May 11th 2026

11/5/2026

Recent round-up
Craig Munday

A busy few weeks in the Duchy with another visit of the Belmond Britannic Explorer, A class 175 press visit to Newquay and a poor week for GWR class 57s on the Night Riviera.

A murky start to a shift at Goonbarrow saw 2N00 pass the box in "stealth mode". The fog still thick as the class 150 headed for the resort. 04.05.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

08752 lurking in the mist at Goonbarrow. 04.05.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

The area was shrouded for some time until the strong sunlight punched its way through. The JIA wagons rest between duties in the Imerys facility. 04.05.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

66712 thoughtfully parked at Goonbarrow. 04.05.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

The 5th saw double class 57s on the sleeper empties pass Par with a Hitachi in the down platform. (They resemble a bulbous class 42 Warship diesel at this angle)! 05.05.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

The following day the train is seen at Resparveth in unrelenting cloud which covered St Austell Bay all day. clear glimpses of sky down west were tantalizingly frustrating! 06.05.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

The 7th saw 175114 work a first service carrying press, GWR / NR reps and local dignitaries as a special working to showcase the new timetable. 07.05.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

Members of the press and of various rail bodies with 175114 at Newquay. 07.05.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

Also on the 7th, 175001 is seen at Penzance with a service working, 2E23. 07.05.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

Finally on 9th the Belmond headed west as is seen passing Crugwallins. The local farmer has allowed all the local hedges to grow up now sadly, obscuring the classic elevated shot of the down trains. 09.05.2026, copyright Craig Munday.

Great stuff, Craig - many thanks indeed.

The Britannic Explorer heads East
Tony Shore & Jon Hird

66744 leads The Britannic Explorer away from Fowey and on towards Lostwithiel, passing the salt marshes. 10.05.2026, copyright Tony Shore.

Specially liveried 66748 on the rear of the train approaching Lostwithiel. 10.05.2026, copyright Tony Shore.

Guests alight at Lostwithiel to go by road for various activities. 10.05.2026, copyright Tony Shore.

66744 waits to run into the goods loop, where it would wait for a short while before running back to Coulsons Park so that the stock could be serviced. 10.05.2026, copyright Tony Shore.

With the stock serviced, the train heads east over St. Pinnock viaduct where a few spring bluebells still stand defiantly. #2 son Charlie waves the train off. It'll be back in a few weeks. 10.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Many thanks as always, Tony.

The Britannic Explorer is next due to explore Cornwall on the 30th May. This coming weekend we have another blue train due to visit - LSL's Midland Pullman HST set. Details in our Railtour Calendar.

Evening Sulzer Action
Guy Vincent

45118 again, this time heading the return leg of today’s English Riviera Express from Kingswear back to Northampton. The train was diverted due to a points issue at Fairwood Jcn to run via Westbury station rather than up the nearby avoiding line to Heywood Road Jcn as booked. 47593 at the rear.

Photos are stills from a video taken by Cathy Vincent.