From East Somerset to North-West London by rail
Guy Vincent
Sunday Dec 29th. The first morning departure of the day from Castle Cary to London Euston (1Z70 the 0830 from Exeter St Davids) arriving on time at CLC at 0918hrs. Trains diverted to Euston due to major HS2 works at Old Oak Common.
An Euston-bound Hitachi unit at Castle Cary. 29.12.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.
An Euston-bound Hitachi unit at Castle Cary. Note the 'Turbo' in the Bristol - Weymouth platform. 29.12.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.
An unusual destination for a GWR service. 29.12.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.
London Euston on the destination boards at Castle Cary. 29.12.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.
Another Euston-bound IET arrives at Castle Cary. 29.12.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks, Guy - not a station we see a lot of.
Devon 'Peaks'
Paul Barlow
21.09.1981 - 46026 heads the 2110 Exeter to Newton Abbot, this was stock off 1710 Waterloo to Exeter. 46023 is on platform 1 with the 1439 Leeds to Plymouth 1V94. Copyright Paul Barlow.
23.12.1981 - 46007 at Newton Abbot with the 0815 Birmingham to Plymouth 1V62. This loco had just returned to traffic after over 12 months open storage at Swindon works. Note the massive steam leak! Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks once again, Paul
Trials & Tribulations!
At the Bodmin Winter Steam Up
Jon Hird & Roger Winnen
The Bodmin Railway held their annual 'winter steam up' yesterday, 29.12.2024. The event featured resident Small Prarie 5552 and ex-Port of Par Bagnall 'Judy'. There was plenty of excitement for the visitors - the Boscarne branch, having been unused over Christmas, was extremely slippery which proved too challenging for both steam locos, resulting in the use of hired-in Class 10 D3489 to act as a thunderbird to rescue the trains.
A well-attended event which seemed to be enjoyed by all, a well-done to the Bodmin Railway for putting it on.
A well-attended event which seemed to be enjoyed by all, a well-done to the Bodmin Railway for putting it on.
'Judy' runs round the first train of the day at Boscarne Junction. 29.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Despite a spirited departure from Boscarne, the 1 in 40 gradient and the slippery rails proved too much for 'Judy', she slipped to a stand just past my position. 29.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
The crew set back and tried again. 'Judy' crosses the bridge over the River Camel just outside Boscarne. With a slightly more 'sporty' attack, the train got a little further than the last attempt, but still slipped to a stand near the farm overbridge. 29.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Thunderbirds are go! D3489 'Colonel Tomline' approaches to rescue 'Judy'. The guard was stood below me with train protection measures. 29.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Finally 'Judy' is able to depart Boscarne behind D3489. 29.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Back at Bodmin General, with the Boscarne line blocked, 5552 had been running to and fro Bodmin Parkway with the MK1's. 29.12.2024, copyright Roger Winnen.
Onboard the events coach at Bodmin General, which was heated and provided a nice space to sit between trains. 29.12.2024, copyright Roger Winnen.
'Judy' worked brake van rides within the station limits for a couple of hours, and is seen here sporting a rather unlikely headboard! 29.12.2024, copyright Roger Winnen.
Spied through my favourite framing tree at Colesloggett, Judy heads for Bodmin Parkway. 29.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Running round the brake van at Bodmin Parkway. 29.12.2024, copyright Roger Winnen.
Running round the brake van at Bodmin Parkway. 29.12.2024, copyright Roger Winnen.
With the run round complete, 'Judy' waits to depart from Bodmin Parkway. 29.12.2024, copyright Roger Winnen.
Big bridge, tiny train. 'Judy' heads over Bodmin Parkway viaduct. 29.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
The Bagnall puts on a fantastic display passing Charlie's Gate. 29.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Backlit by the setting sun, 'Judy' heads home to roost. 29.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Back at Bodmin General, two legends of the China Clay industry cross paths as Judy passes the rake of CDA wagons. 29.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Thunderbirds are go! (Again!) 5552 had also come unstuck climbing the greasy gradient from Boscarne Junction and needed a helping hand from D3489. 29.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.