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David 'Tozer's Tractors Today'

25/4/2015

David,our Exeter area reporter, was out and about again today to capture the Class 37 hauled railtour to Meldon Quarry.
The train was the 'Devon Quarryman'. 0558 Crewe - Meldon Quarry 1Z74 and 1530 Meldon - Quarry - Crewe 1Z75
Many thanks to David

The outward leg of the railtour with 37059 leading 37605 at Crediton 25th April 2015 Copyright David Tozer

37605 now leads 37059 as they pass through Pinhoe on the return journey. 25th April 2015 Copyright David Tozer

April 25th, 2015 Saw the Belmond (British Pullman) arrive at Penzance for engine run around. Photos by Roger Salter & Roger Winnen

25/4/2015

On Saturday April 25th The former VSOE now named the British Pullman arrived at Penzance for an engine run around. Being stabled overnight at Truro Yard operational reasons necessitated Penzance being used prior to its departure for an e.c.s. move to Plymouth. A special was scheduled using this stock between Plymouth and Taunton and an evening return trip between Exeter and Kingswear.

150425aa 67026 Diamond Jubilee and 67005 Queens Messenger passes Hayle on route to Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

150425aaaa 67005 Queens Messenger heads the train through St Erth Station. Copyright Roger Salter

150425aa 67026 Diamond Jubilee and 67005 Queens Messenger arrives at Penzance. Copyright Roger Salter

150425aaa The Class 67s ran around the train at slopers siding prior to departing for Plymouth e.c.s. Copyright Roger Salter

150425b 67005 Queens Messenger leads the Belmond (British Pullman) approaching Camborne. This train formed a return service from Plymouth to Taunton and an evening special Exeter to Kingswear. Copyright Roger Winnen

See also Inside Stories 'Features Page'

Caught in the gloom David Tozer

25/4/2015

Hi Keith, In the gathering gloom I popped down to Exeter St Thomas.
Firstly 143621/620 and a Class 150/1 working the 1424 Exmouth – Paignton. The extra unit is to cater for school children on the Torbay Branch. Then 67026/67005 with the 0946 London (Victoria) –Truro.
Dave Many thanks David.

143621/620 and a Class 150/1 working the 1424 Exmouth – Paignton. 24th April 2015 Copyright David Tozer

67026/67005 with the 0946 London (Victoria) –Truro. Copyright David Tozer

Clay at Coldrennick Ron and Jenny Waterwater

25/4/2015

Hi Keith, A couple of shots from yesterday of 66112 on the 6C53 ThO 15:06 St.Blazey-Exeter Riverside crossing Coldrenick viaduct
The standard one by me the other by the assistant, Cheers Ron
Thanks to you both

66112 on the 6C53 ThO 15:06 St.Blazey-Exeter Riverside crossing Coldrenick viaduct. Copyright Ron Westwater

66112 on the 6C53 ThO 15:06 St.Blazey-Exeter Riverside crossing Coldrenick viaduct. Copyright Jenny Westwater

Fresh light/ing at Redruth Peter Jenkin

25/4/2015

Trenches and new posts suggest that Redruth station is going to be 're-lit', the present illumination seems adequate we await 'fresh light being shown on this work!

Trench along the down platform at Redruth station. 24th April 2015 Copyright Peter Jenkin

Redruth station - new lights work. The new 'easy access' lamp posts - they can be bent to lower the light fittings. 24th April 2015 Copyright Peter Jenkin

April 23rd, 2015

24/4/2015

Hi Keith, Been away for a few days so catching up...
A couple of shots taken on Monday..
200415 57303 passes Trerulefoot with 1C99 MO 23:50(Sun) Paddington-Penzance
200415 66092 heads past St Winnow with the morning Goonbarrow to Fowey (Is there a more peaceful place to wait for a train)
Best Regards Ron Many thanks Ron - lovely shots.

57303 passes Trerulefoot with 1C99 MO 23:50(Sun) Paddington-Penzance 20th April 2015 Copyright Ron Westwater

66092 heads past St Winnow with the morning Goonbarrow to Fowey (Is there a more peaceful place to wait for a train) 20th April 2015 Copyright Ron Westwater

Something else rare at Stoke Canon David Tozer

24/4/2015

Hi Keith, Something a little different 67029 ‘Royal Diamond’ propelling the DBS Management train with DVT 82146 on the front. Having just packed away my video gear the barriers at Stoke Canon went down and I hastily got the camera out again. Yes, 70804 with the Exeter (Riverside) – Chirk. Not the best location as it caught me by surprise, Dave
Many thanks

The surprise at Stoke Canon. 22nd April 2015 Copyright David Tozer

18 Years ago - HST to Buckfastleigh and Heathfield

24/4/2015

18 years ago on the 26th April 1997 history was made when a FGW HST traversed the South Devon Railway metals to Buckfastleigh. This unique first and so far only ever HST visit to the South Devon and Heathfield branches was organised by Hertfordshire Rail Tours and named ' The Teign & Dart (125 Special)'

HST used comprised 43032 + 43140 with 7 coaches including 44067
Route :
1Z65 : Paddington to Buckfastleigh
1Z68 : Buckfastleigh to Heathfield
1Z69 : Heathfield to Paddington

Leaving London Paddington at 08.03 43032 led to Totnes where the train reversed and 43140 led the formation to Buckfastleigh. Leaving Buckfastleigh at 16.00 the train returned to Totnes and reversed to run on the main line to Newton Abbot. At Newton Abbot the train made a first ever HST visit to Heathfield. Leaving Heathfield at 17.35 the rare working returned to Newton Abbot and thence back to London Paddington.

We are indebted to Bernard Mills and Roger Winnen for the pictures which follow.

A shot on the return working as the train nears Hood Bridge. 26th April 1997 Copyright Roger Winnen

The returning train at Staverton level crossing. 26th April 1997 Copyright Roger Winnen

The Totnes end of the train didn't clear the run round loop at Buckfastleigh, not that that was needed! 26th April 1997 Copyright Roger Winnen

The HST occupies more than the full length of the platform at Buckfastleigh, 26th April 1997 Copyright Roger Winnen

Just to prove that the 'Teign and Dart Special' did in fact live up to its name here is the special seen here alongside the river Teign on the Heathfield branch near Newton Abbott. 26th April 1997. Copyright Bernard Mills

Tavistock to Bere Alston railway and associated multi-use trails An interesting report forwarded to us by Alan Harris

23/4/2015

An interesting report on the possible Dawlish avoiding route via Okehampton. Click on the link http://www.devon.gov.uk/tavistock-bere-alston-railway-and-trails

Waterloo line workings A report by David Tozer

23/4/2015

After the visit to Newcourt (see below) It was then back to the old Devon County Showfield – now called Arena Park for the SWT Class 158 working.

As you are aware West of Salisbury the services are generally in the hands of SWT Class 159 or 159/1’s in either three car or six car formations. There is however one exception the 1020 1L25 Waterloo – Exeter (St David’s) which on Mondays to Fridays is generally worked by a SWT two car Class 158 along with either a Class 159 or Class 159/1. At Exeter the Class 158 lays over and then works the 1746 1L42 Exeter (St David’s) – Axminster. From Axminster it returns to Exeter as the 1834 5L47 empty stock working. Not long after arriving in Exeter it is then attached to the rear of the 1925 1925 1L76 to Waterloo. Many thanks for your report and photograph David

158888 returning. 22nd April 2015 Copyright David Tozer

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