Just returned from a week in Devon, having travelled around quite a bit (almost 1k miles in the week!), stuffed myself with several 'Devon Cream Teas' (it's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it!) and visited several Heritage railways into the bargain. Fortunately, Mrs M is happy to go along with my escapades (after 40 years, She's used to it by now!), so all is contentment at home. Here's the first few from the South Devon Railway, don't ask me what the loco's are, GWR isn't my strong point.
.......a few from the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway. I must admit that 'Narrow Gauge' is not my 'thing', come to that, nor are tank engines, I'm just a sucker for big express loco's, preferably from the "Southern".
We didn't bother trying a trip on this line, as it's only a mile long track presently. They have a 2017 built Baldwin replica in "Southern" colours and lining but that wasn't visible on the day. Beautifully painted and lined coaches too!
A bit further up the coast from Lynton is Minehead, Somerset, terminus of the West Somerset Railway, the longest 'Heritage Railway' in the UK at 28 miles. We have had two previous trips on this line, so didn't bother on this occasion (twas a bit late in the day anyway), and not much was happening except this loco. Again, I have no idea of loco class.
Finally, we came across the "Dartmoor Railway". There didn't seem to be much happening here again, just a 'Gronk' parked up with another unidentifiable diesel further up the line, only just visible.
Another holiday over with, but we are off to Suffolk later in the year, an area I've seldom visited, so I (We) will be on the lookout for other nearby Heritage railways to visit, likely including the Mid Norfolk Railway (Already been to the North Norfolk Railway a couple of times, although not recently), so hopefully more pics later in the year. Keith.
Nice pics, but where's the West Country?? One of these days I will get to the West Somerset Railway - I keep promising myself. In that last pic, the blue coach with a driving cab numbered 977335 ... what is it? Possibly an EMU or DEMU?
Hi Jeff. Unfortunately, I never saw a "West Country", or indeed any other 'Southern' loco's. I guess this will be because the 'Southern' had to hand over much of the network in that area to the GWR after Nationalisation. To be honest about the blue coach, I'm not sure as there were several like this, Mk1's I'd guess looking at the windows, most of which were white painted over on the inside. At least one appeared to be some sort of generator car judging by the vents, exhausts and the 415 volt sockets on the coach ends. I note that there is no drivers door visible, at least on this side, and there appears to be some sort of filler cap just below the windows, your guess is as good as mine, windscreen washer water filler perhaps??? In all honesty it didn't seem to be much of an organised operation, then again I've no idea how long it's been set up as a 'Heritage' line. Maybe worth a return trip in a few years when hopefully it'll be a more viable option. Keith.
The 'blue coach' SRman is referring to is an old Serco Track Recording Train Driving & Generator coach QXA 977335. See here : http://www.departmentals.com/departmental/977335 Cheers, Gary.