The Britannic Explorer
22-23.08.2026
David Tozer, Roger Winnen, Mark Lynam, Jon Hird, Andrew Triggs, Sam Sheldrick, Tony Shore & Clive Smith
Belmond's luxurious 'Britannic Explorer' visited Cornwall once again over the weekend of 22nd/23rd August.
Heading into the county this time in top and tail formation to speed up the departure from Bishops Lydeard, the train followed its regular itenary of a visit to Penzance, and an overnight stop at Fowey Docks.
The traction this time was 66740 and regular 66748.
Heading into the county this time in top and tail formation to speed up the departure from Bishops Lydeard, the train followed its regular itenary of a visit to Penzance, and an overnight stop at Fowey Docks.
The traction this time was 66740 and regular 66748.
66748 passes Exminster with the very late running 1C02 Bishops Lydeard to Penzance. 22.08.2026, copyright David Tozer.
66748 leads 'The Britannic Explorer' through Plymouth. 22.08.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
66740 'Sarah' bringing up the rear at Plymouth. 22.08.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
66740 idles on the rear as the train heads on towards Cornwall. 22.08.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
66748 crosses St. Pinnock Viaduct with the Bishops Lydeard - Penzance 'Britannic Explorer. 22.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
Despite dark clouds overhead, the sun held out for 66748 passing the meadow at Restormel en route to Penzance. 22.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
And the Sun disappears as 66748 leads 1C02 passes Marazion, running 76 late at 15.12. 22.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
66748 beneath the station roof at Penzance. 22.08.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
A different GBRf 'Shed' with 66740 'Sarah' at Platform 1 at Penzance. 22.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
66740 'Sarah'. 22.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The formation stabled at Platform 1 with 802113 at Platform 3 on a dull August Saturday afternoon. 22.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
66740 leading the Penzance - Fowey leg past Scorrier. 22.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66748 on the rear of the train running alongside the A30 at Scorrier. 22.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66740 powering through Dowgas (Coombe) on the Penzance - Fowey leg of the excursion. 22.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66740 passes through St. Austell station en route to Fowey. 22.08.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
66748 on the rear at St. Austell. 22.08.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
66740 slows as it runs through Lostwithiel towards the up goods loop. 22.08.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
After a pause to allow a few GWR services to pass by, 66748 exits the up goods loop and ladders onto the dowm main in order to access the Fowey branch. 22.08.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
66748 passing through Lostwithiel. 22.08.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
66740 now on the rear as the train heads to Fowey. 22.08.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
By this time of year, The Britannic Explorer passes Golant too late in the evening to get the sun on its side. However, by viewing it from the river side, and hence looking west, you can capture some dramatic skies above it if the sun plays ball. 66748 leads along the Fowey branch. 22.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
A trip by boat to Fowey to watch the Regatta Week fireworks presented an unusual opportunity to view the train stabled at Carne Point. 22.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Fowey fireworks from the river. 22.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The next morning, 66740 runs into Lostwithiel with the Fowey - Cranmore segment of the tour. It will stop to collect passengers who alighted earlier in the morning - the train having returned to the Fowey branch for servicing following that. 23.08.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
Passengers rejoin the train at Lostwithiel. 23.08.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
66748 on the rear of the train as it pulls into the up goods loop where it will wait time for its path to Somerset. 23.08.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
The clouds are rolling in over east Cornwall but thankfully the sun keeps shining on the train as 66740 approaches Menheniot. 23.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66740 leads the 1Z06 09.40 Lostwithiel Goods Loop - Bruton via Fowey 'Britannic Express' with 66748 on the rear running 12 minutes early at Harford Bridge in Ivybridge. 23.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
66748 on the rear at Ivybridge. 23.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks all - a nice selection of images of this train, which brings a very welcome bit of interest to the railways of the far west.
Testing at Penryn
Dave Pond
Following on from Mark Lynam's pics of 153 379 at Falmouth, here it is at Penryn on the return journey, waiting for the first Truro-Falmouth passenger to pass.
153379 waits for the first passenger service of the day to pass it at Penryn, returning from Falmouth Docks. 18.08.2026, copyright Dave Pond.
Looking towards Truro at Penryn whilst 153379 awaits the GWR unit. 18.08.2026, copyright Dave Pond.
The GWR Class 150 passes 153379, allowing the test train to continue along the single line branch to the mainline at Truro. 18.08.2026, copyright Dave Pond.
Many thanks indeed Dave, the loop and platform arrangement at Penryn is always nice to see in action - a clever solution by its designers.
47's to Kingswear
David Tozer & Clive Smith
Saturdays 'English Riviera Express' was yet again diesel-hauled, following the long-running mainline steam ban due to the heat waves.
Passing Exminster, we see 47593 + 3091 3140 1666 3107 3125 3148 3100 80044 3122 3045 17013 + 57302 with the 1Z07 05:30 Bedford to Kingswear. 22.08.2026, copyright David Tozer.
57302 (out of sight) top & tailed with 47593 on the 1Z08 16:35 Kingswear - Bedford' English Riviera Express' passing Cockwood Harbour in full sun an full mud. Rear locos do count for photos when they are more attractive than the one upfront. Lovely evening outside the Anchor Inn on the wall with a pint in one hand and a camera in the other. 22.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks to you both.
With a summer almost bereft of mainline steam, and weather forecasters warning that this years climate is likely to become the norm going forward, one does have to wonder what the future holds for this industry. Will winter steam excursions become more popular?
With a summer almost bereft of mainline steam, and weather forecasters warning that this years climate is likely to become the norm going forward, one does have to wonder what the future holds for this industry. Will winter steam excursions become more popular?
Diesel Day at Bodmin
Mark Lynam
47306 working the days services at Bodmin is seen about to pass beneath the A38 road bridge on the first train of the day to Bodmin Parkway. 22.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
47306 runs round its train at Bodmin Parkway. 22.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
An on-time departure from Bodmin Parkway for a trip up the hill back to Bodmin General. 22.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
Many thanks once again, Mark.
August 1976
Part 24
Roger Winnen
The St. Ives unit approaches Lelant Station. 28.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Hayle Power Station. 28.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Hayle Power Station. 28.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.