No sleep on The Sleeper!
Clive Smith, Jon Hird, Mark Lynam, Andrew Triggs & 'The Cornish Trainspotter'
After GWR Class 57 57602 refused to start at London Paddington on the evening of 01.09.2025, an IET unit was instead used to convey the unfortunate sleeper passengers to Penzance. After receiving attention from fitters, 57602 was coaxed back to life and worked an empty coaching stock move from Reading - Long Rock on 02.09.2025.
The 'up' sleeper on 0.09 was again replaced by an IET unit. As a result, today (03.09), 57602 again worked a 5Z50, this time from Long Rock - Reading, departing Long Rock at around 0730 hours.
The 'up' sleeper on 0.09 was again replaced by an IET unit. As a result, today (03.09), 57602 again worked a 5Z50, this time from Long Rock - Reading, departing Long Rock at around 0730 hours.
In dull light and drizzle 57602 heads through Ivybridge with the 5Z50 11:30 Reading Traincare Depot - Penzance T.& R.S.M.D. sleeper ECS. 02.09.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
57602 and 5Z50 drift past Respryn en route to Long Rock. 02.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
57602 is about to pass beneath Apex Bridge, Scorrier. The sun has come out 'down west'! 02.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
57602 with 5Z50 approaching Rosevidney Road overbridge. 02.09.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
And on Wednesday 03.09, 57602 was again on the move with another ECS working, due to the cancellation of the previous nights up sleeper:
57602 heads east through Par with 5Z50, the 0730 Long Rock - Reading on 03.09.2025. Copyright 'The Cornish Trainspotter'
57602 passes the site of Brent station with the 5Z50 07.30 Penzance T.& R.S.M.D. - Reading Traincare Depot ECS on the 3rd. 03.09.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks, all. A daylight sleeper move, although no doubt a headache for GWR, is always a delight for the photographers and enthusiasts.
Twin Peaks
Michael Adams & Michael Forward
Firstly we see 45059 at Bath Spa on 25 May 1981, working unknown. Copyright Michael Adams.
Moving on we now see 45111 leaving Temple Meads with the 07.40 Penzance to Liverpool on 23 December 1981. Copyright Michael Adams.
Many thanks to Michael Adams for the pictures, and to Michael Forward for sending them over - much appreciated.
The FGW Class 142 Farewell Tour
27th November 2011
Part 1
Roger Winnen
More information on this railtour can be found on the superb Six Bells Junction website - please click here.
Pacer Celebration arriving at Teignbridge on the Heathfield Branch. 27.11.2011, copyright Roger Winnen.
Approaching Teignbridge Crossing. 27.11.2011, copyright Roger Winnen.
Class 142s at Teignbridge Crossing. 27.11.2011, copyright Roger Winnen.
142001 at Teignbridge Crossing.
The special approaches Heathfield Station. 27.11.2011, copyright Roger Winnen.
The special approaches Heathfield Station. 27.11.2011, copyright Roger Winnen.
Crowds at Heathfield joining the train. 27.11.2011, copyright Roger Winnen.
Crowds at Heathfield joining the train. 27.11.2011, copyright Roger Winnen.
Looking west at Respryn
Jon Hird & Roger Geach
A photograph you don't often see nowadays - it's not much of a shot, and the sun is never right whenever anything interesting happens. That didn't matter today, as the train is not very interesting, and there was no sun. 158958 passes Respryn with the 1450 Penzance - Plymouth. 02.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
By way of contrast, here's the same location 47 years earlier. 25052 and 25207 head the St. Blazey to Carlisle freight at Respryn on 12th June 1978. Copyright Roger Geach.
GBRF route learner
David Tozer
66720 'Wascosa' running light engine as the 0739 0Z82 Eastleigh East Yard to Exeter St David's route learner. 02.09.2025, copyright David Tozer.
Thanks very much, Dave.
Tuesdays Clay
Mark Lynam & Jon Hird
66124 at Golant working 6G09 1302 Goonbarrow Junction Dbc to Fowey Dock Carne Point with 16 wagons. 02.09.2025, copyright Mark Lynam.
At the opposite end of the journey, 66124 approaches Goonbarrow with the returning empty JIA's. The evenings really are growing short once again. 02.09.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks, Mark