My summer holiday again took me to the south of
England, and needless to say, to a heritage railway.
The South Devon Railway is 'what
it says on the tin', "The Quintessential Country Branch Line". I first
visited the line on Sunday 22 June 2008 when the above video was filmed of GWR
2-6-2 tank engine No 5526 emerging from the shed to start the day's duties.
For a brief history of the locomotive and other GWR engines visit
John Carter Images
on this link. One the same day a "Driver Experience" train was also
running and can be found on that page of this site.
My next visit to the railway was on
Tuesday 24 June and, armed with a photographers permit, I explored the line
around the Staverton Station area where
the above video was filmed. (The Staverton link takes you to the village
website) No 5526 is in charge of the 12.15 Buckfastleigh departure arriving at Staverton at 12.30. Note the driver
has the single line block token in his hand to pass to the Staverton signalman.
When tokens are exchanged the regulator is opened, and a whistle blast warns
them of the impending arrival.
The front view of Buckfastleigh
Station complete with vintage cars to authenticate the scene. Sorry no
prizes for guessing what they are!
A scene at Totnes Littlehempston
with Hunslet Austerity 132 0-6-0 Saddle Tank 'Sapper' on display, and
surrounded by various examples of trucks and carriages. Much to my
amazement the
Hunslet Steam Co is alive and well.
GWR Hall Class 4-6-0 No
4920 Dumbleton Hall looking impressive even though
it wasn't in steam. Built in 1929 and awaiting a major overhaul it would
be good to think it would be running in time for its 80th birthday. The above
link goes to a site with brief historical and technical information.
A nice shiny D7612 returned from the
West Somerset Railway earlier in the week and now graces the yard at
Buckfastleigh. A Class 25 and one of the total 325 built more information
is available on the class on this link to the
South Devon Railway
A brief history of its working life is available on this
Spa Valley Railway
link.
A collection of saddle tank engines
are also in the yard at Buckfastleigh, including on the right had side of the
above picture No 68011 which is a long way from home! The engine in the
foreground is 0-4-0 Peckett built 'Lady Angela'. There is a fascinating
story of an episode in her earlier life at the
Industrial Railway
Society pages on the link on the left. The blue engine in the centre
is Peckett No 1 'Ashley'.
Seen on the Totnes side of Staverton
Station, this two car diesel multiple unit set is receiving some TLC even
thought they look to be in good condition. The destination board
underneath the headcode display says 'St Pancras'. It will have been a few
years since that set graced the St Pancras platforms, Lots more South Devon Railway
photo's are available on
David
Hennessy's 'trains world' site.
Running from Buckfastleigh to Totnes Littlehempston
you are surrounded by beautiful Devon countryside. A brief glimpse of
which is the background behind diesel shunter No. D2246. There is a wealth
of knowledge on preserved diesels at the 'AbRrail
Rail Database' on this link
A view from the cafe outside seating
area includes all those long forgotten scenes to water columns and the tank
which supplies the water for it. The signal box is on the right of the
picture and various trucks fill the tracks at the back of the station. By
the way the sticky cakes in the cafe are excellent!
