September 1st 2025

1/9/2025

50 years of preservation
The WSR Hymeks
Martin Duff

The West Somerset Railway held an event over the 30th + 31st August to mark 50 years of preservation of the class 35 Hymeks. D7017 and D7018 worked over the line on both days.

D7018 in its BR Green livery basking in the sunshine on the WSR. 31.08.2025, copyright Martin Duff.

D7017 has recently been repainted into BR blue with white cab window surrounds and looks fantastic. 31.08.2025, copyright Martin Duff.

The superb sight of double headed 'Hymeks' as D7017 pilots D7018. 31.08.2025, copyright Martin Duff.

A wonderful scene on the WSR. 31.08.2025, copyright Martin Duff.

Many thanks Martin - and congratulations to the team for reaching their half a century milestone. They must know these machines inside out by now.

The Britannic Explorer
heads to Cranmore
Tony Shore, Tim Hughes & Steve Clark

The Britannic Explorer departs Fowey Dock Carne Point, seen from Golant. 31.08.2025, copyright Steve Clark.

66744 approaches Golant Crossing. 31.08.2025, copyright Steve Clark.

'The Britannic Explorer' rolls over Golant crossing. 31.08.2025, copyright Steve Clark.

The 'going away shot' as the train heads on to Lostwithiel. 31.08.2025, copyright Steve Clark.

The classic shot from St. Winnow Churchyard as 66748 passes by Lantyan Woods. 31.08.2025, copyright Tony Shore.

Having ran through Lostwithiel into the goods loop, the train returned to the Fowey Branch, stopping straddling the crossing to allow a road tanker to replenish the coaching stocks water supply. 66784 is seen at Coulsons Park after arriving back off the mainline. 31.08.2025, copyright Tim Hughes.

A lovely reflection shot in the River Fowey. 31.08.2025, copyright Tony Shore.

An imposing view from ground level of the very smartly turned out 66748. 31.08.2025, copyright Tim Hughes.

66744 stopped over the crossing at Coulsons Park. 31.08.2025, copyright Tim Hughes.

This mk3 coach has been fitted with a viewing window in place of its corridor connection. 31.08.2025, copyright Tim Hughes.

The water tanker at the crossing which had refilled the stock. 31.08.2025, copyright Tony Shore.

Weather conditions had deteriorated by the time the train came back into Lostwithiel. 31.08.2025, copyright Tony Shore.

The coaching stock passing beneath the temporary Lostwithiel footbridge. 31.08.2025, copyright Tony Shore.

66748 on the rear of the train as it heads into Lostwithiel up goods loop. 31.08.2025, copyright Tony Shore.

The train has the road and departs Lostwithiel up loop, heading to its next overnight stop at Cranmore (East Somerset Railway). 31.08.2025, copyright Tony Shore.

66748 on the rear of the train as it heads away from Cornwall. 31.08.2025, copyright Tony Shore.

Many thanks all for the interesting photographs - good coverage of this interesting event.

Saturdays Spottings
Clive Smith

Westcountry class 34046 'Braunton' leaves Taunton with the 1Z70 05.29 Bedford - Kingswear 'English Riviera Express'. 30.08.2025, copyright Clive Smith.

Inter City liveried 47593 'Galloway Princess' brings up the rear of the 1Z70. 31.08.2025, copyright Clive Smith.

It was the 50th anniversary in preservation of the Diesel & Electric Group's Hymek D7017 and together with classmate D7018 it worked a double-headed round trip on the West Somerset Railway 12.25 Bishops Lydeard - Minehead. This was also to celebrate its re-emergence after a period of overhaul and re-paint into late 1960s BR chrome blue livery. 31.08.2025, copyright Clive Smith.

The contrasting liveries cab to cab at Bishops Lydeard. 31.08.2025, copyright Clive Smith.

A great selection Clive - many thanks.

The Royal Duchy
Jon Hird

With West Coast Railway Company suffering from a shortage of serviceable, air braked, steam locomotives, the Railway Touring Companys 'Royal Duchy' railtour was again diesel-hauled on Sunday 31st. 47812 leads the rake of mk1 and mk2 coaches up towards Treverrin Tunnel on the return working. 31.08.2025, copyright Jon Hird.