BODMIN HOODS, RIDING THROUGH THE GLEN: Superb autumn sunshine on October 8 illuminates RfD-liveried Type 4 No. 47306 The Sapper as it passes Charlie’s Gate on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway with a short train of clay hood wagons heading for Bodmin Parkway. Charlie’s Gate is so named because of the many times the Royal Train has been stabled there overnight when carrying members of the Royal Family to Cornwall, including the now King Charles III. CRAIG MUNDAY
A POWERFUL COMBINATION: During the Llangollen Railway’s Heritage Railcar Weekend, the BR Blue Class 104 DMU ran as a twin-power-car unit for the first time since August 25, 2020. This follows completion of bodywork repairs to DMCL (Driving Motor Composite Lavatory) No. 50528 – the other car being DMBS (Driving Motor Brake Second) No. 50454. The Class 104 made good use of its 600bhp on October 8 as it was given Hawksworth Inspection Saloon No. 80975 to haul – the unusual combination seen departing Llangollen station from Green Lane bridge. GARETH EVANS