The Nick Perring Collection - Part 10
Newquay
Clive Smith
With just three months to go before Newquay station was brutally consigned to a one platform rump and shorn of its signal box and semaphores, 50003 is at platform 3 next to the two sidings with the 1E65 09.25 Newquay - Newcastle on the 4th July 1987. The loco would work as far as Bristol Temple Meads. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
Also on the 4th July 1987 50014 waits in the sun at platform 2 at Newquay with the 1A51 10.40 to Paddington. The loco had worked into the north Cornwall seaside resort with the 00.12 from Paddington. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
A double-header to Newquay ! On the 18th September 1982 Nick had travelled on the 1V51 21.20 Newcastle - Newquay from Rotherham to Plymouth with his 'machine' 46010 where it was replaced by 47254 leading 45075, arriving at platform 1 . The points at the buffers at Newquay allowed for one loco only so the shunter would have had to split the pair and run them round separately. 45075 returned on the 1E18 11.15 Newquay - Leeds as far as Plymouth while 47254 unusually worked a 1Z49 10.05 Newquay - Norwich return charter but I have no idea where the stock for that came from. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
Newquay as was. July 1987. What a delight this station was especially on summer Saturdays watching the trains in the station, the shunting of carriages out to the sidings, the pulling of levers, clanking of semaphores and exchange of tokens. In three months it would all come to an end and the brutal rationalisation of Newquay station would begin. Nearly forty years on and the errors of 1987 have been acknowledged and an extra platform has been re-instated at Newquay. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
Many thanks Clive, more great pictures of Newquay as it was.
70's in action
Alan Peters
Refurbished Colas Rail 70816 looking 'fresh out of the box' pictured at Westbury on 18.02.2026. Copyright Alan Peters.
The Westbury to Cliffe Hill (Stud Farm) 6M40 Network Rail bulk ballast service at the start of its journey with Colas Rail 70805 on 23.02.2026. Copyright Alan Peters.
Another view of 70805 - note the Network Rail Komatsu PC360LC-11 excavator used to unload the IOA ballast wagons for the virtual quarry. 23.02.2026, copyright Alan Peters.
Many thanks Alan. 70816 looking very smart with its fresh paint.
ARC Horsepower
Roger Geach
Another shot of 59004 from the bridge between Westbury and Fairwood Junction. I liked this shot with the White Horse in the background, the problem was certain trains that may go via Westbury Station could go down the avoider so it could be rather frustrating . 59004 is seen with ARC hoppers which passed at 1555. I recorded this as a service from Acton yard (although that may be wrong). 05.08.1994, copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks Roger, a wonderful photo with the famous white horse in the background.
A new look for XC
Steve Widdowson
XC Voyager 220033's first run in service sporting its new XC livery was on Tuesday 24th Feb, but stayed on services between Birmingham & Newcastle, Wednesday it was on a Newcastle / Reading.
But today (26th) it was on its first run to the West.
It's seen below at Worcester Parkway on 1V58 1005 Edinburgh / Exeter SD.
But today (26th) it was on its first run to the West.
It's seen below at Worcester Parkway on 1V58 1005 Edinburgh / Exeter SD.
Refurbished 220033 & 221130 pass through Worcester Parkway working 1V58, the 1005 Edinburgh - Exeter St Davids. 26.02.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson
Many thanks Steve - looks pretty good to me.