The Lappa Valley
'200 Gala'
14th & 15th June 2025
From Lappa Valley Railway:
We hope to see you at our Railway 200 Gala, which takes place this weekend (14th & 15th June).
There will be special services across the two days, with every available locomotive running on our main 15” gauge railway – featuring double and triple-headed workings, parallel runs, top ‘n tailed trains and of course the grand finale on the Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, we'll have visiting steam on the Lakeside Railway, static displays and visiting miniature traction engines too.
Booking is highly recommended. Lappa Valley Members enjoy free entry.
More details and tickets are available on our website - click here.
We hope to see you at our Railway 200 Gala, which takes place this weekend (14th & 15th June).
There will be special services across the two days, with every available locomotive running on our main 15” gauge railway – featuring double and triple-headed workings, parallel runs, top ‘n tailed trains and of course the grand finale on the Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, we'll have visiting steam on the Lakeside Railway, static displays and visiting miniature traction engines too.
Booking is highly recommended. Lappa Valley Members enjoy free entry.
More details and tickets are available on our website - click here.
We wish the team at Lappa all the best for this upcoming event, it sounds like it's going to be a great couple of days!
There are some photographs of Lappa Valley from a few years ago in our Miniature Railways section.
Or, for info and pictures of the line during its days as a standard gauge branchline, click here.
There are some photographs of Lappa Valley from a few years ago in our Miniature Railways section.
Or, for info and pictures of the line during its days as a standard gauge branchline, click here.
West Somerset Railway
Summer Diesel Festival 2025
Clive Smith & Andrew Triggs
Premier quality motive power at Minehead on the 5th June. D1015 is on the 10.41 to Bishops Lydeard while 45108 is on the 11.40 to Bishops Lydeard. Copyright Clive Smith.
50015 arrives at Blue Anchor on the 6th with the 16.21 Minehead -Bishops Lydeard. Copyright Clive Smith.
Maybach music at Bishops Lydeard on the 6th with D1015 on the 12.35 to Minehead. D9526 and D7018 had double headed a demonstration goods train from Norton Fitzwarren and with the Teddy Bear removed, the Hymek was about to be uncoupled to move on to the front of D1015 to double head the train. Copyright Clive Smith.
25185 hauls the 3-car DMU forming the 11.40 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead at Crowcombe Heathfield on the 6th. Copyright Clive Smith.
The 'Blue Hour' at Minehead on the 5th sees stored HST Castle class 255 set GW03 with 43155 pictured with 43154 at the other end. The set has been here since September 2023 nominally stored 'serviceable' by GWR with an arrangement with the West Somerset Railway to run it occasionally at Galas and the odd running day. It did a trip on the line just two days previously. The latest news is that the set has been sold to West Coast Railways who are looking to get into the luxury train market competing with the Midland Blue Pullman operated by LSL. Copyright Clive Smith.
D1015 'Western Champion' approaching Longlands Overbridge working the 17.15 Norton Fitzwarren-Minehead. 5.6.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
D7018 hauling the WSR Class 115 DMU, working the 09.45 Minehead-Bishops Lydeard 'Drag'. 6.6.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
50015 'Valiant' passing Dingle's Crossing working 11.40 Minehead-Bishops Lydeard. 6.6.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
D7018 piloting D1015 'Western Champion' passing Castle Hill working the 15.26 Minehead-Norton Fitzwarren. 6.6.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
D7018 leading D1015 'Western Champion' passing Kentsford Farm crossing working 12.35 Bishops Lydeard-Minehead. 6.6.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Many thanks Clive and Andrew - a great selection and nice to see the HST, too.
Re: D1660 'City of Truro'
Phil 'Shattered' Smith, Bill Elston & Karl Hewlett
From Bill Elston:
Further to yesterday's offering, I now attach my photo of the former 47625, now 47749, named 'Atlantic College', Seen passing Stoke Canon, 16/7/96.
Further to yesterday's offering, I now attach my photo of the former 47625, now 47749, named 'Atlantic College', Seen passing Stoke Canon, 16/7/96.
The former D1660 'City of Truro' now numbered 47749 and named 'Atlantic College' passes Stoke Canon on 19.07.1996. Copyright Bill Elston.
47749's nameplate. Copyright Bill Elston.
Phil Smith sends the following image:
A 1984 photo of 47076 'CITY OF TRURO' leaving Bristol Temple Meads. Copyright Phil Smith.
Later in its life, we see 47625 powering a parcels train through Stoke Gifford. 1988, copyright Phil Smith.
And a note from Karl:
In response to Roger Geach's message regarding are there any images of class 47, D1660 being named 'City Of Truro'? There is a black and white image in 'The Royal Cornwall Museums' collection in their photo archives taken shortly after naming in Platform one, however the image is not publically available in the fact that the CRS would have to negotiate with the the museum to use it and anyone wishing to view it would need to make an appointment with the Archives Collection Officer.
In response to Roger Geach's message regarding are there any images of class 47, D1660 being named 'City Of Truro'? There is a black and white image in 'The Royal Cornwall Museums' collection in their photo archives taken shortly after naming in Platform one, however the image is not publically available in the fact that the CRS would have to negotiate with the the museum to use it and anyone wishing to view it would need to make an appointment with the Archives Collection Officer.
Many thanks indeed to the three of you.
Local Locos
Tony Shore
57305 calls at St. Austell with the down 'Night Riviera' sleeper, 1A50. 10.06.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
66127 passes Shire Moor, Liskeard, with the Goonbarrow - Fowey clay, 6G09. 10.06.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
At the end of the day, 66127 backs the empty JIA wagons into St. Blazey yard (6G05). 10.06.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
The rake of JIA's have been split into two, ready to visit Par Harbour and Treviscoe over the coming days. 10.06.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
Many thanks to you, Tony.
'The Beast of Bodmin'
Jon Hird
50042 'Triumph' rumbles past Walker Lines with a Bodmin General - Bodmin Parkway service on 10.06.2023. 'Triumph' due is out this coming Saturday - 14.06 - for her first running day of 2025. Copyright Jon Hird.