December 9th 2024

9/12/2024

Storm Darragh Damage in Wiltshire
Guy Vincent

Storm Darragh has caused significant disruption in Wiltshire.

Westbury station had to be closed to all traffic from 0900hrs on Saturday 7th due to the metal canopy sheeting above platform 3 becoming dislodged, sheets of metal then blowing down onto the platforms and across the tracks. As at 1400hrs on Sunday 8th the station remained closed with no Portsmouth/Cardiff/Weymouth/Bristol/Swindon services operating and only freight trains able to enter the station area via the yard reception lines.

Paddington-West Country services booked to call were instead using the Westbury Avoiding line between Heywood Road Jcn and Fairwood Jcn and V/V.

Sections of roof sheeting from above platform 3 that were blown across the station onto the down reception line. 07.12.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.

Westbury station entrance, closed to all. 08.12.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.

Damaged sections of canopy cleared from the station platforms and running lines. 08.12.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.

A distant view of the canopy above platform 3 showing damage. 08.12.2024. Copyright Guy Vincent.

A view of the station from adjacent road bridge clearly showing the extent of the damage caused by Storm Darragh the previous day. 08.12.2024, copyright Guy Vincent.

Damaged canopy above platform 3 from western side of yard. (Photo courtesy A.D. Rivers) 07.12.2024. Copyright A.D. Rivers/Guy Vincent/

Many thanks, Guy - really goes to show the power of the storm - scary stuff.

Santa by shunter & by steam
Jon Hird

Whilst in Bodmin, I thought I'd take a look at the railway again as the sun was threatening to make an appearance. I was expecting 47306 to appear with the Christmas train, so it was a bit of a surprise when instead, hired-in Class 10 D3489 'Colonel Tomline' appeared at the head of the train. A bit of a novelty in this day and age to be taken by surprise by anything on the railways! 08.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.

After a quick turnaround at Bodmin Parkway, 5552 leads the charge back up the bank past Charlies Gate (drone shots). 08.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.

D3489 gives a small push from the rear. 08.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.

A silhouette of 5552 leading the train past Walker Lines. 08.12.2024, copyright Jon Hird.

Castle Cary Castle Charter
Guy Vincent

An oddball working on the afternoon of Sunday 8th December.

WCRC locos 57601 'Windsor Castle' with 57315 at the other end formed a 1Z25 1311 London Paddington - Castle Cary private charter using the Northern Belle coaching stock set.

It was necessary for the train to run via Newbury and the Westbury Avoiding line rather than through Swindon, Melksham and Westbury station as originally planned due to the temporary closure of Westbury station (see post at the top of this page).

Here the train passes Berkley Marsh, to the north of Frome, at speed at 1503hrs in very poor lighting conditions.

Very windy but thankfully no rain!