It would be a busy day for heritage traction in the south-west, with two railtours gracing the Dartmouth Steam Railway alongside their own intensive timetable.
Operated by the Locomotive Services Group under their Saphos Trains banner, the ‘English Riviera Express’ would work between Crewe and Kingswear and return; via Stafford, Birmingham New Street, Cheltenham Spa, and Bristol Temple Meads. Class 40 - D213 “Andania” would provide the power between Crewe and Taunton, with B1 Class - 61306 “Mayflower” in control of the legs between Taunton and Kingswear.
Operated by Pathfinder Railtours, Class 52 ‘Western’ - D1015 “Western Champion” would work ‘The English Riviera Airshow’ between Tame Bridge Parkway and Paignton and return; via Birmingham New Street, Leamington Spa, Swindon, and Bristol Temple Meads. Since the English Riviera Airshow would be taking place in Paignton, the tour served as an ideal way to travel to the area from further afield for the event. D1015 would work the tour while masquerading as scrapped classmate D1011 “Western Thunderer” on one side only.
On the Dartmouth Steam Railway, 7827 “Lydham Manor” would be in charge of their Green timetable for the day, consisting of 6 return trips between Paignton and Kingswear. In support of the airshow, and to appeal to those who travelled to the railway behind D1015, Class 37 - 37703 would be providing the traction for an additional service, working three return trips over the DSR.
Due to GWR operating additional services to for the airshow, both railtours were subject to tight operating windows. As such, both featured diesel tail gunners throughout their respective journeys. For the ‘English Riviera Express’, this role would be played by Class 47 - D1924 “Crewe Diesel Depot”; also providing electric power to the coach set. For ‘The English Riviera Airshow’, Class 50 - 50007 “Hercules” would provide the support. 50007 would be carrying the identity of scrapped classmate 50034 “Furious” on one side only.
Due to the time differences between the two railtours, and the DSR’s services, it was logical to stay at certain locations for multiple clips rather than risk moving. Under a strong morning sun, D213 provided a great soundtrack as it powered through Bankland, shortly to be relieved at Taunton. Moving south to Beambridge, 61306 would make a fine assault of Wellington Bank as it head towards Whiteball, followed shortly by D1015; the ‘Western’ appearing in fine form as it issued an impressive performance. Onto DSR metals, both 37703 and 7827 would turn it powerful performances as they tackled Goodrington Bank, providing respective crescendos climbing the 1-in-71 gradient. Down in Kingswear, 61306 in seen being serviced ahead of its return trip. Upon leaving the seaside town, the B1 would accelerate the tour alongside Dartmouth Harbour, gaining momentum for the climb to Churston. The B1 would issue further similarly impressive performances at both Teignmouth and Burlescombe, as it continued its journey to Taunton. Setting up at Cogload Junction, D213 and D1015 would both thrash past the assembled onlookers as they worked their respective tours out of Taunton.
Locomotives:
BR Class 40 - D213 “Andania”
BR Class 47 - D1924 “Crewe Diesel Depot”
BR(E) B1 Class - 61306 “Mayflower”
BR Class 52 ‘Western’ - D1015 “Western Champion” (D1011 “Western Thunderer” on one side only)
BR Class 50 - 50007 “Hercules” (50034 “Furious” on one side only)
BR Class 37 - 37703
BR(W) 7800 'Manor' Class - 7827 "Lydham Manor"
00:00 - D213 Bankland
00:43 - 61306 Beambridge
02:17 - D1015 Beambridge
03:24 - 37703 Goodrington footpath
05:08 - 7827 Goodrington footpath
08:01 - 61306 Kingswear
08:22 - 61306 Kingswear footpath
11:35 - 61306 Teignmouth
12:11 - 61306 Burlescombe
13:20 - D213 Cogload Junction
14:11 - D1015 Cogload Junction
All footage filmed on Saturday the 1st of June 2024.
