Day and night in December
Craig Munday
A mixed week with night shifts and a chance to grab the elusive 66051 on the Fowey working in decent light.
Night shifts all too often bring the locomotive variety out. The equipment needed is cumbersome and today's mobiles have remarkable capabilities of equalling or even bettering ESLR efforts.
Night shifts all too often bring the locomotive variety out. The equipment needed is cumbersome and today's mobiles have remarkable capabilities of equalling or even bettering ESLR efforts.
28th Saw the final Penzance run of the RHTT for 2025. Battle worn 57310 was paired with 57303 for the trip and paused briefly at St Erth. 28.11.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
57303 prepares to depart Penzance for the last time this year with the RHTT. 28.11.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
The RHTT ran as far as Truro on 30th with a hasty departure straight after. The train was due to recess in the yard at Truro, but with Cross Country 221117 still there, it was decided against (wisely). The torrential rain had cleared the sides of 57310 on arrival. 30.11.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
The Voyager which failed just beyond Truro returned to the yard. Failures of this type of traction are very rare. 30.11.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
Sunday night saw the first of the engineering trains arrive for the Redruth blockade. 66509 led 66543 through Truro at a sedate pace just after the RHTT had departed plat 3. A high ISO allowed this photo at 1/125th of a second, though it's difficult to remove all the grain. 30.11.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
The last night shift done, I headed out for an opportunity to grab a high tide, lit shot of DB Maritime 66051 on the causeway at Golant. The conditions of tide / still water and perfect sunlight struck bang on as the train approached, with a gruesome shower drifting off in shot. 02.12.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
I noted a Westbound Castle shot due shortly afterwards at Par with the light still strong. I captured 43092/198 with 2C51 connecting nicely with the Newquay Unit. I have taken similar hundreds of times from the box windows, so this was a nice farewell opportunity. 02.12.2025, copyright Craig Munday.
Many thanks as ever Craig, a great selection of photographs.
Redruth Track Renewals
Day 3
Mark Lynam
Freightliner 66569 with a ballast/spoil train on Redruth viaduct. 03.12.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Freightliner 66569 with a ballast/spoil train on Redruth viaduct. 03.12.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Freshly laid track to the west of Redruth. 03.12.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
The replacement of the up main at Redruth station. 03.12.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
The Freightliner ballast/spoil train in Redruth station which is without its up line. 03.12.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Freightliners 66509 at the head of the engineers train in Redruth station. 03.12.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Many thanks Mark, picking up from where Mick left off yesterday. Well done for being there.
Disappearing 'Castles'
Clive Smith, Paul Barlow, Peter Murnaghan, Steve Clark & Jon Hird
With a great amount of 'Castle' photographs sent in, we have combined them below. Many thanks to all contributors for the HST photos - pleasekeep 'em coming!
43092 once again on the 2E06 08.25 Truro - Exeter St Davids this time 43198 is on the rear. This is Palace Road in Ivybridge. The station can just be seen beyond the bridge in the distance. Thankfully the sun was out as opposed to the previous day. 03.12.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
43092 and 43198 work the 0825 Truro to Exeter past Rockstone, Dawlish. 03.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
43198 and 43092 work the 1127 Exeter to Plymouth past Rockstone, Dawlish. 03.12.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
Once a familiar sight, but soon to be no longer. St Germans viaduct is getting hidden from view from the Torpoint Road and soon this view will no longer be available. 43098 and 43187 power the 1229 Truro to Paddington running 75 minutes late across the viaduct. 03.12.2025, copyright Peter Murnaghan.
The sun has almost set as 43198 and 43098 approach Trethellan with the delayed 1418 Plymouth - Truro. Points failure at Plymouth had thrown the afternoons diagrams into disarray. 03.12.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
43004 (leading) and 43156 working 2C28 14.18 Plymouth to Truro. 02.12.2025, copyright Steve Clark.
43004 (leading) and 43156 working 2C28 14.18 Plymouth to Truro. 02.12.2025, copyright Steve Clark.
Many thanks all. Enjoy them while you still can. 8 days to go.
Rainbow over St. Ives
Paul Negus
No trains at St Ives at present - “Bus Replacement Service”. However, there was this rather fetching double rainbow over the empty station at midday today.
I’m not aware of why the branch is closed but there were several hi viz vests visible in the distance around the track yesterday. Perhaps your other contributors could enlighten us?
I’m not aware of why the branch is closed but there were several hi viz vests visible in the distance around the track yesterday. Perhaps your other contributors could enlighten us?
St. Ives rainbow on 02.12.2025. PS In case anyone is wondering, I didn’t manage to find the pot of gold which looked to be at the water’s edge! Copyright Paul Negus.
Many thanks Paul - Engineering work on the line between Truro and Penzance likely to be the cause of the St. Ives branch suspension!
Christmas at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway
Ken Mumford
Preparing for Christmas trains at the S&C Railway. 03.12.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Preparing for Christmas trains at the S&C Railway. 03.12.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Preparing for Christmas trains at the S&C Railway. 03.12.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Preparing for Christmas trains at the S&C Railway. 03.12.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Preparing for Christmas trains at the S&C Railway. 03.12.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks Ken - hope it's a success for the S&C.