22 July 07 -Torbay Express 3

12 months ago, the Torbay Express season ran under constant threat of a fire risk ban so with some strange irony the previous days trip was cancelled at the 11th hour owing to the rail network chaos caused by the incessant heavy rain.!

Thankfully though, Sunday's run went ahead and another cracking run it turned out to be. Another swift start from Bristol was curtailed by having to wait at Worle Jct for a northbound service coming of the branch. The T4 concert at WSM would play it's part in our running at both ends of the day. Once away though 6024 was soon into her stride along the levels before heading into Taunton for the water stop. Departure was slightly delayed by a late running Southbound service but the loco was soon about the climb to Whiteball heading into the tunnel with speed in the mid 40's. Summer put in an appearance as we swept along the sea wall before finally transferring to the P&DSR metals and the run into Kingswear.

The return run was a typically surefooted climb past Torre before having to pause momentarily at Aller Jct before the loco was opened up through Newton Abbot station. After passing the TSR at Bishopsteignton the loco was soon at line speed along the sea wall playing to the gallery of holidaymakers along this section before all too soon slowing for the water stop at Exeter. Getting away early the run to whiteball tunnel is virtually constantly against the grade and is a keen test for any fireman. With speed in the 60's the cars on the M5 pull alongside to wave and toot their horns for several miles before the train has to slow to observe the overbridge restriction at Stonehill's. Once past that though the loco is opened up again before finally heading into Whiteball tunnel in the high 40's. With water not required at Taunton the train is quickly back on the move and the Somerset levels mean the loco can stride along at her permitted maximum for mile after mile before turning left at Uphill Jct for the penultimate stop at Weston Super Mare. The station was packed with teenagers heading home from the T4 concert so there was a short delay while they were jammed into a waiting HST. The final run to Bristol always provides some end of day entertainment and tonight was looking good as we reached 70mph just past Yatton but the previous HST was soon to foil our run having stopped at Nailsea & Backwell, we'd caught it up and adverse signals curtailed our run. Despite this, the train was still early into Bristol Temple Meads and another sucessful run had been completed.

15 July 07 -Torbay Express 2

Second run of the season an another fine performance from the loco. The weather was a touch unkind for the run down but it didn't dampen the spirits as the loco performed faultlessly on the levels as well as on the climb to Whiteball tunnel after leaving Taunton.

Like the outbound run, the return home was again full off great running, along the sea wall as well as the climb from Exeter to Whiteball tunnel. Again, after leaving Taunton running was in the mid 70's along the Someset levels and into WSM. Not long after leaving Weston Super Mare it was apparent that the fire was not in the best of condition and performance was slight down the previous week. Still, a good early arrival and great performance had been the order of the day once again.

8 July 07 -Torbay Express 1

The eagerly awaited Torbay Express season kicked off in fine style as Summer just about managed to break out in the West Country. While a lot of eyes in the steam world were fixed on the 40th anniversary of the end of steam on the Southern Region, in the West there was a spirited performance to be had as 6024 tore off through the Bristol suburbs heading for Kingswear. A full report on the day's running is below thanks to fellow support crew member Martyn Bane.

The Torbay Express season started earlier than last year with the locomotive at Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway. Having been stabled here for a few weeks, which allowed for maintenance jobs to be undertaken, 6024’s prep day was also here. The loco was lit up on Friday evening, as is normal practice, so was in steam by the following morning. The day followed the normal form with the Fitness to Run exam being undertaken by Roland Kennington. There was also a bit of shunting to be done to assemble the support coach and water wagon to be in the right order for the trip to Bristol. A few minutes before the booked departure at 17:35 6024 set off from Bishops Lydeard, running tender first, with Ray Lee from the WSR conducting driver Ewans, fireman Burns and inspector Jones out to Network Rail metals at Norton Fitzwarren. From here it was a straight forward run to EWS Bristol Barton Hill depot. Bristol was reached about an hour early – the various pathing stops scheduled were not taken on the run north. Thanks go to Bristol panel for finding us this better path on a very busy bit of railway. The water wagon, not to be used now until September, was quickly stowed allowing the loco and coach to take up their summer residence on road 1 at the depot.

Sunday dawned bright which was a nice accompaniment to the early start for all concerned.  The final preparations for the day included the normal round of oiling, building the fire up gradually, topping up the loco and coach water supplies etc. The crew taking us to Paignton were inspector Bob Hart of Crewe, driver Fred Lewis of Newport and fireman Bob Cotterill of Didcot. However, as is normal, driver and fireman swapped roles at Exeter. Unlike last year when the carriages were stored at Barton Hill, this year, due to a lack of space on the depot, the stock is being stowed in the centre roads at Bristol Temple Meads. This means a revised arrangement for collecting the train. The first move is for 6024 to propel her support coach out of Barton Hill onto the London end of the set. The whole lot is then taken out to Bristol East depot where 6024 runs round. Then the train is hauled into Temple Meads ready for the off. These arrangements seemed to work well on Sunday but do allow less time standing in the station before heading away.

It might have been expected that the performance of the loco would build as the weeks went on, maybe it will, but the running on this first trip of the year was in line with the best of previous seasons! Despite being on our second choice coal – Daw Mill, there being no suitable Russian coal in the UK at present – the loco steamed very well from the off. Without unduly pressing the locomotive Fred Lewis got the train over the summit at Flax Bourton at a little over 50mph after which it was high 60s/low 70s all the way to Taunton, other than the interlude via Weston Super Mare to pick up passengers. The first 3 Sunday Torbays are also booked a pathing stop at Highbridge loop for a diverted Penzance bound HST to overtake. This must have been late as we sailed through on towards Taunton allowing an early arrival for water. The climb to Whiteball is the first big challenge of the route. The bank was not rushed but none the less the tunnel was entered in the low 40s, very good with the 11 coach load and well in line with the normal sort of performance from the days of steam. The run downhill to Exeter is briefly interrupted by a clearance restriction at Tiverton Parkway but otherwise allows maximum speed all the way. Amazingly, despite the quality of the running the train was a couple of minutes late into Exeter St Davids. Time here allows coal to be pulled forward but, as was found last year, sufficient water capacity allows 6024 to run right through to Kingswear without needing to top up at Exeter. We passed along the ever glorious sea wall section in lovely weather. At Powderham we passed a steam fair in the grounds of the Castle. Several of the traction engines etc had made their way out of the grounds to pose alongside 6024 as she headed past. At Paignton the support crew got off to await the return of 6024 from Kingswear for servicing. As is normal it was ice creams all round and a trip to the front to admire Devon’s coastal curves.

The return run was in the hands of inspector Jones of Bescot, driver Burns and fireman Ewans both of Barton Hill. Driver and fireman swapped over at Taunton. This year the path north is slightly different and has the massive advantage of not leaving Paignton on the heels of a stopper to Exeter. Provided the train is on time at Aller Junction the Torbay Express should get a clear run up the sea wall to Exeter. Last year, on a number of occasions, the stopping service was caught up leading to very restrained running. This trip worked out perfectly with greens all the way. The only fly in the ointment was a temporary restriction between Newton Abbot and Teignmouth. Water was taken at Exeter with departure following the 19:23 FGW service to London. Again the path is different to 2006. This year no looping is booked at Tiverton Junction (as was) so the only impediment to progress is the 35mph restriction under the skew arch of Stoneshill bridge. Network Rail have been most cooperative over the clearance restriction but their hands are currently tied. All concerned hope the clearances can be increased but such things can never be done quickly or easily as an engineering possession would be required. After the Stoneshill restriction the locomotive was worked fairly hard accelerating the train nicely with Whiteball tunnel being reached at about 50mph. From there is was downhill at maximum speed to Taunton. Here the train was incorrectly routed into the up main rather than up relief platform. In theory water can be taken at Taunton (only from the up relief platform) but none was needed. Only 900 gallons had been used from Exeter, despite the excellent running. In 2006, in many ways, the final section of the run were amongst the best. In 2007 things started in the same manner. Taunton was left very early but despite this the running up the Somerset Levels was at around maximum speed for mile after mile until approaching Uphill Jc (for Weston Super Mare) where we came to a stand. Weston station was occupied. So we had to wait for the 20:38 FGW HST to head to London before being able to gain access to the line. This we did a few minutes before the HST’s booked departure making gentle progress up the single track line. The short stop at Weston to drop of passengers was followed by another very early departure which allowed us to overtake the 21:00 all stations to Bristol sat in the other platform. Our booked departure time of 21:10 would normally see us follow this service and it is likely it would impede our progress so it was good to be able to pass it. The final section of the run back to Bristol includes the climb to Flax Bourton. This is nothing serious only reaching 1 in 200 but to pass the summit at high speed requires first rate work from the engine crew. There are only a handful of miles from the 40mph restricted junction at Worle to Yatton where the climbing starts. On this occasion Yatton was passed at 75mph – so it was now a question of keeping the speed up. Driver Ewans could be heard to gradually increase the cut off as the gradient steepened but at no time did the loco sound unduly pressed. Roaring up the grade speed only fell off to 73mph, a personal best for the King with this load.

And that was about it. The excellent running saw us 37 minutes early into Temple Meads! All that now remained was to turn the loco, shunt the carriages back into the centre roads and head into Barton Hill to put the engine to bed.