Ponsandane Development
Craig Munday
I was trawling my May 2016 gallery for a picture and came across the Ponsandane pictures I took. The tanks were due to be cut up, and the project team wanted images of the detritus left behind over the years. The bus depot and old Shunters cabin are included too, no longer there. Quite a transformation!
I've included 43156/43004 departing Lostwithiel taken the other day too. Another scene soon set to disappear.
I've included 43156/43004 departing Lostwithiel taken the other day too. Another scene soon set to disappear.
Ponsandane on the 23.05.2016. Copyright Craig Munday.
Ponsandane on the 23.05.2016. Copyright Craig Munday.
Ponsandane on the 23.05.2016. Copyright Craig Munday.
Rubbish between the raised platforms/loading docks at Ponsandane. 23.05.2016, copyright Craig Munday.
The abandoned tanker wagons at Ponsandane, a local landmark for many years, now scrapped. 23.05.2016, copyright Craig Munday.
43156 and 43004 climb away from Lostwithiel with the 1128 Exeter - Penzance on 25.11.2025. Copyright Craig Munday.
Many thanks Craig. What a transformation at Ponsandane, 2016 doesn't feel like almost 10 years ago.
Westbury Test Train
Guy Vincent
Colas-operated 3Q39 2211 (27th) Westbury-Bristol Kingsland Road structure gauging train in platform 3 at Westbury just after 5.00am on Friday 28th. The train had been checking lines on the former Southern region, including the Lymington branch and Eastleigh-Chandlers Ford. On departing Westbury, it covered the Melksham branch and, following reversal at Chippenham, continued via Box tunnel to Kingsland Road.
The locos are hired in from HNRC / Swietelsky (37607) and Locomotive Services Ltd (37667, now D6851 Flopsie).
A nice, colourful start to the day!
The locos are hired in from HNRC / Swietelsky (37607) and Locomotive Services Ltd (37667, now D6851 Flopsie).
A nice, colourful start to the day!
37607 on the Network Rail test train at Westbury. 27.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Hired-in 37667 on the test train. 27.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
166209 alongside 37607. 27.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Detailed photographs of a test train. Click an image to obtain an enlargement. All images copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks, Guy - great night shots.
Penzance 1974
Part 2
Roger Winnen
D1049 Western Monarch at Long Rock. 29.12.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
Long Rock Crossing. 29.12.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1044 Western Duchess at Penzance. 29.12.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
Par 'Castles'
Jon Hird
Emerging from beneath Treesmill road bridge, 43004 leads the 1315 Penzance - Plymouth up the gradient towards Treverrin Tunnel. 28.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Around 10 minutes later, the strong sun had retreated back behind the clouds. 43187 leads the 1340 Plymouth - Penzance down to Par after exiting Treverrin tunnel. 28.11.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Swindon Scenes
Ken Mumford & Colin Pidgeon
6Q75 [Didcot Fuelling Point to Didcot Fuelling Point via Swindon, Badminton to Bristol Parkway - reverse - then via Badminton, Swindon back to Didcot]. Initially stationary on the UML for 61 minutes! [1234 to 1325]. 27.11.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Heading slightly east of the station for the loco [59205 - Kenneth J. Painter] to run around its train [6B12] before heading for a few miles to its destination at Wootton Bassett. Real Train Times [RTT] shows some interesting time details for when it passed Swindon going east and later going west - my camera times gave a greater gap between these passing times! Also at least one IET westbound working was delayed by this running around movement. 27.11.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
6B77 Colnbrook Lafarge to Avonmouth West Wharf, with 66717 and its artistic wagons, speeds through platform 4. 27.11.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
RHTT [3S32 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer Yard] creeps along platform 1 and very briefly stops. Top and tail locos are 67027 and 67023 'Stella'. I noted on the Staff Information screen on platform 3 that this RHTT was kept waiting a very long time near Rodbourne Junction. checking Real Train Times [RTT] this train was 86 EARLY passing Kemble BUT leaving platform 1 was 10 EARLY! All RHTT locos that I saw this afternoon were dirty - Stella would have won first prize!! 27.11.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Another RHTT soon arrived - 3S59 Hereford to Swindon Transfer with 66151 Top and Tail with 66133 - and headed a few yards east of the station to Swindon Transfer Yard [7 EARLY]. 27.11.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
37800 on 5Q57 Alexandra Docks Yard to Derby Litchurch Lane with 455703 & 455872. These units were initially due to go to Sims Metals on Newport Docks but due to the complete closure of Sims (Uni-metals) The units were left at Alexandra Docks Yard and were collected by Rail Operations Group for storage at Derby Litchurch Lane. 28.11.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
A going-away shot of the units for disposal/storage. 28.11.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks as always Ken and Colin, an interesting set of photographs.