Blog Archives

20th June 2022

20/6/2022

Eye-eye - what's going on here?
Penzance
Matthew Bradley

I write with reference to a photograph (enclosed), which appeared on your website as part of a short feature ‘Penzance Then And Now’ by Chris Bellett 18/6/2022. The 1970 photograph in question showing a Class 52 ‘Western’ at Penzance Station Platform 3 buffer stops; also shows a mineral wagon with a person removing what looks like coal onto an adjacent trolley. Just wondered if any of your members remembered anything about this activity 52 years ago? Kind regards, Matthew Bradley.

Penzance 1970 query re circled operation. Copyright Chris Bellett

An enlarged and tweaked copy. It's a pity the 'Joe Bloggs' has managed to remain almost completely hidden behind the platform 1 sign.

Thanks for your query Matthew, we'll pass your query on to Chris Bellett and see what he says - perhaps its standard domestic quality coal for the waiting room and ticket office fires. Well spotted anyway.

Within minutes Roy Hart 'comes in' from Rangoon with the following valuable information - many thanks Roy.
Dear Keith,
This is domestic coal for rail purposes. All offices, shunters' cabins, C and W examiners, and every signal box had stoves. In the case of boxes, either a stove built into the rear wall (as was once the case at Par -note the chimney breast at the rear of the box) or a free-standing one, with oven. Every box required a regular delivery of coal and, in many cases, of water too. In Cornwall Largin, Probus, Gwinear Road, Treverrin, Pinnock Tunnel and several others, relied on regular deliveries of large cans of drinking water (usually arriving on the engine bufferbeam of a local freight) and of coal for heating and cooking. In summer primus stoves were used for cooking.
In the age of the microwave etc., this is now mostly forgotten! At Penzance, the buffers would be the only safe place to stable the wagon.

Roy

New Devizes station
Keith Jenkin

Devizes population approx. 12,000 has been without direct rail access since the branch between Holt Junction and Patney and Chirton closed 18th April 1966. A proposal for a new Devizes station is being considered – the location would be on the A342 road at Clock Inn about seven and a half rail miles west of Pewsey and three rail miles east of Westbury. The former Devizes branch turned away from a parallel run alongside the main line between here and Patney and Chirton ( C1966) to head for Devizes. The new station would be approximately two and half miles south of the centre of Devizes.

Google Earth Street view does us proud as an up IET passes the site - viewed from the A342 road bridge. Courtesy Google Earth Street View.

Image of New Devizes station site looking towards Westbury. The porposed station might be on the other side east of this bridge. Courtesy Google Earth Street View.

And now to an old view of Devizes station taken on the last day of the branch which was at one time on the main line route SW.

Devizes station on the last day of operation. Looking towards Hold Junction. Copyright Keith Jenkin.

Looking towards the GW main line and Patney and Chirton the line passed through a tunnel - later used as a rifle range. 16th April 1966. Copyright Keith Jenkin.

Looking again towards Holt Junction. Devizes on the last day. 16th April 1966 Copyright Keith Jenkin

The quite considerable station at Devizes was ideally situated in the centre of the town. The site is now a car park.

Near Honiton
Clive Nye -
 a class 33 fan continues.

33101 & 056 near Honiton with the 09.10 Brighton to Exeter St Davids. 19th August 1978. Copyright Clive Nye

Many thanks Clive

19th June 2022

19/6/2022

The Power of the Westerns
at Penzance
Roger Winnen

760827a D1010 Western Campaigner arrives at Penzance conveying Holiday Makers etc. Copyright Roger Winnen

760903a D1009 Western Invader works the Night Sleeper on 3rd September 1976. Copyright Roger Winnen

760903b D1065 Western Consort awaits departure from Platform 3 at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen

Oxford
Driver Alan Peters

Our very good friend driver Alan Peters brings us a trio from Oxford - he certainly gets around.

Oxford Station with DCR 60 055 "Thomas Barnado" passing through with 6Z33 Oxford Banbury Road to Willesden DCR Sidings on 16th June 2022. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

Oxford Station GWR IET 800029 Elizabeth Ralph departs Oxford for the carriage sidings after working 1D20 from London Paddington, somehow vinyl names are not the same as cast plates - they don't have the character. 16th June 2022. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

A walk from Oxford to Hinksey to recover my van on a warm summers of 16/06/22 days sees WCR 57314 "Conwy Castle" and 47813 pass the North end of Hinksey yard with 1Z20 Manchester to Ascot for Ladies Day, originally in top and tail formation, however 47813 failed at Banbury which resulted in 57314 leading, the camera phone not getting the best picture on this occasion! Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Many thanks Alan - another good day on the rails.

Three railtours covered
Paddington to Worcester,
Paddington to Exeter
& Slough to Kingswear.

For all our (your) coverage please see our 'Steam and Diesel Railtours 2022'

Swindon LMS Jubilee No. 45596 Bahamas, the BLS’ flagship locomotive, in action on the main line running from London Paddington to Worcester. 18th June 2022. Copyright Ken Mumford.

34046 'Braunton' clearing Tiverton Parkway by the public foot crossing, working 1Z60 07.48 Slough-Kingswear (For Dartmouth) 'English Riviera Express. 18th June 2022. Copyright Andrew Triggs.

50007 Hercules passes St James Park Halt Exeter on the 1537 Exeter to London Victoria Pullman special 18th June 2022 Copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks to all our contributors.

Swindon
Ken Mumford

Swindon Falklands Commemorative IET set. 18th June 2022. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Thanks Ken.

Long ago
Near Honiton
Clive Nye

33 005 near Honiton with the 09.00 Wateroo to Exeter St Davids on 19th August 1978 Copyright Clive Nye

Many thanks to you Clive.

18th June 2022

18/6/2022

Penzance then and now
Chris Bellett

Penzance Station. Looking East June 1970, Copyright Chris Belett

Penzance Station. Looking West towards the buffer stops. A class 52 powered service awaits departure from platform 2. An 08 sorts a long rake of parcels vans in the sidings. Copyright Chris Bellett. June 1970

Undercover, an inbound service stops on platform 3 close to the buffers, beyond the run round points - the loco will await release. June 1970. Copyright Chris Bellett.

The next departure from platform 2 at Penzance awaits. 14th June 2022. Copyright Chris Bellett.

A current shot looking west towards the buffers. Modern stock in the form of an IET awaits departure. Gone sadly are the semaphore signals. 14th June 2022. Copyright Chris Bellett.

Penzance looking east - not a train in sight. Signals PZ67 and PZ68 control the exits from Platforms 1 and 2. 14th June 2022. Copyright Chris Bellett.

Interesting comparisons over 50 years - many thanks Chris.

A Western at Swanage
Michael Adams

Hello Roger, Its getting too hot for me now ,at least you have some nice sea breezes. Here is a picture from another seaside town at Swanage showing D1015 ‘Western Champion’ ,looking very smart and waiting to leave for Norden on 11 May 2007. Thanks, all the best, Copyright Michael Adams

A query and answer
Real Time Trains
Andrew Jones & Andrew Triggs

Andrew Jones writes :-
Having checked through my recent photographs at Burngullow, I realised as I was setting up that I caught Castle class ‘Berry Pomeroy Castle’ travelling to its naming ceremony at Plymouth. I only realised this when I came across ‘Realtime Trains’ on the internet, a site I didn’t know existed.
I wonder if any contributors could explain the coding which I often see on the website?

43040 Berry Pomeroy Castle travelling to Plymouth for official naming ceremony 14th June 2022. Copyright Andrew Jones.

I wonder if any contributors could explain the coding which I often see on the website, this train was 2P12 and is mentioned in the detailed page on ‘Realtime Trains’.
I now have a whole new world of information, does anyone also know where I can find freight pathing?
Very best wishes Andrew and Diane

Andrew Triggs replies :-
Realtime Trains then...
A guide to it, it's an ongoing site development, with most but not as yet all Train Operating Companies now listing which stock is working what services, GWR for instance now show their allocated stock
Golden rule would be on the Home page is to click on the 'Detailed' section, add the location or station you're looking for, this gives full details at the location required, find the train you wish to find details of, which in passenger terms will generally show the four digit train Headode (i.e 2P17) and the actual detail (13.50 Penzance to Plymouth) below it shows the train formation (43194 Coach D through to Coach A 43041) it doesn't tell you the coach numbers at present though, below this on the right hand side of the page, you'll see 'Show train information' click on this and it'll show full train details, such as what type of passenger working it actually is.
Below that are two columns, the 'WTT' (working time table) and RTT (Real Time train) which shows the booked and actual time of the train stops etc, the White bars are booked stops the Blue bars are passing points on the journey, if a train is late (Dly=Delay) it will say if it's 5 minutes late '+5' for example etc
On the Freight (FGRT) side of operations, 4 digit headcodes are generally NOT listed by Freight Operators, instead a computer generated (and basically made up) one is shown i.e 6G09 (actual headcode) 13.02 Goonbarrow Junction DBC-Fowey Dock Carne Point is listed as '6220' (computer generated) Also high security trains such as the Royal Train and Nuclear trains for example are not shown, for obvious security reasons
The last thing I can think of, is although paths are shown, some trains listed rarely run, and will say 'runs as required' and will only be actually activated in the system is they do actually run
On the Realtime Trains Main Menu, there is also a 'Frequently Asked Questions' section which should cover anything else I may have missed out
Hope this helps
All the Best
Andrew Triggs.

Many thanks for your question and photograph Andrew and many thanks too to Andrew Triggs for a very full answer.

Clive Nye continues his coverage of class 33's in the Honiton area.
Honiton area
Clive Nye

33 001 near Honiton with the 11.00 Exeter St Davids to Waterloo on the 19th August 1978

Many thanks Clive.

17th June 2022

17/6/2022

Important Announcement - Outdoor Events
The Strike action being taken next week will see Cornwall without any trains on the strike days. Therefore our 'Ride the Cornish Branch' lines on 25th June 2022 has been regretfully postponed

60 years ago - June '62
Press Cuttings
Michael Roach

Many thanks to Mike for keeping and copying those most interesting cuttings - Falmouth branch perhaps two trains a day!! Thank heavens fortunes changed for the branch and rail travel. There are now 32 trains a day.

Out and back Driver Trainers
Stoke Canon & Cullompton
Keith Turley

On 16th June 2022 mainline liveried class 37/4 No.37419 worked the 0Z35 10:00 Gloucester to Plymouth driver route refresher/ learner trip and is seen passing Stoke Canon. Copyright Keith Turley.

Mainline liveried class 37/4 No.37419 'Carl Haviland' 1954-2012' seen passing Cullompton on 16th June 2022, working the OZ36 14:35 Plymouth to Gloucester driver route learner/refresher. Copyright Keith Turley.

Many thanks Keith

Colorful Test Train
Swindon
Colin Pidgeon

43251 leads the 1Z23 Bristol Kingsland Road to Derby RTC. 16th June 2022. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.

43257 brings up the rear on the 1Z23 Bristol Kingsland Road to Derby RTC. 16th June 2022. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.

Many thanks Colin.

Swindon Scrap
Colin Pidgeon

Today's (16th June 2022) 5Q55 Stewarts Lane to Newport Docks hauled by GBRFs 66793 in Railfreight livery. Colin Pidgeon

66793 heads the scrap through Swindon. 16th June 2022. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.

Many thanks again Colin

16th June 2022

16/6/2022

Important Announcement - Outdoor Events
The Strike action being taken next week will see Cornwall without any trains on the strike days. Therefore our Ride the Cornish Branch lines on 25th June, 2022 has been regretfully postponed

The strike
John sums it up
John Roberts

Keith, today Network Rail has published some information about next week, with more to come on Friday.
Secondary and branch lines, Wales and Scotland are particularly badly hit, no CrossCountry or Thameslink, and some major centres such as Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Swansea isolated, plus as you say Cornwall abandoned.
I understand the major emphasis is on keeping freight moving.
www.networkrail.co.uk/industrial-action

Thanks John

Nr Honiton
Clive Nye

3 008 near Honiton with the 08.00 Waterloo to Exeter St Davids on the 19th August 1978 Copyright Clive Nye

Many thanks Clive.

Swindon and Cricklade
Ken Mumford pops in

Ken pops in on 14th June 2022.

Thanks Ken.

Now for a good read: The Aeronian X - latest edition.

aeronian_june_22_-1.pdf
File Size:	7252 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

With many thanks to Ken Mumford the Editor of this collection of fascinating stories - things you didn't know before.

15th June 2022

15/6/2022

Important Announcement
The Strike action being taken next week will see Cornwall without any trains on the strike days. Therefore our Ride the Cornish Branch lines on 25th June, 2022 has been regretfully postponed

Two important Franchises
John Roberts reports

1. The board of GoAhead plc announced yesterday 13th June it is recommending a £647.7 million cash offer for the company from a consortium of industry investors made up of Australian based bus operator Kinetic and Spanish road and rail infrastructure developer and concession manager Globalvia Inversiones which manages and operates around 80km of light rail and metro routes in Spain. The deal is targeted for completion in October.
GoAhead had announced on 12 June that it had received two bids from Australian group Kelsian and the now successful consortium pushed its share price higher before this announcement.
The deal is subject to competition clearance in the EU, Germany and Ireland.
GoAhead is a major bus and rail operator in the UK via its subsidiary Govia, where it runs the Govia Thameslink Railway network under a management contract recently awarded by the British government. Since 2019, Go-Ahead has been active in the German rail concession market, initially around Stuttgart and since December 2021 in Bavaria, where a second contract begins this December. Go-Ahead is also the operator of a rail concession contract in Norway.
This leaves only First in British hands and they have also been subject to a foreign bid which at the moment they have rejected.
2. Today, 14th June, FirstGroup and DfT have agreed a new National Rail Contract (NRC) for GWR starting from 26th June 2022 for three years with an optional three year extension.
The ambitious infrastructure enhancements promised in previous franchises have given way to some small projects such as MetroWest (Gloucester-Bristol-Westbury) and new stations at Marsh Barton, Portway Parkway and Reading Green Park, all of which are already under construction.
https://news.gwr.com/news/national-rail-contract-awarded-to-great-western-railway

Many thanks John for watching the wider scene and sending in your detailed report.

A good excuse to visit
Burngullow and Gover.
Andrew and Diane Jones

The temperature is rising and now we have a National Rail Strike next week, hardly conducive for lineside photography! So armed with camera I thought a trip to Burngullow and the Gover valley would be in order as Diane had a lengthy hair dressing appointment in St Austell.
Burngullow is one of those locations where you are never sure what you will find. Its ideal for a long lens camera and you have time to position, the only downside is that you have to concentrate on the subject and there is very little time to take numbers, so perhaps other more knowledgeable contributors can fill in the gaps.
Attached photographs 1a and 2a were taken today from Trevanion Road Overbridge between 11am and 12.
Photographs 3a,4a and 5a were taken today from Higher Burngullow Road Overbridge between 12.30 and 13.45 in sweltering heat.

Very best wishes Andrew and Diane

Photograph 1A Down Castle class 43097 Castle Drogo crossing the Gover Valley 14th June 2022. Copyright Andrew Jones

Photograph 2a down Dmu crossing Gover viaduct 14th June 2022 Copyright Andrew Jones

Photograph 3a Castle class opens up on the long straight at Burngullow, you can see the heat haze from the MTU engine. Copyright Andrew Jones

Photograph 4a A Down dmu 158951 passing the once busy Blackpool Dryers 14th June 2014. Copyright Andrew Jones

A reminder of the short lived EWS company idling its time away in the undergrowth! Copyright Andrew Jones.

Many thanks Andrew good use of your time was made, hope the 'hair do' was a great success.

14th June 2022

14/6/2022

43040 Berry Pomeroy Castle at Penzance
Andrew Triggs

Hi Keith/Roger
This morning at Penzance, prior to being officially unveiled at Plymouth in the early afternoon, 43040 (working with 43088) worked 2C06 and the return 2P12 with 'Falklands 40' vinyls added, along with another 'Castle' new nameplate 'Berry Pomeroy Castle', captured at platform 1 before returning to Plymouth for the Official ceremony 4 shots for CRS
All the Best
Andrew

43040's new nameplate. Copyright Andrew Triggs

The Falklands 40 vinyl tributes added to 43040. Copyright Andrew Triggs

43040 leading 2P12 for Plymouth at platform 1 Copyright Andrew Triggs

From the opposite direction, in the morning sunshine Copyright Andrew Triggs

Many Thanks Andrew

HST Arriving at Exeter 1983
Michael Adams

Hello Roger, I hope you are well and I have enjoyed the pictures from your days out. Here is a picture from Michael Adams showing the 08.45 Paddington to Penzance arriving at Exeter St. David’s on on 25 June 1983.with power car 43008 leading.Nice to see the box, signals and goods shed. Best wishes and thanks ,Michael. Copyright Michael Adams

Many Thanks Michael

66139 Heading west out of Exeter
David Tozer

Gents, 66139 with the 1000 6V99 Exeter Riverside NY to St Blazey. Copyright David Tozer

Many Thanks David

A visit to sunny seaside in 2022
Weymouth Tramway
John Smerdon

A visit to sunny Weymouth yesterday. Here are a couple of photos of the recently completed quayside alterations with wider paved areas for pedestrians and pub diners. A section of track still remains as a reminder in the small car park at the terminus.
Kind regards, John Smerdon

Walk along Weymouth Tramway route 12th June 2022. Copyright John Smerdon

Many thanks John, if only we could go back thirty years or so and see the line really in action. However Google Earth haven't updated their views of the tramway route and we can still enjoy aerial views of the track in position including street views. So take a look and enjoy, Also take a look at our extensive coverage of the tramway and its demolition. Please click here.

Through trains to Newquay
Craig Munday

A few MOM & Signalling shifts lately. A trip up to the Liskeard area to obtain some pictures for a project saw me on the Moorswater line. Nature soon recoups when a line is unused for a while. I recall Hayle Wharves having the same feel when the tracks were quietly rusting away, and the infrastructure standing silent. Whether Moorswater will ever become a rail served freight location looks unlikely in the near future, which is a shame. (I would note the line is still operational and part of the network however).
An unusual view of the branch platform and former yard at Liskeard saw a green 150/2 arrive from Looe. The train could be heard delightfully traversing the jointed track under the viaduct and taking the wide horse shoe bend up into the station. What a feat of engineering this line is! The train turning 180 degrees in less than a mile.

I covered Sunday at Par box and grabbed 1A97 Newquay to Paddington winding its way through the trackwork and passing the fine semaphores on a glorious evening after my relief arrived.

A wonderful morning at St Winnow saw the empty CDAs traverse the river around 7am just as the sun had burned off the stubborn mist along the valley. It can still be seen soaring into the atmosphere in the shots of 66165.

Best wishes, Craig.

St Winnow 6P24 66165 10th June 2022. Copyright Craig Munday

6P24 St Winnow 66165 10th June 2022. Copyright Craig Munday

Liskeard 10th June 2022. Copyright Craig Munday

1A97 Par 12th June 2022. Copyright Craig Munday

Moorswater 10th June 2022. Copyright Craig Munday

Par signalbox 12th June 2022. Copyright Craig Munday

Many thanks Craig for your kaleidoscope of colour taken at very nearly mid summer. Our appreciation to you - we can all enjoy it.

Don't listen, just watch
Local Youtube footage
Andrew Todman

Andrews draws our attention to some interesting youtube film, but warns us not listen!

I hope that all is well. I have recently stumbled across the following footage on youtube and immediately thought the CRS website viewers might enjoy it, especially those with memories of the early sixties. It includes extensive footage of the hydraulics and about 2/3 of the 12-minute clip is in Western region territory, with sequences at Lostwithiel, Par, Truro and Penzance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yENknJDlJpc

I recommend watching on mute to eliminate the distracting music!
Kind regards, Andrew Todman

Many thanks Andrew.

13th June 2022

13/6/2022

A busy time at Fairwater Yard
Taunton
Brian Pibworth

It's last Saturday morning on the 11th June 2022 as 70000 'Britannia' is made ready for hauling the railtour to Kingswear. Meantime an IET on down service passes by. A scene wonderfully caught by Brian Pibworth.

Britannia at Fairwater Yard, Taunton. 10.52 on 11th June 2022. Copyright Brian Pibworth

For the rest of our collection of of this railtour and other previous railtours in 2022 please click here.

Many thanks Brian - a classic shot.

It's Clun again
Old Oak & Chippenham
Ken Mumford & Keith Jenkin

These are my photos taken near Old Oak Common after I had cycled from my student 'digs' in Parsons Green [West London]. I think that the camera I used was an ILFORD SPORTMAN of my Dad's. Kind regards,to you both.

7029 - Farewell to Steam. Near old Oak Common - November 1965 [1] Copyright Ken Mumford.

7029 - Farewell to Steam - November 1965 (2). A going away shot by Ken Mumford, Copyright.

And not to be beaten but I am most certainly so my picture taken by 'an ailing camera' at Chippenham. What I thought to be my last ever view of steam on the main line. Of interest is the signalbox just visible in front of the loco.

Farewell to steam - a going away shot at Chippenham. November 1965. Copyright KJ.

Many thanks to Ken Mumford for his pictures.

Sir Edward at
Exeter
Clive Nye

50 007 “Sir Edward Elgar” at Exeter St. Davids with the 16.30 Paddington to Paignton on 26th April 1984. Copyright Clive Nye.

50007 was renamed 'Sir Edward Elgar' from 'Hercules' and with the repaint done in early 1984.

A nice crisp picture of Sir Edward - personally I prefer the original name of 'Hercules' seems more suitable on a locomotive. Many thanks to you Clive.

12th June 2022

12/6/2022

70000 Britannia heads for Kingswear & Paignton
Roger Winnen

220611l A nice setting as the train departs. This could have been the 1950s with blood and custard rolling stock except for the lifting barriers and the S 160 loco Omaha. Copyright Roger Winnen

See Steam & Diesel Railtours 22 Onwards for further coverage of this event

Clun in action
Ken Mumford

A London bound EMU passes Marston footbridge. Copyright Ken Mumford.

What we were waiting for! '50 years Celebration of steam' 7029 Clun Castle at Marston footbridge 10th June 2022 Copyright Ken Mumford

47 773 brings up the rear of Clun's train. Marston footbridge. 10th June 2022. Copyright Ken Mumford.

The approximate position of Marston footbridge towards Swindon from Reading.

A nice powerful image as 'Clun' returns - an evening shot from Marston footbridge. 10th June 2022, Copyright Ken Mumford.

Never say 'Last ever' - almost 57 years ago.

Not a good picture but this was taken at Chippenham station in 1965. Steam was getting pretty rare and this one was heralded as 'The last ever steam on the Paddington to Bristol line.' November 1965. At that time the down main was by the main station buildings and the line I standing on was a bay platform and was rarely used. This line is now the down main! Copyright Keith Jenkin.

Many thanks to Ken.

Goonbarrow '78
Clive Nye

37 299+25 155 at Goonbarrow Jun with a RPPR tour from Paddington to Penzance via Goonborrow. 25th November 1978. Copyright Clive Nye.

Many thanks Clive

11th June 2022

11/6/2022

West Somereset Railway
Diesel Gala
Paul Barlow

A Triumph 2500 and D6566 trails on the rear of 0900 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. D6575 is on the front. Seen at Cedar Falls Bridge. 10th June 2022. Copyright Paul Barlow. (A most interesting composition)

70000 Brittania being prepared for Saturdays tour Solihull to Paignton which it will work from Taunton Bishops Lydeard. 10th June 2022 Copyright Paul Barlow

Clayton D8568 at Crowcombe on the 09.42 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard 10 June 2022 Copyright Paul Barlow

D6566 arrives at Williton on the 11.30 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard 10th June 2022. Copyright Paul Barlow

D7018 at Crowcombe on the 10.25 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. 10th June 2022. Copyright Paul Barlow

D7612 at Blue Anchor on the 14.40 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. 10th June 2022. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul for an interesting set of pictures - brilliant weather.

More of the WSR
Diesel Gala
David Tozer

In addition to seeing todays steam Dave also popped along to the WRS Gala - here are four shots at Crowcombe Heathfield.

D6575 crosses D7612 at Crowcombe Heathfield on the 11th June 2022. Copyright David Tozer

Hymeck D7018 at Crowcombe Heathfield on the 11th June 2022. Copyright David Tozer

Many thanks David.

Busy time at
St Erth
Dennis Clarke

150232 departs for St Ives on the 14:18 service. 10th June 2022. Copyright Dennis Clarke.

Many thanks Dennis

New stopping place?
St Blazey Signalbox
Eddie Houlston

An answer for the question raised about class 800 destinations. In the timing systems that drive timetables and websites where trains have to stop at non-passenger locations, in this case the signalbox for patching or tablet exchanges etc, the timer should put the duration of the stop required and a * as this suppresses the time in a publicly viewed system. If the train timer forgets the * the public systems show it as a public stop no matter what the location.

Best wishes Eddie Houlston

IET Display spotted on Newquay bound train. Copyright Roger Winnen

Many thanks Eddie for the technical reasons behind the display what was obviously an error by the train crew. Such a display although perhaps confusing to passengers would be much appreciated by enthusiasts.

Britannia to
Paignton

No doubt many of you will be out to see Britannia at Paignton and en route today - 11th June 2022. Here are the first three pictures received today which will be repeated in our Steam and Diesel Railtours section. Please see the rest in this section.

The first pictures received were from Clive Smith followed by another one half an hour later from David Tozer. Many thanks to you both.

70000 Britannia emerges from Parson's Tunnel with the 1Z60 06.18 Dorridge - Kingswear run by Saphos Trains. The train was about ten minutes late and annoyingly a bank of cloud had blocked out the sun on this stretch of the coast which just twenty minutes earlier was bathed in glorious sun. BR two-tone green liveried D1924 (47810) brings up the rear of the 1Z60 . The train had worked top and tail from Dorridge with 47805 on the front so it would appear that this is set now for the summer as insurance provision unlike the recent 6233 Duchess Of Hamilton tours which were solo operated.

The good news is that this is the first of nine Saphos' Saturday tours from various locations to Kingswear throughout the summer and with 70000 outbased at Bishop's Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway in order to work these trains I hope to have a few successful stabs at this shot here in somewhat brighter conditions. Whether the Brit will provide some smoke over the coming weeks remains to be seen.

The 7F Britannia class is my favourite class of steam loco ever since I was captivated by them when I first started trainspotting age six in 1966 at Kearsley on the Manchester - Bolton line. I was very fortunate to live in the North West then the last bastion of steam in the country. It was their size and power but also their names that laid out next to their numbers in the Ian Allan spotting books (bar 70047). Many of the class were still going strong in 1966 with only a handful of withdrawals before that year including 70000 Britannia which I never saw until a tour about a decade ago. My notebooks from that era disappeared fifty odd years ago but my memory recalls me spotting about forty of the fifty five of which nearly all were filthy and grimy and smoking a lot more than 70000 today.

Regards, Clive Smith.

70000 Britannia emerges from Parsons Tunnel 11th June 2022. Copyright Clive Smith.

D1924 (47810) brings up the rear of the 1Z60. Copyright Clive Smith

70000 Britannia at speed at Stoke Canon 11th June 2022. Copyright David Tozer.

Many thanks to you both.

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