Clay by night
Alan Peters
Stabled at Westbury Downside the 6V76 Cliffe Vale - Goonbarrow with DB 66051 'Maritime Intermodal Four' in the early hours of 13th December 2025. Copyright Alan Peters.
Many thanks for another 'behind the scenes' image Alan, very much appreciated.
34028 'Eddystone'
Guy Vincent
SR 34028 Eddystone at Westbury with 1Z87 0718 Three Bridges - Bath Spa & Bristol T.M. "The Bath and Bristol Christmas Express". An amazing sight for many interested observers who had gathered on the station and nearby road bridge. 13.12.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
34028 details/close-ups. Click for enlargements. All images copyright Guy Vincent.
34028 departing Westbury in the crisp winter light. 13.12.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Later in the day, SR West Country Pacific 4- 6-2. 34028 Eddystone pauses at Westbury with the return leg of a Railway Touring Company day excursion from Three Bridges (Sussex) to Bath and Bristol. The loco returned to main line service in 2025 after a period of 61 years spent withdrawn, undergoing restoration, heritage line use and finally, becoming certified for use on Network Rail. Train: 1Z88 17.17 Bristol Temple Meads - Three Bridges. Diesel 47802 (formerly 47552) on the rear of the train. 13.12.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
47802 on the rear of the train at Westbury. 13.12.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
34028 departs for Sussex. 13.12.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks, Guy - excellent photos of an excellent machine. We hope to see her in Cornwall next year.
Re: What's in the wagons
Tony Hill
In response to a recent query from a reader regarding the load within some wagons pictured at Nancegollan:
Looks like pipes ..water or gas - pipes in ‘Pipe’ wagons possibly from Stanton Gate.
Likely for some local water works or gas pipe line job.
One of, if not the last significant movement of pipes by rail in the SW was to Okehampton in the 1970s icw the building of Meldon Reservoir.
Looks like pipes ..water or gas - pipes in ‘Pipe’ wagons possibly from Stanton Gate.
Likely for some local water works or gas pipe line job.
One of, if not the last significant movement of pipes by rail in the SW was to Okehampton in the 1970s icw the building of Meldon Reservoir.
The image which inspired the question - Nancegollan Station from the bridge, August 1962 (click for an enlargement). Copyright Kit Miles.
Many thanks Tony - a sound answer.
Santa By Steam
Jon Hird
Bodmins 5552 gets stuck into the climb away from Bodmin Parkway as it crosses the River Fowey at the head of the 1200 Parkway - General Christmas service on 13.12.2025. Copyright Jon Hird.
More from the
GWR Castle Finale
We are still working hard behind the scenes to compile all the photos we have been sent of the GWR 'Castle Class' HST finale on Saturday, which marked the end of scheduled English HST operations. A selection more photographs are below to whet your appetite!
43004 Caerphilly Castle waits to depart Exeter with the 0800 Exeter to Penzance. The last GWR HST to leave Exeter. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43186 Taunton Castle on rear of 0800 Exeter to Penzance. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
Exeter guard Gary Churchward works the last GWR HST from Exeter. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
Early doors at Moorswater where this surreal scene was just begging to be photographed. 43189 leads 2C16 over the viaduct still caped in the thick blanket of mist which hung over East Cornwall on the morning on 13.12.2025. Copyright Jon Hird.
The same train further west, with no mist! 43189 and 43156 with 2C16, the 1015 Plymouth to Penzance pass Long Rock. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43186 Taunton Castle (43004 on rear) depart Penzance with the 1150 Penzance to Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43004 on the rear of the 1150 Penzance to Plymouth leaving Penzance. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43186 leading the 1150 Penzance - Plymouth up the gradient towards Treverrin whilst working the 1150 Penzance - Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
43156 and 43189 depart Truro with the 1315 Penzance - Plymouth. This working was actually terminated at Par and worked the Newquay shuttle diagrams for the rest of the afternoon and into the night. Please click the play icon to view video. 13.12.2025, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
43156 with 43189 at Newquay working 2N16/2N17 on the branch. 13.12.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
43156 with 43189 at Newquay working 2N16/2N17 on the branch. 13.12.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
43156 'on the blocks' at Newquay. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43156 leads the delayed 1521 Newquay - Par away from Newquay over Trenance Viaduct. 13.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Castles leave Par simultaneously - 43187 and 43042 head east on the 1515 Penzance to Plymouth and 43156 43189 head down the branch with the 1611 Par to Newquay. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
Last-built power car 43198 leads 1Z76, an additional Plymouth - Penzance service which called only at Par, through Polkyth, St. Austell. 13.12.2025, copyright Julian Stephens.
43093 on the rear of 1Z76 as it heads on towards St. Austell. 13.12.2025, copyright Julian Stephens.
43156 and 43189 back at Par after arrival with 2N17 from Newquay. 13.12.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
43156 and 43189 back at Par after arrival with 2N17 from Newquay. 13.12.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
43042 and 43004 at Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43093 arrives at Plymouth with the 1732 from Penzance. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
The 3 Set line up at Plymouth with 43093/43187 & 43186 and 43004/43042 & 43198 displayed for the camera. 13.12.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The 3 Set line up at Plymouth with 43093/43187 & 43186 and 43004/43042 & 43198 displayed for the camera. 13.12.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
43186, 187 and 093 at Plymouth. 13.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
Looking down on the three-set lineup at Plymouth station. The middle set was later moved forwards slightly to line them up correctly. 13.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Thanks again all for recording this very important date.