Penzance Class 57-fest!
Mark Lynam & Roger Winnen
GWR's 57605 awaits departure from Penzance with 1A50, the 2145 sleeper service to Paddington. 01.10.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
15 minutes later, GBRf 57310 and 57306 arrived with a trial run for the seasonal Railhead Treatment Train (RHTT) which is due to start soon. 01.10.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
57306 and 57310 top-and-tailing the RHTT at Penzance. Click for enlargements. 02.10.2026, copyright Mark Lynam
57306 ' Branch Line Society' at Penzance. 01.10.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
The signals are pulled off for this engine! 01.10.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Many thanks to you both - a late night for you.
Cornish Night Freight
Alan Peters
The glow of Liskeard Signal Box in the early hours of the 29th September 2026, note the token machine visible through the open window. Now if only Network Rail could put a replica "Liskeard Signal Box" name plate to complete the Great Western image, taken whilst waiting for 6C40. Copyright Alan Peters.
Colas Rail 66849 "Wylam Dilly" visited Cornwall in the early hours of 29th September 2026 as 6C40 from Westbury with a ballast drop between Ivybridge and Liskeard, the loco has run round the train of 5 auto hoppers and is ready to return, departing wrong road via the East cross over, back to Ivybridge dropping ballast and then returning to Westbury. Copyright Alan Peters.
Colas rail 66849 "Wylam Dilly" with 6C40 at Ivybridge, the train had worked from Liskeard dropping ballast at various locations and is being checked by groundstaff in order to continue to Westbury on 29th September 2026. Copyright Alan Peters.
Many thanks Alan - lots of night shots so far today!
Class 175's need a splash of color
Peter Murnaghan
Peter writes in response to yesterdays photographs of the first green Class 175's:
Back in February, Modern Railways magazine published my letter (copied below):
Dear Forum
It was good to read about the transfer of Class 175 units from Wales to fill the gap left by Great Western's withdrawal of the Castle class HSTs. Indeed, their arrival and use on driver training trips has brought a welcome splash of colour to the GWR network in Devon and Cornwall. But the artist's impression of the units painted in the drab all-over green livery was a real disappointment.
The Great Western is the least attractive operator, in terms of its unrelieved green livery. I would have hoped that the smart white and red of TfW might have been re-worked with GW green replacing the red as a contrast stripe over the windows and down to the front corners. Is it too late for a re-think, before these trains are camouflaged into the green background colour of the far west's countryside ?
Peter Murnaghan
Looe
Since then, the units have clearly been noticed by the general public, as they stand out from the rest of the dull green fleet. Sadly, my suggestion of painting the red bits into green, to maintain their brightness, was a step too far for GWR.
Back in February, Modern Railways magazine published my letter (copied below):
Dear Forum
It was good to read about the transfer of Class 175 units from Wales to fill the gap left by Great Western's withdrawal of the Castle class HSTs. Indeed, their arrival and use on driver training trips has brought a welcome splash of colour to the GWR network in Devon and Cornwall. But the artist's impression of the units painted in the drab all-over green livery was a real disappointment.
The Great Western is the least attractive operator, in terms of its unrelieved green livery. I would have hoped that the smart white and red of TfW might have been re-worked with GW green replacing the red as a contrast stripe over the windows and down to the front corners. Is it too late for a re-think, before these trains are camouflaged into the green background colour of the far west's countryside ?
Peter Murnaghan
Looe
Since then, the units have clearly been noticed by the general public, as they stand out from the rest of the dull green fleet. Sadly, my suggestion of painting the red bits into green, to maintain their brightness, was a step too far for GWR.
Many thanks Peter - I think most will echo your mourning of the white and red. It's been nice to see them running through the countryside contrasting against the greens of our county.
175003 - one of GWR's more reliable units - runs into Liskeard from Moorswater viaduct on 25.09.2026. The white and red stands out well in the countryside. Despite being one of the more-reliable units, it still carries a 'no-multi' warning in the cab windscreen! Copyright Jon Hird.
From 1976 to the here-and-now
Ian Thomas
D1048 on ECS Parcels at Plymouth. 02.10.1976, copyright Ian Thomas.
A sorry looking D1015 'Western Champion' at Plymouth with the up Cornish Riviera. 02.10.1976, copyright Ian Thomas.
Fast forward 50 years and we see the Loram Rail Grinder working 4Q06 11.06 Tavistock Jnc-Derby RTC passing Cam & Dursley. 02.10.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
Many thanks Ian - more 1976 photos below.
October 1976
Part 3
Roger Winnen
D1058 running out of Penzance. 03.10.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1058 Western Nobleman at Penzance with ECS 10.58. 03.10.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1072 Western Glory at Penzance. 03.10.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1072 Western Glory at Penzance. 03.10.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.