Railmotors, DMUs and some steam
at the East Somerset Railway
Guy Vincent
Currently on an early season visit to the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore is Didcot-based GWR railcar no 22. This was built at Swindon in 1940 and has been in preservation since 1967. The railcar is due to operate again at the ESR over the Easter weekend (3rd-6th April) before leaving for the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway who are now advertising trips from April 12th - 16th.
Here are some photos taken at the ESR on 21st and 22nd March. Also in use on the 21st was the line’s resident 2 car DMU set L709 now superbly finished inside and out including reinstated First Class seating accommodation.
Here are some photos taken at the ESR on 21st and 22nd March. Also in use on the 21st was the line’s resident 2 car DMU set L709 now superbly finished inside and out including reinstated First Class seating accommodation.
 GWR Railcar 22 on the East Somerset Railway. 22.03.2026, copyright Guy Vincent. |  GWR Railcar 22 on the East Somerset Railway. 22.03.2026, copyright Guy Vincent. |
GWR Railcar 22 on the East Somerset Railway. 22.03.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
Interior details of the GWR Railcar. 22.03.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
GWR Railcar 22 in the shed at Cranmore. 23.03.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
GWR Railcar 22 in the shed at Cranmore. 23.03.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
The class 108 DMU at the ESR. 23.03.2026, copyright Guy Vincent
The interior of Cranmore Signal Box. 23.03.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
The recently restored GWR 2-6-2 loco 4110 at Cranmore. 23.03.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
The main span of St Erth’s former footbridge on which restoration continues. The base foundations for the bridge have now been laid on each platform at Cranmore. 23.03.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
Finally a bonus shot I grabbed at Whatley Quarry of their recently delivered class 08 shunter 08787 which has been converted to battery power. For the last 34 years this shunter carried the identity of scrapped sister 08296 but has now reverted to its original number. 23.03.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks for your comprehensive report Guy, especially good to see some progress with the former St. Erth footbridge.
Peak on vans
Paul Barlow
45026 waits at Exeter on the 1740 Plymouth to Bristol van train, 4B19. 23.03.1981, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul - looks great with the silhouette of the 'nose' on the goods shed behind.
Tuesdays Clay
Jon Hird
66098 waits in the sidings at Goonbarrow for 150219 to pass by on its way to Newquay, before the clay could get out and on its way to Fowey. A few miles away in St. Austell the red carpet was being rolled out by the visit of the king and queen - in my opinion, this is more of the 'real' Cornwall than anything they would have been shown! 24.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66098 gets on its way and departs beneath the Goonbarrow semaphores with 15 JIA's and 66192 in tow. 24.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Much later, 66098 pulls away from the ‘Fowey Drivers Platform’ with the Fowey - Goonbarrow empties on a rather miserable evening. It’s always a bit exciting waiting for 6G05. It can run early, on time or even not at all, but it's normally early. You have no idea whether it’s left Fowey as it doesn’t tend to report on RTT. You just have to hold your position and listen closely for the distant roaring of the wagon wheels approaching from down the valley. As useful as it is to have various apps which can tell you exactly where a train is, sometimes it's nice to go back to the old ways and just see what turns up. This evening it appeared just as I was about to give up and go home - another couple of minutes and it would have been complete darkness. 24.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Milltown 175s
Mark Lynam
175007 + 175011 at Milltown working 5Z13 0751 Plymouth to Plymouth via Penzance. 23.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
Many thanks Mark - a great location for a photograph.
The new order at Penzance
Phil Gilbert
The new order in an old setting. 175009 prepares to depart Penzance with the 15.52 to Plymouth. 24.03.2026, copyright Phil Gilbert.
Many thanks Phil. The latest in a long line of traction to have stood in that very spot.