Paignton and Dartmouth Railway

7827 came up with a different set of coaches at 1315 (no Devon Belle) Last Sat she hauled a private charter - might have been one of those today too. However, as you elude too - I didn't see 5239 again.....
If '39 is poorly, they will be gld to get 4277 in service ASAP.

PS - are/were there PW works on the bend before Hookhills Viaduct?, only trains were unusually whistling on approach to that location yesterday.

 

Could you all be jumping the gun a little bit and 5239 just be out for servicing and or general maintenance required to keep these loco's in the excellent condition they are in.

 

5239 DID eventually appear on an up relief or special service around 4.30 at Churston.
7827 did the 1700 ex-Kingswear behind it.


Steve

 

5239 in service this morning with seven on. I gather the Class 25 diesel was on hand to bail out the Spamcan if required to do so. :-$

 

it was "on rear" rather than "on hand" - only no one seems to know what necessitated it :-k
Any news on the new 2-8-0T?

 

4277 - FINISHED! More or less! Painting is done and just needs time to go off properly.

On saturday we had another charter for passengers off the mainline charter, the Great Briton, the Manor+7 worked to Kwr then we swapped engines down there for the 1515 service, partly so the Charter passengers had both engines and also because it made shunting at Pgn at the end of the day a lot easier.

The whistling at Hookhills is possibly because a pretty lady lives up there ?!?! PASS!

The 25 was on hand/rear to push the spam can again because we dont want to take chances. At the lower speeds she doesnt seem to be able to deliver the power she has and at even lower speed there is even less chance. The rat will be on hand tommorow too, think Tangmere is bring 13 down! Not sure on the timings, think they're the same/similar to torbay timings, 1206ish to Pgn NR.

5239 has no major faults at the moment, just the normal wear and tear and should be a rotation coming up but when and what with i dont know!

 

Thanks for the gen Tuffer. Always good to hear things from the horses mouth, so to speak.

Look forward to having a ride with 4277 when she appears.

Regards
Steve

 

Yes, thanks for the official gen Tuffer - makes a world of difference to us observers who cant get involved because we don't work for the DVR

The English Riviera Express is timed here http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t08/t0716c.htm

Out of interest Tuffer, when you guys take over a mainline loco, I assume the EWS crew sign off and go for an ice cream!, but is there a owner's rep on the footplate over the P&DSR? - i.e. to advise on any quirks or techniques for driving, or are you just left to guess and get on with it?
I assume that things seem to go so well with 6024 because she is a GWR machine (familiar to you) and I guess she has good low-speed tractive effort, and adhesion due to the high axle weight hence no need for the 25?

All good stuff!

Good to hear '77 is ready - And it will make a nice sight in BR black (early emblem) 8-[ ......runs for cover #-o

 

A shot of 7827 departing Kingswear on Saturday 12th July, image info says shot taken at 15:19. Saw both 7829 and 5239 in Paignton around 18:30 that day, unable to get a shot as gates were chained.

 

When the mainline charter gets in the EWS crew do a very quick pass over and the owners rep stays on, and unless we are banking with the 25 we will have an inspector on as well. We generally do everything under guidance from the owners, until we get to the servicing, then we stop the engine and leave them to it, cleaning the fire and oiling etc, so if something goes wrong back on NR metals then PDSR can not shoulder any blame, also the owners know what is/isnt done that way! We water and coal the engine and take her back to Kwr for the train.

4277 was outside today and maybe again tomoro at churston, viewing available via the platform only! Sorry! Just the last few little jobs being done.

 

As for the king, she is a class 8, instead of Tangmere's 7 class power. And also being slightly smaller wheels, heavier and 4 cylinder she has a bit more grunt all round. As well as our drivers knowing WR engines very well.

Mr Churchward did build the Kings etc for slogging big loads over the Devon banks, amongst other things.

 

I think you mean Mr Collett, Mr Churchward built the Stars. Now, a Star over the Devon banks... a nice thought.
Daniel

 

Typo edited ](*,)

 

Collett it is then, steeped in churchward fetaures.

 

I really dont mean any offence by this, as I am just relaying the views of someone who has only a passing interest in railways unlike myself!
But...
After spending saturday at the SDR we popped over to the PDSR at churston for a look around. My girlfriend tasha didnt initially realise it was a preserved railway! As she put it, although it looked smart and well maintained, the overall appearence was very bland. In particular she criticised the rendering rather than brick walls (Dunno how on earth this would be altered though) and the giant roller shutter doors with black and yellow markings.
We also had to sneak a peak through the shed windows to see any steam locos, whereas at other railways you can often walk through the yards and sheds at will.
I understand that a lot of it is to do with safety and mainline standards, but it seems to be lacking a certain soul!?
On the flipside, we also visited kingswear station which has plenty of charm and character (Mainly due to its design and location) but is let down significantly by the dingy pub next door!

 

Personally, I don't consider the PDSR to be a 'preserved' railway but a railway doing a job of transporting thousands of people between Torbay and Dartmouth that just happens to still use steam locomotives. And doing it very successfully, thank you. =D>

 

This is true and also a point I made whilst chatting to someone (Cant remember who though). A point proved by the fact it turns a nice profit.
It does question the idea of heritage railways though, i.e. whats the point in having a railway 'how it used to be' if it goes from nowhere to nowhere in a field? Having actual destinations and efficiency with the tourist attraction of working steam engines seems to be a winner.

Although that might be a different topic altogether!

*I havent got anything against the PDSR, it just shows a different way of doing what is essentially the same thing.

 

Also, these days i don't think you'll find it as easy as you think to just wander around yards and through sheds at any preserved line. Granted, some happen to offer you a better view than others, but places like sheds are not normally open access. Elf & Safety applies (like it or loathe it) to preserved railways as well as the mainline. Some lines have viewing galleries and others have organised 'tours'

Maybe there is scope to have a shed viewing gallery in the re-design of Paignton Queen's Park?

The P&DSR is a preserved line in the context that it was saved from closure, and operates historic traction, which would have otherwise gone for scrap, in pseudo GWR tradition rather than modern trains in the latest style.

I believe preservation exists and is valued in various degrees.
1. Extreme orthodox:- which is complete retention of exact artifacts - this rules out use, as use requires replacement of parts that wear out. This is what museums are for

2. Standard preservation - Relics that have been saved from otherwise destruction, but are used in order to preserve a WAY of life. i.e a the method of operation is preserved, but because it is an operation, the relics need to be used. This will mean that some aspects of the preservation are lost due to necessary renewal. Most heritage lines fit this wide category

3. Pseudo-preservation - The traditions are preserved, but adapted to suit the primary aim of operating a business. (i.e the traditions attract punters, which sustains the business) An example of the P&DSR adapting a tradition is names on engines, where the GWR named larger locos, but not tank engines, but the P&DSR adapt this and name everything, and running a SR observation car and DMU trailers.

The P&DSR falls between 2 and 3, IMHO.

 

Spot on Stu.
Health and safety is necessary yes, just sometimes wish it didnt apply to me!
I think the impression tasha got was due to everything being kept out of view, hidden away so to speak, hence the appearence of a national rail station (she mentioned churston might as well have been yatton!).