Steam in the South-West - Mid-August 2018

With a number of tours and visiting locos on heritage railways in the South-West, a trip to Devon was needed! Taken while on holiday in Starcross, this video shows a number of heritage sites in the South-West as well as a couple of mainline tours.
The video starts with 80104 working a standard service along the Swanage Railway, seen at Afflington Farm as the 4MTT departs Corfe Castle, bound for the coast. Taken on Friday 17th August 2018 - after a long 5 hour drive from Peterborough!
The next clips are from Saturday 18th August on the Dartmouth Steam Railway, and begin with 75014 'Braveheart' slipping up Goodrington Bank, seen from the beach. The 4MT is then seen descending back towards Paignton, seen from Saltern Cove. The next shots see 6023 'King Edward II' pull into and depart Goodrington (seen from two angles), before then rounding the curve at Saltern Cove and passing over Broadsands Viaduct (seen from two angles). The final clips from the (P)DSR sees 75014 coast over the same viaduct.
The next day (Sunday 19th August) and it starts at Dawlish, where 35028 'Clan Line' whistles along the sea wall on the outward 'Torbay Express'. Thanks (and apologies) to my mum for getting the shot from the footbridge and having to calm the dog after 35028's fast pass! After a few hours in Torquay, I ventured to the South Devon Railway to capture L.92 (5786) in it's London Transport guise as it passes Caddaford Farm and reflects over the River Exe at Riverford Bridge. I didn't realise 6412 was also running (as the website showed a Class 33 booked), so the passing of this took me by surprise, meaning I wasn't able to get a shot. We then returned to the mainline to see 35028 power passed Torre on the return 'Torbay Express'. Unfortunately, the tour left Paignton 10 minutes late, meaning it passed the station at the same time as the booked passenger service to Paignton did. Not the shot I hoped for, but still captures the power of the Merchant Navy.
Monday was a non-railway day, so Tuesday (the final day of my break away) is the final day for the video, and was spent at the West Somerset Railway capturing 34052 'Lord Dowding' (34046 'Braunton') as well as other home locos. The day starts with 34052 stalling at Eastcombe! The next shot sees 60009 'Union of South Africa' accelerating away from a signal check at Cogload Junction with 'The West Somerset Express'. The tour is then seen on West Somerset metals as 53808 heads the train passed Crowcombe Heathfield. We overtook the tour to catch it again at Blue Anchor along the pebble beach. A quick shot of 6960 'Raveningham Hall' departing Washford (as it took me by surprise), before 34052 powers up the bank heading into Washford. The bulleid is then seen in the warm afternoon sun at Leigh Lane as it accelerates away from a stop at Stogumber. 53808 is seen a final time as it returns the 'West Somerset Express' through Stogumber Station towards Bishops Lydeard for the swap for 60009. The final shots are taken at Cogload Junction. Two UID GWR 800 units head for Taunton as a Chinook helicopter passes towards the South heading East (possibly to Dorset?). 60009 'Union of South Africa' is then seen powering away from Taunton with the returning 'West Somerset Express', concluding the video and the holiday!

[@alanwarren2861]

An excellent, well produced video. I guess the 2 people who gave a thumbs down are just jealous.......!

[@petertibbs2100]

Great production, Tom. What camera did you use?

[@WestCountrySteamVideos]

Great Video as usual, but may i say that this video was superb with the number of amazing shots and variation of locomotives!!

[@antman09ful1]

What a great video you have put together Tom, with some nice editing to.