The Great Western Z48 - 7029 Clun Castle slogs up Dainton & stops on Hemerdon!

Vintagetrains’ two day trip ‘The Great Western (Z48)’ running from Birmingham Snow Hill to Plymouth on May 10th and Plymouth to London Paddington on May 11th 2024.
On the 9th of May 1964, The Ian Allen railtour- ‘The Great Western’ (Z48) left London Paddington using now preserved GWR Castle class 4079 ‘Pendennis Castle’. 4079 ran via the GWML and Berks & Hants line as far as Westbury where it failed with firebar issues, being substituted for GWR Modified Hall 6999 ‘Capel Dewi Hall’ as far as Taunton. Here 7025 ‘Sudeley Castle’ would take over for the run over the South Devon Banks to Plymouth North Road. At Plymouth 7029 ‘Clun Castle’ would take over for the return journey to Paddington where it set a speed record for the fastest non stop run from Plymouth to Bristol, covering the route in 133 minutes and 9 seconds. At Bristol the final leg back to Paddington was headed by 5054 ‘Earl of Ducie’.
On Saturday 10th May 2014, Vintagetrains ran ‘One Zulu 48’ using GWR 5043 ‘Earl of Mount Edgcumbe’ non stop between Plymouth and Bristol. It was on this run that 5043 broke a 50 year old steam speed record, running non stop from Plymouth to Bristol Temple Meads and completing the journey in just 131 minutes. Fast forward to May 10/11th 2024, Vintagetrains ran a two day railtour using the original 1964 record breaker and Tyseleys flagship locomotive, BR (w) Castle class- 7029 ‘Clun Castle’. Originally advertised as non stop between Bristol and Plymouth both ways and non stop between Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington, where the trip would be diesel hauled back to Birmingham Snow Hill.
I set out early to grab a shot of 7029 leaving the Birmingham area before heading south. I went for Rookwood Road where the Castle was accelerating away from Tyseley South Junction. A quick dash down to Bristol allowed me a shot of 7029 coasting down Filton Bank at Stapleton road before heading over to the Devon banks for an unassisted climb of Dainton and Rattey. Setting up at the classic S bend shot at Dainton tunnel, the castle could be heard digging into 2 mile climb varying from 1 in 36 to 1 in 57, cresting the summit at 9mph. The next shot is with thanks to Liam who took my camera to Eden Farm for a shot of the Castle storming up Rattery. After an overnight stay in Plymouth we set out early to get to Ledgate Lane, Hemerdon to get a good spot as the foliage here is getting quite overgrown. Leaving Plymouth on time and adorned with Z48 reporting number and the ‘Great Western’ headboard, we see 7029 slogging up the 1 in 42 incline with thick black clag and a sharp crisp bark. Unfortunately the train slowed and came to a standstill on the bank. We later found out the brakes were dragging on the rear coaches as overhanging vegetation had knocked the butterfly clips causing the brakes to drag. Fortunately Vintagetrains’ Class 47 47773 was following the train up and was coupled to the rear of the train to get it moving again. Despite coming to a stand on Hemerdon and being 30 minutes late at this point, the train arrived into Bristol Temple Meads 5 minutes early. After a scheduled afternoon break in Bristol we were able to get infront of the train again, this time going for speed! I opted to get ‘Clun Castle’ whistling through the centre road at its birthplace Swindon, closely followed by the class 47. A second shot was obtainable further down at Grove wick crossing, Wantage Road thanks to Dan who took the second camera for another “speed” shot. We finish at London Paddington where 7029 Clun Castle arrives into Platform 8 marking the first time that 7029 has been into the Great Westerns London terminus since 1965.

0:00 7029 Clun Castle at Rookwood lane
1:08 7029 Stapleton Road
2:02 7029 slogs up to Dainton Tunnel
4:37 7029 roars up Rattery
5:52 7029 stalls on Hemerdon bank
10:25 7029 restarts on Hemerdon
13:12 7029 whistling through Swindon
14:04 7029 at speed on GWML
14:37 7029 arrives at London Paddington

Thanks to ​⁠Liam and Dan for the help and company over the two days.

Filmed in 4k.
10/5/24-11/5/24