The Northern Belle
'Cornish lunch via Dawlish'
Clive Smith, Mark Lynam & Jon Hird
57601 and 57313 top and tailed the luxury Northern Belle dining set into Cornwall on Thursday 17th. Working from Cardiff - Par and back, the charter was named 'Cornish Lunch Via Dawlish'. This service has been a regular fixture on the Northern Belle calendar in recent years.
Clearly the attraction of the train was the food and not the motive power or the seven minutes in Par. Some might say that is too long. I always thought a Cornish Lunch was a pasty and a cream tea with.. er.. jam first , but apparently it's Royal Siberian caviar , hand poured champagne (is there any other way ?), compressed watermelon (?), seared Scottish halibut with nettle purée. The outward journey was 1Z27 10.35 Cardiff Central - Par and the return 1Z28 15.40 Par - Cardiff Central. The average price for these journeys is around £500 - 550. 57313 leads the outward leg towards Laira. 17.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
57313 leads the Northern Belle across St. Pinnock Viaduct. 17.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
57313 descends from Treverrin towards Par at the head of The Northern Belle set. 17.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
After a quick turnaround at Par, it's now 57601's turn to lead. The low sun catches the exhaust haze as it powers back up the bank from Par past Stoneybridge. 17.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The returning excursion crosses East Largin viaduct. 17.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
57601 leads the returning excursion through Keyham station in Plymouth. 17.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
57313 on the rear of the 1540 Par - Cardiff passing through Keyham. 17.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks both, a great couple of photos.
'Slim Jim' in Plymouth
Roger Geach
Below is a picture of 33202 and 33024 at Plymouth on Saturday, 8 February 1975. They had arrived on the 07:02 Wimbledon to Plymouth day excursion.
The “Slim Jim” 33/2s were rare visitors to Exeter in the early 1970s, let alone Plymouth, so this was quite a sight.
Did anyone else see this excursion that day?
Picture from the late Tony Gale.
Sadly, there is some damage to the slide, so it’s not in perfect condition.
The “Slim Jim” 33/2s were rare visitors to Exeter in the early 1970s, let alone Plymouth, so this was quite a sight.
Did anyone else see this excursion that day?
Picture from the late Tony Gale.
Sadly, there is some damage to the slide, so it’s not in perfect condition.
33202 and 33024 at Plymouth ex-Wimbledon-Plymouth adex. 08.02.1975, copyright Roger Geach (original photographer Tony Gale).
Many thanks Roger, and if anybody else did see this working please do get in touch.
St. Agnes Station Site
Dennis Clarke
I passed the site of St Agnes station yesterday and have enclosed a few photos. The Planet loco is still on site, getting a bit weather beaten!
St. Agnes Station site on 17.09.2026, including the 'gate guardian' shunter. Click images for enlargements. All images copyright Dennis Clarke.
Many thanks Dennis - I wonder what sort of a state the shunter is in beneath the wooden cladding!
44 years ago today
Paul Barlow
45049 The Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales own) on 0840 Paignton to Newcastle calls at Newton Abbot. 18.09.1982, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul. Some more Peaks further down below for those who followed the class..
Thursdays Clay
Mark Lynam & Clive Smith
The colourful 66718 crosses East Largin viaduct with the Parkandillack - Cliffe Vale clay. The 9 wagons in tow are the total sent 'upcountry' this week, with Wednesdays train to Exeter not being run. 17.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66718 passes Laira with the 6M53 Treviscoe - Cliffe Vale JIA clays. 17.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks once again to you both.
50 years ago today
Ian Thomas
A trio of Western workings, all taken on Saturday, 18 September 1976.
I went down overnight on either the Manchester or Nottingham–Newquay service and pictured D1005 Western Venturer at Newquay on the 10:05 (S.O.) to Newcastle (1E22); D1041 Western Prince arriving at Par with the 07:30 Paddington–Penzance; and D1056 at Plymouth with the 10:56 (S.O.) Paddington–Newquay.
Quality not good, as I had a cheap Russian FED camera then, before the Pentax/Nikon days!
I went down overnight on either the Manchester or Nottingham–Newquay service and pictured D1005 Western Venturer at Newquay on the 10:05 (S.O.) to Newcastle (1E22); D1041 Western Prince arriving at Par with the 07:30 Paddington–Penzance; and D1056 at Plymouth with the 10:56 (S.O.) Paddington–Newquay.
Quality not good, as I had a cheap Russian FED camera then, before the Pentax/Nikon days!
D1005 Western Venturer at Newquay with the 1005 Newquay-Newcastle 1E22. 18.09.1976, copyright Ian Thomas.
D1058 Western Nobleman at Plymouth with the 10.56 Padd-Newquay. 18.09.1976, copyright Ian Thomas.
D1041 Western Prince at Par on the 0730 Paddington-Penzance. 18.09.1976, copyright Ian Thomas.
Many thanks as always Ian.
'The Duke' at Swindon
Colin Pidgeon
71000 'Duke of Gloucester' at Swindon on 15.09.2026. Heading to Bishops Lydeared. Copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks Colin.
Peaks in Gloucestershire & over the Midlands
Part 4
Ian Thomas
46009 passing Berkeley Rd on the 0637 Leeds-Paigton 1V67. 03.05.1982, copyright Ian Thomas.
46023 in Lapley Cutting on a Berkeley-Bescot Nuclear Flask train. 29.04.1982, copyright Ian Thomas.
46026 at Standish Jnc working the 0730 Aberdeen-Penzance 1V90. 11.08.1984, copyright Ian Thomas.
46047 passing Coaley Jnc on the 1618 Plymouth-Birmingham 1M74. 11.08.1981, copyright Ian Thomas.
46051 at Charfield working the 0743 (S.0.) Derby-Weston-super-Mare 1V64. 20.08.1982, copyright Ian Thomas.
45141 passing Berkeley South jnc on the 1155 Leeds-Paignton 1V87. 13.08.1983, copyright Ian Thomas.
Many thanks indeed Ian - I'm sure many readers have enjoyed all the Peak photos from you.
Peaks in South Devon
Michael Adams
Lovely pictures of Peaks,thanks to all. Michael Adams has sent these two of South Devon workings. Firstly 45066 arrives at Paignton on 16 August 1980, working not known. Copyright Michael Adams.
Now we see 45057 at Newton Abbot,with a happy looking driver in charge of the 13.54 service rom Penzance to Birmingham on 8 August 1984. Copyright Michael Adams.
Many thanks to Michael Adams for the pair of photos, and to Michael F. for sending them over.
September 1976
Part 18
Roger Winnen
A Class 47 passes Portreath Junction. 11.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1023 Western Fusilier at Drump Road. 11.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.