D1015 WESTERN CHAMPION & 50007 HERCULES return to familiar haunts 1/6/2024

Both D1015 WESTERN CHAMPION and 50007 HERCULES returned to familiar territory with Pathfinder Railtours "The English Riviera Airshow" excursion from Tame Bridge Parkway to Paignton and return. The recordings were made at Bathampton on the outward journey and also during a scheduled stop at Westbury station. The late change of platform from 2 to 3 here gave an opportunity to insert a couple of then and now shots in this video to show how the station has changed since the mid-1970s when "Western" locomotives were still a common sight although they were being ousted rapidly by the then unreliable class 50s. There are now mature fir trees growing to the west side of the bridge which have considerably narrowed the view of the station since 1975. I have included two clips recorded by my wife taken from Platform 3 of the train arriving and departing.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

And I caught the same days tour that was also going to the south west it’s d213 on a tour as far as Taunton where it hands the train to 61306 mayflower to go onwards to Paignton

[@thefakewasp503]

That is a good combination.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@thefakewasp503indeed

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

One thing you may have noticed is that western champion is in disguise as d1011 western thunderer on the other side of the loco

[@thefakewasp503]

You can see that in the video as the train arrives at Westbury taken from platform level. Note 50007 running as 50034 Furious which also can be seen in the video as the train departs Westbury.

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@thefakewasp503ah yeah that means both of them are disguised as their long lost sister locos