March 11th 2025

57311 works the up 'Night Riviera'
09.03.2025
Andrew Triggs, Roger Winnen, Jonathan Harbage & Jon Hird

57311 at Platform 4, having propelled in from Longrock. 09.03.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

The Night Riviera stock from the gateway to Platform 4. 09.03.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

57311 was originally built as D1611 (new to traffic 18.8.1964) also previously numbered 47032 47662 & 47817 before conversion to 57311. 09.03.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Looking down from above the Station wall at 1A50. 09.03.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

57311 Awaits departure on the Night Riviera from Penzance. 09.03.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.

The sleeper viewed from the station wall. 09.03.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.

Here is 57311 arriving in Truro on the 09/03/25 on the up sleeper to London. A very smart design. A nice change from GWR. 09.03.2025, copyright Jonathan Harbage.

57311 and 1A50 come to a halt at Bodmin Parkway. 09.03.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

Many thanks all - what a great looking locomotive.

57311 was again booked to work last nights (10.03.2025) 'down' sleeper. It should spend today (Tuesday) in Long Rock before working the up 1A50 train this evening.

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Some background on 57311
Mick House

57 311 was D1611, 47032, 47662 & 47817 it was named Parker, Thunderbird and now The Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

57 311 'Thunderbird' at Rugby, taken 07/08/2015. Copyright Mick House.

Many thanks, Mick

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A mystery object - can you identify it?

One and all 

Unearthed in a customer's garden in Lostwithiel. To my mind it is a GW font, but beyond that, it is a mystery. 

Any ideas please. 

Kindly donated by the customer who has a wall of them.....

Kind regards

Tim Hughes

A mystery object found in Lostwithiel. Does anybody know what it is? Copyright Tim Hughes.

Thanks, Tim. An interesting find! If you have any ideas, please drop us an email - [email protected]

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69005 heads West
Jon Hird, Roger Winnen, Roger Salter, Leslie Curnow & Andrew Triggs

Working a GBRF route learner, 69005 is seen passing Coombe St. Stephens. The loco had been due to run to Taunton from Plymouth in the morning, but was turned back in the Exeter area due to signalling/track issues. 10.03.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

69005 passing Camborne over an hour early on its way to Penzance. 10.03.2025, copyright Leslie Curnow.

69005 approaching Rospeath Lane Overbridge, running 77 early at 13.45. 10.03.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

69005 EASTLEIGH crossing Marazion Marsh. 10.03.2025, copyright Roger Salter.

69005 Eastleigh on route learner to Penzance. Its 14.00 hrs. 10.03.2025, copyright Roger Winnen

A quick dash to Penzance, with 0Z48 delayed slightly, now running 67 late at 14.00, arriving at Platform 4 (with Roger Winnen viewed by the lead Cab of 69005). 10.03.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

69005 Eastleigh on route learner to Penzance. 10.03.2025, copyright Roger Winnen

69005 Eastleigh on route learner to Penzance. 10.03.2025, copyright Roger Winnen

A very similar view to the above by Roger Salter. 10.03.2025, copyright Roger Salter.

The returning Route learner to Plymouth Park Sidings departing at 15.07. 10.03.2025, copyright Roger Winnen

The returning Route learner to Plymouth Park Sidings departing at 15.07. 10.03.2025, copyright Roger Winnen

The return 0Z49 16.00 Penzance-Plymouth Park Sidings, departing 42 early at 15.18, nearing and passing Marazion. 10.03.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

The return 0Z49 16.00 Penzance-Plymouth Park Sidings, departing 42 early at 15.18, nearing and passing Marazion. 10.03.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

69005 is due to work the following over the next week:

Tuesday 11.03.2025
​0Z50 0950 Plymouth Park Sidings to Penzance
Shunts to and from Slopers Siding a few times, then works:
0Z52 1355 Penzance to Exeter St Davids
0Z53 1657 Exeter St Davids to Plymouth Park Sidings​

Wednesday 12.03.2025
0Z47 0900 Plymouth Park Sidings to Taunton​
​0Z48 1145 Taunton to Penzance
0Z49 1600 Penzance to Plymouth Park Sidings

Thursday 13.03.2025
0Z50 0950 Plymouth Park Sidings to Penzance
​Shunts to and from Slopers Siding a few times, then works:
0Z52 1355 Penzance to Exeter St Davids
0Z53 1657 Exeter St Davids to Plymouth Park Sidings​

Friday 14.03.2025
0Z47 0900 Plymouth Park Sidings to Taunton
0Z48 1145 Taunton to Penzance​
0Z49 1600 Penzance to Plymouth Park Sidings​

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Swindon Scenes
Ken Mumford & Colin Pidgeon

1L91 at Swindon Platform 1 with 387168 + 387163, with some graffiti on a coach. 09.03.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

166204 waiting to work 2G14 to Cheltenham. 09.03.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

Class 20 locos 20905 and 20901 with the Balfour Beatty drain train [which had a strong smell according to a member of the station staff] in Stratton loop. 09.03.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon

Class 20 locos 20905 and 20901 alongside platform 3, photograph by Rodney Lovegrove - one of the station staff to whom I appreciate his help, as the class 20s were due to stay overnight in the Swindon Transfer Yard and come into platform 3 to reverse before going back to Welwyn Garden City BUT they departed from Stratton Loop straight out onto the main line towards Didcot! 09.03.2025, copyright Rodney Lovegrove.

Many thanks to Ken, Colin and Rodney for these.

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More Cornish Route Learning
Jon Hird

With a thumbs-up from the driver, 43186 and 2C68 swishes round the curves at Coombe St. Stephens. The lady in the cab was apparently route learning. 10.03.2025, copyright Jon Hird.