The Midland Pullman Returns
Andrew Triggs, Mark Lynam, Peter & Keith Jenkin, Mick House, Joe Birchall, Jon Hird & Guy Vincent
The Luxury HST is stabled at Platform 4 with 802004 and 802009 behind. 17.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
 43059 Nameplate. 17.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs. |  43058 Nameplate. 17.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs. |  The 'Highlands' vinyl's as applied to MK3 M44078. 17.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs. |
1Z16 09.20 Penzance-York 'Cornish Riviera Pullman' underway and passing Marazion. 17.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
43059 leading the Midland Pullman through Brea. 17.05.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
43058 on the rear in the cutting at Brea. 17.05.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
43059 leads the way towards Barncoose Overbridge. 17.05.2026, copyright Peter Jenkin.
A note from Keith Jenkin about the above photos:
I was with Peter my son when he took photos this morning of the Pullman HST Cornish Riviera passing through Barncoose cutting and the thought struck me that this is probably one of the longest straight stretches on the Cornish main line. In the original plans the Hayle Railway, which forms this section of the route, might have turned to the south to follow contours around the valley, but instead took a direct route, crossing the deep valley with a high and very substantial embankment which includes two bridges, one over the road and one crossing a stream. Additionally at this point there was a short branch which very soon merged with the main line and served a quarry on the side of Carn Brea which provided stone for the substantial Redruth viaduct inter alia.
I was with Peter my son when he took photos this morning of the Pullman HST Cornish Riviera passing through Barncoose cutting and the thought struck me that this is probably one of the longest straight stretches on the Cornish main line. In the original plans the Hayle Railway, which forms this section of the route, might have turned to the south to follow contours around the valley, but instead took a direct route, crossing the deep valley with a high and very substantial embankment which includes two bridges, one over the road and one crossing a stream. Additionally at this point there was a short branch which very soon merged with the main line and served a quarry on the side of Carn Brea which provided stone for the substantial Redruth viaduct inter alia.
43058 on the rear at Barncoose. 17.05.2026, copyright Peter Jenkin.
43059/M43059 approaching Redruth. 17.05.2026, copyright Mick House.
 M44078. |  M41187. |  M40804. |  M41166. |  M41160. |
43058/M43058 on the rear at Redruth. 17.05.2026, copyright Mick House.
43059 powering out of Truro. 17.05.2026, copyright Joe Birchall.
43059 leading the Midland Pullman across Pendalake Viaduct, near Bodmin Parkway. 17.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Pullman liveried short-formed HST set on the 1Z16 return 0920 Penzance - York leg of the Cornish Riviera Pullman weekend excursion heading east on the Westbury avoiding line and at this point running 13 minutes early. As often happens the sun was out until the train appeared, then vanished only to come out the instant it had passed me! Of note all the vehicles bar TGS 44078 were formerly painted green with a grey band and used on the short-lived 'Staycation Express' trains over the Settle-Carlisle route operated by Rail Charter Services in 2021. In addition, the power cars 43058 and 43059 were both part of ECML HST set 254002, first introduced in August 1977. For the record, the formation was 43059 Loch Shiel, 44078, 41187, 40804, 41166, 41160 & 43058 Loch Eil. 17.05.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
43058 on the rear of the formation at Westbury. 17.05.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
Their previous existence - most of the set wore a green livery until 2022 when it was used for the 'Staycation Express'. Image with thanks to Guy Vincent.
Many thanks all.
And if you missed the HST this weekend (how!), it's back again on Thursday, heading to Paignton. Details in the Railtour Calendar.
And if you missed the HST this weekend (how!), it's back again on Thursday, heading to Paignton. Details in the Railtour Calendar.
A slightly more interesting railtour
29 years ago!
Roger Geach
Gloom at Carbis Bay, why bother, done by the weather man again. Very rare track for 31s.
31466 and 31407 on the AIA Pathfinder charter to St. Ives passing Carbis Bay in the mist. 17.05.1997, copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks Roger - and I'm sure we are all glad you did bother. Such a sight now sadly just a dream, mist or no mist.
The new Newquay Branch timetable
Tony Shore & Jon Hird
The summer timetable began on Sunday 17th, which sees a variety of traction heading along the Newquay branch.
As well as the usual Class 150 shuttles, class 175's are booked daily services to the North Coast resort, and through trains formed of Hitachi multiple units run along the branch.
As well as the usual Class 150 shuttles, class 175's are booked daily services to the North Coast resort, and through trains formed of Hitachi multiple units run along the branch.
175007 calls at Luxulyan on the 1012 Par - Newquay. 17.05.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
The unit again at Bugle, returning from Newquay as the 1118 Newquay - Par. 17.05.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
Roche next where the 175 and the Rhodedendrons create a colourful scene. The unit is working the 1438 Par - Newquay. 17.05.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
Tonys tour of the branch line stations continues as we catch up with the 1552 Newquay - Par at St. Columb Road. 17.05.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
175007 doing a good pace aong the Goss Moor with the 1715 Par - Newquay, approaching the user-worked level crossing which has been upgraded with 'train approaching' lights and sirens. 17.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The unusual sight of a modern bi-mode high speed train crossing the ungated Molinnis crossing in Bugle. 802107 works the 1724 Newquay - Plymouth. 17.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks Tony - great to see the branch coming to life following all the recent 'Metro' upgrades.
5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe
At Worchester Shrub Hill
Steve Widdowson
The ECS for the Shakespear Express arriving at Worchester Shrub Hill from Kidderminster, top and tailed by 5043 and 37240. 17.05.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
5043 Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe TnT 37240 Worcester Shrub Hill on The Shakespear Express, 1Z11 (1016 Worcester Shrub Hill to Stratford-upon-Avon). 17.05.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
37240 on the rear as the train departs for Stratford Upon Avon. 17.05.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Later in the day, 5043 returns from Stratford, passing the lovely array of semaphores at Worchester. 17.05.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
5043 is hauled away for the evening by 37240. 17.05.2026, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Many thanks Steve - 5043 looking well at home there with those signals.