Don't miss tonights indoor meeting!
Chris Heaps presents:
A history of the London Bus Museum
In the memorial hall, Redruth Methodist Church - TR152EG
Commencing at 1830
Please note: The Hall Car Park will only have a few spare spaces, as a Concert will be taking place in the Wesley Chapel.
Please use other Car Parks
(Flower Pot Chapel Car Park, just down the road)
Chris Heaps presents:
A history of the London Bus Museum
In the memorial hall, Redruth Methodist Church - TR152EG
Commencing at 1830
Please note: The Hall Car Park will only have a few spare spaces, as a Concert will be taking place in the Wesley Chapel.
Please use other Car Parks
(Flower Pot Chapel Car Park, just down the road)
This weekends railtours
The weekend sees two railtours heading to Devon and Cornwall.
First up is the Britannic Explorer:
THE BRITANNIC EXPLORER (GBRf Cl.66 x2)
Fri 8th May 2026 - Mon 11th May 2026
London Victoria - Penzance & Return. Overnight stop on the Fowey branch Saturday night.
And we also have steam to Kingswear:
ENGLISH RIVIERA EXPRESS (Steam)
Sat 9th May 2026
Northampton - Kingswear
First up is the Britannic Explorer:
THE BRITANNIC EXPLORER (GBRf Cl.66 x2)
Fri 8th May 2026 - Mon 11th May 2026
London Victoria - Penzance & Return. Overnight stop on the Fowey branch Saturday night.
And we also have steam to Kingswear:
ENGLISH RIVIERA EXPRESS (Steam)
Sat 9th May 2026
Northampton - Kingswear
Full details and times available in our Railtour Calendar.
GWR Exhibition Train - 1985
Richard Giles
Following on from my Bristol 'Disney Exhibition Train' contribution, and Guy Vincent's follow up item (in April) with event leaflets available for the GWR 150 Year around the time, I would like to forward these two views from Weston-super-Mare and the rarely used nowadays (accept for occasional track machine stabling) platform 3.
On the 13th August 1985, the second day of a two day visit at the North Somerset coastal seaside town saw QXV's ADB977215, ABD977231, ADB977230, ADB977217, ADB977218, ADB977216, ADB977219, ADB977232, stabled in the bay platform forming the 1985 GWR exhibition train. The coaches were all converted towards the end of 1984 at the now closed Cardiff Cathay's rail work shops from Mk 1 stock. For the tour, ADB977215 was sponsored by Providence Mutual, ADB977230 by ESSO and ADB977217 by Godfrey Davis Rail Drive Euro-car hire, ADB977219 carried the name 'Rosamund' and was in use as a buffet car and ADB977232 (converted from a CCT) saw use as a generator van providing internal coach lighting power.
Sorry I did'nt take any internal views on the day regarding the follow up request and it also may or may not be worth recording that GWR 200 is now less than 10 years away!
On the 13th August 1985, the second day of a two day visit at the North Somerset coastal seaside town saw QXV's ADB977215, ABD977231, ADB977230, ADB977217, ADB977218, ADB977216, ADB977219, ADB977232, stabled in the bay platform forming the 1985 GWR exhibition train. The coaches were all converted towards the end of 1984 at the now closed Cardiff Cathay's rail work shops from Mk 1 stock. For the tour, ADB977215 was sponsored by Providence Mutual, ADB977230 by ESSO and ADB977217 by Godfrey Davis Rail Drive Euro-car hire, ADB977219 carried the name 'Rosamund' and was in use as a buffet car and ADB977232 (converted from a CCT) saw use as a generator van providing internal coach lighting power.
Sorry I did'nt take any internal views on the day regarding the follow up request and it also may or may not be worth recording that GWR 200 is now less than 10 years away!
GWR 150 Exhibition Train, Weston-super-Mare during a 2-day visit on 13th August 2025. Copyright Richard Giles.
Second from the buffers, ADB977231 converted from TSO E4321 is seen in the bay platform Weston-super-Mare 13th August 1985. Copyright Richard Giles.
Many thanks indeed Richard. Great memories - hopefully the 200th anniversary of the GWR is marked.
'Defiance'
Michael Adams
Michael Adams sends this picture of 50149 'Defiance' at Par on an unrecorded date. This 50 carried it's Railfreight livery from August 1987 to Feb.1989 and worked from Laira and St.Blazey. The CDAs were introduced in February 1988 so that gives some clue as to the date span. This loco. has lived up to it's name and can be seen at The Severn Valley Railway now. Copyright Michael Adams.
Another great photo from Michael A - and our thanks to Michael Forward for sending it over.
Lympstone from above
Paul Barlow
A few photos from Thursdays's cycle ride to Lympstone.
166207 Leaves Lympstone on the 1220 Paignton to Exmouth 2F18. 07.05.2029, copyright Paul Barlow.
166209 Leaves Lympstone on the 1257 Exmouth to Paignton 2T19. 07.05.2029, copyright Paul Barlow.
166209 at Lympstone on the 1120 Paignton to Exmouth 2F16. 07.05.2029, copyright Paul Barlow.
Some unusual views Paul - many thanks for sharing them with us.
May 1976
Part 9
Roger Winnen
The 18.00 Penzance to Leeds with a 45 and a 47. 29.05.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1058 Western Nobleman at Long Rock. 29.05.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Class 50 arrives at Penzance. 29.05.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
08402 at Ponsandane. 29.05.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.