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A Railwayman's View - BR Western Region by Peter Collins > West Country

 

 

The photographs in this collection are from the West Country section of Peter Collins' Railwayman's View Book Volume One - BR Western Region.

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Images 1-35 of 35 displayed.

LPPC DSL BW 0481 The prototype train for the immensely successful HST project, originally Class 41, was extensively tested, first on the Eastern Region and later, in revenue service, on the Western Region. Here it is in the Summer of 1975 about to leave Bath Spa on its daytime diagram down leg to Bristol, as a Cardiff-Portsmouth service pulls into the up platform conveying a GUV in its consist. Keywords: BR, Western, HST, Prototype, Class 41, GUC, Bath, Passenger
LPPC DSL BW 0705 Today it has been razed to the ground, but in the 1970s Bristol’s Bath Road diesel depot was almost as busy as its steam predecessor, as can be seen in this shot. From the left there is what looks like an ancient Collett coach used for staff or stores, 2 Sulzer Type 2 Class 25s, 2 Class 08 shunters, a Hymek Type 3 Class 35, a Peak Class 45, a Brush Type 4 Class 47 and another Peak Class 45 or 46 and part of a Brush Type 2 Class 31. There would be even more locos inside the depot. Keywords: BR, Bristol, Western, Peak, Class 45, Class 31, Hymek, Class 47, Class 08, Bristol Bath Road, Depot, Shed
LPPC DSL BW 0706 Spotters are enjoying the almost continuous movements that took place in the area around Bristol’s Bath Road depot and Temple Meads station. A Brush Type 4 Class 47 1753 (later 47491/47769) is stabled next to a CCT van and a Collett coach. Half inside one of the Bath Road maintenance sheds is one of the Bristol Pullman diesel-hydraulic units. Originally known as the Blue Pullmans because of their bright livery, these trains suffered a similar fate to other Pullmans being painted in drab, corporate blue and grey, but curiously reversed, presumably to convey exclusivity, before withdrawal. The Class 47 is still with us, being owned by the Harry Needle Railroad Company and stored at Barrow Hill in Derbyshire. Keywords: BR, Bristol, Western, Class 47, British Pullman, Bristol Bath Road, Shed, Depot, 1753, 47491, 47769
LPPC DSL BW 0707 The majesty of the overall roof at Bristol Temple Meads station, attributed variously to Francis Fox and P E Culverhouse, dwarfs the 3 car Pressed Steel Class 118 DMU as it idles away, awaiting time to depart for Cardiff Central. Note the GW style Automatic Train Control ramp between the rails in the foreground. Keywords: BR, Class 118, B477, Bristol Temple Meads, Western, Passenger, Station
LPPC PHOT SCAN 0005-Edit On 4th December 1976 an ambitious railtour was run to cover West Cornwall branches and was given the title ‘Western China Clay’ for obvious reasons. In order to cover Falmouth, Carne Point and Newquay in one day, departure from Paddington was 00.35am, with a booked 45-minute rest stop at Bristol Temple Meads. During this stop, in the fog at 03.00am standing at an adjacent platform, was a very down-at-heel Western Class 52 1010 ‘Western Campaigner’ and I thought that the combination of the loco’s condition, the time of night and weather together with its swirling exhaust and the small amount of available light encapsulated British Rail’s attitude to hydraulic diesels at the time. 1010 was HFR (Home For Repair) on the 4V03 21.20pm Birmingham Curzon Street-Plymouth parcels, which it worked from Bristol. She had failed at Bristol after working 1V90 13.21pm Liverpool- Plymouth from Gloucester to Bristol on the 3rd. She then underwent maintenance to an engine fault on Bath Road before going home on the 4V03. After arrival at Plymouth she went to Laira until the 8th December for engine repairs. Keywords: BR, Western, Class 52, Bristol Temple Meads, Railtour, Passenger, D1010, 'Western Campaigner', 'Western China Clay', 1976, December
LPPC DSL BW 0357 Bristol’s Temple Meads station was originally a terminus designed by Brunel when the railway was completed from London in the 1840s. The main curving station we know today came much later. This shot is of a WR Cross Country Class 119 DMU (set B571 - 51052, 59292,51080) in the bay platform situated on part of the track-bed of the original terminus which would have been behind it. The train is a service for the Severn Beach branch. Keywords: BR, Western, DMU, Class 119, B571, Passenger, Bristol Temple Meads
LPPC DSL BW 0622 In addition to loose-coupled freight trains, the Class 2, short loco-hauled passenger train is now a sight consigned to history. Waiting for departure time at Bristol Temple Meads is one of these trains, believed to be the 15.42pm to Westbury. Hymek D7009 awaits departure on a Saturday afternoon in 1972 and draws a collection of spotters queuing to ‘cab’ the loco whilst they still can. Keywords: BR, Hymek, Western, D7009, Bristol Temple Meads, Passenger
LPPC DSL BW 0621 At Westbury station on the WR’s Berks and Hants line, Hymek Type 3 Class 35 D7009 thrums away to itself having just arrived with the 15.42pm ex Bristol on a Saturday afternoon in 1972. Stabled in the right background, awaiting the resumption of freight services on Monday morning are several Brush Type 4 Class 47s with extensive yards on both sides of the running lines. The line to Salisbury curves away to the left in the far background, whilst ahead takes trains to the main Berks and Hants cut-off line heading west. Despite the title of the line, it never actually goes into Hampshire at all, being an early 20th century GWR marketing man’s idea of a ‘romantic’ name. Keywords: BR, Hymek, D7009, Westbury, Passenger, Class 47, Class 35
LPPC DSL BW 0623 The Swindon-built Cross Country Class 120 DMUs were designed with distinctive two-window front-ends that, whether deliberate or not, incorporated a retro, GWR railcar look. This (Set 530 - 51578, 59580, 51587) one is waiting time at Bristol Temple Meads before heading south to Weston-super-Mare on a Saturday afternoon. In the right background, parcels GUVs and CCTs are waiting in the part of the station that was given the fictional title of Mallingford at the end of the 1953 comedy film ‘Titfield Thunderbolt’, starring John Gregson and Stanley Holloway, after the train had won its race with the motor-coach. Keywords: BR, Western, Bristol Temple Meads, Passenger, Class 120, 530, DMU
LPPC DSL BW 0636 A Crompton Class 33 Type 3 6516 (later 33104) of the Southern Region has arrived at Exeter St Davids, journey’s end for this train from London Waterloo that has travelled via Salisbury and the erstwhile LSWR main-line. It seems it needs two platform staff to officiate over the uncoupling of the locomotive, after which it will run around its train of Mark 1 stock, ready for a return to London. When the SR line ran through to Plymouth via Okehampton it was always said that at St Davids there could be two trains, SR and WR, to that town in adjacent platforms but each facing in opposite directions. Keywords: BR, Western, Passenger, Class 33, 6516, 33104, Exeter St Davids
LPPC DSL BW 0704 A dank day at Exeter St. Davids stabling point sees two locomotives possibly discussing their ever-shortening future existence. The opposite ends of two Western Class 52s pose with D1041 ‘Western Prince’ on the right displaying its very Great Western Region cast number plate and making it clear just how handsome the Westerns were. The locomotive on the left is D1012 ‘Western Firebrand’. Early 1960s industrial design at its best perhaps, especially when you note the detail, such as the way the steps, doors, doorhandles and vertical grab-handles were integrated into the body sides. No wonder so many have been preserved. Of these two, D1041 now resides at the East Lancs Railway. Keywords: BR, Western, Class 52, D1041, 'Western Prince', Exeter St Davids, Shed
LPPC DSL BW 0701 A Crompton Type 3 Class 33, having arrived at Exeter from Waterloo, has stabled its train of Mark 1 coaches in the sidings for servicing before its return journey. The SR loco makes a fine juxtaposition with the GW drop-arm semaphore signal and all the railway ‘furniture’, clutter and Victoriana such as the steam-age water-crane. A regional boundary change took place in 1967 and west of Salisbury the SR lost its line to Exeter to the WR. From pathetic beginnings of three-car suburban DMUs with no toilets replacing some Pacific-hauled passenger trains on the route, the service became one of the most varied on BR over time. Class 42/3 Warships powered most services for many years, before giving way to Crompton Class 33s as in the picture, although the stock was supplied by the WR. Later, these trains enjoyed Class 50 haulage under the umbrella of Network South East, before inevitably succumbing to DMUs in the shape of Class 158/9s. Keywords: BR, Western, Class 33, Class 08, Class 45, Exeter St Davids, Shed, ECS, Coaching Stock
LPPC DSL BW 0635 Exeter loco stabling point on a damp Monday morning (we think 26th March 1973) sees the two Western Class 52s (including D1041) seen earlier in typical later-life uncared-for external condition, along with an equally unkempt Class 08 D3797 (later 08630) sharing space with two Sulzer Type 2 Class 25s and a Class 08 waiting for their next duties. Remarkably, there are also a Brush Type 4 Class 47, a Class 35 Hymek, another 08 pilot and a Peak Class 45. One wonders what could have been the traffic requirements for all these locomotives. Keywords: BR, Western, 1973, Exeter St Davids, Shed, depot, Class 08, Class 52, Class 47, Class 45, D3797, 08630,
LPPC DSL BW 0700 Hastings diesel multiple unit number 1015 cautiously runs down the steep gradient between Exeter Central and St Davids as it arrives at journey’s end. This was a regular working for one of these units (or a sister Class 203) between 1972 and 1977, being the Saturday Brighton-Southampton-Exeter service and return. The set is still in its full glory of having all six vehicles intact, including the FK, which has separate doors to each first-class compartment. As can be clearly seen, it is no surprise that the Southern had powerful banking engines stationed here in steam days to assist up trains around the tight corner and up the steep rise to Central station. Keywords: BR, Southern, Exeter St Davids, Passenger, DEMU, Hastings, 1015, Class 202
LPPC DSL BW 0699 Exeter St Davids station in 1972 and this is not a special, but a regular working. Hastings Class 202 DEMU 1015 stands, waiting to start its return run, in one of the platforms, having arrived as seen earlier as the regular Saturdays only Brighton – Exeter service. This train was what was left of the original Plymouth Friary to Brighton daily service that ran via Launceston and Okehampton. Keywords: BR, Southern, Exeter St Davids, Western, Class 202, 1015, Passenger
LPPC DSL BW 0634 Exeter St Davids in the early 1970s and a wet Saturday morning witnesses a Southern Region Crompton Class 33 Type 3 adjacent to Peak Class 45 number 72 (later 45050). The former has arrived from London Waterloo via Salisbury and the South Western main line and has just run around its train and reattached ready for the return run to the metropolis. The Peak is at the head of the 1V72 Bradford to Penzance North and West express, or Cross Country as it is now described, having reached Exeter via the Midland’s Derby to Bristol main line and the Lickey Incline. Keywords: BR, Western, Class 33, Class 45, Exeter St Davids, Passenger, 72, 45050, 1V72
LPPC DSL BW 0360 Crompton Class 33 6508 (later 33008, and named ‘Eastleigh’ after its home shed) has the road for a departure from Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo. The gradient that allows trains to climb up to Exeter’s ex-LSW Central station can be seen starting immediately after the turnout in front of the locomotive. There is also a wealth of detail to be seen for modellers, in particular the miniature calling-on signals. Keywords: BR, Western, Southern, Class 33, 6508, 33008, 'Eastleigh', Passenger, Exeter St Davids
LPPC DSL BW 0709 A total contrast in DMU front ends. On the right is a Gloucester-built Cross Country 3 car Class 119 unit (Set P583 - 51069, 59428, 51097) of the WR, adjacent to the unmistakeable shape of a narrow Class 202 Hastings line SR unit, which is absorbing the interest of young spotters. It is as if the Brute is keeping it caged until the GW can get rid of it back to its home territory. The WR train has arrived as a service from Barnstaple, which was substantially part of the SR main-line to and from Plymouth until Dr Beeching had his way, and in the eyes of many should be reinstated as such. Keywords: BR, Western, Southern, Class 202, Class 119, 1015, P583, 51069, 59248, 51097, Passenger, DMU, DEMU
LPPC DSL BW 0710 In the early 1970s Western D1028 ‘Western Hussar’ strikes out south from Exeter St Davids with a West of England express which consists of the usual rake of Mark 2 stock and a Full Brake (BG). The bracket-signal gantry is remarkable and sadly no longer with us. In the far distance on the right can just be made out the point where the freight spur line to Exeter City Basin diverges. At this time this was still a thriving and busy freight terminal – albeit of the type of which British Rail was very anxious to rid itself. Keywords: BR, Western, Exeter St Davids, D1028, 'Western Hussar', Passenger
LPPC DSL BW 0398 For a period, in the early 1970s, the withdrawn D63XX loco duties in the West Country were largely taken over by Class 25 Sulzer Type 2s. Here numbers 7575 (later 25225) and 7624 (later 25274) wait one Sunday morning to go off-shed at Laira for work. Their reign in Devon and Cornwall was short. I am not certain how it was possible to control a diesel locomotive at 2mph. Most likely no-one ever checked. Keywords: Br, Western, Laira, Shed, Depot, Class 25, 7575, 7624, 25225, 25274, Plymouth
LPPC DSL BW 0397 The motive-power depot at Laira, Plymouth on a cold, wet, Saturday morning on 24th March 1973. Two Western Class 52 diesel hydraulics are stabled awaiting their next turns of duty whilst, in the far background, a Class 31 Brush Type 2 is a harbinger of what is yet to come on the WR. After a plea on social media we believe that the front Western is D1062 ‘Western Courier’ which had undergone some fitter’s attention. The Class 31 in the background may be 5827, in green livery, which was allocated to Laira for crew training purposes around this time, and may have been the first Class 31 to reach Cornwall in June of the same year. Keywords: BR, Western, Class 52, Class 31, 5827, D1062, 'Western Courier', 31294, Laira, Plymouth, Shed, Depot
LPPC DSL BW 0394 An interesting assortment of vehicles and locomotives is at rest at the rear of Laira MPD on Saturday March 24th 1973. Clustered around the lifting gear are a Class 03 204hp shunter number D2128 (later 03128), which would probably have been used on the tight curves of the various port and harbour lines around Plymouth Dockyard and Friary ex-LSW station. In the background are a Class 08 350hp shunter (possibly D4129) and a Sulzer Type 2 Class 25. Keywords: BR, Class 03, Class 25, 1973, Laira, D2128, 03128, Class 08, D4129, Class 08, Shed, Depot, Western
LPPC DSL BW 0395 Sitting outside Laira Motive Power Depot’s maintenance shed on March 24th 1973 is Peak Class 45 number 137 named ‘The Cheshire Regiment’. When the digital age caught up with it, it was renumbered 45014 under TOPS. For many years these locos were dependable and successful motive power for the majority of West and North passenger workings, but sadly long life was not to be for 137 as it was involved in a fatal collision with Class 31 31436 at Chinley on 9th March 1986 and scrapped forthwith. 45014 had been taking 47334 to Buxton MPD to work stone traffic the following day, when a complete power failure caused signal failures in the Chinley area. When emergency power was restored some track circuits failed to operate correctly and 31436 hauling 1M42 from Sheffield to Manchester Piccadilly was routed wrong line at Chinley East Junction and hit the stationary 45 and 47 at 30mph. Both 45014 and 31436 were scrapped and tragically the Class 31 driver was killed. Keywords: BR, Western, Laira, Plymouth, Shed, Depot, Class 45, 137, 45014,'The Chesire Regiment', Peak
LPPC DSL BW 0575 Early on a cold April Saturday morning in 1974 at Plymouth North Road station the first semi-fast of the day prepares to set off for Penzance conveying passengers from the night’s sleeper from Paddington who didn’t want to be decanted at stops like Liskeard before it was light, as it was possible to sleep a little longer in the car that was detached here. By this time the numbers of Western Class 52s were dwindling rapidly, but this one (D1025 ‘Western Guardsman’) being inspected by my father seemed to be very sound with its steam-heat boiler in full working order – essential as it was before 07.00am and a raw day was in prospect. This ex GWR station, completely rebuilt in the 1960s, was called North Road to distinguish it from the Southern’s Friary terminus, but since the closure of the latter the suffix was dropped, leaving it simply as Plymouth. Keywords: BR, Western, Plymouth, Class 52, Western, D1025, 'Western Guardsman', Passenger
LPPC DSL BW 0399 It is low tide at Saltash as the first passenger train of the day from Penzance, on a Sunday morning in 1973, proceeds cautiously towards journey’s end at Plymouth over Brunel’s magnificent Saltash Bridge. Consisting of one of the earlier Swindon-built Cross Country DMU sets, the train faces the rare sight of a Ford Zodiac Mark 4 Estate Car by Abbot’s of Farnham. Keywords: BR, 1973, Plymouth, Saltash Bridge, Western, Class 119, DMU, Passenger
LPPC DSL BW 0402 A crisp spring Sunday in March 1973 sees a Western Class 52 diesel hydraulic idle off Brunel’s superb Saltash bridge as it heads the daily Penzance to Kensington milk train out of Cornwall into Devon and along the sinuous section of the GWR on the way to Plymouth and beyond. Keywords: BR, Western, Class 52, Milk, Freight, Saltash Bridge, Plymouth
LPPC DSL BW 0401 Withdrawals of the Western class 52 diesel hydraulics were well under way by the time this shot was taken, as we now view the rear of the train seen in the previous photograph as it snakes out of St Budeaux Ferry Road with the Penzance to Kensington milk train. It has just passed over the Saltash Tamar bridge and will soon be clattering over the junction with the erstwhile Southern ‘Withered Arm’ line that used to run to Exeter St Davids via Okehampton, but by this time had long been cut back to Bere Alston. Note the short goods line to Keyham on the right, one of many in the Plymouth area when the Royal Navy Dockyards were rail-served. Keywords: BR, Class 52, Milk, Freight, Plymouth, Western
LPPC DSL BW 0909 Some idea of the curvature and gradient profile of the Great Western main line west of Plymouth can be formed from this shot of a Class 50 approaching Liskeard with the 12.25pm 1A45 Penzance to London Paddington express. Note how the buffer stop at the end of the level engineer’s siding is virtually at the same height as the locomotive’s roof. Keywords: BR, Western, Hoover, Class 50, 1A45, Liskeard, Passenger
LPPC DSL BW 0901 An unidentified Class 47 approaches Truro station with the 11.00am 1A19 Penzance to Paddington service in the early 1970s. The industrial unit on the right occupies the space formerly taken by Truro Motive Power Depot. Keywords: BR, Western, Class 47, Truro, 1A19, Passenger
LPPC DSL BW 0902 In the late 1960s the passenger service on the Falmouth branch was cut back to terminate at this basic station in the town and the crew are changing ends ready to head back to Truro. At the time this shot was taken it was called Falmouth, in 1975 it was renamed The Dell and then, in 1989, it was renamed again to Falmouth Town when the line was reopened, beyond this picture, to its original terminus and probably because no-one could fathom where its former name actually represented. Despite the infrastructure being ‘new’, the reason it doesn’t look that way is because the WR Civil Engineers constructed it of salvaged materials from previously closed stations. The Laira based Class 119 DMU is set LA509 (51079, 59437, 51107) and dates the photo as 1974/5, before the set was transferred to Reading. Keywords: BR, Western, DMU, Class 119, L509, 51079, 59437, 51107, 1974, Falmouth
LPPC DSL BW 0903 Next stop Hayle. The morning stopper from Penzance to Plymouth draws to a halt and picks up custom at St Erth. In a world of Gloucester and Swindon-built rolling stock, unusually it is formed of a Metropolitan Cammell three car DMU instead of the usual Cross Country set. The Class 101 DMU (Set P800 - 51445, 59549, 51515) was transferred from Hamilton (Scotland) to Laira on 25th May 1974, and the set is seen here some time in the Autumn/Spring of 1974/5. Keywords: BR, Western, Class 101, P800, 1974, St Erth, Passenger, DMU
LPPC DSL BW 0904 Early on a Saturday morning a Class 50 comes up the hill into St Erth station from the east on a short train of vans. The St Ives branch runs behind the signalbox on the left and the Class 50 is about to be used as the pick-up freight shunting locomotive as seen in the next photograph. Keywords: BR, Class 50, Freight, St Erth, Western,
LPPC DSL BW 0905 A shunt move is being undertaken at St Erth and a brake van has been left on the up main line behind the Class 50, which is probably moving towards the up yard adjacent to the St Ives branch platform. It is early on a Saturday morning and from the total lack of custom on the platforms it is a timetabled move between passenger trains. Keywords: BR, Western, Class 50, St Erth, Freight
LPPC DSL BW 0485 Early morning at Penzance in September 1974 as Western Class 52 D1050 ‘Western Ruler’ waits patiently at the buffer-stops having arrived at the head of the previous night’s sleeper train from Paddington. Note the GUV at the head of the formation to carry the morning’s newspapers and the wall in the left background over which generations of spotters have noted the trains and locomotives coming and going from the station. Penzance is situated 299 miles from Paddington, exactly the same distance as Euston to Carlisle, but with totally different topography. Keywords: BR, Western, Class 52, D1050, 'Western Ruler', 1B89, Penzance, Passenger, Sleeper, 1974
LPPC DSL BW 0486 The train parked here in number 4 platform at Penzance is perhaps more interesting than the Western Class 52 D1021 ‘Western Cavalier’ at its head. It consists of two ex-Great Western Siphon G bogie-vans affixed with Enparts identification plates and they bookend a Mark 1 Corridor Brake, all allocated to the motive power department. The train is either waiting to back down to Long Rock motive power depot to deliver/pick-up locomotive spare parts, or has finished its business there and is awaiting a suitable empty-stock and/or parcels train to which it can be attached for return to its home depot which could be Laira, Bristol Bath Road, Old Oak Common, or possibly even Swindon Works. Keywords: BR, Western, Parcels, Penzance, Class 52, D1021, 'Western Cavalier', Siphon G, 1974

Images 1-35 of 35 displayed.