Just 'click' the thumbnails for a fullpage image! (1280 +827 nominal)
FGW (Post 01 August 2018)
The rundown of the FGW HST-fleet is now well under way.They will be completely replaced by the Class 800 IET's. Here are the FGW-Blue Power-Cars working during their final months on services out of Paddington. HST workings finally finished on the 18th May 2019 however some blue coaches and Power cars continued for a short time as 'Castle-Set' workings between \Cardiff and Taunton
Here is a bit of a bonus due to the engineering work west of Bristol-TM causing trains to the west to be diverted via Westbury.It's '5Z55' an ECS from Bristol SFM Depot (12:18 off|) going down to Laira T&R.S.M.D in Plymouth.It is one of the 'Castle' Class 2+4 HST short sets comprising of 43158 leading with 43172 'Harry Patch' on the rear of iust four coaches.Of note is this mixed set of coaches are as yet unmodified to sliding doors and retention toilets.
..29 september 2019..
Although the long distance HST's finished on the GWR a couple of weeks ago at least a dozen sets in a 2+4 formation survive as rebranded 'Castle Class' being used on shorter distance shuttle services such as this one '2C71' from Cardiff to Taunton.This particular service actually started at Bristol-TM at 10:54 instead of Cardiff due to an undisclosed problem! FGW-Blue 43029 leads whilst GWR-Green 43189 was on the rear.In theory these non-power door/no retention toilet carriages cannot be used after the end of 2019.I cannot see all the necessary modified coaches being in service by then----then what???? Viewed passing Malago-Vale in Bristol.
..3 june 2019..
FGW-Blue 43171 leads '1C84' with 43093 tagged on the rear.This 14:03 departure from Paddington was going all the way to Penzance.
..15 may 2019..
'1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance to Paddington with 43196 leading and 43071 as tail-gunner on an 'All-FGW-Blue' set speeds through Clink nr Frome.The actual junction being just beyond the bridge in the background.
..15 may 2019..
The classic shot at Berkley Marsh nr Frome of an HST speeding west. So here are 43171/43093 with '1C90' the 17:03 from Paddington to Penzance. It was quite lucky that the sun was shining for most of the HST's final week in service to the west.Quite a few 'final' shots were had in really good lighting.
..14 march 2019..
With just three days to go before the end of HST's completely on the long distance services after 40+ years on this route 43071/43162 speeds away from Fairwood Junction with '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington to Plymouth.
..14 may 2019..
43162 'Exeter Panel Signal Box-21st Anniversary 2009' leads with 43071,also in blue on the rear of '1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance to Paddington.Viewed approaching Westbury at Fairwood foot crossing.When it departed there to didn't go its normal booked route up the B&H due to the morning Jumbo Stone '7A09' having failed at Savernake thus closing the line for several hours so it went via Melksham and Swindon instead.
..14 may 2019..
The 43071/43162 combo leans through Crofton with '1C84' the 14:03 from Paddington going all the way to Penzance.Hard to believe that this is the final week of HST's on the B&H after over 40 years.Certainly the end of an era but hopefully not these iconic train-sets?
..13 may 2019..
FGW-Blue 43063 leads '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington going down to Plymouth. 43198 being the tail-gunner.This is another shot miraculously transformed in the last few weeks by the NR Vegetation Cutting Crew.Naturally all the local 'tree huggers' are complaining about loss of habitat etc etc for the bird population.They fail to realise if NR had been doing their job properly for the last 25 years the bushes would never have been there in the first place! A sad bunch of nimbys me-thinks !!!!
..13 may 2019..
43162 along with 43071 hammer eastwards on the B&H at Grafton-East Junction just west of Crofton.The train is '1A81' the 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington.This was a superbly sunny day in the final week of GWR long distance HST operation.Just 5 days to go before over 40 years of HST use on this route comes to an end.........
..13 may 2019..
'1A94' passes Berkley Marsh with a Paddington bound (SO) Express from Penzance (15:52 off).43009 is the tail end Power-Car with Inter-City 43185 leading.The Westbury White Horse although over 7 miles away stands out quite nicely in the low dying evening light.
..11 may 2019..
The (SO) 07:59 from Penzance to Paddington '1A80' speeds up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome shortly after the overcast clouds began to break up into a fairly sunny day. FGW-Blue 43162 'Exeter Panel Signal Box-21st Anniversary 2009' was leading with 43071,also in blue on the rear.
..11 may 2019..
43063 partnered by 43198 catches a brief patch of sunlight as it rushes past Bunns Lane nr Witham Friary.Itwas working '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington down to Plymouth.I wonder if the passengers realise that from a week next Monday they will all be suffering from 'hard arse' syndrome by the end of their quite long distance journeys!
..10 may 2019..
'1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance to Paddington still clings to HST operation albeit with just 2 weeks to go before they are eliminated completely from this route.43091 was leading this mixed livery rake with 43171 on the rear.Nearly 45 years of operation and still running and working perfectly.I wonder if the Class-800's will last that long.Somehow I doubt it! Viewed at Pot Lane nr Frome.
..30 april 2019..
Altogether I tried to picture about a half a dozen HST workings today but only managed a couple in sunniness.This one being '1C86' the 15:03 from Paddington to Penzance. Here the all-blue carriage combo with 43018 leading with GWR-Green 43170 on the rear is seen at Clink nr Frome in an all too brief ragged hole in the cloud cover.
..25 april 2019..
A misty morning c/w some thin sunlight greeted '1A79' as it passes Clink nr Frome.43071 leads with 43171 on the rear sandwiching a complete set of FGW-Blue coaching stock.This could very well be the last complete 'all-blue' set left in GWR's rapidly shrinking fleet of long distance HST's ?
..17 april 2019..
With just a month to go now before HST-Armageddon on this route to the West the remaining Sets continue to work ever reliably prior to their inevitable replacement.It is quite interesting that many TOC's around the country are scrambling to acquire these super reliable and comfortable trains as they go off lease whilst GWR simply foist the Hatachi Crap onto its paying customers whether they want them or not! Oh Well? So here is the FGW-Blue pairing 43088/43063 combo working '1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance to Paddington taking the Westbury Station route at Fairwood Junction.get them whilst you can particularly in nice light if available!
..15 april 2019..
As the percieved end-date for full-length HST's edges ever closer (less than 5 weeks to go) any HST in the sun makes for a welcome soon to be unrepeatable shot!.So here are 43088/43161 FGW-Blue pairing working through Berkley Marsh nr Frome in excellent lighting conditions, The train being one of the few remaining HST diagrams '1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance to Paddington.
..12 april 2019..
The 05:05 from Penzance to Paddington '1A75' named as 'The Golden Hind' or sometimes 'The Brass Ass' runs up through Clink nr Frome 110 minutes late having been held then diverted between Exeter and Castle Cary due to a fatal collision between '2D02' and a car on the crossing at Stoke Cannon.The line wasn't finally re-opened until about 19:30 that evening.FGW-Blue 43156 leads with partner 43170 on the rear.
..28 march 2019..
43088/43161 pairing blasts down the straightaway just west of Fairwood Junction.The train is '1C84' the 14:03 from Paddington to Penzance.
..27 march 2019..
GWR's FGW-Blue liveried 43156 leads '1C84' the 14:03 from Paddington going all the way to Penzance.Blue 43018 being the back PC.Seen near Great Cheverell on the B&H.
..25 march 2019..
HST pairing 43079/43078 speed westwards at Great Cheverell with '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington heading down to Plymouth.Another lovely sunny day on the B&H making the most of the HST's whilst they remain in service through here with GWR.
..25 march 2019..
As the end game approaches for HST's to the West Country Sets are now being dispatched to various locations for either reuse or storage.This trainset is running as '5Z43' the 09:00 from Laira T&R.S.M.D to the storage facility at Long Marston.Power-Cars are 43087 and 43070,both having been stripped of their FGW identities.A perfectly good trainset with an uncertain future.Viewed approaching Westbury at Fairwood having been re-routed this way as the Taunton to Bristol line is current closed for engineering work.
..24 march 2019..
A scene soon to pass into history with just a few weeks to go before these long distance HST's finally get the chop in favour of the Green Hitachi Things !!! So here are 43160/43086 powering '1A78' the 06:50 from Penzance to Paddington up through Berkley Marsh nr Frome as they have done for the last 40 years or so.The Frome Bypass being the overbridge in the background.
..23 march 2019..
Now that Whiteball Tunnel has reopened this working '1A79' has reverted to its more normal 06:47 departure from Penzance going to Paddington.For now this duty remains an HST duty,the later the better for the jap-units I say! Seen passing Berkley Marsh with FGW-Blue 43196 leading and a GWR-Green one 43154 on the rear.
..11 march 2019.
The immaculate looking 43162 'Exeter Panel Signal Box-21st Anniversary 2009' heads '1C74' the 09:03 from Paddington to Plymouth.The rest of the set comprising all GWR-Green coaches and I/C Swallow liveried 43185 on the rear.Seen passing Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..11 march 2019..
As Winter slowly turns to Spring the end of HST's to the West Country draws ever closer.Here is '1A77' the 05:05 from Penzance to Paddington currently running via Yeovil Junction and the old SR route from Exeter whilst Whiteball Tunnel gets a makeover.FGW-Blue 43018 leads with similar 43156 sits on the rear.Viewed in a short burst of early morning sunsine passing up through Clink nr Frome.
..4 march 2019..
This Set worked up from Penzance to Paddington eariier this morning with 43185 leading.Now it's 43086's turn as it heads '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington back down to Penzance.43185 of course is still on the rear.Seen passing the wide open spaces at Fairwood nr Westbury.
..27 february 2019..
The superb afternoon sunshine continues here west of Kintbury on the B&H as HST pairing 43070/43071 runs by with '1C82' the 13:03 frim Paddington going all the way to Penzance.Currently this involves a diversion from Castle Cary via Yeovil as far as Exeter over the old southern 'Mule' route.This is to get around the line closure at Whiteball Tunnel whilst workers repair the structure there.
..26 february 2019..
A very shiny looking but sadly soon to be redundant 43063 working in partnership with 43004 runs over Hungerford Common heading east with '1A81' the 09:16 from Plymouth to Paddington.
..26 february 2019..
Yesterday I had such a pleasant day around Crofton on the B&H I decided that as the unseasonably clear and warm weather for February was repeating again today another trip east to the B&H was necessary to record to final weeks of HST workings on the GWR route to the West. So here is the 43025/43002 pairing speeding past Grafton East Junction (Now long gone!) nr Crofton.The service being '1A75' the 06:16 from Penzance going up to Paddington.Sadly Network Rail had dumped a load of loaded white ballast bags right where a nasty reflection is produced on the shiny coaches.A Pity!
..26 february 2019..
With the Crofton Beam Engine House and Chimney forming the backdrop 43196 speeds westwards on the rear of '1C50' the 12:03 from Paddington to Taunton.43154 being the lead Power-Car.Not quite a perfect reflection but with the number of ducks paddling up and down a totally flat calm water surface was never going to happen!
..25 february 2019..
Here is one of the slowly shrinking band of GWR-HST's.This pair,43196/43154 were working '1A75' the 06:16 from Plymouth to Paddington,part of the route (between Exeter and Castle Cary) is a diversion whilst Whiteball Tunnel west of Taunton is completely closed for major repairs.Location is Crofton on the B&H at the site of the long closed Grafton East Junction.
..25 february 2019..
With Winter slowly turning into Spring the HST workings on the B&H are now becoming much less common.This service however '1A77' the early train from Penzance remains currently 100% HST.Here is the pairing 43063/43004 approaching Fairwood Junction with the 05:05 off Penzance.Currently these services from Devon and Cornwall are being diverted between Exeter and Castle-Cary due to line closure between Taunton and Exeter at Whiteball for work on the tunnel there.
..19 february 2019..
FGW-Blue 'Exeter Panel Signal Box 21st Anniversary 2009' 43162 paired with 43091 are approaching Fairwood Junction with '1C81' the 12:33 from Paddington to Taunton.With the sun now getting higher in the sky this location is now once again a viable option after about midday.
..15 february 2019..
Sadly now this is becoming an increasingly rare site that is set to disappear completely in a few months time.FGW HST- Stalwarts 43097/43122 get away from Oxford with '1P31' the 12:09 from Hereford to Paddington.The backdrop here that used to be a large railway yard but now consists of a large car-park charging 'rip-off' prices for the unfortunate railway users and the odd looking Said Business Centre with its copper roof.Two days later this Set went North to Doncaster.Off-lease possibly on-hire to 'Hull Trains'.Whatever happens its days with GWR are now certainly over! Another nail in the coffin of GWR-HST workings!
..14 february 2019..
'1C17' the 14:03 from Paddington to Bristol-Temple Meads was today diverted via the B&H and is seen here on the Hawkeridge Curve turning back towards Bristol via the Limpley Stoke Valley. This HST-Set was led by 43170 with this FGW-Blue P/C 43070 'The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanichal Engineers' on the back-end.
..10 february 2019..
HST-Combo 43022/43174 speed towards Paddington with '1A79' the 06:47-1/2 from Penzance.A nice relatively cloudless morning that was to disappear within the hour,shortly followed by me!
..28 january 2019..
GWR's FGW-Blue HST-Combo 43018/43192 are seen approaching Woodborough on the B&H with '1C84' the 14:03 from Paddington to Penzance.
..17 january 2019..
With 43022 now leading with 43171 on the rear this HST,which went to Paddington earlier this morning now returns heading west going to Plymouth as '1C82'.Seen at Cowleaze Lane in Bratton on the B&H.
..8 january 2019..
FGW-Blue pairing 43171/43022 today worked '1A79' the 06:47-1/2 from Penzance to Paddington.Seen at Fairwood nr Westbury.A high proportion of the services to Plymouth and Penzance are still in the hands of the venerable HST's.I wonder for how much longer???
..8 january 2019..
GWR's FGW-Blue pairing 43171/43022 continue to fly the HST flag as their duties are slowly being taken over by IEP's.Here is '1C84' the 14:03 from Paddington to Penzance passing Fairwood at full line speed having used the Avoiding Line missing out the Westbury stop.
..4 january 2019..
HST diagrams are now rapidly being replaced by the dreaded IET's. Here is the only westbound one we saw in a period of 2 hours.Sets now in use are down to about 10 or so. Here is 43078/43004 working '1C16' the 13:30 from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads.seen here passing South Marston just east of Swindon.
..22 december 2018..
Hst pairing 43063/43191 c/w its all FGW-Blue carriages albeit in reverse formation motors up through Clink nr Frome working the still 'solid' Hst working '1A79' the 06:47.5 from Penzance to Paddington.
..20 december 2018..
The HST 'Swansong' continues (for now) on services that use the B&H to Cornwall & Devon.Here is an all blue FGW-Set led by 43023 with 43094 on the rear of '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington to Plymouth.
..3 december 2018..
Here is something becoming increasingly uncommon these day,a full FGW-Blue HST-Set.Of course pretty soon there won't be any HST's on this route anyway! This ia '1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance going up to Paddington.Here passing a very russet Masters Crossing nr Fairwood Junction.43071 leads with 43023 on the rear.
..22 november 2018..
FGW-Blue 43180 along with 43093 'Legends' rattles through a somewhat back-lit Clink in Frome operating '1A81' the 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington.Not a good day for 'Celebs'.I saw this one+43002 & 43185 within an hour or so.All of them were the rear P/cars!
..14 november 2018..
FGW-Blue 43196 partnered with 43063 are now in the twilight of their career on these trains from Paddington via the B&H to Devon and Cornwall.This is '1C77' the 10:33 from Paddington to Paignton which has ironically reverted back to HST from IEP's after a short period with the Hitachi's.Obviously that is only temporary.Pictured passing the very rustic looking Berkley Marsh nr Frome.
..14 november 2018..
The 43020/43091 combo speeds down the Avoiding Line in Frome with '1C76' the 10:03 from Paddington to Penzance.
..2 november 2018..
HST's continue to operate the majority of the services between paddington to Cornwall,at least during the week.But for how much longer I wonder? Here are 43190 assisted by 43158 working '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington going to Plymouth.Seen in a short burst of sunlight passing a very autumnal looking Clink nr Frome.
..1 november 2018..
43144/43005 combo passes Cowleaze Lane in Bratton as storm clouds threaten.Thankfully nothing came of it here although rain could be seen a few miles away.The working was the 13:22-1/2 from Totnes to Paddington.The section up from Plymouth to Totnes being cancelled due to a late running down service.
..26 october 2018..
With the Autumn colours here probably at their peak '1C84' the 13:03 from Paddington to Penzance speeds past Cowleaze Lane in Bratton. FGW-Blue 43137 leads with an equally blue 43030 on the back end.
..26 october 2018..
Not too long now before the IEP's take over on the B&H route to Cornwall so if its an HST and the sun is shining a shot has to be done! This time its FGW-Blue 43091 working '1A79' the 06:47 from penzance to Paddington.GWR-Green 43092 was on the back.Seen passing Berkley just east of Clink Road Junction.
..24 october 2018..
With the sun now getting close to the horizon the light had begun to 'yellow' significantly.here is '1C86' the 15:03 from Paddington to Penzance passing Cowleaze Lane nr Bratton on the B&H with 43020 leading.43024 was on the back of this all FGW-Set.
..19 october 2018..
43063/43081 lean through the curve at Great Cheverell on the B&H with'1C84' the 14:03 from Paddington to Penzance. GWR's coach painting policy seems quite odd.Quite a few that have ended up in GWR-Green have now gone off lease yet odd coaches still seem to be repainted.All very academic really as when they are modified for sliding doors as required by legislation soon they will require a repaint again anyway?
..19 october 2018..
HST combo 43180/43093 speeds through the countryside nr Frome with '1C76' the 10:03 from Paddington to Penzance.
..19 october 2018..
With autumnal colours now taking a firm hold at Clink nr Frome '1C86' the 15:03 from Paddington to Penzance passes by.FGW-Blue 43010 being the lead-PC with another blue one 43171 on the back of the full blue train-set.
..4 october 2018..
'1A85' the 10:00 from Penzance to Paddington passes under the currently closed roadbridge on Hungerford Common.Power-Car 43030 'Christion Lewis Trust' leads with 43023 on the back.
..1 october 2018..
The 43069/43156 combination runs through Hungerford Common with '1C86' the 15:03 from Paddington to Penzance.Only a seemingly mundane HST but give it another 6-weeks or so and all these services will be Hitachi-Plastic!
..1 october 2018..
With a solitary car parked in the car-park opposite (Mine because the bridge here was closed) 43086/43041 speeds through a now superbly clear Hungerford Common going west with '1C77' the 10:33 from Paddington to Paignton.Rather unexpected this as these Paignton diagrams have been worked by the Hitachi-IEP's lately.
..1 october 2018..
'1C76' the 09:03 from Paddington to Plymouth runs down past Hungerford Common with 43009/43191 doing the work.The future of this pair is uncertain as neither are to be transferred to Scotland and are due for storage when off lease in march-2019.
..1 october 2018..
With a GWR-Green 1st-Class carriage making a nice contrast with the FGW-Blue 43134 '1A82' the 09:00 from Penzance heads east at Hungerford going to London-Paddington.43147 also in FGW-Blue was on the rear.
..19 september 2018..
With reports that HST duties to Penzance and Plymouth are to finish by mid-November/18 I am kinda picturing these Class-43's at every opportunity.Might as well,once they are gone,they are gone! So here is FGW-Blue 43071 passing Hungerford Common with its partner 43176 working '1A81' the 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington.
..19 september 2018..
43197 along with 'legends' 43093 on the rear passes a rather 'yellowy' Witham Friary catches the dying embers of sun with just over 30 minutes before sunset.Viewed at Witham Friary with Bunns Lane overbridge in the distance.
..17 september 2018..
With the HST's on this route now on their last duties any working that passes in sunlight is pictured currently.Pretty soon these London-Paddington to Plymouth and Penzance trains will be exclusively IEP's so why not?.Here is a full FGW-Blue set with 43097 leading and 43087 on the back.The duty being '1C77'the 10:03 from Paddington to Penzance.Viewed at Strap Lane in Upton Noble just west of East Somerset Junction.
..15 september 2018..
'1C90' the 17:03 from Paddington to Penzance currently is still operated by HST's (for now?).Here is 43176 leading with 43071 on the back both working hard as it passes Berkley Marsh heading west.
..14 september 2018..
An all FGW-Blue HST with 43190/43137 runs down through Clink with '1C86' the 15:03 from Paddington to Penzance.With Old Oak Common closed and Laira-Depot now just a shadow of its former self time is running out for these HST's to Cornwall.
..14 september 2018..
'Newton Abbot 150' 43137 leads '1A87' through Great Cheverell with 43190 on the rear.It departed Plymouth at 12:55 heading for the Paddington.
..13 september 2018..
FGW-Blue 43186 leads with 43144 assisting at the rear of '1C82' the 13:03 from Paddington to Plymouth.Viewed at a nicely cleared and sunny Great Cheverell on the B&H.Not long to go now.Grab your HST shots while you can on this route!
..13 september 2018..
This all FGW-Blue combination c/w 43180/43175 rattles the pointwork at Clink Road Junction in Frome with '1A82' the09:00 from Penzance to Paddington.
..5 september 2018..
43147 'Royal Marines Celebrating 350 years' leads a mixed FGW/GWR set of coaches with FGW 43027 '90 Glorious years' tagged on the rear. The working being '1A79' the 06:47 from Penzance up to Paddington. Seen at an idyllic Berkley Marsh nr Frome. Annoyingly 43027 would have been on the front but yesterdays partner 43098 suffered a smashed windscreen so the train was reversed at Westbury/Bradford Junction to allow the set to continue west hence 43027 is now on the rear!
..5 september 2018..
HST's continue to work to Plymouth and Penzance via the B&H.For how much longer is anybodys guess but their days are now certainly numbered!. This is 43186 and 43144 running up through Frome having been delayed for about 20 minutes due to a points failure at East Somerser Junction.The train '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance to Paddington carried that delay all the way to the Capital.
..5 september 2018..
Yet another FGW-Blue HST shooting through Somerset at Clink.Another few weeks or so and there probably won't be any! This time it is 43023 'Sqn Ldr Harold Starr One of the Few',the nameplate styled the same as on the SR steam Battle of Britain Class 4-6-2 Bulleids.It was working '1A81' the 07:41 from Penzance to Paddington.43156 was the rear gunner!
..3 september 2018..
43155 'The Red Arrows 50 Seasons of Excellence' partnered by the de-decaled 43138 runs down through Berkley Marsh nr Frome with '1C76' the 10:03 from Paddington to Penzance.
..3 september 2018..
FGW-Blue pairing 43087 '11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment-Royal Logistic Corps'/43097 are seen approaching Westbury at Fairwood working '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance going up to Paddington.A superbly clear start to the day (10:00) that actually started to cloud up quite badly within the hour.Pictured from the foot crossing here at Fairwood which was completely cleared of vegetation about 6-months ago but is now becoming very overgrown once again!
..31 august 2018..
43144 is on the back of '1C78' the 10:35 from Paddington to Plymouth as it pauses in Westbury for its booked station stop.43186 was the lead P/C of this all FGW-Blue HST.
..29 august 2018..
FGW-Blue 43137 'Newton Abbot 150' leads with 43176 on the tail of '1C74' the 07:03 from Paddington going all he way to Newquay.With the long hot sunny spell now well and truly over pictures in the sun have once again become a 50/50 lottery at best!
..24 august 2018..
With the first 'IET' regular service trains to Penzance from Paddington commencing from the start of this week these stalwart HST's really are coming to the end of their duties from Padd to Penzance.Here is 43079 leading '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance to London powering up through the Frome area.GWR-Green 43016 was on the back.
..23 august 2018..
Here is '1C92' from Paddington (18:03 off) going down to Penzance passing through the green countryside nr Frome with the Westbury White Horse forming a long distance backdrop.Note the GWR-Green 1st-class coach sandwiched between 43161 and the 1st-class/Buffet. GWR do not make it easy for their customers to distinguish where the 1st-class actually is now they have abandoned using the very obvious yellow roofline markings! 43093 'Legends' was the rear P/C.
..16 august 2018..
The 43034/43015 pairing work '1C92' the 18:03 from London-Paddington down to Penzance.Use of a longish lens (About 170mm in old SLR terms) here at Berkley Marsh is made necessary by the long long shadows cast by the trees on the overbridge embankment I am stood on.At least it brings up the darkening skies to a dramatic effect!
..13 august 2018..
Blue-on-Green.....43070 'The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers' in FGW-Blue leads an all green GWR-Set with another Blue Power-car 43056 on the rear through Frome on the avoiding line working '1C74' the 09:03 for London-Paddington going all the way to Newquay.
..13 august 2018..
43144 with 43186 cruise through the Frome area with '1C92' the 18:03 from Paddington heading for the far west at Pemzance.All very clean and shiny...It is hard to believe it will probably be 'off-lease' in the next few months and consigned to either storage or a new life north of the Border in Scotland.
..10 august 2018..
With crew training-etc becoming more intense on the Paddington to Penzance corridor via the B&H the good old HST's are soon to be replaced on quite a few of the services through this location. So here are 43094/43165 with '1C84' the 14:03 ex-Paddington heading for the end of the line at Penzance.Viewed off the high roadbridge at Styles Hill in Frome looking east.
..10 august 2018..
FGW-Blue 43161/43151 combo powers through Blatchbridge-Jn at full line speed with '1C91' the 17:33 from Paddinton to Paignton.
..9 august 2018..
'1C90' the 17:03 from Paddington going down to Penzance travels down past Blatchbridge-Jn at full line speed.43022 leads with a GWR-Green 1st-class carriage behind it.(The set being in reverse formation).43029 was on the back-end as it passed in superb evening lighting!
..9 august 2018..
The Harvest is 'in' here at Berkley Marsh nr Frome.This mainly FGW-Blue Set with only coach-F in GWR-Green to spoil the unifirmity of it all.43191 was leading with 43063 on the rear of this the 16:03 from Paddington going to Penzance as '1C88'.Not very much longer to go before the Jap-Crap starts to finally take over from these iconic classics!
..9 august 2018..
This is an extra working '1Z31' that is run along with a few others to take Festival visitors to Newquay for the Newquay Broadmasters Festival of Music and general merriment.It left Paddington at 09:03 arriving at Newquay at about 14:20.Quite a journey! The train consist was 43171/LA62/43042 and is seen in a brief burst of sunshine passing down the Frome Avoider.
..8 august 2018..
43023 still wears it Bullied 'Battle of Britain' style nameplate 'Sqdn Ldr Harold Starr-One of the Few' as it powers through Frome working '1A77' the 05:41 from Penzance to Paddington.FGW-Blue 43069 being the rear power-car.Sadly the Rose Bay Willow Herb here has now faded and died so the next colourful change of scene has to be Autumn colours I suppose.After this years scorching summer that will come as a welcome relief (For me anyway!).
..8 august 2018..
HST's continue to run all the Paddington to Penzance services as the promised IEP-Invasion has somewhat stalled for various reasons.The later the better as far as I am concerned! Here is 43069 with 43023 working '1C92' the diverted via Swindon from Paddington to Penzance.The B&H still closed for the wiring up of the OHLE into Newbury from Reading. The scene is of coarse Berkley Marsh nr Frome.