44932 battles the Devon banks with 'The Great Britain XV' | Day 1 15/04/2023

One of the most prestigious events in the Railtour calendar every year, 'The Great Britain', chartered by the Railway Touring Company, always promises to be special occasion, as it tours the British Isles over numerous days. Now into its 15th iteration, the anticipation is no different, as the excursion would take on a 9-day tour around the UK featuring a variety of exclusive steam haulage throughout.
Day 1 saw Ex-LMS 'Black 5' Class 5MT - 44932 start proceedings, working the consist out of London Paddington on the Great Western Mainline to Reading, where the tour would take the Reading - Taunton Line. Once through Cogload Junction and onto the Bristol - Exeter Line, the tour would travel south beyond Exeter to Plymouth along the South Devon Mainlne. After a turning move, 44932 would then lead the tour back north to Bristol, concluding the days’ running.
44932 is first captured in the harsh morning light, hammering well on the approach to Hungerford. In the south-west, the ‘Black 5’ put in a powerful performance over the banks, striding up Whiteball and Rattery respectively. On the return working, 44932 took on Hemerdon bank in style, producing an impressive sound as it clambered up the 1-in-42 gradient. Finally, in the dying light, the tour is seen at speed north of Exeter, at Rewe.
Day 1 had been set to feature 35018 “British India Line” as the main traction, with a last-minute swap seeing the ‘Black 5’ spearhead proceedings. West Coast Railways Class 47 - 47802 would be present, in order to complete the turning move in the south west, and providing assistance when necessary on the challenging gradients.
All footage filmed on Saturday the 15th of April 2023.

[@7fonshed61]

As usual another fantastic video. Thank you so much for providing consistently entertaining footage.

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thanks very much for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it

[@IowaTrainGay]

Another amazing video! Thank you! Absolutely stunning! What a show of steam!

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thanks very much, Chris. Your kind words are always appreciated.

[@nigelstride6158]

You must have done a lot of preparation for this, as you found some excellent locations for this video, Matt. Fantastic to see - thanks for sharing !

[@bobingram6912]

Matthew, you showed her off to her best, some fantastic sights and sounds, thank you👍👍👍👍

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

Thanks very much, Bob! Always appreciated! 😊

[@AndreiTupolev]

Naturally the diesel would be assisting as 10 is way over the limit for a single Class 5, but some very pleasing shots. Particularly nice pan at Rattery

[@sja45uk]

Somewhere I read that the power curves of steam and diesel engines are surprisingly complementary.

[@kipsome45]

Lovely set of clips. Working really hard on Hemerdon, the 47 only on notch 3 or 4 I’d estimate.

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

You should’ve seen it pull away, the service stopped at the top of Hemerdon

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

@@steamtothewest-trecanrail Unfortunate effect of a track circuit failure.

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

@@TheSouthernerYTChannel I know, it was fabulous to see her pull away. It would've been more fun to not have the diesel on the back!

[@TheSouthernerYTChannel]

@@steamtothewest-trecanrail Never understood the hatred against having a diesel on the back, when in the vast majority of cases where they're present, it's necessary for the tour to be able to run.
Just wish they were painted in Heritage liveries.

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

@@TheSouthernerYTChannel To be honest, I didn't say I hated the diesel, I meant imagine seeing 44932 attack Hemerdon with no Diesel. Sure the service would run with fewer coaches, but to see her try would be a sight.
You and I both saw 44932 towards Dainton on the sunlit side of the valley. I couldn't hear class 47, I'm sure it was on some notch of power, but the loco seemed pretty happy.