Another Bristol Exhibition Train
Richard Giles
Nearly 30 years on this was thought to be the last exhibition train in Temple Meads platform 2, Disney's 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' cartoon film, this item follows on from Criag Munday's recent '200th Rail Inspiration train' image taken in the same station location back in March. I was going to pass these views on to him direct but thought they may be of interest to those viewing the website although the train never actually made it into Cornwall but did reach Plymouth, 8,000 visitors having been reported to have visited the 2-day Bristol stop. Craig was actually in a supervisory platform roll for the train on the photographing date!
Train details were; Loco 47710 'Quasimodo' with coaches 99662/3/5/6 and 6311 (with the main exhibition in platform 2) with staff support coaches 80211, 1698 with unconfirmed 3150 in the siding behind. 99664 was the cinema coach showing film excerpts but had been 'withdrawn' from use by this date as persons were taking too long to leave the carriage on completion of their allocated time slot remaining and wanting to stay on board! Making up the 10 coach formation, 92116 was also believed allocated for use with the train.
Recorded movements were; 1Z56 0330 Birmingham NS - Bristol TM (08/06), 1Z30 0548 to Plymouth passing Yatton at 0502 (10/06) and 5Z30 2030 Plymouth - Crewe Heritage Centre return (11/06) 47710 being removed in Bristol for South Wales Valley line duties as Quasimodo!
Finally it is interesting to compare the turnout for the then Waterman's Heritage 'hire' fleet 47710 compared with that on the up to date train using GBRf 66718 for the more recent March Bristol visit!
Train details were; Loco 47710 'Quasimodo' with coaches 99662/3/5/6 and 6311 (with the main exhibition in platform 2) with staff support coaches 80211, 1698 with unconfirmed 3150 in the siding behind. 99664 was the cinema coach showing film excerpts but had been 'withdrawn' from use by this date as persons were taking too long to leave the carriage on completion of their allocated time slot remaining and wanting to stay on board! Making up the 10 coach formation, 92116 was also believed allocated for use with the train.
Recorded movements were; 1Z56 0330 Birmingham NS - Bristol TM (08/06), 1Z30 0548 to Plymouth passing Yatton at 0502 (10/06) and 5Z30 2030 Plymouth - Crewe Heritage Centre return (11/06) 47710 being removed in Bristol for South Wales Valley line duties as Quasimodo!
Finally it is interesting to compare the turnout for the then Waterman's Heritage 'hire' fleet 47710 compared with that on the up to date train using GBRf 66718 for the more recent March Bristol visit!
The view from the A4 Bath Road Bridge of the Disney Train. This location 'could' become the Portishead Branchline platform in the future. Copyright Richard Giles.
The Exhibition Train entrance from platform 3 to the coaches located in platform 2 in Temple Meads (motorail traffic had ended here in May 1995). Copyright Richard Giles.
Part of the then Waterman's Heritage 'hire' fleet former Scot-Rail 47710 now named Quasimodo (ex. Lady Godiva) main tour loco. Copyright Richard Giles
NYA coaches 99665 and 99663 part of Hunchback of Notre Dame Exhibition train Temple Meads platform 2. Copyright Richard Giles.
Advertising branding carried on NYA 99665 (ex. 6223) Temple Meads. Copyright Richard Giles.
Many thanks indeed Richard, what an unusual set of photographs! Thanks very much for sharing them with us.
WSR Variety
Paul Barlow
7812 Erlestoke Manor on the turntable at Minehead. 16.04.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
Ex British Celophane (Bridgwater) shunter D2133 shunts at Minehead. 16.04.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
Hymek D7017 at Minehead. 16.04.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
Pannier tank 6412 and 7812 Erlestoke Manor at Minehead. 16.04.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
Mogul 9351 on the turntable at Minehead. 16.04.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
Great stuff Paul, many thanks.
Newport
Ken Mumford
1M64 [Cardiff Central - Nottingham via Derby] with unit 170638. 16.04.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
1V38 [Manchester Piccadilly - Fishguard Harbour] consisting of units 197112 and 197016. Divided at Swansea? 16.04.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
66653 - no details of working! 16.04.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
67008 - no details except the loco was noisy and ugly rear end. 16.04.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
Caught eating my lunch on platform 1 - Tesco completely labelled train! 16.04.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks Ken.
April 1976
Part 18
Roger Winnen
25170 Arrives at Par with a freight from the china clay branches. 22.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
25170 has run round its short train at Par. 22.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Class 45 on Freight at Par. 22.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
What we initially believed to be D1036 Western Emperor, but now we know it to actually be D1037 Western Empress at Par. 22.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Guy Vincent writes to say:
Greatly enjoying the 1976 shots this month. Sorry to be a pain but the photo at Par that was published on 18th (Part 18). The Western displaying headcode 1O00 and a rather nasty black rusty scar to its B end front is D1037 Western Empress and not D1036 as mentioned. D1037 was withdrawn just four weeks later on 24th May 1976 following a minor collision.
I have a particular memory of D1037. One afternoon my brother and I were walking towards Greenland Mill level crossing in Bradford on Avon when the alarms sounded and the barriers lowered. We peered over a fence and looking through the short tunnel we could see a grubby Western ready to depart the station with the lightweight (3/4 coaches) 2O60 1600 Bristol TM ~ Weymouth. As the train came out of the tunnel and passed over the crossing there was smoke like we had never seen, dense black with a yellow tinge. For several minutes we couldn’t see through the tunnel, it was just as if a steam train had been through. I guess lack of maintenance towards the end of their lives was the reason it was so bad.
Greatly enjoying the 1976 shots this month. Sorry to be a pain but the photo at Par that was published on 18th (Part 18). The Western displaying headcode 1O00 and a rather nasty black rusty scar to its B end front is D1037 Western Empress and not D1036 as mentioned. D1037 was withdrawn just four weeks later on 24th May 1976 following a minor collision.
I have a particular memory of D1037. One afternoon my brother and I were walking towards Greenland Mill level crossing in Bradford on Avon when the alarms sounded and the barriers lowered. We peered over a fence and looking through the short tunnel we could see a grubby Western ready to depart the station with the lightweight (3/4 coaches) 2O60 1600 Bristol TM ~ Weymouth. As the train came out of the tunnel and passed over the crossing there was smoke like we had never seen, dense black with a yellow tinge. For several minutes we couldn’t see through the tunnel, it was just as if a steam train had been through. I guess lack of maintenance towards the end of their lives was the reason it was so bad.
Many thanks for the info Guy - caption updated!
The pagoda at Luxulyan Station. 22.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A pair of Class 25s are seen passing through Luxulyan. 22.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.