57305, 47805 & D213 work:
'The English Riviera Express'
12.07.2025
Clive Smith, Andrew Triggs, David Tozer, Paul Barlow & Jon Hird
LSL 57311 with 47805 passing Charlton Road overbridge running 13 late at 10.32 working 1Z29 06.13 Three Bridges-Kingswear 'English Riviera Express' shortly after clearing Cogload Junction. 12.07.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
BR Green 47805 bringing up the rear. 12.07.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
D213 'Andania' replaced 57311 at Taunton, which then departed for Kingswear, passing Silk Mills Road overbridge at 11.15, running 6 early, with 47805 on the rear. 12.07.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
47805 again bringing up the rear. 12.07.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
What a splendid sight on the sea wall as 40013 rounds the corner into Teignmouth station with Saphos Trains 1Z29 06.15 Three Bridges - Kingswear with green 47805 on the rear. The booked steam loco had been replaced by the green D213 which was sent from Crewe to Taunton light the previous day. I'm not sure whether there is a steam ban on due to the dry lineside conditions and concerns about train driver health in the 30C, or whether the derailment at Bishops Lydeard on the WSR on Thursday affected preparation for the steam loco that regularly operates these tours from Taunton throughout the summer. 12.07.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
With a very clean exhaust, D213 winds up and makes a wonderful sound as she passes Cockwood Harbour with the return working. 12.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Class 40 D213 Andania on 1635 Kingswear to Three Bridges passes Powderham (47805 was on the rear). 12.07.2028, copyright Paul Barlow.
It was so hot this morning I gave the down working of the Class 40 a miss. A little cooler tonight so it was off to Marsh Barton. D213 with the early running 1635 1Z30 Kingswear to Three Bridges. Out of sight on the rear was 47805. 12.07.2025, copyright David Tozer.
Many thanks all - great shots of a fine machine.
St. Germans Sunrise
Jon Hird
An early start to capture the sunrise and some early morning trains at St. Germans. 43098 leads the first train of the day - the 0515 Plymouth - Penzance - over the viaduct. 43198 was on the rear. 12.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
30 minutes later, along came 57603 with the down 'sleeper'. The sun has risen and so has the tide. 12.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
A video of the river, viaduct and sunrise. Press the red 'play' button to view. 12.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Saturday Freight
Andrew Triggs, Clive Smith, Jaxon Parry & Jon Hird
DBC 66034 with load 11 JIAs passing Silk Mills Road overbridge shortly after, running 3 early at 11.31 with 6V76 10.35 Westbury Down T.C-St Blazey S.S. 12.07.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
66034 trundles through Teignmouth station with the 6V76 10.35 Westbury - St Blazey empty JIAs running 45 minutes early. I'm not sure what's happening with the corrugated roof and glass but it's missing on a large section of the down platform 1 allowing the very bright sunshine to flood in and highlight the 1895 built canopy. 12.07.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Further west, 66034 crosses St. Germans viaduct. 12.07.2025, copyright Jaxon Parry.
A drone shot of the clay crossing St. Germans viaduct behind 66034. 12.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
The daylight empties are a welcome item of interest to the weekends. Many thanks all for the photos.
'Down by the river'
At the South Devon Railway
Jon Hird & Clive Smith
With thanks to Clive for the tip-off, I swung in to Dartington to see the SDR class 25 working a train, before heading off to photograph the '40'. However, all was not as it seemed, as instead of a diesel horn, a whistle was heard approaching, and from behind the trees emerged 0-6-0 1369 with an unadvertised service from Totnes - Buckfastleigh. 12.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
After a little wait (spent paddling in the river whilst the children captured young eels!) 25262 heads the delayed 1545 Buckfastleigh - Totnes past Dartington. 12.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
25262 works a late afternoon train from Totnes to Buckfastleigh on the South Devon Railway. I'd been tipped off the resident rat was working four trips Saturday and Sunday so thought I'd go for the River Dart reflection shot. With it being baking hot and 28C again there were quite a lot of sunbathers on the river bank and also a large amount of paddleboarders which can provide additional focal points and enhance the picture whilst at the same time causing ripples and ruining the pristine reflection. 12.07.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks Clive, both for the photo and for the tip-off!