Blog Archives

30th September 2020

30/9/2020

Sept/Oct 2020 GWR diversions via the LSWR.
Chard Junction
Brian Pibworth

GWR 802106, in diesel mode, waits in Chard Junction loop with the 1A80 0840 Plymouth to London while SWR 159104 bats past at lines speed with 1L17 0820 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids. The WTT described this as an "unadvertised service stop", so keeping it away from the platform was probably a good idea! 29th September 2020. Copyright Brian Pibworth.

GWR 802106 at Chard Crossing, in diesel mode, with the 1A80 0840 Plymouth to London Paddington heads restarts after waiting in the loop to cross the 1L17 0820 London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids service. Copyright Brian Pibworth. 29th September 2020.

Many thanks Brian

Major changes at
Chard Junction site
Brian Pibworth

The former goods yard at Chard Junction site. 29th September 2020. Copyright Brian Pibworth.

Chard Junction Station Site 29th September 2020
The entire site has now been cleared, levelled and covered in compacted hardcore. From L to R ia the former branch formation to Chard (behind uprooted trees) , the branch platform, Chard Road Hotel and the current mainline fence. There seems to be less recycled hardcore on the old Milk Factory site and this may account for the material on the station side. The sleeper-walled compound (centre) contains trailers from a local heavy goods haulier.

Many thanks Brian.

Torquay Tramways
Colin Burges

Dear Keith,
It's funny that you've just published a piece on Plymouth Corporation Tramways, because I've just put up my little exploration of the Torquay system, which I'd never paid much heed to before.
http://www.teignrail.co.uk/scouting/45-torquay-tramways/
It naturally contains a few sidetracks. Including the Babbacombe Cliff Railway which we may visit next year - virus permitting!
Cheers, Colin Burges

Highly recommended that you use the link above - Colin and his bike get everywhere, Many thanks Colin.

Yesterdays - Network Rail Inspection train at
Purton
Ken Mumford

0650 Derby to Swansea [via Worcester, Gloucester, Swindon (reversed in 60 seconds when it was scheduled to do so in just under 3 minutes), then back to Gloucester, then Chepstow, Cardiff to Swansea.
It had left Derby at 0746 instead of 0650. Passed me about 35 minutes late [at Purton (Collins Lane). I then drove to the foot crossing at Purton Common where it passed me [heading for Gloucester and South Wales]. It Left Swindon about 2 minutes late.There was no report of its progress until it passed Kemble at
14 11.25 - Ken.

Colins Lane Crossing 80204 London to Cheltenham. 29th September 2020. Copyright Ken Mumford

Colins Lane Crossing 37025 Inverness TMD leading towards Swindon about to pass over the crossing..37116 was trailing 29th September 2020 Copyright Ken Mumford

37116 leading towards Gloucester about to pass over Purton Common crossing. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks Ken.

29th September 2020

29/9/2020

A Visit to St James' Park
David Tozer

Photo of Blackboy Tunnel entrance. Vegetation clearance has taken place and what appears to be a concrete basehas been installed. Rumoured to be a base for a new Banner Repeater Signal. Copyright David Tozer

Ground clearance on the up side for the proposed platform extension. Copyright David Tozer

A nine car IEP on the 0736 Plymouth to Paddington. Seconds later the down 0637 Paddington to Plymouth passed by. These units appear to be a lot slower on the climb to Exmouth Junction compared with the former HST's. On the downside vegetation clearance has also taken place. Copyright David Tozer

Thanks David

Two Anniversaries for the
29th September

75 years ago today -
the Closure of Plymouth Tramways

The last Plymouth tram left (Number 158) left Old Town Street for Peverell at 5PM on Saturday 29th September 1945. It was decorated with Union Jack and driven by Motorman H.Herring, the oldest employee on the tramways.It carried 135 passengers on the last run and had two conductors.
One reaching Milehouse the car was met by the Lord Mayor who reported that the trams had carried 800 million passengers and travelled over 70 million miles. An extract from Tramways of the West of England by P.W. Gentry.

Plymouth Milehouse Depot in the 1960's Copyright the lateSid Sponheimer

Track still existent at Plymouth Milehouse Depot in the 1960's Copyright the late Sid Sponheimer

Brief Notes. Plymouth Tramways were of standard gauge operating as three independent systems until 1915. The oldest of the three was opened on a line of just under two miles in length on 17th March 1872. There were four depots, a larger one at Prince Rock near the power station, Milehouse, Compton Road. and a small one at Millbay - this closed in 1907.

Plymouth Tramways - Compton Depot

This story starts when I had an occasion to visit a very old friend of mine - Len Baker a former S.E.C.R driver who on retirement settled in Redruth with his wife Cath. Len lived in a bungalow behind mine - the bungalow was called 'Yer Tis'! Len was a good friend of the Railway Society attending most meetings at the Bullers Arms and joining us on various trips. On one occasion he gave us a talk on his experiences on the Southern, mainly in the London area during wartime. He recalled hiding under trucks while the bombs fell!
Later Len moved to Pymouth where he lived in Desborough Road, close to his one time shed at Friary. There came a time when Len had to move from his home into a residential home in the Compton area.
In March 1973 I decided to pay our good friend a visit in Plymouth, I took our eldest son Kevin along with me - Kevin was only five at the time.
Not really knowing Plymouth we walked up to Mutley Plain and headed out towards the Compton area. (Never thought of catching a bus) We were walking up Tavistock Road when I noticed a road sign bearing the name Compton Road, or was it Lower Compton Road. I must admit that as a lifelong tram fan I had it in my mind that a long time ago this must have been a tram route. The Compton Tram Depot came to my mind having read of a depot of that name in Mr. P.W. Gentry's book 'Tramways of the West of England'.
It was but one hundred yards along Compton Road when we came across, 'joy oh joy' the tram depot there in all it's glory some 40 years after it had closed.
The depot had seen use as a base for some kind of transport firm and maybe housed lorries. I'm not one for trespassing and I wandered about fearing a shout of "Get out of here" or some such words.It wasn't until I got home I was able to put together what I had seen and remember that films took some time to be printed, not like the digital cameras of today! We couldn't have been at the depot for more than ten minutes as we had a call to pay on Len Baker. However I was more than chuffed to have seen that relic of from before WW2 still in existence after all those years.
I have drawn a rough sketch map of the depot using details from Mr. Gentrys book. It was interesting to note that looking at old maps none of these showed details of the four tracks within the depot plus a short siding outside or of the steep gradient leading up to the Overhaul shed. I very much regret that I didn't wander further into the overhaul works where I might have found traces of the traverser used to move the trams between various locations.
Trams operated route 1 - Theatre to Compton from 1915 to 1932. The final abandonment of the Plymouth Tramway system came on the 29th September 1945.
A look at the area of the depot using Google Earth shows that in the intervening years all traces of the 'Glory' which once occupied the site have been removed.
Recommended viewing There is an excellent section on the Tramways of Plymouth Courtesy of Wikipedia please click below to see this.
Tramways in Plymouth - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Tramways_in_Plymouth

Plymouths Trams, Compton Depot Plan (1) The lines into the depot could be numbered 1 to 4 from top to bottom of this sketch,

Plymouth Tram Compton Depot (2) Compton Road. Lines to the right form the depot fan. The single line to the left climbs towards the Overhaul Works March 1972. Copyright Keith Jenkin.

Plymouth Tram Compton Depot (3) This closed in 1934. The very young man standing on the rails of the depot fan is Kevin jenkin. This picture taken in March 1972. Copyright Keith Jenkin. N.B. The depot fan of tracks provided four lines into the shed and one between these which terminated before the shed.

Looking out from the shed (4) we see that lines one and two have been covered over by a wooden shed. Note the tracks within the tramshed have been tarred over. March 1972, copyright Keith Jenkin.

Another shot within the depot. (5) taken in March 1972. Copyright Keith Jenkin.

And finally another shot from the depot entrance (6) taken by Roger Winnen on the 1st December 1973. It can be seen that the timber shed and the Overhaul buildings which were at a higher level have been removed. Copyright Roger Winnen.

85 years ago today -
the Closure of the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway

For a history of the line please use this link
https://www.lynton-rail.org.uk/page/lb-history

Barnstaple Town Station. Our party contemplates the scene at Barnstaple Town Station 7th June 1975. Copyright Roger Winnen. N.B. The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway served the left hand face of this platform behind the fencing.

The following photographs were taken on a C.R.S. minibus tour of the course of the L & B in 1991.

Barnstable Town Signal box remains as an information centre. Photograph dated 29th June 1991. Copyright Roger Winnen

Blackmoor Gate station seen on the 29th June 1991. Copyright Roger Winnen. It is hoped that soon the signal will indeed be off for the return of trains to the this section of the L&B.

Lynton station on the 29th June 1991. Copyright Roger Winnen.

On the occasion of our visit this locomotive named 'Brunel' was standing where the tracks once were. We wonder what the much esteemed engineer would have thought of this loco bearing his name!! 29th June 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen.

You will find more images for Lynton station using the following link
https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk02r8Qu3Z3yaiVgHYlemTKLJ_5y8PQ:1601355285262&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=lynton+railway+station&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjsoL-nyY3sAhWqUBUIHXx1ByIQjJkEegQIAhAB&biw=1540&bih=795

Also very recent news of progress - two new bridges
https://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/news/lynton-and-barnstaple-railway-bridges-reopened-1-6427394

Many thanks to our photographers and to Mike Roach who reminded us of the significance of todays date.

28th September 2020

28/9/2020

Colourful 66's
Guy Vincent

GB Railfreight 66s 66712 66781 and 66704 stabled at Westbury after hauling engineering trains from Bristol. 66704 arrived yesterday (26th) with 66781 and 66712 bringing in a trainload of spent ballast etc. at lunchtime today. 27th September 2020. The three locos later departed at 1705 for Bardon Hill (Leicestershire) via Melksham and Swindon. Two of the three are named after signalling power boxes, 66704 Colchester Power Signalbox and 66712 Peterborough Power Signalbox while the third, although un-named. has an interesting history as it was previously DB Cargo's 66016 (picture included - taken in 2011). In 2017 DB sprung a surprise when they sold ten of their locos to GB Railfreight: 66008 (66780), 66016 (66781), 66046 (66782), 66058 (66783), 66081 (66784), 66132 (66785), 66141 (66786), 66184 (66787), 66238 (66788) and 66250 (66789). 66780 carries 'Cemex' promotional livery, 66784 is in 'Biffa' Orange and 66789 is notable as it now sports a version of the ever popular British Rail large-logo blue and yellow livery. Unfortunately not a common visitor to the west country (yet!).

Guy Vincent

At Westbury we see 66712, 66781, 66704. 27th September 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent

AT Westbury 66781 (66016) 27th September 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent

At Bradford-on-Avon in a beautifully lit and well positioned image we see 66016 now 66781 on 6B65 at Greenland Mill Weir. 4th June 2011. Copyright Guy Vincent

Again at Westbury 66780 (66008) on the 9th November 2019. Copyright Guy Vincent

Many thanks Guy for a very colourful collection together with a very detailed text - all of which much appreciated.

The Exe Branch
Colin Burges

43 Exe Valley BranchPosted on 22 September 2020The railway’s friend, Richard Holladay, kindly sent some photographs that he had taken from the window of an Exe Valley train when he was a lad, which must have been not long before the service was withdrawn, in October, 1963.

Dear Keith, It must be such a relief to you not having to make sense of my scrambled offerings. Imagine if I had sent you this piece as an E-mail. You would never have got your domestic chores done.

http://www.teignrail.co.uk/scouting/43-exe-valley/

I thought that the results of my rooting around in the Exe Valley lately may be worth a plug.
As always, I hope you and Valerie are braving it out during these miserable times. With best wishes, Colin.

Thank you for your note Colin, I have looked at and very much enjoyed your latest collection - I am very glad that you have covered so well the Exe Valley Route and used those cherished images of Ruchard Holladay. I highly recommend our viewers clicking on the link above.

The Statesman
Cornish Riviera Express

Many many thanks to Roger Winnen who put together this record of over 70 images which represents a wonderful weekend. Roger spent about 15 hours on Sunday putting it all together. Also many thanks to all our contributors - without your efforts we'd be all the poorer. If you want to see the collection in 'Features' please click here - all superb photographs.

Against a background of Cardon Hill we see the whole train with 47805 and 47593 at Budges shop on the 27th September 2020. Copyright Craig Munday.

27th September 2020

27/9/2020

A turbo to
Barnstaple
David Tozer

Keith,
GWR Class 166 166211 became the first of its type to work the Barnstaple line today.
166 211 is seen at Exeter Central heading the ECS 0850 5B73 Exeter (St David's) - Exeter (Central) - Exmouth Junction - St James' Park. It then worked the 0912 St James' Park to Barnstaple.
I only just made it to Crediton and got a second shot of it leaving.
Will see if I can take a better photo off my DVD footage.
Regards Dave

166211 on the Barnstaple service. 27th September 2020 Copyright David Tozer.

Seen at Crediton 166211 on the Barnstaple service. 27th September 2020 Copyright David Tozer.

166211 is seen leaving Crediton on the Barnstaple service. 27th September 2020 Copyright David Tozer.

Well caught David. Nice weather up there too.

Starcross
Phil Smith

47709 heads east up stream of Cockwood Harbour in 2001. Copyright Phil Jones. Note the man with the bucket, digging for worms for bait is a common activity along here.

Many thanks Phil.

Historical focuses at
Cockwood
Paul Barlow

Only last Friday but now history - 47593 leads 47805 on the 06.08 York to Penzance the 1Z70 at Cockwood harbour. 25th September 2020 Paul Barlow

43009 leads 43185 forming the 14.03 Paddington to Penzance at Cockwood. 16th May 2019. Copyright Paul Barlow.

34067 with the 14.22 Penzance to Ealing. 29th August 2005. Copyright Paul Barlow.

A nice full tide for 67019 on the 13.50 Plymouth to Willesden Mail train. 4th September 2003. Copyright Paul Barlow.

80098 on the 16.28 Exeter to Newton Abbot seen at Cockwood on the 1st May 2001. Copyright Paul Barlow

Remember the 'Virgin red' as 47829 heads the 08.40 Glasgow to Penzance at Cockwood. 11th June 2000. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks for your colourful Cockwood Collection Paul.

Westbury Freight
Guy Vincent

Westbury on the morning of 25th September 2020. A smartly turned out 66415 arrived around 10am with the 6C72 Taunton Fairwater-Westbury HOBC wagons for refilling in the virtual quarry here. How many of their fleet will receive this bright orange livery before it is superseded? At the north end of Westbury station the signal W111 is to be replaced over the weekend of 2nd-3rd October by the covered-over apparatus that can be seen towards the end of platform 3. Whether drivers of approaching trains, especially those not stopping, will be able to fully see this equipment with the station canopies and, more especially, passengers on the platform or other trains approaching from the north end possibly liable to cause obstruction or distraction, is indeed a question. Hours of darkness or periods of fog may prove to be particularly challenging.. The work is being done to enable class 800 trains to be more fully accommodated in the recently extended platform. Note the S&T technicians working on a pair of new indicators in picture 3.

Also at Westbury was last built class 66 no 66779. Nicely adorned with various 'extras' British Railways green liveried loco again took the morning trip freight to Eastleigh out at 1015.

Regards. Guy Vincent

Westbury 66415 6C72 25th September 2020 Copyright Guy Vincent

Westbury 66415 6C72 25th September 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Westbury 66415 6C72 25th September 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent

Westbury 66779 25th September 2020 Copyright Guy Vincent

More on
Westbury Resignalling
Guy Vincent

As I mentioned yesterday new signalling is due to be commissioned at the north end of platform 3 at Westbury over the weekend of October 3rd and 4th. While this is taking place the station will be closed to all traffic and certain Bristol-Weymouth services and VV will be diverted between Trowbridge and Frome via the rarely used Hawkeridge Curve, Heywood Road Jcn (reverse) and the Westbury avoiding line. Details will show on RTT nearer the time. Here is another view from today of the soon to disappear W111 signal which was installed in 1982 and commissioned in May 1984. Beyond GBRF loco 66704 has just arrived 145 minutes early with 6G73 1240 Bristol East Depot-Westbury (via Taunton) engineers.

Plus a vintage view taken on the morning of Sunday February 12th 1984 when semaphores reigned supreme. 50040 and 50044 were working 1A33 0830 Exeter St Davids-Paddington which was booked to run via the then under-threat Melksham line and Swindon. I travelled on this as far as Reading on two consecutive Sundays, locos 50023 and 50048 were provided the following week, 19th Feb. Note the run-down condition of the road bridge, it has probably not seen a paint brush for at least 50 years!

Regards, Guy Vincent

Westbury North 66704 6G73 & W111 26th September 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks to you Guy. I thought it best to put your two posts together.

Yesterday from
Marston Footbridge
Ken Mumford

59202 6O61 Appleford sidings to Stoke Gifford on the afternoon of 26th September 2020. Copyright Ken Mumford

60074 on the 6Y7H Theale to Margam. 26th September 2020. Copyright Ken Mumford.

Many thanks for your observations Ken.

26th September 2020

26/9/2020

The Statesman
Paul Barlow & Clive Smith

47593 and 47805 on the 0608 York to Penzance 1Z70 seen at Cockwood Harbour 25th September 2020. Copyright Paul Barlow

47593 & 47805 top the bank at Rattery with the Statesman Cornish Riviera Express. 25th September 2020 Copyright Clive Smith

Many thanks to Paul and Clive.

Please note it is our intention to produce a Feature on this Statesman railtour after Sundays (Tomorrows) Selection of pictures have arrived. Roger will be arranging this feature.
N.B. Roger reported from Redruh at 21.30 that he was feeling exhausted - no wonder!

When Green
is not all it seems.
Alan Peters

When Green is not what it seems! Freightliner 66556 is pictured at Yeovil Junction with 0Z80 a route learning special from originating from Westbury to Castle Cary via Exeter St Davids, Honiton, Yeovil and reverse on 24/09/20. The locomotive was in fact hired by Colas Rail Freight for route learning to cover for 66850 which itself was used for route learning between Reading and Eastleigh - Alan Peters

A perfectly posed picture - one cannot do any better! Freightliner 66556 on route learning at Yeovil Junction. 24th September 2020. Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Many thanks Alan - the use of the freightliner loco on this route learning had us all wondering - now we all know!

Laira Open Day
Mike Roach

LAIRA OPEN DAY 1970
It is believed that Laira diesel depot held its first Open Day on Saturday 26 September 1970 some 8 years after the depot opened for business and it may have happened that year because of celebrations connected with the sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers 350 years earlier in the Mayflower. There was a train from Plymouth to London called The Mayflower from 1957 to 1965, with the name resurrected for the winter of 1970-71 only.
The star of the 1970 Open Day was small prairie number 4555 which was brought down from the Dart Valley for the event. This loco was quite appropriate because it had been based at Laira steam shed from May 1962 to November 1963 when it was withdrawn and sold into preservation the following year. While based at Laira 4555 had seen regular employment on the Plymouth to Launceston Branch until the line closed at the end of 1962. 4555 will celebrate its hundredth birthday in 2024. Many of the events planned for the Mayflower 400 celebrations in 2020 have had to be postponed because of the Covid pandemic

4555 at Laira Open Day Saturday 26th September 1970. Copyright Mike Roach

Laira Open Day. 26th September 2020. Copyright Mike Roach

Many thanks Mike for this timely reminder.

25th September 2020

25/9/2020

Route Learners
Bill Elston

Freightliner embarked on a ‘grand tour’ of Devon and Somerset, running from Westbury to Castle Cary via Taunton, Exeter, Honiton and Yeovil, and return using loco 66556. Hope these are of interest, Best regards Bill

Photo 1 66556 approaching Creech St Michael, 24th September 2020. Copyright Bill Elston.

Photo 2. Approaching Crewkerne from the west. The large building near the top centre of the picture is the former Crewkerne Grammar School, now converted to flats. 24th September 2020. Copyright Bill Elston.

Photo 3. On the return trip 1/2 mile west of Cewkerne Sta. Copyright Bill Elston.

Photo 4 is GWR’s route learner, in the form of 150221 running from Exeter to Castle Cary via Honiton and Yeovil and back. Same location as photo 2. 24th September 2020. Copyright Bill Elston.

Of much interest, many thanks Bill.

Bodmin General '83
Andrew Jones

Dear Keith and Valerie,
Who would have thought nearly 40 years ago when I took the attached photographs of Bodmin General, that today I have signed up to a government track and trace application to help protect us from Covid. I know its easy to think life was easier when we were younger but at the moment I wish we could go back! The two photographs taken in opposing directions, illustrate the incredible progress made at Bodmin General since the early 80’s, with the new platform and the reinstatement of all the infrastructure. If you look carefully you can see that the platform canopy was boarded up and I seem to remember a secondhand furniture shop operated at the time. Even the new caravans parked up are unlikely to exist now and the BMC van and Vauxhall parked up have long since been recycled into washing machines or something far less interesting. Well that's it for this month, just sitting here waiting for my phone to inform me to self isolate!
Best wishes Andrew and Diane

Bodmin General 1983 Copyright Andrew Jones.

As you say, Andrew, great strides indeed, a tribute to all involved with the Bodmin and Wenford Railway. Every best wish to the railway in future. Many thanks for your reminder.

Portreath
Harbour

This most interesting picture appeared on Facebook - no credit given.

24th September 2020

24/9/2020

Possibly the first Freightliner 66 at Pinhoe
David Tozer

Possibly the first ever visit of a Freightliner Class to Pinhoe. 66556 with the 1050 0Z80 Westbury to Castle Cary. Travelling via Castle Cary to Taunton and Exeter. Then to Honiton and Yeovil Junction to Castle Cary. It was then scheduled to do the route in reverse. Possibly in connection with the closure of the GWR main line. Copyright David Tozer

Thanks David

Bodmin Parkway
Chris Harvey

47851 and its train makes a bright splash of 'Virgin Red' as it approaches Bodmin Parkway with the 09.35 Penzance -Manchester on the 9th September 2001. Copyright Chris Harvey

Many thanks Chris.

Respryn
Alan Peters

Colas Rail 70809 was in charge of 6C35 the weekly Moorswater cement heading to Liskeard after running around at Lostwithiel. 23rd September 2020 Alan Peters

GWR Castle HST set headed by 43004 Caerphilly Castle working 2C19 the 1017 Plymouth to Penzance. Copyright Alan Peters

Many thanks Alan for your autumn scenes.

Abandoned move!
Karl Hewlett

Unfortunately class 37425's move to Penzance was cancelled today having only got as far as Lipson Junction, it was then routed straight into Laira T&RSMD. To add further misfortune it is not attempting to do another run to Penzance and is going straight back to Crewe Gresty Bridge DRS from either Park Sidings or Laira. I have put Laira in as since this morning it has gone into hiding there with no further details since, the times for this run are: *Thursday 24th September 37425 Plymouth Park Sidings or Laira T&RSMD to Crewe Gresty Bridge DRS* https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R07541/2020-09-24/detailed I would urge anyone who is attempting to photograph this move to keep checking the link, I have a suspicion that the dodgy wheel flat has to be sorted at Laira before it is allowed to move great distance. Regards Karl (Friends Of Penmere Station).

Many thanks Karl for your latest up date

23rd September 2020

23/9/2020

Observations at
Stoke Canon
David Tozer

37425 at Stoke Canon. Copyright David Tozer

Thanks David

Observations at
Cowley Bridge
Paul Barlow

Good evening Keith
A shot of the light engine class 37 move from Crewe to Plymouth today. Also a couple of others at the same location from my archive.
Hope you are keeping well!
All the best, Paul Barlow

37425 forms the 09.07 Crewe to Plymouth 0Z60. Seen at Cowley Bridge junction 22nd September 2020 Copyright Paul Barlow

Another fine sight. D1015 Western Champion with 60081 on the Bristol to St Blazey 6V70. 29th August 2002 Copyright Paul Barlow.

Alot of interest in this picture complete with the signalbox. 45061 heads a coal train at Cowley Bridge Junction.Its 1981. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul for your current picture and those from the past.

Weekend observations at
Westbury
Guy Vincent

Some rare visitors at Westbury this past weekend. 56094 and 56096 arrived from Doncaster on Saturday afternoon and took out an evening engineers train to Ledbury, efficiency and economy seemingly not on the agenda for this working. The train returned to Westbury as 6C20 0402 Ledbury-Westbury, arriving at 0920, some 136 minutes late. This was followed by DB's 66035 on a delayed 6WO2 2300 (Sun) Maindee East Jcn-Westbury which ran into the yard at 1002, a whopping 573 minutes late! (source Real Time Trains). The two 'Grids' departed behind 70802 at 1030 as 0Z62 1030 Westbury-Bescot. Also at Westbury this morning was recent west country visitor 66847 'Terry Baker', pottering around in the yard after bringing in an earlier 6C21 0420 engineers working from Ledbury. Finally, celebrity 66 and the last-built member of the class (higher numbered locos have been re-numbered) 66779 'Evening Star' spent the weekend in the 'new' sidings complex here and departed at 1015 with the daily trip engineers working to Eastleigh, a duty normally handled by 59003. Guy Vincent (back observing trains again!)

Westbury. 70802 and 56096 with 56094 leaving as 0Z62 10.30 Westbury to Bescot 21st September 2020 Copyright Guy Vincent

Also at Westbury this morning was recent west country visitor 66847 'Terry Baker', pottering around in the yard after bringing in an earlier 6C21 04.20 engineers working from Ledbury. 21st September 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Westbury 66779 'Evening Star' in the new sidings complex. 21st September 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent.

Many thanks Guy.

BITS AND BOBS
Karl Hewlett

I'll start with a current working that 'may' run to Cornwall today but there is a bit of uncertainty about the loco 37425 because it has quite a wheel flat issue so keep an eye on the timings, they are: *23rd September 37425 Regional Railways Livery Plymouth Park Sidings to Plymouth Park Sidings via Penzance and Taunton* https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R07540/2020-09-23/detailed To add to some past posts on the CRS website class 47 47479 'Track 29' actually hit a track machine (from memory a long time ago I believe it was a tamping machine), in possession and was moved obviously back to Longrock Depot and the damaged track machine was parked up in the bay at St. Erth station. Although the damage looked minimal from the images on the class 47, it had suffered a bent main frame which is pretty terminal in the railway world. Considering BR had another severely crash damaged 47 in works for rebuilding the best part of two years, but with a straight frame, gives you an indication how serious but not necessarily clearly visible this damage is. The track machine was moved after the 47 and I also believe this was withdrawn as well. Class 33 33110 as per Roger's post has 'rumoured' to have been sold to the same person that owns 33018 and 33202 at a private site in Essex, all I can say is it shares the name of a village in Somerset that was once rail connected! Considering 33018 was pretty much a body shell on wheels and is now being restored, 33110's future looks quite promising. With regards to the latest Hymek saga I can add D7100 to the list of Cornwall visitors at Penzance in green, I can't find the original website for this image but in a forum, so I copied over a thumbnail Keith to see if you can fiddle with it in a photoshop programme and made it bigger and clear as long it is ok with copyright e.t.c.
I have a couple of brain teasers to put out on the forum and see if anyone can shed any light on them. The first is Hymek related and I understand that one visited Cornwall to an open day which I believe was at St Blazey in the early 70's and 'may' of participated in some sort of mini charter which I was told visited the Falmouth branch, can anyone confirm this? The next teaser is railbus related, remember them? I was told quite adamantly by someone I was chatting to one of the four wheeled variety railbuses normally seen on the Bodmin North branch, he saw at Golant, so was tried on the Fowey branch possibly for only one day or even just one trip. I think from memory of the conversation it was on a Sunday, does anyone know anything about this working?
Regards Karl (Friends Of Penmere Station).

The image which Karl supplied of a 7100 at Penzance. We'll keep it small and appreciate we don't know whose copyright it is,

Thank you Karl. A lot to read and think about -
any replies much appreciated.

22nd September 2020

22/9/2020

Passing time at
Maiden Newton
Guy Vincent

Just twice a day GWR's Bristol-Weymouth line services are booked to pass each other at Maiden Newton station. Today, in glorious early autumn sunshine 166206 with the 2V68 1311 Weymouth-Gloucester and 166208 on the 2O76 1042 Gloucester-Weymouth stand while their drivers collect and surrender the single line tokens for the section towards Yeovil. 'Thames Turbos' now transferred to the Bristol area work the majority of services on this route with 158's occasionally appearing and class 150s of all types now relegated to history. Guy Vincent

Maiden Newton 166206 & 166208 pass on the 21st September 2020 Copyright Guy Vincent

166206 & 166208 at Maiden Newton 21.st September 2020. Copyright Guy Vincent. A nice touch here is the retention of the signal box structure.

Many thanks to you Guy - nice to hear from you again.

A memory of the past - 45 years ago. Maiden Newton Last day 11.37 from Bridport 3rd May 1975 Copyright R.oger Winnen

Many thanks Roger.

Maiden Newton
The late John Cornelius

Maiden Newton. Copyright the late John Cornelius

It's always a joy to use pictures by the late John Cornelius. We remember the station, the Bridport branch and you too of course.

Farewell to 33110
Roger Winnen

33110 Left Bodmin yesterday afternoon (21st September 2020) on a low loader to Essex, it was reported on SW Rail Gen.

All the best, Roger

Many thanks to RW for this snippet,

21st September 2020

21/9/2020

The Mystery Working on RTT
'Didcot to Crediton'
DavidTozer

DR 73935 at Stoke Canon on route to Exeter Riverside and Crediton 21.9.2020. Copyright David Tozer

Thanks David

Farewell Derek

We are extremely sorry to report that Derek and Ann are moving on to new pastures leaving Cornwall to set up home at Milverton in Somerset, however Cornwalls loss is Somersets gain.

Derek has been our Indoor events secretary for ten years or so during which time he has engineered a programme full on interest with many of our speakers being railway professionals who have come from far afield. The task Derek which has so successfully accomplished is no easy one bearing in mind the long term planning necessary coupled last minute changes successfully arranged. It was not a job for the faint hearted. Another point not to be forgotten is that during his period of service with indoor events he also, for a year long period, covered the post of Chairman of the C.R.S. We also have to be very grateful to Ann and Derek for the provision of overnight accommodation in their home at Newquay for our eminent speakers.
Many many thanks to you Derek for your time and trouble over the years, neither you nor Ann will be forgotten.
With every best wish for your future happiness at Milverton.
KJ on behalf of the CRS.

Derek although moving from our area wishes to remain in contact and gives us the following details:-

Ann & Derek Buttivant, Orchard Bank, Rosebank Road, MILVERTON, Somerset, TA4 1PW**

Our home telephone number will be *01823 400105*

Derek's mobile number will of course be unchanged (07770 841527), likewise our email addresses:

[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> and [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

We don't want to lose touch with anyone.

Kind regards,

Ann & Derek

Derek and Ann Buttivant at Grogley with the remaining party taking lunch. 17th May 2014. Copyright Roger Winnen

Earlier, the same day the CRS Party stands on the platform at Wadebridge. 17th May 2014 . Copyright Roger Winnen

All the very best to you both, hope all goes well with the move.

Clan Line
Westbury
Ken Mumford

Some action shots from the Ken Mumford Collection of 35028 Can Line receiving some attention at Westbury. Any idea of the date please.

35028 at Westbury. Copyright Ken Mumford.

35028 at Westbury, Copyright Ken Mumford.

35028 Clan Line at Westbury, Copyright Ken Mumford.

With many thanks to you Ken.

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