Action Stations!
Craig Munday
The first trains of interest of Jan 2026 all seemed to arrive at once! Over 48 hours, a platoon of loco hauled workings rucked up in the far South West. These included various Freightliner engineers trains, a daylight sleeper run and the postponed delivery of 175010 direct to Long Rock. This resulted in 37501/512 arriving (smokily) onto the depot with the barrier vehicles. I was away for a railway colleague's funeral in Buckinghamshire, but managed to grab some pictures.
I'm very grateful to GWR Driver Dean Goddard for the Long Rock and golf course picture which he has allowed me to circulate. He was at Long Rock when the cavalcade arrived.
I grabbed the returning 5M57 at Totnes on 14th with the class 37s and barrier vehicles. 6Y43 bound for the St Ives branch, was seen in glorious light passing Plymouth with 66563 leading 66952. The shadow of Inter-city House growing ever as the clock neared midday! The train was run into Plat 4 for a crew change, rather than the scheduled DTL.
I'm very grateful to GWR Driver Dean Goddard for the Long Rock and golf course picture which he has allowed me to circulate. He was at Long Rock when the cavalcade arrived.
I grabbed the returning 5M57 at Totnes on 14th with the class 37s and barrier vehicles. 6Y43 bound for the St Ives branch, was seen in glorious light passing Plymouth with 66563 leading 66952. The shadow of Inter-city House growing ever as the clock neared midday! The train was run into Plat 4 for a crew change, rather than the scheduled DTL.
The week of interesting workings began with 57602 and 57604 working a daylight sleeper ECS from Penzance to Reading. They are seen here passing through St. Austell. 12.01.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
66563 arrives at Plymouth with a train of autoballasters for the St. Ives line. 12.01.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
A train of empty Autoballasters bookended by Freightliner 66's seen from the golf course at Lelant. 13.01.2026, copyright Dean Goddard.
37512 shunting 175010 beneath the bright yard lights of Long Rock. 13.01.2026, copyright Dean Goddard.
37501 in its striking blue livery in the yard at Long Rock. 13.01.2026, copyright Dean Goddard.
Shunting 175010 into position at Long Rock. 13.01.2026, copyright Dean Goddard.
Many thanks indeed Craig, and to Dean too, for these excellent photographs.
Craig has very kindly provided our magazine editors with a great article about the Newquay line improvements. This will arrive with all members imminently.
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Craig has very kindly provided our magazine editors with a great article about the Newquay line improvements. This will arrive with all members imminently.
If you're not already a member, like what we do and would like to receive our magazine too, please consider joining the society - click here for details.
More Cornish '37's
Jon Hird & Roger Winnen
On the evening of the 13th January into the early hours of the 14th, Colas Rail 37175 and 37099 worked from Exeter St. Davids - Penzance with the infrastructure monitoring train. The service was due to visit Looe and Newquay, but the Looe trip was cancelled due to ongoing problems with the branch.
37175 stands at Par having arrived very early after skipping the trip to Looe. 14.01.2026 (just!), copyright Jon Hird.
37099 at the opposite end of the train, whilst the crew took their rest break at Par. The last time I photographed this locomotive it had traditional 'split box' headcode boxes - a recent overhaul at Boden Rail saw it emerge with flush noses. 14.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
37175 arrives at Newquay. Despite being booked to use the new platform, the existing platform had to be used - the new platform isn't long enough for the driver to change ends (the damaged and disused section of platform is fenced off after the section which has been resurfaced etc.). 14.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
37099 prepares to get on its way back to Par and on to Penzance. 14.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The following morning, the sun rises on the locomotives at Penzance where they would stable for the day. 14.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Europhoenix locos head home
Roger Winnen, Joe Birchall, Jonathan Harbage, Steve Clark, Clive Smith, Craig Munday & Steve Widdowson
37512 warming up in the yard at Long Rock in some bright morning sunshine. 14.01.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
37501 at the head of the stock at Long Rock. 14.01.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
37501 being held at St Erth on a return working to Derby Conveying the barrier vehicles from Long Rock. 14.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Details of 37501 Teeside Steelmaster at St Erth. 14.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
37512 Tails the train from St Erth. 14.01.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
37501 working hard as the train leaves Truro behind. 14.01.2026, copyright Joe Birchall. (Look at that great sky - well done, Joe!!)
Jonathan and Joe must have been stood side-by side yesterday. 37501 and 37512 heading back to Derby at Buckshead, what a great sound. Click video above to play. 14.01.2026, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
With Tuesdays 7Q86 being well covered (as I expect 5M57 will be) I enclose an image of 37501 leading the return Barriers move back to Derby. It was glorious when I got to Dowgas but the sun soon rose into the line of cloud which hugged the coast. Shame. 14.01.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
37501 top and tails with 37512 on the 5M57 09:25 Penzance T.& R.S.M.D - Derby R.T.C barrier vehicles movement. The train is seen passing Dockyard. 14.01.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
37512 on the rear of the train at Dockyard. 14.01.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
A second bite of the cherry at Ivybridge as the ensemble head on towards Derby. 14.01.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
37512 leaving Ivybridge behind. 14.01.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
A colourful photo as 5M57 passes through Totnes. 14.01.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
37501 TnT with 37512 pass Abbotswood Jn, Worcs. 14.01.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Many thanks all - a very welcome couple of visitors to the County.
Wednesday's Clay
Clive Smith
The clays seems to be in the later slot this week so not much light around in Devon especially on a gloomy day. Thank goodness for the lights and red/yellow DB livery. 66182 heads past Palace Lane Bridge just east of Ivybridge station with the 6C10 14.16 Burngullow - Cliffe Vale JIA clays. 14.01.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks Clive, always good to see the remaining railfreight in action.
Worcs Variety
Steve Widdowson
43062 & 43013 passing Abbotswood Jn, Worcs with 1Q16 - the 0318 Landore TMD - Leicester LIP. 14.01.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
66792 passes Abbotswood Jn, Worcs with 6V84 - the 0745 Clitheroe Castle Cement - Avonmouth Hanson Sdg. 14.01.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Great photos Steve - many thanks for sharing them with us.
Swindon Sixty
Colin Pidgeon
On Hire to DCR from GBRF 60095 on 6M02 Tytherington to Quainton Railhead at Swindon. This train was diverted from the B & H due to a failure of a stone train at Kintbury. 14.01.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
What a great photo Colin - the driver clearly enjoying himself there! Many thanks for sharing it with us, and thanks to Ken M. for forwarding it on.