Items added on the 7th May 2016 Those added most recently come first

Western Challenger
Report

It is very sad to report that today's attempted non stop run Paddington to Plymouth failed at the very last hurdle being brought to a stand at Millbay tunnel by a signal.

Here are the pictures, as they come so to speak, in railtour order.

Paddington to Plymouth

D1015 alias D1010 Exeter St Thomas 7th May 2016 - taken off video. Copyright David Tozer

160507a D1010 Western Campaigner approaches Kennaway Tunnel Dawlish. Copyright Andrew Triggs

D1015 has almost completed the run along the sea wall as it reaches the Teignmouth end at 09.09 on 7th May 2015. Copyright Ron Westwater

160507b D1015 Western Champion carrying name and numberplates D1010 & D1058 Western Campaigner & Western Nobleman speeds through Newton Abbot running 16 mins early. Copyright Roger Salter

160507c The exhaust of the Western as she opens up through Newton Abbot Station. Copyright Roger Winnen

D1015 swings through the site of the old Ivybridge station which closed to passengers 2nd March 1959 . This picture 7th May 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

160507d On entering Plymouth aboard the 07.30 Paddington-Penzance we view the Western standing in Platform 5 prior to its departure for Okehampton. Copyright Roger Winnen

Plymouth to Exeter

D1015 at Plymouth ready for the return leg to Exeter. 7th May 2016 Copyright Craig Munday

D1015 Plymouth on the 7th May 2016 Copyright Nick Gaskell

160507g D1058 Western Nobleman this side at Plymouth. Copyright Roger Salter

160507e D1010 Western Campaigner at Plymouth commemorating the run 50 years ago. Copyright Roger Salter

160507f The design of the Western Class diesels over a half century ago still looks modern today. D1010 Western Campaigner at Plymouth prior to departure. Copyright Roger Winnen

On reporting number1A17 D1015 passes its old home at Laira. It's a shame that the Cherry tree flowers on last for a few days but glad they were there for 1015. 7th May 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

160507h Passing a down Voyager on the climb to Hemerdon Summit at 12.46 Copyright Andrew Triggs

Exeter to Okehampton

D1015 approaches Neopady Bridge. Between Crediton and Yeoford Outward - coming from Crediton 7th May 2016 Copyright David Tozer

160507p With the sun slightly dipping the railtour passes Yeoford Station on route to Okehampton. Copyright Roger Winnen

160507j Looking around the train is seen going away towards the former Coleford Jct on route to Okehampton with Coleford Church in the background. Copyright Roger Winnen

D1015 at Butsford bridge near Colebrooke on the Meldon branch 7th May 2015 Copyright Ron Westwater

160507k D1010 is seen arriving Okehampton Station at 14.40 Copyright Andrew Triggs

160507l D1010 is seen departing Okehampton passing the former military sidings to Meldon Quarry. Copyright Andrew Triggs

Okehampton to Exeter

160507m The return working snakes over the crossover at Crediton slowing to allow the handing over of the token, Copyright Roger Winnen

160507n With the photographers reflection in the engines windscreen the train departs for Exeter on the former Southern Main Line. Copyright Roger Winnen

160507o The Western roars out of Crediton. Copyright Roger Winnen

Exeter to Waterloo

D1015 with exhibiting D1058 number and name on the side you see. The train stopped short of Pinhoe platform until it got the green signal and the it accelerated away. It could only enter the simgle line section when the preceding 159’s on the Waterloo service had cleared Feniton. 17.49 on the 7th May 2016 Copyright David Tozer

Remember St Phillips Marsh 
Open day a Video - Unusual.

Good morning all.
 The link below is to a short video taken at St Philip's Marsh depot during preparations for the recent depot open day (Monday 2nd May) .                 This highly recommenced video shows the activity going on "behind the scenes" at the depot.  It was shot by a GWR staff member but is on YouTube so can be shared.  As you will see, there are now many other (longer) videos of the open day on YouTube but this one is a bit different. Derek Buttivant. 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRwmsZBMvmY

Fifty years ago 
Today

The first and only ever NON  STOP  PADDINGTON TO  PENZANCE train journey took place. Details courtesy Six Bells Junction
      Paddington to Penzance Non-Stop and Penzance to Waterloo
Locos Used were D1010 'Western Campaigner and D823 'Hermes'
Route :
D1010 London Paddington - Slough - Reading - Southcote Jn - (via Berks & Hants) - Cogload Jn - Taunton - Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot - Plymouth - Par - Penzance.
D1010 Penzance - Par - Plymouth.
D823 Plymouth - St Budeaux - Bere Ferrers - Bere Alston - Tavistock North - Lydford - Okehampton - Crediton - Exeter St Davids - Exeter Central - Honiton - Salisbury - Basingstoke - Fleet - Woking - Weybridge - Surbiton - Wimbledon - Clapham Junction - Vauxhall - London Waterloo. 
1) The outward journey was non stop albeit a very slow crawl was required approaching the Royal Albert Bridge due to a late running up train. The non-stop run Paddington to Penzance was achieved in 5 hours 13½ minutes. The return journey achieved a non-stop journey from Plymouth to Waterloo albeit with a short signal stop at Keyham. The time between Plymouth and Waterloo was recorded as 3 hours 53½ minutes which beat the Ocean Liner Express of 1904 (see below) by just under 10 minutes!
(2) During the time at Penzance a special helicopter charter was available which provided about 90 minutes on St Mary's in the Scilly Isles.

And surprisingly our Roger Winnen was there to witness it albeit with a box camera and, as he puts it 'shaky hands' to witness the event. Here is his picture of half a century ago so move lean back and 'screw up' your eyes and enjoy it. Roger Winnen - 7th May 1966.

Just under forty years ago D1010 was in charge of an excursion from Plymouth Dept. 07.45 Plymouth - Newton Abbot to Birmingham New Street then to  Oxford [break] returning via  Didcot, Reading West Jn, Basingstoke, Salisbury, Yeovil Junction, Exeter Central (Down Through Line), Exeter St Davids returning to Plymouth.

D1010 Western Campaigner at Newton Abbot on the outward journey on the 27th Nov 1976 Copyright Roger Winnen

D1010, and passengers taking a break at Oxford. Health and Safety would forbid any such trespass on the running lines today! 27th November 1976

Thanks to Mike Roach for reminding us of this Anniversary.