The Fitzgerald Freight
Part 1
Roger Winnen
An interesting working within Cornwall was that of the Fitzgerald Lighting freight flow, utilising the sidings at Walker Lines industrial estate on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway.
Freight was conveyed between 1989 to 1991. The lines privately owned diesel locomotives would trip mainline wagons between Walker Lines and Bodmin Parkway, where a British Rail locomotive would collect them from the exchange siding.
In 1996, the traffic started again, the working now being handled by EWS. It finally ceased in 2001 when the wagonload network closed.
Freight was conveyed between 1989 to 1991. The lines privately owned diesel locomotives would trip mainline wagons between Walker Lines and Bodmin Parkway, where a British Rail locomotive would collect them from the exchange siding.
In 1996, the traffic started again, the working now being handled by EWS. It finally ceased in 2001 when the wagonload network closed.
On 30.06.1997, EWS 37668 arrives from St. Blazey with 3 empty vans. Copyright Roger Winnen.
50042 is poised waiting in the exchange siding to collect the empty vans. Copyright Roger Winnen.
37668 backs the empty vans into the exchange siding and on top of 50042. On the branch are 3 loaded vans which the '50' has brought down from Walker Lines siding further up the branch. Copyright Roger Winnen.
A view from the footbridge. The 37 is being uncoupled from the empties and will pull forwards into the 'up' platform to release 50042 and the 3 wagons. Copyright Roger Winnen.
50042 pushes the 3 empties into the BWR platform. Copyright Roger Winnen.
A 'vac sandwich'! 'Triumph' is seen between the empty and loaded vans. It will push the empties back into the platform, before pushing the loaded wagons into the exchange siding. Copyright Roger Winnen.
37668 waits for its train. Copyright Roger Winnen.
More of this most interesting working to follow tomorrow - stay tuned!
Poppies to Paddington
Tim Hodgson & Roger Winnen
57603 at Long Rock wearing a 'Poppies for Paddington' headboard on Remembrance Sunday, 10.11.2024. Copyright Tim Hodgson.
Later in the evening, 57603 is seen at Penzance preparing to work the sleeper/'Night Riviera' service to London Paddington. Copyright Roger Winnen.
Many thanks Tim & Roger, and well done to GWR for marking the occasion.
South Devon Freight
Sam Ryder
Visiting class 60 No. 60029 working a demonstration freight train between Buckfastleigh and Totnes, where the loco would make use of the mainline connection to return home. 10.11.2024, copyright Sam Ryder.
The unusual sight of a class 60 crossing a quiet devon backroad. 10.11.2024, copyright Sam Ryder.
With the hillside behind full of the colours of autumn, 60029 continues towards Totnes. 10.11.2024, copyright Sam Ryder.
One last glimpse of 60029 now on 'the big railway' before it departed for its home depot. 10.11.2024, copyright Sam Ryder.
Many thanks, Sam - a wonderful selection of photos of something we've never seen before, and probably won't ever see again!
Weymouth Line 150 Working in 2024
Guy Vincent
Class 150 working to Weymouth Saturday 09th November 2024
A once everyday sight on the Bristol to Weymouth line, 150244 slowing for the turn into Frome and then rejoining the main line at Blatchbridge, most unusually working the 2O78 1404 Bristol Temple Meads - Weymouth service on a very gloomy and overcast Saturday November 9th. Class 150s were taken off this route at the start of 2020 although one or two have been down since due to the chronic stock shortages that continue to afflict local and regional service provision in the south west. This particular set came empty from Exeter TMD to Bristol to form 2O78 which started at Bristol rather than Gloucester 'due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time'. 150244 then worked 2V94 1735 Weymouth - Bristol Temple Meads before returning to Exeter TMD with 158747 and 158750 on the 2C93 2059 Cardiff Central - Exeter St Davids. Traincrew with the required traction knowledge were fortunately available to take this elderly but reliable 'Sprinter' on its highly unusual seaside jaunt; when will it happen again?
A once everyday sight on the Bristol to Weymouth line, 150244 slowing for the turn into Frome and then rejoining the main line at Blatchbridge, most unusually working the 2O78 1404 Bristol Temple Meads - Weymouth service on a very gloomy and overcast Saturday November 9th. Class 150s were taken off this route at the start of 2020 although one or two have been down since due to the chronic stock shortages that continue to afflict local and regional service provision in the south west. This particular set came empty from Exeter TMD to Bristol to form 2O78 which started at Bristol rather than Gloucester 'due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time'. 150244 then worked 2V94 1735 Weymouth - Bristol Temple Meads before returning to Exeter TMD with 158747 and 158750 on the 2C93 2059 Cardiff Central - Exeter St Davids. Traincrew with the required traction knowledge were fortunately available to take this elderly but reliable 'Sprinter' on its highly unusual seaside jaunt; when will it happen again?
Berkley Marsh 150244 2O78 1404 BTM-WEY 09.11.2024. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Berkley Marsh 150244 2O78 1404 BTM-WEY 09.11.2024. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Blatchbridge 150244 2O78 1404 BTM-WEY 09.11.2024. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks Guy - an unusual working - a good job suitable crew could be summoned.
Pendomer Engineers
Bill Elston
A train-load of concrete sleepers ran today (Sat 09.11.24) from Westbury to Axminster, for track renewal in Honiton Tunnel.
This was hauled by DB 66006, and is seen passing Pendomer in very dull weather.
Network Rail know this location as Kitt Hill.
This was hauled by DB 66006, and is seen passing Pendomer in very dull weather.
Network Rail know this location as Kitt Hill.
66006 still wearing its original EWS livery passes Pendomer / Kitt Hill with a train of sleepers for Honiton Tunnel. 09.11.2024, copyright Bill Elston.
A going away shot of the very long engineers train. 09.11.2024, copyright Bill Elston.
Many thanks Bill - nice to see a loco-hauled train along this section of line.
'Castle' to Newquay
Jon Hird
On Saturday 09.11.2024, passengers travelling to Newquay were treated to an upgrade in the form of 43004 and 43187, which worked the branch from around 2pm onwards. I stopped in at Bugle to see the pair working a service towards Par. 43004 leads the way. 09.11.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
43004 waits the off at Bugle. Having handled so many of Rogers photographs of Bugle recently dating from the 1970's onwards, it feels a bit sad standing on the short single platform, seeing the relics rotting away in the bushes of what the place once was. 09.11.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
43187 pushes the set away from Bugle. They're only basic camera phone pictures, but I am fearful every time that one of these sets makes it down the branch that it may be the last, so always make an effort if possible! 09.11.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
Re: Nineteen Sixty Four (Part 15)
Paul Negus
Hi Jon and Roger
I enjoyed Michael L Roach's article on Nineteen Sixty Four Part 15 (click here) - The 10.35am Carmarthen to Aberystwyth - posted yesterday. It was especially interesting as I had previously watched Channel's 4's Abandoned Railways from Above which covered this line. Before that, I had very little knowledge of the line, other than seeing the empty Carmarthen line platforms when visiting the Vale of Rheidol in the 1960s. The programme is still available to view on Channel 4's website, Episode 4.
May I also say that I have enjoyed all of Michael's contributions, very informative and highly evocative of this bygone era.
Kind regards
Paul Negus
I enjoyed Michael L Roach's article on Nineteen Sixty Four Part 15 (click here) - The 10.35am Carmarthen to Aberystwyth - posted yesterday. It was especially interesting as I had previously watched Channel's 4's Abandoned Railways from Above which covered this line. Before that, I had very little knowledge of the line, other than seeing the empty Carmarthen line platforms when visiting the Vale of Rheidol in the 1960s. The programme is still available to view on Channel 4's website, Episode 4.
May I also say that I have enjoyed all of Michael's contributions, very informative and highly evocative of this bygone era.
Kind regards
Paul Negus
Many thanks Paul, we're glad you enjoy Michaels articles - we certainly value them greatly, they bring a great amount of interest to the website.
The SDR Gala from above
Paul Barlow
25262 leaves Staverton Bridge on the 0942 goods to Buckfastleigh 9 November 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.
25262 passes Bishops Bridge on the 0942 goods to Buckfastleigh 9 November 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.
25262 pushes the 1125 Totnes to Buckfastleigh with a failed D7535 on the front, Bishops Bridge. Copyright Paul Barlow.
60029 and 33002 1120 Buckfastleigh to Totnes Bishops Bridge loop 9 November 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.
D7535 on the 0835 Buckfastleigh to Totnes arrives at Staverton bridge 9 November 2024. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks, Paul - a unique perspective on the day