Above
Exeter
Paul Barlow
Exeter
Paul Barlow
The Midland Pullman in bright blue always makes for an unusual shot and the caption and the presence of the swan in Paul's second view makes for a delightful scene.
43046 43059 pass alongside Western Road Exeter sees the 07.57 Crewe to Mount Gould. 25th August 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow
'Swans and swallows' IC swallow liveried 43008 bring s up the rear of the rrain crossing Exeter flood relief channel. 25th August 2023. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul.
Recent Round Up
Craig Munday
Craig Munday
Hi Keith
Hope all is well? My apologies for the lack of prompt pictures lately, it really is a barmy time with the end of the CDAs, the resignalling interest, work and domestic stuff. I'll be glad for a rest soon!
Here is a recent round up of images in the Duchy:
The GBRf operated weedsprayer 3Q98 visited for a catch up with the programme over the period of 18th/ 22nd Aug. The Friday night run coincided with Storm Betty which had caused all manner of operational issues. Sadly the train returned having not operated on 22nd Aug. It is seen at Par, St Blazey and returning eastbound at Tywardreath.
By chance, St Blazey also had the RHTT set on the depot which looked like a "showcase" for all manner of things spraying the infrastructure! The visit of former LMS loco 45116 also allowed a quick picture passing the vehicles on Sunday 20th whilst it was turned.
Also on the 20th the long awaited arrival of the stored wagons to bolster the clay fleet arrived in the County. The 22 wagon train just squeezed into the down goods loop at Lostwithiel (see how close the loco is to the exit signal LL40). The 7 wagons are behind the locomotive 66190, and include 5 JGA wagons. They will be attended to at the workshops prior to entering service. I understand all the wagons will join a general pool and could find themselves on the local circuit or going up to Stoke On Trent. I fear that the JGAs will be covered in graffiti before if that happens though.
The picture is also of interest in the signalling department. Look closely and you can see the clamp lock machines mounted on concrete plinths that will eventually drive the points across when they become electrically operated from Exeter.
All the best for now, Craig.
Hope all is well? My apologies for the lack of prompt pictures lately, it really is a barmy time with the end of the CDAs, the resignalling interest, work and domestic stuff. I'll be glad for a rest soon!
Here is a recent round up of images in the Duchy:
The GBRf operated weedsprayer 3Q98 visited for a catch up with the programme over the period of 18th/ 22nd Aug. The Friday night run coincided with Storm Betty which had caused all manner of operational issues. Sadly the train returned having not operated on 22nd Aug. It is seen at Par, St Blazey and returning eastbound at Tywardreath.
By chance, St Blazey also had the RHTT set on the depot which looked like a "showcase" for all manner of things spraying the infrastructure! The visit of former LMS loco 45116 also allowed a quick picture passing the vehicles on Sunday 20th whilst it was turned.
Also on the 20th the long awaited arrival of the stored wagons to bolster the clay fleet arrived in the County. The 22 wagon train just squeezed into the down goods loop at Lostwithiel (see how close the loco is to the exit signal LL40). The 7 wagons are behind the locomotive 66190, and include 5 JGA wagons. They will be attended to at the workshops prior to entering service. I understand all the wagons will join a general pool and could find themselves on the local circuit or going up to Stoke On Trent. I fear that the JGAs will be covered in graffiti before if that happens though.
The picture is also of interest in the signalling department. Look closely and you can see the clamp lock machines mounted on concrete plinths that will eventually drive the points across when they become electrically operated from Exeter.
All the best for now, Craig.
3Q98 with 66301 Par 18th August 2023 Copyright Craig Munday
45116 on St Blazey turntable. 20th August 2023. Copyright Craig Munday
45116 being coaled at St Blazey 20th August 2023. Copyright Craig Munday
St Blazey 66701 45116 20th August 2023. Copyright Craig Munday
6V53 Lostwithiel 6V53 JGA 20th August 2023. Copyright Craig Munday
St Blazey 66701 66199 20th August 2023. Copyright Craig Munday
66701 66304 Tywardreath 22nd August 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.
Hi Craig, many thanks for your comprehensive notes and photographs - we are most fortunate to have contributions from knowledgeable people such as yourself.
Questions and hopefully answers later
Penmere?
Phil Hawke
Penmere?
Phil Hawke
Keith , good evening.
The recent celebrations re Penmere reminded me of a question that has puzzled me for a long time. From various snippets on the internet I gather that the tanker sidings were provided in the early part of the second world war to serve the storage tanks at Swanvale. Now, I've seen the product that was transported and stored referred to both as petrol and diesel, this traffic lasting until the 1960's.
Now my questions are; were the rail tankers delivering or collecting and was it petrol or diesel and where did they originate or terminate at the other end. As the Air Ministry commissioned the building of the storage tanks I assume the fuel was aviation grade petrol during the war and later became kerosene for use in jet engines at St Mawgan? I can feel an answer from the east on its way before long!
Phil Hawke
The recent celebrations re Penmere reminded me of a question that has puzzled me for a long time. From various snippets on the internet I gather that the tanker sidings were provided in the early part of the second world war to serve the storage tanks at Swanvale. Now, I've seen the product that was transported and stored referred to both as petrol and diesel, this traffic lasting until the 1960's.
Now my questions are; were the rail tankers delivering or collecting and was it petrol or diesel and where did they originate or terminate at the other end. As the Air Ministry commissioned the building of the storage tanks I assume the fuel was aviation grade petrol during the war and later became kerosene for use in jet engines at St Mawgan? I can feel an answer from the east on its way before long!
Phil Hawke
Many thanks for your questions Phil - I am hopeful that we may have answers from the east - Yangoon, or maybe from our historical expert Phil Hadley.
Answer from Roy Hart - Rangoon.
Dear Keith/Phil,
Penmere sidings were indeed provided in 1941 at the behest of the Air Ministry. The fuel came by sea, of course. The layout consisted of a long loop siding, with a connection to four long loading sidings at the Falmouth end. I have always assumed that the fuel was taken on by road.
There were 2 ground fames working the points, released by annett's key on the Penryn-Falmouth train staffs.
After the war, Nancekuke and Predannack airfilds ceased to be operational and traffic at Penmere dwindled. By 1958/9 it was zero. The main loop siding was used for storing condemned goods stock in the early sixties, but the oil sidings remained fenced and locked although the pipework and taps etc remained intact. It was all lifted in 1966.
All the best to you both,
Roy
Dear Keith/Phil,
Penmere sidings were indeed provided in 1941 at the behest of the Air Ministry. The fuel came by sea, of course. The layout consisted of a long loop siding, with a connection to four long loading sidings at the Falmouth end. I have always assumed that the fuel was taken on by road.
There were 2 ground fames working the points, released by annett's key on the Penryn-Falmouth train staffs.
After the war, Nancekuke and Predannack airfilds ceased to be operational and traffic at Penmere dwindled. By 1958/9 it was zero. The main loop siding was used for storing condemned goods stock in the early sixties, but the oil sidings remained fenced and locked although the pipework and taps etc remained intact. It was all lifted in 1966.
All the best to you both,
Roy
Three from Phil
Phil Smith
Phil Smith
43128 slowing for Bodmin Parkway in 2010. Copyright Phil Smith
43002 leaving Gloucester station- non-stop run to Exeter St Davids then sadly retirement. 2019 Copyright Phil Smith.
43002 Namplate. Copyright Phil Smith.
Many thanks Phil.