Images July 2014

The Network Rail Track Recording Unit No. 950001 traverses the up line in perfect morning light (only just as it was full cloud 1 min before and one min after), emerging from Kennaway Tunnel. The train was 2Q08, 04.12 Penzance to Exeter Riverside via Goodrington CS and Heathfield on 31 July 2014. CJM
A power car transfer move was required on 31 July 2014, when Nos. 43063 and 43133 operated as 0Z77, 15.32 Laira to Old Oak Common. The pair are seen emerging from Kennaway Tunnel. CJM
Todays little gem - the up loaded flask train from MoD Devonport to BNFL Sellafield crosses Cockwood Harbour in rather nice evening light on 30 July 2014. Train formed of 57008, escort saloon 9428, flask KUA 95770, flask KUA95771, escort vehicle 9419 and 57009 was running as 6Z52 18.47 Keyham to Sellafield.
A visit was made on 29 July 2014 to see the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway preservation site at Woody Bay. The long term project to operate thrains between Lynton and Barnstaple is ongoing with some excellent progress made. The Woody Bay station area, trains and locomotives are a credit to the group and the little line is well worth a visit. The above are a selection of images at Woody Bay and at the present termination pint at Killington Lane.
It seems that most days the railway manage to find something to interest the Sea Wall viewing club! Todays little show was a pair of DRS Class 57s Nos. 57008 and 57009 powering DRS flask support coaches 9419 and 9428. The train was operated as 5Z52, 07.10 Crewe Gresty Bridge to Keyham (MoD Devonport). One can only assume that over the next few days there will be a loaded flask move from Keyham to Crewe and Sellafield as the high capacity flask wagons are already within the MoD base. The train is seen passing Dawlish. CJM
It seems that most days the railway manage to find something to interest the Sea Wall viewing club! Todays little show was a pair of DRS Class 57s Nos. 57008 and 57009 powering DRS flask support coaches 9419 and 9428. The train was operated as 5Z52, 07.10 Crewe Gresty Bridge to Keyham (MoD Devonport). One can only assume that over the next few days there will be a loaded flask move from Keyham to Crewe and Sellafield as the high capacity flask wagons are already within the MoD base. The train is seen passing Dawlish. CJM
It seems that most days the railway manage to find something to interest the Sea Wall viewing club! Todays little show was a pair of DRS Class 57s Nos. 57008 and 57009 powering DRS flask support coaches 9419 and 9428. The train was operated as 5Z52, 07.10 Crewe Gresty Bridge to Keyham (MoD Devonport). One can only assume that over the next few days there will be a loaded flask move from Keyham to Crewe and Sellafield as the high capacity flask wagons are already within the MoD base. The train is seen passing Dawlish. CJM
Class 150/0 No. 150002 emerges from Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish on 27 July 2014 forming service 2E68, 13.42 Penzance to Exeter St Davids. CJM
The only thing to do on a Sunday morning is to get a FGW Class 150/0 on the Sea Wall. After a week working on the Taunton-Cardiff route, No. 150002 ventured west on Sunday 27 July 2014 working 1C04, 07.33 Bristol Temple Meads to Penzance and booked to return on 2E68, 13.42 Penzance to Exeter St Davids. The down working is seen approaching Kennaway Tunnel. First 150/0 west of Aller and into Cornwall. CJM
57604 passes Dawlish on 26 July 2014 forming the 17.50 Exeter St Davids to Penzance. CJM
57604 approaches Exeter St Davids on 26 July 2014 with train 5E75, 13.33 Totnes to Exeter West Yard. The train which started out as the 11.25 Par to Exeter St Davids was failed at Totnes with dragging brakes on the second passenger vehicle from the front and operated empty to Exeter for attention. CJM
The New Measurement Train made one of its regular runs from London to Plymouth and return on 25 July 2014. As most of the booked Mk3 consist is currently receiving its annual overhaul, the train was made up of a mixture of Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 vehicles. Led by power car No. 43013, with No. 43014 on the rear, the train is formed of Mk3 977984, Mk2 Nos. 9516 and 5981, Mk1 test car 975091 'Mentor' (Mobile Electronic Network Tester and Observation Recorder), Mk2 (ex Gat-ex) No. 72616 and Mk3 No. 975984. The train is seen passing Dawlish forming service 1Q18 05.17 Old Oak Common to Plymouth via Paddington.
The New Measurement Train made one of its regular runs from London to Plymouth and return on 25 July 2014. As most of the booked Mk3 consist is currently receiving its annual overhaul, the train was made up of a mixture of Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 vehicles. Led by power car No. 43013, with No. 43014 on the rear, the train is formed of Mk3 977984, Mk2 Nos. 9516 and 5981, Mk1 test car 975091 'Mentor' (Mobile Electronic Network Tester and Observation Recorder), Mk2 (ex Gat-ex) No. 72616 and Mk3 No. 975984. The train is seen passing Dawlish forming service 1Q18 05.17 Old Oak Common to Plymouth via Paddington.
Colas Rail freight Class 70 No. 70808. 23 July 2014.
Colas Rail freight Class 70s Nos. 70808 and 70810 at Westbury. 23 July 2014.
Colas Rail freight Class 70s Nos. 70808 and 70810 at Westbury. 23 July 2014.
Colas Rail freight Class 70s Nos. 70808 and 70810 at Westbury. 23 July 2014.
A visit to the Isle of Wight was made on 23 July 2014, to travel on the UKs oldest main line certified rolling stock and to visit the IOW steam railway. A selection of images are included above.
First Great Western Class 43 HST power cars Nos. 43031 and 43012 operated light from Plymouth Laira to Old Oak Common depot on 22 July 2014. The pair operated as 0Z70, 14.00 Laira to Old Oak via Plymouth. The 'train' is seen emerging from Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish. CJM
It seems quite amazing that in 2014 we can still find 'new' classes of train which have never prior traversed the Dawlish Sea Wall in passenger service. One such class was the 150/0, consisting of the two prototype BREL-built three-car DMUs Nos. 150001 and 150002, the later of which operated as the Class 154, prototype for the Class 158 air conditioning for a while. However, on Sunday 20 July 2014 set No. 150002, usually based at Reading and operated on the Reading to Basingstoke route, worked empty west to Exeter to commence service during the summer months. Its place on the Reading to Basingstoke route being taken by a Class 165/1 displaced by the hire of a Chiltern Class 165/0 to operate on the Greenford route. On 20 July 2014, set No. 150002 slows for the station stop at Dawlish with train 2F24 17.49 Paignton to Exmouth, making railway operating history.
Colin J Marsden
It seems quite amazing that in 2014 we can still find 'new' classes of train which have never prior traversed the Dawlish Sea Wall in passenger service. One such class was the 150/0, consisting of the two prototype BREL-built three-car DMUs Nos. 150001 and 150002, the later of which operated as the Class 154, prototype for the Class 158 air conditioning for a while. However, on Sunday 20 July 2014 set No. 150002, usually based at Reading and operated on the Reading to Basingstoke route, worked empty west to Exeter to commence service during the summer months. Its place on the Reading to Basingstoke route being taken by a Class 165/1 displaced by the hire of a Chiltern Class 165/0 to operate on the Greenford route. On 20 July 2014, set No. 150002 slows for the station stop at Dawlish with train 2F24 17.49 Paignton to Exmouth, making railway operating history.
Colin J Marsden
It seems quite amazing that in 2014 we can still find 'new' classes of train which have never prior traversed the Dawlish Sea Wall in passenger service. One such class was the 150/0, consisting of the two prototype BREL-built three-car DMUs Nos. 150001 and 150002, the later of which operated as the Class 154, prototype for the Class 158 air conditioning for a while. However, on Sunday 20 July 2014 set No. 150002, usually based at Reading and operated on the Reading to Basingstoke route, worked empty west to Exeter to commence service during the summer months. Its place on the Reading to Basingstoke route being taken by a Class 165/1 displaced by the hire of a Chiltern Class 165/0 to operate on the Greenford route. On 20 July 2014, set No. 150002 departs from Dawlish with 16.57 Exeter to Paignton.
Colin J Marsden
The westbound Torbay Express from Bristol Temple Meads to Kingswear on 20 July 2014 passes under Rockstone Bridge on the Dawlish Sea Wall, powered by GW 'Castle' No. 5029 Nunney Castle. The former shipping containers used to protect the sea wall during rebuilding will soon be removed when the lower sea wall walkway is raised to the full height to give added protection during storm conditions, CJM
In amazing low evening light, mock GW-liveried Class 57/6 No. 57604 departs from Dawlish and heads towards Kennaway Tunnel on 19 July 2014 powering train 2C51, the 17.50 Exeter St Davids to Penzance. CJM
With holiday makers on the Kings Walk, mock-Great Western-liveried Class 57/6 No. 57604 pulls out of Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish on 19 July 2014 forming the 11.25 Par to Exeter St Davids. CJM
First Great Westerns new daytime sleeper service from London to Penzance is seen heading towards Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish just before 16.00 on 18 July 2014. The service obviously caters for those who require a bed during the day! Joking aside, the image shows Network Rail Class 57 No. 57305 powering empty sleeper stock from Old Oak Common to Penzance for the nights 'up' service. The westbound train on the night of 17-18 July was operated by a HST following a coaching stock defect. All makes for an interesting picture and a chance to capture the yellow machine during daylight hours. CJM
For the first time in many weeks the Colas Rail Freight engineers train operated on 17 July 2014 as train 6C28 08.30 Westbury to Hackney Yard, Newton Abbot formed of just three empty YLA wagons (967640, 967636 and 967578). the train running two minutes early is seen approaching Kennaway Tunnel. The '70' returned light to Westbury. CJM
Once upon a time one would never turn out for a light loco, now it seems to be the highlight of the day! DCR Class 56s Nos. 56103 and 56312 emerge from Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish running as 0Z57 16.29 Plymouth North Road to Washwood Heath on 17 July 2014. CJM
A pair of light DCR Class 56s. 56103 in base Fertis grey livery and awaiting a repaint plus DCR-liveried No. 56312 storm past Dawlish on 17 July 2014 running as 0Z56, 09.56 Washwood Heath, Birmingham to Plymouth. Route training and testing the leading '56'. CJM
Whilst in the North west, a rain trip from Blackpool Pleasure Beach station to Preston and return to Blackpool North was made on the morning of 16 July. A few of the images captured are shown above.
For a long time i have been thinking about a trip to Blackpool to see the modernised tram system. So following an excellent Travelodge offer I made an overnight trip to the Lancashire town on 15-16 July. A truly stunning modernisation of the old system and very impressive. The 16 new Bombardier Flexity 2 trams, built in 2010-12 in Bautzen, Germany and Vienna, Austria and 5-section units with seating for 74 and room for excess of 200 standing. Operating from a 600V dc overhead contact wire the line runs from Star Gate to Fleetwood with on average a 12 min interval service
43163 and 43179 form the 08.30 Penzance to Paddington around the curve at Dawlish Warren off the Dawlish Sea Wall section on 13 July 2014. The train is the 08.30 Penzance to Paddington. CJM
Bulleid 34046 Braunton rounds the curve at Dawlish Warren on 13 July 2014 and heads to the Dawlish Sea Wall with the 08.50 Bristol Temple Meads to kingswear 'Torbay Express' service. On the left by the side of the loco is the BAM worksite for the Sea Wall repair work. CJM
A few excited bystanders wave at 34046 Braunton as it storms out of Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish powering the late running 16.50 Kingswear to Bristol 'Torbay Express' on 13 July 2014. CJM
In dull conditions, FGWs green-liveried Class 57/6 No. 57604 departs from Dawlish on 12 July 2014 in charge of train 2C51, the 17.50 Exeter to Penzance. Note the snowploughs are missing. CJM
On 12 July 2014, FGWs green-liveried Class 57/6 No. 57604 was rostered for the Saturday-only loco-hauled duty. With close timing against a westbound HST, the up train, the 11.25 Par to Exeter St Davids approaches Dawlish. Note the snowploughs are missing. CJM
FGW HST power car No. 43163 painted with 'Plymouth' branding and decals, emerges from Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish on 11 July 2014 leading train 1A87, the 14.15 Paignton to London Paddington 'The Torbay Express'. In the background work can be seen repairing the breakwater at Boat Cove which was damaged in the Great Storm on 5 February 2014. CJM
Colas Rail Freight Class 56 No. 56105 emerges from Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish on 10 July 2014 powering the 14.15 Teigngrace to Chirk loaded log train. CJM
Southern Class 377/1 No. 377101 awaits departure from Redhill on 9 July 2014 forming train 2B09, 15.45 London Bridge to Tonbridge. CJM
First Capital Connect Class 319/4 set No. 319451 arrives at Gatwick Airport on 9 July 2014 forming train 2T27, 09.24 Bedford to Brighton. CJM
Southern 'Express' Class 442 set No. 442411 departs from Gatwick Airport on 9 July 2014 forming the 11.20 to London Victoria. CJM
Well, its almost a train!  The Airport terminal shuttle at London Gatwick Airport. 9 July 2014. CJM
Volk's Electric Railway (VER) is the oldest operating electric railway in the world. It is a narrow gauge line of 2 ft 8 1⁄2 in (825 mm) line and runs along a length of the seafront at Brighton. It was built by Magnus Volk, with the first section completed in August 1883. The line is electrified at 110 V DC using a third rail, and is one mile long. In the summer of 2014 three vehicles were in operation Nos. 7 & 8 operating as a pair and No. 9 on its own. Nos. 7 & 8 were built by VER as Paston Place workshops in 1901, while No. 9 was built at the same factory in 1910. The line has three stations - Black Rock, close to Brighton Pier, Halfway, where the depot is located and Aquarium. The line is operated as two single lines either side of Halfway station with each having a wooden single line staff.
Led by the First Great Western 'Visit Plymouth' power car No. 43163, the 06.45 Penzance to London Paddington pulls out of Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish on 7 July 2014. CJM
Emerging from Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish on 6 July 2014, Southern Bulleid No. 34046 Braunton powers the return 'Torbay Express' 1Z28 16.50 Kingswear to Bristol Temple Meads. Recorded on a Nikon D800 using a 17mm lens. CJM
Black 5 No. 45407 emerges from Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish on 6 July 2014 powering the return 'Royal Duchy' charter, 1Z39 17.45 Par to Bristol Temple Meads. CJM
With huge crowds looking on at Dawlish Warren, the down 'Royal Duchy' heads west on 6 July 2014 powered by Black 5 No. 45407. Of interest is why is a woman facing the wrong way about to take a picture and a man shows no interest in the train at all, looking out to sea.!!! CJM
The return FGW loco-hauled service on 5 July 2014 attracted SUN at Dawlish, even though the forecast was against it. FGW 57605 arrives at Dawlish with train 2C51 the 17.50 Exeter St Davids to Penzance formed of Mk3s Nos. 17174, 12161 and 10219. CJM
FGW Class 57/6 No. 57605 Totnes Castle rounds the curve at Dawlish Warren on 5 July 2014 forming train 2E75, the 11.25 Par to Exeter St Davids. In the background is the BAM worksite for sea wall repairs, which in recent days has been reduced in size to allow some of the car park to be returned to normal use. CJM
66050 approaches Paisley Gilmour Street on 2 July 2014 forming the 11.19 Longannet Power Station to Hunterston empty coal train. Class 380 No. 380006 passes in the opposite direction with train 1K30, the 12.23 Ayr to Glasgow Central. CJM
66086 passes through Paisley Gilmour Street, with the 10.29 Hunterston to Longannet Power Station loaded coal train on 2 July 2014. CJM
A collection of Scottish illustrations taken on 2 July 2014. Captions applied to images.
The new Edinburgh Tram network is now open, starting to take fare paying passengers on the last day of May 2014. The line which operates 8.5 miles from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh City Centre at York Place is operated by 27 CAF seven-section trams numbered in the series 251-277. The vehicles are painted in Edinburgh City Transport white and Rose Madder livery. During the afternoon of 2 July 2014, tram No. 266 traverses Edinburgh Princes Street with a service from York Place bound for Edinburgh Airport. CJM
See a full gallery of Edinburgh Tram pictures here
Matisa track machine DR75406 emerges from Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish on 1 July 2014 running from Tavistock Junction to Exeter. CJM
Well the sun was out and a colourful HST was on the menu so i had to make another exposure on the sea wall. FGWs 43163 with Plymouth branding pulls out of Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish on 1 July 2014 leading 1A91, 14.00 Penzance to Paddington. First time its been down west since its unveiling last week. One problem with having a destination name in such large letters on the vehicle side is that some passengers think its the destination of the train.Looks nice though. CJM
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