'Scuds' to the West!
Clive Smith, Mark Lynam & Jon Hird
A welcome return of class 153s to the westcountry after more than six years, albeit not a passenger train. This is 153379 and 153384 which are Network Rail's video inspection units on the 2Q54 12.49 Bristol Kingsland Road - Par Liner Sidings passing Ivybridge station. 07.08.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
The weather improved as the units headed further west. 153384 + 153379 at Respryn working 2Q54 1249 Bristol Kingsland Road to Par Liner Sidings. 07.08.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Futher west again and the pair of units slowly head down to Par from Treverrin tunnel, hot on the heels of an IET headed for Newquay. 07.08.2025, copyright Jon Hird
Former Class 153 units arrive at Par in the livery of Network Rail. 07.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Standing in the Clay Liner Siding. 07.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Stabled at Par overnight ready for an early departure back east the following morning. 07.08.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Many thanks, all - a few years ago, the thought of a special trip out to photograph a '153' would have made us all laugh!
Stabled at Stoke Gifford
Phil 'Shattered' Smith
37072, 31456, 37674 and 47241 prepare to move off from Stoke Gifford in this 1988 shot from Phil. Copyright Phil Smith.
Better times Phil - many thanks.
Roaming the rails in '73
Part 2
Roger Winnen
St. Blazey Bridge Crossing. 07.04.1973, copyright Roger Winnen
Goonbarrow Signal Box. 07.04.1973, copyright Roger Winnen
Ponts Mill. 07.04.1973, copyright Roger Winnen
The bridge crossing the main Bugle Road. The Carbean Branch. 07.04.1973, copyright Roger Winnen
The Carbean Branch crosses the road at Bugle. 07.04.1973, copyright Roger Winnen
Treffry Aqueduct. 07.04.1973, copyright Roger Winnen
Stenalees Tunnel. 07.04.1973, copyright Roger Winnen
Stenalees Tunnel. 07.04.1973, copyright Roger Winnen
St. Blazey Station and Signal Box. 07.04.1973, copyright Roger Winnen
Bugle Signal Box. 07.04.1973, copyright Roger Winnen
Classic Traction at Plymouth
Clive Smith & Roger Winnen
Europhoenix 37608 'Andromeda' looking very smart in its green Rail Operations Group livery at platform 2 at Plymouth station on the 7th. The former 37022 was built in May 1961 so is an incredible 64 years old. The loco was outshopped in this livery I think in May 2024. Prior to this it was in the dull grey Europhoenix livery. The loco arrived the previous day as 0V84 14.37 Norton Junction - Laira light engine running well over an hour late and thankfully diverted to Plymouth station rather than hidden away at Laira depot. 07.08.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
37608 Stabled in number 2 dock at Plymouth. 07.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
37608 In rail operations group Livery standing by as rescue at Plymouth Station as Class 175 units were on driver taining. 07.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
A smart livery for 37608 Andromea. 07.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Thanks both - very thoughtful of them to leave it out on display!
More 'Boardmasters Specials'
Roger Winnen, Mark Lynam & Jon Hird
Arrival at Newquay on the 13.12 from Plymouth we see travellers arriving for the Newquay Boardmasters event. 07.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Passengers heading for the buses to Watergate Bay. 07.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Ticket checks at Newquay. 07.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Passengers queuing at Newquay for buses to the festival. 07.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The IET forms the 15.40 service to Par. 07.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Under the canopy at Newquay Station. 07.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
A final photo of Newquay in the rain. 07.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The 08 shunter at Rocks Dries Goonbarrow where we passed another train for Newquay. 07.08.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Still wearing its promotional 'Paddington in Peru' livery, GWR 802106 swishes past Respryn whilst working the 1Z84 103 Paddington - Newquay 'Boardmasters Special'. 07.08.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
'Paddington in Paru' as 802106 approaches Par and the Newquay branch. 07.08.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
802114 approaches Par, passing the NR class 153s, whilst working the 2Z39 1806 Newquay - Par. This unit had passed the previously pictured unit at Goonbarrow Junction. It would then form 1Z39 and depart Par at 1857 for Paddington. 07.08.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Many thanks, Mark