A double delight, of Southern mainline steam was billed, for the first weekend in September. The star locos were 4464 Bittern & 34067 Tangmere. Both engines were pulling, the Torbay Express & Royal Duchy.
We start the day at Coombe Cellars, where 4464 is seen on a misty morning as the A4 makes its way down the Teign Estuary, on route to Kingswear. Drab conditions, but a good show from the driver, making it worth the wait. We stay with Bittern, as it's now seen working up the bank to Churston on the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway. Later on we see, the A4 basking in the sunshine, while being turned on the turntable, in readiness for it's return working, from Kingswear. The return of the Torbay Express, is seen twice, firstly at Maypool, still on preserved metals, the A4 powers it way up to Churston, with a little slip. Later on, it's seen blasting up through Torre on the mainline, as it heads home to Bristol.
With the Torbay Express finished, we now turned our attention to the return working of the Royal Duchy, where we witnessed a ferocious climb of Hemerdon Bank. The Spam Can put on a show for the masses, as it made light work of the treacherous climb, as it topped the bank at almost 29mph. We then capped off a long day, at Tiverton Parkway, where Tangmere breezes through the station, running bang on time.
Hope you enjoy the footage.
15 окт 2024
