40 years ago
First '40' to Cornwall
Roger Geach
40122 passes Liskeard signal box with the Derby - Penzance 'Penzance Fryer' on Saturday 09.11.1985. Copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks indeed Roger. Loco and signal box both thankfully still with us, although the loco is sadly currently 'stuffed and mounted' in the National Railway Museum with a defective main generator.
BR Blue in South Devon
SDR Diesel Gala day 2
Martin Duff & Clive Smith
Recently repainted into BR Blue and returned to its original number (from 56301), Devon & Cornwall Railway's 56045 was the star of the show during Sundays South Devon Railway diesel gala. 09.11.2025, copyright Martin Duff.
25262 and 56045 at Buckfastleigh. 09.11.2025, copyright Martin Duff.
Classmate 56103 on display in Totnes yard having had its running day on Saturday. 09.11.2025, copyright Martin Duff.
56045 and 25262 depart for Totnes (the 56 would be removed just before reaching Staverton). 09.11.2025, copyright Martin Duff.
Two immaculate blue diesels. 09.11.2025, copyright Martin Duff.
56045 pilots 25262 away from Buckfastleigh. 09.11.2025, copyright Martin Duff.
BR blue 56045 piloting 25262 at Hood Bridge with the 11.20 Buckfastleigh - Totnes. 09.11.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
A 'V' of exhaust from 56045 as it shunts at Buckfastleigh. 09.11.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
The three gala guests in Buckfastleigh yard, 56045, 47715 and 56103. 47715 sadly sat on the sidelines on Sunday having failed with an electrical fault before its last booked working on Saturday. 09.11.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
A retro poster on display, advertising a familiar destination. 09.11.2025, copyright Martin Duff.
Many thanks Martin and Clive, and our congratulations once again to the South Devon Railway for putting on an excellent event.
56045 - in a past life
Roger Geach
56045 is seen many years ago, on 04.11.1980 at Cardiff with 56046. I dont have any shots of this loco in Devon - 56s were fairly rare visitors to the County. Even rarer to Cornwall, only a handful I can think of in BR days made it down. Copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks Roger, an excellent dive into the archive to accompany Martins photos above.
The Shakespear Express
Steve Widdowson
7029 Clun Castle at Worcester Shrub Hill with the 1Z77 1016 Worcester Shrub Hill - Stratford-upon-Avon 'Shakespear Express'. 09.11.2025, copyright Steve Widdowson.
47773 on the rear of 'The Shakespear Express'. 09.11.2025, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Pullman Coach 99311 'Eagle', one of three Pullman coaches in the consist. 09.11.2025, copyright Steve Widdowson.
Many thanks Steve, great shots.
Full length HST's
Paul Barlow
43010 43098 arrive at Exeter St. Davids on the 0635 Paddington to Penzance. 27.08.2018, copyright Paul Barlow.
43098 is seen at the rear of the train as it exits Parsons Tunnel, Dawlish. 27.08.2018, copyright Paul Barlow.
43098 on the rear as the train departs Liskeard for Penzance. 27.08.2018, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul. Nice to look back on 'better times' as the HST's enter their final few weeks with us.