45212 & 47812 work
'The Royal Duchy'
Clive Smith, Martin Scane & Jon Hird
The Railway Touring Company's 'Royal Duchy' railtour was initially billed to be hauled by 60163 'Tornado'. This was more recently revised, with the intention of hauling the train behind Black Five 45212.
Earlier this week, 45212 failed at Weymouth with a 'hot box' - a bearing defect - on its tender. After spending several days at Weymouth, the locomotive was eventually cleared to run to Bristol in preparation to work Sundays tour to Par, however that journey was not without event - the locomotive failed again at Yeovil Junction and required further attention to the troublesome bearings.
Sunday morning came and many expected the tour to be diesel-hauled throughout, yet 45212 was bolted to the front of the train and worked from Bristol to Plymouth.
Here, however, the bearing issue again reared its head, and the steam locomotive was removed from the train and sent to Laira, with 47812 which was on the rear of the train being run round to lead the tour into Cornwall and back to Bristol.
Earlier this week, 45212 failed at Weymouth with a 'hot box' - a bearing defect - on its tender. After spending several days at Weymouth, the locomotive was eventually cleared to run to Bristol in preparation to work Sundays tour to Par, however that journey was not without event - the locomotive failed again at Yeovil Junction and required further attention to the troublesome bearings.
Sunday morning came and many expected the tour to be diesel-hauled throughout, yet 45212 was bolted to the front of the train and worked from Bristol to Plymouth.
Here, however, the bearing issue again reared its head, and the steam locomotive was removed from the train and sent to Laira, with 47812 which was on the rear of the train being run round to lead the tour into Cornwall and back to Bristol.
LMS Black Five 45212 with 47812 on the rear passing a very overgrown Brent station site at South Brent with the 1Z33 08.48 Bristol Temple Meads - Par "The Royal Duchy". 27.07.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
After all the will she run/won’t she run here’s 45212 with 1Z33 Bristol TM to Par running some 10 minutes late at 11-41 today about to pass Shaldon Bridge, Teignmouth with a motley assortment of coaching stock in tow. The train had been held for a while in Tiverton Loop to allow a couple of late running service trains to pass.
After the steam was removed at Plymouth, 47812 was put on the front and sent down to Par. The coaching stock is an odd mix of mk1's and mk2's in varying liveries. The late running service passes Bodmin Parkway where a rake of clay hoods can be seen in the branch platform - 08444 was in the headshunt at the far end of the station running round. 27.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks all - a pity for the passengers onboard!
More of the
Bodmin Railway Clay Gala
Roger Winnen & Jon Hird
Saturday 26.07.2025 - Roger Winnen
The Sapper working the first train of the day seen at Bodmin Parkway. 26.07.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Beattie Well Tank on a static display outside of the workshops. 26.07.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The big and the small at Bodmin General. 26.07.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Racing the train as we depart from Bodmin General to Boscarne. 26.07.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
5552 at Boscarne Junction. 26.07.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The newly refurbished 08444 and 5552 at Bodmin General. 26.07.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Steve Lightfoot waves off the goods. 26.07.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
47306 arrives with the CDA wagons bound for Bodmin Parkway. 26.07.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
47306 at Bodmin Parkway. 26.07.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
A simulatenous departure of 47306 and a GWR Castle Class HST. 26.07.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Sunday 27.07.2025 - Jon Hird
08444 arrives at Bodmin Parkway with the goods. 27.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
The windows of Parkway footbridge have recently had a clean. 27.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
08444 departs for Bodmin General. 27.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
'Denise', 'Judy' and 5552 on the blocks at Bodmin General. 27.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
08444 arrives back at Bodmin General from Boscarne Junction, passing 'Denise'. 27.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Driver Mat Simpson eases 'Denise' back into the station. 27.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Congratulations and thank you to the Bodmin Railway for another excellent event.
Gloucestershire & Warkwickshire Railway
Diesel Gala
Steve Widdowson
Please click any of the below images to obtain an enlargement and caption. All images are copyright Steve Widdowson.
Many thanks Steve, looks like a good event and you had the weather for it too.
A Peak from above
Paul Barlow
45118 with 47712 on the rear passing Waterside with the 1620 Kingswear to Derby. 26.07.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
45118 with 47712 on the rear passing Waterside with the 1620 Kingswear to Derby. 26.07.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
45118 with 47712 on the rear crossing St. Thomas Road, Exeter with the 1620 Kingswear to Derby. 26.07.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
45118 with 47712 on the rear crossing St. Thomas Road, Exeter with the 1620 Kingswear to Derby. 26.07.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul - some unique perspectives.