NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 108
Bathampton and Bathford (2)
Guy Vincent and Michael L. Roach
This instalment has a guest contributor – without him it would not have been possible. The CRS website is very lucky to have regular contributors from many parts of Britain; thank you Guy.
The railway franchise for the provision of express passenger trains from London to Southwest England, South Wales and the Cotswolds was awarded to Great Western Trains starting in 1996. Through changes of name, extent and types of trains FirstGroup has continued to operate the trains for 30 years. Compared to some of its peers on the ECML and WCML that is nothing short of a miracle and is to be applauded. But the GWR franchise will come to an end later this present year, 2026. It was on Friday 8 May 2026 that the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, had exercised her right to issue an expiry notice to GWR, confirming its contract with the Department of Transport would end on 13 December 2026, at which point services would transfer into public ownership.
The territory that the present GWR franchise trains pass through en-route is pleasant countryside in every single county that the franchise serves; i.e about 20 counties. The same comments about the pleasant countryside also applied to the original GWR from the day the first length opened in 1838 to the Grouping of 1922-3. In the last instalment (Part 107) were four images of “Great Western Countryside” taken from the pages of the GWR's own magazine of the 1930s. The last of the four images was taken a short distance from Bathampton Junction, east of Bath by F.R. (Reece) Winstone a professional photographer, and is repeated here. The photograph showcased the lovely countryside of the Avon Valley between Bath and Limpley Stoke where roads, railway and the canal share the valley. I never managed to visit the area other than to pass through on a train a couple of times.
While writing to one of the website's regular contributors I asked him if he would like to visit the location and record what it looks like in 2026 some 87 years after the original was taken. Guy Vincent of Westbury rose to the challenge in May 2026 and I am very grateful to Guy for taking the photos that accompany this article. All the photos were taken on 1 May 2026. Guy's notes on his visit recorded the following facts. He stood on the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal about half a mile south of Bathampton to take the photos. The church tower is that of St. Swithun which is the Parish Church of Bathford. St. Swithun was the Bishop of Winchester from 800 to 862. On the far side of the tracks is a timber GWR p'way hut totally hidden by ivy for many years. This was one of the few lengths where the vegetation has been cleared and that the line-side can be clearly seen as the line is generally quite overgrown with vegetation around here. There was no sign of the tall tree in the 1939 photograph. Guy concluded with the comment that his visit to this location was a most worthwhile adventure.
The railway franchise for the provision of express passenger trains from London to Southwest England, South Wales and the Cotswolds was awarded to Great Western Trains starting in 1996. Through changes of name, extent and types of trains FirstGroup has continued to operate the trains for 30 years. Compared to some of its peers on the ECML and WCML that is nothing short of a miracle and is to be applauded. But the GWR franchise will come to an end later this present year, 2026. It was on Friday 8 May 2026 that the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, had exercised her right to issue an expiry notice to GWR, confirming its contract with the Department of Transport would end on 13 December 2026, at which point services would transfer into public ownership.
The territory that the present GWR franchise trains pass through en-route is pleasant countryside in every single county that the franchise serves; i.e about 20 counties. The same comments about the pleasant countryside also applied to the original GWR from the day the first length opened in 1838 to the Grouping of 1922-3. In the last instalment (Part 107) were four images of “Great Western Countryside” taken from the pages of the GWR's own magazine of the 1930s. The last of the four images was taken a short distance from Bathampton Junction, east of Bath by F.R. (Reece) Winstone a professional photographer, and is repeated here. The photograph showcased the lovely countryside of the Avon Valley between Bath and Limpley Stoke where roads, railway and the canal share the valley. I never managed to visit the area other than to pass through on a train a couple of times.
While writing to one of the website's regular contributors I asked him if he would like to visit the location and record what it looks like in 2026 some 87 years after the original was taken. Guy Vincent of Westbury rose to the challenge in May 2026 and I am very grateful to Guy for taking the photos that accompany this article. All the photos were taken on 1 May 2026. Guy's notes on his visit recorded the following facts. He stood on the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal about half a mile south of Bathampton to take the photos. The church tower is that of St. Swithun which is the Parish Church of Bathford. St. Swithun was the Bishop of Winchester from 800 to 862. On the far side of the tracks is a timber GWR p'way hut totally hidden by ivy for many years. This was one of the few lengths where the vegetation has been cleared and that the line-side can be clearly seen as the line is generally quite overgrown with vegetation around here. There was no sign of the tall tree in the 1939 photograph. Guy concluded with the comment that his visit to this location was a most worthwhile adventure.
From the June 1940 GWR Magazine is taken this nicely composed view by F.R. Winstone, who would have taken the photo before 3 September 1939 since private photography of railways was banned during the war. The tree is quite unusual and has not yet been identified; being very tall with few branches and the main trunk covered in ivy at the bottom. No copyright
The Google Earth view of the Bathampton – Bathford area with Guy's location on the canal towpath indicated by a blue dot. No copyright
GWR 3-car Turbo 16621 working the 10.23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central passes at 12.38. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Two GWR class 158s 765 and 760 unusually worked 2E62 the 12.04 Westbury to Gloucester local train which had replaced a 3-car Turbo, seen at 12.45. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Freightliner 66610 and failed 59103 head south from Bathampton Junction with the late running 6C79 the 09.58 Avonmouth to Whatley stone empties at 12.47. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Freightliner 66606 heads towards the junction at 12.53 with the 10.04 West Drayton Frays Siding to East Usk empty hoppers. Copyright Guy Vincent.
DB Cargo 67024 with the 1V80 09.47 London Victoria to Bath Spa Belmond British Pullman at 12.59. Copyright Guy Vincent.
The rear of the Pullman train showing the newly introduced carriage no. 99593 “Celia” which is a dining and events space for 12 guests refurbished from a 1932 Pullman coach. Copyright Guy Vincent.
GWR 2-car 158762 heads south on the 12.40 Bristol Temple Meads to Salisbury train at 13.05. Copyright Guy Vincent.
GWR 2-car Turbo set 165135 on the 12.12 Salisbury to Bristol Temple Meads heads to the junction at 13.08. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks Mike and Guy, a brilliant 'then and now' comparison.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
'Caroline' heads home
Mark Lynam, Roger Salter, Mick House, Jonathan Harbage, Paul McGwynn, Andrew Triggs & Bill Elston
Early doors at Penzance as 37418 runs out of the oil sidings and into Platform 4 to collect its passengers for a trip to Bournemouth. 02.06.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
Being driven from 'Caroline', the train departs at 0720. 02.06.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
37418 with 975025 “Caroline” passing Marazion foot crossing working 2Z32 0730 Penzance-Bournemouth. 02.06.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
37418 on Marazion Marsh. 02.06.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
Caroline (975025) and 37 418 An Comunn Gaidhealach on the 2Z32 Penzance to Bournemouth running 4 early at 07.26 off of Penzance and passing me at Wheal Bois crossing 7 early at 07.53, it arrived at Bournemouth 67 early at 15.24. 02.06.2026, copyright Mick House.
37418 and Caroline heading from Penzance to Bournemouth, seen east of Truro. A video - click to play. 02.06.2026, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
2Z32 Penzance - Bournemouth running 28 early Dawlish. A screenshot from the Dawlish webcam with thanks to Paul McGwynn.
Loram 37418 passing Norton Footbridge working 2Z32 07.30 Penzance-Bournemouth, running 31 early at 11.26. 02.06.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Loram 37418 passing Norton Footbridge working 2Z32 07.30 Penzance-Bournemouth, running 31 early at 11.26. 02.06.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The inspection saloon, CAROLINE with Loram 37418 An Comunn Gaidhealach (The Gaelic Comunity) worked from Penzance to Bournemouth via Yeovil Pen Mil, omitting the Frome stop. Seen here at Maiden Newton some 45 min early waiting for 166215 on a Weymouth to BTM train to pass. 02.06.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
37418 waiting at Maiden Newton. 02.06.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
Nameplate of 37418. 02.06.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
An image which shows the token exchange at Maiden Newton. 02.06.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
Many thanks all.
Taunton Railtours
Roger Geach
5043 passing Taunton on 'The Whilsting Ghost', 1Z43 Birmingham Snow Hill - Minehead, passing Taunton station. 30.05.2026, copyright Roger Geach.
37240 on the rear of 'The Whilsting Ghost' passes stabled 47805 which had worked down on 'The English Riviera Express' before being replaced by a steam loco to go forwards to Kingswear. 30.05.2026, copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks Roger - Taunton looked the place to be on Saturday with a few tours passing by through the day.
June 1976
Part 3
Roger Winnen
A Class 50 at Baldhu. 05.06.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The 1937 bridge sign at Baldhu. 05.06.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1021 Western Cavalier at Baldhu. 05.06.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1053 Western Patriarch departing Redruth. 05.06.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Peak 45022 Lytham St Annes arriving Redruth having failed. 05.06.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Class 50 pushes the train from the rear leaving the tunnel mouth. 05.06.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Roger Geach writes:
45022 failed at Redruth was 1V63 Wolverhampton - Penzance, being pushed by 50007 on 1B25, the 0930 Paddington - Penzance.
45022 failed at Redruth was 1V63 Wolverhampton - Penzance, being pushed by 50007 on 1B25, the 0930 Paddington - Penzance.
The Nameplate of the Staffordshire Regiment. 05.06.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
WSR arrivals
Andrew Triggs
The fun continues in Somerset! A bonus of 50049 working the 14.30 WSR service yesterday afternoon as well...and the Diesel Gala doesn't start until Thursday.
The WSR Gala Guests passing Norton Fitzwarren, with Rail Adventure 43423 and 43480 hauling 37250, 47714 and 26007, running as 0Z46 11.20 Kings Norton OT Plant Dept-Bishops Lydeard, passing by 69 early at 14.57. 02.06.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The WSR gala guests heading onto West Somerset Railway metals. 02.06.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Covering for failed GWR No.7828 'Odney Manor', 50049 'Defiance arriving at Bishops Lydeard with the 14.30 ex Minehead WSR service. 02.06.2026, copyright Adrew Triggs.
Many thanks Andrew - and you had the weather, too.
Marazion Sleeper
Mark Lynam
57604 leads the down 'Night Riviera' sleeper service past Marazion, nearing journeys end at Penzance. 02.06.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
Great stuff Mark - many thanks.