Items added on the 12th September 2016 Those added most recently come first

The Penultimate Last Post at Penzance
Michael Forward

040108a The penultimate night of the UP TPO 8th January 2004. Taken inside one of the vans with all the Bags and Labels ready. Copyright Michael Forward.

040109 Its 9th January 2004 where some of the TPO Staff stand outside the train at Penzance prior to the off! on the final run to sort the mail. I wonder where they are now. Copyright Michael Forward

Cranes working around Exeter
David Tozer

David Writes about DRA 81549.
A check on the internet reveals that it was built by Joseph Booth & Sons in 1958 at Ashford and it now resides on the Great Central Railway. Its previous number was DS349 and was a batch of ten built for the Western Region, however its Diesel Powered .

850401a DRA 81549 Working at Exeter St David's during the changeover from Semaphore Signalling to Coloured light controlled from the Exeter Panel. Copyright David Tozer

850401b This crane is used in relaying a connection into the yard at Exeter St Davids. Copyright David Tozer N.B. Graham Mann is the gentleman with the hard hat in the foreground - wish he'd turned around!!

The double track line between Exmouth Junction and Topsham was reduced to a single line except for a small passing loop in February 1973, however this loop was lifted in 1988, leaving Topsham Station as the only passing loop on the Exmouth Branch

730203a Its the 3rd February 1973 The steam crane is seen at Exmouth Junction. This crane was used the following weekend when they singled the line from Exmouth Junction to Topsham. A GWR Tender is matched with this crane Copyright David Tozer

730203b The Steam Crane - Exmouth Jn used in connection with the signalling of the line to Topsham. Copyright David Tozer

Thanks David

Re Steam Crane at Silk Mills
Graham Mann

Many thanks to Graham Mann Network Rail Operations Manager for the following :- Keith,     Reference your piece today on the Steam Crane at Silk Mills. I have no detail on the crane but fully remember seeing it in use during remodelling at Laira Junction circa 1972/3, at least I think it was around then , I seem to remember Laira Signal Box closing at the same time*. The crane used to be stabled at Tavy Junction PAD and I'm sure it was still there around 75/76 as I was a Ganger there at the same time and remember having a few "discussions" with the crane operator who was allowed 2hrs to fire up prior to us booking on at 07-15hrs and most times the crane wasn't quite ready when it should have been! I remember the 3 local operators being John McDade, Dick Trigger and Jim Rice.
*Reference to Tony Cooke's Track Diagrams Sect 12 Laira Jct Signalbox closed 10th November 1973

The steam crane in operation at Silk Mills siding in 1970 Copyright Andrew Jones

Oathe Steam 2016
John Cornelius

HI KEITH, a couple of pics of 60163 passing Oathe near Langport this evening around 19.00 on the return from Kingswear to London. The low sun held out long enough to give a golden highlight on the train.
enjoy  cheers JOHN C.  We certainly will enjoy John. Many thanks to you.

A super shot on a super evening. Copyright John Cornelius

Yatton Steam 1957
Mike Morant

RCTS: North Somerset Rail Tour 28/4/57
Ivatt Mickey Mouse 2-6-2T's 41202 and 41203, both Bristol Bath Road engines at the time, put in a lot of work during this tour and here we see them slaking their thirsts at Yatton.
[Mike Morant collection]

            RCTS North Somerset Railtour 28th April 1957.
   Don't you wish you were on this one - the good old days!  
Starting from Waterloo - Bristol Temple Meads - Wapping Wharf, - Yatton - Wrington- Yatton - Highbridge - Uphill Jn - Worle Jn - Yatton - Pylle Hill Jn - St Philips Marsh Goods Jn - Marsh Jn - North Somerset Jn - Bristol Temple Meads - North Somerset Jn - Marsh Jn - Pensford - Hallatrow - Radstock West - Mells Road Halt - Frome West GF - Clink Road Jn - Westbury - Heywood Road Jn - Newbury - Savernake LL - Southcote Jn - Reading General - Twyford - Slough , and ending at London Paddington.  Info courtesy Six Bells Jct.