March 17th 2026

17/3/2026

The first in-service 175 to Devon
David Tozer

Class 175 175002 became the first of its type to enter service in Devon today (16.3.2026) carrying passengers. My photograph was taken at the site of the former Exminster Station with the 0745 Penzance to St David's. Copyright David Tozer.

Many thanks Dave. Encouraging to see the class begin to spread their wings across the region - an upgrade from the 150's which have been covering these diagrams since the demise of the short-formed HSTs.

56's in Devon
Paul Barlow

A couple of photos of Hertfordshire railtour's class 56 hauled tour from Paddington to Paignton, with a mini tour to Meldon Quarry.

56073 works the 1306 Paignton to Meldon Quarry 'Dartmoor warbler' 1Z46 seen at Newton Abbot. 25.05.1996, copyright Paul Barlow.

56073 works the 1752 Paignton to Paddington 'The Paignton Decorator' 1Z29 past Cockwood. 25.05.1996, copyright Paul Barlow.

Many thanks Paul - looks like the weather improved as the day went on.

Top and tailing to Fowey
Mark Lynam & Jon Hird

With the Par crossover still out of use on the morning of 16.03, the Goonbarrow - Fowey clay was unusually worked by top and tailed class 66's.

66098 leads 6G09 towards Middleway Crossing, St. Blazey. 16.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

66192 on the rear of the train at Middleway Crossing. 16.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

After reversing at Lostwithiel, 66192 now leads the train across the causeway at Golant with 66192 on the rear. 16.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

A view from on high as the train slows to a crawl before crossing the level crossing leading to the Golant slipway. 16.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

66098 idling on the rear of the train as it continues on its way towards Fowey Docks. 16.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

A shot of 66098 on the rear from Mark. 16.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

Many thanks Mark - good to see you earlier.

Split box 'whoppers' at BTM
Clive Smith

Extremely large Gateshead allocated 37003 stands at the front of the 1E33 09.10 Paignton - Newcastle on the 29th September 1984. I think the loco was also 'no boilered' at the time so much sought after by 'new engine bashers' for haulage. I had just arrived on the train from Paignton behind 45074 which was promptly taken off. Presumably Bath Road wanted to get this loco home to the north east. Not sure on the loading but this must have been double figures being a summer holiday inter-regional. I expect this was quite a thrash up the Lickey. Preserved since 1998 at the Mid Norfolk Railway. Copyright Clive Smith.

Massive 37066 was Thornaby allocated and is photographed on the 16th July 1983 with 47072 on the now long gone Bath Road depot that was located adjacent to Temple Meads station. I had arrived at the station at 09.15 to be surprised to find 37066 having just arrived on the 23.55 Glasgow - Bristol which had worked it from Birmingham. It was off the front of the train like a shot but luckily parked at the front of the depot for me to photograph. Copyright Clive Smith.

Huge 37006 waits at Bristol Temple Meads to take over from 45022 on the 1E33 09.10 Paignton - Newcastle on the 18th August 1984. It had worked the 14.20 York - Plymouth relief as far as Bristol the day before. I think it was Healey Mills allocated at the time and later became 37798 being withdrawn and cut up in 2009. Copyright Clive Smith.

Many thanks as always, Clive.

Crosscountry in the far West
Andrew Triggs

A few shots of ex Avanti West now XC Class 221 Voyagers at work in the Far West today for CRS.

Hopefully the variety along with the Weather will improve soon.

221112 at Penzance following arrival with 1C11 06.40 Bristol Temple Meads-Penzance. 16.3.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

221112 passing Marazion working 1S53 11.15 Penzance-Edinburgh. 16.3.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

221113 passing Ponsandane working 1V52 07.03 Edinburgh-Penzance. 16.3.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

221113 awaiting Penzance departure with 1M92 18.13 Penzance-Birmingham New Street. 16.3.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Many thanks Andrew. Love them or hate them, the 'Voyagers' have settled down into very dependable units - hard to believe some are now over 25 years old.

Par Shuffle
Mick House

As previously reported, Saturdays empty clay wagons were top and tailed into Cornwall with 66192 and 66098. Micks photos below show the shunt which had to be performed at Par in order for the train to gain access to the Newquay branch - the Eastern crossover being out of order.

66192 arrives at Par on the down main with the Westbury - Goonbarrow empties. 14.03.2026, copyright Mick House.

66098 on the rear of the train as it continues towards St. Austell on the Down Main to clear the western crossover. 14.03.2026, copyright Mick House.

66098 was fired up and hauled the train from the down main to Platform 3 via the crossover. 14.03.2026, copyright Mick House.

The long train fouled the up main for a few minutes whilst the driver changed ends again to continue on to Goonbarrow. 14.03.2026, copyright Mick House.

66098 on the rear of the train disappearing around the curve to St. Blazey. 14.03.2026, copyright Mick House.

Many thanks Mick - a great record of events.

Par 175's
Mark Lynam

175006 approaches Par. 16.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

175002 deparing Par for Plymouth. 16.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

175009 arrives from Plymouth (using the East end crossover) with a training run. 16.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

Some new 'hostile architecture' recently installed along the wall which separates the footpath from the railway near Chapel Siding. 16.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

Many thanks once again, Mark.

Split-boxes all over!
Ian Thomas

As the bow headcode 37s are still in fashion with everyone, I thought I would go that mile (or 300) further. Pictures here feature railtours, a 37 at Kings Cross on a parcel working.... rather unusual I thought.. and just about as far as you could go at the time with 37s, Scotland, including Stranraer and the West Highland Line.

Please click any image below for an enlargement and caption