Dartmouth Steam Rly 2014 season

Don't blame him as it's a very pleasing image, still haven't sussed how to change colours (ie choc n cream to blood n custard) on photoshop myself unfortunately.

 

Not blaming him at all. It's a technique I use myself from time to time. How else did I get a shot of 34081 on the NNR with a rake of green Mk.1s?

 

Messing around is the best way, just play around with the brush tool

 

Popped over for the morning as I'm a big fan of the Dartmouth's new winter weekday running. Trains seemed quiet but 7827 was outstanding up the bank from Kingswear as ever, and I was fortunate with the blue sky for some pictures of the second trip. 4277 was in light steam outside the works at Churston, where the 03 was shunting, while 4588 was on display in the Paignton headshunt. Seems to be standard practice to have a loco out there these days and it's a really nice touch. Meant there was plenty going on and to see even on a low-key timetable day.

Looking at this year's timetable, the less intensive of the two two-train versions has been binned in favour of more dates for the most intensive, which along with the increase in winter running days suggests the railway is in really good shape.

Two great climbs where it's impossible for locos not to entertain, some of the best scenery on any UK railway journey and a greater choice of running days than most other steam lines, and yet people will still snub the Dartmouth because the lining's not right on some of the liveries... Their loss... though conversely I do still pine for when it was pro-enthusiast enough to hold those brilliant galas in the 1990s. There are so many locos, both steam and diesel, I'd pay plenty to hear up Goodrington bank or barking through Greenway tunnel.

 

As a youngster I lived beside the North Warwickshire line. My trainspotting time was during the latter part of WW2 and up to 1954. I saw many variations of coaching stock colourings during that time. I have never worried myself about liveries: I have been more interested in the locomotives, their mechanisms and sounds. I often wonder about all the seemingly ex GWR, or approximate, liveries carried by Heritage railways running on former non GWR lines. Is there much protest? I doubt it. Besides, all if all the ex GWR (or Swindon built) locos were restricted to former GWR territory many lines would have a very small, or non-existant, stud of locos.
Often, in life, we who have the good fortune to have good vision might ponder those who are blind or with poor sight. They are unlikely to loose sleep over carriage livery but they will delight in the sound of a working steam locomotive.

 

As someone who enjoys sound recording as much as photography, I think the above is an excellent post, especially the final paragraph.

 

The season ticket for 2014 Paignton to DARTMOUTH is about £40 sen cit
Bought my second one having enjoyed the 2013 season
An excellent run last Thursday 7827 found it quiet outward but busy on the return(100+?)
The railway seemed in v good heart and was a contrast to the sad atmosphere on the mainline with its(then)hourly shuttle to Newton Abbot then a v slow bus to Dawlish Warren!
Buy a season if you are making more than 2journeys a year! Last year my Family ticket allowed grandchildren+partner.........
Reads like a plug BUT the contrast with the last month at Dawlish was all too evident

 

Nothing wrong with a plug for a steam railway! And with the main line closed at Dawlish for probably quite a while, we need cheering up.

John

 

The last couple of years has seen some really positive moves. Real accommodation of enthusiasts asks - given that they form a small part of the overall revenue stream, it is very welcome indeed. And these things no doubt happen because there are some keen enthusiasts working for the company. Black 7827, some coach repaints - including don't forget a better livery on the Devon Belle. New halt, a photo charter. Heritage events with Double Heading, Footplate and now brake van experiences, Kinlet Hall on holiday, extra trains out of main season, and of course on the water, the fantastic PS Kingswear Castle - worth a trip on her, if only to peer down the hatch to watch the wonderful engine working! (the scenery is great too...)

Who knows what is next? Steam and diesel Driver experiences/courses? bigger galas? I am sure, given the enthusiasm of all the guys in the company that they will do great things - within the obvious bounds of operating a successful business.

Wishing them well for the 2014 season!

 

Devon Diesel Society are running another Class 25 running day with D7535 in its new livery on Sunday April 27th.

Link: http://www.devondiesels.org.uk/Seaside Sulzer 2 poster.pdf

 

An update on recent happenings on the railway, plus lots of info for those who are planning to visit the line this year. This year, as the web site notes, is the 150 year anniversary of the line.

http://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/

 

Summer seems to have come early to South Devon - despite snow on parts of Dartmoor.

Yesterday saw 4277 Hercules hauling seven cars which were well loaded. If this is a seasons preview then it bodes well.

 

See on there blog 7827 having a retube
at the moment

 

Agreed, this new direction from the railway is most welcome, I know traditionally they have been more tourist than enthusiast based, but why not do both ?, even on typical heritage lines, events usually take place away from the high summer season.

Seems the previous mindset has relocated to Loughborough, but that's another story.

 

Please could someone provide an update with 7827. Is it in use this season or is it still in the midst of a re-tube?

Am due to be visiting Devon later this month (Saturday 28th, to be exact) and may pop over if 7827 is going to be in use.

Thanks

 

Lydham Manor was undergoing boiler tests recently John. Last week I was told she should be out this week. I will be at the railway later this week and will confirm.

However, others may confirm, or otherwise, before I do,

 

Thank you, Alan. I'll keep a look out for updates.

 

7827 Lydham Manor has been doing running-in tests after her re-tube this week, all going well she should be out next week on the double timetable alongside one of the 2-8-0s.

Also a bit of extra news, a class 158 dmu visited on Sunday for gauging tests which went well ready for the 159 charter on the 28th of June.

 

Great to have the Manor back. Pure GWR noise (well, OK, BR(W) noise then!)

 

There is a bit on there blog about the above.
http://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/blog/