26 August 07 -Torbay Express 8

Unfortunately 34067 Tangmere suffered some air pump problems on the previous Friday and these proved to take more time to fix than anticipated so 6024 was pressed into service. Some teething troubles meant it wasn't completely smooth running for 6024 either and with coal quality proving a problem on the return run a lengthy stop was taking at Tiverton loop to sort things out.

 

 

24 August 07 -The Holiday Express

With 34067 Tangmere now in Bristol it was a chance to pair up an unusual combination for this Friday run to Par in Cornwall and back. The load was hardly going to make any great impact with both loco's capable of hauling the train on their own, so there was plenty of good running and the hills at Whiteball, Dainton, Rattery and Hemmerdon proving no problem whatsoever.

 

 

12 August 07 -Torbay Express 7

After only a few short hours sleep it was back into action. Another fine day's running with no problems in either direction with another early arrival into Bristol Temple Meads.

 

 

 

11 August 07 -Torbay Express 6

A glorious day for another run to the South West, with the usual fine running from the loco that we've come to expect week after week. A slight change in itinery mean't a later start from Bistol Temple Meads with no stop at Weston Super Mare. Servicing also took place in Tiverton Loop in the down direction.

The return journey went well with the crews taking things pretty easy in the warm conditions. It was a late night for the Sunday support crew, having to prepare the loco for the next day.

 

5 August 07 -Torbay Express 5

A fine sunny day for our latest outing with the Torbay Express with the usual good running we’ve come to expect week in and week out. A late departure from Exeter on the outward leg, due to a late running HST, was compounded by an failed axle counter near Powderham. This was only made worse by then having to stop at successive signals before encountering a Network Rail employee hand signalling near Starcross. Once past this though, it was back to normal around the sea wall and onto Paignton for the switch to the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway for the final section to Kingswear.

The return working also became foul of other traffic with the 19:15 service going North  running late from Exeter St Davids. Allowed to go after the 19:23 service we were looped at Tiverton to allow the late running HST to pass. This actually turned to our advantage as problems with the fire gave us the opportunity to clean the fire and get us back to good running order. A stout climb to Whiteball and only a pause in Taunton station  meant we were back into our normal stride along the Somerset levels. Despite having to wait at Uphill Jct for a service to clear from Weston Super mare, we still arrived 2 minutes early into Bristol Temple Meads although not the usual 30 minutes early.

Apologies for the lack of a report on Torbay 4, your erstwhile scribe was on holiday.