Chasing 'Castles'
Alan Peters
I did not think the day would come when I would be chasing HST's for pictures as these were once seen as the loco hauled killers when I was chasing class 50's, now I'm trying to video 'Castle' classes before their demise, how times have changed. Although not the location I wanted for St Germans viaduct, a Castle Class crosses with late running 2C26 Plymouth to Penzance on 16th August 2025. Copyright Alan Peters.
Looking rather overgrown, or what Network Rail calls 'The Green Corridor' a Castle Class works the 2C11 Plymouth to Penzance passing Respryn Woods on 15th August 2025. Copyright Alan Peters.
It was also a 'Bubble Car day' on the Bodmin Railway on 16th August 2025 with 121020 waiting to depart Bodmin Parkway with 10:25 to Bodmin General, whilst I drove DMU's on the Cornish branches I never took any pictures! Copyright Alan Peters.
Many thanks indeed Alan. I feel that the numerous stays of execution bestowed upon the GWR HST fleet has somewhat numbed the feeling of urgency around their impending demise - they really won't be around for much longer now. Get your shots whilst you can!
Testing, testing..
Jon Hird & Joe Birchall
August 19th saw Network Rail's modified class 150 unit 950001 complete a trip around Cornwall recording data about the railway. It made a visit to Parkandillack shortly before 0700. I've not photographed a train here for many years, so had an early start to the day to get a few shots. Here, the train has just rounded the curve from Treviscoe and is approaching Parkandillack. 19.08.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
After a quick reversal, the unit departs Parkandillack for Penzance. 19.08.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
950001 leaves Parkandillack behind as 2Q08 heads for Penzance. 19.08.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
From Joe Birchall:
I was originally going to see the ‘freight’ service which was going down through Truro at 10:14, having past Burngullow 29 minutes late, I thought I was in plenty of time, only to discover it went through Truro 166 minutes early at 07:27, so how it got from Burngullow to Truro in 13 minutes is a mystery. We were going to go to Penzance anyway today, but a quick detour to the station revealed it to be Network Rail’s ‘150’, which was very surprising, as I was under the impression it’s last trip to Cornwall was back in May. I have attached several pictures from today, as well as a picture from May.
I was originally going to see the ‘freight’ service which was going down through Truro at 10:14, having past Burngullow 29 minutes late, I thought I was in plenty of time, only to discover it went through Truro 166 minutes early at 07:27, so how it got from Burngullow to Truro in 13 minutes is a mystery. We were going to go to Penzance anyway today, but a quick detour to the station revealed it to be Network Rail’s ‘150’, which was very surprising, as I was under the impression it’s last trip to Cornwall was back in May. I have attached several pictures from today, as well as a picture from May.
950001 at rest at Penzance. 19.08.2025. copyright Joe Birchall.
An interesting close-up of the front end of 950001 showing the recording gear and lighting arrangement. 19.08.2025. copyright Joe Birchall.
950001 at rest at Penzance. 19.08.2025. copyright Joe Birchall.
A shot from May 2025 of the unit in Truro Yard between duties. At the time, it was rumoured that this would be the last visit of 950001 to the southwest - yet it soldiers on! Copyright Joe Birchall.
Many thanks, Joe.
With regards to the Burngullow / Real Time Trains confusion, it seems that the unit skipped the short break at Par, instead either using the Burngullow or St. Austell crossovers (can anybody confirm which?) to get over to the down main.
The train then reported on RTT as at Burngullow heading East when it was actually heading West. An interesting morning!
With regards to the Burngullow / Real Time Trains confusion, it seems that the unit skipped the short break at Par, instead either using the Burngullow or St. Austell crossovers (can anybody confirm which?) to get over to the down main.
The train then reported on RTT as at Burngullow heading East when it was actually heading West. An interesting morning!
Hymek News
from the West Somerset Railway
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of D7017 and D7018 entering preservation, both locos will be in use on SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 30/31 AUGUST working separately and together on an enhanced timetable that includes early and late services originating at Bishops Lydeard, with 120 miles of ‘Hymek’ haulage available each day, 40 miles of which will be DOUBLE HEADED.
Many thanks to Andrew Hickson for sending this in - we hope to see some photos!
An old friend at Penzance Station
Andrew & Diane Jones
Diane and I decided to take our passport and headed west to Penzance today Tuesday 19th August 2025.
We first sampled the excellent thermal pool, then lunch at the old lifeboat house.
I noticed on the way a short section of track including turntable serving the now closed Trinity House National Lighthouse museum.
To my knowledge this hasn't been featured on the site but possibly represents the farthest west railway still in existence (just) on our patch, although I'm not sure how much of the quarry railway still exists so I stand corrected.
After an excellent lunch we noted a castle service was due at the station and decided to record the 14.36 service consisting of Walton Castle leading and Tregenna Castle on the rear.
In one of the attached photographs, 43042 forms an emotional image with St Michael's Mount and gantry signal PZ 69 which I think is a worthy epitaph to this iconic and groundbreaking design.
So we decided to say possibly our last good bye to an old friend and returned to our overnight accommodation in Gulval and the delights of the Coldstreamer Inn.
As a postscript Diane and I tried to use our bus pass as suggested by the tourist office, but gave up as the 16a and 16 for some reason occasionally do not stop in Gulval, our taxis driver couldn't understand our efforts or the bus timetable and I'm not sure why we even tried in the end, such is the sorry state of public transport in this country!
We first sampled the excellent thermal pool, then lunch at the old lifeboat house.
I noticed on the way a short section of track including turntable serving the now closed Trinity House National Lighthouse museum.
To my knowledge this hasn't been featured on the site but possibly represents the farthest west railway still in existence (just) on our patch, although I'm not sure how much of the quarry railway still exists so I stand corrected.
After an excellent lunch we noted a castle service was due at the station and decided to record the 14.36 service consisting of Walton Castle leading and Tregenna Castle on the rear.
In one of the attached photographs, 43042 forms an emotional image with St Michael's Mount and gantry signal PZ 69 which I think is a worthy epitaph to this iconic and groundbreaking design.
So we decided to say possibly our last good bye to an old friend and returned to our overnight accommodation in Gulval and the delights of the Coldstreamer Inn.
As a postscript Diane and I tried to use our bus pass as suggested by the tourist office, but gave up as the 16a and 16 for some reason occasionally do not stop in Gulval, our taxis driver couldn't understand our efforts or the bus timetable and I'm not sure why we even tried in the end, such is the sorry state of public transport in this country!
A short section of track including turntable serving the (now closed) Trinity House National Lighthouse museum. 19.08.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones
A 'Castle' arriving at Penzance. 19.08.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
43042 prepares to head east from Penzance. 19.08.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
43042 forms an emotional image with St Michael's Mount and gantry signal PZ 69 which I think is a worthy epitaph to this iconic and groundbreaking design. 19.08.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
'Tregenna Castle', the nameplate of 43042. 19.08.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
43098 'Walton Castle' 19.08.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Many thanks Andrew & Diane - some great photos of the stomping ground of Roger W! We will certainly miss the HST's when they are gone.
Plym Valley Pacers
Roger Winnen
142023 Works the Sunday service to Plym Bridge Platform on 17th August 2025. Copyright Roger Winnen
A rather quiet Sunday as a lot of attractions in Plymouth were holding events. 17.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
Rolling stock stabled in the yard includes 143 pacer unit. 17.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen
Destination Newton Abbot on the Cornish Skipper at Plymbridge Platform. These were the only passengers aboard the train. 17.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Awaiting the return trip at 12.45hrs. 17.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
A variety of rolling stock at Marsh Mills. 17.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The CDA Preservation group at Marsh Mills. 17.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Andrew Barclay 705 together with a HST Power Car and a prototype DMU. 17.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
43063 at Marsh Mills. 17.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
143618 Pacer Unit at Marsh Mills. 17.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
This Sentinel locomotive took place in the great gathering at Derby a few weeks ago. 17.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
66063 heads to Fowey
Tony Shore
66063 climbing through Stoneybridge with 12 loaded JIA's ex-Goonbarrow for Fowey. 19.08.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
66063 continues the climb towards Treverrin Tunnel. 19.08.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
After running round at Lostwithiel, we see 6G09 again at Golant. 19.08.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
Many thanks, Tony.
St. Stephens Sleeper
Jon Hird
57602 hauls the down sleeper over Coombe (St. Stephens) viaduct. 19.08.2025, copyright Jon Hird.