4. London Photoworld trip-06.05.81

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1981 > 4. London Photoworld trip-06.05.81
As part of my A-Level photography course, we attended London's Photoworld exhibition held at the Olympia Exhibition centre. I was delighted that the course leader chose for us to travel from Westbury to London and back by train rather than by some rickety coach! We travelled up by HST and back on the legendary 1K68 all stopper loco. hauled 'Westbury Express'! After touring the exhibition I managed to nip across London by tube and visit King's Cross and St. Pancras stations for an hour or so.
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Images 1-41 of 41 displayed.

50044, ECS & 50009, LE, Westbourne Park 
 Taken from the 05.53 Plymouth to Paddington HST, being worked by set 253008, as it passes two Class 50s on the approach to Paddington at the end of our journey from Westbury to London. Leading a set of empty Mk. 1s 50044 'Exeter' is probably waiting to cross over and head back to Old Oak Common with the stock having been used on a morning commuter service probably from Oxford. In the distance is 50009 'Conquerer' is also waiting to make its way back to the depot with a driver and second man sitting in the cab facing the camera. Westbourne Park Villas road is behind the substantial wall to the right with the block visible through the trees still exactly the same today even down to the stairwell windows! 
 Keywords: 50046 Ajax 50009 Conquerer Westbourne Park Empty coaching stock light engine HST
50009, LE, Westbourne Park 
 As our HST, the 05.53 Plymouth to London service, approaches Paddington at Westbourne Park 50009 'Conquerer' is seen waiting for a path back to Old Oak Common whilst a set of Mk. 1 stock also waits to make the same journey. Indeed, it is possible that 50009 will have led the same set of stock inbound earlier and now is released from the platform end. Later in the day this Class 50 did a return run to Bristol Temple Meads (1A19 was the returning up train) and followed by a commuter service to Oxford (1A44). The substantial bridge crossing the line behind the 50 carries Porchester Road with Royal Oak tube station accessed at the left-hand end. 
 Keywords: 50009 light engine Westbourne Park Conquerer
33016 & 50015, unidentified LEs, Kensington Olympia station 
 As we were alighting from our tube train at Kensington Olympia station the through signals were pulled off and this duo appeared around the curve in the distance and under Kensington High Street bridge. I am not at all sure as to why large logo 50015 'Valiant' was being dragged by 33016 but my suspicion is that it was being taken for attention back to Old Oak Common following use on the L&SWR Waterloo to Exeter route. The superb and rather grand Kensington South Main signal box controlled signalling to the south end of the station with North Main at the other end that also controlled access to the Motorail terminal. Kensington was a strange mixture GWR lower quadrant signalling controlled by an LMS box. The box was closed in the early 1990s when the semaphore signalling was abolished but the empty box survived until the autumn of 1993. Notice the R-Stock tube train sitting at the adjacent platform that will soon be returning the very short distance to Earl's Court. 
 Keywords: 33016 50015 unidentified light engines Kensington Olympia station Valiant
R Stock 23514, unidentified working, Earl's Court LU station 
 With various advertising hoardings in the background, a Kensington Olympia shuttle service waits to leave Earl's Court station. Carrying the number 23514 and with its distinctive windows indicates that it is an R Stock train now some thirty years old. The first sets of this venerable London Underground stock had been withdrawn when this photograph was taken in 1981 a process that was completed by 1983 with the D78 stock largely replacing them. The design of the farings on either side of the windows is strangely reminiscent of the Abram Games design for the emblem of the 1951 Festival of Britain, see...... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival_of_Britain#/media/File:Festival_of_Britain.JPG 
 Keywords: R Stock 23514 unidentified working Earl's Court LU station
55004, on shed, London Kings Cross station 
 This was an image rescued from the reject box hence its off-centre view and the slight fogging to the left-hand side. However, I have very few images of the King's Cross' maintenance and servicing area especially with a Deltic in full view! It really must have been a filthy and very cramped place to undertake basic servicing on locomotives with them literally flying in and out in between operating ECML express services. In this view, 55004 'Queen's Own Highlander' is just coming off-shed ready to work the 16.05 semi-fast to York. Quite a convoluted set of manoeuvres were required to extricate a locomotive from the rearmost roads of the facility in order to reach the station platforms but it all added more interest to us enthusiasts (I had moved on from being a spotter by this time!). 
 Keywords: 55004 on shed London Kings Cross station Queen's Own Highlander
55004, 16.05 London King's Cross-York (1L44), London King's Cross station 
 With the station clock reading 15.50 55004 'Queen's Own Highlander' and its train is being prepared to leave in fifteen minutes with the 16.05 semi-fast service to York composed of six air conditioned Mk. IIs and what I assume to be a Mk. 1 buffet or restaurant car marshalled towards the middle. With a haze of diesel fumes appearing to be coming from just one of the exhausts, it would appear that 55004 will be hauling the train with just 1,650hp on tap on one engine. This was a very common occurrence in the last years of Deltic operation to keep these fine machines in service by helping to reduce engine hours and thus preserving the number of 'spare' units available to be swapped over at 'the Plant' in Doncaster. This would be ample power for this train to maintain its tight timings on this late afternoon commuter service to York. 
 Keywords: 55004 16.05 London King's Cross-York 1L44 London King's Cross station Deltic Queen's Own Highlander
55017, 12.34 Hull-London King's Cross (1A18), London King's Cross station 
 55017 'The Durham Light Infantry' arrives into the daylight at King's Cross station emerging from Gasworks tunnel. It is leading the 1A18 12.34 from Hull that has taken just over three hours to reach London. By this stage in 1981 inner suburban electrification was complete but I avoided taking any images of the now-classic Class 313 electrics that ran on the lines; a schoolboy error but one predicated by having to count the cost of every Kodachrome 64 transparency exposed! 
 Keywords: 55017 12.34 Hull-London King's Cross 1A18 London King's Cross station The Durham Light Infantry Deltic
55017, 12.34 Hull-London King's Cross (1A18), London King's Cross station 
 A second view of one of my personal favourite Deltics, 55017 'The Durham Light Infantry', as it enters King's Cross station. It has just brought the 1A18 12.34 ex-Hull from East Yorkshire and is looking just a little work stained with dirty and faded blue paintwork. Like the majority of its twenty-two classmates, this was the last year of Deltic operation with this example lasting until 31.12.80. Notice the 63 bus on York Way proudly displaying its Bartex sunglasses advertising. This very stylish brand of chromatic apparel was very much at the 'quality' end of the market but search as I have, I cannot find out what happened to the company. A photograph taken from a very similar position as this was taken on a visit to King's Cross in 2018, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/23772626004/x91113-1s18-43295-1s16-london-king. 
 Keywords: 55017, 12.34 Hull-London King's Cross (1A18), London King's Cross station The Durham Light Infantry
40198, for 16.30 London King's Cross-Peterborough (1B30), London King's Cross station 
 40198 eases into King's Cross station to then attach to its stock. Then it will work the 1B30 16.30 commuter service to Peterborough. This particular service was often hauled by a Class 40 giving enthusiasts a chance to get some lively English Electric haulage on the ECML. With no motor drive on my Pentax ME Super (not that I could afford to waste Kodachrome 64 transparencies using this facility!) I had to rely on my eye and judgement to place locomotives; as can be seen here, I did not always get it right! 
 Keywords: 40198 16.30 London King's Cross-Peterborough 1B30 London King's Cross station Whistler
Watching the trains, London King's Cross station 
 An age-old activity at King's Cross; watching the trains! Possibly a grandfather discusses trains with his granddaughter whilst an enthusiast stands by with his camera in his hand. In the background 55004 'Queen's Own Highlander' is visible at the head of the 16.05 semi-fast to York. I have in my notes that there were numerous official notices around King's Cross station advising that trainspotters were banned from the platforms due to an injury sustained by one at an outer suburban station; can anybody shed any information on this? I can report that none of those seen in this image including myself had a visit from platform staff! 
 Keywords: Watching the trains London King's Cross station Queen's Own Highlander 55004 Deltic
55004, 16.05 London King's Cross-York (1L44), London King's Cross station 
 With a characteristic plume of exhaust from just one of its engines 55004 'Queen's Own Highlander' gets away from King's Cross with the 1L44 16.05 to York. Close examination of the large station clock reveals that the train was leaving about a minute late but even running on one engine the Deltic would have ample power to keep the sem-fast working on time to Yorkshire. 
 Keywords: 55004, 16.05 London King's Cross-York (1L44), London King's Cross station Queen's Own Highlander
55004, 16.05 London King's Cross-York (1L44), London King's Cross station 
 With such limited resources in terms of film, a going-away shot did seem a little bit of an extravagance! However, being such a fan of Deltics I must have made an exception on this visit to King's Cross. 55004 'Queen's Own Highlander' eases the 1L44 the 16.05 semi-fast service to York away from King's Cross. The poor external condition of this Deltic, and most of the rest of the fleet at this time for that matter, was a reflection of that most had just months left in service before final withdrawal on 02.01.82 marking the end of a fine era of first-generation diesel traction. 
 Keywords: Queen's Own Highlander
55017, 12.34 Hull-London King's Cross (1A18), London King's Cross station 
 Standing on the blocks at platform one at King's Cross 55017 'The Durham Light Infantry' rests after arrival with the 1A18 12.34 from Hull. After returning to Finsbury Park for servicing 55017 then worked the 1S72 22:30 King's Cross to Edinburgh sleeper later in the evening. 
 Keywords: 55017 12.34 Hull-London King's Cross 1A18 London King's Cross station The Durham Light Infantry
Nameplate, 55017, 12.34 Hull-London King's Cross (1A18), London King's Cross station 
 The nameplate of 55017 'The Durham Light Infantry' is seen whilst it stands on the blocks at King's Cross' platform one. This was one of my most favoured Deltics being the first one that I ever spotted back at York in 1977. 
 Keywords: The Durham Light Infantry
Enamel, St. Pancras station 
 Passengers crossing from King's Cross or simply accessing St. Pancras from the Pancras Road entrance back in the early 1980s were greeted by this fine London Midland enamel across the steps. I often wonder whatever happened to these fine and very large signs, were they simply unceremoniously ripped down and crushed or safely removed and now in the custodianship of a proud owner? On the reverse side of this enamel was different wording that can be seen in the next photograph of this sequence. Notice the advertisements by the side of the steps, the second one up is for the 1981 Benson and Hedges cricket cup a number of matches of which were held at the nearby Lord's in St. John's Wood. Incidentally, Northamptonshire won the 1981 cup by a nail-biting six runs against Essex on 19th and 21st July. 
 Keywords: Enamel St. Pancras station
Enamel, St. Pancras station 
 On the reverse side of the sign seen in the previous photograph is some useful information for passengers arriving at St. Pancras station including where they might be staying for the night! Beyond the traffic at the traffic lights on Pancras Road that is waiting to get on to Euston Road is the unmistakable facade of King's Cross station. Amongst the inevitable FX4 taxis is a Mini and a vehicle that I am going make a strong link with to today's modern-day courier UPS. The yellow lorry is one of National Carriers' fleet that at this time was a state-owned arm of British Rail that delivered packets and parcels. Under the Thatcher government this was privatised in 1982 becoming National Carriers Roadline before settling on the name Lynx Express Delivery Network later shortened to just Lynx that also acquired Red Star Parcels. In 2005 the whole lot, then the largest independent delivery service in the UK, was bought by UPS. 
 Keywords: Enamel St. Pancras station
45123, 14.07 Derby-London St. Pancras (1C59), London St. Pancras throat 
 Taken using my 135mm zoom lens on my Pentax ME Super 45123 'The Lancashire Fusilier' enters St. Pancras station crossing over the bridge that spanned Goods Way that itself linked Pancras Road with York Way. With the bulk of St. Pancras' signal box to the left, see.... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/27444294604/st-pancras-signal-box this scene is completely unrecognisable today! The Peak is leading the 1C59 14.07 ex Derby service into platform two. Incidentally, 45123 had a further five years in service ending its days at Vic Berry's infamous scrapyard in Leicester finally being cut up in 1988. 
 Keywords: 45123 14.07 Derby-London St. Pancras 1C59 London St. Pancras throat The Lancashire Fusilier
Light restoration, London St. Pancras station 
 Using my wide-angled lens I have taken this interesting interior view of St. Pancras station showing it undergoing some restoration to the frame and glazing. At this time British Rail simply did not have the resources to undertake the full-blown restoration of the vast Barlow designed trainshed hence their efforts very much took a 'finger in the dyke' approach. The 14.07 from Derby has just arrived at platform two whilst a Class 127 DMU waits to leave platform one for Bedford. Notice that some wag has removed the letter C from the branding of the Mk. 2 coach in the foreground perhaps as part of schoolboy attempt to add an erroneous letter T perhaps? 
 Keywords: Light restoration London St. Pancras station
Class 127 DMU, 16.42 London St. Pancras-Bedford, London St. Pancras station 
 This was a transparency rescued from the rejects box due to its chronic underexposure but one that Photoshop has made a reasonable job of recovering. A pair of four-car Class 127 DMUs stands at St. Pancras' platform one that will soon work the 16.42 service to Bedford. These venerable Derby built units were the mainstay of inner and out suburban services on the Midland route running as far north as Bedford from London hence them acquiring their Bedpan nickname. 
 Keywords: Class 127 DMU 16.42 London St. Pancras-Bedford London St. Pancras station
Class 45s & 47, unidentified workings, London St. Pancras station 
 Unfortunately, my contemporary notes do not record the locomotive numbers and their respective workings in this view at St. Pancras. The only one that I can confirm is that the first Peak is 45123 'The Lancashire Fusilier' that had recently arrived with the 14.07 from Derby. This view also reveals the restoration of the Barlow trainshed that is being undertaken with the wrought iron frame having received a fresh coat of paint. Much of the glazing remains covered up leading to a dark interior at platform level. 
 Keywords: Class 45s 47 London St. Pancras station Peak The Lancashire Fusilier
Archway, London St. Pancras station 
 One of the archway entrances to St. Pancras station that allowed vehicles to access the interior is seen looking towards Euston Road. The George Gilbert Scott designed Grand Midland Hotel through which access was gained was at this time being used by BR as offices. Today, after becoming a hotel again, access through this archway is undertaken in a somewhat different manner being pedestrians only with all vehicles banished. 
 Keywords: Archway London St. Pancras station
Enamel, London St. Pancras station 
 The entrance to the booking office at St. Pancras is seen complete with a British Railways double flanged enamel. Today this entrance is to the superb Booking Office bar, see..... https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Booking_Office%2C_St_Pancras_International_Station%2C_NW1_%286296266282%29.jpg 
 Keywords: Enamel London St. Pancras station
Enamel, London St. Pancras station 
 Yet another large London Midland enamel at St. Pancras station. This huge running in board was located at the extreme country end of the station on the eastern side. Notice the general detritus laying about on the platform not exactly providing the expected welcome for travellers! I love the chimney stacks on the buildings in the background with their vast numbers of pots. One can only wonder what the interiors of these buildings would have been like at this time with them being divided into many poor-quality flats and bedsits. All in this view has now been swept away with a council office and leisure centre now dominating this view.

UPDATE..... the last sentence that I wrote here is actually incorrect! When visiting St. Pancras in the autumn of 2022 I happened to spot some of the chimneys featured in this photograph. They appear to be the two sets located above the last few letters of the word Pancras with one partially obscured by the right-hand taller chimney, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30033204428/x2-chimneys-london-st-pancras-station 
 Keywords: Enamel London St. Pancras station
45143, 17.00 London St. Pancras-Bedford (2G17), London St. Pancras station 
 A wide angled photograph of the grand train shed at St. Pancras that is seen undergoing some British Rail 'style' improvements! By now the decision to save the station from demolition had been made but BR simply did not have the funding to complete a full and much-needed restoration so there was a repair and make do approach until the much-heralded transformation that we are all so familiar with commenced in 2002. In this view, 45143 '5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards' is waiting to depart leading the 2G17 17.00 commuter service to Bedford. There were a number of locomotive hauled morning and evening peak services (excusing the pun!) composed of a scratch set of Mk. 1stock hauled by a locomotive of some kind. Notice the contractors' cars parked on the platform near their scaffolding. There is a blue Vauxhall Viva HC Firenza Coupé and a now ultra-rare red 'N' registered Fiat 124 Special with its twin headlights and period bumper-mounted fog or driving lamps. Because of using the wide-angled lens, this photograph did need a fair amount of Photoshop tweaking to straighten out the curved verticals and horizontals producing what I think is a great result! 
 Keywords: 45143 17.00 London St. Pancras-Bedford MIdland 2G17 London St. Pancras station 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards Peak
Class 127 DMU, 16.03 Luton-London St. Pancras, London St. Pancras station 
 The gasometers just north of St. Pancras station were visual features of the area for many years and look to be, in this image at least, to be in good condition. Today these iconic structures live on with them being at the core of some very upmarket flats and apartments with one even surrounding a park and recreation area. Back when this image was taken this rather run-down part of North London was one avoided by most but the gentrified transformation of this area is now quite extraordinary helped in no small part by the rebuilding of St. Pancras station itself in the early 2000s. In this view, the 16.03 Luton to St. Pancras service arrives at its destination being worked by a pair of the excellent but by now virtually life expired Class 127 DMUs. 
 Keywords: Class 127 DMU 16.03 Luton-London St. Pancras, London St. Pancras station Bedpan
45143, 17.00 London St. Pancras-Bedford (2G17), London St. Pancras station 
 Still wearing its nameplates and crests 45143 '5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards' waits under the grand arch at St. Pancras station leading the 17.00 2G17 service to Bedford. I suspect that commuters making their way home from the capital would have appreciated travelling on this service in a 'proper' coach rather than on a rattly Class 127 DMU that were the mainstay of the stopper and local services. Having said that of course, the Class 127s were fast accelerating units that were actually one of the best incarnations of the first generation DMUs. 
 Keywords: 45143 17.00 London St. Pancras-Bedford 2G17 London St. Pancras station 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards
Enamel, London St. Pancras station 
 A lovely period line of telephone boxes is seen inside St. Pancras station complete with a British Railways (London Midland) enamel. In the days before mobile 'phones and other forms of personal mass communication public facilities such as this were extensive and found at most stations in long lines or blocks. I am not at all sure what the man in the middle kiosk is doing, perhaps taking in a little spotting whilst making his call? 
 Keywords: Enamel London St. Pancras station BR London Midland
Butterley Company plate, London St. Pancras station 
 One of a number of company build plates found around St. Pancras station attached to the base of one of the substantial supporting columns. The Butterley Company was a highly successful business based in Ripley, Derbyshire that was formed in 1790. It was involved in the manufacture of heavy engineering and large structures much of which revolved around the railways. One of their most famous structures was St. Pancras with them manufacturing the huge two hundred and forty foot wrought iron spans of the Barlow train shed. After surviving into recent years manufacturing things such as the Falkirk Wheel and Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower the company was wound up in 2009 with various parts of it sold off so ending a fine heritage of heavy manufacturing and one that has gone the way of so many others. 
 Keywords: Butterley Company plate London St. Pancras station
50044, 16.30 Oxford-London Paddington (1A33), London Paddington station 
 On arrival back at Paddington station, I was greeted by a number of Class 50s on the blocks having worked services in from the west. 50044 'Exeter' had arrived with the 1A33 16.30 'fast' from Oxford and would soon be released to then work the 17.52 'Westbury Express' that we took home. Notice the HST to the left and the Class 47 to the right neither of which attracted the attention of my lens or even my notebook for that matter, how things would change over the years to come! 
 Keywords: 50044 16.30 Oxford-London Paddington 1A33 London Paddington station Exeter Class 50
50008, unidentified up working & 50009, 15.20 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington (1A19), London Paddington station 
 Consecutively numbered 50008 'Thunderer' and 50009 'Conquerer' stand at Paddington's platforms nine and ten. Whilst I have been unable to work out what service 50008 had worked in from the West Country, 50009 had led the 1A19 15.20 ex Bristol Temple Meads. Whilst the two locomotives are the centrepiece of the photograph there is much else of interest. Back in 1981 taxis and other vehicles could access the wider spaces between the platforms making the onward journey for some passengers much more straightforward. In addition, notice the exhaust haze looking towards the light in the station's arch and finally, the fully loaded mail trolley to the extreme right. 
 Keywords: 50008, unidentified up working & 50009, 15.20 Bristol Temple Meads-London Paddington (1A19), London Paddington station Thunderer Conquerer
Commuters, London Paddington station 
 I fired off a number of photographs around Paddington station whilst waiting for our train home back to Westbury. Some of these images worked better than others with a number not making it from the rejects box! Here two passengers rush for their train on the concourse negotiating their way through the other workings of the station. Notice the suited passenger clutching his attaché case, something any self-respecting commuter would have. Also, notice the large advertisement for the Imperial Life insurance company at the top of the photograph. This company, dating from 1896, is still trading but not under this name that disappeared in 2001 with the company now owned Sun Life Financial of Canada. 
 Keywords: Commuters London Paddington station
50020, 11.22 Liverpool Lime Street-London Paddington (1V41), London Paddington station 
 A throwback from GWR days was when one could get a direct service train all the way from Merseyside to Paddington that has now disappeared from our railways. 50020 'Revenge' has just arrived with the 1V41 11.22 from Liverpool Lime Street that it hauled from Birmingham New Street with AC power to there. Considering that 50020 had only returned to traffic after its refurbishment and repaint into 'large-logo' livery exactly two months to the day previously it is already beginning to look a little work-weary! Unfortunately, BR did not always take a great deal of care maintaining the external appearance of their locomotives, ironically exacerbated by putting them too frequently through the washer that contained too much caustic cleaning agent causing chronic paint fade. 
 Keywords: 50020 11.22 Liverpool Lime Street-London Paddington 1V41 London Paddington station Revenge
Baby, London Paddington station 
 A baby takes full stock of its travelling arrangements from the relative peace and luxury of its pushchair! I hope that it was looking at the buffer stops at Paddington making careful note of the motive power on view. According to my notebook, the young person would have witnessed a couple of HSTs, three Class 50s and a 47 with some rather more mundane DMUs over to their right. This child, I would estimate (at the time of writing in early 2022), would now be some forty years old; I wonder if they still travel by train? 
 Keywords: Baby, London Paddington station
Commuters, London Paddington station 
 Whilst some rush for their train home after a day working in the city others pause and take stock studying the departures' board. I have had to treat this photograph somewhat within Photoshop due to the general lack of proper focus. However, I liked the original image with it telling an everyday story of Paddington station that made it worth the time spent! 
 Keywords: Commuters London Paddington station
Mother & daughter, London Paddington station 
 A mother and her slightly apprehensive looking daughter wait on Paddington station's busy and noisy concourse preparing to make a journey westward bound. Whilst the little girl clutches her beloved woven companion her mother takes the travelling bag on her shoulder and newspapers for the journey in her arm. I have been able to make out that the newspaper in view is The Mirror and having researched the headline for the day I can state that it reads 'WHAT THE RIPPER TOLD HIS WIFE'. There is also a picture of Peter William Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, on his wedding day. This story was being covered by the paper, and every other one for that matter, as his trial for the murder of thirteen women and attacks to a further ten had started the previous day, the verdict is now history off course and I suppose at the time of writing during the COVID pandemic has an added irony as Sutcliffe died from the virus on 13.10.20 having refused prison hospital treatment 
 Keywords: Mother daughter London Paddington station
50044, 17.52 London Paddington-Westbury (1K68), London Paddington station 
 Our train home from London waits at Paddington's platform one. Having worked in from Oxford a little earlier no time was wasted, once the inbound stock was removed, to get 50044 'Exeter' away from the buffers and reversed back on to the stock of the 1K68. This train was often dubbed the 'Westbury Express' due to its tight timings and its stopping pattern. It was a heavily used commuter service that became popular with enthusiasts as well as the normals up to its demise in the mid-1990s. 
 Keywords: 50044 17.52 London Paddington-Westbury 1K68 17.52 London Paddington-Westbury London Paddington station Exeter
50044, 17.52 London Paddington-Westbury (1K68), nr. Pewsey 
 Taken from the leading droplight of the stock 50044 'Exeter' shatters the Wiltshire peace as it accelerates away from its stop at Pewsey. Our photography group had enjoyed a great day in London at the Photoworld show and an equally enjoyable (well for me the railway enthusiast at least!) journey back on the 1K68 17.52 Paddington to Westbury evening commuter service. I have it in my notes that the driver of the Class 50 was utilising as much of the 2,700 hp as he could really giving it some beans between the frequent stops that this service makes. It has to be remembered that this train was pathed between a number of much faster and non-stopping HSTs so there really was no time to dawdle with no facility to pass trains from Newbury to Westbury but for a loop at Woodborough. 
 Keywords: 50044 17.52 London Paddington-Westbury 1K68 Pewsey Exeter
50044, 17.52 London Paddington-Westbury (1K68), Heywood Road Junction 
 The first of a sequence of photographs that I took from the leading droplight of the 1K68 17.52 Paddington to Westbury train as it approached its destination. My ability to take so many shots in close succession was due to me now having loaded an FP4 film in the camera provided by college rather than using my own supplied and very expensive Kodachrome 64! Looking into the evening light 50044 'Exeter' has just left the Westbury cut-off that is now curving away to the left out of sight and is about to pass the Heywood Junction home that is pulled off. The distant arm is Westbury North's and is still at danger meaning that our train will have to slow and even prepare to stop before it can enter the station probably caused by the train that can be seen crossing our path in the distance either leaving or arriving at Westbury travelling via the Avon Valley route. The two submissive arms on the shorter doll are for the chord that led to Hawkeridge Junction that at this time saw little use. A reverse angled photograph of this fine bracket signal can be seen taken the previous summer, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/29513954004/x50041-18-35-london-paddington-newton 
 Keywords: 50044 17.52 London Paddington-Westbury 1K68 Heywood Road Junction Exeter
50044, 17.52 London Paddington-Westbury (1K68), Westbury North 
 Having worked hard and fast from London Paddington, leaving at 1752, the 1K68 'Westbury Express' approaches its destination with 50044 'Exeter' leading. Taking the sharply curved and steeply cambered approach to Westbury North both the distant and the home signals have been pulled of permitting access to the station. The rather unassuming flat piece of derelict land to the left is where the Westbury panel box was built some three years after this photograph was taken that precipitated the wiping away of the fine array of mechanical signalling on the lines of this Wiltshire town. 
 Keywords: 50044 17.52 London Paddington-Westbury 1K68 Westbury North Exeter
50044, 17.52 London Paddington-Westbury 1K68, Westbury North 
 On the final approach to Westbury station 50044 'Exeter' is seen leading the 17.52 from Paddington into its destination. In this view the magnificent gantry that spans all the lines and controls access to the station from the east is seen. Also visible is Westbury North signal box under the Station Road bridge. 
 Keywords: 50044 17.52 London Paddington-Westbury 1K68 Westbury North
50044, 17.52 London Paddington-Westbury (1K68), Westbury station 
 Having arrived at Westbury station and terminated the 1K68 17.52 ex Paddington services disgorges its passengers who make their ways home this included my A-Level photography group who had enjoyed a great day in London. I am not sure what diagram was followed on the arrival of this service but I suspect 50044 'Exeter' would work the stock back to London again, advice anybody? Notice that I have wandered quite nonchalantly off the platform end to take this photograph; how things have changed! 
 Keywords: 50044 17.52 London Paddington-Westbury 1K68 Westbury station Exeter

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