More Steam & Diesel in the South West (& some Electric in Norfolk) - 4 & 7.9.2024

The first week of September was an important one for Railway Timelines Limited, with the welcoming of their three new diesel locomotives. The first to make their debut just a couple of days after arrival was Class 68 No. 68030, on loan from Direct Rail Services pending a decision on its future. The week also included a full Class 92 Pullman train, doubleheaded Castles hauling 14 coaches over the South Devon Banks, and a brief revival of BR Standard 9F No. 92220 'Evening Star' at the North Somerset Railway.

On Wednesday the 4th, Class 92 No. 92004 'Jane Austen' and Class 37 No. 37422 'Robert F. Fairlie' were absent from the christening of the new diesels to work 'The Brighton Belle' from King's Lynn to Brighton and return, taking advantage of the 92's dual voltage capabilities to work the train throughout. The train is seen at the beginning of its journey, departing King's Lynn and passing through Watlington and Littleport on the Fen Line. (I didn't get any further due to the game crashing before reaching Royston and I was falling behind.)

The main event of the week was that weekend, with the first of two doubleheaded Castle tours over the South Devon Banks, 'The Cornish Riviera Express'. This was also the maiden voyage for the Class 68, which worked the 12 coach train from London Euston to Taunton, and the full return leg from Penzance. The engine is seen at South Hampstead having just departed Euston, then passing Aldermaston and Bedwyn at speed, and accelerating away from the passenger stop at Westbury at Fairwood Junction. At Taunton she handed over to Ex-GWR Castles No. 7007 'Great Western' from Railway Timelines Limited and 7013 'Bristol Castle' from the Ottery Preservation Society, with the Support Coaches increasing the load to 14 coaches! The pair are seen making light work of Whiteball, speeding towards Starcross, and at Newton Abbot where they prepare to charge Dainton Bank. Finally, the 68 is seen on the return leg passing Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Dawlish.

Meanwhile, the North Somerset Railway were celebrating an important anniversary. Sunday the 8th marked the 62nd Anniversary of the final 'Pines Express' to run over the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway from Bath Green Park to Bournemouth West, hauled by BR Standard 9F No. 92220 'Evening Star' on September 8th 1962. To mark the occasion, a special 2-train timetable would operate using the railway's own No. 92232 running as 92220, and West Country No. 34094 'Mortehoe' running as 34043 'Combe Martin'. The pair are seen at work up the 1 in 48 climb through Flowers Farm Halt.

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:05 - 92004 King's Lynn
1:53 - 92004 Watlington/Magdalen Road
2:38 - 92004 Littleport
3:27 - 68030 South Hampstead
4:18 - 68030 Aldermaston
4:39 - 68030 Bedwyn
5:08 - 68030 Fairwood Junction
5:57 - 7007 & 7013 Whiteball
6:33 - 7007 & 7013 Starcross
7:30 - 7007 & 7013 Newton Abbot
9:01 - 68030 Newton Abbot
9:47 - 68030 Teignmouth
10:22 - 68030 Dawlish
11:18 - 92232 Flowers Farm Halt
12:06 - 34094 Flowers Farm Halt

Thumbnail - The Castles speed through Teignmouth Station on the outward leg of 'The Cornish Riviera Express'.

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This was recorded in Train Simulator using the Xbox Game Bar and edited using Microsoft Clipchamp in September 2024.