Quote from: Chris in Prague on July 17, 2015, 03:30:34 PM
As the originator of the great idea for a GW125 summer celebration (15-24 July, 1960), we are all hoping that Jon's excellent Weaver Cove layout will be featured here, too.

Seconded.

Further to last week's publicity shots at Trepol Bay showing former GW locomotives in use on the Chacewater to Wadebridge line, a similar publicity event was held today but with very much a Southern feel.
As part of GW 125, there will be special events including BR(S), SR and former LSWR locomotives as these were an important feature of railways in the North Cornwall area.
The publicity shoot was again held at Trepol Bay and we see the official photograph below :

Here we have an N Mogul arriving with a train for Wadebridge, whilst the restored T9 waits with a local for Truro (via Chacewater).
The BB Pacific is waiting to take over a train for Wadebridge later(which it will work tender first)  whilst the Ivatt 2-6-2T is standing with a parcels train for Newquay.
Unusually, the M7 (on trial in North Cornwall) shunts the harbour lines below the station and will later work a train of clay empties down to  Wadebridge and on to Wenford Bridge.

As ever, the Fat Controller is overseeing events and seems very pleased to see the immaculately clean N arriving.


It is to be hoped that a full schedule of GW 125 Events can be published very shortly.

Many thanks, Martin, for another lovely set of photos. with an excellent selection of SR steam locomotives. Yes, the 'Fat Controller' is very satisfied with all the arrangements and hard work undertaken for GW125.

Someone mention GWR 125

http://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/images/2015-MAY/IMG_2509GWR-sm.jpg


Paul

Only 57 years after the 'real thing' in 1960! 8-)

The GWS (Bodmin) have just received confirmation that their offer for the last of the two pairs of ex-GWR diesel railcars, in best condition [suitable for DCC fitting] stored at Worcester has been accepted. Like the first one, this will also be overhauled at Worcester Works using parts taken from the other stored railcars there and parts from and Swindon Works. The dark BR Green railcar is already at Penmayne (another is at Port Perran, also ex-Worcester, and will be preserved by the GWS, there, after BR WR have finished using it, later) whilst the Crimson & Cream one will be routed via the Birmingham area and will be loaned to the GWS (Birmingham area) so can be expected to be seen running through Claverdon after its overhaul is completed.

The very first pictures of Special Trains run in connection with GW 125 have been officially released today.
First we see Hinton Manor and a black liveried small prarie tank heading a return excursion from Wadebridge to Penzance, via Chacewater triangle and Camborne. The train is a luxury dining excursion (restaurant car is the third carriage) running Penzance to wadebridge and return.
Passengers were served a Champagne breakfast (the train having departed Penzance at 08.32), Lunch and Afternoon tea (expected arrival back at Penzance 16.57). The train is seen passing Trepol Bay :


Also running today have been holidaymaker excursions from Truro to Padstow via Chacewater utilising an ex GW railcar (in green livery) with an added carriage due to heavy demand for seats.
We see here an outward bound train passing Trepol Bay at 10-55. The pannier waits in the bay with a fish van bound for Truro :

I forgot to mention that the railcar had to run round the carriage for the trip from Wadebridge to Padstow. A similar movement being necessary on the return trip.

Thank you for another set of excellent photos., Martin. There were quite a few visiting enthusiasts plus locals from the Cant Cove, Penmayne, and Wadebridge areas waiting at Wadebridge, who had travelled by connecting services to see the special arrive and some had managed to buy some of the very few special tickets left to Penzance but would have to return by scheduled services.

At Wadebridge, a special team from "The Railway Hotel", Cant Cove, was waiting with crates and hampers to replenish the Restaurant Buffet car with local gourmet food and the excellent (bottled) products of the "Castle" and "Headland" breweries plus "Sam's Cider", as well as French wine and champagne specially chosen by Giles, the wine importer, and friend of Sylvia and the Chelsea Girls, some of whom were working to supplement the restaurant car's staff by providing a much appreciated at seat bottled drinks' service from special trolleys from mid-morning on.

Having provided the meals from Penzance, the tired but happy Head Chef of "The Railway Hotel", Cant Cove, and his assistant were relieved at Wadebridge by their counterparts from the "Station Hotel", Trepol Bay, who took over for the return trip and who had supervised the loading of food and drink into the buffet car the evening before, at Trepol Bay. The gourmets on board were very complimentary to all concerned.

Already plans are being laid for more gourmet food and drink specials and serious discussions have also begun for the Christmas GW125 program.

One of the specials for GWR 125

A special train with two LNER B1s up front ran from the Eastern Region to the South West.  I believe some of the coaches are due to work through to Cant Cove.  As you can see the prospect of 'copping' some 'foreign' motive power drew out the local train spotters.

Many thanks for these, John. Yes, it is a through train leaving the North East on the Friday evening to Wadebridge where on arrival, on Saturday, one portion will be worked through to Penmayne and the second to Trepol Bay before both are returned to Wadebridge where the train will be stabled ready for departure on the Sunday morning for arrival home Sunday night.

Hopefully, the photographer from the Western Morning News can get some pictures of the train in Cornwall.

We'll look forward to those photos. in due course, Martin.

The CLPG's restored Collett 0-6-0 (in GW livery) took 2 carriages of the original train (which originated in the North east) on from Wadebridge to Trepol Bay. An additional (blood and Custard Mk 1) was added at Wadebridge conveying local enthusiasts. All those on board will be treated to an evening at the Station Hotel with a fine fish supper (with Samphire grass) cooked by the head chef.
The train is seen arriving at Trepol Bay. The ex GW railcar is stabled awaiting its next shuttle working to Truro. In the background a 94XX pannier shunts a carriage for a later train :

[Drones were not invented in 1962 so we will assume the photographer took the picture from a light aircraft of suitable vintage].