May 24th 2025

24/5/2025

'Wasson the weekend?'

This weekend sees two steam hauled trains to our region.

On Saturday, 34046 'Braunton' will work:
THE ENGLISH RIVIERA EXPRESS
Shrewsbury - Kingswear
1Z82 0643 Shrewsbury to Kingswear (For Dartmouth)
1Z84 1635 Kingswear (For Dartmouth) to Shrewsbury

And on Sunday, 60163 'Tornado' will work:
THE ROYAL DUCHY
Bristol TM - Par
1Z33 0848 Bristol Temple Meads to Par
0Z33 1352 Par to St Blazey LIP
0Z34 1520 St Blazey LIP to Par
1Z34 1610 Par to Bristol Temple Meads

For more information on upcoming railtours, see our Railtour Calendar.

A couple of Cornish 'Castles'
Jon Hird

43198 leads 2C20, the 1127 Exeter St. David’s - Penzance, past Crugwallins. 43156 was on the rear. 23.05.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

The first time I’ve taken a portrait photograph at Burngullow, but with the scene to the left rapidly disappearing beneath the encroaching vegetation, it seemed pointless filling the sides of the frame with bush. 43097 leads 2P16, the 1315 Penzance - Plymouth, past Burngullow Junction. 43189 was on the Penzance end. 23.05.2025, copyright Jon Hird.

Mystery Coach - Portleven
Dave Anthony

I'm not sure if this has been picked up before but I noticed what appears to be an old carriage of some-sorts in a field north of Porthleven.

Sorry for the poor quality of the photos but they were taken from the top deck of a bus doing about 30!

Possibly a grounded coach near Porthleven? 22.05.2025, copyright Dave Anthony.

Approx. location of the grounded coach body. Copyright Dave Anthony.

Many thanks Dave. I have searched the archives and I've not found anything on this - although with the use of names of small hamlets around Cornwall, it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint items such as this. If anybody knows any more on the history behind this item, please drop us an email - [email protected]

Swindon Scenes
Colin Pidgeon

37884 on 7Q76 Ely Papworth Sidings to Newport Docks with 465238 & 465239. The reason for the class 7 headcode (Max speed 45 mph) was that 465239 had severe wheel flats. 22.05.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.