73082 Camelot a Standard class 5 at the Bluebell Railway Sheffield Park station in 2017.

During the late 1980′s and early 1990′s British Rail (BR) were being prepared for privatisation and there was a greater focus on the individual contribution made by all the separate parts of the business. This allowed for some individuality not only in the way the businesses were run, but also the way they presented themselves. It was a time of great innovation with liveries and my personal favourite was the Railfreight Sector brand. Whilst one business there were separate customers; Coal, Petroleum, Construction and Distribution and a two tone grey livery was developed with a 'blocky' branding. Here is an example of a locomotives with the different brandings: 56001 Whatley at Reading on the 6th May 1988 is moving stone from the quarries West of Westbury to Acton near London and is carrying the Construction branding.47306 The Sapper is seen at St Blazey on the 31st August 2002 with Distribution branding. 58024 is seen leaving Toton, near Nottingham, with Coal Hoppers and branded Coal on 22nd May 1990. Finally, 37888 is branded Petroleum and is waiting signals at Reading, heading west with an oil train from Ripple Lane on 22nd February 1988.

At this time the Mid Hants Railway was having some problems with their recently laid track between Alton and Medstead and the steam engines were literally being shaken apart running over it. The solution was, whilst the track was repaired, to exchange engines at Medstead and for a Diesel to take the train onto Alton. So in this picture taken around 1986, West Country Pacific Number 34016 Bodmin is waiting at Medstead for the returning service., whence to replace the Class 25 Diesel and continue the service to Alresford.  Bodmin was originally built with “Air Smoothed" casing similar to Tangmere (of which I published pictures previously) Oliver Bullied, the designer of these fine locomotives, Incorporated some revolutionary ideas in the construction of the class, unfortunately a bit too far ahead of their time.When the engines became the property of British Railways it was decided to rebuild them to a more conventional design .Bodmin was therefore rebuilt to this form which still made for a very handsome piece of engineering.

A selection of Class 47’s in different liveries and locations. Once so numerous around the networks they sometimes didn’t get a second glance.

#class 47 #brush type 4

Sea King helicopters were, for many years, the mainstay of air sea rescue in Devon and Cornwall and there were many based at RNAS Culdrose near Helston. So we saw them regularly on exercises and of course in real rescue situations. To the great shame of the UK Government the contract for Air sea rescue some how managed to be sold off to the highest bidder. Admittedly the Sea Kings had to be replaced as life expired but really, are we such a poor country we couldn't buy something to replace them and retain the skills within the Royal Navy? Anyway, here is a Sea King now sitting on the edge of Culdrose Airfield cosmetically restored as a “Gate Guardian” and very nice she looks too. My personal thanks to the brave men and women who flew these beauties and saved so many lives over the years: thank you.

At this time I had just got a new job in Swindon and was commuting from Reading each morning to the office. I would usually have a few minutes to waste before heading  to the office and sometimes I would be lucky and catch something of interest to photograph. On the 26th May 1988 the sun was shining too as Class 56 070 waited at a signal in the station with a down freight. Years later I am working for GWR whose head office is here in Swindon. I'm guessing Swindon will look very different with overhead wires and of course, no more rail blue Class 56's.

Former Great Western Pannier Tank 0-6-0 7714 at Kidderminster Severn Valley Railway in July 2017 

D1062 Western Courier looks brand new despite being built in 1962. In the sun at Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway in July 2017. 

Here are a selection of picture from the 11th VR Revival and Vintage Bus running day in the Penzance area on Sunday 15th April 2018. A mixture of weather with an unfortunate number of rain showers but a lovely selection of Vintage buses, many returning to  to where they spent their working lives.

D1010 Western Campaigner at Didcot Railway Centre shortly before moving to the West Somerset Railway. Although still owned by Foster Yeoman Quarries at this time she was already in the care of the Diesel and Electric preservation Group who have managed to keep her working for most of the time since. Credit where it's due.

Battle of Britain Class 34067 Tangmere at Penzance with 'The Golden Arrow' WC and BB Pacifics were rare visitors to Penzance and the Golden Arrow would certainly never have started there.

At Didcot Great Western Railway Centre here is resident Castle Class locomotive 5051 Drysllwyn  Castle in May 1988. Built by The Great Western Railway in 1936.

Netherlands Railways 1502 built as E27000 Electra for BR in 1955. Preserved at the Midland Railway Centre Butterley, Derbyshire.

33063 and 33047 at Reading in April 1988. 30 years ago and how different Reading looks today.

Three of Great Western Railway Celebrity Intercity 125 power cars were present At the same time at Penzance on the 2nd April 2018. 43172 Harry Patch and 43027 in Royal livery.  Whilst 43185 Great Western headed the 1400 departure for Paddington. Some interesting additions include the Cuneo mouse on the Guards compartment of 43185.

Stanier Black 5 44806 at Llangollen in August 2002 

LMS Jubilee Class 4-6-0 5690 Leander at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in Grosmont in around 1983.