July 2020
43013, 977984, 975814, 977993, 977994, 975984, 43014 entering Kennaway Tunnel, 1Q18 06.11 Reading Triangle - Taunton via Penzsnce (Paignton leg of trip cancelled due to late running). 31 July 2020.
43013, 977984, 975814, 977993, 977994, 975984, 43014 down Dawlish, 1Q18 06.11 Reading Triangle - Taunton via Penzsnce (Paignton leg of run cancelled due to late running). 31 July 2020.
43094/GW10/43154 down Dawlish, 2C07, 06.44 Bristol TM to Penzance. 31 July 2020.
66094 up Dawlish 6Z60, 15.17 St Blazey - Bescot. 30 July 2020.
Always a pleasing view is this one overlooking Teignmouth station. On 30 July 2020 GW Class 57/6 No. 57603 passes with train 5Z50, 10.30 Penzance Long Rock depot to Reading depot, formed of the overnight trains Mk3 stock. Last evenings overnight Penzance to Paddington was formed of a Class 802 following failure of the booked Class 57 No. 57604. No. 57603 was moved to Penzance on the rear of the westbound overnight service and then moved the stock to the London area (Reading) for tonights westbound departure.
An hour after the log train, Colas Rail Freight Class 70 No. 70812 skirts Kings Walk, Dawlish with train 6C36, 07.17 Moorswater to Aberthaw. 30 July 2020.
143612 + 1502xx up Dawlish, 2F13 09.50 Paignton - Exmouth, 30 July 2020.
Empty log wagons returned to the Sea Wall on 30 July 2020, when a handful of six of the stored vehicles from Hackney Yard were moved as train 6F56, 08.52 Hackney Yard to Carlisle, powered by Colas Rail Freight Class 70 No. 70809 the train skirts the new Kings Walk, Dawlish.
The up view from the new Kings Walk, Dawlish is not too bad, even with the temp fencing. On 29 July 2020, Class 143 No. 143621 and Class 150 No. 150238 still in FGW blue, forms train 2F11 08.53 Paignton to Exmouth.
Steps needed to get over the temp fence along Kings Walk, Dawlish, but allows a slightly different view overlooking Dawlish station. Colas Rail Freight Class 70 No. 70812 heads west on 29 July 2020 with train 6C35, 05.46 Aberthaw to Moorswater loaded cement with load 20.
A slightly different view of tonights (28 July 2020) HOBC train, top and tailed by Freightliner Class 66s Nos. 66588 and 66953 pass Dawlish station with train 6Y15, 19.00 Taunton Fairwater to Dainton Tunnel via Totnes.
A small selection of the Dawlish Sea Wall and clear up operation on 28 July 2020.
A nice new vantage point from the new Kings Walk, Dawlish looking back to the station from the top of the ramp. 43301/-/43207 head west with 1V44, 06.11 Leeds to Plymouth, 28 July 2020.
Sunday 26 July 2020 was the start of the mass clear up of the Dawlish Sea Wall work site, the final bit of work is being undertaken and lots of plant is being removed by sea. With perfect timing, 'MTS Terramare' sails from Dawlish Beach to Brixham with a crane and dozer, while ex-LMS No. 46100 'Royal Scot' passes on the first of the 2020 steam charters, 1Z27, 07.50 Bristol Temple Meads to Kingswear via Bath and Westbury 'The English Riviera Express'.
A very very rare working took place at breakfast time on 24 July 2020, when a single HST power car operated under its own power along the sea wall. Since privatisation, such events could almost be counted on one hand. 43172, in its 'We Shall Remember Them' livery but without its Harry Patch cast nameplates, ran light as 0D84 the 07.08 Laira to Bristol SPM, and is seen passing Rockstone, Dawlish in early morning glorious sun. After arriving in Bristol, No. 43171 will be added before the pair set off to Long Marston to collect some Mk3s before heading to Wabtec Doncaster for conversion.
I always remember when I studied photography, my lecturer often said, 'try and include a prop in your picture', well, i'm not sure he meant something this size, but why not. DB-liveried Class 66 No. 66077 Benjamin Gimbert G. C. emerges from Kennaway Tunnel Dawlish on 23 July 2020 with train 6Z60 11.51 Parkandillack to Bescot clay service.
I guess it is now time to start recording parts of the Dawlish sea wall and surrounding area which will change with phase two of the work covering the area from the Viaduct to Coastguards Bridge. One item which will be lost is the old boat house at the foot of Coastguards Bridge, the stone of which will be recovered and used in seat construction on the new walkway look outs. On 23 July 2020, Colas Rail Freight Class 70 No. 70810 passes Coastguards with empty cement train 6C36, 07.17 Moorswater to Aberthaw.
The picture looking at Horse Cove from Dawlish only works when the light is good and the atmosphere is clear. On 23 July 2020, Colas Rail Freight Class 70 No. 70810 passes Horse Cove with empty cement train 6C36, 07.17 Moorswater to Aberthaw. Bit of a silly pic but as it was crawling following a local it was worth a try.
A slightly different view of milepost 206. 143619 + 150248 up, 2F11 08.53 Paignton - Exmouth, 23 July 2020.
143619 + 150248 up Horse Cove, 2F11 08.53 Paignton - Exmouth. 23 July 2020.
Above and Below. Good that the 'red gang' provided some photographic interest today 21 July 2020. Maroon/gold-liveried No. 66015 and DB red liveried No. 66107 'top and tail' MPV set DR98956 and DR98906 as train 3Z15, 15.45 St Blazey to Exeter Riverside, seen crossing Cockwood Harbour in rather pleasing light.
It would have been rude not to have taken another picture of 'Thank You Key Workers'. No. 802020 approaches Rockstone Bridge, Dawlish on 20 July 2020 with train 1A78, 07.10 Penzance - Paddington. No. 802003 is hanging on the back.
The first time 'Mask' 800 No. 800321 came to the west I managed to get both down and up workings in cloud. However, today 19 July 2020 I managed a little better. 800321 approaches Kennaway Tunnel forming train 1C83, 13.03 Paddington to Plymouth.
After winning a battle with the clouds at Eastdon, near Cockwood, this was the result. Immaculate LSL No. D1935 or 47805 in new money, passes the hamlet of Eastdon on 18 July 2020 with train 1Z38, 16.28 Paignton to Peterborough return 'English Riviera Statesman'. The first charter to visit the west since C-19 struck.
47805 (D1935) down Dawlish, 1Z37 05.37 Peterborough - Paignton 'The English Riviera Statesman. 18 July 2020.
Quite rare on the sea wall are the three-car Class 158s. On 17 July 2020, 158956 passes Dawlish with train 2C34, the 16.22 Exeter SD - Penzance (vice 'Castle' set).
66160 emerges from Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish on 16 July 2020 with train 6Z60. 15.17 St Blazey - Bescot china clay.
It would have been rude not to have got the Class 20s on their return to Derby RTC from Plymouth on 16 July 2020. Nos. 20205 and 20007 round the curve onto the sea wall at Teignmouth forming move 0M16, 11.40 Plymouth to Derby RTC.
I never thought that in summer 2020 I would still have the chance to capture a pair of Class 20s passing Dawlish. On 15 July 2020, Nos. 20007 and 20205 on hire to Loram Rail are seen passing Dawlish running as 0V16, 11.18 Derby RTC to Plymouth. Even some of the guys on the work site stopped to see them pass, especially after the power controller was opened up along Marine Parade!
On 15 July 2020, Colas Rail Freight No. 70810 passes the Dawlish Town Gateway worksite, with the walkway, ramp and access to the beach nearly complete. The train is 6C35, 05.46 Aberthaw to Moorswater.
66562/HOBC/66953 down Dawlish with 6Y15, 17.52 Taunton Fairwater to Totnes, running over reverseable line, due to passenger issue on train ahead at Teignmouth. 14 July 2020.
As the rain stopped dueing the early evening of 13 July 2020, I ventured out for the Weedkiller move. 66107 and 66015 'top and tail' of MPV DR 98906+98956 heading west approaching Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish with train 3Z15 18.37 Exeter Riverside to St Blazey.
I never thought that in summer 2020 it would still be possible to get two Great Western blue-liveried Class 150/2s working together. Today, 11 July 2020, is the first time i've seen the remaining pair Nos. 150238 and 150219 working together this year, I'm sure they might have, but I've not seen them. They are seen approaching Dawlish Warren with train 2F16 11.20 Paignton to Exmouth.
Pity the sun did not want to play this morning, 11 July 2020 when the facemark Class 800/3 No. 800321 made its first run to the west country. The set formed 1C74, 09.02 Paddington to Penzance and is seen passing Langstone Rock, Dawlish Warren. The mess behind the train in the BAM worksite for the sea wall works.
Although not a great lover of 'bum' photographs of trains, this one I rather like. Class 57/6 No. 57604 brings up the rear of 5Z50, 07.35 Paddington to Long Rock depot, Penzance empty overnight stock on 11 July 2020, as it turns onto the sea wall at Langstone Rock. On the front is No. 57603. In the background is the town of Dawlish.
The star picture of the 11 July 2020 session at Langstone Rock was this, in rather nice light. 57603 and 57604 'top and tail' 5Z50 07.35 Paddington to Long Rock, Penzance empty overnight stock. Today, the train was formed 17175, 12142, 10219, 10612 and 10532.
With a crane working on the beach at Dawlish lifting wall sections onto the worksite. GW power cars Nos. 43160 and 43088 approach Kennaway Tunnel running light as 0V84 10.17 Wabtec Doncaster to Laira on 10 July 2020 following upgrade for 'Castle' operation. At least the sun was out.
Slightly different view of Dawlish station tonight, 9 July 2020 with train 6Y11 the 17.52 Taunton Fairwater - Totnes plus RHTT 642008 + 642034. Powered by 66594 and 66414 in 'top and tail' mode. Trying to catch the last ray of light as the train emerges from the station, without the ruddy notice board on the left of the viaduct.
Thank You Key Workers Class 802 No. 802020 heads west at Dawlish with set No. 802017 forming train 1C89, 16.37 Paddington to Plymouth on 9 July 2020.
Even a pair of Class 802s look quite attractive in this stonking light at Cockwood on 7 July 2020. With the harbour filling up, Nos. 802012 and 802018 head west with train 1C90, 17.04 Paddington to Penzance. That IS the colour of the sky!
After a more cloud than bright day here in the Dawlish area on 7 July 2020, the early evening turned out quite nice. GW Class 143 No. 143621 and 150232 approach Cockwood with train 2E31 18.52 Paignton to Exeter St Davids.
DR73924 down Cockwood Harbour, 17.40 Bristol Kingsland Road - Trur. 7 July 2020.
On what was a nice sunny evening, sadly by the time 6Y11, 17.52 Fairwater Yard, Taunton to Totnes HOBC turned up on 7 July 2020, the light had dipped. Powered by No. 66596 with No. 66414 in PowerHaul livery on the rear. Seen crossing Cockwood Harbour.
Above and Below: With another four days this week of 6Y11, 17.52 Fairwater Yard, Taunton to Totnes HOBC running, it would be rude not to make a few more exposures on these sunny evenings. Power today, 6 July 2020, was again No. 66414 in PowerHaul livery and No. 66596 in standard Freightliner. The train is seen pulling away from Cockwood Harbour at Cockwood Steps.
Nice to get this is sun passing Dawlish, on 6 July 2020. 802020 in Key Workers 'Thank You' branding, with 802003 leading, passes Dawlish with 1A80, 08.10 Penzance to Paddington.
43357/XC03/43285 down Dawlish, 1V44 06.11 Leeds - Plymout, 6 July 2020.
150232 + 143617 down Dawlish, 2T13 09.57 Exmouth - Paignton. 6 July 2020.
The return working of 'Thank You Key Workers' Class 802 No. 802020 (with 802022) on Sunday 5 July 2020 was on train 1A86 13.15 Plymouth - Paddington, seen passing Powderham, with the River Exe in the background.
The mission on Sunday 5 July 2020 was to get the Key Workers 'Thank You' Class 802 on its first visit to the west. 802020 on the rear and with 802022 on the front pass Shaldon Bridge, Teignmouth on train 1C76 08.51 Paddington to Plymouth.
Before anyone moans that I took the same train in the same place last week, I'm trying to build up a collection of the various stages of construction of the wall and I like to try and get some of the mechanical plant involved in the pictures. On 4 July 2020, the stock off the up overnight service, worked back west as 5Z50, 07.35 Paddington to Long Rock and is seen passing the almost complete wall. Today, it was 'top and tailed' by Nos. 57604 and 57605 and formed of vehicles 17173, 12100, 10225, 10616 and 10594.The red crane has just dropped a cherry picker on the beach to enable the infill between the wave returns to be fitted, cherry picker failed so work called-off.
Not sunny but an interesting train. Colas Rail Freight Class 67s Nos. 67027 and 67023 'top and tail' NR test train 1Q18, the 06.11 Reading Triangle to Paignton via Penzance and Dawlish Warren towards Powderham on 3 July 2020. Standing in for the NMT HST set. Formation - 9806, 72631, 977997, 6397.
New kid on the block, first time this one has been down since naming Rail Riders Express. No. 66175 emerges from Kennaway Tunnel, Dawlish with 6Z60, 11.51 Parkandillack to Bescot china clay on 2 July 2020. Took this a shade early to include the engineering plant on the beach in Boat Cove and the sea wall built, but without the inner wall, for history. Final wall wave returns at the Kennaway end 'planted' today, so the big red crane will soon be departing by boat for a new job.
66596 and 66414 ‘top and tail’ train 6Y11, the 17.52 Taunton Fairwater to Totnes HOBC train through Dawlish station on 1 July 2020, in the last of the sun.
Dreadful light, but I don't like to miss a loco hauled working down here in the west. On 1 July 2020, GW Class 57s Nos. 57603 and 57605 'top and tail' with vehicles 10594, 10616, 10225, 12100, 12100 formed stock move 5Z50, 10.00 Long Rock depot to Reading depot, seen passing below Skew Bridge, Teignmouth.