Diesel Duchy
47746 and 47237 work 'The Royal Duchy'
Clive Smith & Jon Hird
Due to the ongoing steam ban - despite being a rather wet and miserable day - Sundays 'The Royal Duchy' excursion was hauled by 2 WCRC class 47's.
West Coast 47237 crosses the Royal Albert Bridge into Saltash with 1Z48 08.47 Bristol Temple Meads - Par "The Royal Duchy". 30.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
47746 brings up the rear of the Royal Duchy at Saltash. 30.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
47746 opens up as it crosses Liskeard Viaduct with the returning 'Royal Duchy'. 30.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
'The Royal Duchy' continues past Bolitho. 30.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks Clive. With a couple of steam tours scheduled for September, I wonder whether any further mainline steam will make it to the far west this year.
The Britannic Explorer visits the west
29.08-30.08.2026
Martin Scane, Jonathan Harbage, Andrew Triggs, Mark Lynam, Jon Hird, Clive Smith & Bill Elston
66748 and 66764 pass through Exeter St. Davids with the Bishops Lydeard - Penzance leg of 'The Britannic Explorer'. 29.08.2026, copyright Martin Scane.
66764 approaches Truro. 29.08.2026, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
GBRf 66764 with regular 66748 passing Ponsandane with 1C02 09.00 Bishops Lydeard GBRf-Penzance, on a dull Saturday afternoon in West Cornwall. 29.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The Duo later propelling 5C03 14.26 Penzance-Penzance away towards Slopers. 29.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
66764 awaiting departure from St. Erth with 1C03 17.30 Penzance-Fowey Docks Carne Point 'Britannic Explorer'. 29.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
66748 trailing 1C03 as it departs St Erth for Fowey Docks Carne Point. 29.08.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
66764 leads the 1730 Penzance - Fowey past Scorrier. 29.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66748 on the rear of the train as it skirts the A30 at Scorrier. 29.08.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66748 leads the way to Fowey at Coulsons Park, Lostwithiel, where the River Fowey is on a spring tide. 29.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66764 now on the rear at Coulsons Park, Lostwithiel as the train heads for Fowey. 29.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
In a heavy downpour 66764 approaches Dockyard station with the 1Z06 09.40 Lostwithiel Down Goods Loop - Cranmore via Fowey 'Britannic Explorer'. 30.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
66748 brings up the rear of the Britannic Explorer passing through Dockyard station. 30.08.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
The train is again seen passing Oath on the Somerset Levels, about 15 min early. Fortunately the rain held off. 30.08.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
Many thanks for all the photos, everyone.
August 1976
Part 31
Roger Winnen
A Class 46 departs Totnes for Plymouth. 30.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Peak arrives at Totnes. 30.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Peak arrives at Totnes. 30.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1065 Western Consort arrives at Plymouth. 30.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Plymouth Friary. 30.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Class 47 in Platform 2 at Plymouth. 30.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.