More Powercars leave Laira
43198 / 098 / 097 to West Coast Railway Co.
Clive Smith, Jon Hird, Paul Barlow & Tony Shore
Words by Clive Smith:
Another grim day in the west both with the weather and the Laira HST clear out. Now three more have gone with just four remaining - 43092/093/156 and cannibalised 43088. This move is 0Z43 08.53 Laira - Totnes with 43198, 43098 and 43097. The power cars were supposed to go on to the South Devon Railway at Totnes Littlehempston to collect a rake of West Coast Railway mark 1 coaches that were used on the line's Polar Express. However, due to a points failure on to the line the plan was temporarily shelved with the power cars purportedly continuing on to Newton Abbot or Exeter pending a decision if the points problem could be sorted and the power cars returned to Totnes. That never happened and they continued to Carnforth adding to West Coast's collection.
Who knows if we will see them again on one of their proposed charter sets or whether any of them end up as donors for spare parts.
Another grim day in the west both with the weather and the Laira HST clear out. Now three more have gone with just four remaining - 43092/093/156 and cannibalised 43088. This move is 0Z43 08.53 Laira - Totnes with 43198, 43098 and 43097. The power cars were supposed to go on to the South Devon Railway at Totnes Littlehempston to collect a rake of West Coast Railway mark 1 coaches that were used on the line's Polar Express. However, due to a points failure on to the line the plan was temporarily shelved with the power cars purportedly continuing on to Newton Abbot or Exeter pending a decision if the points problem could be sorted and the power cars returned to Totnes. That never happened and they continued to Carnforth adding to West Coast's collection.
Who knows if we will see them again on one of their proposed charter sets or whether any of them end up as donors for spare parts.
43198 leads 0Z43 into Totnes with 43098 (powering) and 43097 in tow. 21.01.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
43198, 098 and 097 paused in Totnes whilst the crew formulate a plan given the issues with the SDR connection. Above images are copyright Clive Smith (click for enlargements)
With east-bound GWR services beginning to stack up behind them, the power cars move off from Totnes abandoning the plan of collecting the mk1's from the South Devon Railway. 21.01.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
An unusual sight as the powercars depart Totnes. 21.01.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
43198, 098 and 097 cross the River Dart at Totnes. They were going quite quickly - I thought surely too fast to use the SDR connection - then spinning around I was surprised to see them go straight on towards Newton Abbot. 21.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The 1134 Totnes - Carnforth passing Cowley Bridge Junction around 2 hours early. 21.01.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
43097 bringing up the rear at Cowley Bridge. 21.01.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
Much later in the day, the trio of powercars are seen paused at Shrewsbury Station. All photos above are copyright Tony Shore (click for enlargements).
Many thanks all. A sad day, but at least we may see these three again yet if they remain in service in the UK.
South West Peaks
Michael Adams
Two shots of Peaks from Michael Adams' collection. Firstly 46035 arriving at Paignton on 16 August 1980. Copyright Michael Adams.
Now we see 45121 at Bristol on 23 December 1983 with an arrival from Cardiff. Copyright Michael Adams.
Many thanks to Michael Adams for taking these fine photographs, and to Michael Forward for sharing them with us - much appreciated.
Bodmin Railway
Bodmin Parkway PWay Works
Chris Bellett
Another updated photograph taken today (21/01/2026) showing progress on the relaying of the points at Bodmin Parkway. Nearly there. The team have done an excellent piece of work here over the past couple of weeks in appalling weather. Copyright Chris Bellett.
It's looking great - well done to all involved and many thanks to you for the picture, Chris.
Re: Royal Mail Parcels Notices P6 Bristol TM
Guy Vincent
Regarding the above notices as photographed by Paul Negus on platform 6 at Bristol Temple Meads in 2019. Sadly, these were removed about 5 years ago when renovation work on the canopies was started.
That's a pity - many thanks for confirming, Guy.
'Drags'
Steve Widdowson
57306 haults 701008 away from Worcester Yard running as 5Q72 1342 Long Marston - Wimbledon Park Depot. 21.01.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Tuesdays HST movement, 37407 hauls 43188 and 43189 past Abbotswood Jn, Worcs running as 0E43 0900 Laira - Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings. 20.01.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Two great photographs, many thanks Steve.
Re: Class 31241
Karl Hewlett
Regarding Guy Vincent's query in CRS about class 31241, I posted a response to this back in in 2024, so have dragged the link over:
https://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/latest-input--news--old-pictures-etc/december-21st-2024
The reason for non-repairal of the locomotive is a severely bent main frame at bufferbeam level in the images, once that's twisted it is normally deemed beyond economical repair.
https://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/latest-input--news--old-pictures-etc/december-21st-2024
The reason for non-repairal of the locomotive is a severely bent main frame at bufferbeam level in the images, once that's twisted it is normally deemed beyond economical repair.
Many thanks, Karl.