'Inspiration'
The Rail200 Exhibition Train
Tony Shore
'Inspiration' is the name of the exhibition train which has been formed up to tour the country during 2025, the year of the highly publicised Railway 200 events. The train is being hauled around by two specially liveried GBRF class 66 locomotives. There are currently no visits to the far west scheduled - a November trip to the West Somerset Railway is the closest - so please enjoy the below photographs from Tony showing the train at Birmingham Moor Street station on 08.07.2025.
For more information on this train please visit: https://railway200.co.uk/inspiration/
Click any below image for an enlargement. All images copyright Tony Shore.
For more information on this train please visit: https://railway200.co.uk/inspiration/
Click any below image for an enlargement. All images copyright Tony Shore.
Many thanks indeed Tony - interesting pictures.
Work to protect Dawlish mainline 'on hold'
'Work to protect the Paddington to Penzance mainline at Dawlish in Devon has been put on hold, the government has announced.
Ministers said they had "already invested significantly in securing the cliffs and making the coastline more resilient, external in the South West and need to focus our investment on other projects around the country".'
Read more on the BBC - Click here.
Ministers said they had "already invested significantly in securing the cliffs and making the coastline more resilient, external in the South West and need to focus our investment on other projects around the country".'
Read more on the BBC - Click here.
Flying Scotsman at the WSR
Paul Negus
Please find attached some photos taken by my wife and myself when travelling behind flying Scotsman from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard in glorious sunshine!
Once Scotsman arrived at Minehead, it was swarmed by admirers but Maureen outdid me and managed to get an excellent shot from the open carriage window of Scotsman running round. The classic tablet exchange took place at the East end of the station (photographed from the safety of the public side of the picket fence at the end of the main platform) where ex-GWR 45154 and 43155 were stabled in 2 + 4 formation.
Scotsman sounded glorious - even though it had a relatively easy job at the ruling line speeds - but the even three cylinder beat could be heard clearly through the open carriage windows.
You can still book a trip this Friday and Saturday.
Finally, I must say that the organisation was excellent and very well done to the numerous volunteers!!
Once Scotsman arrived at Minehead, it was swarmed by admirers but Maureen outdid me and managed to get an excellent shot from the open carriage window of Scotsman running round. The classic tablet exchange took place at the East end of the station (photographed from the safety of the public side of the picket fence at the end of the main platform) where ex-GWR 45154 and 43155 were stabled in 2 + 4 formation.
Scotsman sounded glorious - even though it had a relatively easy job at the ruling line speeds - but the even three cylinder beat could be heard clearly through the open carriage windows.
You can still book a trip this Friday and Saturday.
Finally, I must say that the organisation was excellent and very well done to the numerous volunteers!!
The Scotsman arrives from Minehead. 10.07.2025, copyright Paul & Maureen Negus.
From the carriage window, the loco runs round. 10.07.2025, copyright Paul & Maureen Negus.
The token exhange at Minehead. 10.07.2025, copyright Paul & Maureen Negus.
The well polished nameplate and coupling rods of Flying Scotsman. 10.07.2025, copyright Paul & Maureen Negus.
The cab profile of 60103. 10.07.2025, copyright Paul & Maureen Negus.
Great pictures, Paul - glad you had a good day. Thanks for sending them in.
Re: The Great Broccoli Debate
Ross Griffiths
Growing up in St Erth and working on one of the local farms my Dad has often relayed fond tales of the goods yard at the station where much local produce would be loaded from tractors to wagons for onward transfer to various destinations.
Apparently the term 'broccoli' was just a generalisation used to include all types of brassica so would include what we would more specifically label as cauliflower and broccoli.
Whether the French were accepting of what turned up in the boxes though is another matter!
Apparently the term 'broccoli' was just a generalisation used to include all types of brassica so would include what we would more specifically label as cauliflower and broccoli.
Whether the French were accepting of what turned up in the boxes though is another matter!
Many thanks Ross - a clear answer to the original question of why Cauliflowers were referred to as 'Broccoli'.
Re: St Blazey Pannier Tanks
Roy Hart
Yesterday we published a question from a reader regarding locomotive 7746 and its purpose during its time in Cornwall, based at St. Blazey. We quickly received the below - excellent - reponse from Roy Hart which answers the question perfectly.
Until the 1940s St Blazey shed had a number of elderly Dean pannier tanks, numbered in the 2000 series. These were light and handy for all the clay branches, notably Goonbarrow and Carbis, where nothing heavier was permitted.
By 1948-50 these engines were worn out and being withdrawn. They were mostly replaced by modern 5700 class panniers, but these were 'blue' group engines, too heavy for some clay lines. Something lighter was required, so 7446 and a pair of Mr Hawksworth's new 1600 class panniers was provided. They spent most of their time between St Blazey and Bugle, plus local trips such as Par Harbour and Pontsmill. They survived at SBZ until the end of steam.
Incidentally, Truro got one too: 7422, which survived there until 1958.
As a matter of interest, the 5700 class were reclassified as 'yellow' in the 1950s, which saw them used on many more lines.
Until the 1940s St Blazey shed had a number of elderly Dean pannier tanks, numbered in the 2000 series. These were light and handy for all the clay branches, notably Goonbarrow and Carbis, where nothing heavier was permitted.
By 1948-50 these engines were worn out and being withdrawn. They were mostly replaced by modern 5700 class panniers, but these were 'blue' group engines, too heavy for some clay lines. Something lighter was required, so 7446 and a pair of Mr Hawksworth's new 1600 class panniers was provided. They spent most of their time between St Blazey and Bugle, plus local trips such as Par Harbour and Pontsmill. They survived at SBZ until the end of steam.
Incidentally, Truro got one too: 7422, which survived there until 1958.
As a matter of interest, the 5700 class were reclassified as 'yellow' in the 1950s, which saw them used on many more lines.
A super answer, Roy - thanks very much for sharing your knowledge.
Clay for The Midlands
Jon Hird
66028 powers through Trewoon with 11 JIA's bound for Cliffe Vale. 6 wagons had been loaded on Wednesday at Par Harbour, with the remaining 5 loaded earlier that morning (10.07) at Treviscoe. 66028 still bears its original EWS livery (minus the branding) and looks in good shape considering the paint is well over 20 years old now. The locomotive spent around 15 years of its life working in Europe for DB. 10.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Teignmouth Voyagers
Martin Scane
Just a couple of fun snaps of Voyagers in the sun on the Sea Wall at Teignmouth yesterday morning.
A Crosscountry Voyager heads east at Teignmouth. 10.07.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
A pair of Voyagers near Sprey Point, Teignmouth. 10.07.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
Many thanks, Martin. A great part of the world.
Swindon Scenes
Colin Pidgeon
A classic BR blue lineup at Swindon as D1015 Western Champion leads 46045 & D821 Greyhound away on 0O42 Kidderminster SVR to Alton MHR for the Gala this weekend. 10.07.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
43272 & 43357 on 1Q23 Bristol Kingsland Road to Derby RTC. 10.07.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
43272 & 43357 on 1Q23 Bristol Kingsland Road to Derby RTC. 10.07.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks Colin (and thanks to Ken for sending the pictures in).