Blog Archives

May 21st 2018

21/5/2018

The visit of 800029 to
West Cornwall
Roger Salter & Andrew Triggs

180521a 800029 Climbs out of St Erth and is seen approaching Arch Lane Bridge. Copyright Roger Salter

180521b Class 800 800029 approaching Marazion running as the 5X89 from Stoke Gifford 10 mins late. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180521c Railway staff inspect the IET stabled in Platform 4 at Penzance. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180521d Departure at 11.08 now running as the 5X91 to Exeter St David's. Copyright Andrew Triggs

A POWERFUL PHOTOGRAPH
at Patchway
Guy Vincent

GWR 4965 Root Aston Hall & 4936 Kinlet Hall storm through Patchway on the 1Z50 1506 Newport to Tyseley VT 'Double Headed Haulage'. 23rd March 2013. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks Guy.

'Defiance' at Lostwithiel
and down the branch.
Ron Kosys

Ron writes:- Thursday 28th April 1988 was just typical of my ‘luck’ whilst trying to phot 50149.
When the weather was good, there was very little traffic on the move.
And when the weather wasn’t so good there was a fair bit about.

Well this day was appallingly bad. It was very dull and very wet. Pity digital photography wasn’t around at that time....
This particular Thursday found 50149 employed almost continuously between Lostwithiel and Fowey.
Unfortunately it was that dark Kodachrome photography was nigh-on impossible, but you had to give it a go...

Here, 50149 passes through Lostwithiel heading for Fowey with loaded CDA’s. Note 47339 in the former Fowey bay platform.
It didn’t move all day so I’m guessing it was out of service.
THANK YOU Ron The light might be bad but your photos are excellent - to every cloud there is a silver lining!! Many thanks indeed.

50149 at Lostwithiel 28th April 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys

50149 returns a little later with a string of empties. 28th April 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys

Shortly afterwards, 50149 heads off once again for Fowey in the pouring rain with a train of loaded CDA’s. Unfortunately I was a little caught out, and didn’t allow myself sufficient time to get further along the footpath. A pity he adds! 28th April 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys

Later that afternoon, 50149 headed once more for Fowey. The weather was dreadful. Not a good advertisement at all for the Cornwall Tourist Board. It is seen at Golant hauling 8 loaded CDA’s – the shortest train I noted all day. I’m not sure if the tide was actually in, or if the harbour was full due to the amount of rain that had fallen that day!!!!! 28th April 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys

Salisbury
John Cornelius

May 20th, 2018

20/5/2018

Visit of the Cornwall Railway Society
to Pentewan on Sat 19th May 2018
A conducted tour led by Bob Evans

180519c Bob Evans from Pentewan being a local Historian for the Old Cornwall Society and a notable Railway Historian addresses the party. Copyright Roger Winnen

180519p Looking towards Pentewan Village Square. Copyright Roger Winnen

180519v Looking into the inner basin. It is now not possible to walk across these gates owing to their condition. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many thanks to Bob for a most interesting event.
For a full report on this visit to Pentewan
CLICK HERE to go into features pages 1813 April end 2018 onwards

Skirting Dartmoor
Clive Smith

Good Morning Keith
Near perfect sunny conditions on Saturday morning was an opportunity not to be wasted to photograph HSTs on 'the Londons' before the IEP replacement starts in July.
Regards Clive Smith Many thanks Clive

09.00 Penzance to Paddington at Hemerdon. 19th May 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

09.06 Paddington to Ply near Cornwood about to cross Blatchford Viaduct. The late flowering bluebells this year add a lovely touch of colour. 19th May 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

10.00 Pz to Paddington at Hemerdon. 20th May 2018 Copyright Clive Smith

Pinhoe, this morning.
David Tozer

Keith, Yes, 0613 on a Sunday morning and the rare sight of a Colas Class 66 Pinhoe. After dropping ballast 66847 works the 0642 6C03 Pinhoe - Westbury with fifteen ballast hoppers. It was held at Exmouth Junction for a while when I caught up with it - pity about the bushes. Dave
Many thanks David - up late today!!

Slightly later, 06.30 20th May 2018 near Exmouth Jct. Copyright David Tozer.

St James Park
David Tozer

47586 passes St James' Park with a diverted Plymouth to Manchester service. 15th October 1988 Copyright David Tozer

Par Harbour
Adrian Vaughan

A real Gem of a picture taken from Five Arches Viaduct where the GWR main line crosses over the very short branch from St Blazey Yard to the herbour. An infrequent movement these days. This marvellous photograph had kindly been sent in by Adrian Vaughan is of a 63xx on a china clay working. Copyright H.J. Ashman FRP. Adrian Vaughan Collection

The text on the photo of the 22 leaving Par Docks indicate that today this is not a frequent event. I just wanted to clarify that currently JIA wagons are loaded at Par every week, usually on a Wednesday morning (at around 08:00). I hope that this helps potential photographers. Regards Andrew Keast Many thanks Andrew.

We see 6806 Blackwell Grange crossing 5 arches bridge. Included in this most interesting view is Par Bridge Signal box. This box which closed on the 6th October 1968 controlled traffic to and from the harbour and also the line from St Blazey to Fowey. Evidence of the position of the 'Fowey line' is the smoke stained arch to the right. Copyright Peter Barlow, Adrian Vaughan Collection

Eastleigh
Ron Kosys

A familiar view from Campbell Road Bridge Eastleigh of 47714 with the 1O04 0755 Sundays Ealing Broadway-Weymouth 4th August 1991 Copyright Ron Kosys.

Totnes Riverside
John Cornelius

May 19th 2018

19/5/2018

Looe Branch
Mystery picture

D.M.U single track Copyright Adrian Vaughan Collection

Roy Hart suggest - My guess is 'climbing out of Coombe Junction towards Liskeard'. The signal is right for that and the setting fits. The tail lamp in position suggests that the train is descending towards the junction. Many thanks Roy.

Salisbury
Ron Kosys

Non-heat Class 47 47279 departs Salisbury with 1O39 1548 Exeter to Waterloo on Sunday 21st July 1991. Copyright Ron Kosys

Minehead
John Cornelius

18th May 2018

18/5/2018

Rare residents at Exmouth Junction
David Tozer

SWR 159s are common at Exmouth Junction. Just for a change GWR sent out 158763 on the 16.08 St David's to St James Park. Thence ECS to Exmouth Junction and back to St James Park. It then worked the 16.43 to Paignton. Copyright David Tozer

180517a 158763 in the resident parking area on the 16.08 St David's to St James Park. Thence ECS to Exmouth Junction to work 16.43 to Paignton. Copyright David Tozer

180517b 159106 & 158763 at Exmouth Junction. Copyright David Tozer

Mystery Picture
Adrian Vaughan

Adrian Vaughan has kindly sent in this mystery picture. The DMU blind says Carmarthen. However it is a Plymouth based unit and the background suggests that it is of a unit heading for St Blazey Bridge Level Crossing - but where was it taken from?

Newbridge Cross
Ron Kosys

A Met Camm 3 car unit P826 on the 08.35 Barnstable to Exeter passes Newbridge Cross between Crediton and Cowley Bridge on the 5th May 1989 Copyright Ron Kosys

Minehead
John Cornelius

What an impressive sight and sound. Copyright John Cornelius

May 17th, 2018

17/5/2018

Fancy a couple of very interesting Cycle Rides?
with Colin Burges

Try this link to find out where Colin went on his 'off road' explorations. Click here and scroll down - quite a long way. Very interesting stuff for railway enthusiasts who will need to be very fit!

Evening Departures from Penzance
Emma Shard

180516a 37099 Merl Evans with its test train in the siding at Penzance prior to its late evening departure. Copyright Emma Shard

180516b 57604 Pendennis Castle at Penzance with the Night Riviera. Copyright Emma Shard

Record breaking news.
John Roberts

"It's not often that transport makes the headline item on the lunchtime news, but Chris Grayling has just announced that he's taking InterCity East Coast (ICEC) back in house on 24th June.
You will recall that it was let on 1st March 2015 for eight years to 31st March 2023 to Inter City Railways Ltd (90% owned by Stagecoach and 10% by Virgin) trading as Virgin Trains East Coast. In November 2017, Stagecoach-Virgin said that it's £3.3bn bid and revenue forecasts were too high and Grayling said he would end it three years early in 2020, but in February he announced its imminent failure.
This is the third time ICEC has collapsed, previously Sea-Containers (GNER) in 2006 and National Express in 2009. From 2009-15 ICEC was run by a government company Directly-Operated Railways, and a similar arrangement will now follow with a company called London & North Eastern Railway, and a view to forming a public-private partnership in 2020."
Best wishes, John Roberts. Many thanks John - big news indeed.

Ponsandane
Mike Hitchens

A warship heads towards the terminus. An undated picture from the Mike Hitchens Collection. Copyright

Bath
Ron Kosys

Taken from the London end of the up platform 31402 enters Bath with the 1310 Portsmouth to Cardiff on the 20th February 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys

Blue Anchor
John Cornelius

All eyes are on 9351 as it cruises into Blue Anchor. Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on May 16th 2018

16/5/2018

The Early Bird
Test Train to St Ives
Andrew Triggs & Roger Winnen

180516d 37099 Merl Evans at Penzance. The time is 05.18 Copyright Andrew Triggs

180516a Its 05.40 as 37099 arrives at St Erth with its test train to St Ives. Copyright Roger Winnen

180516e The St Erth Station with the bus interchange under contruction in the background. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180516b 37099 Merl Evans approaches windy Carbis Bay on the test train from Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

180516c 37099 Merl Evans 1947-2016 arrives at St Ives at 06.09. Copyright Roger Winnen

180516f Viewed from Hayle Causeway the return test train is heading for Lelant Saltings. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180516g The test train is approaching the former Marazion Station. Copyright Andrew Triggs - Copy

Many thanks to Andrew and Roger.

Test Train Timings
Karl Hewlett

This is a note from Karl received at half twelve last night. I'm up early but not that early. Welcome to the modern day railways, the test train run to Devon and Cornwall with a Colas Rail class 37 (now identified as 37099), has eventually moved out of Exeter and is now running in one of the four other paths in the system from the one I posted a couple of days ago. It eventually left 67 mins late off Waggonersway and on its way at the time of typing up this email:

Tuesday 15th May Exeter Old Yard Waggonersway to Penzance via St Ives
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H33268/2018/05/15/advanced

Wednesday 16th May Penzance to Exeter Old Yard Waggonersway

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H33271/2018/05/16/advanced

With another company using heritage traction making a visit here with their timings only activating on RTT an hour before its due to depart (really helpful), there is another website that readers may or may not know about http://www.opentraintimes.com/maps Click on the area you want, in our case Western at the bottom, click on Taunton to Liskeard and you will now have a signal box diagram as an image, scroll left to right for the section you want of this line and in the black boxes a headcode will show the near location of train you wish to follow. You can get the headcode out of Realtimetrains and use it for searching in Opentraintimes! Its another helpful way of tracking movements if you know the headcode which the more interesting stuff you can also take an educated guess at, these differ from the normal passenger codes an example 1C54.
Regards, Karl (Friends of Penmere Station).
No doubt Roger and Andrew are out early this morning to catch this one - we'll see, or not see. Well done chaps.

Kingsteignton
Ron Kosys

31458 at Kingsteignton with the 1V34 0604 Satturdays only Derby-Paignton. 5th August 1989 Copyright Ron Kosys

Whilst waiting for 31458 to return from Paignton, 47338 headed for Burngullow with the Polybulk empties from Dover.
Saturday 5th August 1989

47338 at Kingsteignton with the Dover to Burngullow on the 5th August 1989 Copyrighth Ron Kosys

Dunster
John Cornelius

Items added on May 15th 2018

15/5/2018

Calstock
Roger Geach

A very quick visit to Devon / Cornwall last week had a day out with Bernard Mills .
Here is the 1054 Plymouth - Gunny at Calstock still a lovely shot .
Roger Geach Many thanks Roger, glad you had a good day.

Calstock 150234 2g67 the 1054 Plymouth to Gunnislake 10th May 2018 Copyright Roger Geach

The Class 37s return to Crewe Gresty Bridge (DRS)
Andrew Triggs

180515b The return working at 10.25 this morning 37218 37259 approaching Ponsandane. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180515c Approaching the wooden overbridge at Ponsandane .Copyright Andrew Triggs

180515d The clag from the 37s is seen as they pass the washplant. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Five from Craig
Craig Munday

The trip of two DRS class 37s caused a bit of excitement, in perfect times and light for some scenic pictures. I caught them on the way down on 14th at Respryn & cruising across Hayle viaduct with a high tide, and some small boats bobbing around.

I was at Liskeard for their return on 15th, and took a shot with the locos being passed by the down HST.

Cheers for now. Craig. Well 'copped', Craig. Many thanks.

37218 37259 at Respryn working down as OZ63 14th May 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

Hayle 0Z63 37218 37259 passing over the viaduct 14th May 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

150002 on a down working at Respryn. 14th May 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

A smashing shot, perfect timing. 37218 37259 working back as OZ09 15th May 2018 Copyright Craig Munday

Well lit. Liskeard Box on the 15th May 2018. Copyright Craig Munday

Redruth
Jacob Hampson

A smashing picture of the 37's as they pass through Redruth on the 14th May 2018. Copyright Jacob Hampson.

Ivybridge
Clive Smith

DRS 37259 and 37218 pass Langham Levels in Ivybridge with the 0Z81 07.55 Crewe Gresty Bridge to Penzance Sloper Sidings light engine movement on Monday 14th May 2018. Copyright Clive Smith

Thoughts from
John Roberts

"A DfT consultation which ran from 8th May to 26th June 2014 proposed the GW franchise specification for 2015-2020. On 23rd March 2015, DfT published the results which then assumed that the next GW franchise would run from September 2015 to March 2019. However, instead of a competition, the First franchise was extended from 2015 to 2016, then to 2018 and currently to 2019.
On 29th November 2017 DfT published its most recent consultation which closed on 21st February 2018. The principal suggestions are:
1. It's inefficient to change operator in the middle of the current upgrade programme, so Dft proposes to extend the current franchise from 31st March 2019 to March 2020 and negotiate with First further to extend it to March 2022;
2. To split off a West of England franchise in March 2022, comprising Paddington to Penzance and branches, plus Cardiff to Portsmouth and Malvern to Weymouth, leaving GW with Paddington to Bristol, Swansea and the Cotswolds and branches. (Sub-options could see the recreation of Thames or Wessex. This is a policy reversal as the recent trend has been towards reducing the number of franchises and one operator per London terminal, eg Southern, Greater Anglia and East Midlands, and until now GW.)
3. Closer integration of Franchisee and Network Rail to improve customer service.
DfT says it will publish a summary of consultation responses and a plan for the 2020s in mid-2018 so watch this space!
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/great-western-rail-franchise
Arriva Cross Country is also currently in Direct Award with the tender process now starting with a view to a new franchise commencing in December 2019.
I note that hardly any of the projects foreseen by my report of 9th August 2012 have been completed and some have sunk without trace!
Many of us were surprised when DfT awarded EC and WC to the same operator, and then SWR and GW, as it used to be policy to promote competition and such monopolies would have been unlikely to have been approved."

Some thoughts on happenings in the railway world by Founder Member John Roberts. Very many thanks John.

Dawlish Red Cliffs
Ron Kosys

It's high tide at Dawlish and the walkway is wet as 31445+31455 haul the 1M37 0840 Saturdays only Paignton-Manchester past those marvellous red cliffs at Dawlish 30th September 1989 Copyright Ron Kosys

Yeovil Railway Centre
John Cornelius

Models on display at YRC. Copyright John Cornelius

Items added on May 14th 2018 Items added most recently come first

14/5/2018

Monday Evening at Exminster
David Tozer

180514g 66568 at Exminster with the 18.05 Fairwater Yard to Plymouth

180514h Tailed by 66550 on route to Plymouth. Copyright David Tozer

180514i Taken from the same vantage point143621 150221 on the Exmouth Paignton service. - Copyright David Tozer

Driver Training on Class 37s
Crewe to Penzance
Andrew Triggs, Roger Winnen & Mick House

This run was a last minute arrangement using a pair of DRS Class 37s 37259 & 37218 on driver training to Penzance. Being the 0Z81 07.55 Crewe to Penzance arriving at 18.20 34 minutes early.

37 259 & 218 pass Hallenbeagle. Copyright Mick House.

180514b Across the 36 pier Hayle Viaduct. 37259 and 37218 head for Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

180514c Going into the shadow of the ASDA store at Hayle. Copyright Roger Winnen

180514f 37259 & 37218 are seen approaching Rosevidney Bridge on route to Penzance.Copyright Andrew Triggs

180514d 37218 and 37259 are seen stabled in the station sidings at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

180514g The pair of Class 37s viewed from the Station Wall at Penzance. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Freight in the South West, Southern England and Wales
Roger Winnen

180503a 66187 awaits to depart Par with clay to Fowey Docks on 3rd May 2018. Copyright Roger Winnen

180503b 70006 Heads eastbound through Southampton Station with a Freightliner on 3rd May 2018

180505a Mighty power for this freight seen passing through Cardiff 66566 66517 and 66547 heading east on 5th May 2018. . Copyright Roger Winnen

180507a 66584 Heads east through Newport on Bank Holiday Monday. Copyright Roger Winnen

180507b Also on Bank Holiday Monday 66172 Paul Melleney named on 31st August 2005 heads west through Newport Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

Special Trains
Karl Hewlett

Booked to run this week is a Network Rail test train which will be the usual class 37, there are a couple of variants in the system but the times bellow should be the right ones:

Tuesday 15th Exeter Riverside New Yard to Penzance via Fowey, Parkandillack and Falmouth Docks

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H33270/2018/05/15/advanced

Wednesday 16th Penzance to Exeter Old Yard Waggonersway

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H33271/2018/05/16/advanced

Running a Q Path so keep an eye out on the timings nearer the time.
Regards, Karl (Friends of Penmere Station). Many thanks Karl

Stafford Bridge
Colin Burges

Colin Burges is a very fit gentleman who explores our railways in perhaps the best possible way using his faithful bicycle. The bike gets him easily and relatively quickly to venues otherwise inaccessible. Here we see a perfect example as Colin pauses for a while on Stafford Bridge which spans the River Exe as it winds its way down the flat flood plain towards Exeter. In this rare view we see an up Cross Country service approaching accelerating after a PW slack. Copyright for this 'gem' of a picture is with Colin Burges.

Colin writes :- On the bridge I met the farmer at Woodrow doing his rounds. He asked me if anything special was due, as that is the only time he sees anyone lingering on the bridge. We talked about grassland, milk production, flooding, Network Rail and farming in general. He told me that his pasture had been flooded twice this year and that he had to walk over it each time to pick up debris washed down river. He told me a lot of damage can be done to a forage harvester by a metal can. He had complained to Network Rail about the state of the occupation crossing. He told me that he once phoned to ask for three minutes to get his herd across, only for a cow get a hoof caught in the timbers (at long last replaced by rubber units). Trying to extract it, he could hear the phones ringing - the signalman asking for "line clear."

Shaldon
Ron Kosys

Opposite Shaldon 31406+31420 skirt the river bank on the2nd September 1989 Copyright Ron Kosys

Items added on 13th May 2018 Those added most recently come first

13/5/2018

Lynton & Barnstable Gala
12th May 2018
John Cornelius

Good Evening Keith, here's a selection of pics I took at the L&B
gala today. 2-4-0 'LYN' was working passenger trains, while
0-4-2'FAITH' and 0-6-0'AXE' top'n'tailed the goods train.
John Uphill has put 'Faith' up for sale, asking price £140,000.
Anybody interested. Travelling by car made a great difference
to time. Leaving home at 0840, we were at WOODY BAY just after 1030
Having used the P&R from Blackmore gate. we left WOODY BAY at 1535
Blackmore gate at 1550 and arrived home at 1730. Had we done it by train I wouldn't have been home to 2050.
cheers JOHN C.

'Faith' is up for sale at £140,00 - anybody interested? Copyright John Cornelius

Exeter Central Cement
Ron Koysy

The afternoon of Thursday 28th July 1988 did not go down on record as one of the driest... I take shelter under the canopy at Exeter Central as 31426 shunts the Blue Circle depot alongside.
I didn’t take many photographs that afternoon. I had some work to do. And it was dull. Oh, and extremely wet.
Regards Ron K.
Many thanks Ron. Hope the rain didn't get into the cement!

31426 Exeter Central on a very wet 28th July 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys.

Swanage Railway
Diesel Gala 2018
Clive Smith

Fantastic line-up over this weekend with big crowds out for the locos and beer festival. This year's gala saw the introduction of shuttles from Wareham operated by the main line registered locos and TC set. Here are a selection of locations and locos from Saturday. This year's line up was 20007, 20142, D6515, 33111, 45041, 50031, 50049, 66783, 73133 and 73136.

Regards
Clive Smith Many thanks Clive.

20007 & 20142 arriving at Corfe Castle with the 11.16 from Swanage to Norden. Copyright Clive Smith.

D7017 arrives at Corfe Castle with the 11.30 Norden to Swanage. Copyright Clive Smith

73133 & 73136 arrive at Swanage with the 14.50 from Norden. 45041 awaits its next turn while Biffa liveried and newly named 66783 'The Flying Dustman' rests in the sidings after its turn. Copyright Clive Smith

33111 leaves Swanage with the 15.15 to Norden. U-class 2-6-0 Mogul is to the right.

45041 Royal Tank Regiment awaits departure from Swanage with the 15.46 to Norden. D7017 follows to the sidings. Copyright Clive Smith

50049 Defiance leaves Norden with the 18.25 Corfe Castle to Wareham. Unseen D6515 powers from the rear.

'Kilmersdon' Helston Railway
Andrew Triggs

This was a staff training run with S&DRT Peckett No 1788 Kilmersdon on the Helston Railway. All lineside photographs were taken by kind permission of the Helston Railway.

180512a 'Kilmersdon heads upgrade for Prospidnick during an early afternoon downpour. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180512b 'Kilmersdon' clearing Pump House bridge on route to Truthall Halt. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180512c Later the on loan brake coach was added. Copyright Andrew Triggs

180512d 'Kilmersdon' at Truthall Halt following arrival from Prospidnick. The Helston Railway staff posed on the bufferbeam. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Wonderful footage
Kingsbridge Branch
Ross Griffiths

Good morning all.
I just stumbled across a wonderful video on YouTube which has colour footage of Brent, Gara Bridge, Loddiswell and Kingsbridge stations - I couldn't find it listed on the CRS site so thought I'd share:
https://youtu.be/7cyq0RRyENM
All the best, Ross.
Many thanks for advising us Ross, yes, amazing material.

Flying Duchman
at Blackbridge.
Peter Murnaghan

Keith, Roger,
Here's a mystery photo that my good friend Brian Oldham, who volunteers at Liskeard Museum, has asked for more information about. Of course, it may not be a mystery to you, or other members of the Cornwall Railway Society !
Brian's first thought was the footbridge to the west of Moorswater Viaducts, but the broad gauge track looks too curved to me.
Any more information would be welcomed by Brian and, if it proves to be in the vicinity of Liskeard, then future visitors to the Museum will also be better informed.
Thanks and best wishes,
Peter Thanks Peter and Brian. We'll see what ideas other friends have.

Mystery picture sent in by Peter Murnaghan at the request of Brian Oldham Liskeard Museum.

The back of the above postcard.

S.D.R. to Main Line
John Cornelius & Mike Hitchens

Good Morning Keith, Here are hreepics I took on a visit to the 'SDR' back in 1988, when for a period 'SDR' trains started and terminated at Totnes main line station,using the connecting spur from the branch line.
All a long time ago. CHEERS JOHN C. Thanks for the Memory John.

I worked in WR Train Diagraming Office at Paddington & seeing those pics of SDR trains running into Totnes BR station in 1988. I remembered our Exeter Depot had a Driver & Guard Turn to conduct the SDR crew on those trains. It was a popular turn to work! Yours Doug Nicholls
Many thanks for the memory Doug.

This marks the occasion when an out of gauge load fouled the footbridge damaging it beyond repair. Copyright John Cornelius

And to add to these three more from the Mike Hitchens Collection for which many thanks.

A service comes in from the S.D.R. From the Mike Hitchens Collection

4555 running round at Totnes. From the Mike Hitchens Collection

4555 ready to return to Buckfastleigh. From the Mike Hitchens Collection

Items added on 12th May 2018 Those added most recently come first

12/5/2018

Newton Abbot
Michael Forward

Photographs taken at Newton Abbot 10th August 1985

850810e 50038 Formidable calls at 13.15 with the Paddington-Paignton service. Copyright Michael Forward

850810f 45146 Passes through Newton Abbot with a Newquay to Newcastle service. How times have changed since then. Copyright Michael Forward

Plymouth
Mike Hitchens

7029 Clun Castle at Plymouth on the 6th September 1985 From the Mike Hitchens Collection

Bodmin Road
Clive Smith

With 50049 Defiance one of the stars of this weekend's Swanage Diesel Gala, here is the same loco in the evening sunlight on the 25th July 1982 arriving at Bodmin Road with the18.40 Penzance to Paddington. Regards Clive Smith Copyright

Heathfield Branch
Ron Kosys

50049 Defiance/ 50149 - Notes from Ron Kosys

50149 was a loco for which I had a particular affection.
I was heavily into Class 50’s, and the idea of Class 50’s dedicated to freight work especially appealed.
From a purely personal point of view, it’s a pity the scheme wasn’t proceeded with as planned.
After the planned trials, the modified 50149 was moved into Cornwall to work the clay traffic and associated Speedlink workings based on St Blazey.
This was only ever planned for the short term unfortunately, the loco was converted back to a standard Class 50, renumbered 50049, and repainted into the then latest version of the Network South East scheme.

My first attempt to photograph 50149 was on the dull, wet and horrible morning of 19th January 1988. Attempting railway photography not long after dawn using Kodachrome 64 is questionable in the first place.
Arrangements had been made for me to visit Heathfield on this morning, as not only was I after phots of 50149, but I was keen to photograph the Ambrosia traffic that was being railed from Heathfield for a trial period.
The train crew were very accommodating to say the least. It’s a pity the weather wasn’t......

Anyhow, two appalling shots of the four loaded Ambrosia vans being collected from the oil depot at Heathfield. This would be later be moved via the Speedlink network from Tavistock Junction and St Blazey.
The Tiger that had been dropped at the English China Clays loading point at Heathfield for loading before collecting the Ambrosia traffic, was by now loaded. The clay traffic NORMALLY ran five days per week, but clearly not always...
This meant on this day there were five loaded wagons from Heathfield, a traffic level that was unfortunately very uncommon. The Ambrosia traffic sadly was not to last.

The crew practically stopped the well-early train for me to photograph from the platform that remained at Teigngrace. Boy was it dark. Not too many shots appear from here and had the sun been out it would have been wrong side anyway.

Although the light did improve as the morning went on, it still wasn’t very bright as 50149 headed 6C58, 1045 from Heathfield through Newton Abbot en route to Tavistock Junction and onwards to St Blazey.

And so began my association with 50149.

A fascinating bit of history for which many thanks Ron.

A dismal day at Heathfield on the 19th January 1988 as 50149 works the short lived Ambrosia traffic. Copyright Ron Kosys

50149 at Heathfield 19th January 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys

The light has improved as the train slows on the approach to Teigngrace - a view from the platform. 19th January 1988 Copyright Ron Kosys.

The light is even better as 50149 passes through Newton Abbot. Note in the background the yard being torn apart and the loco depot completely disconnected. 19th January 1988. Copyright Ron Kosys

Minehead
John Cornelius

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