Avon Valley Railway 200 Celebration
Paul Negus
On Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th September, the Avon Valley Railway will be holding it's Railway 200 event to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway. There will be up to 4 locos operating, model railway layouts, screenings of 1950s/60s British Railway short films, various local history groups, yard tours and more. For full details, please see avonvalleyrailway.org.
To whet the appetite, herewith a shot of the new Midland style car park fencing erected by volunteers.
To whet the appetite, herewith a shot of the new Midland style car park fencing erected by volunteers.
A tidy up at the Avon Valley Railway - midland style fencing in the carpark. Copyright Paul Negus.
Many thanks Paul - hope the event is a success!
Farewell to Pathfinder Railtours
A statement from Pathfinder Railtours - please click for an enlargement.
A sad day in the railway world today as Pathfinder Railtours have announced that they are winding up their business from the end of this year. Pathfinders have of course organised many, many excellent railtours taking passengers all over the UK behind almost every imaginable type of locomotive. They will be sorely missed.
Another day of Class 175 training
Tony Shore, Roger Winnen, Roger Salter, Mark Lynam, Jon Hird & Joe Birchall
GWR crew training on the class 175 DMU's continued on 22.09, this time with 175002 and 175009 in a 2-car formation. Further training is planned for the rest of this week.
175009 leads 175002 over Hayle Viaduct with a crew training run from Plymouth to Penzance. Note the lorry below in a matching livery! 23.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Taken a few seconds after Rogers photo above, the train further along Hayle Viaduct. 23.09.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
175002 on the rear of the first training run of the day to Penzance crossing Marazion Marshes shortly before 1030. 23.09.2025, copyright Roger Salter.
A telephoto shot of the units approaching Marazion. 23.09.2025, copyright Roger Salter.
Just around the corner from Roger Salter, Mark Lynam captures the working passing Marazion. 23.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
The unit heads back to Plymouth after a break at Penzance, again passing Marazion. 23.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
The returning trip crossing Hayle Viaduct bound for Plymouth. 23.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Again, a few seconds after Rogers shot the units are about to enter Hayle station. 23.09.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
175002 leads 175009 over Largin Viaduct with 5Z12, the 0626 Plymouth - Plymouth via Penzance. 23.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
175002 and 009 at Penzance having arrived 48 minutes early with 5Z35, the 1525 Plymouth - Plymouth via Penzance. 23.09.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
The two units at Penzance. 23.09.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
The units await departure for Plymouth at 1736 hours. 23.09.2025, copyright Tony Shore.
175 009 and 175 002 on their way back up on the second trip, having made light work of the gradient as they neared the summit. 23.09.2025, copyright Joe Birchall.
Many thanks again everyone for the 175 photos. Hopefully even if you're bored of the DMU's, the colourful Cornish locations are of interest.
Take a walk on the wild side!
Colin Pidgeon/Ken Mumford
My good friend, Colin Pidgeon, took these photos down at Swindon station. It looks as though the fox was bored with what he saw.
Well, won't many trainspotters - 'Flying Cucumber' after 'Flying Cucumber'??
Well, won't many trainspotters - 'Flying Cucumber' after 'Flying Cucumber'??
A lovely fox doing a spot of linesiding at Swindon. 23.09.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
The fox takes a rest, presumably bored of the endless cascade of IET's! 23.09.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks indeed Colin and Ken.
Steam Specials
Paul Barlow
An unusual combination 5029 Nunney Castle and 60019 Bittern work The Mayflower past Rewe on 17 September 2011 The A4 was running as 4492 Domonion of New Zealand. Copyright Paul Barlow.
6024 King Edward 1 and 70000 Britannia approach Exeter St Thomas on the 0618 Poole to Plymouth 1Z72 22 October 2011. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul - a couple of unusual combinations there, nice to look back on them.
Colourful skies and golden rails
Jon Hird
We are entering the time of year when the days grow shorter and the county becomes awash with colour - the green tones of summer turn to browns and oranges, and the skies hold dramatic firey shows in the mornings and evenings. A few photographs below trying to make the most of the precious few weeks when there is still some useable light in the early evenings.
A GWR 'Castle Class' HST set with 43098 at the head rounds the corner towards Burngullow on 20.09.2025 with the 1715 Penzance - Plymouth. Copyright Jon Hird.
Crosscountry's 221114 approaches Trethellan with the 1813 Penzance - Birmingham New Street on 22.09.2025. The trees framing the shot are already going nice and gold. 22.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
The same train, but viewed from Trethellan Bridge. 22.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
5 minutes after the sun had set behind me, the sky was still full of colour. The silos of Burngullow are visible on the distant horizon as 800036 heads on towards Dowgas and Coombe with the delayed 1746 Plymouth - Penzance on 22.09.2025. Copyright Jon Hird.
A 300mm lens at Molinnis Crossing, Bugle bagged me this long distance shot of 66054 swinging left at Goonbarrow Junction with the empty JIA's from Fowey. 23.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
West Cornwall Selection
Mark Lynam
220116 passes Marazion with the 1115 Penzance - Edinburgh. 23.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
43198 heads for Penzance with the 1014 Plymouth - Penzance. 23.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
The same set returns with 43042 leading as the 1315 Penzance - Plymouth. 23.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
08836 shunts the 'Night Riviera' sleeper stock at Long Rock. 23.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
A great mixture - many thanks, Mark.
Teignmouth Trains
Martin Scane
166215 with 2T20 Exmouth to Paignton at 14-22. 23.09.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
802114 with 1A87 Paignton tomLondon Paddington at 14-23. 23.09.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
800314 working 1C80 Paddington to Penzance at 14-34 some 8 minutes late. 23.09.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
166217 with 2F22 Paignton to Exmouth at 14-45. 23.09.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
158769 with 2T21 Exmouth to Paignton at 14-47. 23.09.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
Finally, breaking the GWR domination is 221113 with 1V52 an Edinburgh to Penzance long distance service running pretty much to time at 15-03. Good to see the lineside pampus grass adding a bit of colour to the scene. 23.09.2025, copyright Martin Scane.
Smashing photos Martin - many thanks.