'The Greatest Gathering'
Paul Negus
I’m privileged- and it really is a privilege - to be at The Greatest Gathering in Derby Litchurch Lane Works. The logistics of assembling such a collection of locomotives and rolling stock not to mention the stalls and miniature trains is mind boggling. It’s a credit to Alstom.
A few pictures of local interest below.
A few pictures of local interest below.
There were three Class 50s lined up. If you turned around - there were two more! What a show of power. All immaculate, as were the other exhibits on show. 50007, 50033 and 50049 look very smart in their matching Large Logo blue liveries with grey roofs. 01.08.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
50035 'Ark Royal' and 50044 'Exeter' have been vinyl wrapped into special advertising liveries for the event. 01.08.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
Herewith a favourite of mine - Clan Line. They were giving footplate access (that’s me leaning out of the cab window) and I spent a good 20 minutes chatting to the driver. Seems the ACE is a favourite of theirs but it is not possible to fit in this year, due to commitments with Belmond hires. 01.08.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
A view onboard the footplate of 35028 'Clan Line'. 01.08.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
The roaring fire of Clan Line. 01.08.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
The handsome head-on portrait of a Merchant Navy Class. 01.08.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
35028 on display at Derby. 01.08.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
It was good to see that the Plymouth Valley Railway had a presence at The Greatest Gathering. I’m sure it will be excellent publicity for them! The lines 'Intercity' liveried Sentinel Shunter on display. GWR's 57604 is to the left, recently repainted at Eastleigh. 01.08.2025, copyright Paul Negus.
Many thanks indeed, Paul - a once in a lifetime event. Great to see.
62 Years of Decay
Railway Relics around St. Agnes
Roger Winnen & Jon Hird
The red brick building is the original St. Agnes station building. The extension in the background has been added post-closure and straddles the track bed obscuring the view of the road-over-rail bridge which lies beyond it. The wooden structure to the left of the brick building is an alteration to the original canopy. 31.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
As things were 11 years after closure, in 1973. St Agnes Station showing the island platform. 04.02.1973, copyright Roger Winnen.
The station frontage on 31.07.2025. Copyright Jon Hird.
The same view (almost) from 50+ years earlier. 04.02.1973, copyright Roger Winnen.
Moving a few miles east towards Perranporth, we come across the lovely Wheal Liberty Viaduct. 31.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
The same scene from 1973. 04.02.1973. copyright Roger Winnen.
The northern face of the viaduct, with the camera looking towards Perranporth. 31.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
At the eastern end of the viaduct a bridge carried a minor road over the line. The farmer has completely filled the cutting on the Perranporth side of this, but interestingly the St. Agnes side is not filled. 31.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Peeking beneath the arch of the bridge. It's been 62 years since a train last passed through here. 31.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
A short drone video of Wheal Liberty in the mist. Click the red 'Play' button to view. Copyright Jon Hird.
4566 - Can you help?
From the 4566 Preservation Group:
This is an odd request which I hope a C.R.S. member might be able to help me with.
My 4566 archive currently stands as two 100-page photograph albums containing many different things spanning the years 1925 to nominally current!
I have photographs of GWR Locomotives (7th Edition) and British Railway Western Region (Winter 1957/8) ABC’s both of which list 4566 as you would expect. However, in both cases 4566 is NOT underlined!
Does anyone have an ABC which shows 4566 as having been “copped”?
If someone does would it be possible for them me to photograph (phone camera more than acceptable) both the front cover and the relevant page. I would love to include this in my archive.
This is an odd request which I hope a C.R.S. member might be able to help me with.
My 4566 archive currently stands as two 100-page photograph albums containing many different things spanning the years 1925 to nominally current!
I have photographs of GWR Locomotives (7th Edition) and British Railway Western Region (Winter 1957/8) ABC’s both of which list 4566 as you would expect. However, in both cases 4566 is NOT underlined!
Does anyone have an ABC which shows 4566 as having been “copped”?
If someone does would it be possible for them me to photograph (phone camera more than acceptable) both the front cover and the relevant page. I would love to include this in my archive.
If you can help with this one, please drop us an email and we'll be glad to put you in touch with David from the 4566 Preservation Group. Our email address: [email protected]