"And Now For Something Completely Different" on the Looe Valley Branch

Steam Rail Motor (SRM) No. 93 on GWS's "The Looe Valley Shuttles", 11th November 2012.

The phrase immortalised by Monty Python truly summed up a lovely autumn day in the Looe Valley as a genuine GWR Steam Rail Motor, heroically re-created from sparse remains, drawings and not a little invention by a dedicated Great Western Society team at Didcot made its first appearance on Network Rail(s). After the first of five return runs from Liskeard to Looe, the schedule looked doomed as regular steam pressure drops caused unwanted brake applications and increasing delays. However, as the day went on, problems were gradually sorted out and by the fourth run, things were literally "back on track". My main intention was to capture the last of the autumn colours and I was not disappointed by the amount of colourful foliage surviving in the sheltered Looe Valley. The "Completely Different" theme continued with the appearance of Steve, out for a stroll with his Eurasian Eagle Owl: "Tilly" ! The clips are as I took them on the day including a return to Terras as the afternoon light and tide allowed a "wrong side" shot with wonderful reflections at the crossing. Enjoy the Edwardian quirkiness in an English Autumn.