Copyright Roger Winnen

Shunting on Marazion Marsh
Edward Hand

A very interesting photograph of a North British Class 22 D6313 shunting on the Marsh at Marazion

Shunting on Marazion Marsh Sidings. Copyright Edward Hand

Many Thanks Edward

South Devon Gala
Sat 14th March 2020
Roger Salter

4555 Departs Buckfastleigh on the 12.10 service to Totnes Riverside. Copyright Roger Salter

5542 Moves from the shed yard to form the 13.00 to Totnes. Copyright Roger Salter

1369 forms the goods to Bishops Bridge. Copyright Roger Salter

4555 Departs Buckfastleith on a service to Totnes. Copyright Roger Salter

6412 Works the Auto to Staverton. Copyright Roger Salter

Thanks Roger

Last weekend at the
Lynton and Barnstaple
Paul Barlow

Hi Keith

A few shots taken today (14th March 2020) at the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway

It was a residents weekend for anyone who lives in EX or TA postcodes so I took advantage of this.

Replica of the original 762 Lyd was the working trains. This loco was built in 2017, the original being scrapped in 1935 when the line was closed.

kind regards

Paul Barlow

1 Woody Bay station 762 Lyd awaits departure on the 1215 to Killington Lane. No 8 Faith is giving foootplate rides 14 March 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

762 at Killington Lane. 14th March 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

3 Action shot - a nice one. Exchanging the token at Killington Lane 14th March 2020 Copyright Paul Barlow

4. 762 Lyd heading towards Woody Bay 14th March 2020 Copyright Paul Barlow

762 back at Woody Bay - 14th March 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow.

762 Lyd works hard as it climbs towards Woody Bay. 14th March 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul, a good day out.

15th March 2020

15/3/2020

Terras Crossing
Clive Smith

The 19th September 2010 was the first of two Sundays celebrating the Looe Valley line 150th anniversary with GWR 0-6-0 pannier tank 9466 and West Coast Railways 37685 top and tailing a shuttle service on the branch consisting of four mark 2s. This is a view of Terras Crossing from the top of an adjacent steep sided field.

Regards Clive Smith

Terras Crossing 37 Sunday 19th September 2010. Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks Clive.

A day with 150002
Guy Vincent

With only two weeks to go now until 150001 & 150002 leave GWR for Northern here are four images of 'number two' hard at work today covering a full diagram.

1 and 2. Standing at the west end of platform 4 at Salisbury at dawn with the 0608 departure for Gloucester. Several SWR sets were stabled close by awaiting their orders for the day.

3. With the driver of the 0842 Gloucester-Weymouth busy returning the single line token to the instrument on platform 2 at Maiden Newton there was just time to snap 150002 from the public foot crossing at the south end of the station. 166210 stands in platform 1 working the 1110 Weymouth-Gloucester.

4. 150002 arrives at Avoncliff Halt with the 1310 Weymouth-Gloucester. With just a short turnaround at Gloucester the next working was the 1642 back to Weymouth (arr 2009) followed by the 2020 to Bristol Temple Meads. One train that has definitely paid for itself several times over during its 36 years of service.

Guy V

Picture (1) 150002 Salisbury West end. 14th March 2020 Copyright Guy Vincent.

Picture (2) 150002 stands at the west end of Salisbury station beneath a brightening sky. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Picture (3 150002 At Maiden Newton. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Picture (4) 150002 pauses at the delightful halt at Avoncliffe. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks Guy for a most interesting insight into a day with 150002. One wonders how much time there is when the unit is truly at rest with the engines off. Still its only a machine and has no feelings but one can feel for it!!!

South Devon Steam
David Tozer

Just a few photos from yesterday at Buckfastleigh. With events worldwide it did seem to be well attended.

Best wishes, Dave. David Tozer

South Devon 4555 looking as good as new. 14th March 2020 Copyright David Tozer.

South Devon 5542 passes the delightful little signalbox at Buckfastleigh on the 14th March 2020 Copyright David Tozer

South Devon. Nice to see 1369 on the demonstration Goods. 14th March 2020. Copyright David Tozer.

Many thanks David, at least you had a bit of sun .

Weymouth Street Tramway
THE END
Karl Hewlett

We can kiss goodbye to another one. The Weymouth Quay Branch is to be lifted after 'Network Rail' are given £1m in removal plans, see the link:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-51677959

Regards. Karl (Friends Of Penmere Station).

Many thanks for picking up on that Karl with your 'eagle eye''
Luckily I did have one trip along the line and followed several trains along there. For see our current collection of pictures please click here. KJ.

14th March 2020

14/3/2020

Overnight visitor to
Bristol
Guy Vincent

37401 'Mary Queen of Scots' idling away in the loco spur at the end of platform 5 at Bristol Temple Meads this morning just prior to departing as 0Z37 0906 to Crewe Gresty Bridge. The loco worked a train of redundant Mk 3 coaches from Norwich to Sims Metals, Newport Docks yesterday (12th) before running light to Bristol for overnight stabling. At the same time 150002 came in on a Filton Abbey Wood-Warminster stopping service.

Enjoy!, Guy Vincent.

Bristol TM 37401 13th March 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent

Bristol TM 37401 stands waiting in the siding with 150002 2F08 on a Filton Abbey Wood to Warminster service. 13th March 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks Guy.

It's rough at Rocks - Contrasting skies at
Goonbarrow
Craig Munday

Hi Keith

The camera has been somewhat redundant lately. 2020 has the ignominy of being the least photographed year so far to date since getting the SLR in 2012. The truly appalling weather has given few opportunities over the previous three months.

A little bit of brightness yesterday amid heavy showers allowed a couple of pictures at Rocks of the 13.00 departure to Carne Point with replacement loco 66194 taking over from 66104 which headed back east on the 15.00 Par chapel siding to Exeter Riverside.

The Imerys shunter still sees use at Rocks, and is seen just prior to a viscous hail shower bellowing in from the south west.

Kind regards for now, Craig Munday

66194 departing Rocks Driers making a very interesting shot was the train passes Goonbarrow Box, note the pleasing display of semaphore signals. Copyright Craig Munday

In contrast look at that black sky as the shunter gets to work on the 12th March 2020 .Pleasing to see that the he Imerys shunter still sees use at Rocks, and is seen just prior to a viscous hail shower bellowing in from the south west. Copyright Craig Munday.

Many thanks Craig.

13th March 2020

13/3/2020

Guy does us proud with two items from
Westbury
Guy Vincent

1) Hawkeridge East loop

Ex LMS 'Black Five' 45212 negotiates the little-used Westbury East Loop and approaches Hawkeridge Junction with Steam Dreams 1Z24 0751 Clapham Junction-Bath Spa 'London and the Surrey Hills to Bath' day excursion. The train returned to London via Box and Swindon. The land next to the loop line is used by Network Rail as a general dumping ground for materials and redundant scrap etc. hence the untidy state. A general 'spring clean' of the entire rail network is surely long overdue with most lines I travel over littered with waste and unwanted debris, come on NR, please clear away your junk!

Guy Vincent

Hawkeridge Loop 45212 1Z24 12.th March 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent.

45212 Hawkeridge Jctn 1Z24 12th March 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent

2) Westbury Station - Test Train.

When I arrived at Westbury at around 0615 this morning (12th March 2020) I was surprised to see a Network Rail test train running in with ex DRS loco 37612 in charge. According to a sticker on the nose end this loco is now owned by Harry Needle and is on hire to Colas for test train use. Originally built in 1963 as D6879 it entered traffic in October of that year and under TOPS became 37179 in December 1973. In 1986 it entered Crewe Works for refurbishing and emerged in February 1987 as 37691. Much of it's British Rail career was spent in South Wales until it was transferred to Motherwell in 1992 then Thornaby and finally Immingham. Following the opening of the Channel Tunnel in May 1994 European Passenger Services / Eurostar (EPS) took a batch of 12 class 37s and they were converted to work in pairs with special generator vans to power the UK portions of the proposed 'Night Star' passenger sleeper trains from Plymouth, Swansea and Manchester. As it turned out the whole Night Star concept was eventually abandoned in 1999 and all 12 locos, fully refurbished and regeared to 80mph were eventually purchased by Direct Rail Services (DRS). In more recent years the fleet has been partially run down with several locos being sold off or put into storage.

For the record 37612 was working an overnight Ultrasonic Rail Test Train covering the route between Bristol TM-Cardiff Central-Bristol Parkway-Wootton Bassett Jctn-Lawrence Hill-Bath Spa-Westbury and back to Bristol. It was about 2 hours late so I was pleased to have a chance to record it just prior to departure. The full formation was: 37612 96608 (Brake Force Runner), 6263 (Generator Van), 999606 (Ultrasonic Test Unit), 9806 (ex Caledonian sleeper carriage) and 9702.

One final note. The section of platform 1 (formerly platforms 1 and 2) next to the loco was at one time occupied by the former Westbury Middle Signal Box. This dated from 1899 and closed in 1968 but was not demolished until 1973. Platform 1 (on the right) closed in 1984 and the former platform 2 then became 1 and was extended to its current length in 1999.

Regards, Guy Vincent.

The test train stands at Westbury 9702 3Q01 12th March .2020. Copyright Guy Vincent.

It's a case of thank you and thank you to Guy Vincent for two splendid items complete with much detail.

Bristol
Paul Barlow

Paul continues with the last of his current batch of night shots at Bristol Tmple Meads. Many thanks Paul.

45005 pauses at Bristol on the 19.35 Exeter - Cardiff Note Lots of mail bags in evidence 3rd September 1982. Copyright Paul Barlow.

12th March 2020

12/3/2020

Advance notice - don't forget.
Next Saturday 14th March at 18.30
at the Memorial Hall at Redruth Methodist Church

Come and hear our say and have your say at the.
Annual General Meeting
This is usually a short item followed by the

Members Evening
A varied and very interesting programme provided by members.
For details of our location please click here.

Please stay away if you have a cough, high temperature or sore throat - thank you.

Evercreech Junction & Charlton Road Viaduct
Andrew Triggs

The last part of last weekends shots for CRS, the S&DJR has always fascinated me, and while driving around took the following enclsed shots
All the Best
Andrew

Evercreech Junction station, looking towards the Bath direction 7.3.2020 (Taken from outside the property) Copyright Andrew Triggs

The Buildings are private dwellings and the site now redeveloped for Light Industry. Copyright Andrew Triggs

The 27 arch Charlton Road Viaduct at Shepton Mallet, a fitting monument to the Somerset and Dorset Railway indeed Copyright Andrew Triggs

Thanks Andrew

Mutley West & East
Clive Smith

(1) 43094 St Mawes Castle heads through the site of Mutley station as it leaves Plymouth station with the 08.50 Penzance - Exeter St Davids. The rear power car is 43040. Best to photo from the top of the multi storey car park now while the trees are leafless. Many trees that had grown by the trackside here were cut back in early 2019 opening up the cutting for the first time in years. This area could still do with losing a few more of the trees and one or two branches are starting to arch over into the view of the up line .

(2) Fifteen minutes later and now on the other side of the tunnel, 70809 approaches from Laira with the 05.46 Aberthaw - Moorswater cements.

Regards, Clive Smith.

Picture 2 - Mutley tunnel, the 05.46 Aberthaw to Moorswater app the tunnel behind 70809. 11th March 2020. Copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks Clive.

Cowley Bridge
David Tozer

David Tozer photographs the work taking place at Cowley Bridge Junction for the alleviation of flooding for the River Exe.

Castle Class HSTs 43041 & 43158 at Cowley Bridge 20.3.2020. Copyright David Tozer

66623 in the new livery at Cowley Bridge with an aggregate working to Exeter Riverside Yard.. 10.3.2020 Copyright David Tozer

Thanks David

A real bargain
'Final Furlong' Railtour
Guy Vincent

On 31st March GWR will be bidding farewell to the two class 150-0 3 car DMUs they have been operating since early 2012. First introduced in 1984 the units will be transferring to Northern so leaving GWR with just the 150-2 sets now mainly to be found in the west of England. To mark the occasion a farewell charity railtour has been arranged for Saturday March 28th. One of the two sets has been rostered to work 'The Final Furlong' and this will start at Westbury picking up at Trowbridge and Bath Spa before reversing and running to Swindon (final pick up) then onto Oxford for a 1hr 20 mins break. From Oxford the train will run via Reading West Curve to Basingstoke then back to Reading Kennet Bridge Loop (reverse) and down the Berks & Hants line to Heywood Road Jctn and via Westbury East Loop to Hawkeridge Jctn onto Trowbridge (set down), Bath Spa (set down) North Somerset Jctn, Dr Days Jctn, Lawrence Hill (reverse) and Bristol Temple Meads (terminate). Tickets are £61.50 adult and £30.75 child (5-15 inc) with all proceeds going to charity. An added benefit is that the ticket price includes travel on GWR services to and from the train from any GWR station. See gwrsouvenirs.co.uk for full details and to book

Railtour cancelled due to Caronavirus.

Pictures attached: 150001 at Bradford-on-Avon on 10.03.2020 and 150002 at Bristol Temple Meads on 11.04.2017.

Guy Vincent

Unusual for us to carry an advert - sounds a very good trip and excellent value. Many thanks for telling us Guy.

Something to get your teeth into!!
Brent Goods Shed
Clive Smith

Time for my annual dental check up and what better place to have your molars looked at than the old goods shed at the closed Brent station. Built in 1893 the shed was closed when goods traffic ceased on the 6th April 1964 with the station following six months later. The branch to Kingsbridge was closed the previous year. Now a smart looking dental and medical centre and an ideal place to watch trains through the window as your cavities are drilled into. For the record my teeth were in excellent condition.

Regards, Clive Smith.

'Jaw dropping News', Many thanks Clive.

Long Rock Level Crossing
Roy Hart.

I have been meaning to write something about Ian's Long Rock pictures. No dates are given, but I assume that they were taken over the three years 1960/61/62.
Long Rock level crossing had its gates replaced by barriers in January 1961 (the first barrier installation in Cornwall) so the presence of gates or barriers (or at least glimpses of the apparatus) gives us the clue.
The lonesome pannier is 9434, which was withdrawn in June 1960 and dumped in the coal stack sidings. She was there for a long time: in the summer of 1962 she was joined there by her sisters 9433 and 9475. All three were fixtures at Long Rock for many months after that.
The picture of D864 has to be 1962 or after, as she only entered service in early 62.
The Castles were all familiar to those of us of a certain age: 4095 had been a Penzance engine from 1958 to 1960 and after that at Laira. All of the others were Laira regulars, 7022 being the last Castle at Laira (and one of the very last to survive).

All the best, Roy

Many thanks Roy.

11th March 2020

11/3/2020

Long Rock
Ian Morton

15 D822 Hercules or D832 Onslaught passing Long Rock. Copyright Ian Morton

Many Thanks Ian

DMU Hybrids
Guy Vincent

Time moves on and we soon forget everyday sights and happenings once they end. During 2018 GWR dispensed with their West fleet of class 150-1 DMUs as more Turbos arrived from the Thames Valley. Also sent on their way were vehicles 57209 and 57212. These were non-toilet equipped and had survived two serious accidents in the 1980s that resulted in their respective partners 52209 and 52212 being written-off and scrapped. 57209/212 were inserted into sets 150121, 125 126 and 127 for various periods and these then ran as either 150921 925 926 and 927. In early 2017 57212 found itself very briefly added to set 150108 but this lasted a matter of days before it joined 150216 that then became 150916. All very confusing! Eventually in May 2018 57209 and 57212 were paired up as 150209 and went to Northern in exchange for 150207 which is now a full time member of the GWR fleet. 150209 had briefly appeared in traffic in 2014 when both the 'floating' spares had needed a major exam. Another hybrid was 150938, created using 150238 and 52219. This was following an accident at Plymouth in April 2016 when 57219 ran into the rear of an HST (43160). Finally, who remembers from 2011 hybrid set 153399 which comprised 57369 and 57221 following a fire that took place in partner 52221 that year.

Anyone care to place a bet on when we will see a 166/158 combination running in traffic? (I'm told all that's needed is a wiring modification to the Turbo coupling head).

Cheers for now, Guy Vincent.

142336 seen at Bradford-on-Avon with 150916 and 57212 numbered 150908. 4th April 2017. Copyright G.Vincent

142336 Bradford-on-Avon 150916 57212 numbered 150908 4th April 2017 Copyright Guy .Vincentt

150938 (52238, 57238 & 52219) seen at Taunton on the 17th January 2017. Copyright Guy Vincent

153399 57369 57221 seen on the heights of Upton Scudamore on the 10th June .2011. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks indeed for the much detailed article and the accompanying photographs. Your detailed records are invaluable.

Plymouth as it is.
Clive Smith

Many thanks to Clive who takes a look at Plymouth station and give us an idea of how it may look in the future when quite massive changes take place.

For official publicity please try this link.
/www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/grand-entrance-plymouths-futuristic-new-3739337

(1) The nine storey tower block is to remain but the exterior will look different following refurbishment and occupation by the University Of Plymouth medical sciences faculty. The station concourse at the front of the photo will receive a facelift too. Copyright Clive Smith.

(2) This is the view from North Road East behind the three floor multi storey car park which will be demolished to make way for a four star hotel, a second university building and a new escalator access from the city centre to the station. Copyright Clive Smith

(3) This photo is taken from the multi storey car park and shows Inter City House and in the foreground the RISC (Rail Incident Safety Centre) building which contains driver training simulators. When this is demolished the new multi storey car park will be built here in 2021. Copyright Clive Smith.

(4) A view from the top floor of the multi storey car park of the side of Inter City House. The car park will be demolished and replaced by a 4-star hotel, second university building and escalator access to the city centre. Copyright Clive Smith.

(5) This view shows the end of the RISC building and platforms 2 through to 8 at the eastern end of the station. The new multi storey car park will be built here in 2021 but I don't know the complete plans for how far it will extend. High security gates restrict all access to the station here, a far cry from when it was the Royal Mail loading and unloading area and I used to bunk in to the station to avoid buying platform tickets in my early teen trainspotting era in the 1970s. The MOT and Tyre Centre was formerly called John Major's Garage. Didn't he used to be Prime Minister ? Copyright Clive Smith.

(6) This is the view from the multi storey car park of the western approach to Plymouth station with the offices between the concourse and signal box to be demolished. This houses the Transport Police and Rail Gourmet catering amongst others. The site will become The Brunel Plaza. Copyright Clive Smith.

(7) This is the view from North Road East which will become the 'gateway' to Plymouth station. These buildings will disappear and everything behind will be transformed.

Thank you Clive.

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