2C04 (0625 Exeter St David's to Penzance) will no longer run in its current form once the new timetable comes into play in June. It is currently diagrammed for a 158, but is to be replaced by a new service - 2C03 (0551 Exeter St Davids to Penzance) operated by an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train).

2C04 is a popular service from Newton Abbot westward, so will be sorely missed by punters who will find that they either need to leave 35 minutes earlier or 30 minutes later!

2C04 will now be started from Plymouth in its current path.

Why?

Seen approaching Dawlish on the last leg from Exeter to Penzance

[Western Pathfinder might just be interested in this ]

Class 52 diesel hydraulic, D1015 'Western Champion' has been restricted to Severn Valley Railway duties for a fair while and a previous attempt to restore its main line certificate failed due to a blown engine. After much work, today (14/04/2024), saw it perform a load test with a difference. This time a passenger-carrying railtour - The One-Way Wizzo - was arranged between London Paddington and Bescot for its load test.

Seen here passing Oxford. I wish I'd done a video as it was in fine fettle.

 

They cannot verify that your email address is correct, so just use something (hopefully!) fictitious such as moi @ me . com   It'll let you log in and then they will not have your contact details 

<pedant mode>
The BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) is indeed correct!

If it is the longest in the world, then, by definition, it must be the longest in Europe 
</pedant mode>

However, they should have checked their facts beforehand 

If a Royal Marine wanted a pint in the Puffing Billy and didn't fancy a yomp home (Exton to Lympstone Commando) - then it is £2.10 for a slightly shorter journey at 36 chains.

Culrain to Invershin is £2 for a 32 chain, 1 minute journey - £5 per mile.

Agreed, but the '1001' shown above is not the original 1001, but an amalgam of 1012, 1013 and others. I should really have described it as 'Faux 1001, Hastings Thumper'

What a difference 50 years makes!
 
Hastings unit 1034 passes the closed station at Pinhoe with the Saturdays Only 1355 Exeter St David's to Brighton in April 1974;



Faux Hastings Unit 1001 passes the well-used station at Pinhoe with the returning 'Cogload Climber' (1Z15 1440 Exeter Central to Hastings) on 06/04/24

Just a pity SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) won't do what SWT^▸ (South West Trains) did and that is run the service through to Waterloo via Southampton - they must have drivers who sign Basingstoke to Southampton on 159s.

I can sympathise with some drivers. Whilst waiting for a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) service at Exeter St David's earlier this week, the driver of an XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) service starting at St David's was attempting to prepare his train when a member of the public approached him and started ranting about the lack of XC services beyond Exeter this week, implying it was the driver's fault. Eventually, the driver shut himself in his cab whilst the member of the public was still ranting!

However, I am a little disappointed with SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) and their attitude towards abuse towards staff members. Having just boarded a SWR service, the first automated announcement is not "Welcome aboard this SWR service to....", but words to the effect of "violence and abusive behaviour to our staff will not be tolerated....", followed almost immediately by "you must have a ticket". Hardly welcoming! 

A welcome addition, but I fail to see how the 'pick up only' requirement will be policed. Yes, I know that the stops will not be announced on the screens at Paddington, but this currently happens for all Friday afternoon services to the far west and yet there are always plenty of folk alighting at Reading.

Pretty much any survey organised by 'an interested party' will be loaded in favour of the answer the party seeks. A few years ago, a planning application was submitted to East Devon with Exeter being an affected party. A traffic survey was requested and the 'interested party' conducted said traffic survey, starting at noon on Christmas Eve and finishing on Sunday, 30th December. Needless to say, both coucils accepted the traffic levels as 'low enough to permit additional development'

I think my just completed long weekend must come close!

Many moons ago, in the late 1960's, my dad drove mum, my sister Mary and I up to Loch Lomond for a camping holiday. During that break we had a day trip to Fort William. Ever since then I've had a fascination with the West Highland railway across Rannoch Moor. During recent years, I've had a few Caledonian Sleeper journeys over the line, but never stayed on the moor.

Well, I've finally managed it! A few weeks ago, a work colleague told me about a Branch Line Society railtour visiting Fort William, Mallaig and Oban. A few email exchanges and I'd booked myself into one of the most remote hotels in Scotland, beside Rannoch station. So, proudly in possession of a day return from Rannoch to Corrour, not only was I able to phot the railtour, but was finally after 50 odd years, visited both Rannoch and Corrour!

As for cost to complete the 12 minute journey......
- Exeter to Paddington return;
- Caledonian Sleeper to Fort William return;
- 2 nights hotel at Rannoch;
- Fort William to Rannoch SVR.

Expensive? You bet! But a bucket list item ticked off and paid for by my late mum!