44871 works 'The Royal Duchy'
18.08.2024
Roger Winnen, Max Elton, Neil Phillips & Jon Hird
The Royal Duchy arrives in Plymouth behind 44871 on route to Par. Copyright Roger Winnen
Taken from Platform 6 as the train is photographed by its participants. Copyright Roger Winnen
We had hoped to depart from Plymouth prior to the steam departure. We were beaton to it as the other services we running late. Copyright Roger Winnen
West Coast 47848 is seen tailing the train as it leave Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen
44871 passes Trerulefoot with the Bristol Temple Meads - Par 'Royal Duchy'. Copyright Max Elton.
44871 reaches journey's end at Par with 'The Royal Duchy'. 18th August 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Shunting moves at Par. Copyright Roger Winnen
Seen from the footbridge 47848 provides diesel back-up - in April 1970 I photographed D1640 on the Par - Park Royal Freightliner service from this same location, could 47848 be D1640 in disguise? Sadly no, it was built as D1652 - close but no cigar! 18th August 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
47848's other purpose was to provide Electric Train Supply to the air-conditioned coaching stock. 18th August 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
The loco arrives at St. Blazey to be turned and fuelled. Copyright Max Elton.
44871 on St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen
44871 re-coaling in progress on the St Blazey turntable. 18th August 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
Broadside of 44871 on St Blazey Turntable. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Inspection at St Blazey. Copyright Roger Winnen
As many will know the turntable area is not the easiest to photograph locomotives 'in situ' - this classic front 3/4 view combined a angle adjustment to align the rails for 44871's departure with a momentary balancing act on the fencing! 18th August 2024. Copyright Neil Phillips.
The loco pauses on the turntable after having been turned/serviced. Copyright Max Elton.
44871 In the Newquay Platform at Par. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Running round at Par. Copyright Roger Winnen
Awaiting to push back in order to gain access to Platform 3 for departure to Bristol Temple Meads where it arrived 80 minutes late owing to track defects. Copyright Roger Winnen.
The train is now approaching Platform 3 for departure to Bristol at 16.51. Copyright Roger Winnen
44871 passing the old Par Signal Box. Copyright Roger Winnen
The return tour pounds up Treesmill. Copyright Max Elton.
Moving up to Liskeard we see the train working well on the gradient into the station with assistance from the rear. Copyright Roger Winnen
Moving up to Liskeard we see the train working well on the gradient into the station with assistance from the rear. Copyright Roger Winnen
The 'Royal Duchy' is about to exit the Duchy as the returning tour crosses Coombe-By-Saltash viaduct. Copyright Jon Hird.
With the setting sun behind her, 44871 storms up and over Hemerdon (with a little assistance from the '47' on the rear!) Copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks for sharing your photos, Max & Neil
Wings over the sea wall
Paul Barlow
61306 Mayflower 0634 Poole to Kingswear approaches Teignmouth 17 August 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.
43097 43186 1221 Exeter to Penzance Sprey point Teignmouth 17 August 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul - it's lovely to see the steam, but equally nice to see a HST along the sea wall nowadays.
Swindon Freight
Keith Gale
Dear CRS,
I hope you don't mind me sending you this picture - it is a little out of the area but I see you often include happenings around Swindon. As many know, there are sidings serving a scrap yard (EMR) at Stratton that see an occasional train for loading scrap to be taken to Liverpool Docks. The train usually operates on a Friday (if it does work) and a quick look on Realtime Trains saw that this had arrived on 16 August 2024. As I live some distance away from Swindon I do have some history trying to photograph this working - in fact the last time I tried, Swindon seemed to have a monsoon episode and I could not take any photographs but received a right soaking for my efforts. Anyway, thank goodness for Realtime Trains and a sunny day. The usual heavy motorway traffic (M4) meant that I arrived a little later than planned but very fortunately the train was still being loaded and in a good position. Around ten minutes later the train was brought forward (under the road bridge) and the shot was lost. So please see a picture of 66797 loading the Swindon EMR to Liverpool scrap train on Friday 16 August 2024.
kind regards Keith
I hope you don't mind me sending you this picture - it is a little out of the area but I see you often include happenings around Swindon. As many know, there are sidings serving a scrap yard (EMR) at Stratton that see an occasional train for loading scrap to be taken to Liverpool Docks. The train usually operates on a Friday (if it does work) and a quick look on Realtime Trains saw that this had arrived on 16 August 2024. As I live some distance away from Swindon I do have some history trying to photograph this working - in fact the last time I tried, Swindon seemed to have a monsoon episode and I could not take any photographs but received a right soaking for my efforts. Anyway, thank goodness for Realtime Trains and a sunny day. The usual heavy motorway traffic (M4) meant that I arrived a little later than planned but very fortunately the train was still being loaded and in a good position. Around ten minutes later the train was brought forward (under the road bridge) and the shot was lost. So please see a picture of 66797 loading the Swindon EMR to Liverpool scrap train on Friday 16 August 2024.
kind regards Keith
66797 with a scrap train being loaded at EMR metals, at Highworth 16 August 2024. Copyright Keith Gale.
Keith, many thanks indeed for this most interesting photograph. Swindon is very much within the area we cover and we are most grateful for this interesting view, one which I'm not sure we have seen before - certainly not recently. It's very much appreciated, well caught.
More from 'down South'
Roger Geach
66148 with 4O21 the 0920 Trafford Park - Southampton west docks passes St Denys on 14.08.2024. Copyright Roger Geach.
66731 leads 4Y19, the 1222 Mountfield - Southampton docks through St. Denys on 14.08.2024. Copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks Roger - a few more of this area from Roger to follow - stay tuned.
The North Cornwall Miniature Railway open day
18.08.2024
Jon Hird
This miniature railway on the outskirts of St. Teath holds 4 public open days a year. All funds raised go to charity. It's well worth a visit, they're a lovely friendly bunch and go above and beyond to be accomodating. Their next open day is September 22nd.
Motive power at St. Teath West. Copyright Jon Hird.
One of the lines steam locos awaits departure from St. Teath West. Copyright Jon Hird.
'Gracie', a diesel hydraulic skirts the lake. Copyright Jon Hird.
Top and tailed Mardyke Hymeks. Copyright Jon Hird.
'Pengelley' with a full train. Copyright Jon Hird.
The Hymeks on an elevated section of track. Copyright Jon Hird.
I believe this is what you could call a 'work in progress'! A diesel loco awaits departure. Copyright Jon Hird.
For more info on this railway, please visit their Facebook page - click here.