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South West Railway's Review of 2008 Click on an image to enlarge |
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| January | |||
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Class 142s were being introduced into service on local services in and around Devon. 12 Units had been transfered down from Northern to cover for unit shortages. 142070 is seen here at Newton Abbot working a Paignton service | ||
| February | |||
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During February, in Wiltshire, the main line from Bath - Didcot was closed for engineering resulting in High Speed Trains being diverted through Wiltshire, and here through the Freshford valley | ||
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February saw the introduction of the first refurbished class 153. 153373 in its striking new livery is seen here at Langstone rock. During 2008, the whole unit fleet was in the process of being refurbished to a high standard | ||
| March | |||
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The diverts due to engineering continued through Wiltshire and even included Rugex trains, seen here passing Hawkeridge Jn near Westbury | ||
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March saw the first forming of 3 car 158s, designated 158/9s for the Cardiff - Portsmouth route. The first of such is 158950 seen on its first day in service at Trowbridge with a service for Portsmouth | ||
| April | |||
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2008 saw the completition of the refurbishment of FGWs HST fleet. Seen here in lovely spring lighting is an example of the HSTs in their attractive livery | ||
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The VSOE made its annual visit to Devon working from Truro - Taunton - Kingswear - Truro. It is seen here storming through Totnes in heavy rain | ||
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The South Devon Railway diesel gala was held in April and brought two class 47s, a class 33 along with the home fleet out to play. Yet another interesting gala with good weather all round | ||
| May | |||
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May saw the introduction of HSTs on Arriva Cross Country services. 9S66 0830 Penzance - Dundee working Mondays and Fridays was one of the diagrams. All HSTs have since been refurbished | ||
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Cross Country also hired in two HST sets to help out. The 1032 Paignton - Newcastle was formed of a National Express HST on Summer Saturdays | ||
| June | |||
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During 2008 the branch line from Brockenhurst - Lymington Pier gained community status. It continues to be worked by 2 class 421 "3-CIG" Southern Region slam door trains. 1497 is seen here at Brockenhurst | ||
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First Great Western employed class 67s and rake of Mk2s on a summer Saturday relief train from Bristol Temple Meads - Weymouth and return. 67026 is seen leading the set into Weymouth having spent the day stabled in Jersey Sidings. This service is likely to not run during 2009 | ||
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On 21st June 37606 and 37423 worked a railtour from Crewe to Paignton, entitled the "Paignton Pudden". It is seen here passing Hollicombe on the outskirts of Paignton. A tour was also run on the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway utilising D7535 | ||
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A week later, 55022 worked a chater from Birmingham International - Penzance. It is seen here passing Langstone rock, Dawlish, in weather typical of the summer 2008 | ||
| July | |||
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July brought the Stobart Pullman, which no longer operates to Paignton. It is seen here passing Exeter St Davids in heavy rain | ||
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43301 was the first Cross Country powercar to be refurbished with MTU engine. Its first revenue earning service was 9V65 1205 Edinburgh - Plymouth on the 17th July. It is seen here having terminated at Plymouth looking resplendent in the new Cross Country livery | ||
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The contrast between the old MML stock and the new Cross Country livery is clearer here in more pleasing conditions passing Aller Junction near Newton Abbot | ||
| August | |||
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The hired in HSTs working for Cross Country brought a variety liveries to the South West including the brand new National Express livery being applied to its HST fleet. 43309 is seen here departing Exeter St Davids with the 1032 Paignton - Newcastle | ||
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Class 60 operated freight trains can still be found operating in the South West, albeit in South Wales. 60043 is seen here passing Severn Tunnel Junction with a ballast working from Filton, in conjunction with work being undertaken in the area | ||
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33207 and 33025 made a visit to Weymouth in August, via Wiltshire. The pair are seen here whilst working 1Z33 Crewe - Weymouth with the White Horse of Westbury in the background | ||
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A nenta charter also provided to photograph a pair of double headed class 47s along the sea wall route. Heritage liveried 47851 is seen leading a fellow classmate on a Plymouth - Norwich charter | ||
| September | |||
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As the sun gets lower in the evening, this view of 40145 on a Kingswear - Tame Bridge Parkway in the Midlands was possible to witness. Seen passing Sugarloaf overlooking Torbay | ||
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The final Torbay Express of the Summer season was operated by 34067 "Tangmere" seen here passing the sea wall at Dawlish. Perhaps best known for the useless smoke deflection?? | ||
| October | |||
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October brought with it storms and the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railways 45xx class passes Sugarloaf with a rough sea across Torbay | ||
| November | |||
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The South Devon Railway closed another excellent year with its half price weekend. 3803 is seen passing the river at Bishops Bridge steaming towards Buckfastleigh in this lovely autumnal scene | ||
| December | |||
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During the December timetable change, FGW have employed the use of a pair of class 67s and 4 Mk2s operating between Taunton and Cardiff. The set is seen picking up passengers at Bristol Temple Meads underneath Brunel's trainshed | ||
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December also saw the introduction of 4 separate HSTs operating through the South West on a daily basis. Services depart Plymouth, north at 1221, 1321, 1521 and 1721. The 1321 to Edinburgh is seen here passing Nailsea & Backwell | ||
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