Re: 2004 Cornish Class 37's
Guy Vincent
Yesterday, we brought you some photographs of 37308 and 37047 making various moves in Cornwall some 21 years ago. Guy has kindly written in with some additional information about these workings:
I found the recent photos of the 2 class 37s on TPO stock in Devon and Cornwall in February 2004 very interesting so took a trip into ‘the loft library’ for more information.
The workings were covered by Railways Illustrated and Traction magazine. The 37s came to work a series of ballast trains between Meldon Quarry and the then single track Cornish main line between Probus and Burngullow which was undergoing the first stage of redoubling. An in-depth, illustrated feature of this work was published in the April 2005 CRS magazine (online copy available to browse on CRS site - click here).
Besides the ballast trains the locos also saw use on certain china clay workings and a series of driver training and refresher runs.
The 18th February driver training run used six stored TPO vehicles from St Blazey plus, it was reported, and for no obvious reason, type 5 loco 60041 dead in train. I suggest this was to make up the weight of the train for handling and braking purposes. Vehicle 80416 led the formation to Exeter. At Exeter Riverside yard a further TPO van stored there, 80333, was shunted out and added to the formation and taken back to St Blazey.
Thanks to your fellow contributors for this most interesting feature.
I found the recent photos of the 2 class 37s on TPO stock in Devon and Cornwall in February 2004 very interesting so took a trip into ‘the loft library’ for more information.
The workings were covered by Railways Illustrated and Traction magazine. The 37s came to work a series of ballast trains between Meldon Quarry and the then single track Cornish main line between Probus and Burngullow which was undergoing the first stage of redoubling. An in-depth, illustrated feature of this work was published in the April 2005 CRS magazine (online copy available to browse on CRS site - click here).
Besides the ballast trains the locos also saw use on certain china clay workings and a series of driver training and refresher runs.
The 18th February driver training run used six stored TPO vehicles from St Blazey plus, it was reported, and for no obvious reason, type 5 loco 60041 dead in train. I suggest this was to make up the weight of the train for handling and braking purposes. Vehicle 80416 led the formation to Exeter. At Exeter Riverside yard a further TPO van stored there, 80333, was shunted out and added to the formation and taken back to St Blazey.
Thanks to your fellow contributors for this most interesting feature.
Many thanks, Guy - much appreciated and glad that you liked the photos.
Passing Purton
Ken Mumford
Passing Purton is 1G17 Paddington to Gloucester with IET unit 800005 - next stop being Kemble. This train did not do the Gloucester to Cheltenham Spa bit because of a points failure somewhere - it was running around 20 minutes late according to RTT. 25.02.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
5Q91 Worcester to Wimbledon Park, Depot SIdings. RTT stated that it was pathed as Diesel locomotive, trailing load 715 tonnes [701060] at 33 mph! Interesting loco was 69012 'Falcon'. It was pointed out to me that I should have remembered the name 'Falcon' as the original diesel locomotive was shedded at one time at Newport (Ebbw Junction) shed - about 15 miles south of where I spent the first 16 years of my life!! Copyright Ken Mumford.
701060 trailing over the crossing at Purton. 25.02.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks, Ken - some nice sunny photos.
Pendalake 'Castle'
Jon Hird
Skirting the shadows from the fast moving clouds above, 43189 and 43098 power away from Bodmin Parkway and are seen crossing Pendalake viaduct as they continue their journey to Plymouth. 25.02.2025, copyright Jon Hird.