St. Blazey Sunshine
Craig Munday
Some very welcome sunshine on Wednesday coincided with 66098 ready to depart St Blazey with 6C10 bound for Exeter Riverside. How nice to have a train within the confines of St Blazey again - all but briefly after visiting Par Harbour. 04.02.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
66098 pulls away from St. Blazey signal box after reversing out of the yard. 04.02.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
Many thanks as always, Craig.
40's in the west
Ian Thomas
A selection of class 40s on railtours run by FIELDING & WATTS (PRE-PATHFINDER) at Totnes and HERTFORDSHIRE TOURS at Meldon. Perhaps a little tribute to the (late) JOHN FARROW from Hertfordshire and laterally UK Railtours. He very sadly passed during covid and was a great friend of PETER WATTS, both excellent in their field.
40025 at Totnes with the 'WESTERN WHISTLER' tour. 19.09.1982, copyright Ian Thomas.
40025 at Totnes with the 'WESTERN WHISTLER' tour. 19.09.1982, copyright Ian Thomas.
40086 and 40118 at Meldon Quarry with the DEVON QUARRYMAN tour. 24.11.84, copyright Ian Thomas.
Many thanks Ian, great photos. We have some more from Ians collection coming tomorrow.
"There's Nothing To Photograph Now"
Clive Smith
With the end of daily HST workings in Devon and Cornwall and the endless dull and dreary days of late the question recurrs 'What is there to photograph now ?'. This is a good point as other than 66s on the intermittent clay traffic plus special workings and railtours, there is not a lot to point cameras at.
However we are blessed with some stunning scenery in the westcountry and providing the weather plays ball some decent shots can be had. I confess I was at all these locations for more interesting motive power but the IETs, Voyagers and DMUs can still provide an excellent shot.
Then there are always leftfield 'arty' photos which take more creative thinking. Now there's an idea for 2026.
However we are blessed with some stunning scenery in the westcountry and providing the weather plays ball some decent shots can be had. I confess I was at all these locations for more interesting motive power but the IETs, Voyagers and DMUs can still provide an excellent shot.
Then there are always leftfield 'arty' photos which take more creative thinking. Now there's an idea for 2026.
An IET catches the last of the evening sun as it heads west at 18.30 with an Exeter - Penzance train on the 28th September 2025. Copyright Clive Smith.
158950 crosses St Pinnock viaduct on the 14th October 2025 with the 2C23 12.19 Plymouth - Penzance. There are currently thirteen 2-car 158s and five 3-car 158s on the GWR network. The 158s re-location from Devon and Cornwall to Bristol is expected in May providing the 175s are in full service and they are unlikely to appear in the far west thereafter. Copyright Clive Smith.
LGBT+ Pride themed Voyager 220005 passes Crudgwallins with the 1S53 11.15 Penzance - Edinburgh on the 18th November 2025. Copyright Clive Smith.
A 175 crosses Forder Viduct on on of the many crew training runs on the 25th November 2025. Copyright Clive Smith.
Seems a long time ago now with the persistent wet weather we've been suffering but this was the recent glorious summer. 150261 and 150248 at the sea wall at Teignmouth with the 10.57 Exmouth - Paignton on the 12th July 2025. The temperature was 30C. Copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks indeed Clive, a great contemporary mix.
Moorswater Freight
Roger Geach
47423 leads the 1540 St. Blazey to Exeter Riverside freight through Moorswater, Liskeard. The service was unusually powered by a 47 owing to a shortage of 37s. A nice selection of wagons including a brake van. 19.07.1990, copyright Roger Geach.
Another great shot from the archives, many thanks Roger.
Clay Country
Jon Hird
66098 glides away from Lanjeth crossing with the Treviscoe - Cliffe Vale clay. 8 JIA's had been loaded. 05.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
A drone shot from the opposite side of the bridge, showing the freight-only line winding through the sleepy village. 05.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
In nearby Trewoon, 175002 is seen passing through with 5Z13, another GWR training/testing run for the class 175 fleet. The silos of the mothballed Burngullow tower above the village. 05.02.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Trouble on the down
Peter Murnaghan
My first photos of a Class 175 today at Liskeard on the 1340 Plymouth to Penzance. It terminated at Liskeard at 1414 and there have been no further trains down west since then.
175002 at Liskeard having arrived as the 1340 Plymouth - Penzance. 05.02.2026, copyright Peter Murnaghan.
175002 sits at Liskeard blocking the down main where it had failed. 05.02.2026, copyright Peter Murnaghan.
Many thanks for capturing this, Peter.
This event ‘snowballed’ somewhat - 175002 failed with an electrical fault which prevented the brakes from being released. Laira sent a rescue unit to recover it, however, once coupled, the electrical fault carried over to the second unit. Eventually, after many hours, the pair of units were coaxed onto the Looe branch where they remain at the time of writing.
Perhaps these are the longest-bodied items of rolling stock to travel around the sharp curve off the mainline - unless anyone knows different?
This event ‘snowballed’ somewhat - 175002 failed with an electrical fault which prevented the brakes from being released. Laira sent a rescue unit to recover it, however, once coupled, the electrical fault carried over to the second unit. Eventually, after many hours, the pair of units were coaxed onto the Looe branch where they remain at the time of writing.
Perhaps these are the longest-bodied items of rolling stock to travel around the sharp curve off the mainline - unless anyone knows different?
February 1976
Part 6
Roger Winnen
A siding on the down in St. Austell Station. 13.02.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Burngullow Clay Dries with the 08.45 Penzance to Paddington approaching. 13.02.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The 08.42 Plymouth to Penzance approaching Burngullow. 13.02.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The 08.42 Plymouth to Penzance approaching Burngullow. 13.02.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The 09.30 from Penzance coming up St Stephens Coombe. 13.02.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The 09.30 from Penzance coming up St Stephens Coombe formed of 2 Three Car Cross Country Units. 13.02.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Going away towards Burngullow. This was one of those 50 pence returns from Penzance and stations to Plymouth on Saturdays for shoppers etc. 13.02.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Liskeard Vans
Michael Adams & Michael Forward
Here is a shot from Michael Forward of the 12.20 Penzance to Bristol van train at Liskeard on 9 September 1982 behind 47510 'Fair Rosamund'. Copyright Michael Forward.
Vans of a different kind now in Michael Adam' s photo. of 47245 with a mixed freight,possibly in the Speedlink era,taken on 8 August 1986. Copyright Michael Adams.
Many thanks to both Michaels for these fanastic photos, much appreciated.
Honiton HST
Andrew Hickson
The visit of the NMT HST on Thursday meant I was able to take my first railway photos of 2026! And it wasn't actually raining during its stop at Honiton. It was also nice to see a HST again!
1 43013 leads the NMT on the 0553 Reading to Salisbury via Exeter trip
43062 on the rear of the NMT. 05.02.2026, copyright Andrew Hickson.
After waiting for the 0820 from Waterloo, the NMT departs Honiton. 05.02.2026, copyright Andrew Hickson.
Many thanks indeed Andrew, an unusual visitor to the Southern Route. Well done for capturing it.
Westbury HST
Guy Vincent
The Network Rail New Measurement Train yesterday afternoon on its four- weekly visit to Westbury with power cars 43013 and 43062 in charge.
Always nice to see an HST on the main line.
Always nice to see an HST on the main line.
43013 leading the NMT at Westbury. 05.02.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
43062 on the rear of the NMT. 05.02.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks, Guy.