January 17th 2025

17/1/2025

NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 24
Western Region Diesel-Hydraulics (2)
Michael L. Roach

In this second part, we continue the images of Western Region diesel-hydraulics and take it up to 1976 which was the last complete year of the Western Class.

Warships 825 and 808 head down towards Tigley Box with the up CRE on a winter Saturday - 21 February 1970. The train left Penzance at 11.25 and Plymouth at 13.30 then calling at Exeter only arriving Paddington at 17.00 Compare with the summer times given in the caption to the third image of Part 23. The telegraph poles had just been felled after the cables were laid in the troughs seen on the right. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

One of my favourite locations in late May/early June was here about a quarter of a mile west of Forder Viaduct in a deep cutting on the 1908 diversionary route because of the profusion of rhododendrons. The train is the down CRE running 55L behind D836 on 7 June 1970. The rhododendron “ponticum” is considered an invasive species in many countries but is much more colourful than what has now invaded the sides of this cutting. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

831 heads towards Dainton Box and Tunnel on Saturday 17 October 1970 with the 16.15 Plymouth, via Newport, to Liverpool Lime Street where arrival was scheduled at 01.14 next day. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

844 and 7098 leave Brent up loop with a special train at 12.52 on Tuesday 13 October 1970. The train had been looped to allow Peak-class no. 74 to pass with the up Cornishman at 12.39 running late. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

An unidentified Western passes Crabtree, Plymouth and approaches Laira Junction on 29 April 1971. The adjacent dual carriageway was then being constructed. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

1047 passes Hemerdon Box with 20 wagons at 15.15 on Wednesday 20 December 1972. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

An immaculate 1045 passes Menheniot Station at 15.44 on Saturday 8 September 1973 with an express from Paddington. I had attended the Liskeard Traction Engine Rally earlier in the day. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

1034 passes Menheniot with 7C on the 14.35 from Penzance on 08.09.1973. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

1028 is leaving Camborne with an up express on Sunday 7 March 1976 having run wrong line from St. Erth during track works. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks as ever, Mike. The last lot seemed to be much enjoyed - hopefully these are too!

For more of Michaels work, please click here.

Trouble on the 'beds'
Aaron Price, David Tozer, Jon Hird, Mark Lynam & Andrew Triggs

The down GWR 'Night Riviera' ran into trouble in the early hours of 16.01, with the failure of locomotive 57605 in the Taunton area. WCRC 57601 was in the area and was borrowed to assist the service into Exeter, where passengers were awoken and transferred onto a Class 158/150 DMU for onwards transport to Penzance.

Later in the day, 57603 was dispatched from Reading and lead the train on its way to Long Rock for servicing and presumably repairs.

57605 awaits departure from London Paddington late on the 15.01.2025. The photographer notes that the locomotive was running well with no signs of trouble at this point. Copyright Aaron Price / Positive Thinking Photography

Upon reaching Taunton, all was not well with 57605. By coincidence, West Coast Railway Company owned 57601 was in the area along with 47832 - both of which are former First Great Western machines! 57601 was borrowed to take the train on to Exeter St. Davids, where it was detached and sent back to Taunton to rejoin 47832. The train is pictured at Exeter St. Davids whilst staff uncouple the rescue locomotive. The passengers were at this point 'detrained' and directed onto a DMU for the remainder of their journeys to stations as far as Penzance. 16.01.2025, copyright Aaron Price / Positive Thinking Photography

57605 was sent from Reading, arriving at Exeter shortly after mid-day. It then hauled the stock to Long Rock. 57605 ‘Totnes Castle’ and 57603 ‘Tintagel Castle’ with the 1319 Exeter St David’s to Penzance T & R S.M.D. are seen passing Exminster. 16.01.2025, copyright David Tozer.

The sleeper empty stock passing Crugwallins. 16.01.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

Further west, the pair approach Scorrier. 16.01.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.

The pair are now seen approaching Marazion, running 21 early at 16.00, 57603 hauling 57605 and the 'Night Riviera' ECS. 16.01.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Slowing to stop for the Signal check, before continuing to Longrock Depot. 16.01.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Drawing forward onto 'A' Road at Longrock Depot, viewed from the Industrial site carpark. 16.01.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Many thanks, all - we've pictured a good chunk of the journey between us.

'Rat' rescue!
Roger Geach

A smashing photograph of a class 25 'rat' 25217, assisting a failed 50018 out of Lostwithiel whilst working 2B10, the 0842 Plymouth - Penzance on 30.07.1976. Copyright Roger Geach.

Many thanks Roger - I thought this one was worth posting today following the 57 shots above - I imagine, back in those times, help from another locomotive was a little easier to come by than it is on todays railway!

The new St. Erth footbridge
Dave Anthony

Hi guys,

A couple of shots of the new footbridge at St Erth taken yesterday. Work is still progressing but it is in use.

cheers,

Dave Anthony

A GWR 'Castle Class' HST beneath the new footbridge at St. Erth. 15.01.2025, copyright Dave Anthony.

A view of the bridge looking towards Penzance. 15.01.2025, copyright Dave Anthony.

Many thanks, Dave - shame the sun didn't hang around for a few more days!

Sunsets and morning mist
Joe Birchall

Whilst going out to see the 06;28 Cross Country Voyager as usual, I took the opportunity to take some interesting photos in the extremely thick fog. Usually on a misty morning the lights of the locomotive / DEMU illuminate the cutting as soon as it comes around the corner, but this morning there was no sign of anything (apart from the sound) until the locomotive / DEMU was about 50 meters away! I have attached a few photos of the Sleeper, as well as a photo of the lamp post adjacent to the bridge, with the shafts of light coming through the Black Thorn, Field Maple and Holly bushes. This evening, whilst seeing the 15:55 HST on its way to Penzance, I noticed the horizon was unusually orange, so I have attached a photo of that as well.

The headlights of the morning Crosscountry service piercing through the fog near Truro on 15.01.2025. Copyright Joe Birchall.

Many thanks, Joe - some wonderful seasonal views

Another Warship comment!
Simon Howard

Re: Michael Roach's article on 14.01.2025 (click here):

D864 is still sporting a brown buffer beam – remnant of the skirt which once went all round. Was one of the first to be painted blue in 1966 - Click for a flickr photograph.

Michael's photograph of D864 passing the entrance to Hemerdon down loop on Saturday 7 February 1970. You can see the brown bufferbeam which Simon mentions, the remenants of what was once a full band of colour around the lower half of the locomotive. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks, Simon - glad the pictures have reached so many.

Exeter Class 31
Michael Forward/Michael Adams

Hello Roger,

Good to see you have been out and about and posting interesting pictures.

Here is one from Michael Adams from a few years ago showing 31117 at Exeter St. Davids on 25 June 1983 with the 12.12 terminating service from Barnstaple.

Thanks and best wishes,

Michael Forward.

31117 at Exeter St. Davids having brought in a train from Barnstaple on 25.06.1983. Copyright Michael Adams.

Many thanks Michael and Michael

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