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Two more 'Golden Oldies' from Mike Morant

18/6/2015

Hello Keith, Some more 'goodies' attached. All relate to Exeter - Barnstaple line. The two photographic images were taken at Morchard Road in August 1958. The Bulleid is 34056 'Croydon' whilst the inspection saloon has been described thus: the vehicle is the ex-LSWR Director's Saloon of 1885, LSWR Inspection Coach No. 1, which later became 1S in the SR Service series and DS1 in the BR(S) Departmental series. The motive power is a BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 and I suspect that this was in connection with the Western Region taking over all lines emanating from Exeter.
The luggage labels are self-explanatory and some of them such as Moulton are very scarce. (These have been added to the section)
One hopes that all is well with you. Best regards, Mike
Many thanks Mike for these gems from the past.

34056 Croydon runs into Morchard Road with an up train. August 1958 Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

A very interesting view of an ex-LSWR Director's Saloon of 1885, LSWR Inspection Coach No. 1, which later became 1S in the SR Service series and DS1 in the BR(S) Departmental series. The motive power is a BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0. Mike suspects that this was in connection with the Western Region taking over all lines emanating from Exeter. This is an up working. Courtesy the Mike Morant Collection

The Moulton label mentioned above. Mike Morant Collection

June 18th, 2015

18/6/2015

Keith, A rare visit to the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway, my last was in 1992!!!. A photograph taken from video footage of 7827 ’Lydham Manor’ departing Kingswear at 1500 hours.
GWR fans would have been shocked to hear that whilst heading to Kingswear aboard the 1045 service from Paignton passengers were advised that we were hauled by 2-8-0 Lydham Manor. Oh dear!!!!
Dave Many thanks David - perhaps they've modified the Manor!!

7827 'Lydham Manor' departing Kingswear at 15.00 on 17th June 2015. Copyright David Tozer.

First Great Western is older than you think!! Courtesy Martin Duff

18/6/2015

If the journalism in this article is correct Keith, then FGW is at least 85 years old ... !!! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-33154429 "The First Great Western carriage was placed on a site near Helston in Cornwall in 1930" Lovely story either way though. Kind regards, Martin. Yes I spotted that too, Martin, but many thanks for passing it on for us all to enjoy, and smile.

'Unusual angles' from Craig Munday

17/6/2015

Hi Keith, As we approach the longest day of the year, I get out & about photographing the down services from unusual angles - namely the Upside. I have the farmers permission for this location near Probus, and captured 2C51 booked & formed of a single class 153. The shadows grew longer in the succeeding 45 mins when 1C86 powered by Truro bound, and the light pinching creeping for the 1V58 Glasgow Voyager 10 minutes later.
All enjoyable with the wildlife looking on and the warm sun on my back!
Cheers Craig. Many thanks Craig, keep it up.

A single class 153 booked to form the 2C51 service to Penzance 15th June 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

An HST forming the 1C86 powers by this location east of Polperrow tunnel. 15th June 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

The shadows have really lengthened as the Cross Country service from Glasgow passes this secluded spot. 15th June 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

Join the dots - a petition to extend coverage of the Yatton to Witham as a walkway and cycleway.

17/6/2015

You may like to sign a petition concerning the opening up of further sections of the 'Strawberry Line' for public access as part of a long distance walk or cycle ride. For information click here - http://www.thestrawberryline.org.uk/index.php?section

Experiment - Torbay Express 15th June Exminster David Tozer

16/6/2015

Regional Railways Branch Line Termini in Cornwall 1998 by Andrew Triggs

16/6/2015

980702a 150251 Stands at St Ives with the 15.10 service to St Erth on 2nd July, 1998. Copyright Andrew Triggs

980702b 150247 At Falmouth Docks Station on the 10.03 Truro-Falmouth service on 2nd July,1998. Copyright Andrew Triggs

980702c 153372 Has arrived at Newquay with the 11.33 service from Par on 2nd July,1998. Copyright Andrew Triggs

980630a 150219 has arrived at Gunnislake with the 11.30 service from Plymouth on 3rd June, 1998. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

980630b 153374 Resting at Looe with the 14.20 service from Liskeard on 30th June, 1998. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Thank you Andrew

Time to celebrate - sand traffic returns to Cornwall Craig Munday

15/6/2015

Hello Keith,
The first waste sand train departed Burngullow on the 15th June, the first such train since 2013. It is hoped this could be a regular runner. DBS liveried 66118 was the loco, and some shunting of the elderly MEA wagons took place before departure to place an unloaded wagon at the rear of the rake.
The second portion of wagons was collected in the evening, and the whole assembled train combined to go forward from Exeter to Bow in East London.
Kind regards, Craig. Many thanks for the pictures and the good news. Craig

Sand working at Burngullow 15th June 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

66118 stands at the west end of the metals at Burngullow during a shunting operation. 15th June 2015 Copyright Craig Munday.

Sand working at Burngullow - the empty wagon being marshalled to the rear of the assembled rake 15th June 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

A very welcome sight for rail enthusiasts and a surprise for interested passengers as 150 243 on the 11.41 Penzance - Plymouth working passes 66118 and its loaded MEA wagons waiting to depart from Burngullow with an eventual destination of Bow in East London. 15th June 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

The train on the move at Carlyon Bay. 6C21 12.53 Burngullow to Exeter Riverside. 15th June 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

New opportunities, new vantage points on The Cornwall Main Line a report by Roger Winnen

15/6/2015

150615a The first train carrying sand from Burngullow for two years passes Par behind 66118. Copyright Roger Winnen

150615b This train ran in two halves to Exeter Riverside, this photo shows the loaded wagons hauled by 66118 passing Par. Copyright Roger Winnen

150615c A high level photograph from the new footbridge at St Austell of the Royal Duchy the 13.00hrs Penzance Paddington service. Copyright Roger Winnen

A contrast in Motive Power in Devon on Sunday 14th June, 2015 by Roger Winnen

14/6/2015

Taking the opportunity of purchasing a Devon Day Ranger I travelled on the 11.06 Plymouth to Gunnislake service connecting into the 187 First Bus Service at 12.05 to Okehampton. N.B The National Bus Pass is not valid on this service however The Dartmoor Sunday Rover is at the price of £10. Arrival at Okehampton gave me plenty of time to look around the station area before catching the 14.30 return trip to Meldon. Departing from Okehampton on the 15.23 service to Exeter I had plenty of time from Exeter to reach Dawlish in time to see The Torbay Express pass at 17.45 hrs before returning home via Newton Abbot and Plymouth.

150614a Looking splendid in its blue livery Thumper unit 1118 stands at Okehampton for the 15.30 to Meldon Quarry. Copyright Roger Winnen

150614b Inside the restored Thumper Unit which brings back memories of the early 1960s Copyright Roger Winnen

150614c Awaiting departure from Meldon Quarry. The quarry area has been completely striped of all plant and machinery since my last visit. Copyright Roger Winnen

150614d Stored rolling stock including the Polar Express on the left at Meldon Quarry. Copyright Roger Winnen

150614e 70000 Britannia passes Dawlish on the return Kingswear- Bristol, The Torbay Express. Copyright Roger Winnen

150614f Rule Britannia as 70000 passes Dawlish on route to Bristol Temple Meads. Copyright Roger Winnen

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