First attempt at a return to steam 85
Clive Smith
Clive Smith
As previously mentioned, the long wait for steam to the South Devon banks was a day longer than expected as both 6000 King George V and 7819 Hinton Manor had both failed with hot boxes on route. 6000's hot box occurred at Taunton where 37007 and 37178 were attached to the rear of the 1Z47 09.30 Paddington to Plymouth railtour to assist the solo 7819. However with 7819 also succumbing to a hot box at Exeter St Davids, the 37s then hauled the train on to Plymouth.
The pictures show (1) 37007 and 37178 between Lipson Junction and Mutley Tunnel on a rather murky 7th April 1985. (2) Split box 37007 on the front was a particularly rare Gateshead allocated 'tractor', but this was of no interest to the dejected masses lined up outside the Royal Eye Infirmary at Plymouth who were most definitely not class 37 fans. Green Great Western liveried 50007 Sir Edward Elgar awaits in the siding behind to take the train back to Paddington at 18.15.
As a footnote although steam was banned from BR lines from 1968 to 1985 in Devon and Cornwall, the sole exception to the ban was 4472 Flying Scotsman and this loco did I believe indeed steam over the South Devon banks in 1973 whilst based at Paignton when it required wheel turning at Laira . I do remember Bernard Mills excitedly recollecting this at one of his impressive slide shows and indeed producing the evidence on film !
Regards Clive Smith
Many thanks for your reminiscences and photographs Clive.
The pictures show (1) 37007 and 37178 between Lipson Junction and Mutley Tunnel on a rather murky 7th April 1985. (2) Split box 37007 on the front was a particularly rare Gateshead allocated 'tractor', but this was of no interest to the dejected masses lined up outside the Royal Eye Infirmary at Plymouth who were most definitely not class 37 fans. Green Great Western liveried 50007 Sir Edward Elgar awaits in the siding behind to take the train back to Paddington at 18.15.
As a footnote although steam was banned from BR lines from 1968 to 1985 in Devon and Cornwall, the sole exception to the ban was 4472 Flying Scotsman and this loco did I believe indeed steam over the South Devon banks in 1973 whilst based at Paignton when it required wheel turning at Laira . I do remember Bernard Mills excitedly recollecting this at one of his impressive slide shows and indeed producing the evidence on film !
Regards Clive Smith
Many thanks for your reminiscences and photographs Clive.
Picture 1 - 7th April 1985. Copyright Clive Smith
Picture 2 - 7th April 1985 Copyright Clive Smith N.B. You can almost feel the disappointment in this photgraph.
The return of steam in 85
Julian Stephens
Julian Stephens
A well loaded train as 5051 Earl Bathurst, 4930 Hagley Hall, with 50045 Achilles as back up tackle Dainton Bank on the 7th July 1985 Dainton Copyright Julian Stephens
Both steam locos stalled on Dainton Bank and had various attempts to get going without success. 50045 came on the rear and banked the train from m.p. 217 to 218 right by Dainton Tunnel box. 50045 was detached there then followed to Totnes where the train was terminated rather than running through to Plymouth as booked.
A week later, on the 14th July the same pair are seen at Rewe. 051 Earl Bathurst, 4930 Hagley Hall 14th July 1985 Copyright Julian Stephens
Veteran HST's in Devon
Andrew Triggs
Andrew Triggs
180808d XC 1V46 06.16 Leeds to Plymouth at Dawlish 43285 leading 43366. Copyright Andrew Triggs
180808e From the top of Langstone Rock GWR 1A85 10.00 Penzance to Paddington with unbranded stock 43138 leading celebrity 43002. Copyright Andrew Triggs
180808f 43133 leading 1C80 12.03 Paddington-Penzance passing Cockwood Harbour. Copyright Andrew Triggs
Lostwithiel
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
A very unusual view of Lostwithiel Signalbox with very interesting stock berthed in the yard. Another Gem from the John Cprnelius Collection - many thanks John.