The South Devon Railway
Winter Steam Gala
Jon Hird
The South Devon Railway are holding a 3-day Winter Steam Gala over this weekend.
The home fleet of 1369 and 5526 are in action, along with visiting Hunslet 1589, GWR 28xx No. 2807 and from Bodmin, Bagnall Saddle Tank 'Judy'.
The gala continues today and tomorrow - for details click here.
The home fleet of 1369 and 5526 are in action, along with visiting Hunslet 1589, GWR 28xx No. 2807 and from Bodmin, Bagnall Saddle Tank 'Judy'.
The gala continues today and tomorrow - for details click here.
Visiting Hunslet 1589 'Newstead' approaches Buckfastleigh with the 1030 service from Totnes. 02.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Port-of-Par Bagnall 'Judy' departing Buckfastleigh with the autocoach. 02.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
5526 approaches Hood Bridge with the 1130 Buckfastleigh - Totnes. 02.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
1589 on the rear of the 1130 ex-Buckfastleigh whilst the train was held at Hood bridge. 02.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Visiting 28xx No. 2807 emerges from beneath Hood Bridge with the 1130 Totnes - Buckfastleigh. 2807 is the oldest GWR locomotive surviving in private hands. 02.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Two Cornish thoroughbreds, 'Judy' and GWR 1369 emerge from beneath Hood Bridge with the 1200 Staverton - Buckfastleigh. 02.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
2807 passes Dartington with the 1415 Totnes - Buckfastleigh. 02.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
After being held at Staverton, the same train as above is seen again approaching Buckfastleigh. 02.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
'Judy' makes a sporty departure from Staverton piloting 1589 on the 1445 Staverton - Buckfastleigh. 02.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Another view of that dramatic departure. 02.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
'Judy' and 1589 pulling into Buckfastleigh. 02.01.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Test Unit
Paul Barlow
Network Rails Class 153 test unit 153385 at Exeter this afternoon. 02.01.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul, good to see these old workhorses repurposed.
Winter Sun at Axminster
Paul Negus
Amidst the snow and sleet this morning, I thought that this image of Axminster Station's display for Rail 200 snapped last August would cheer us all up! I particularly liked the inclusion of the Adams Radial Tank in the display, a link to the Lyme Regis Branch which started at Axminster. Note that Bradfords Builder's Merchants are located on the site of the old Goods Yard. The firm bought up a number of disused sites in the area from BR, including Seaton and Lyme Regis. 02.01.2026, copyright Paul Negus.
Many thanks, Paul.
January 1976
Part 3
Roger Winnen
P481 passing Sandplace on the Looe Branch. 03.01.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
P481 passing Sandplace on the Looe Branch. 03.01.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
P481 again, near Causeland on the Looe Branch. 03.01.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
P481 again, near Causeland on the Looe Branch. 03.01.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Causeland, Looe branch. 03.01.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
P481 passing Causeland. 03.01.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
P481 passing Causeland. 03.01.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
P481 at St. Keyne. 03.01.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The unit heads ontowards Coombe Junction Halt. 03.01.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The unit heads ontowards Coombe Junction Halt. 03.01.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Looking down the line towards Coombe Junction Halt. 03.01.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Coombe Junction signal box and crossing. 03.01.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
P481 climbs towards Liskeard from Coombe Junction. 03.01.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Didcot Railway Centre
Colin Pidgeon
1466 & 1340 outside the shed. 01.01.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon
4144 on the main demonstration line. 01.01.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
604 (08604) with the auto coach. 01.01.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
6697 inside the running shed. 01.01.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
31270 stabled on one of the turntable roads. 01.01.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks Colin - plenty of interest for you there.
The Swindon & Cricklade
Ken Mumford
The first day of 2026 found my son [over from Brisbane, Australia] and my grandson experiencing our first railway trip of 2026 on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway.
A very interesting and enjoyable one - I trust that the photos show this.
The S & C did us proud with extra special rides as well as opening up the Loco Shed by the dmu crew for my son, in particular, to see the Railbus which is being restored by one of the first secondary school pupils [Martin Rouse] when my family and I moved from London in the early 1970s.
Very grateful to the dmu crew who opened up for us and waited while we quickly photographed SOME of the stock in the Loco Shed - very much appreciated by us all - thank you very much!!!
A very interesting and enjoyable one - I trust that the photos show this.
The S & C did us proud with extra special rides as well as opening up the Loco Shed by the dmu crew for my son, in particular, to see the Railbus which is being restored by one of the first secondary school pupils [Martin Rouse] when my family and I moved from London in the early 1970s.
Very grateful to the dmu crew who opened up for us and waited while we quickly photographed SOME of the stock in the Loco Shed - very much appreciated by us all - thank you very much!!!
We returned the whole length of the line via a stop at Blunsdon but non-stop through Hayes Knoll to Farfield Lane [where we reversed]. 01.01.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
A close up of some of the driver's controls in the DMU. 01.01.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
The Railbus owned and being restored by Martin Rouse - more details on the S & C website. 01.01.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
Our guard walks alongside D2022 - one of several diesel locos at the S & C. 01.01.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
Looking from Hayes Knoll south towards Blunsdon. My son is getting on board our train. 01.01.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
A distant view of the dmu and its exhaust indicating that the driver was using quite a powr for the climb up to the bridge over the River Ray. 01.01.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks Ken - glad you had a good visit - happy new year to you.