Torbay Express 2015

Min 54 on Brewham and 70 at Somerton with 75 in between. Held at Cogload for voyager and put RL after Taunton to allow late hst to o/t. 52 thro Wellington and 31 into tnl. Caught up hst at Teignmouth. Good run up to Churston

 

My footage of Britannia powering through Newton St Loe along with nice morning sun. Hope you enjoy.

 

I saw the train at Upton Noble on the climb to Brewham. We could hear the train from miles away.
Very enthusiastic driving with lots of whistling. Wonderful stuff. <BJ>

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/64433281@N07/20764013134/

Another one from Bath this morning.

 

23 late away from PGN, reportedly due to a flat TPWS battery.
So that's Torbay Expresses done for another year - how depressing!

 

The TE is a shining example of what a steam mainline tour should be. It is for this reason that hardened mainline steam fans get so frustrated when so many trains have to tow a diesel around and sometimes for no obvious reason. We should extend the TE to the Royal Duchy which by and large has run steam only too.

 

Sounded superb at Oldfield Park tonight. Roll on next season.

 

70000 Britannia Torbay Express Marine Parade 13/9/15 by Thomas Guppy, on Flickr

 

70000 Britannia Torbay Express Black Bridge Dawlish 13/9/15 by Thomas Guppy, on Flickr

 

What a difference half a day makes! Less pleasant at Whiteball this evening in the rain:


The last Torbay Express by Rich Andrews, on Flickr

 

My video of todays final Torbay Express...

 

Going well in the gathering gloom at Brewham, Frome and Bradford-on-Avon...



PS: blame my son for the spelling errors...

 

Ah! Lot's of window hangers just like the old days!

 

Nice video Nick. I see that the sea spray in your last clip had no effect on Britannia ......unlike the later Manchester to Plymouth Voyager that failed half way into the tunnel at Dawlish. It was still there at 8 o'clock this morning. <BJ>

 

Should have had a box on the back.

 

It seems that the Torbay Express, yet again, will be a keenly sought after trip next year.
It is good to hear of a successful tour where folks have had value for money and an enjoyable journey. It makes a change from all the fiascos, failures and fantabulations posted in this place over the last few months.

 

Only Whiteball clip yesterday but hope you enjoy the shots I did at WSR also!

 

Video capture so not the best quality..

 

You would think that there would be a thunderbird at Exeter just in case this happens... its not as though this is the first time...