47813 + 47812 work:
'The Atlantic Voyager'
Bill Elston, Clive Smith, Paul Barlow, Jack Burchill, Alan Peters, Jon Hird, Mike Bojko, Mark Lynam, Roger Winnen, Andrew Triggs & Jonathan Harbage
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.
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.
47813 and 47812 approaching Taunton with the Dorridge - Newquay railtour. 02.05.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
47812 on the rear of the tour at Taunton. 02.05.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
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.
47813 0546 Dorridge to Newquay approaches Powderham. 02.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
A drone shot from Powderham. 02.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
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.
47812 was on the rear as the train heads into Teignmouth. 02.05.2026, copyright Jack Burchill.
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.
47813 crosses the old A30 on the Goss Moor. 02.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
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.
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.
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.
47812 on the rear at St. Columb Road. 02.05.2026, copyright Mike Bojko.
47813 continues on to Newquay, seen near St. Columb Road. 02.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The rain has started to roll in as the train approaches Newquay, seen passing Trencreek. 02.05.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
47813 arriving at Newquay. 02.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
47813 arriving at Newquay. 02.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Newquay holds the distinction of having the longest platform in Cornwall. 02.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
47813 arrives at Newquay with 1Z47. 02.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
47813 'on the blocks' at Newquay. 02.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
A view from the best seat in the house at Newquay. 02.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
47813 in the rain at Newquay. 02.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
47812 on the rear of the train at Newquay. 02.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
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.
The returning railtour, 1Z48 led by 47812, approaches the former Chapel Crossing with the power on. 02.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The returning railtour crosses the iron bridge on The Goss Moor. (Video, click to play). 02.05.2026, copyright Jonathan Harbage.
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.
The tour rejoins the mainline at Par for its long journey back to Dorridge. 02.05.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
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.
47812 storming through Bodmin Parkway with the return tour to Dorridge. 02.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
47813 on the rear at Bodmin Parkway. 02.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
47812 leads the 1610 Newquay - Dorridge through Totnes. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
47813 brings up the rear at Totnes. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks all, and a hearty congratulations to The Railway Touring Company and to West Coast Railways for pulling off the first railtour to Newquay for many years - no doubt much work has gone in behind the scenes to allow it to happen.
The Britannic Explorer
Clive Smith, Paul Barlow, Jack Burchill, Peter Jenkin, Andrew Triggs, Jon Hird & Roger Winnen.
Belmond's prestigious touring train, 'The Britannic Explorer' once again visted the westcountry over the weekend of 01.05 - 04.05, this time hauled by 66744 and 66748.
66748 arrives at Taunton with 1C02 from its overnight stop at Bishops Lydeard. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
66744 on the rear of the train at Taunton. This loco would run round to the front to double head to Penzance, meaning the windows of the observation coach at the rear would have an unobstructed view of the railway behind the train. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
66744 and 66748 on the Bishops Lydeard to Penzance 'Belmond Britannic Explorer' passing Cockwood Harbour. 02.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
66744 leads 66748 and the Britannic Explorer out of Parsons Tunnel (Teignmouth). 02.05.2026, copyright Jack Burchill.
66744 and 66748 power past Barncoose with 'The Britannic Explorer'. 02.05.2026, copyright Peter Jenkin.
With the train back in top and tail formation, 66744 leads away from Penzsance with the 1Z03, 1730 Penzance - Fowey. 02.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
66748 on the rear at Penzance. 02.05.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The prestigious train passes the rot and decay of Burngullow whilst it heads for Fowey. 02.05.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66744 heading through St. Austell with the Penzance - Fowey leg of the Britannic Explorer. 02.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
66748 on the rear at St. Austell. 02.05.2026, copyright Roger Winnen.
Many thanks all - The Britannic Explorer seems to be doing much better this year.
The English Riviera Express
Bill Elston, Clive Smith, Paul Barlow & Jack Burchill
The first 'English Riviera Express' of the year also ran on 02.05.2026. 45118 hauled the train from Crewe - Taunton, with steam loco 61306 working Taunton - Kingswear and return, before handing back over to 45118.
Saturday 2nd's Crewe to Kingswear hauled by Peak 45118 as far as Taunton, seen at Bathpool. 02.05.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
45118 at Taunton, working the 1Z61 06.10 Crewe - Kingswear Saphos 'English Riviera Express' as far as Taunton with 47593 on the rear. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
45118 at Taunton. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
45118 at Taunton. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
45118 at Taunton. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
61306 'Mayflower' at Taunton with the 1Z61 06.10 Crewe - Kingswear 'English Riviera Express'. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
61306 'Mayflower' at Taunton with the 1Z61 06.10 Crewe - Kingswear 'English Riviera Express'. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
47593 was the rear loco for the 1Z61 06.10 Crewe - Kingswear 'English Riviera Express'. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
A loco change at TAU saw LNER B1 61306 take over and is seen passing Norton Fitzwarren. 02.05.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
61306 Passes Cockwood with the 0610 Crewe to Kingswear. 02.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
47593 on the rear. 02.05.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
61306 "Mayflower" steams along Teignmouth sea wall with the English Riviera Express. 02.05.2026, copyright Jack Burchill.
47593 was on the rear. 02.05.2026, copyright Jack Burchill.
61306 at Dawlish with the 1Z62 16:35 Kingswear - Crewe. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
47593 on the rear at Dawlish with the 1Z62 16:35 Kingswear - Crewe. 02.05.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks all - a busy day for special trains here in the west!
May 1976
Part 3
Roger Winnen
Walking the Tresavean Branch. 08.05.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Walking the Tresavean Branch. 08.05.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Walking the Tresavean Branch. 08.05.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Walking the Tresavean Branch. 08.05.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Walking the Tresavean Branch. 08.05.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Walking the Tresavean Branch. 08.05.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Walking the Tresavean Branch. 08.05.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Walking the Tresavean Branch. 08.05.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Walking the Tresavean Branch. 08.05.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Walking the Tresavean Branch. 08.05.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.