The Nick Perring Collection - Part 9
The Torbay Branch
Clive Smith
Pioneer Class 37 D6700 (37350) 'NRM National Railway Museum ' was called upon to perform this outrageous working on Saturday 12 June 1999. The driver of the 1V26 23:30 Manchester Piccadilly - Paignton Virgin CrossCountry service did not sign Class 47s (???), so D6700 was provided as a pilot locomotive south of Bristol to assist 47851. Consequently, the return 1S66 08:58 Paignton to Glasgow was also worked by D6700 leading 47851. Not sure where the duff has disappeared to in Nick's photo. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
31419 heading west at Torquay in 1983. No recorded details of the date or working. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
37411 thrashes out of Torquay with an additional 08.55 Exeter St Davids - Paignton in connection with the Radio 1 Roadshow at Torquay on the 14th August 1996. The stock utilised was a set from Barton Hill in Bristol that was regularly used on Weymouth trains from Temple Meads. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
67002 arrives at Torquay on the 10th July 2004 with the 08.43 Paignton - Preston operated by Virgin Cross Country. To provide extra stock for services on summer Saturday services to Paignton and Newquay, Virgin CrossCountry hired HSTs from Virgin West Coast, Midland Mainline and Great North Eastern Railway (GNER), and Mark 3B loco-hauled carriages from Virgin West Coast for a number of years. In 2004, Virgin hired Class 67 locomotives from EWS and Mark 2 carriages from Riviera Trains to operate further summer Saturday services to Paignton. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
Nick was down bright and early in Paignton for this on the 3rd July 1982, probably spurning the standard fried breakfast at the greasy spoon off after bashing an overnight train and traipsing down to the sidings at Goodrington where the morning holidaymaker 'Saturday Only' empty stock trains were lined up for the journeys back north. Here is L-R 45046 with the 5E36, 45013 with the 5E29 and 45001 with the 5S54. Fantastic photo. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
Lastly a photo from Nick's collection taken by the late Rob Barnes, another Plymouth boy who also passed away much too early. 31102 hauls a dead D1062 Western Courier down the bank from Churston towards Greenway Tunnel. D1062 Western Courier was purchased for “active” preservation by the Western Locomotive Association in November 1976 after being withdrawn in August 1974. On 27th May 1977 it was moved from Swindon Works to its new home on the Torbay & Dartmouth Railway, hauled en route by 45038, 47035 and finally 31102 from Newton Abbot. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Rob Barnes).
Another great batch of images Clive, many thanks indeed. Lots of interesting traction spanning a number of decades.
Re: Van Trains
Ian Thomas
Roger Geach's feature on van and TPO trains in the south-west got me thinking about events of 42 years ago. In fact 1982 and 1983... At that time, there was a 12.50.PENZANCE to GLASGOW vans (3S15) which called at BRISTOL T/M mid evening and a locomotive change took place. On the occasion that I was there, they sent 40133 from Severn Tunnel Jnc light engine to work 3S15. The train ran via the Severn Tunnel then up the NORTH & WEST route to Crewe and then the WCML to Glasgow. I guess I got lucky and it was a bonus to what in those days offered a good bit of night photography.. PEAKS ..CROMPTONS and a selection of DUFFS and HOOVERS into the bargain.. So here are some pictures of the van train 3S15 with 40133 and 46044 on 1E38 - 19.30 BRISTOL- NEWCASTLE TPO/VANS
46044 with the 1935 Bristol - Newcastle TPO, 1E38, at Bristol Temple Meads. 16.03.1983, copyright Ian Thomas.
A rarity, 40133 at Bristol Temple Meads with the 1210 Penzance-Glasgow Parcels, 3S15. The loco was added to the train here at Bristol. 16.03.1983, copyright Ian Thomas.
Excellent stuff Ian, many thanks indeed and I'm glad Rogers article inspired you to dive into the archives!
Ian has provided some more Bristol night shots, but we'll save them for tomorrow!
Ian has provided some more Bristol night shots, but we'll save them for tomorrow!
Avon Valley Interlude
Paul Negus
I was in Bitton yesterday for lunch at the Avon Valley Railway. The Railway has an excellent cafe open every day except Christmas Day - the adjacent Bristol to Bath Cycle Path generates much of the custom. We were treated to a display of shunting, albeit the AVR is on a very restricted site and the view off the end of the platform is somewhat challenging for taking pictures.
In the yard was one of the resident class 31s, 31130 in Railfreight livery. This needs attention to the brake air reservoirs but apparently the fuel tank is handily in the way! 29.01.2026, copyright Paul Negus.
31130 waiting for repairs to the air system. 29.01.2026, copyright Paul Negus.
On view and in steam were the Sentinel 0-4-0 Vertical Boiler loco "Somerdale" and the long term resident TKH "Karel". 29.01.2026, copyright Paul Negus.
Seeing and hearing 'Somerdale" is a rare treat, you know immediately when it moves off due to the very frequent exhaust beats. This is a local locomotive as it spent its working life at the Fry's Factory in Keynsham which had a siding connection from the main line. 29.01.2026, copyright Paul Negus.
Newly hired-in 6695 was by the loco shed, again a restricted view I'm afraid. 29.01.2026, copyright Paul Negus.
Finally the local Austin 7 Club had arranged to meet for lunch and made an excellent period shot outside the Booking Office. 29.01.2026, copyright Paul Negus.
A nice selection of photos, Paul. Many thanks.
TfW visit Worcester
Steve Widdowson
37884 hauling TfW 769452 at Worcester Yard. 5Q94 0734 Allerton Depot to Long Marston. 30.01.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
37884 hauling TfW 769452 at Worcester Yard. 5Q94 0734 Allerton Depot to Long Marston. 30.01.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
802101 at Worcester Shrub Hill before working 1P26 1316 Worcester Shrub Hill - Paddington. This unit is fitted with new super fast WiFi. 30.01.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
An interesting set of images Steve, many thanks.