46115 Scots Guardsman blitzes the Devon and Cornish Banks unassisted - The Royal Duchy - 20/08/2023

The LMS Royal Scot no. 46115 Scots Guardsman has never visited the Devon and Cornish Banks in steam preservation, as she is mostly based up north doing tours up the northern end of the country. However, this year was different, as for the first time in preservation, Scots Guardsman would head a railtour to Devon and Cornwall with the Royal Duchy. The other LMS Scot no. 46100 Royal Scot also tackled the South Devon Banks as well as the Cornish Banks on the same tour years ago, however with Socts Guardsman making her first voyage into the south west, the crowds were out to witness this special occasion.
The first of five shots that day started at Brent Knoll on the outskirts of Weston-Super-Mare to capture Scots Guardsman gathering speed through the open Somerset countryside. The weather was pretty grey, however, the LMS Scot brightened the morning with a brilliant pass sounding really nice in preparation for the stiff test that was to wait for her. Next was a quick drive to Whiteball. I got there just in time and the sun came out and Scots Guardsman was running slightly late, but she sounded absolutely incredible as she flew up Whiteball. After that was a drive to Rattery Bank to capture Scots Guardsman at the same location as Galatea on the last Royal Duchy. The engine once again sounded amazing as her distinctive 3 cylinder bark could be heard from a mile away at Totnes. She was slightly early and it showed as the Scot barked and roared up Rattery. My location for Cornwall was the shot at St Germans where I filmed Flying Scotsman back in April. The bushes and weeds had grown quite a bit since then but were still worth filming. It was much busier there though as Scots Guardsman enters Cornwall for the first time. The engine was slightly late, however, was not fazed ever by the Cornish Banks either as she powered away from St Germans towards her destination of Par. My final shot was of course Hemedon. Hemerdon was very poor in turns of location findings as the lineside vegetation was so big and tall that some shots made it very difficult To get a clear view. However one shot near the bridge had a nice gap and I went for it. The engine can be heard well into the distance as Scots Guardsman tackles one of the toughest railway banks in the country. But she seemed in complete control and sounded incredible pounding and barking with her train towards the summit at the Bridge which was the perfect end to an amazing day's worth of filming. Let's hope that Scots Guardsman returns on these tours down in the South West in the future.
Full kudos goes to Railway Touring Company, David Smith, the support crew, and the footplate crew of 46115 Scots Guardsman for making the day extra special and for putting on an amazing show for not just myself, but for everyone who saw her.
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[@SimonTog]

Super video :)