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2379 - The Atlantic Voyager

7/5/2026

 

Item 2379
47813 & 47812 work:
'The Atlantic Voyager'
Dorridge - Newquay
02.05.2026

Saturday 2nd May saw The Railway Touring Company run an enthusiasts railtour from Dorridge - Newquay. 

47813 and 47812 worked the trip top and tailed throughout.

RTC previously focused on steam-hauled 'day trips', so it was refreshing to see them put this excursion on - perhaps filling a gap in the market left following the demise of Pathfinder Railtours in 2025.
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47813 and 47812 approaching Taunton with the Dorridge - Newquay railtour. 02.05.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
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47812 on the rear of the tour at Taunton. 02.05.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
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47812 top and tailing with 47813 on the 1Z47 05:46 Dorridge to Newquay "The Atlantic Voyager" hammering through Taunton. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
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47813 0546 Dorridge to Newquay approaches Powderham. 02.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
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A drone shot from Powderham. 02.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
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At Sprey Point, Teignmouth, 47813 heads the Atlantic Voyager towards Newquay. Funnily enough it is seen passing a voyager. 02.05.2026, copyrigiht Jack Burchill.
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47812 was on the rear as the train heads into Teignmouth. 02.05.2026, copyright Jack Burchill.
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West Coast Railways 47813 storms away from Middleway Level Crossing with 1Z47 'The Atlantic Voyager' on route to Newquay top and tail with 47812 on 2nd May 2026 just before the heavens opened for the classic wet bank holiday weekend. 02.05.2026, copyright Alan Peters.
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47813 crosses the old A30 on the Goss Moor. 02.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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1Z47 stands in the new Goss Moor passing loop awaiting the Newquay unit. The 10 coach and 2 locomotive train just fits between the signals. 02.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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Before the Goss Moor loop and the second platform at Newquay came along, running a tour of this type would have been impossible without severely disrupting the schedule of the service train. 150219 approaches St. Columb Road on the 2N13 to Par at 13:37 whilst the railtour waits in the new loop. 02.05.2026, copyright Mike Bojko.
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Having passed the Newquay unit, 2 x Class 47's pass St. Columb Road at 13:48 on the 1Z47 to Newquay. 02.05.2026, copyright Mike Bojko.
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47812 on the rear at St. Columb Road. 02.05.2026, copyright Mike Bojko.
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47813 continues on to Newquay, seen near St. Columb Road. 02.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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The rain has started to roll in as the train approaches Newquay, seen passing Trencreek. 02.05.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
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47813 arriving at Newquay. 02.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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47813 arriving at Newquay. 02.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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Newquay holds the distinction of having the longest platform in Cornwall. 02.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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47813 arrives at Newquay with 1Z47. 02.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
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47813 'on the blocks' at Newquay. 02.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
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A view from the best seat in the house at Newquay. 02.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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47813 in the rain at Newquay. 02.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
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47812 on the rear of the train at Newquay. 02.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
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The first time Newquay station has seen two passenger trains since the 1980's, 150219 prepares to depart from P2 with the 1524 to Par whilst the railtour sits in P1. 02.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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The returning railtour, 1Z48 led by 47812, approaches the former Chapel Crossing with the power on. 02.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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The returning railtour, 1Z48 led by 47812, approaches the former Chapel Crossing with the power on. 02.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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47812 passes a small gallery of rather damp photographers at Middlway - if you look closely, 2 ducks are taking flight who had been taking up camp between the rails! 02.05.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
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The tour rejoins the mainline at Par for its long journey back to Dorridge. 02.05.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
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With a great deal of exhaust and the turbocharger screaming, 47812 roars up the bank away from Par with its 10-coach train and 47813 dead on rear. 02.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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47812 storming through Bodmin Parkway with the return tour to Dorridge. 02.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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47813 on the rear at Bodmin Parkway. 02.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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47812 leads the 1610 Newquay - Dorridge through Totnes. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
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47813 brings up the rear at Totnes. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.

2378 - The Paxman Quarrier

28/4/2026

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Item 2378
The Branch Line Society's
'The Paxman Quarrier'
Ian Thomas
26.04.2026

The Branch Line Society runs a number of railtours covering unusual and rare track, especially branch lines, and so it was that on Sunday, April 26th, they ran a tour titled the "Paxman Quarrier".

This tour, 1Z57, started from London Paddington at 08.20, heading west toward Bristol Temple Meads via Swindon, Badminton and Filton.

A short break was taken here before the train departed at 11.13 (as 1Z58) for the sought-after branch line from Yate to Tytherington (formerly to Thornbury until 1967).

The train was worked by "Grid" 56-103 leading and 57-306 at the rear from London. The train then reversed at Temple Meads, with Class 60 No. 60-099 attached at the front, piloting 57-306 along the branch to the quarry at Tytherington.

A break of just under an hour was taken here, and 60-009 ran around to the opposite end of the train and piloted 56-103 on what was now 1Z59, the 12.58 Tytherington-Bristol T/M.

We chose Iron Acton for photographs, as much of the line is enclosed in vegetation and tree growth, and it was the site of the former Iron Acton station.

The branch lost its passenger service in June 1944, quite an early closure.

More direction changing was necessary at Bristol to ensure that 56-103 was leading for the return to the capital. This was a very unusual train destination indeed.

This train, 1Z60, was the 15.04 Bristol T/M-London Kings Cross. I believe this to be the very first time that any train routed over the Midland line north from Bristol had a destination of London Kings Cross!

After negotiating the Camp Hill route, avoiding Birmingham New Street, the tour ran via Nuneaton, Leicester, Peterborough and the ECML to the Cross.

What a great day out for the punters, and the weather was more like late May than April, with sun and 21c warmth.
​
Photos are at Iron Acton station site, plus a picture taken here on a tour in 1959 with a GW Pannier tank and Standard 2-6-4T No. 80079, on a series of tours in 1999, plus a final bite at the cherry of 56-103 passing Cam & Dursley (just 200 yards or so from the former Coaley Junction station).
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56-103 amidst the very early spring blossom at Iron Acton. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
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57-306 brings up the rear of 1Z59 at Iron Acton. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
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60-099 negotiates the former Thornbury branchline at Iron Acton. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
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60-099 and 57306 at Iron Acton. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
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56-103.at the rear of 1Z58 at Iron Acton. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
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60-099 and 56-103 returning on 1Z59, the 12.58.Tyherington-Bristol TM. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
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56-103 passing Cam & Dursley with 1Z60 - the 15.04.Bristol TM-London Kings Cross 1Z60. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
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Cam & Dursley 56103 57306 on 1Z60 15.04 Bris TM - London Kings Cross. 26.04.2026, copyright Ian Thomas.
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BR 80079 4MT Tytherington with 1Z41.. 20-03-99..(65)..
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0-6-0 PT No 9769 on the RCTS Bristol & South Gloucs rail tour at Iron Acton..26-09-59..
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2377 - The Great Britain XVIII - 18.04.2026 - 19.04.2026

23/4/2026

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Item 2377
34028 'Eddystone' works:
The Great Britain XVIII
18-19.04.2026

The prestigious 'Great Britain' tour returned to Cornwall this year. The first leg of the UK-wide steam-hauled railtour made its way to Penzance on Saturday 18th behind Bulleid Pacific 34028 'Eddystone' with WCRC class 47 47826 on the rear. 

The locomotive was taken to St. Blazey to be turned and serviced at the M Power Kernow facilities, ready to work back north on Sunday morning.

This was the first steam tour west of Par for a number of years.
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The first leg of the Great Britain XVIII railtour, 1Z10, ran yesterday from Paddington to Exeter, led by WC class 34028 EDDYSTONE and tailed by 47826. Seen here passing Bathpool running a few minutes early. 18.04.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
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34028 1326 Exeter to Penzance passing Gissons Exminster. 18.04.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
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34028 ‘Eddystone’ top and tail with 47826 the 1326 1Z12 Exeter St David’s to Penzance The Great Britain XV111, seen passing Exminster. A glorious sight. 18.04.2026, copyright David Tozer.
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Eddystone topping rattery bank (still doing a fair clip). 18.04.2026, copyright Ron Westwater.
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A broadside view of the steam tour at Rattery. 18.04.2026, copyright Ron Westwater.
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Crossing Saltash viaduct just as the clouds parted,what a great view this is (even though I say so myself). 18.04.2026, copyright Ron Westwater.
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34028 'Eddystone' crosses St Germans Viaduct with the 1Z12 13:26 Exeter St Davids - Penzance leg of "The Great Britain XVIII" railtour with 47826 on the rear. 18.04.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
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34028 crosses Cornwalls tallest viaduct, St. Pinnock with The Great Britain XVIII. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Geach.
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34028 leading the tour past Respryn. 18.04.2026, copyright Howard Sprenger.
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The railtour passes through Par. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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The railtour passes through Par. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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34028 passing Par Signal box. 18.04.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
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34028 approaches Holmbush Crossing, St. Austell. 18.04.2026, copyright Julian Stephens.
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47826 on the rear at Holmbush. 18.04.2026, copyright Julian Stephens.
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34028 approaching Truro. 18.04.2026, copyright Joe Birchall.
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34028 passing the engine house at Wheal Busy, Scorrier. 18.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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A photo of the steam train taken from Barncoose Road overbridge. 18.04.2026, copyright Claire Sheppard.
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34028 heading west at Marazion Marsh. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
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The tour beneath the station roof at Penzance. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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The tour beneath the station roof at Penzance. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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47826, the support coach and 34028 passing through Truro en route to St. Blazey for turning. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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47826, the support coach and 34028 passing through Truro en route to St. Blazey for turning. 18.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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47826 leads 34028 and its support coach past Truro en route to St. Blazey for turning. 18.04.2026, copyright Joe Birchall.
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The ensemble head to St. Blazey for turning. 18.04.2026, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
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The ensemble head to St. Blazey for turning. 18.04.2026, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
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34028 arrives at St. Blazey for turning and servicing using the M Power Kernow facilities. 18.04.2026, copyright Oli Monk.
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34028 pulls onto St. Blazey turntable. 18.04.2026, copyright Oli Monk.
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Team M Power get stuck in and turn the heavy locomotive on the St. Blazey turntable. 18.04.2026, copyright Oli Monk.
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34028 on the St. Blazey turntable with the roundhouse behind. 18.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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Whilst the steam loco was being turned, 47826 ran to St. Blazey signal box and went back again to run round the support coach in the up goods loop at Par. 18.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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The locomotive is reversed over the pit at St. Blazey so that servicing work can begin. 18.04.2026, copyright Tim Hughes.
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Servicing 'Eddystone' at M Power Kernow, St. Blazey. 18.04.2026, copyright Oli Monk.
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Servicing 'Eddystone' at M Power Kernow, St. Blazey. 18.04.2026, copyright Oli Monk.
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With servicing complete, 34028 is brought back onto the turntable so that a grab lorry can replenish her tender with coal. Duncan of M Power tells the driver where to stop. 18.04.2026, copyright Oli Monk.
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34028 on the turntable at St. Blazey. 18.04.2026, copyright Tim Hughes.
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34028 on the turntable at St. Blazey. 18.04.2026, copyright Tim Hughes.
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The light fades at St. Blazey. 18.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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Darkness falls at St. Blazey as the lorry refills 34028's coal supplies. 18.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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34028 at Par with its support coach and 47826, turned and ready to depart back to Penzance. 18.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

The Great Britain XVIII
Day 2 - 19.04.2026

Day 2 of the Great Britain XVIII saw 34028 lead the tour away from Penzance on its journey North to Chester.
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Early doors at Penzance sees 34028 and its support coach in Platform 4 at Penzance. 19.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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34028 heads away to collect the coaching stock. 19.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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34028 and the railtour await departure from Penzance platform 1 as the crowds gather on the platform. 19.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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Departure from Penzance at 0920. 19.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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47826 on the rear of the train passing Penzance signal box. 19.04.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
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Superb morning light as 34028 powers 'The Great Britain' through Marazion Marsh. 19.04.2026, copyright Roger Salter.
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34028 powering past Trevingey level crossing, Redruth. 19.04.2026, copyright Keith Jenkin.
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A big crowd of onlookers at Trevingey. 19.04.2026, copyright Keith Jenkin.
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47826 on the rear at Trevingey. 19.04.2026, copyright Keith Jenkin.
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Today I went out to see the Great Britain XVIII with 34028 and 47 826 on their way back up, making for an impressive sight and sound as they climbed the 1 in 78. I’m pretty sure this is the first steam excursion to Penzance in 4 years. 19.04.2026, copyright Joe Birchall.
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The spectacle of 34028 climbing through Tywardreath on the Great Britain 18 tour on 19.04.2026. Copyright Craig Munday.
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In glorious morning sunshine 34028 'Eddystone' crosses Largin Viaduct with the 1Z10 09.20 Penzance - Chester "The Great Britain XVIII" railtour with 47826 on the rear. 19.04.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
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A drone shot of the tour crossing East Largin viaduct. 19.04.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
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Ron also joined the gallery at Largin - A shot of 1Z10 0920 Penzance to Chester over Largin Viaduct..what a marvellous sight it was. 19.04.2026, copyright Ron Westwater.
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Sadly with no visible exhaust, 34028 drifts across St. Germans viaduct. 19.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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Good light at Forder as 34028 returns the tour. 19.04.2026, copyright Roger Geach.
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34028 'Eddystone' crosses Blatchford Viaduct near Ivybridge with the 1Z10 09.20 Penzance - Chester "The Great Britain XVIII" railtour with 47826 on the rear. 19.04.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
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34028 Eddysone 0920 Penzance to Chester on Cornwood viaduct running about 5 minutes late. 19.04.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
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A fine sight as 34028 rounds the curve at Teignmouth. 19.04.2026, copyright Martin Scane.
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