Royal train to be cut in Palace cost-saving measure
The big railway news of the week broke yesterday that the Royal Train is due to be retired in 2027, with King Charles seemingly favouring air travel.
Click here for a BBC News article.
Click here for a BBC News article.
50046 Ajax at Penzance
Michael Forward
Michael Forward
Hello Roger, A busy time down there and a great selection of pictures of all the special workings. Here are three photos of 50046 'Ajax' at Penzance on a dull 13 September 1984. Firstly having just arrived with a 07.20 service from Plymouth. Thanks, Michael.
Now we see the loco. having shunted the Plymouth coaches onto some others to form the 10.20 to Liverpool. Michael Forward
Roger, Finally just getting underway with the Liverpool train. Thanks for dealing with these,squeeze them in when there is room,Best wishes, Michael Forward.
Many Thanks Michael
The flags are out
at Purton Crossing
Ken Mumford
I arrived at Purton Crossing earlier, and wondered, what was the NETWORK RAIL RESPONSE VEHICLE doing at that level crossing?
ANSWER - someone had reported a train going past without the barriers coming down. Thus when I arrived there was also a red flag in between the two running lines. A young NETWORK RAIL gentleman came towards the crossing and made my visit a very interesting one as he talked to the young railway enthusiast and myself as we waited for a northbound IET. He operated the mechanism to lower the barriers and held a green flag as 1G15 [Paddingotn to Cheltenham Spa consisting of 800003] came slowly around the bend into sight. I understood that trains using this non-functioning level crossing were to pass at 5 m-p-h!!
As soon as the first coach was clear of the crossing its driver opened up the diesel engines to acclimate it away northwards.
However, according to REAL TRAIN TIMES [RTT], this train was curtailed at Kemble! Indeed several trains were either curtailed at Kemble or cancelled due to a person on or near the railway.
The NETWORK RAIL engineer tried to lower and raise the barriers and as he was now successful, the crossing was now functioning properly. Indeed 1L76 Cheltenham Spa to London [IET unit 800002] passed over the crossing at more than 5 m-p-h now that everything was working.
ANSWER - someone had reported a train going past without the barriers coming down. Thus when I arrived there was also a red flag in between the two running lines. A young NETWORK RAIL gentleman came towards the crossing and made my visit a very interesting one as he talked to the young railway enthusiast and myself as we waited for a northbound IET. He operated the mechanism to lower the barriers and held a green flag as 1G15 [Paddingotn to Cheltenham Spa consisting of 800003] came slowly around the bend into sight. I understood that trains using this non-functioning level crossing were to pass at 5 m-p-h!!
As soon as the first coach was clear of the crossing its driver opened up the diesel engines to acclimate it away northwards.
However, according to REAL TRAIN TIMES [RTT], this train was curtailed at Kemble! Indeed several trains were either curtailed at Kemble or cancelled due to a person on or near the railway.
The NETWORK RAIL engineer tried to lower and raise the barriers and as he was now successful, the crossing was now functioning properly. Indeed 1L76 Cheltenham Spa to London [IET unit 800002] passed over the crossing at more than 5 m-p-h now that everything was working.
The Network Rail Incident Response Ford Ranger at Purton Crossing. 01.07.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
The Network Rail operative gives the green flag to an approaching GWR service. 01.07.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
The GWR IET unit crosses at 5mph. 01.07.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Interesting photos, Ken - many thanks - sometimes the old ways are the best!