The South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh is having a Winter Steam Gala over the next week or so. They have two visiting engines for this No. 1420 & 4612 and also has the return of 1369. This weekend is BR Period and next weekend is GWR. I shall be visiting tomorrow so hope (weather permitting) to get some nice shots. Keep you posted.
Here are some pics as promised. The weather was lousy as can be seen in some of the pics. No. 1369. Now in BR black with red plates. No. 4612 at the shed road 6412 at Totnes, Buckfastleigh and Staverton No. 1450 at Totnes, Buckfastleigh and Staverton Steam Mix at Buckfastleigh 03 (D2246) Shunter on Milk and Parcels at Staverton Hope you like them. More to come later of some wagons and infrastructure
Thanks Lads. The whole trip was not without problems apart from the lousy light and weather. The normal route from Totnes Station to the SDR was blocked by a foot deep flood so after returning to Totnes BR and partaking of a very nice breakfast at the Signal Box Café (Highly recommended. No connection other than as a satisfied customer) I found an alternative route to the SDR and managed to get there with dry feet although the rest on me didn't fare quite so well. Overall the trip was rewarding once I found a way of keeping the cameras dry (and myself) but by 2.30 I had had enough. Returning to Totnes BR by the normal route (the flood had dropped away as the tide had gone out) the GWR trains were delayed by a 'One Under' at Slough. In some respects we were lucky as a massive land slip between Staverton and Totnes on the SDR earlier in the week threatened to put the whole event into jeopardy but sterling work by the lads on the SDR got the line open and running again although speed restrictions were in force past the damage.
Here are the infrastructure and wagon pics. Staverton Signal Box Staverton Level Crossing Do Not Trespass Sign at Staverton Fruit D at Staverton Shark Ballast Brake & Engineers Train at Staverton That's it for now. More at the weekend all being well.
Sorry lads, I didn't get to the SDR this weekend as I am still trying to get rid of the lousy cold I captured on my trip last weekend. There will be other chances in a couple of weeks time which I hope I can take up. Mind you the 40+ mile an hour winds we were getting and heavy rain at times today didn't help either.Another problem is that all weekend mainline services from Plymouth to Exeter have been cancelled for the next three weeks at least for Engineering work although a replacement bus service is in operation.
Regardless of the weather, the pics are superb. The dull skies just make the 'railway' colours stand out a lot more. Atleast the engines were given a wash down before the photos were taken... Cheers, Gary.
Lovely pics - of course you could always add a better sky - I remember in the olden days sandwiching slides together on plain skys to improve the result Paul
Went for a visit on Sunday. Nothing new on the loco front but some interesting wagon shots. And for a change the sun was out. No. 3205 entering Staverton from Totnes No. 6412 at Totnes No. 6412 at the Water Crane at Buckfastleigh No. 6412 running round at Totnes DMU at Buckfastleigh awaiting duty No. 4920 Dumbleton Hall looking sorry for itself. No. 1420 behind. Class 03 No. D2246 on shed at Buckfastleigh A Toad at Staverton MFP No. 4 at Staverton on works train. Teign Valley Granite PO wagon at Staverton Rectank at Staverton. I don't know what the brackets welded onto the deck are for. That's it for now. More next time.
