Class 175 training continues
Mark Lynam
175007 passes Carn Brea footbridge with Carn Brea castle and the Basset monument in the distance, working 5Z12 0626 Plymouth to Plymouth via Newton Abbot & Penzance. 03.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
175007 on the return journey at Camborne. 03.11.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Many thanks Mark - they're pressing on with these now, aren't they.
The WSR Steam Gala
Paul Barlow
813 works the 1105 Bishops Lydeard to Williton past Norvis Bridge. 18.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
5029 Nunney Castle approaches Leigh Woods crossing on the 1433 Minehead to Norton Fitzwarren. 18.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
5029 Nunney Castle leaves Crowcombe on the 1013 Minehead to Norton Fitzwarren. 18.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
D6575 passing Norvis Bridge with the 0908 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard. 18.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
D6575 on the 1140 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead leaves Blue Anchor. 18.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
D6575 at Doniford Halt with the 1140 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. 18.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
A great selection, many thanks Paul.
Truro HST's
Jonathan Harbage
Here is 43042 and bringing up the rear 43093 at Truro railway station on the 03/11/25, heading to Plymouth. Then, two minutes later, 43189 and at the rear 43187 heading towards Penzance.
Even though the HST’s have been around for a very long time the railway won’t be the same.
Even though the HST’s have been around for a very long time the railway won’t be the same.
43042 arrives at Truro with a Penzance - Plymouth service. 03.11.2025, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
43093 on the rear of the Plymouth-bound service. 03.11.2025, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
43189 arrives at Truro with a service for Penzance. 03.11.2025, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
43187 tails the Penzance service. 03.11.2025, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
Many thanks Jonathan - we'll all miss the HST's.
Bristol area freight
Guy Vincent
68008 'Avenger' and 68002 'Intrepid' during a short pause at Bristol Temple Meads with the 6M67 1400 Bridgwater - Crewe Coal Sidings nuclear waste train today conveying four flasks. The loco names were formerly carried by Western Region Swindon-built class 42 'Warships', nos. D804 and D825. 04.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
68008 'Avenger' and 68002 'Intrepid' during a short pause at Bristol Temple Meads. 04.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
A nuclear flask at Bristol Temple Meads. 04.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
68008 'Avenger''s nameplate. 04.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
66765 at Bristol Temple Meads with 6B92, the 1649 Portbury - Margam which conveys imported steel slab in open KEA wagons for use in the steel industry. This has been the case since the blast furnaces at Port Talbot steelworks were abandoned from 30th September 2024. Steel is also received on the opposite side of the Bristol Channel at Newport docks. Temple Meads station is finally starting to look a bit brighter with the newly installed lighting showing off some of the refurbished roof to good advantage. 04.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
66765 waits at BTM. 04.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Wagons beneath the station roof at Bristol Temple Meads. 04.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
A well-worn wagon. 04.11.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks Guy - interesting pictures.
Swindon Scenes
Ken Mumford
About mid-day the station announcer announced:- "Stand clear platform 4. Fast train approaching." Very interesting as the colour signal at the west end of platform 4 was showing red. NO TRAIN CAME!! I understand that when a train enters the eastern end of Swindon East Loop, it triggers off this standard announcement. Shortly afterwards 66538 [with 6C38 - Oxford (Banbury Road) to Whatley Quarry] was seen waiting in the Swindon East Loop to proceed further west. My photo shows this train coming out of the Loop and its driver clearly determined not to hold up any trains that followed him west. 03.11.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
The RHTT race! 3J43 - Swindon Transfer to Swindon Transfer via Pewsey, Reading, Slough, West Ealing Loop (reverse), Reading, Pewsey with locos 66549 (David Maidment) TnT with 66850 - slows down alongside platform 3 whilst another RHTT [whose working code has baffled me - am I the only one?] with 66096 TnT 66176 tries to race 3J43 to the signals at the eastern end of the station. 3J43 gets preference into the Transfer Yard. 03.11.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
AT LAST!! That other RHTT heads to the Yard. 03.11.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
37800 throttles past leaving diesel fumes behind it with 5Q76 taking empty coaching stock from Wimbledon Park Sidings to Newport Docks (Sims) on time. 03.11.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
37800 throttles past leaving diesel fumes behind it with 5Q76 taking empty coaching stock from Wimbledon Park Sidings to Newport Docks (Sims) on time. 03.11.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks Ken - plenty there for you to photograph.
'Thunderer'
Michael Adams & Michael Forward
Two pictures of class 50008 'Thunderer '. Firstly from Michael Adams we see 50008 at Newton Abbot on 7 July 1984 with the 13.45 Paddington to Penzance. Copyright Michael Adams.
Now my own picture taken on 13 June 1986 of 'Thunderer ' leaving Plymouth with the 12.40 Penzance to Liverpool service. Its good to see this engine still roaming the network, now in Hanson and Hall livery. Copyright Michael Forward.
Many thanks Michael & Michael - a locomotive with quite a remarkable career.