ER Class A4 60009 Union of South Africa
Colin and Nick Campbell would like to wish all on Dawlish beach a very Merry Christmas and of course a prosperous and happy New Year. We hope those of you who are interested in the railway information that we put on the website appreciate our efforts and we look forward to keeping you informed on what is happening on the railway scene throughout 2018 for your benefit. We are happy to photograph and record video of both the tin cans and kettles as diesel and steam trains are affectionately called by railway fans! Let us hope that the problems with industrial disputes, as with Cross Country trains currently, are resolved quickly. The main points of interest in the near future are the introduction of the new IET Hitachi Class 800 trains replacing the faithful Class 43 HST’s for services to Paddington and the introduction of four coach HST’s appearing on the longer distance local GWR services. The steam train season seems a long way away as the Great Britain tour in April is missing out Devon and Cornwall this year so it looks like we will have to wait until June for the first steam special. Below is the list of Steam specials that have been programmed to run along the Dawlish sea wall at the present time. I would stress that they are not guaranteed and depending on several factors may or may not be fulfilled. Lack of loco availability, low bookings or track engineering problems can all affect them.
Date Express name Loco allocated.
3rd June Torbay Express 35028 Clan Line
9th June Dartmouth Express 60009 Union of South Africa
10th June Cathedrals Express To be Announced
17th June Torbay Express 35028 Clan Line
24th June English Riviera Express Loco one of 34046 Braunton
46100 Royal Scot
70000 Britannia
1st July English Riviera Express One of as above
15th July Torbay Express 35028 Clan Line
22nd July Royal Duchy 34046 or 46100
29th July Torbay Express 60009 or TBA
5th August Royal Duchy 34046 or 46100
19th August Torbay Express TBA
2nd Sept Torbay Express 60009
2nd Sept Royal Duchy 34046 or 46100
16th Sept Torbay Express 60009
16th September Royal Duchy 34046 or 46100
21/23 September Golden Eagle Luxury Tour 60163 Tornado and 6024 King Edward 1 (double header)
Let us all hope for a super summer and plenty of punters to fill the trains! Pictures below are of the other five locomotives we are expecting to see.
BR Standard 70000 Britannia
SR Rebuilt West Country class 34046 Braunton
LMS 46100 Royal Scot
WR King Class 6024 King Edward 1
SR Merchant Navy class Clan Line.