A royal visit
David Tozer
King Charles paid a visit to the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth on Thursday 19th December. He travelled to Devon onboard the Royal Train, entering the county during the early hours of the morning. The train crossed over at Totnes and was parked on the South Devon Railway, before running back into Totnes at a more reasonable time where the King disembarked and travelled by road to Dartmouth. The train once again ran onto the SDR to await Charles return.
Later in the afternoon, the King arrived back at Totnes and boarded the train at Totnes mainline station, before heading home.
With plans to 'scrap' the Royal Train in 2027, it seems quite likely that this will be the trains final visit to the westcountry.
Later in the afternoon, the King arrived back at Totnes and boarded the train at Totnes mainline station, before heading home.
With plans to 'scrap' the Royal Train in 2027, it seems quite likely that this will be the trains final visit to the westcountry.
The Royal Train returns East passing Silverton with DB Class 67's 67006 'Royal Sovereign' and 67005 'King's Messenger' top and tailing the rolling stock. 19.12.2025, copyright David Tozer.
Many thanks Dave - I was hoping that somebody would capture this most unusual working, and you had the sunshine to boot. Excellent work!
Re: What's in the wagons?
Andrew Jones
Hello Keith, Jon and Roger, it seems the mystery photograph has caused a bit of a stir.
I found the below references to BR pipe wagons which appear from the numerous photos on the site to resemble the wagons at Nancegollan.
One of the compelling arguments are the low sides in the photograph, although unfortunately we can't see any brake detail.
If only we could find someone still alive at the time who worked at the station - It would be a wonderful Christmas present.
The mystery continues!
Click here for Paul Bartlett's photographs of Pipe Wagons.
I found the below references to BR pipe wagons which appear from the numerous photos on the site to resemble the wagons at Nancegollan.
One of the compelling arguments are the low sides in the photograph, although unfortunately we can't see any brake detail.
If only we could find someone still alive at the time who worked at the station - It would be a wonderful Christmas present.
The mystery continues!
Click here for Paul Bartlett's photographs of Pipe Wagons.
Many thanks Andrew, a useful resource - best wishes for Christmas to you and Diane.
A morning at Silverton
David Tozer
DR75407 0830 6J84 Par to Tiverton Loop. 19.12.2025, copyright David Tozer.
GBrF Class 57 heading to Exeter, possible route learner. 1023 0Z71 Taunton Fairwater Yard to Exeter. 19.12.2025, copyright David Tozer.
Many thanks Dave - a fruitful days photography for you.
50 years ago in the westcountry
Part 5
Roger Winnen
D1041 Western Prince at Long Rock Shed. 31.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1051 Western Ambassador in Long Rock Shed. 31.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1041 Western Prince at Long Rock Shed. 31.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
50027 arrives at Penzance on the 08.42 from Plymouth. 31.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1022 Western Sentinel at Penzance. 31.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1022 Western Sentinel at Penzance. 31.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
First HST to Plymouth
Paul Barlow
Further to Clive's/Nick Perring pictures of the first HST to Plymouth, here is a picture of it on the return at Exeter.
253021 heading east through Exeter St. Davids on 10th April 1977, the first visit of a production HST to Plymouth. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks for digging this one out for us, Paul.
Identifying Roger's locos
Karl Hewlett & Guy Vincent
From Karl Hewlett:
The Hastings Unit climbing the bank to Exeter Central on the Exeter St Davids to Brighton service 27/12/75 is 6L 1034:
The Hastings Unit climbing the bank to Exeter Central on the Exeter St Davids to Brighton service 27/12/75 is 6L 1034:
A Hastings Unit forms the Exeter St. David's to Brighton service. 27.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
The down Cornishman at Exeter 1V71 I believe is 45026:
The down Cornishman at Exeter St David's hauled by a Peak. 27.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
And class 119 DMU P579 is 51065+59424+51093 seen entering Exeter from Central Station:
A Cross Country Unit approaching Exeter St Davids on a working from Exmouth. 27.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
The DMU at St James Park Station is class 119 P579 again:
An Exmouth DMU service at St James Park. 27.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen.
And Guy Vincent writes to say:
Regarding the Marazion Marsh Western - This is D1005 'Western Venturer' with its ‘B’ end leading, no headboard clips following collision repairs some years earlier. From mid 1975 the damage to the lower cab side also makes this loco easy to identify.
Regarding the Marazion Marsh Western - This is D1005 'Western Venturer' with its ‘B’ end leading, no headboard clips following collision repairs some years earlier. From mid 1975 the damage to the lower cab side also makes this loco easy to identify.
A Western on the Cornishman at Marazion Marsh. 30.12.1975, copyright Roger Winnen
Many thanks to Guy and Karl for identifying some of Rogers mystery locos, much appreciated.