Cotswold & Exmoor Explorer
Ian Thomas & Rich Kelsey
Yet another hot and sunny day this summer of 2026, and rail enthusiasts were out and about to see a most welcome piece of railway history pass through Gloucestershire.
My wife, Jill, and I went to Cam & Dursley station to see the COTSWOLD & EXMOOR EXPLORER tour pass through on Saturday (18th). The train was a vintage 1957-built HASTINGS DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit). These operated between London Charing Cross and Hastings until their withdrawal in May 1986. They are narrow-bodied units, built especially to negotiate the narrow tunnels on that route.
No. 1013 has been lovingly restored and is seen passing Cam & Dursley en route from Hastings to Minehead via Reading, Honeybourne, Worcester and Bristol. The train left Hastings at 06:10 that morning, so it was a very long day out when you consider it did not get back until 23:00.
The picture shows Jill waving to the punters, and for her it brought back memories of these units at London Cannon Street station between 1974 and 1979, when she was working for the Lloyds Bank City Computer Centre. You could hear the distinctive thumping sound of the diesel engines across the area at that time.
This is the first time that a Hastings DEMU has worked a tour south of Standish Junction over the Midland line to Bristol since October 1985, and on that occasion the tour visited Tytherington and Sharpness.
My wife, Jill, and I went to Cam & Dursley station to see the COTSWOLD & EXMOOR EXPLORER tour pass through on Saturday (18th). The train was a vintage 1957-built HASTINGS DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit). These operated between London Charing Cross and Hastings until their withdrawal in May 1986. They are narrow-bodied units, built especially to negotiate the narrow tunnels on that route.
No. 1013 has been lovingly restored and is seen passing Cam & Dursley en route from Hastings to Minehead via Reading, Honeybourne, Worcester and Bristol. The train left Hastings at 06:10 that morning, so it was a very long day out when you consider it did not get back until 23:00.
The picture shows Jill waving to the punters, and for her it brought back memories of these units at London Cannon Street station between 1974 and 1979, when she was working for the Lloyds Bank City Computer Centre. You could hear the distinctive thumping sound of the diesel engines across the area at that time.
This is the first time that a Hastings DEMU has worked a tour south of Standish Junction over the Midland line to Bristol since October 1985, and on that occasion the tour visited Tytherington and Sharpness.
Hastings DEMU 1013 passing Cam & Dursley with the COTSWOLD & EXMOOR EXPLORER tour 06.10 Hastings-Minehead 1Z13. 18.07.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
Hastings DEMU passes Coaley Junction station site en route from Hastings to Minehead. 18.07.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
1013 at Lower Wick crossing on 1Z13 06.10 Hastings - Minehead Cotswold Explorer. 18.07.2026, copyright Rich Kelsey.
Hastings DEMU 1017 on 1Z39 at Sharpness on 12.10.1985. Copyright Ian Thomas.
Many thanks Rich and Ian - what a superb machine, a credit to its owners.
The Britannic Explorer heads East
Tony Shore, Sam Sheldrick & Jon Hird
A 9am start for the Britannic Explorer, passing Golant en route to Lostwithiel after its overnight stop at Fowey Docks. 19.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
After dropping off its passengers at Lostwithiel (who are sent on to various activities by road), 66748 pulls the train back onto the Fowey Branch at Coulson Park so that the stock can be serviced at the level crossing. 19.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
66745 on the rear of the train at Coulson Park. 19.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
With the stock serviced and the passengers picked up from Lostwithiel, the train runs into Lostwithiel up goods loop to wait its path on to Bruton. 19.07.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
A long climb to get this view and it was almost snatched away by the Paddington - Penzance IET heading west! Luckily it cleared just in time for a clear view of 66745 leading The Britannic Explorer onto Pendalake Viaduct. 19.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks Sam and Tony - I'm sure we'll see more pics of this next weekend.
Williton Railtours
Tony Shore
The Hastings DEMU heads for Minehead, passing Williton. 18.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
33048 on the 1410 Minehead - Bishops Lydeard. 18.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
33025 and 33207 arrive with a railtour from Minehead, with one of the WSR's resident class 33's in the yard. 18.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
47848 on the rear of the train, with the usual mismatch of liveries on the WCRC coaching stock. 18.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
Many thanks Tony, a busy day on the WSR!
July 1976
Part 20
Roger Winnen
A named Class 47 at Trevingey Crossing Redruth. 24.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Class 47 Departs Redruth for Truro etc. 24.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.