Diesel Duchy
Paul Barlow, Andrew Triggs, Tony Shore, Jon Hird & Clive Smith
The Railway Touring Company's 'Royal Duchy' visited Par on Sunday 26th July. Owing to the ongoing mainline steam ban, the tour was hauled by top and tailed WCRC class 47's, 47848 and 47237.
47848 leads the 0848 Bristol to Par through Exeter St Thomas. 26.07.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
47237 on the rear of the train at Exeter St. Thomas. 26.07.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
A sunny welcome to Cornwall for 47848, leading the Royal Duchy over the Royal Albert Bridge. 26.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
47848 leads the Bristol - Par 'Royal Duchy' charter over St. Pinnock viaduct. 47237 out of sight on the rear. 26.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
47828 leads 5C50 13.43 Par-Par 'Royal Duchy' ECS back into the Station. 26.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
47237 and the Tour Stock stabled at Par. 26.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
47237 leading the return working past Moorswater. 26.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
47237 pulling onto the Royal Albert Bridge with the return working. 26.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
47848 now on the rear as the train passes into Devon. 26.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
47237 heads the 1Z34 17.04 Par - Bristol Temple Meads 'Royal Duchy' with 47848 on the rear at Filham Palace Road Bridge in Ivybridge. 47237 is not one of the more common West Coast 47s. 26.07.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks all - a pity for the passengers they had no steam loco, but the right decision given the recent weather.
47237 & 47848 'back then'
Clive Smith & Paul Barlow
Forty four years earlier than the above photographs, the same loco - 47237 - heads out of Mutley Tunnel at Plymouth on the 8th June 1982 with a short mixed freight, the 6C43 15.15 St Blazey - Severn Tunnel Junction. Copyright Clive Smith.
And twenty four years earlier we see the other loco from yesterdays railtour. 47848 'Newton Abbot Festival of Transport' on the 0600 Preston-Paignton 1V37 at Exeter st Davids. 06.07.2002, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Clive and Paul - loco liverys and lineside both looking a lot smarter those 44 years ago.
The Britannic Explorer
Fowey - Cranmore
Andrew Triggs, Jon Hird & Clive Smith
Lostwithiel Britannic Explorer departure with 66744 and 66748 working 1C06 09.40 Lostwithiel Down Goods Loop-Bruton, following collecting passengers at Lostwithiel. 26.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Lostwithiel Britannic Explorer departure with 66744 and 66748 working 1C06 09.40 Lostwithiel Down Goods Loop-Bruton, following collecting passengers at Lostwithiel. 26.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The Britannic Explorer stabled on Lostwithiel Up Goods Loop from 13.14-13.38. 26.07.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
66744 powers up on East Largin viaduct as it restarts its train from a signal stop for a down GWR service. 26.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
GBRf 66744 heads the 1Z06 13.42 Lostwithiel - Bruton 'Britannic Explorer' off Blatchford Viaduct west of Ivybridge. I rarely take pictures here as the viaduct from the nearby field is the much better shot but the Britannic Explorer is too long to fit both locos in the shot. 26.07.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
66748 on the rear of the train at Ivybridge. 26.07.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks all - for upcoming 'Britannic Explorer' dates, see our Railtour Calendar.
175114 - then and now
Mick House
In service with GWR, 175 114 passes Wheal busy Crossing. 25.07.2026, copyright Mick House.
175 144 approaching Cardiff 10/09/2022 when in the hands of the Welsh. 25.07.2026, copyright Mick House.
Many thanks Mick. These units had a fairly good reputation for some time in Wales - let's hope GWR can return them to their former glory in due course.
July 1976
Part 27
Roger Winnen
Circle Line stock. 30.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
DMU on a Moorgate service. 30.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.