71000 'Duke of Gloucester' works:
'The Cornish Riviera 2026'
The eagerly-anticipated visit to Cornwall of 71000 began on Tuesday 22nd September.
50050 and 57302 set off from Paddington with Steam Dreams excursion for Penzance, with 50050 being removed from the train at Taunton for 71000 to take over.
The train visits the Laira Triangle for turning on Thursday 24th, before returning to Paddington from Penzance on Friday 25th. All times are available in our Railtour Calendar.
Many thanks to all who have sent in their photographs of this working, which are shown below.
50050 and 57302 set off from Paddington with Steam Dreams excursion for Penzance, with 50050 being removed from the train at Taunton for 71000 to take over.
The train visits the Laira Triangle for turning on Thursday 24th, before returning to Paddington from Penzance on Friday 25th. All times are available in our Railtour Calendar.
Many thanks to all who have sent in their photographs of this working, which are shown below.
50050 at speed and sounding great on the avoiding line bypassing Westbury station heading the 1Z71 0842 London Paddington - Exeter St Davids. This was the first leg of a midweek charter working organised by operator Steam Dreams, ‘The Cornish Riviera 2026’. 22.09.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
57302 was at the rear of the 11 coach formation. 22.09.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
71000 with 57302 trailing on 0842 Paddington to Exeter approaches Stoke Canon. 22.09.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
A drone shot of the same location. 22.09.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
71000 top and tailed with 57302 passing Cockwood Harbour. Click images for enlargements. All above images copyright Paul & Alison Barlow.
71000 'Duke Of Gloucester' heading west through Totnes. 22.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith
71000 'Duke Of Gloucester' crossing St Germans Viaduct with the 1Z72 14.20 Exeter St Davids - Penzance. 22.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith
71000 powers towards Holmbush Foot Crossing. 22.09.2026, copyright Julian Stephens.
I had intended to get this at Par but a look at RTT showed it clashed with the Up London so a plan B was required. 'The Duke' was barking well as it tackled the climb into St Austell with 57302 giving a good shove on the rear, seen at Polkyth Road footbridge. 22.09.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
In great evening light, 71000 crosses Gover Viaduct, west of St. Austell. 22.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
71000 having arrived in Truro on route to Penzance. What a wonderful sight and the weather played ball too. 22.09.2026, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
71000 departs Truro after its booked stop. Video, click to play. 22.09.2026, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
71000 continues towards Apex Bridge, Scorrier. 22.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
57302 on the rear at Scorrier. 22.09.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
'The Duke' continues on past Barnoose. 22.09.2026, copyright Peter Jenkin.
57302 on the rear at Barncoose. 22.09.2026, copyright Peter Jenkin.
Filmed from Nanpusker Road, 71000 passing over Angarrack viaduct. Video - click to play. 22.09.2026, copyright Naomi Sheppard.
71000 crosses Hayle Viaduct, nearing journeys end at Penzance. 22.09.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
71000 passing Ponsandane sidings with St. Michaels Mount in the background. 22.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
57302 on the rear of the Tour following arrival of 1Z72 at Penzance. 22.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
57302 viewed from the Sea Wall prior to departing with 5Z73 for Longrock T&RSMD. 22.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The BR Standard Class 8 with Support Coach stabled in the New Ponsandane Yard
Following propelling from Longrock Depot to Ponsandane Yard, 57302 with the Tour Stock stabled in Ponsandane Yard as night falls. 22.09.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Many thanks to all of you who've contributed to the above article.
To view the Duke's next movements, click here for our Railtour Calendar.
To view the Duke's next movements, click here for our Railtour Calendar.
Paignton Fire Damage
Roger Salter
A trio of images showing the temporary 'portacabin' ticket office and the damage to Paignton Station following the arson attack in summer 2026. All images taken 09.09.2026 and copyright Roger Salter (click for enlargements).
Thanks Roger, sad to see it this way.
Testing at Swindon
Colin Pidgeon
43014 t&t 43062 on 1Q15 Leicester LIP to Landore TMD - reversed in platform 3 between 1343 and 1359. 22.09.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
153384 on 2Q36 Eastleigh East Yard to Derby RTC passed through platform 3 at 1449 3 LATE. 22.09.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks Colin, and Ken for sending these over.
Sleepless Sleeper
Clive Smith
57312 passes through a gloomy Ivybridge with the 5Z50 09.22 Penzance - Reading Traincare Depot sleeper ECS. The sleepers to London were cancelled the previous night due to 'traincrew issues' and an IET was run from Plymouth to Paddington in lieu. 21.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks Clive. It's been a good few months for the Sleeper with minimal disruption up until this week.
September 1976
Part 23
Roger Winnen
Instruments in the box at St. Dennis Junction. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Diagram inside the signal box at St. Dennis Junction. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Goonbarrow St Dennis Junction token. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A DMU emerges from beneath the A30 road bridge at St. Dennis Junction. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.