February 12th 2025

12/2/2025

Classic Traction
on the SW test train
Jon Hird

Shortly after midnight on 12.02.2025, 37402 and 37425 pause at Liskeard to pick up a member of staff whilst working 3Q52 - The 2129 Exeter Riverside - Penzance, via Looe and Newquay. 37402 has been hired-in for the test trains and looks very smart indeed. Copyright Jon Hird.

Now down at Coombe Junction, we see the opposite end of the train featuring 37425 'Concrete Bob' in a retro Regional Railways livery. The driver is swapping ends after having reversed via Coombe platform. 12.02.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

The '37s' will be stabled at Penzance today before departing east again this evening

The Class 37s at Penzance
(Wednesday 12th February 2025)

250212a 37425 Sir Robert McAlpine stabled at Penzance during and upto departure at 22.32 to Exeter Riverside. Copyright Roger Winnen

250212b 37402 Oor Wullie is the train engine on the return journney to Exeter. Copyright Roger Winnen

250212c Close up details of Oor Wullie. Copyright Roger Winnen

Oor Wullie - Wikipedia
Oor Wullie (English: Our Willie) is a Scottish comic strip published in the D.C. Thomson newspaper The Sunday Post. It features a character called Wullie; Wullie is a Scots nickname for boys named William, equivalent to Willie. His trademarks are spiky hair, dungarees and an upturned bucket etc

Hi, I'm not sure if this photo is of a high enough standard but I thought it was worth submitting. Great to see more 37's in Cornwall! I've never submitted photos before. Keep up the good work. Tom Lloyd.

Many Thanks Thomas

Photos from the
Michael Adams Collection

59003 at Westbury on 1st July 1991,this loco then about 6 years old is still working away now with GBRF and approaching 40 years service. Copyright Michael Adams

45104 The Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers seen pulling away from Bristol Temple Meads with the 09.30 Newquay to Newcastle. Withdrawn in the following April and cut up in 1992. Copyright Michael Adams

Many Thanks Michael

Full steam ahead for Bristol & Portishead Line!

'The first passengers in over 60 years could be using the line between Bristol and Portishead by the end of 2027, it was announced by Mayor Dan Norris today, after he reached a landmark agreement with the Government on plans for the railway.

This paves the way for construction to begin this summer.'

Please click here to read the full story (external site)

Work on Ponts Mill Viaduct
Jon Hird

On 11.02.2025 I had a look at the worksite at Ponts Mill where a vast amount of scaffolding has been erected covering the viaduct. This is in preparation for the line closure (24.02.2025-23.03.2025) when the bridge deck will be replaced, hopefully removing the long standing temporary speed restriction which is in place across it.

My grateful thanks to the site foreman and to the team at Connolly Scaffolding for allowing me access and for taking some time to explain what they're up to.

The workforce have been drafted in from all across the UK, a 'Heinz 57 varities' team, as one of the guys put it!

66152 slowly creeps over Ponts Mill viaduct whilst the contractors continue building up the vast cathedral of steelwork they are entombing it beneath. 11.02.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

The train crosses the viaduct and one of the Connollys guys up high poses for a photo. 11.02.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

Taunton to Westbury
Part 1
Roger Winnen

28.07.1979 - Athelney Signal Box. Copyright Roger Winnen

28.07.1979 - Somerton Signal Box. Copyright Roger Winnen

05.04.1980 - Hawkridge Junction, Westbury. Copyright Roger Winnen

05.04.1980 - The signals are pulled off for the Westbury avoiding line at Heywood Road Junction. The White Horse dominates this photo. Copyright Roger Winnen