Western Wonder!
D1015's mainline test run
Dennis Clarke
Hi Keith / Roger,
Hope all well with you both.
I went to Bristol Parkway this morning (10.01.24) to see D1015 Western Champion undergo its loaded mainline test run.
It ran light engine from Kidderminster to Avonmouth early in the morning and then topped 66714 on 6M42, 09:20 Avonmouth to Penyffordd cement tanks.
The train was 90 minutes late coming through the station due to a points failure. It looked splendid in the early blue livery and the wait on the cold platform was well worth it to the large number of us at the station.
The Western was removed from the train at Haresfield Loop, in the Gloucester area, and the loco went light engine back to Kidderminster.
I followed it by train hoping to get amother picture of it at Worcester Shrub Hill by the semaphores but to no avail.
I did get off the train at Kidderminster and got a photo of it and D8568 and D7029 at the Severn Valley Diesel depot.
I have enclosed a couple of the pictures I took.
Rumours seem to be circulating that it may run to Paignton on 1st June on a Railtour. Let’s hope so,
Kind Regards,
Dennis
Hope all well with you both.
I went to Bristol Parkway this morning (10.01.24) to see D1015 Western Champion undergo its loaded mainline test run.
It ran light engine from Kidderminster to Avonmouth early in the morning and then topped 66714 on 6M42, 09:20 Avonmouth to Penyffordd cement tanks.
The train was 90 minutes late coming through the station due to a points failure. It looked splendid in the early blue livery and the wait on the cold platform was well worth it to the large number of us at the station.
The Western was removed from the train at Haresfield Loop, in the Gloucester area, and the loco went light engine back to Kidderminster.
I followed it by train hoping to get amother picture of it at Worcester Shrub Hill by the semaphores but to no avail.
I did get off the train at Kidderminster and got a photo of it and D8568 and D7029 at the Severn Valley Diesel depot.
I have enclosed a couple of the pictures I took.
Rumours seem to be circulating that it may run to Paignton on 1st June on a Railtour. Let’s hope so,
Kind Regards,
Dennis
A magnificent sight, D1015 'Western Champion' piloting a class 66 and a cement train through Bristol Parkway. 10.01.24, copyright Dennis Clarke.
With a successful test run 'in the bag', D1015 returns home to roost at Kidderminster. 10.01.24, copyright Dennis Clarke.
Many, many thanks Dennis, I had my fingers crossed that one of our contributors would be 'on scene' to capture this working. It's good to read elsewhere that the test run has been considered a success. We hope to see D1015 back on her old stomping grounds soon!
Breaking new ground
Paul Barlow
Hello Keith
A couple from today not the best quality as I only had my mobile phone. My first photographs at the new Marsh Barton station.
kind regards
Paul
A couple from today not the best quality as I only had my mobile phone. My first photographs at the new Marsh Barton station.
kind regards
Paul
2024-01-09 57605 Marsh Barton 1255 Exeter to Penzance 5Z71 ECS. Copyright Paul Barlow.
FGW blue 150238 and 150202 1220 Paignton to Exmouth waits at the new Marsh Barton station Exeter 9 January 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul, nice to see another location 'ticked off'.
Dreadnought to the Rescue
Michael Adams
Michael Adams
Hello Roger, Thank you for dealing with the pictures yesterday.
A sad occasion showing the last TPO. My brother took some video of the occasion and will be amongst the folk on the platform.
Here is another interesting picture from Michael Adams and it shows 50001 arriving at Reading on 1 December 1980 having rescued a failed HST from the West.The working could not be identified.
The class 50 would be cut up in December 2002.
Thanks. All the best, Michael.
A sad occasion showing the last TPO. My brother took some video of the occasion and will be amongst the folk on the platform.
Here is another interesting picture from Michael Adams and it shows 50001 arriving at Reading on 1 December 1980 having rescued a failed HST from the West.The working could not be identified.
The class 50 would be cut up in December 2002.
Thanks. All the best, Michael.
Many Thanks Michael
Goonbarrow Views
Jon Hird
Below are some views of the Goonbarrow/Lavrean area taken on 09.01.24 and 10.01.24, featuring 66143 on the 6G09 Goonbarrow - Fowey service.
A classic 'clay country' scene as 66143 departs Goonbarrow past the settling tanks and signal box with 6G09, load 7 JIA's, 10.01.24. Copyright Jon Hird.
Goonbarrow from the air, 10.01.24. Copyright Jon Hird
08752 waits its next duty at Goonbarrow, 10.01.24. Copyright Jon Hird.
66143 accelerates down the long straight at Lavrean with 6G09, load 16 JIA's, on 09.01.24. Copyright Jon Hird.
Drone shots were taken in accordance with all relevant CAA regulations and from a position where a visual line of sight with the device could be maintained.