March 23rd 2026

23/3/2026

'Inspiration' in Devon
Bill Elston & Jon Hird

The Rail200 'Inspiration' exhibition train was due to depart Totnes on the evening of 22.03.2026. The train had been stabled in the Totnes Riverside bay platform for the past week, minus its locos which had left Devon light loco after depositing the stock.

GBRf 66718 and 66306 were sent back down from Eastleigh to collect the stock, eventually arriving at Totnes 72 minutes late due to a class 150 catching fire near Aller Junction. Due to their late arrival and due to ongoing issues at Newton Abbot due to the DMU fire, the empty stock movement to Bristol was cancelled.

The Rail200 exhibition train at Totnes Riverside. 22.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Mk3 coaching stock in the bay platform at Totnes Riverside. 22.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

There was a light engine working through Bathpool today, 0Z39, Eastleigh to Buckfastleigh to collect empty coaching stock The locos were 66718 and 66306. 22.03.2026, copyright Bill Elston.

66718 leads 66306 over the river at Totnes arriving late with the light loco movement from Eastleigh. 22.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

After a quick reversal at Totnes, 66306 now leads across the river again as the light loco movement makes its way towards Totnes Riverside. 22.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

The pair of GBRf locos stand on the SDR mainline connection with the exhibition train stock now moved into the main Totnes platform by one of the railways resident diesel shunters. 22.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

The SDR's shunter pulled the stock out of Totnes which meant that 66306 could run straight onto it. 66306 then pulled the train back into the platform at Totnes to allow 66718 to drop onto the Buckfastleigh end of the train. By this point it really was dark! 22.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Many thanks for the additional photo Bill.

37's on stone
Roger Geach

37098 and 37688 arrive at %aunton with stone from Merehead. From memory this was a short term flow of stone to Fairwater yard? I may be wrong, but I see they arrived at 1002 and went back light to Westbury at 1050 hrs. 23.02.1998, copyright Roger Geach.

Great stuff Roger, many thanks as always.

Gunnislake by train
Andrew Triggs

A few shots from Saturday's Gunnislake branch and Gunnislake to Calstock walk for CRS on a beautiful March Saturday in lovely weather. Veteran Class 150 no.150243 providing the Traction on the day.

150243 at Gunnislake following arrival with 2G77 10.24 from Plymouth. 21.03.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

150243 crossing Calstock Viaduct working 2G79 12.24 Plymouth-Gunnislake. 21.03.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

150243 at Bere Alston working 2G82 15.14 Gunnislake-Plymouth. 21.03.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Refurbished Voyager 220027 at Plymouth awaiting departure with 1E67 16.27 Plymouth-Leeds. 21.03.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Many thanks Andrew - you picked a good day for it.

The new XC livery
Bill Elston

While I was waiting for the 66s at Bathpool, new liveried 220033 passed on a northbound service. 22.03.2026, copyright Bill Elston.

Well spotted Bill, many thanks.

Exeter by night
Martin Scane

A photograph taken this evening (21/3/26) whilst waiting for my train home to Teignmouth. 150249 with 2R91 to Exeter Central at 18.50 just as the light was starting to fail. 21.03.2026, copyright Martin Scane.

Thank you very much Martin - nice and atmospheric.