RichardTrevithick

Standing start fully loaded on the down with a greasy rail at Stoneyhill Quarry ......... 

 

Let's see if these things have what it takes.  I reserve judgement on how well they might be received for local journeys in the Royal Duchy.  I can't help but think they will look rather out of place with that high-speed nose-cone pulling up at Hayle and St. Germans

Class 800 not passed west of Plymouth at the moment, I don't know of any plans for a test run into the Duchy.

This was on another forum and is something for any night owls or insomniacs out there tonight:-

5X30 2110 Stoke Gifford to Plymouth

Show service information Hide service information http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O32380/2016/10/03/advanced

Schedule Information

• STP schedule UID O32380, identity 5X30

• Runs on 03/10/2016 only

• Service code 55460080

• Empty Coaching Stock

Operational Information

• Schedule from VSTP

• Timed for 280mph max

• High Speed Train (HST125)

The timings will not post properly so click on the link, the point of origin will give a clue to what it is, suffice to say it is NOT an HST!

Returning to base as:-

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O32409/2016/10/04/advanced

I saw this as I was driving along Priory Road in Bodmin this afternoon, so had to stop for a few photo's. Moveright International were the hauliers.

The daytime loco-hauled ECS from Penzance to Par and associated workings are not running today as DRS hire-in 57306 has failed at Long Rock apparently.

The three blue coaches worked on the up sleeper on Monday night (29th August).  

The start for this traffic has now been put back until November at the earliest.

Very smart paintwork. Much more GWR esque!!

Except for the green handrails on the front windows which I understand should be repainted brown by now. 

A three car class 150 DMU no 150933 in GWR green worked down to Penzance today, after entering service last week following overhaul. Also an HST with a full set of green carriages and two blue power cars was seen today. 

Is the date fixed?

 

K

It depends who you talk to, a run on 28th june has been mentioned but beyond that I am not sure. I was told several weeks ago that services would start in mid July. 

The train will run round at Lostwithiel on the way down as it is planned to be too long to run round at Liskeard, detailed arrangements of the return run are yet to be confirmed.  

Possible Colas traction for this train are classes 37, 47/7 & 66. The other classes operated by Colas are not "passed" to Moorswater.

I am hearing this may be a trial run ahead of the real thing starting in July. Given that the line to Moorswater has not been used for freight for several years this might be the case. I am assured that DB Cargo are not running the train but my contact could not advise who was. i have not seen any return paths yet from Moorswater.

There is a path from Aberthaw for the above date (real time trains), under the Tarmac reorganisation which FOC has the traffic from Aberthaw?

 

Mark Saunders

The traffic is restarting, the last date I was given was mid July. This may change! Weedkiller visited last night.

I remember the original HST livery first time round over 30 years ago! Lovely location for a photo,shame the sun was not out.Hopefully it will be back soon before it gets too grubby.

If you had waited around you would have seen it as it was running late, it passed Camborne at around 1225 heading towards Penzance.

The Network Rail HST made a rare visit to Penzance earlier today, running somewhat late it spent around 30 minutes at Penzance before returning east. 

A railtour is due to visit the Duchy tomorrow (Saturday) The special from London Euston will visit Fowey, Plymouth Friary and Okehampton / Meldon Quarry.

Some times:- Plymouth 1136 - 1148, Liskeard 1213, Lostwithiel 1228 - 1230, to / from Fowey, Lostwithiel 1313 - 1315, Liskeard 1335, Plymouth 1359 - 1404.

The train is due to be hauled by 2 DB Class 66's (one each end).

Not the best of days for 150232 yesterday on it's first outing in GWR green. It was failed part way into it's workings for the day and taken out of service at Bristol Temple Meads.  

A rail tour that may be of interest for 2016:-

http://www.ukrailtours.com/product/tre-pol-and-pen/

I've just returned from a rather rain and windswept walk along the beach near Long Rock! The depot is rather full with 5 HST's, 1 Voyager and several DMU's present. The sleeper with 57603 attached is down by the carriage washing machine along with the 08 shunting locomotive. 

There are two HST power cars are in special liveries with 43163 in "Plymouth City of discovery" colours and 43012 in Bristol 2015 colours. It also looks like one of the 153 DMU's is present in the citizens rail colours.  

There are no trains parked up in Penzance station.

Looks like some engineering work going on by Long Rock with some railway vans in Long Rock beach car park - we are not all having christmas day off it seems!

There are photo's and reports elsewhere that 150232 has returned from works in GWR green - something to look out for in the coming weeks.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/56672011@N02/23565196369/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/56672011@N02/23304904934/

Finally a member of railway staff was assaulted on a train on the Falmouth line in the last few days, I hope they are okay over the festive period and that the culprit is dealt with accordingly.  

Reports elsewhere on bus forums that some First Kernow Olympian's will stay until February for schools / college duties. When the vehicles loaned to Stagecoach in Plymouth return the end will be nigh for the remaining examples.

Operational problems at Newton Abbot on the day in question caused the Pacers to be switched from their normal Paignton duty to cover the Penzance turn.  They are not normally seen west of Aller Junction thank goodness.

No Aller Junction anymore - it's Aller divergence!

Regardless of who is right or wrong regards Lostwithiel I suppose we will have to wait and see, if they are removed it seems yet another stabling point will be lost for good. Shortsightedness imo.

With the supposed closure of the clay sidings at Lostwithiel, what will happen in the future when any RHTT or similar trains need stabling?  Sidings are already at a premium and trains already have to travel great distances just to runaround.  What happens when the Royal Train comes to the county as there are no cosy little disused branch lines or sidings to spend the night these days?

 

Brian.

I was told by a railway manager (who will remain nameless!) recently that the rumours that the down rail yard at Lostwithiel is to be removed are COMPLETELY UNTRUE. The sidings will remain although there MAY not be so many sidings as there are at present. 

Some interesting news coming to light about an exciting new working into Cornwall very soon, some of you may have an idea what I am talking about! 

The Rail - vac is booked to be working in the Lostwithiel area next week and is due to arrive early on Wednesday morning. Also on Tuesday night there will be a test train from Exeter to Lostwithiel & return during the wee small hours - expect a possible Class 37.