An amazing slide in Nick's collection. Probably early to mid 1960s. At first I thought this was Churchtown Siding near Defiance Platform at Saltash but following feedback it has been IDd as just north of Bere Alston on the former Southern line to Tavistock North. with Calstock Viaduct in the background. Thanks to Ross Griffiths and Connor Owen Skidmore for putting me right on this. The slide is from an unknown photographer and was under exposed. I'm a beginner at this slide scanning lark so this is the best I can do to improve it for the moment.

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A superb photo taken by Nick from Newton Abbot East Box in early 1982. The slide has a process date of February 1982 with the only note being '0F77' which is light engines to Laira. Looks like the 'Taunton Twins' as everybody knew the pair of class 31s that were usually stabled at Taunton as stand by locos to be called to rescue just about anything which they often did. If anyone can I-D any of the 31s that would be great. Behind the locos is a wonderful semaphore gantry and the extensive Hackney Yard running to well over a dozen sidings compared to the couple that are there now.

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These great electro-diesels show up a few times in Nick's photos. Here is 74008 at what I think is Clapham Junction but I stand to be corrected. Looks like a parcels train but these locos often worked the empty newspaper vans back to the capital.

#1-4

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A pair of class 31s approach Aller Junction with an infrastructure train of tracks with concrete sleepers complete with a rare blue braking tender. . The slide has a processing date of August 1981.

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Not sure of the exact date or how the goyle came to have its cab rearranged but 37299 is towing it from Laira to Swindon for scrapping. The 31 resided at Exeter for a short while before moving on to meet the cutting torch in May 1982 I believe.

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