Blog Archives

10th March 2020

10/3/2020

The Somerset & Dorset
Diesel Gala
Andrew Triggs

On Saturday we attended the Somerset and Dorset Railway Diesel Gala at Midsomer Norton, sadly the booked Class 26 No.5343 had been cancelled but it became a 'Rod fest' with residents Class 08 D4095, Class 03 D2128 and Industrial shunter D1120 all running on the day, for only a mile in length in total, it was an enjoyable day out, 4 shots enclosed for CRS
All the Best
Andrew

Industrial D1120 departing Midsomer Norton with the Demonstration Freight, Copyright Andrew Triggs

Class 08 D4095 returning back down to Midsomer Norton. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Triple Loco working with D1120, D2128 with D4095 heading up to Chilcompton cutting. Copyright Andrew Triggs

All 3 locos at Midsomer Norton during a shunting move later in the day Copyright Andrew Triggs

Thanks Andrew

Eden Pixie
Alan Peters

The Eden Pixie railtour arriving at Par on 10th August 2002 with 37197 'Riley and Son' in two tone green livery unfortunately this loco has now been scrapped after being sold to DRS.

Alan Peters

Eden Pixie Railtour arrives at Par on the 10th Aug 2002. 37197 in two tone green. Copyright Alan Peters

Many thanks to you Alan.

Long Rock
Ian Morton

14 1008 County of Cardigan passes Long Rock. Copyright Ian Morton

Thanks Ian

Newquay
Clive Smith

It's Easter Monday 23rd April 1984 and 45057 stands at Newquay with the 17.50 1Z23 return Adex to Bristol Parkway. The train was booked for a class 45 and so a fair contingent of peak bashers were on board including myself. With record temperatures for this late Bank Holiday we all decamped down to the beach for a game of football with jumpers for goalposts. The sea temperature for this time of year was still as you would expect for April which came as a shock to some foolhardy members of our group who went for a dip. Happy carefree days much missed.

Regards, Clive Smith.

Newquay 45057 'smiles' as it waits with the 17.50 return to Bristol on the 23rd April 1984.. Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks Clive for the picture and your memories, as you say the Peak does look happy with the smile!!

Bristol
Paul Barlow

33027 & 33023 wait with the 01.24 to Milford Haven at platform 9 Bristol Temple Meads on the 4th September 1982. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul for another of you pictures taken during your long night time sojourn at Bristol Temple Meads.

9th March 2020

9/3/2020

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.

Long Rock Shed
Michael Forward

Hello Roger, I hope your recovery is going well and that things are healing.
Lovely pictures on the site from Ian Morton,what memories they have brought back! I look forward to more.
I attach a picture of class 25274 on shed on 22 June 1975,not very sharp but it was a very bright day and not a good camera,but I hope of interest.
Keep up the good work and exercises,Michael

Many Thanks Michael

Bristol '82
Paul Barlow

50013 Agincourt with the Penzance to Paddington TPO mail train 4th September 1982. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul

Long Rock
Ian Morton

12 One of the early built Swindon Class 42a numbered between D800-D812 fitted to carry train description panels. Copyright Ian Morton

Thanks Ian

Devon Compton Railtour
Click here for more pictures - see item 2004 in our features section

D6515 heads the Devon Compton Railtours at Chard Jct. Devon Compton 8th March 2020 Bill Elston

33012 and 33207 Climbs up through Wilmington on route to Honiton. Copyright Paul Barlow

.33012 leading on approach to Honiton. Copyright Andrew Triggs

200308o D6515 Awaits departure from Exeter St David's to Coleford Junction. Copyright Roger Salter

200308i Lt Jenny Lewis R.N looks smart in the green livery as it arrives back at Crediton. Copyright Roger Winnen

8th March 2020

8/3/2020

A repeat of this months Home Page picture taken by Clive Smith, copyright. N.B. 'This picture dated 9th February 1985'

In the late 1970s and 1980s British Rail offered special Saturday cheap day bargain fares from Devon to a number of long distance destinations as far afield as Derby, Crewe, Swansea, Oxford and Portsmouth. The latter destination was attractive as a stepping stone to the Isle Of Wight and I made two outings there that decade on these fares. However on this date the weather took a turn for the worse and I decided to abort my journey at Southampton Central station largely spending time in the buffet or waiting room for warmth, occasionally stepping out to take a photo . This was one such and quite a rarity. I believe set L401 consisted of W51333, 59485, 51375. I have no idea what this working was as there were no DMU diagrams at Southampton for the best part of two decades if my knowledge is correct, only Southern DEMUs. This being a Reading allocated set and with poor weather, it could have been a stop gap additional on the cross country route but my notes show the inter- regionals were running and not heavily delayed. Bit of a mystery.
Regards, Clive Smith.

To the above we are very pleased to add the following additional comment by Civil Engineer John Roberts who gives even more details of traffic at the time and his own experience in Southampton tunnel.
Thanks for an interesting March home page. I was struck by Clive Smith’s suggestion that there hadn’t been any DMU diagrams in Southampton since c1965. The Swindon Inter-Cities were built for the Cardiff-Portsmouth axis and operated 1963-68 as 8-cars with buffet, but by the time I made my first rail trip to Southampton c1969 they’d been replaced by Hymeks, initially with Mk1 6-buffet sets but later reduced to 5-non-buffet and then 4-sets. When I started at Fratton Depot in 1973, these had just been downgraded to a mix of Swindon Cross-Countries and DEMUs displaced from recently-closed branches. There were some 6-car, but mostly 3-car with consequent crowding and limited lavatories which led to further downfall of the route. So in 1976 a few Inter-Cities reappeared and then they went back to loco haulage, initially Cl 31, but by the time I was working in Southampton Tunnel in 1983 we were being asphyxiated by Cromptons and the occasional Brush 4. We complained to the Chief Medical Officer and he sent a team down to measure their emissions, but we were told that Diesel exhaust wasn’t harmful. Finally in 1988 they went over to the new-fangled Sprinters (155, 156 and now 158) which continue to this day.
However, strange things happened at weekends when peak stock was freed from elsewhere, especially in Summer or during engineering work, eg loco-hauled sets from East Grinstead or Hastings units on the Brighton-Exeter. I don’t recall ever seeing a high-density DMU at Southampton, but a Bristol or Cardiff set could have been turned out to cover. The fact that L401 was always based at Reading makes me wonder if Clive’s spot had come down the main line, either as an excursion (unlikely in February) or driver-training, or because of engineering work somewhere.
Best wishes, John.

Many thanks to both John and Clive.

Nunney Castle
Ian Morton

11 5029 Nunney Castle passes Long Rock Signal Box. Copyright Ian Morton

Thanks Ian

Night Sleeper & Thoughts
Andrew Rigler

I am a fairly regular user of the Night Riviera service the 23:45 ex Paddington. Normally, this gets into Plymouth for 05:11 but, last night things did not go to plan with 57 602 Restormel Castle, failing as it took up the load leaving Paddington. After more than two hours we were finally on our way with DRS Class 57 306 dragging the disgraced 57 602 all the way back to Penzance. As it was a sleeper train and I had a cabin, it was no big deal for me, but if I only had a seat, sitting around for a couple of extra hours overnight would not have been so much fun. However, the staff on the train were excellent as usual.

My thoughts and conclusions. First, it took a couple of hours to find and deliver, a replacement loco. I’m sure that in the days of Ranelagh Bridge Depot and Old Oak Common, we would have not needed to wait a so long to leave London, but that’s progress! Also, 57 306 appeared to really struggle with the load over the wet Devon banks. I thought at first it was slowing deliberately, but no, the train sped away up every time it hit a downgrade. Finally, the noise 57 306 made leaving Plymouth heading for Penzance at 07:02, so nearly two hours late, was pretty impressive and included a bit of horn!

Best wishes, Andy. Andrew Rigler, Manager UK & IRL

DRS 57306 at Plymouth 7th March 2020 Copyright Andrew Rigler

152D 57602 dead at Plymouth with 57 306 taking the load. 7th March 2020 Copyright Andrew Rigler.

Many thanks for your report Andrew. From other reports the night sleeper seems quite prone to problems these days. From my very limited experiance on the sleepers mamy years ago as an enthusiast sleep is difficult as you lie there waiting for the next bridge or tunnel!

Dawn at
Redruth
Martin Scane

On the 7th March 2020 Martin Scane witnesses the arrival of the 06.46 to Penzance; This train was formed of 43040 St Mawes Castle on the front with 43094 on the rear. Copyright Martin Scane

Many thanks Martin.

7th March 2020

7/3/2020

Harlech Castle
Ian Morton

10 4095 Harlech Castle passes Long Rock Signal Box. Copyright Ian Morton

Thanks Ian

Bristol
Paul Barlow

Paul continues his night time shots at Bristol Temple Meads in 1982.

46052 Waits to depart Bristol on the 0110 parcels train to Leeds 1E61.This train was a mixed parcel and passenger service until the May 1982 timetable change . 4th September 1982. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul.

Exeter, Red Cow.
Roger Winnen

Exeter Middle Signal Box, a view taken on the 21st April 1976. Copyright Roger Winnen. The barrier is down to road traffic but pedestrians scurry across under the watchful eye of a staff member.

6th March 2020

6/3/2020

Long Rock Panniers
Ian Morton

9 One of the Long Rock based 84xx 94xx Class of 0-6-0 pannier tanks over the years possibly 8409 8473 9433 9463 or 9475 Copyright Ian Morton

Thanks Ian

Par
Clive Smith

50010 Monarch arrives at Par with the 07.40 Penzance - Glasgow Central on a sunny Saturday morning on 6th July 1985. Copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks Clive.

Rail Replacement
Liskeard
Peter Murnaghan

The Rail replacement Looe bus waiting to depart from Liskeard, as 158 749 departs with the 1515 Penzance - Plymouth. 5th Mar 20. Copyright Peter Murnaghan. Rail replacement buses are very common these days - Peter has caught both bus and train beautifully in this case.

Many thanks Peter.

5th March 2020

5/3/2020

Long Rock
Ian Morton

8 North British built D864 Zambesi at Long Rock. This engine lasted to the early 1970s. Copyright Ian Morton

Thanks Ian.

Bristol
Paul Barlow

A few night shots at Bristol on Friday night/Saturday morning while waiting for summer Saturday overnight inter regionals.

Very few Peaks worked past Bristol that night with engine changes taking place and replaced by 47s. I finally left on 46045 to Plymouth with the 2120 Newcastle-Newquay.

Kind regards. Paul Barlow

46045 heads the 2120 Newcastle to Newquay at Bristol 4 Sepember 1982, This loco worked through to Plymouth, where 47124 took the train to Newquay Copyright Paul Barlow

Very many thanks for the pictures complete with all the details. One wonders were you based at Bristol at the time?

Devon Compton Railtour
Karl Hewlett

Here are the times for this Sundays 8th March railtour, 'The Devon Crompton', utilising 33012 plus a WCRC class 33 top and tail with either a WCRC class 37/47 or 57. The tour will only go a far as Coleford Junction due to the unfortunate demise of Dartmoor Rail at Okehampton:

1Z38 London Victoria to Coleford Junction Via Yeovil Junction, Pen Mill and Riverside Yard Exeter:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53295/2020-03-08/detailed

1Z39 Coleford Junction to London Waterloo via Riverside Yard Exeter, Bristol Temple Meads, Bathampton Junction, Westbury, Wilton and Salisbury:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53297/2020-03-08/detailed

Regards, Karl (Friends Of Penmere Station).

Many thanks Karl - a sad business about the demise of Dartmoor Rail.

4th March 2020

4/3/2020

Long Rock
Ian Morton

7 A Castle Class engines outside of Long Rock Depot. Copyright Ian Morton

Thanks Ian

Teignmouth
Clive Smith

A pair of class 143 pacers arrive at Teignmouth with the 09.12 Paignton - Exmouth on the 9th December 2019 with 143617 the rear set. Not sure what the front set was. A lovely crisp sunny December morning. Since the 15th December the six Exeter based pacers out of the fleet of eight at Exeter have been paired up with class 150s to comply with legislation requiring disability toilet access in 2020 on all trains, which the 150s will provide. How much longer will these much derided DMUs plough on ? The Plym Valley Railway are rumoured to be acquiring one donated by the units' owner so they will still be operating around the region. Whether any end up being converted into burger vans or beach cafes on our lovely coastline remains to be seen!

Regards, Clive Smith

Pacers at Teignmouth on the 9th December 2019. Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks Clive. A nice bit of light at the right time.

Dawlish
Phil Smith

60006 approaching Dawlish station in 2000. Loco scrapped at Totton depot in 2020. Copyright Phil Smith.

Phil adds a comment 'Loco scrapped at Totton 2020 - what a waste.
Thanks for the picture Phil, unusual light.

Exeter
Paul Barlow

45070 with a freight from Friary passes Exeter St Davids on the 7th June 1982. Copyright Paul Barlow.

A picture completed by those wonderful semaphores!
Many thanks Paul.

Main line Closures
Guy Vincent

Guy very kindly sent us a number of newspaper cuttings from his collection - here is the first. We take a look at memories of these stations which all closed w.e.f. 5th October 1964.

Doublebois. A picture taken in January 1965. Copyright Mike Roach

Grampound Road. 5th September 1964. Copyright Mike Roach.

Chacewater 1065 Western Consort passes through with the 09.30 Paddington to Penzance 10th April 1976. Copyright Roger Winnen.

A class 118 on the 2C70 comes in to stop at Scorrier. Copyright Morven Munday

Gwinear Road 3rd November 1962. Copyright Mike Roach.

Marazion - Copyright the late Jon Wood.

Appreciation to Morvan Munday, Mike Roach, Roger Winnen, and the late Jon Wood.

3rd March 2020

3/3/2020

7022 at Long Rock
Ian Morton

6 7022 Hereford Castle at Long Rock built by British Railways in 1949 and scrspped by Birds Bridgend September 1965. Copyright Ian Morton

Many thanks Ian.

Three Peaks at
Exeter
Paul Barlow

All beautifully lined up for a picture. Three Peaks at Exeter shed 45041 'Royal tank regiment' 45118 'Royal Artillaryman' ,45049 'The Staffordshire Regiment', The date is the 21st May 1982. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Lostwithiel
Diane & Andrew Jones

Lostwithiel Class 60033 seen at Lostwithiel late Autumn 1997. Copyright Andrew and Diane Jones.

Dear Keith and Valerie, I have attached a photograph of class 60 number 60033, working an up clay in late autumn 1997 at Lostwithiel.
Built by Brush Traction and nicknamed ‘Tugs’, they were fitted with a Mirriees MB275T engine rated at 3,100 bhp.
60033 entered service on the 22nd Feb 1991 and was only 6 years old when this photograph was taken. She was originally named ‘Anthony Ashley Cooper’ and later ‘Tees Steel Express’
Classmate 60006 was the first to be scrapped on the 20th January 2020, 60086,60050 and 60081 are now preserved.
60028,60029,60046 and 60055 are currently being overhauled for DCRail.. Best wishes Andrew and Diane

Many thanks for your photograph and the additional information.

Demolition of
Long Rock Box
Roger Winnen

In the light of the current series of pictures by Ian Morton taken in the area it is thought most appropriate to include this picture of the demise of the box. Demolition of Long Rock Signal Box 12th October 1974. Copyright Roger Winnen

2nd March 2020

2/3/2020

Around Plymouth & Saltash
Roger Winnen

200302c Taunton Castle heads the 10.50 Penzance to Cardiff seen arriving at Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

200302d A tamping machine heads west through Saltash bound for St Erth. Copyright Roger Winnen

200302e Restoration work is well in hand at Saltash. Copyright Roger Winnen

200302f Saltash gateway to Cornwall. Copyright Roger Winnen

200302g Looking down from the overbridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

200302i 43005 arrives at Bodmin Parkway on the 14.17 Plymouth Penzance service. Copyright Roger Winnen

Two Power Cars

Marazion & St Austell
Andrew Triggs Roger Winnen

Enclosed shot for CRS of 43171 with 43172 'Harry Patch' working 0Z77 09.31 Longrock T&RSMD-Laira T&RSMD this morning passing Marazion following contract maintenance at Longrock Depot
All the Best, Andrew .

Photograph Copyright Andrew Triggs

Thanks Andrew

200302a The pair of Power Cars passing through St Austell. Copyright Roger Winnen

200302bb Harry Patch brings up the rear guard action. Copyright Roger Winnen

Warship Long Rock
Ian Morton

5 A Class 42 or 43 Warship passes Long Rock. Copyright Ian Morton

Thanks Ian.

Exeter
St Davids & Central
Clive Smith

An outing to Exeter coincided with some long bouts of wintry sunshine and an opportunity to use the camera. No surprise that February 2020 has been declared the wettest February on record.

(1) 43042 is at the rear of the terminated 08.50 Penzance - Exeter St Davids. Strange weather this leap day with bright sunshine and blue skies punctuated with sudden bursts of near horizontal hail and sleet. Thankfully not while I took this.

(2) 143611 is in the foreground at the rear of the 12.55 Paignton - Exmouth. The front set is a 150. 143612 is in the background and is the front set of the late running 13.24 Exmouth - Paignton.

Regards, Clive.

Pict 1. At Exeter St Davids. 29th February 2020Copyright Clive Smith

A nice but cold and crisp day, Many thanks to you Clive.

Paignton
Paul Barlow

Peak 45150 backs on empty stock off 06.00 Aberdeen to Paignton the 1V87 on the 29th May 1982. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul

1st March 2020

1/3/2020

Southampton
Clive Smith

Taking pride of place today goes to Clive who has also provided us with our two contrasting Home Page pictures this month and will be providing a number of pictures throughout the month.

33008 pulls out of Southampton Central with the 10.10 Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Temple Meads on the 5th June 1982. Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks Clive

Long Rock Crossing
Ian Morton

4 5029 Nunney Castle passes Long Rock Signal Box. Nunney Castle survived the cutters torch and has been seen over the years hauling Railtours to Cornwall. Copyright Ian Morton

West Somerset Freight 2013
Roger Winnen

130318ad The West Somerset Gala Freight hauled by 7828 Norton Manor on 13th March 2013 skirts the main road as it departs Bishops Lydeard. Copyright Roger Winnen

130318ak 5193 rebuilt as 9351 hauls the freight on the West Somerset. Railway approaching Castle Hill. Copyright Roger Winnen

Exeter
Paul Barlow

45123 'The Lancashire Regiment' seen on Exeter Shed on the 29th May 1982. Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul

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