The Western Tribute Railtour
26.02.1977
Roger Winnen
Part 2
A Class 50 at Red Cow crossing. Copyright Roger Winnen
Viewed at Plymouth Station D1023 D1013. Copyright Roger Winnen
Viewed at Plymouth Station D1023 D1013. Copyright Roger Winnen
The trains awaits departure at Plymouth. Copyright Roger Winnen
Prior to departure at 19.40 to London Paddington. Copyright Roger Winnen
Thanks Roger - more tomorrow, and that will conclude 'Westerns by Winnen' for now!
Class 50 heaven!
Craig Munday
In what will be the busiest weekend for the CRS galleries this year, steam and diesel wise across the South West, here are some Bodmin Gala pictures for you too!
I was employed as the Ground Frame operator for 50008 leaving the mainline at Bodmin Parkway on Thursday 26th. I must praise my Delivery Unit (DU) colleagues from the Permanent Way and S&T who spent considerable hours on the equipment in recent weeks. many folk will assume moves "just happen", things are very much prepared for in advance, however.
Myself and colleague Sam Clark did a dummy run on Wednesday (away from the cameras) and things worked well. This bode well for the actual transfer on Thursday when Liam Thornton and I ensured the movement was made as expediently as possible. The 30 min timetable allows little wiggle room for issues on the day.
The 50 could be heard powering up from Brownqueen tunnel, and arrived shortly afterwards. The Annetts key was obtained from our colleagues on the Exeter, Mid Cornwall Workstation, and the points set for the move. Once we were satisfied all was well, the Signaller authorised the move into the exchange siding.
I was employed as the Ground Frame operator for 50008 leaving the mainline at Bodmin Parkway on Thursday 26th. I must praise my Delivery Unit (DU) colleagues from the Permanent Way and S&T who spent considerable hours on the equipment in recent weeks. many folk will assume moves "just happen", things are very much prepared for in advance, however.
Myself and colleague Sam Clark did a dummy run on Wednesday (away from the cameras) and things worked well. This bode well for the actual transfer on Thursday when Liam Thornton and I ensured the movement was made as expediently as possible. The 30 min timetable allows little wiggle room for issues on the day.
The 50 could be heard powering up from Brownqueen tunnel, and arrived shortly afterwards. The Annetts key was obtained from our colleagues on the Exeter, Mid Cornwall Workstation, and the points set for the move. Once we were satisfied all was well, the Signaller authorised the move into the exchange siding.
50008 crosses from the mainline to the Bodmin Railway exchange siding on 26.09.2024, copyright Craig Munday.
Now on Bodmin Railway metals, 50008 heads to Bodmin General. 26.09.2024, copyright Craig Munday.
50008 and 50042 seen between rainshowers at Bodmin General on 26.09.2024. Copyright Craig Munday.
I was around on Friday too, and enjoyed the last run as the shadows grew. Sun and shadows dappled the sides of the class 50s and mark ones as we climbed the bank from Parkway. The acrid exhausts punching into the blue skies above. The surges of power from both locos was awesome, and cast my mind back to the 18.12 from Penzance on Summer evenings in the 1980s which often produced a pair of class 50s. 27.09.2024, copyright Craig Munday.
50008 and 50042 power up the bank past Charlies Gate on 27.09.2024. Copyright Craig Munday.
Many thanks, Craig - it's certainly been an interesting few days for the railways down here.
More Class 50 Action
Andrew & Diane Jones
50042, 'Triumph ' on the 11.47 to Boscarne Junction today. Lovely to see the 50's in action on the Bank to Bodmin General. Copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Many thanks Andrew & Diane - agreed completely, it's been wonderful seeing and hearing the 50's at work.
Western Notes from 1977
Guy Vincent
I and several others have been avidly following and enjoying Roger's excellent coverage of the last couple of months of 'Western' loco operations in Devon and Cornwall. Such gems as Western Prince's last ever working, the 'Western Tribute' tour and back-up pair of '52s' passing through Exeter, photos of which have rarely been published.
Following conclusion of the BR organised 'Western Tribute' tour at Paddington late on Saturday 26th February 1977 here are the locations of those class 52 locos that were extant on Monday 28th February 1977.
Locos at Swindon works awaiting disposal
D1001 D1003 D1005 D1006 D1011 D1012 D1015 D1016 D1021 D1025 D1028 D1034 D1036 D1037 D1043 D1049 D1051 D1052 D1053 D1054 D1056 D1057 D1063 D1064 D1065 D1068 D1069 D1071 D1072 (29 locos)
Note: locos D1049 and D1069 were both undergoing dismantling, scrapped by 3rd March.
Loco at Swindon Works, preserved by the Western Locomotive Association: D1062. Loco left Swindon for Torbay Steam Railway, Paignton, on 27th May 1977.
Loco at Swindon Works pending handover to the National Railway Museum, York: D1023. Loco left Swindon bound for York on 15th December 1977.
Locos at Laira D1009 D1010 D1013 D1033 D1041 D1048 D1058 D1070
Loco at Old Oak Common D1022 Moved to Swindon on 11th May 1977
In the early hours of 27th February, D1013 and D1023 ran light to Swindon works where D1023 was detached. This loco was destined for the NRM, York. D1013 continued to Bristol Bath Road and, later in the afternoon, onto Laira.
On 2nd March 1977, D1010, D1013, D1041 and D1048 were moved from Laira to Newton Abbot locomotive works for secure storage pending their eventual sale to preservationists.
D1033 D1058 and D1070 were moved from Laira to Swindon Works, arriving on 24th March 1977.
D1009 was moved from Laira to Swindon Works on 1st June 1977. Engines sold to a Dutch Salvage firm.
British Rail offered at least three more Westerns for sale by tender to prospective preservationists viz: D1001, D1005 and D1009 but in each instance the bids were rejected.
As at September 2024 the remaining seven Westerns can be found at the following locations.
All surviving 52s except D1010 (maroon) currently wear a variation of BR blue livery with yellow ends.
Finally, a couple of shots of mainline certified D1015 Western Champion on railtour duties in 2013 and 2024.
Best regards
Guy V
Following conclusion of the BR organised 'Western Tribute' tour at Paddington late on Saturday 26th February 1977 here are the locations of those class 52 locos that were extant on Monday 28th February 1977.
Locos at Swindon works awaiting disposal
D1001 D1003 D1005 D1006 D1011 D1012 D1015 D1016 D1021 D1025 D1028 D1034 D1036 D1037 D1043 D1049 D1051 D1052 D1053 D1054 D1056 D1057 D1063 D1064 D1065 D1068 D1069 D1071 D1072 (29 locos)
Note: locos D1049 and D1069 were both undergoing dismantling, scrapped by 3rd March.
Loco at Swindon Works, preserved by the Western Locomotive Association: D1062. Loco left Swindon for Torbay Steam Railway, Paignton, on 27th May 1977.
Loco at Swindon Works pending handover to the National Railway Museum, York: D1023. Loco left Swindon bound for York on 15th December 1977.
Locos at Laira D1009 D1010 D1013 D1033 D1041 D1048 D1058 D1070
Loco at Old Oak Common D1022 Moved to Swindon on 11th May 1977
In the early hours of 27th February, D1013 and D1023 ran light to Swindon works where D1023 was detached. This loco was destined for the NRM, York. D1013 continued to Bristol Bath Road and, later in the afternoon, onto Laira.
On 2nd March 1977, D1010, D1013, D1041 and D1048 were moved from Laira to Newton Abbot locomotive works for secure storage pending their eventual sale to preservationists.
- D1010 Sold to Foster Yeoman Ltd and moved to Merehead Quarry on 7th July 1977.
- D1013 Sold to R Holdsworth and moved to Torbay Steam Railway, Paignton on 6th June 1977.
- D1041 Sold to D Edleston and moved with D1048 to Swindon Works on 26th June 1978.
- D1048 sold to D Rigby and moved with D1041 to Swindon Works on 26th June 1978.
D1033 D1058 and D1070 were moved from Laira to Swindon Works, arriving on 24th March 1977.
D1009 was moved from Laira to Swindon Works on 1st June 1977. Engines sold to a Dutch Salvage firm.
British Rail offered at least three more Westerns for sale by tender to prospective preservationists viz: D1001, D1005 and D1009 but in each instance the bids were rejected.
As at September 2024 the remaining seven Westerns can be found at the following locations.
- D1010 Williton Diesel Depot, West Somerset Railway. Status: Undergoing heavy overhaul.
- D1013 Kidderminster Diesel Depot, Severn Valley Railway. Status: Undergoing heavy overhaul.
- D1015 Kidderminster Diesel Depot, S.V.R. Status: Fully Operational & Main Line Certified.
- D1023 Didcot Railway Centre. Status: Non-operational, on long-term loan from NRM York.
- D1041 Buckley Wells Diesel Depot, East Lancashire Railway. Status: Undergoing overhaul & repairs.
- D1048 Kidderminster Diesel Depot, S.V.R. Status: Pending assessment and evaluation of necessary repairs.
- D1062 Kidderminster Diesel Depot, S.V.R. Status: Operational.
All surviving 52s except D1010 (maroon) currently wear a variation of BR blue livery with yellow ends.
Finally, a couple of shots of mainline certified D1015 Western Champion on railtour duties in 2013 and 2024.
Best regards
Guy V
D1015 Hawkeridge, Westbury on 1Z52 'Western Wessexman' 07.09.2013 Copyright Guy Vincent.
Westbury D1015 1Z77 06.07.2024 Copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks for the notes and for the pictures, Guy - excellent record keeping!