One to watch out for:
950001's penultimate run in Cornwall
Karl Hewlett
Update 30.10 - the below workings have this morning been cancelled - the unit is running back to Derby from Plymouth and is NOT visiting Cornwall.
Soon to be withdrawn Network Rail Class 150 is making what should be its penultimate run in Cornwall and is currently (29.10) at Plymouth Park Sidings and will be making a run tomorrow into Cornwall. The times are:
30th October : 2Q08 0400 Plymouth Park Sidings to Truro Yard via Looe
31st October : 2Q08 0400 Truro Yard to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) via Falmouth Docks and Newquay
30th October : 2Q08 0400 Plymouth Park Sidings to Truro Yard via Looe
31st October : 2Q08 0400 Truro Yard to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) via Falmouth Docks and Newquay
Many thanks Karl - hopefully we will see some photos.
Bristol Harbour Railway
Paul Barlow
A few from Saturday's visit to the Bristol Harbour Railway where the
Saddle tank 'Henbury' was running on the short running line. The next
operating days are 1st and 2nd of November
Saddle tank 'Henbury' was running on the short running line. The next
operating days are 1st and 2nd of November
0-6-0 Saddle Tank 'Henbury' pictured through one of the preserved harbourside cranes. 25.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
'Henbury' heads back to the M Shed museum from SS. Great Britain. 25.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
A spot of sunshine as the train slowly travels along the harbourside. 25.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
Bristol Harbour Railway. 25.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
Bristol Harbour Railway. 25.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
The terminus of the line. 25.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
The MV Balmoral built 1949 and 'Henbury' saddle tank. 25.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul. Not a line we see a lot of which is a pity, as it's a lovely little place full of atmosphere.
Calstock
Alan Peters
Name and number plate from 'Calstock' Westcountry Class 34103, on display at the visitor center / old goods shed at Alresford station on the Mid Hants watercress line. Copyright Alan Peters.
Well spotted Alan, many thanks.
Re: Mystery Class 47
Karl Hewlett
A 2000 photo from Phil showing an unidentified Class 47 (along with Phils friends Annie and Ray) at Dawlish. See below for an idea of the locomotives ID. Photograph copyright Phil Smith.
Looking at the image that Phil Smith supplied of a Virgin Class 47 at Dawlish, not a lot to go on but there are a few clues straight away. The loco itself would have to be in Virgin livery at that timescale, No 2 end cab has not received accident damage flush end replating, is not named, does not have extra TDM jumper cables on the front, the ETH jumpers are below buffer beam height and it has Oleo buffers.
Cross referencing the above I then found a clue, 47829 had an additional small circular plate next to its high density beam light at No 2 end at least and it is a modification which is very rare on class 47's. Blowing up the image there is a shadow of a circular plate above the bufferbeam step and just to the right of the high density light, so most likely 47829 which also fits all the above criteria.
Cross referencing the above I then found a clue, 47829 had an additional small circular plate next to its high density beam light at No 2 end at least and it is a modification which is very rare on class 47's. Blowing up the image there is a shadow of a circular plate above the bufferbeam step and just to the right of the high density light, so most likely 47829 which also fits all the above criteria.
Many thanks Karl. 47829 - excellent detective work.
West Cornwall 175's
Mark Lynam
175002 crosses Brea embankment with Cooks Kitchen engine houses behind working 5Z12 0628 Plymouth to Plymouth via Newton Abbot & Penzance. 27.10.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
175002 on its way back up the line passing the former Gwinear Road station. 27.10.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
175114 at Gwinear Road working 5Z12 0628 Plymouth to Plymouth via Newton Abbot & Penzance. 28.10.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
Many thanks Mark - you got lucky with the sun for a couple!
Castles and Clay
Jon Hird
On Wednesday I took an afternoon trip over to the Glynn Valley with the drone. The rain had just stopped and a rainbow appeared in time for 43156 leading the 1340 Plymouth - Penzance over St. Pinnock viaduct, with 43198 on the rear. 29.10.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Working my way back west, I stopped at Clinnick viaduct to picture 43187 leading an up service. The shadows from the hill at the western end of the viaduct rather ruined the shot, and I under estimated the length of the train, so it's not framed particularly well, but here it is anyway for the sake of the record. 29.10.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
After the disappointment of the Clinnick shot, consolation came in the form of 66136, which was just minutes behind the previously pictured HST with the Par Harbour - Exeter Riverside clay. I quickly moved west again to Pendalake Viaduct for this shot of 6C10. 29.10.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
RHTT matters
Alan Peters
A quiet night in: The GBRf South West RHTT is seen stabled at Fairwater Yard at Taunton on the evening of 9th October 2025 owing to a water jetter fault on the set, 57305 is seen nearest the camera at the London end of the yard. Copyright Alan Peters.
After 67027 failing giving way to 56049, the Colas class 67's are back on the Gloucester RHTT circuit, 3S32 reverses at Severn Tunnel with 67023 'Stella' leading and 67027 at the rear before heading back to Swindon on 16/10/25. Copyright Alan Peters.
After a short stint on the Glocester RHTT circuit, 56049 'Robin of Templecombe' is caught in a short burst of sunshine at Swindon Transfer Sidings on 16/10/25, the loco is now expected to head north. Copyright Alan Peters.
Many thanks for the privileged views, Alan - much appreciated.
Running round at Exeter
Michael Forward
Thanks to all for their thoughts and research on the mystery location,the signals seem to be the convincing items. Talking of signals, here we see the wonderful display at Exeter St. Davids as 33027 runs around on 6 December 1980. Copyright Michael Forward.
A great shot of Exeter 'as was' - many thanks, Michael.
Westbury & Bradford On Avon
Guy Vincent
43301 heading the 4 weekly 1Q22 PLPR test train from Derby RTC to Bristol Kingsland Road via Evesham, Swindon, and Weymouth. 29.10.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
43257 at the rear of 1Q22. 29.10.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
59003 and 69006 (ex 56128) after shunting the 6V41 1448 Eastleigh -Westbury engineers trip working into the up yard. 59003 was returning after several weeks at Eastleigh. 29.10.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
59101 about to run-round the 6V57 1309 Ardingly-Whatley. 29.10.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
DC Rail duo 56103 and 56045 heading the 6M18 1624 Merehead - Willesden DC Rail Sidings loaded stone, reviving memories of daily operations here from 40 years ago. 29.10.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
56045 and 56103. 29.10.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
70811 makes an unscheduled signal stop at Bradford on Avon station with a returning engineering train from a 5 day possession at St Annes, Bristol. This was 6F09 1120 Bath Spa - Westbury consisting of empty ballast wagons. The station was built in 1848, one of three of Brunel's Elizabethan 'Roadside' designs in West Wiltshire and now the only survivor with both Melksham and Trowbridge long since demolished. 29.10.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
70811 at Bradford on Avon. 29.10.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
70811 at Bradford on Avon. 29.10.2025, copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks Guy - an interesting selection.