45596 Bahamas slogs up Rattery Bank and roars away from Hemerdon Bank The Royal Duchy - 01/08/2021

With many LMS locomotives tackled and fought the South Devon Banks with great success, one class of engine that hasn't visited the likes of Rattery and Hemerdon in preservation, and that engine is an LMS Jubilee. But that all changed on the 1st of August 2021, when 45596 Bahamas worked The Royal Duchy on what is the first Jubilee to tackle the South Devon Banks in preservation. It was an occasion I couldn't miss. The weather was pretty decent with a miserable morning turned into a nice afternoon.

My first shot was at Beambridge on the climb to Whiteball Tunnel. I arrived in good time, but unfortunately on the way down and most of the time I was there it was miserable and rainy, miraculously the rain stopped just as the engine approached. Unfortunately, as you can hear, the audio played up a bit, but she still sounded amazing. The engine can be seen gliding along the sweeping bends on the 1 in 80 climb to the tunnel and sounded very nice and made a statement on what was to follow or perhaps should have been.

Afterwards, I just made it to Tiglry on Rattery Bank. I just made it to my spot or be it not in my first choice it was still decent for a rush shot, however, the engine was brought to a stand at the bottom of Rattery Bank and the engine had to slog up the steep Rattery Bank which as steep as 1 in 46. The engine can be heard tackling the final stages of the long climb out of Totnes and can be seen slogging past Tigley sounding nice despite the slow and dramatic run.
My final shot was taken at Hemerdon Sidings just after the summit of Hemerdon Bank. I arrived early, which is just as well as the location was busier than I thought. With an hour to go, the first bunch of people turned up before numerous cars turned up. Happily, the locals seemed in a good mood and were very nice company whilst waiting for the engine. Unfortunately, the sun was out which made the shot a bit more challenging. The engine can be heard slogging up Hemerdon Bank in the distance as it approaches the summit and after reaching she whistled at the onlookers on the bridge before accelerating away towards Totnes. The engine shut off slightly which was a bit disappointed, but she did very well up Hmeerdon considering she had 9 coaches in tow.

Another first in preservation under her belt. Let's hope that Bahamas carries on with her runs down South as she's making quite a name for herself. A huge shoutout to the Bahamas Locomotive Society and the support crew of Bahamas for looking after the locomotive and keeping her in immaculate condition, and the crew who were in charge of her yesterday for keeping a cool head under so much pressure.

I hope you enjoyed the video. Feel free to leave a like, comment and subscribe for more steam action from Full Steam Ahead.