Items added on 6th April 2018. Most recent items come first.

Network Rail HST is back.
Mick House.

Network Rail HST has returned today having left Reading Triangle Sidings, right time at 06.10 this morning and passing Apex Bridge 18 early at 11.23 with 43 014 leading.
On its return again heading towards Apex Bridge the Network Rail HST with 43 013 leading passes Hallenbeagle Engine House, Wheal Busy the site of the March blockade.
I know that this train is a regular visitor to Cornwall and we see plenty of photos of it, but it does make for a pleasant contrast. 

Class 43 014 The Railway Observer about to pass under Apex Bridge. Copyright Mick House.

Class 43 013 leads Network Rail HST past Hallenbeagle Engine House. Copyright Mick House.

An interesting afternoon at Paignton & Churston 
Roger Winnen

On Thursday 5th April 2018

180405za 75014 Braveheart arrives back into Paignton Queens Park on the 13.00hrs service from Kingswear. Copyright Roger Winnen

180405ze Plenty of action from Paignton South with the Voyager then the 10.35 Torbay Express arr from Padd D3014 and L94. Copyright Roger Winnen

180405zg Arriving at Churston onboard the Stagecoach No 12 bus to Brixham we again see L94 with an engineers train shunting in the sidings. Copyright Roger Winnen

For more photographs of this event Click Here for the Features Pages January 2018 onwards and scroll down to 1807

Plymouth - past
Clive Smith

Great to see HST 2+4 formations providing quality accommodation on the main line 'locals'. A big improvement on some of the DMUs over the past years. For most of the 1970s and 80s a DMU on a passenger service between Taunton and Penzance was virtually unheard of. During the last week of the westerns in February 1977 the 2B24 17.45 Plymouth to Penzance was famously worked by 1041 on the Monday and 1013 the next day.  Loads of 4 and 3 were not unknown on 2B24 and on Plymouth Argyle match days formations of 14 were common. Saturday 30th May 1981 saw rarity 37142 turn up at platform 4 at Plymouth with two carriages. I had the pleasure of taking this Cornish stalwart all the way to Penzance. Acceleration from stations was impressive ! Not my best pictures I'm afraid as they were taken on my first camera a Kodak 110. 

                   Regards Clive Smith     Many thanks Clive

Plymouth 37142 waits to depart with the 17.45 Plymouth-Penzance 30th May 1981 Copyright Clive Smith

Deserted Dawlish
Roger Geach

Dawlish Warren from Langstone Rock as 47768 heads 5c99 the Bristol to Plymouth vans at Dawlish Warren on the 21st January 2000 Copyright Roger Geach Roger points out that there is hardly a person in sight.

SE66 St Erth
Ron  Kosys

St Erth Warship D804 Avenger rolls in the with a Paddington - Penzance service on the 17th July 1971. The signal is SE26 Copyright Ron Kosys A fine picture of an everyday scene, note the very tall telegraph poles, the down refuge siding, the clutter of buildings. It's all changed!

With a clear signal ahead 1023 Western Fusilier awaits the 'right away' to depart St Erth on the 17th July 1971 Copyright Ron Kosys N.B. Roy Hart advises - Note the old 'backing' signal, with two holes in the arm. These controlled 'wrong-way' movements on running lines. This one had a route indicator attached, so movements could be signalled from the down main to Up Main; refuge no 1; refuge no 2; up branch. The signal was mounted on a concrete post and dated from 1936. Many thanks for the note Roy

Taunton
John Cornelius

Copyright John Cornelius