It’s time for the Christmas Special!
2024 in statistics. 52 videos, 27 railtours, 8 galas, circa 70 locomotives, and one mainline doubleheader. 2024 was not the year I expected it to be (in a good way).
It started slowly, but a trip to Salisbury in early March began an interesting year. Various railtours visited the South West in spring and the galas were excellent. However, spring would set up the rest of the year, as it became apparent that due to CDL issues, my year would be dominated by two locomotives, LMS Black Five No. 44871 and Thompson B1 No. 61306 'Mayflower'. Initially, I wasn't a fan of the B1; I've grown to like it. As the summer rolled in, I made my biggest trip of the year to Wales, Gresley A4 No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' returned to the English Riviera and Strictly Bullied on the Swanage Railway. There was plenty to do locally, such as the Bodmin Railways' galas and the Helston Railway. Autumn saw two GWR Castle's triumph over the Devonshire banks, a trip to the Severn Valley Railway, and Merchant Navy No. 35028 'Clan Line' visit Exeter. Now it's December; how quick the year has been!
My favourite film of the year is 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley Slips and Shines. It was one of the best days this year. However, I can't overlook 1Z48 2024, the sunset climb over Rattery and the ill-fated climb over Hemerdon Bank.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the staff and volunteers of the locomotive groups and societies, the charter and tour companies, the operational teams at depots and turntables, and Network Rail.
There's another film to come out later this month - Bodmin's Winter Steam Up featuring Port of Par Tank, Judy - but until then, thank you for watching this year, and Merry Christmas! As the year went by, shots were taken at:
00:00 Introduction
00:19 7029 Clun Castle - Salisbury
01:26 5239 Goliath - Greenway Halt
02:29 5526 - River Dart
03:28 1369 - River Dart
04:21 Hastings DEMU - Feniton
04:48 Blue Pullman HST - Dawlish
06:54 Two DMU's - Sydney Gardens
07:34 35028 Clan Line - Keynsham
09:01 44871 - Keynsham
10:17 GWR Castle Class HST - Whetters Overbridge
11:00 61306 Mayflower - Combe Florey
11:43 1054 Coal Tank - Crowcombe Heathfield
12:59 9351 + 6990 Witherslack Hall - Cleeve Hill
15:06 6990 - Woolston
15:51 1054 - Woolston
16:27 61306 - Castle Hill
17:17 44871 - Moorswater Viaduct
18:24 7029 - Whiteball Bank
20:06 7029 - Rattery Bank
23:07 762 Lyn - Woody Bay Station
24:39 35006 P&O - Hayles Abbey Halt
25:33 35006 - Stanway Viaduct
26:56 2999 Lady of Legend - Hayles Abbey Halt
27:44 5552 + 5553 - A38
29:02 121 020 Bubblecar - Crabtree Lane
29:59 Port of Par Tank, Judy - Crabtree Lane
31:17 5552 - Crabtree Lane
32:00 5553 - Bodmin General
33:06 Judy - Colesloggett Overbridge
33:57 5552 + 5553 - Colesloggett Overbridge
34:42 D1015 Western Champion - Cockwood Harbour
35:45 35006 + 35018 British India Line - Dickers Crossing
36:52 35018 - New Barn
38:01 34070 Manston - Harman's Cross
39:46 61306 - East Nynehead
40:36 GWR Castle Class HST - Goonbarrow
41:23 GWR Castle Class HSTs - Trenowth
43:10 61306 - Abergavenny
44:11 No.2 Baldwin Locomotive - Dolygaer
45:05 61306 - Llanvihangel Crucorney
46:50 61306 - Pilning
47:51 61306 - Cogload Junction
48:43 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley - Starcross
51:18 60007 - Cockwood Harbour
52:04 7828 Lydham Manor - Churston
52:54 66 025 - Coulson's Park
54:30 6880 Betton Grange - Combe Florey
55:12 7828 Odney Manor - Roebuck Crossing
55:43 44871 - Beambridge
56:56 44871 - Largin Viaduct
58:17 61306 - Starcross
59:11 61306 - Greenway Halt
01:00:29 61306 - Cockwood Harbour
01:01:49 7827 - Greenway Halt
01:02:50 5239 - Higher Dartmouth Ferry
01:03:49 Peckett 2000 - Trevano
01:05:17 44871 - Bodmin Road
01:06:15 44871 - Liskeard
01:07:15 44871 - Hemerdon
01:09:19 Midland Pullman HST - Holmbush Foot Crossing
01:10:17 5553 - Colesloggett Halt
01:11:25 47 306 The Sapper - Colesloggett Overbridge
01:12:07 5553 - Crabtree Footpath
01:13:30 Judy - Crabtree Footpath
01:14:48 75069 - Northwood Lane
01:15:51 45596 Bahamas - Averly Miners Halt
01:17:24 2999 - Falling Sands Viaduct
01:17:58 7029 + 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe - Beambridge
01:19:22 5526 - Nursery Pool Bridge
01:19:56 61306 - Eglands Foot Crossing
01:21:03 35028 - Crewkerne Mill Foot Crossing
01:21:52 35028 - Burlescombe
01:22:53 35006 - Hayles Abbey Halt
01:23:46 7820 Dinmore Manor - Stanway Viaduct
01:24:57 3850 - Didbrook
01:26:27 57 605 Totnes Castle - Lostwithiel
01:27:18 5043 - Wilmcote
01:28:50 44871 - Dundas Aqueduct
01:29:54 Christmas Train of Lights, 75014 Braveheart + 5239 - Goodrington Sands
There was no shortage of whistles in this film
I hope you enjoy watching this. If you did, please like, comment and subscribe, it really is rather flattering.
Find a south-west railtour calendar, along with a heritage gala calendar and my best photos at:
www.trecanrail.com/
@steamtothewest-trecanrail
#steamtothewest #trecanrail