35 years ago today - 27.02.1990
56013 on trial in Cornwall
Julian Stephens
Much has been documented elsewhere regarding this event. I hope my recollections are accurate.
After a night of heavy rain and strong winds, 56013 was scheduled to haul a rake of CDA wagons from Tavistock Junction to St. Blazey. It was then to carry out tests on the railway network in the clay producing area around St. Austell. This was to evaluate the suitability of the class for use on clay traffic.
All went well on the day until 47815 failed on Treverrin Bank, West of Lostwithiel, with the Down Sleeper. 56013 was following and was summoned to provide assistance by propelling the Sleeper to Par. There the locomotive ran around the train and towed it to Penzance.
The loco then returned to Burngullow to commence the trials.
After a night of heavy rain and strong winds, 56013 was scheduled to haul a rake of CDA wagons from Tavistock Junction to St. Blazey. It was then to carry out tests on the railway network in the clay producing area around St. Austell. This was to evaluate the suitability of the class for use on clay traffic.
All went well on the day until 47815 failed on Treverrin Bank, West of Lostwithiel, with the Down Sleeper. 56013 was following and was summoned to provide assistance by propelling the Sleeper to Par. There the locomotive ran around the train and towed it to Penzance.
The loco then returned to Burngullow to commence the trials.
56013 arrives at Burngullow from Penzance to be greeted by a throng of hardy rail enthusiasts, most of whom then left to witness the engine up the Drinnick branch. 27.02.1990, copyright Julian Stephens.
56013 at Burngullow at around 11:15hrs. 27.02.1990, copyright Julian Stephens.
56013 edged in to Crugwallins Siding. 27.02.1990, copyright Julian Stephens.
56013 retreated from the branch to allow the passing of 37412. At around 11:50hrs it is pictured alongside 37673, P400D and 50049 passing on a Penzance bound parcels train. 27.02.1990, copyright Julian Stephens.
37412 comes down the branch with a rake of CDAs. 27.02.1990, copyright Julian Stephens.
56013 awaits clearance. 27.02.1990, copyright Julian Stephens.
56013 leaves Crugwallins and heads towards Lanjeth. 27.02.1990, copyright Julian Stephens.
56013 at Lanjeth road bridge. 27.02.1990, copyright Julian Stephens.
56013 at Kernick Dries, Treviscoe. 27.02.1990, copyright Julian Stephens.
56013 at Parkandillack having visited Trelavour Siding. 27.02.1990, copyright Julian Stephens.
After lunch 56013 returns to Par. 27.02.1990, copyright Julian Stephens.
56013 at Par. 27.02.1990, copyright Julian Stephens.
56013 rounds the curve towards St. Blazey. 27.02.1990, copyright Julian Stephens.
56013 leaves Middleway Bridge Crossing and heads alongside the old Par Canal, the River Par and Rundles Walk towards St. Blazey Bridge Crossing on its way to Goonbarrow. It returned to St. Blazey in the evening. 27.02.1990, copyright Julian Stephens.
Many thanks indeed, Julian. A fantastic look at not only a unique event in Cornwall, but a great glimpse at 'Clay Country' itself from 35 years ago.
Swindon 'drags'
Colin Pidgeon
69012 on 5Q91 Long Marston to Wimbledon Park Depot taking 701060 out of Store. Photos taken 15.23 on February 25th, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
701060 at Swindon, 25.02.2024. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.
69012 on 5Q75 Eastleigh TRSMD to Long Marston taking 701023 in store. Photos taken 11.45 on February 26th, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
A closer view of Class 69 69012 wearing its unique 'Falcon 2' experimental-style livery. The class 69's were converted from redundant class 56's by GBRF and feature an EMD710 engine (as found in the Class 66) in place of the original Ruston-Paxman RK3 power unit. 26.02.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
701023 on the rear of the working passing through Swindon. 26.02.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks to Colin, and to Ken for sending the photos in.
Maiden Newton To Gloucester
James Bown
On the outward leg of the journey, the driver calls Yeovil Pen Mill to release the token to take the single line onwards to Yeovil. 26.02.2025, copyright James Bown.
The sun makes an effort at Gloucester as 166221 pauses. 26.02.2025, copyright James Bown.
On the return, the Weymouth bound train waits for clearance as the up train from Weymouth approaches. 26.02.2025, copyright James Bown.
Many thanks for sharing your journey with us, James - some interesting shots of an area we don't see a lot of.