February - March 2017
The historic move to take repaired Class 70 No. 70803 away from Devon and back into service took place in teaming rain during the afternoon of 23 March 2017. Brand new No. 70812 hauled No. 70803 as light loco move 0C20, the 12.28 Tavistock Junction to Westbury. The train is seen emerging from Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish. The repair of 70803 is a true tribute to the engineering skills of the men from Colas.
Running some 118min early, the return empty cement from Moorswater on 23 March 2017 is seen emerging into a very damp Dawlish from Kennaway Tunnel. The train 6C36, the 11.19 Moorswater to Aberthaw is powered by Colas Rail Freight No. 70808.
DRS Class 66s Nos. 66302 and 66431 pass below Black Bridge (Rockstone Bridge) on the Dawlish Sea Wall on 23 March 2017 hauling MOD empty flask No. MODA95771 as train 6Z63, the 08.53 Keyham (Devonport Royal Dockyard) to Carlisle.
DRS Class 66 No. 66431 and 66302 pass Dawlish on 22 May 2017 forming light loco move 0Z40, 12.20 Bridgwater to Devonport Dockyard.
43197 has received some TLC at Laira. Seen emerging from Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish on 19 March 2017 leading the 08.40 Plymouth - Paddington, diverted from Exeter via Honiton due to work in Cogload area.
In flat dull light, Colas Rail Freight Class 66s Nos. 66848 and 66847 'top and tail' five Network Rail 'Autoballaster' wagons out of Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish on 16 March 2017 forming train 6C22, the 03.30 Newquay to Westbury, returning empty after a ballast drop on the Cornish branch line.
Colas Rail Freight Class 70 No. 70807 runs west along the Dawlish Sea Wall approaching Black Bridge (Rockstone) on 15 March 2017 powering train 6C35, the 05.15 Aberthaw to Moorswater loaded cement.
DB-C red-liveried Class 66 No. 66001 traverses the Dawlish Sea Wall at Black Bridge (Rockstone) on 15 March 2017 powering train 6W55, 04.50 Long Rock to Westbury via Penzance empty ballast train.
In conditions which could be best described as 'dull', DRS Class 66s Nos. 66424 and 66301 slowly drift through Dawlish Warren on 8 March 2017, powering train 6Z40, the 06.13 Crewe Coal Yard to Keyham Dockyard (Plymouth). The train was formed of escort vehicles 9428 and 9419 with high-capacity flask No. MODA95771 in the middle.
In conditions which could be best described as 'dull', DRS Class 66s Nos. 66424 and 66301 slowly drift through Dawlish Warren on 8 March 2017, powering train 6Z40, the 06.13 Crewe Coal Yard to Keyham Dockyard (Plymouth). The train was formed of escort vehicles 9428 and 9419 with high-capacity flask No. MODA95771 in the middle.
Fresh out the box, Colas Rail Freight Class 70 No. 70812 hurries west through Dawlish on 8 March 2017, running as 0Z70, 11.45 Westbury to Tavistock Junction. Always looks nice when clean, pity the door on the front was open!
Im not at all sure if I like this. 153305 departs from Dawlish on 6 March 2017 forming train 2P93, 15.50 Exeter St Davids to Plymouth.
Another 'new' livery has just emerged on Great Western Railway. Following attention at Long Marston, Class 153 No. 153305 now sports all over light grey with dark grey contrasting passenger doors. The vehicle was returned to Bristol on Saturday 4 March and entered traffic on 6 March 2017, leading a Class 150/2 set in GWR green-livery on the 07.59 Cardiff to Paignton service. The train is seen approaching Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish. It is understood that some form of bodyside branding is to be applied.
When there is no water in Cockwood Harbour, you have to try and make something of the view wth a few of the regular props. Framed with one of the usual boats, Class 70 No. 70810 crosses Cockwood Harbour on 2 March 2017 powering train 6C36, the 10.09 Moorswater to Aberthaw.
When there is no water in Cockwood Harbour, you have to try and make something of the view wth a few of the regular props. Framed with one of the usual boats, Class 70 No. 70810 crosses Cockwood Harbour on 2 March 2017 powering train 6C36, the 10.09 Moorswater to Aberthaw.
On a very very dull and flat light morning on the Dawlish Sea Wall on 1 March 2017, the only thing to try and photograph is the Colas Rail Freight Class 70 No. 70810 powering westbound train 6C35, the 02.50 Aberthaw Cement Works to Moorswater, loaded cement. The train is seen adjacent to Marine Parade approaching Kennaway Tunnel.
Colas Rail freight Class 70 No. 70807 approaches Dawlish station on 23 February 2017 powering train 6C36, the 10.09 Moorswater to Aberthaw empty cement.
Dawlish Meet, 22 February 2017. On the down, Colas Rail freight Class 70 No. 70807 heads train 6C35, the 02.50 Aberthaw to Moorswater cement, while on the up road, one of the green-liveried HST sets, today led by a blue power car forms train 1A77, the 05.41 Penzance to Paddington.
On 15 February 2017 the weather in Dawlish could best be described as dull and damp. However, Colas Rail Freight managed to put some brightness into the day with No. 70807 powering train 6C35, the 02.50 Aberthaw to Moorswater. Seen passing through Dawlish station in heavy rain.