1st October 2021

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

Route : 
1Z47 : Penzance to Plymouth
1Z48 : Plymouth to London Victoria

Notes : 
(1) 35479 + 14060 were only in the consist when 45596 + 61306 were on the train.
(2) John Clifford's comments: This was the return working for the train on 28^th September. For details of excursions etc. see that train. We left Penzance a minute early. The previous train had been the 08.15 Penzance to London Paddington which we caught up near Lostwithiel and were checked by it a few times afterwards. Nevertheless, we arrived at Plymouth over 2 minutes early. After the loco change at Plymouth we set off again but were checked after Ivybridge by the 08.50 Penzance - Exeter St Davids (3 minutes late at this point). A further check ensued after Teignmouth off the 11.20 Paignton - Exmouth. Arrival at Exeter St Davids was just 1 minute late. After taking water the train set off to the next water stop. It was shown as Norton Fitzwarren but was actually made by Fairwater Yard. Here the engines were detached and went forward into Taunton sidings for further water and coal. This took longer than had been allowed. We left Taunton 23 minutes late and were held at Taunton East Jn to let the late running 13.40 Exeter St Davids pass (it was 26 minutes late at this point). A brisk run followed until we were checked at Fairwood Jn by the 12.41 Acton - Merehead freight. The stop at Westbury was cut short and we left there 8½ minutes late. Hopes were that we would make up more of the lost time to get back on time. We only got as far as Heywood Road Jn when the train was stopped by dragging brakes. It transpired that one of the brake hoses was defective. This was changed but we had to then wait for the 12.15 Penzance - London Paddington pass on the avoiding line. We set off and, to avoid blocking the up line while we took water at Pewsey, we went into Woodborough Loop. Here we were passed by the 14.12 Paignton - London Paddington which had been delayed at Westbury by us standing at Heywood Road Jn. It was 30 minutes late at this point. Also passed us was the 15.38 Exeter St Davids - London Paddington. We took water at Pewsey and left 84½ minutes late. By not stopping at Newbury we got to the Theale water stop 64 minutes late. Here the two diesel (33207 & 37706) had originally been booked to attach to the train for the E.C.S. working back to Southall from London Victoria. This was changed, and we continued with just the two steam engines on the front. At Reading we were booked to use platform 13 before going on to London Victoria via Ascot. However, we were sent into platform 12 where there is no route to get to the Ascot line. The only way to get to London Victoria was to go up the Great Western Main Line then via Kensington Olympia, which is what we did. Just after Hayes we caught up the 19.34 Hayes - London Paddington and followed it to Acton Main Line. At Acton Wells Jn we waited for the 20.47 Richmond - Stratford to pass then it was the final straight back to London Victoria. Brief stops at Stewarts Lane and outside London Victoria saw us arrive 62 minutes late after an eventful journey.

45596 + 61306 approaching Totnes on 1Z48 (photo: Colin Wallace)

Source : John Clifford (on the tour throughout)

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Clifford)

Associated E.C.S. & Light Engine Workings

5Z47 : (37706 + 33207 + tour stock) : Slopers Siding to Penzance (propel)

5Z48 : (61306 + 45596 with 35479 + 14060) : Laira T&RSMD to Plymouth

0Z47 : (33207 + 37706) : Plymouth to Theale Loop

0Z48 : (33207 + 37706) : Theale Loop to London Victoria

5Z50 : (37706 + 33207 with 61306 + 45596 on rear) : London Victoria to Southall

Back to "The Railtour Files"