D1015 works 'The Golden Hind'
Guy Vincent, Paul Barlow, Roger Winnen, Clive Smith, Jon Hird, Mark Lynam, David Tozer & Bill Elston
Vintage Trains ‘Golden Hind’ 1Z33 0955 Paddington - Plymouth via the traditional summer holiday route to the West Country via Newbury to Taunton. Captured at speed on the Westbury avoiding line at two minutes to twelve. 23.05.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
The train seen again accelerating away from Blatchbridge Junction after running via the Frome station loop. 23.05.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
D1015 passes Stoke Canon on 0955 Paddington to Plymouth. 23.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
D1015 With the Golden Hind passing through Exeter. 23.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Maybach music on the sea wall as D1015 'Western Champion' passes with a somewhat lightweight load 7 on the 1Z33 09.55 Paddington - Plymouth Vintage Trains "The Golden Hind" which started at Birmingham Snow Hill at 05.48. Taken from Lea Mount above Coryton Cove in Dawlish. 23.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
A great noise as D1015 climbs Rattery Bank at Tigley on her way to Plymouth. 23.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
D1015 approaching her former home depot of Laira. 23.05.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
Leaving Exeter we headed by train to Plymouth to view the Class 52 D1015 seen arriving back at the station from Laira (where it went for servicing). 23.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Breathing in the exhaust fumes at Plymouth. 23.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1015 Departs with the returning Golden Hind. Plenty of clag. 23.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1015 'Western Champion' crosses Blatchford Viaduct in Ivybridge with the return Vintage Trains' 1Z37 17.09 Plymouth - London Paddington and Birmingham Snow Hill 'Golden Hind' railtour. Just thirty seconds previously a full length IET went the other way. 23.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Lovely light at Powderham for the returning tour. 23.05.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
D1015 passing Marsh Barton with the 1709 Plymouth to Paddington. 23.05.2026, copyright David Tozer.
D1015 Western champion passes Burlescombe on 1709 Plymouth to Paddington. 23.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
D1015 Western champion passes Burlescombe on 1709 Plymouth to Paddington. 23.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
The returning Golden Hind railtour, 17.09 Plymouth to Paddington, 1Z37, was seen this evening charging through Bathpool hauled by Western class, D1015 looking and sounding great. 23.05.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
The return 1Z37 1709 Plymouth - Paddington was running around 20 minute early through Castle Cary but then got caught behind a Weymouth -Bristol stopping train as far as Fairwood Jcn. The Western was seen again on the Westbury avoiding line as the sun was disappearing behind the new housing now adjacent to the line. 23.05.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks all - a great record of events, and didn't we have the weather for it!
35028 'Clan Line' works
The Atlantic Coast Express
Bill Elston, David Tozer, Roger Winnen, Paul Barlow & Guy Vincent
The Atlantic Coast Express 07.14 Waterloo to Exeter ran today, and is seen here passing Pendomer ( 3 miles west of Yeovil jct). Hauled by MN 35028 CLAN LINE, 10 late. 23.05.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
The Atlantic Coast Express 07.14 Waterloo to Exeter ran today, and is seen here passing Pendomer ( 3 miles west of Yeovil jct). Hauled by MN 35028 CLAN LINE, 10 late. 23.05.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
47802 on the rear. 23.05.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
Hard to believe this the approach to Central. On the the left the run round loop and ground signal is covered with vegetation. However the points to this have been plain lined. On the right the brick built relay room is also disappearing with the advancing vegetation. 35028 'Clan Line' with the 0714 Waterloo to Exeter St David's Atlantic Coast Express. 23.05.2026, copyright David Tozer.
35028 Clan Line arriving at Exeter St Davids. 23.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Crowds gathered on Exeter St. Davids. 23.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
WCRC 47802 on the rear of the train at Exeter. 23.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
35028 Clan line at Burlescombe on the 1604 Exeter to Waterloo. 23.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
35028 Clan line at Burlescombe on the 1604 Exeter to Waterloo. 23.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
Over to Westbury station for the return Atlantic Coast Express, 1Z30 1607 Exeter - Waterloo headed by 35028 Clan Line. This was held for a green signal to enable a good run before ascending the 1 in 75 climb through Dilton Marsh and Upton Scudamore towards Warminster. 23.05.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
35028 awaits departure from Westbury. 23.05.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks all - nice to see the Merchant Navy back on the former Southern Route.
Bristol Test Train
Guy Vincent
37610 in Temple Meads P11 with 3Q21 2237 Kingsland Road - Derby RTC ultrasonic test train. 22.05.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
37610 in Temple Meads P11 with 3Q21 2237 Kingsland Road - Derby RTC ultrasonic test train. 22.05.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
Details of the test train at Bristol TM. 22.05.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
DBSO 9703 ready to head off into the night at Bristol. 22.05.2026, copyright Guy Vincent.
Many thanks Guy - worth the late night for!
The bridge at Chantmarle, Dorset
James Bown
Two pictures of the Maiden Newton to Yeovil line taken from the very ornate bridge. 23.05.2026, copyright James Bown.
A GWR service about to pass below. 23.05.2026, copyright James Bown.
Many thanks James - interesting photos.
Devon Miscellany
Jon Hird
Being from Cornwall, we don’t see too many Crosscountry services. My mate and I were shocked to see just how many units were already in the new XC livery. 220021 rushes past Oli and my son Charlie at Rattery with the 0616 York - Plymouth. 23.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The new order in Devon. 175111 climbing Rattery working the 1219 Exeter - Penzance. 23.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
First in class 220001 and 220020 climb Rattery, passing Tigley, whilst working the 0743 York - Plymouth. 23.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
After seeing D1015, it seemed rude not to pop over to Dartington to see the SDR diesels strutting their stuff during the Rails and Ales Gala. 33002 heads back to Buckfastleigh from Totnes Riverside. 23.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
25262 heading to Totnes vice-steam during the SDR Rails and Ales gala. 23.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.