The Nick Perring Collection - Part 10
Around Aller Junction
Clive Smith
Some more from Nick's collection. This time from around Aller Junction in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
A pair of class 31s , one of which is 31286, approach Aller Junction with an infrastructure train of tracks with concrete sleepers complete with a rare blue braking tender. At the time of this photo the Western Region civil engineers' fleet did not include vacuum or air braked bogie vehicles for conveying rails or track sections, so brake tenders were quite regularly used on this sort of train. Taunton Fairwater Yard and Radyr Yard were two places they used to work to and from. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
Taken from one of the now demolished farm bridges that made way for the A380 by pass in Newton Abbot. Probably around 1977-78. Sadly no experts have been able to identify the loco which was not marked on Nick's print. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
A fabulous picture taken from Aller Junction signal box. This is 46036 on the 07.56 Cardiff Central - Plymouth on the 27th May 1981 crossing from the down Torbay line to the down Totnes line. The box was swept away with the Newton Abbot resignalling in April 1987 and the track layout significantly altered. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
No this is not an early drone shot or from a footbridge . Nick worked in the S&T department in Newton Abbot and took this photo up the ladder of Newton Abbot West‘s Down Relief starting signal, which also had Aller Junction's Down Relief Distant signal below it to get this shot of 50009. His print is marked '0F77' which was light engine to Laira Depot. Possibly taken in autumn 1983. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
Laira peak 46003 was an early withdrawal in October 1978 following considerable fire damage in August that year. 46003 was the third class 46 withdrawal following 46005 in October 1977 and 46024 in April 1978. 45067 was the first peak withdrawal in July 1977. There's no dates or details of the working but 46003 lost its central headcode panel in 1977 and was on Laira with fire damage on 03/08/78 so the picture was some time between then. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
Thank you very much for another great batch of images Clive.
Camborne Interlude
Dennis Clarke
175007 and 175001 at Camborne on another Plymouth to Plymouth GWR staff training run, via Penzance. 19.02.2026, copyright Dennis Clarke.
Also, the plaque commemorating Jethro that is in the waiting room. 19.02.2026, copyright Dennis Clarke.
The famous quote from Jethro. 19.02.2026, copyright Dennis Clarke.
Many thanks Dennis, nice to see a bit of sunshine in a photograph!
Split-box 37's
Michael Adams & Michael Forward
A picture of 37013 drifting into Oxford from the North on 1 October 1985 with a train of loaded 4-wheel tipplers. Working unknown. Copyright Michael Forward.
37083 at Red Cow crossing, Exeter, on 4 April 1991. The working could not be identified. Copyright Michael Adams.
Many thanks Michael and Michael - the split-box 37's now a bit of an endangered species, sadly.