28th September 2021

Steam Dreams Rail Co
Mayflower to Devon & Cornwall (Day 1 of 4)

Route : 
1Z40 : London Victoria to Exeter St Davids
1Z43 : Exeter St Davids to Plymouth
1Z45 : Plymouth to Penzance

Notes : 
(1) Banked by 47746 from London Victoria to Grosvenor Bridge.
(2) 35479 + 14060 were only in the consist when 45596 + 61306 were on the train.
(3) John Clifford's comments: This was the first day of a 4 day visit to the West Country although special trains operated on only the first and fourth days. It had originally been planned to run from 14^th to 18^th September 2020 to coincide with the 400^th anniversary of the sailing of the ship “Mayflower” from Plymouth to America. When first advertised the plan was for the train to be double-headed by both preserved “B1” class engines (61264 & 61306) from London Paddington to Penzance and back. However, 61264 was not available so 45596 was substituted. Furthermore the train started from London Victoria due to pathing constraints on the Great Western Main line from London Paddington. In addition the train was to be diesel hauled from Plymouth to Penzance and back, again due to pathing constraints. Optional excursions were available to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway (4612 was running), the Lost Gardens of Heligan, a Poldark tour, the Eden Project and a day trip to Padstow. Originally steam trips were advertised between Plymouth & Par on 30^th September but these did not run.
On the day we left London Victoria on time and a steady run ensued on the Hounslow loop as we were following the 8.40 London Waterloo - London Waterloo via Brentford and Twickenham. There was a water stop advertised for Ascot but we did not take water and left there slightly early. After picking up our final passengers at Reading we left on time. We were booked to go into Towney Loop but did not do so and arrived at the Newbury Racecourse stop 8 minutes early. We left early but had to stop outside Newbury to let the 10.04 London Paddington - Plymouth get past. Arrival and departure at Westbury were a few minutes early. There was a signal check at Blatchbridge Jn (possibly from the 11.37 Basingstoke - Yeovil Junction). After the water stop at Bruton we again ran early catching up the 07.01 Edinburgh - Plymouth at Cogload Junction. The water stop was shown in the timings as Norton Fitzwarren but was actually made just before the former Silk Mill Crossing. We ran on, arriving at Exeter St Davids slightly late due to a signal stop outside the station to let the 15.38 Exeter St Davids - London Paddington cross our path. At Exeter there was a break of over an hour and a half. The two diesels (33207 & 37706) arrived after we did to take the E.C.S. into Riverside Yard. The coaches were a few minutes late coming in for the next leg but we got away 3 minutes late. After Dawlish Warren we caught up the 16.23 Exmouth - Paignton which was 5 minutes late at that point. We made up the lost time but were stopped outside Plymouth to let the 18.27 Plymouth - Birmingham New Street come out of Platform 7, the one that we were due to occupy for the loco change. From Plymouth we were booked behind the 11.39 Newcastle - Penzance which we eventually caught up near Lostwithiel. Meanwhile there had been a check at St Budeaux (Ferry Road) to allow the 17.15 Penzance - Plymouth to come across Saltash bridge. There was a pathing stop at Long Rock to allow the 21.00 Penzance - Plymouth come up the single line. Arrival at Penzance was 3 minutes late.

Source : John Clifford (on the tour throughout)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Clifford)

Associated E.C.S. & Light Engine Workings

5Z40 : (47746 with 61306 + 45596 on rear) : Southall to London Victoria

0Z40 : (47746) : London Victoria to Southall

0Z42 : (37706 + 33207) : Southall to Exeter St Davids

5Z42 : (33207 + 37706 with 61306 + 45596 on rear) : Exeter St Davids to Exeter Riverside Yard
5Z42 : (45596 + 61306 + tour stock) : Exeter Riverside Yard to Exeter St Davids

0Z43 : (37706 + 33207) : Exeter Riverside Yard to Plymouth

5Z44 : (45596 + 61306 with 35479 + 14060) : Plymouth to Laira T&RSMD

5Z46 : (33207 + 37706 + tour stock) : Penzance to Slopers Siding (propel)

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