20th JULY 2022 - 1Z69 THE TORBAY RIVIERA PULLMAN (DONCASTER TO PAIGNTON) AT DONCASTER RAILWAY STATION.

5th August 2022 Finningley Signal Box (disused).

Passing through the village of Finningley, I took some photos of the disused Finningley Signal Box. Its always intrigued me and deserves a spot here.

20th JULY 2022 - 1Z69 THE TORBAY RIVIERA PULLMAN (DONCASTER TO PAIGNTON) AT DONCASTER RAILWAY STATION.

 For this, I got out of my "pit" at the "un-godly" time of 5:30am to see this early-starter depart the station at the beginning of its long journey down to Paignton! When I got to the station, the Blue Pullman set was parked on the Goods-Up line adjacent to platform 8. Immediately I noticed that HST trailing-loco, 43049 was not liveried in the Blue Pullman colour as are the coaches and leading-loco. This could be as this loco is not one of the advertised locos that would form the train. Maybe there was a technical problem with 43055, and this was a last-minute replacement? If I was paying to journey on this train, I would not be happy!

That said, the train looks resplendent and a fine example of diesel traction. On a warm summers morning at 6:45am, the platform was awash with expectant passengers waiting to board and the train began to move north, to reverse and switch lines to roll alongside platform 8 and oblige the waiting customers.

Part of the Blue Pullman train.

43046 Geoff Drury 1930-1999 heads the Blue Pullman.

1Z69 The Torbay Blue Pullman (Doncaster-Paignton) lead by HST unit 43046 head along track to switch line for platform 8 at Doncaster Rail Station to collect passengers with HST unit 43049 trailing.

1Z69 The Torbay Blue Pullman (Doncaster-Paignton) lead by HST unit 43049 pulls alongside platform 8 at Doncaster Rail Station to collect passengers with HST unit 43046 trailing. 43049 replaced advertised HST unit 43055.

The Blue Pullman slides alongside platform 8.

The cab of 43046 Geoff Drury 1930-1999.

Passengers aboard, the Blue Pullman departs Doncaster for Paignton, calling at various stations along the journey. First stop being Sheffield to collect more passengers. Again, I would be miffed by the fact that 43046 is not leading the Blue Pullman. But it was good to see it on such a lovely warm morning.

Other than the above train, there was a disrupted timetable and no trains running into London from anywhere! But there were a few items of interest still here at Donny!

08669 "Bob Machin" hauls 321334 4-car set into Wabtec for maintenance Doncaster West Sidings.

66154 & 66054 pass along Goods-Up line Doncaster Rail Station.

150268 waiting to depart platform 8. 

170473 3-car set at platform 4 ready to head north.

TPE 3-car set 185148 pulls alongside platform 3 while Azuma Class 800 goes slow through Doncaster Rail Station.

185148 3-car set at platform 3 Doncaster Rail Station.

Class 150 unit, 950001 Track Recording Train Doncaster West Sidings.

FEAS trailer 640693 at Doncaster West Sidings.

Early warm and sunny morning at Doncaster Railway Station.

RJC

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