www.sdronline.org.uk

Yes it really did happen on Saturday September 11th when Castle Class 5029 'Nunney Castle' piloted A4 Class 60019 'Bittern' from Taunton to Plymouth and return. 'Bittern' ran with double tender but in this photographer's opinion the Castle blocked the view of the A4's beautiful lines; and with only 12 on, including the support coach, surely 'Bittern' could have coped on her own - even over the banks? But there we are, any steam on a Devon mainline is very welcome under any circumstances. And with 'Bittern' coming back down on her own in a few days time, the return of 'Duke of Gloucester' and a promise of 'Britannia' soon, we're looking at an excellent end to the season.

EXTRAORDINARY SCENES AT PLYMOUTH STATION

A scene from the 1960's - a Hall, a Castle, a Western and three rakes of chocolate and cream coaches?

No. This image was created on Saturday 15th May 2010. And not a DMU or ICT in sight!

So extraordinary we bring it to you in monochrome to add to the atmosphere.

Today's story, Saturday 15th May, begins with 4965 Rood Ashton Hall piloting 5043 Earl of Mount Edgecombe along the famous seafront location at Teignmouth where Sarah photographed the pair. Subjected to a signal check due to an Exmouth - Paignton boneshaker service not clearing the section the pair were not running at line speed. But what a classic combination these two made, a regular sight in the 50's and 60's, but in 2010 a scene so rare in Devon that enthusiasts turned out in their hundreds.

Leaving the tunnel and the end of Teignmouth sea wall but slowing

Now they have the board and regulators are opened

Maureen chose Rattery Bank to photograph the pair on the last of the great Devon banks

before the long coast down to Plymouth.

Maintaining a good speed up Rattery

D1009 Western Invader roars up Hemerdon at Sparkwell Bridge

on its journey to Plymouth

Meanwhile Sarah had made it to Plymouth Station, via a circuitous new locations learning trip

(thanks J), where she captured the following

Gricers, gricers everywhere; and not an inch to spare

Not so many around the steam locos. Huh!

And so at 16.30 the pair of ex G.W.R. locomotives departed Plymouth for Bristol Temple Meads.

This time Maureen was at the Plymouth end of Hemerdon Bank and with a relatively light load they made easy work of it.

The clag says it all as the pair approach Sparkwell Bridge

Sparkwell Bridge

Our final images were created by Sarah at Cornwood Viaduct*, still on the climb up Hemerdon

Left - *Blatchford Viaduct (also known as Cornwood Viaduct)

is one of the most magnificent structures between

Plymouth and Exeter

Above - heading for Ivybridge and the top of Hemerdon Bank

TORBAY EXPRESS - 71000 DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

18TH JULY 2010

The view from the cliffs above Boat Cove at Dawlish is unparalled, looking down the coast

to Langstone Rock - also known as Red Rock. This gives vastly different images to those

commonly taken at rail level in the 1950's and 1960's of this most famous stretch of coastal railway.

First sight of 71000 as it rounds 'Red Rock' having just passed Dawlish Warren. Exmouth in the background.	Nearing Dawlish town.
Entering Dawlish Station........	..........and bursting out the other side
still having the ability to stop onlookers in their tracks.	Heading towards the first of the tunnels beneath us between Dawlish and Teignmouth.
On the return trip 71000 enters the first of the reverse curves at Waterside, near Paignton	My mainline shooting companions and I call this vantage point on the South West Coastal Path 'Thrombosis Hill'.
Duke of Gloucester coasts down the 1 in 60 gradient towards Goodrington and Paignton, where it will rejoin the main line for its run back to Bristol	Berry Head and Brixham feature in the background to this image.