NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 22
Remembering 29 December
Michael L. Roach
As I suspect is the case with most adults, there will be dates in the calendar etched in the memory because of the events that occurred on those dates. I have just a couple: 29 March (sad); 15 October (happy); and 29 December (dramatic). I have written about 29 December 1962 before several times, so do not intend to say much this time. That date was the day that the last passenger trains ran from Plymouth to Tavistock South and Launceston, and they were steam-hauled right to the end by 4500/4575 light prairies and 6400 pannier tanks, much as they would have been in the 1930s (and even earlier in the case of the prairies).
Having made many trips over the line in the previous 20 months, I opted not to travel far on the trains on the last day, but to spend much of the daylight hours at Yelverton photographing the last trains to call at the station. The decision was made before seeing the weather forecast which was not good. After the booking office closed at 2.00pm the only shelter from the 60mph winds and driving snow was to stand on the west side of a building in the lee of the bitter easterly wind.
You can read more about the last weeks of 1962, that dramatic last day and the evening trip from Plymouth to Tavistock South in a previous series – click here
Having made many trips over the line in the previous 20 months, I opted not to travel far on the trains on the last day, but to spend much of the daylight hours at Yelverton photographing the last trains to call at the station. The decision was made before seeing the weather forecast which was not good. After the booking office closed at 2.00pm the only shelter from the 60mph winds and driving snow was to stand on the west side of a building in the lee of the bitter easterly wind.
You can read more about the last weeks of 1962, that dramatic last day and the evening trip from Plymouth to Tavistock South in a previous series – click here
5564 stands in Yelverton Station having just brought in the 10.40am Plymouth to Launceston. The overnight snow on the platform was 75 – 100 mm deep. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
6430 passes through Yelverton non-stop with the 10.53am Millbay to Tavistock South ECS train of four auto-coaches. 6430 is preserved on the Llangollen Steam Railway. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
6400 runs through Yelverton non-stop with the 2.00pm ECS train from Tavistock South to Millbay. Note the stop-board for freight trains. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Relief Services Remembered
Roger Geach
A picture to remind of us relief services, 47040 works the 1045 Penzance - Paddington relief service past Dobwalls on 27.12.1977. The cable was always a pain here when shooting west. Copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks, Roger - another cracking photo
Sulzers in Devon
Paul Barlow
08.07.1981 - 33104 at Exeter St Davids, the loco is backing onto the 0940 to London Waterloo. Copyright Paul Barlow.
05.09.1981 - 45005 leaves Paignton on the 1035 to Leeds and Hull, 1E60. This train was split at Sheffield. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks as always, Paul
Re: 03371
Roger Geach
Roger writes:
I see you have a shot of 03371 posted today (28.12.2024), well here it is in BR service. On 23.12.1984 03371 was the station pilot at Newcastle, a Gateshead loco then, far away from the West Country.
I see you have a shot of 03371 posted today (28.12.2024), well here it is in BR service. On 23.12.1984 03371 was the station pilot at Newcastle, a Gateshead loco then, far away from the West Country.
03371 at Newcastle, acting as the station pilot on 23.12.1984. The loco at the time was based at Gateshead. Copyright Roger Geach.
40 years later, almost to the day, on 27.12.2024 03371 is pictured looking smart at Churston (Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway). Copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks, Roger - a well travelled little engine!