A busy day in the West!
Yesterday (14.08.24) was a busy day on the railway in the Westcountry. We had a Colas HST Power Car move, The LSL Blue Pullman has been to Paignton, WCRC ran a tour to Par and back, as well as the two clay trains running. It's been a lovely sunny day in Cornwall and it's been great both to see the trains and also to see all your photos - thank you.
We've separated the photos up below so each 'attraction' has its own heading.
We've separated the photos up below so each 'attraction' has its own heading.
Homeward HST
Craig Munday, Max Elton, Paul Barlow, Ross Griffiths, 83G Photography, David Tozer & Bill Elston
43257 collects the barrier coach from the sidings at St. Blazey. Copyright Craig Munday.
The train is formed up and ready for a departure at 10:30. Copyright Craig Munday.
43251 leads the recently-repaired ex-motorail van which has been stranged at St. Blazey plus 43257 through Par. Copyright Max Elton.
43257 on the rear. Copyright Max Elton.
A smashing shot of the ensemble crossing Largin Viaduct. Copyright 83G Photography.
The ensemble is a perfect fit for this gap in the landscape at Treboul, near St Germans. Copyright Craig Munday.
43251 and 43257 sandwich an ex-Motorail Van, 96608 running as 5Z43 St. Blazey - Derby RTC on 14.08.2024. Pictured passing the site of Defiance Platform near Saltash. Copyright Ross Griffiths.
43251 96608 43257 on the 1030 St Blazey to Derby RTC pass Rockstone bridge Dawlish 14 August 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.
43251 96608 43257 on the 1030 St Blazey to Derby RTC pass Rockstone bridge Dawlish 14 August 2024 (Going away shot). Copyright Paul Barlow.
43251 & 43257 pass Exminster 14.8.2024. Copyright David Tozer.
Passing Cogload, we see Colas HST power cars 43251 and 43257 sandwich coach 96608, as 5Z43, working from St Blazey to Derby rtc. Copyright Bill Elston.
Freshly painted 43257 on the rear. Copyright Bill Elston.
Many thanks to you all.
The Northern Belle - 'Cornish Lunch'
Cardiff - Par, 14.08.2024
Bill Elston, David Tozer, Paul Barlow, Craig Munday, Neil Phillips, 83G Photography, Jon Hird & Max Elton
The Northern Belle passing Cogload, working from Cardiff to Par, 1Z80, T/T 57315 and 57313. Copyright Bill Elston.
57315 and 57313 pass Exminster with the 1Z80 1045 Cardiff Central - Par. Copyright David Tozer.
57315 57313 work the 1045 Cardiff to Par 1Z80 Northern Belle Pullmans Rockstone Bridge 14 August 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.
57315 57313 work the 1045 Cardiff to Par 1Z80 Rockstone Bridge 14 August 2024. going away shot. Copyright Paul Barlow.
The tour crosses St. Pinnock Viaduct. Copyright 83G Photography.
57315 passes Respryn. Copyright Max Elton.
Some super light for the tour as it rounds the bend at Restormel. The field behind has already been harvested - a reminder of how far into the summer we actually are. Copyright Craig Munday.
Neil Phillips writes:
I intercepted today's (Wednesday's) WCRC special from Cardiff to Par at journey's end, where it rested in platform 3 for just 16 minutes before returning to Cardiff. The Pullman-style train was top & tailed by 57315 and 57313 in matching livery and arrived just 2 minutes down. There was enough time for the participants to stretch their legs on the platform and take some souvenir photos before the 'all aboard' whistle blew. An interesting situation arose 2 minutes before departure time when the 15-minute late-running 2P17 13.50 Penzance - Plymouth formed of IET 802017 arrived at platform 2 - and it was further delayed while the special was allowed to depart on time ahead of it at 15.08 (not 14.52 as reported on RTT - that's when it arrived!) 2P17 then followed under a caution signal just 2 minutes later, but was 21 late at Lostwithiel and 26 behind by the time it reached Plymouth, which the non-stop special had cleared at 15.54.
I always like to look up the original identities of such locomotives and as Class 47s 57313 was built as ER freight-only D1890 (its status now somewhat upgraded from MGR coal trains!) and 57315 started out as WR D1911, a Cardiff Canton-based loco which would have occasionally visited Cornwall when still relatively new.
I intercepted today's (Wednesday's) WCRC special from Cardiff to Par at journey's end, where it rested in platform 3 for just 16 minutes before returning to Cardiff. The Pullman-style train was top & tailed by 57315 and 57313 in matching livery and arrived just 2 minutes down. There was enough time for the participants to stretch their legs on the platform and take some souvenir photos before the 'all aboard' whistle blew. An interesting situation arose 2 minutes before departure time when the 15-minute late-running 2P17 13.50 Penzance - Plymouth formed of IET 802017 arrived at platform 2 - and it was further delayed while the special was allowed to depart on time ahead of it at 15.08 (not 14.52 as reported on RTT - that's when it arrived!) 2P17 then followed under a caution signal just 2 minutes later, but was 21 late at Lostwithiel and 26 behind by the time it reached Plymouth, which the non-stop special had cleared at 15.54.
I always like to look up the original identities of such locomotives and as Class 47s 57313 was built as ER freight-only D1890 (its status now somewhat upgraded from MGR coal trains!) and 57315 started out as WR D1911, a Cardiff Canton-based loco which would have occasionally visited Cornwall when still relatively new.
57315 leads 1Z80 10.45 Cardiff General - Par into Par's platform 3. 14th August 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
57313 'Scarborough Castle' brings up the rear of 1Z80. 14th August 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
57313 'Scarborough Castle' in close-up - we're quite used to 'Castle' names on trains in Cornwall, but not this one! 14th August 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Now running as 1Z81, 57313 gets the green light ahead of 2P17 on the right and departs on time at 15.08. 14th August 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
57315 is now 'Tail End Charlie' for the run back to Cardiff. 14th August 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
The returning tour powers up through Treesmill. Copyright Max Elton.
57315 on the rear as the tour passes below Stoneybridge overbridge. Copyright Max Elton.
57313 leads the return 'Northern Belle', 1Z81 15:08 Par - Cardiff, over Pendalake Viaduct in the Glynn Valley. Copyright Jon Hird.
Thanks all!
The Midland Pullman
Chesterfield - Paignton - 14.08.2024
Bill Elston, Paul Barlow & David Tozer
The Blue Pullman working Chesterfield to Paignton, 1Z76, seen coming off the Westbury line at Cogload. Copyright Bill Elston.
Blue Pullman, led by 43046. Copyright Bill Elston.
The Midland Pullman with 43046 and 43049 at Exminster with the 0552 1Z76 Chesterfield to Paignton. Copyright David Tozer.
43046 43049 work the 0552 Chesterfield to Paignton 'Torbay Riviera Pullman' passes Rockstone Dawlish 14 August 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.
43046 43049 work the 0552 Chesterfield to Paignton 'Torbay Riviera Pullman' heading into Dawlish station 14 August 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Thanks to you all for sharing your images.
Clay on a sunny day
Jon Hird & Max Elton
An early start for me this morning, 66244 reverses 6B00, the St. Blazey - Treviscoe empty JIA's, out of St. Blazey yard past the signalbox and former station. 14.08.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
By the time I got to Par, the loco had already been 'chopped off' and was starting its run round using the lines from Par - St. Blazey. Copyright Jon Hird.
66244 using Par Platform 3 to run round its train. Copyright Jon Hird.
The loco runs round towards St. Blazey in preparation for a departure to the west. Copyright Jon Hird.
A shot I've wanted for a while, but struggled to do with work/times/kids etc. Just before 8am 66244 departs for Treviscoe with its JIA's in some nice, sharp morning sunshine. Copyright Jon Hird.
Having returned from Treviscoe full of 'white gold', 66244 is parked in the summer sun at Par whilst waiting its path to Exeter Riverside. Copyright Max Elton.
The second clay train in operation in Cornwall today, 66025 passes Middleway, St. Blazey with 6G09, the Goonbarrow - Fowey trip. Copyright Max Elton.
66244 passes through Lostwithiel whilst heading for Exeter Riverside with 6C10, the Treviscoe - Exeter Riverside loaded JIA's. Copyright Max Elton.
Thanks, Max
'Castles & Units' - 14.08.24
Craig Munday, Neil Phillips, 83G Photography & Max Elton
This composition was irresistible! Blue 150219 at rest in Par's Chapel Siding. 14th August 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
A GWR 'Castle Class' HST running as 2C26 ahead of the Northern Belle at Restormel. The GWR green livery off-set by the lovely silage bales and stubble in the background. Copyright Craig Munday.
A 'Castle' heads East over Largin Viaduct. Copyright 83G Photography.
A 'Castle Crossover' at Respryn. Copyright Max Elton.
43042 calls at Par. The clock is ticking for the HST's. Copyright Max Elton.
The end of 1976
By Roger Winnen
Part 3
26.12.1976 - D1013 Western Ranger at Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen
26.12.1976 - Class 50 Sea Sidings Penzance. Copyright Roger Winnen
29.12.1976 - Possibly 50019 at Wheal Busy Scorrier on 29th December 1976. Copyright Roger Winnen
29.12.1976 - Wheal Busy. Copyright Roger Winnen
29.12.1976 - D1023 Western Fusilier passes Grampound Road on 29th December 1976. Copyright Roger Winnen
29.12.1976 - D1023 Going away passing the loading banks at Grampound Road. Copyright Roger Winnen
A frosty morning at Rewe
Paul Barlow
One from 2009 with 67019 and 67005 on a football special, 07:57 1Z70 Plymouth to Finsbury Park. I don't know who Argyle were playing but I think is was an important match! I'm sure somebody will know!
Many thanks Paul.. any ideas, football fans?
Classic Scenes at Dawlish
Phil 'Shattered' Smith
50034 on an 'up' train at Dawlish in 1989. Copyright Phil Smith.
Thanks Phil.. the old sea wall, a '50', the classic cars.. it's all there!