RichardTrevithick

A complete set of coaches in FGW blue / dynamic lines with DRS hire-in 57303 at the front, on the down working this morning.

That makes sense, usually the rail replacement buses park in the car park at St Austell station allowing easy transfers from trains arriving from Penzance.

I see the power cars off the sleeper returned to Laira so fingers crossed that the engineering staff at Long Rock can fix the errant 57 in time for Sunday night. As an aside I have been told that forthcoming engineering work near Lostwithiel will result in no train services running between Par & Liskeard for four Sundays starting from 13th September. As far as I know rail replacement bus services are operating to / from St Austell with trains continuing to Par to turn round and go back to Penzance (although passengers to / from Par will be able to use these trains). I was told a while ago that Colas Rail are involved in renewals work which would explain the recent appearances of 70802 so maybe a few Colas loco's to look out for in the area. Make a welcome & colourful change from the usual fayre if this is correct.

Loco no 70000 Britannia should work the 0850 Bristol to Par on Sunday 6th September. Train is due into Par at 1400. Engine and support coach then take a trip over to St Blazey and later return back to Par.The return special then leaves Par at 1745 back to Bristol. Let us hope that the day goes off without any problems given the recent events affecting Tangmere (at Hemerdon) and UofSA (at Newton Abbot)!

Possibly the last chance to photograph operational class 20's on the devon main line tomorrow as DRS are running a Nuneaton to Kingswear and return charter. The outward train is due at Paignton 1243 to 1252 and arrives at Kingswear at 1324. The return journey departs at 1958 and is at Paignton 2019 - 2024.

A light engine going to rescue a failed train is given priority and is allowed an uninterrupted run and is signalled as 1Z99. As UofSA on Sunday was failed in a platform at Newton Abbot rather than say at Teignmouth for example it is debatable if 47832 was going to "clear the line" or not as other trains managed to be re-platformed at Newton Abbot. Nevertheless there were significant delays and disruption to other services.

Steam trains nearly always trigger hot axle box detectors so in most cases these are "false" activations. I suspect that the footplate crew had an idea that all was not well.

A member of staff on the train reported that it was in fact a hot axle box. There were concerns about the A4 prior to leaving Bristol on Sunday morning and "Britannia" was on standby to replace it. Bet WCR wish they did replace it now. 47832 ran from Bristol to Newton Abbot then worked the special to Par.

The failed HST at Long Rock was moved yesterday as a 5Z77 1330 Long Rock to Laira with 57605 at the front. 57605 & 57604 had worked down on the sleeper on Saturday morning,

I was told this morning that a planned steam hauled special to Par booked for the weekend is not running due to the risk of lineside fires after recent hot weather. Shame that a replacement diesel locomotive could not be found. Ironic as well that there were thunderstorms in parts of mid-Cornwall earlier today.

The West Coat Railtour booked from Chester to Penzance and return today has been cancelled apparently.

The Great Briton VIII tour which is heading for Cornwall next week is running. Sadiy there will be no steam loco visiting Cornwall though as the workings in and out of Penzance are booked for a DBS Class 66. The steam loco No 70000 is only running as far as Plymouth.

Given the news emerging today concerning West Coast Railway Co, some of these tours may be in doubt. :-(

Here is a list of some forthcoming excursions:- 17th April:- Cornish Riviera Statesman. Leeds to Penzance. 2 x WCRC 47/57 (Statesman Rail). 19th April:- Cornish Riviera Statesman. Penzance to Leeds. 2 x WCRC 47/57 (Statesman Rail). 28th April:- Great Briton VIII (Day 1). Exeter to Par. Steam 34067 & 70000 (Railway Touring Co). 29th April:- Great Briton VIII (Day 2). Penzance to Bristol Temple Meads. Steam 34067 & 70000 (Railway Touring Co). 2nd May:- Plymouth / Laira rare lines. FGW Class 08. (PLEG / BLS charity tour). 20th May:- Cornish Explorer. Chester to Penzance and return. 2 x WCRC 47/57 (Compass Tours). 30th May:- The Eden Project. London Paddington to Par and return. DBS 66/67 (UK Railtours). 27th June:- Mazey Day Cornishman. Tame Bridge Parkway to Penzance and return. DBS 66. (Pathfinder Tours). It is a shame there are no "heritage" diesels especially for Mazey Day although more tours may be added. I suppose a WCRC 47 might fall into that category. Additionally the steam tours to Par ARE shown as running again this year although I suppose it depends on certain circumstances at St Blazey?! Dates shown are:- 14th, 21st & 28th June, 5th & 12th July, 16th & 30th August & 6th September. Motive Power unconfirmed but from a pool of 6023, 34067 & 34046. (Railway Touring Co). ALL INFORMATION SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION. The operators websites (shown in brackets) are the best places to look for any more details.

Thanks to you both.

Thanks very much, despite looking around a few places I can not find any details of the Class 33 railtour shown at Par. Is anyone able to help?

Thanks, funnily I do not seem to have many images of the HST's in the livery carried by the one at Par. Probably the better of the recent livery variations carried by the HST's in my opinion.

Here are some random shots, not much in the way of details or dates I am afraid:-

Brings back a lot of memories and to think they were taken over 25 years ago! I'll try to dig out some more sometime.

45135 "3rd Carabinier" arrives at Camborne working the 0917 Saturdays only Leeds to Penzance on 17th August 1985.

After working a 1V32 1030 York to Penzance relief train 37058 heads out of platform 1 at Penzance returning light engine to St Blazey. 17th August 1985.

St Blazey favourite 37207 William Cookworthy assists a failed 47246 at Camborne whilst working the 0805 Swansea to Penzance running 75 minutes late. 17th August 1985.

From the old to the (then) new, 155324 works the 1120 Cardiff Central to Penzance into Camborne on 24th June 1988.

Tucked in behind the locomotive was a 1949 vintage Southern Region design GUV ex S4605S in use as a stores van.

Part of the formation of the Chipman's weedkiller train consisted of this former Maunsell CK No S5644S now numbered CC99008 which was built at Eastleigh in 1931. Seen here on 29th April 1988 at Penzance.