The Tall Controller

On a quest to find the quirks and charms that exist on today's railway!

Proudly from 〓〓

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

Welcome to November!

On a day with so much cloud, it was a real treat to be given a beautiful sunrise at Dawlish.

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

@SwanageNick @ChrisChurchil20 @driverbod125 Would love to visit it if you end up back there again.

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

Marchwood has to be my favourite disused station!

Located on a barely used line near Southampton, it retains a platform, station building as well as a signal box with manual crossing gates and fully operational semaphores!

It still sees the odd train to nearby military site.

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

There at the beginning and the end.

43042s appearance at the grand finale last week was significant as in addition to being one of the last to leave Plymouth, it was also one of the first!

43042 was part of set 253021 which was the first to appear in Plymouth on 10 April 1977.

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

@jayforeman I did have an Uncle Barry. Is this book available in the afterlife bookshop?

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

@cliffordbeeton The priority is getting them out as soon as possible regardless of the livery.

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

Changing of the guard...

With operation of the Castle HSTs at an end, the new order starts to take their place.

The first of GWR's Class 175s has entered service today on a round trip from Plymouth to Penzance.

More to follow in the new year.

(Photo not taken today)

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

@puddleswellies Correct!

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

@rafthemaster You're welcome. I'm glad I could help

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

The final HST of last night's line up leaves Plymouth for the final time, to toots, cheers and applause!

I make no apologies for the basicness of the video. I wanted to watch the event with my own eyes instead of through a screen. But it captures the atmosphere perfectly.

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

@Implacable_39 Thank you 😊

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

@John_The_Fitter It was in the right place at the right time. The set was on its last Penzance-Plymouth run when it was decided to utilise it for the Newquay line. Extended its life by about 9 hours!

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

@every_station Enjoy the sights and Sound of Plymouth (pun intended)

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

@blurtonwolf Many thousands, if not millions of miles...and hopefully more to come!

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

The final HST from Exeter St Davids

After almost 50 years, the public service of the HST in the south west comes to an end today.

GWR's oldest power car, 43004 Caerphilly Castle had the honour of leading the 0800 Exeter St Davids to Penzance with classmate 43186 Taunton Castle.

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

@AndyRoden1 @GWRHelp No problem at all. It was wonderful day. Everyone went home happy!

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

What a fabulous send off to the HST at Plymouth...3 of the 4 sets in service all lined up ready to head to Laira depot for one last time.

Plymouth welcomed its first HST on 10 April 1977.

Tonight it will wave goodbye to its last when the 4th set finishes just before midnight.

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

@AndyRoden1 Certainly

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

@AndyRoden1 @every_station He had a very knowledgeable tour guide 😉 And yes, it was large steak!

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

���🍓🍓🍓

[The Tall Controller @Tall_Controller]

Flying Scotsman had her first run back on the West Somerset Railway where she's holidaying for the next few weeks.

It was great to see every train full and so many spectators out to see her.

It was a privilege to signal her into Minehead today.