The Mayflower - 6/09/25

Yes. As we ran along the sea wall between the Warren and Dawlish we could see the other train approaching the rockfall shelter further around the coast.

 

7029 Clun Castle and 45596 Bahamas at Durston with The Mayflower en route to Plymouth

 

7029 Clun Castle and 45596 Bahamas at Norton Fitzwarren with The Mayflower en route to Plymouth

 

Back to the tour - 25mph minimum going up Hemerdon

 

Not going to win any photography awards

 

Where did you take that from? @andyjhatton

 

Clun Castle looking absolutely fantastic this morning at Powderham footbridge. The run up Hemerdon and her departure from Exeter both sounded excellent, a real sharp bark from her chimney.

Well done Vintage Trains for maintaining her and keeping her in such immaculate condition.

 

The Mayflower seen just after Cogload Junction.https://www.flickr.com/photos/79185888@N04/54769792320/in/dateposted-public/

 

Coach P, on the approach to Taunton

 

5029 with a train for Kingswear, and........in the distance, 7029 and 45596 with a Plymouth Express. Summer Saturday in the West. September 2025.

 

Can anyone confirm the footplate crews on today’s tour please?
Saw Andy, Alastair and Sam manning Clun but not sure of any others/from the Jubilee?
Thanks in advance

 

There was another loco on the train.........

 

I know there was.

 

I can only imagine how much of an amazing experience it must be to drive Clun Castle on the mainline, what a privilege it must be.

 

He’s already made it perfectly clear the Jubilee is such a poor engine, not a patch on the castle, blah blah blah.

Think it every much a shame 7029 lead both ways myself especially on 5596’s last trip out for a while on the mainline. I do think as always 5596 was turned out to perfection.

 

Well said, and it’s not often we agree!

It is an absolute privilege that we get any mainline steam almost 60 years on since it should have ended. We all have a favourite, but singling it out so obviously as is being done is completely unnecessary and untasteful. If I was a member of the 5596 group reading this I’d wonder what we’d done so badly!!

But if we are playing the which is better game, 5043 is to me a better loco than 7029 anyway!!

 

I only mentioned Clun Castle as it is the one in which I would prefer to ride on if given the chance, that's all.

I am singling it out as that is the loco I am interested in. I singled out and only photographed Western Champion when it came to Devon in May as that is the loco I like and wasn't particuarly interested in the 37 on the rear as I prefer Westerns to 37's, it's just a preferance.

Interesting, what makes you say that you prefer 5043? I only prefer 7029 as Grandad pictures of it 'back in the day' so that's how the interest in that loco came about for me. Ultimately 6024 is the pinnacle of the GWR but that's taking a while but patience is a virtue and I am sure we will see it out soon.