27th January 2021

Chasing - a busy day
Exeter and Dawlish area
Paul Barlow

9 May 1998
First tour was 6024 King Edward I on the 0615 Coventry to Par I assume the king took the train from Bristol. The King is currently at Minehead for a heavy major overhaul which commenced in 2012.
The second was the preserved  Hasting unit 1001.The 'South Devon DEMU'
This ran from Hasting via Waterloo, Woking and Salisbury to Exeter, Dawlish and Totnes, continuing through to Buckfastleigh (1417-1515); return including Exeter St. Davids – Exeter Central and back, and then via Westbury, Basingstoke & Waterloo. A very long day!
All the best , Paul Barlow

6024 King Edward 1st passes Cockwood. 9th May 1998, Copyright Paul Barlow.

Hastings to Buckfastleigh emerges from Parson tunnel. 9th May 1998, Copyright Paul Barlow.

The 15.20 Buckfastleigh to Hastings seen at Exeter St Thomas. 9th May 1998, Copyright Paul Barlow

THe 15.20 Buckfastleigh to Hastings seen at Exeter Central. 9th May 1998, Copyright Paul Barlow.

The 15.20 Buckfastleigh to Hastings seen heading for home at Cowley Bridge junction. 9th May 1998. Copyright Paul Barlow

Many thanks Paul.
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Yealmpton branch
Steer Point
Paul Burkhalter

A note to add to this section of the website. The farm bridge over the railway to the east of Steer Point Station (between there and cylinder bridge) has been removed recently (after October 2020). It was a steel girder structure on masonry piers, which remain. It had been fenced off for some years, presumably being unsafe. Cheers, Paul Burkhalter

Steer Point the bridge that has been removed just east of Steer Point station. The shadow is that of Mke Roach. Taken during the branch demolition in November 1962. Copyright. Mike Roach

Many thanks Paul

Dawlish & Teignmouth
Clive Smith

​As we enter another phase of wet weather here are a few pictures of a wonderful day on Monday. Hope they give a lift to those who have not been able to get out. Get well soon Roger.

Regards and stay safe.
Clive Smith

(1) Work continues on Dawlish Sea Wall Phase 2 encompassing the railway station. The piling supports that will be the foundations for the new promenade walkway can clearly be seen. The Wavewalker has been there since 10th November and is only supposed to be there a couple of months so it may not be around much longer./ 25th January 2021. Copyright Clive Smith.

(2) 43171 brings up the rear of a 2+3 set on the 10.50 Penzance - Cardiff Central with 43010 on the front. This was taken from Rockstone Bridge at Dawlish. I was working in the area and decided to take my lunch break in my car on the main road two minutes walk away and felt I needed some much needed exercise along the sea wall.. 25th January 2021. Copyright Clive Smith.

(3) 43303 leads Cross Country's 06.06 Edinburgh - Plymouth along the sea wall with 43378 on the rear. My exercise took me half way to Longstone Rock in the distance before it was time to turn back as this came into view. 25th January 2021. Copyright Clive Smith.

(4) Now at Teignmouth, this is 43092 on the rear with 43153 on the front . The train is the 12.50 Penzance - Exeter St Davids with a 2+4 formation. I was working in this area too and was parked up on the bridge behind the Teignmouth Coastwatch observation point on Eastcliff Walk for my tea break and took this at 15.34 with just a few minutes of good sun before it dipped below a bank of cloud.. 25th January 2021. Copyright Clive Smith.

(5) 43154 leading with 43027 on the rear with the 13.00 Cardiff Central - Penzance as it approaches Teignmouth station at 15.47 with the last vestiges of the glorious sun now disappeared. 25th January 2021. Copyright Clive Smith.

(6) A bonus shot as this a view available from the train should you be making an essential journey. Three cruise ships are moored off Teignmouth at 16.55 as the sun goes down. The ships continue to be moored off Torbay during the covid pandemic with minimal crew as it is cheaper to keep them running on basic power than to shut them down completely in dock. . They usually move off to Southampton every ten days for restocking. 25th January 2021. Copyright Clive Smith.

Many many thanks for your collection Clive - very well done indeed.
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Swindon
Driver Alan Peters

I worked 1Q15 from a snowy Bescot to Hereford via Kidderminster then back to Gloucester and over the Golden Valley to Swindon where 37175 is pictured with PLPR (Plain Line Pattern Recognition) in place of the NMT, the train was top and tailed with 37099 'Merl Evans' which I worked back to Gloucester, the train then carried on forward to Swansea on 26th January 2021 - Copyright Driver Alan Peters

Many thanks Alan.
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