September 27th 2025

27/9/2025

NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 67
S & D 200 – The 1975 Cavalcade
Michael L. Roach

In Part 44, published on 22 May 2025, a first look was taken at the 200th anniversary of the modern railway when all the various components came together for the very first time in County Durham with the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway on 27 September 1825. I explained how I was there in 1975 timing my visit to see the cavalcade. In this part I showcase some more views of the engines in the 1975 Cavalcade which took place at Shildon on Sunday 31 August 1975 as the engines passed before me, and hundreds of others, in a cutting between Shildon and Heighington Stations, which was part of the original route.

GWR Manor-class 4-6-0 no. 7808 was built at Swindon in 1938, and was one of the last to be withdrawn from service. On 1 December 1965 there were just two Manors left, both at Gloucester Shed, and both withdrawn that month. The two were 7808 and 7829 with both being withdrawn on 31 December 1965. 7808 was purchased for preservation the following month while 7829 travelled down to Newport to be scrapped at Cashmore's. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

LNER V2-class 2-6-2 no. 4771 was built at Doncaster in June 1936. The class had 3 cylinders and a tractive effort of 33,730 lbs and was rated 6MT by BR. The class had a terrific reputation for haulage capacity, could deputise for the LNER Pacifics, and would regularly take 20 coaches out of Kings Cross during WW2. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

LNER A4-class 4-6-2 no. 4498 was built at Doncaster in November 1937. As 60007 the engine hauled the SLS's fiftieth anniversary tour on 23 May 1959 from Kings Cross to Doncaster and return, reaching the quite amazing speed of 112mph on the descent of Stoke Bank; believed to be the highest speed ever recorded on a railtour. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

GNR C1-class no. 990 “Henry Oakley” was built at Doncaster in 1898. The class were the first 4-4-2s in Great Britain. The engine was withdrawn in October 1937 and spent many years in York Railway Museum. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

LNWR Precedent Class 2-4-0 no. 790 “Hardwicke” was built at Crewe in 1873. With a tractive effort of just 10,918 lbs the class was rated 1P. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Midland Railway Johnson Compound 4-4-0 no. 1000 was built at Derby in 1902. The class was alleged to be the only successful “compound” engines to run in Great Britain. Copyright Michael L. Roach.

Many thanks for another great article, Mike - much appreciated.

For more of Michaels articles, click here.

Night Freight
Alan Peters

A night time ballast drop between Liskeard and Par took place on 9th September 2025, with Freightliner 66544 running as 6C40 from Westbury and back, operated by Colas Rail as the locomotive is actually on hire for the RHTT season. The train is seen at Liskeard waiting to pick-up Network Rail staff. Copyright Alan Peters.

The train has now arrived into platform 2 at Par and is ready to run round to work back to Liskeard dropping ballast on 09/09/25. Copyright Alan Peters

Colas Rail 6C40 headed by Freightliner 66544 has run round its train of auto-ballast hopper wagons at Par and is waiting to work back to Liskeard on 09/09/25. Copyright Alan Peters

Job done, 6C40 ready to depart Liskeard back to Westbury in the early hours of 09/09/25. Copyright Driver Alan Peters.

Many thanks Alan - great night shots.

Devon 175 Training
Martin Scane & David Tozer

The second run today of the Plymouth to Plymouth via Exeter driver familiarisation services. Here’s 175114, with 175002 on the rear, rounding the curve onto the sea wall at Teignmouth at 14-27 this afternoon. I only just managed the shot before an oncoming service from Paddington arrived which would have blocked my view. 26.09.2025, copyright Martin Scane.

The second staff training run to Exeter with 175114 and 175002, the 1343 5Z22 Plymouth to Exeter St David's. 26.09.2025, copyright David Tozer.

Many thanks, both.

Southampton Memories
Michael Adams/Michael Forward

Hello all, great pictures on the site, as always, and nice for me to see Michael Nicholas - my spotting friend from Penzance.

Here are two pictures from Southampton from Michael Adams.

Firstly we see electro-diesels 73108 and 73140 with the 14.35 from Poole to Waterloo on 13 June 1988.. The class 442 Wessex units were giving problems at that time and double headed 73s were used to maintain the new timetable schedules. Copyright Michael Adams.

At the other end of the station we see 31419 heading a Portsmouth to Bristol service on 30 March 1981. Copyright Michael Adams.

Many thanks to the two Michaels, two superb images.

Class 175 round-up
Andrew Triggs

Former TfW Class 175s no.175009 with 175114 on the Staff Training run 5Z12 07.51 Plymouth-Plymouth, arriving 35 late at 10.33. 22.9.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

175002 with 175009 passing Marazion working 5Z12 06.54 Totnes-Plymouth (via Penzance). 23.9.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

175009 with 175002 passing Rospeath working 5Z35 15.25 Plymouth-Plymouth (via Penzance) running 48 early at 16.32. 23.9.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

175002 with 175114 departing Penzance working 5Z12 06.25 Plymouth-Plymouth training run. 24.9.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

175114 with 175002 clearing St Erth working 5Z35 15.45 Plymouth-Plymouth training run, heading for Penzance. 25.9.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Many thanks Andrew - a great record of events.

Cornish 'Castles'
Mark Lynam

43189 heads the 1014 Plymouth - Penzance across the embankment at Crugwallins. 26.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.

43098 leading the 1128 Exeter St. Davids - Penzance past Dowgas. 26.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.

43042 powering through Dowgas in the opposite direction with the 1315 Penzance - Plymouth. 26.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.

And finally, completing the set, 43093 with its great vinyls brings the 1340 Plymouth - Penzance through Grampound with sister 43092 on the rear. 26.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.

A great set Mark, many thanks indeed.

Swindon Variety
Ken Mumford & Colin Pidgeon

66619 on the UML running under a yellow signal with 6Z42 [Tythyerington - Appleford], passed through the station in the UML at 13 59 [29 EARLY], Highworth Junction passed at 1402, then into Stratton Green Loop for a while before passing South Marston Junction at 1459 [27 LATE]. 25.09.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

3S59 with slightly dirty locos 66096 and 66176 [Hereford - Swindon Transfer RHTT (Rail Head Treatment Train) via Maindee North & East Junctions, Bristol (Temple Meads), Weston-Super-Mare [reverse]. Bristol (Temple Meads), Bath Spa, Swindon (UML from 1431 - 1436 when it moved a short distance eastwards to Swindon TransferYard.]. 25.09.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

6C03 [northolt - Severnside Sita] leaves Swindon East Loop after sitting there for just under TWO HOURS - its London waste leaving a trail of not-very-nice smells as it passes through. 25.09.2025, copyright Ken Mumford.

A short way away in Oxford, we see 68020 on 5Q72 Leamington to Oxford with DVT 12805. All in the new Chiltern Livery. 25.09.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.

Many thanks to the both of you. The 68 and DVT are strange looking beasts!

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