NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 23
Western Region Diesel-Hydraulics (Part 1)
Michael L. Roach
To welcome in 2025, and to do something different, I thought I would show some diesel-hauled trains from around 50 to 55 years ago, towards the end of the reign of the BR Class 42/43 Warship diesel-hydraulic locomotives and the BR Class 52 Westerns.
I took black-and-white negative film, with the very occasional colour negative film up until 1968. On the first weekend of August 1968, I stopped both, and started taking colour film only from then on.
On 5 May 1969, the Western Region commenced double-heading the Cornish Riviera Express with two Warships throughout between Paddington and Plymouth. The schedule was 3½ hours in both directions, between Paddington and Plymouth, on weekdays and winter Saturdays, with one stop at Exeter. On summer Saturdays the CRE was allowed 4 hours with no intermediate stops.
The first up train left Plymouth on 5 May at 13.30 in light rain behind 822 and 827 and was about quarter full. The down train left Paddington at 10.30, was about three quarters full, and surprised me by showing up 7 minutes early where I was behind 819 and 808.
There is only one slide to show of the double-headed CRE as I was then taking 8mm movie film most of the time. This instalment will start with diesels from that era 55 years ago in the summer and autumn of 1969. Look out for D836 Powerful which appears three times in the 19 images in Parts 23 and 24.
I took black-and-white negative film, with the very occasional colour negative film up until 1968. On the first weekend of August 1968, I stopped both, and started taking colour film only from then on.
On 5 May 1969, the Western Region commenced double-heading the Cornish Riviera Express with two Warships throughout between Paddington and Plymouth. The schedule was 3½ hours in both directions, between Paddington and Plymouth, on weekdays and winter Saturdays, with one stop at Exeter. On summer Saturdays the CRE was allowed 4 hours with no intermediate stops.
The first up train left Plymouth on 5 May at 13.30 in light rain behind 822 and 827 and was about quarter full. The down train left Paddington at 10.30, was about three quarters full, and surprised me by showing up 7 minutes early where I was behind 819 and 808.
There is only one slide to show of the double-headed CRE as I was then taking 8mm movie film most of the time. This instalment will start with diesels from that era 55 years ago in the summer and autumn of 1969. Look out for D836 Powerful which appears three times in the 19 images in Parts 23 and 24.
D862 heads through St. Germans with the down Cornishman on the afternoon of 7 June 1969. It was then 7 years old and lasted another 2 years. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
An unidentified Warship heads through Menheniot with a down 12C express at 17.17 on Saturday 14 June 1969 as another of the same class intrudes into the picture with an up train. I hope that the driver of the up “milk” has spotted the aspect of the starting signal before his view was blocked by the down train, although the signal box may have been switched out by this time. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
D1011 leaves Hemerdon Woods with 12C on the up CRE on the first Saturday of the enhanced summer timetable – 14 June 1969. The train left Penzance at 10.15 and Plymouth at 12.30 then running non-stop to Paddington due 16.30 The house is called Sherwell. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
D836 crosses the Royal Albert Bridge with an up freight of 27 wagons at 20.20 on the evening of Monday 14 July 1969. The first wagon is carrying a Holman compressor made in Camborne at a time when the Holman factory had more than 3,000 employees. The factory was razed to the ground and replaced by a Tesco store more than 30 years ago. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
D836 is seen crossing the River Plym at 19.03 with 34 wagons soon after leaving Tavistock Junction on the evening of Saturday 12 July 1969 heading for Cornwall. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
D866 passes Hackney Box's home, or outer home, signal with the 11C 09.06 Sheffield – Paignton on Saturday 23 August 1969. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
D834 passes under the public road to the west of Whiteball Tunnel with a down freight at 13.14 on Saturday 29 November 1969. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Super power for three coaches at a misty Rattery Box on 11 October 1969. The train is the 12.15 Penzance to Exeter St. Davids and the locos are D817 and D1019. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
D864 is about to pass the entrance to Hemerdon down loop with 12C on the 08.50 Liverpool to Plymouth on Saturday 7 February 1970. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
D865 is seen about 200 metres further east and 12 minutes earlier than the previous image with a down engineering train which was put into Hemerdon loop. Behind the loco was diesel shunter PWM652. NLS have an OS 25-inch of this area dating from 1854-63. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks as always Michael, a super bunch of pictures.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
Westbury Engineering Occupation
December 2024 - January 2025
Guy Vincent
Further images showing the ongoing activity at Westbury.
27.12.2024 Westbury. 66785 on a trainload of spoil alongside new track section in platform 1. Copyright Guy Vincent.
28.12.2024 Westbury. New track panels for the South Junction layout. Copyright Guy Vincent.
29.12.2024 Westbury. Fresh ballast awaiting unloading in platform 1. Copyright Guy Vincent.
29.12.2024 Westbury. Line 1 being dismantled and excavated. Copyright Guy Vincent.
05.01.2025 Westbury. Digger in platform 1. Copyright Guy Vincent.
05.01.2025 Westbury. An army of excavators ready to begin digging out the old, contaminated trackbed through platform 2. This task commenced late that night. Copyright Guy Vincent.
06.01.2025 Westbury. Platform 2 trackbed excavation and levelling. Copyright Guy Vincent.
06.01.2025 Westbury. Works at north end of station, also replacing sections of canopy above platform 3. Copyright Guy Vincent.
11.01.2025 Westbury. Platform end realignment following installation of new track. Copyright Guy Vincent.
11.01.2025 Westbury. General view across station of works as they progress. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks for your ongoing coverage of these works, Guy - the army of road-rail vehicles is quite the sight!
The destruction of the Padstow line
Andrew & Diane Jones
Below is a rare glimpse of the Wadebridge to Padstow railway during removal in 1968, and at the end of the youtube clip there are one or two shots of Delabole.
It appears that J H Saundry of Lostwithiel was involved in transporting some of the sleepers, although I believe the rails were removed by British Rail using redundant staff from Wadebridge, perhaps a CRS member has more information.
A sad loss.
It appears that J H Saundry of Lostwithiel was involved in transporting some of the sleepers, although I believe the rails were removed by British Rail using redundant staff from Wadebridge, perhaps a CRS member has more information.
A sad loss.
Many thanks Andrew & Diane, an interesting video with many instantly recognisable locations.
If you know any more about the demolition of the line, please get in touch - [email protected]
If you know any more about the demolition of the line, please get in touch - [email protected]
Classic traction in the valleys
Paul Barlow
37408 arrives at Cardiff with the stock to form the 1059 to Rhymney 12 March 2005. Copyright Paul Barlow.
37408 at Rhymney with the 1059 from Cardiff 12 March 2005. Copyright Paul Barlow.
37408 at Rhymney with the 1215 to Cardiff 12 March 2005. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks, Paul - great times whilst they lasted.
Riding the rails in January
By Roger Winnen
(Part 1)
The 06.39 Plymouth Penzance service arrives at the terminus covered in grime. Is there a water shortage one wonders. 13.01.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
13.01.2025 - 43189 Heads the return working being the 08.50 Penzance Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen
13.01.2025 - The return working at Saltash. Copyright Roger Winnen
13.01.2025 - The Castle Class set passes the restored Station Building with a nice cafe available. Copyright Roger Winnen
13.01.2025 - Saltash Remembers. Copyright Roger Winnen
13.01.2025 - Welcome to Cornwall sign at Saltash. Copyright Roger Winnen
More of Roger's roaming report to follow tomorrow..
'Harry Patch' at Swindon
Phil 'Shattered' Smith
43172 'Harry Patch' at Swindon on a sunny day in 2018. Copyright Phil Smith.
Many thanks, Phil! Phil has sent a few more HST photos which we'll add over the coming days.