6th July 2008

Past Time Rail
The Torbay Express

Locos Used D7535 & steam: 34067 'Tangmere'
Stock Used 21272+3122+3112+3140+5009+1863+4927+5040+4902+35518

Route:
1Z27 : Bristol Temple Meads to Kingswear
1Z28 : Kingswear to Bristol Temple Meads

Loco(s) Route
34067 Bristol Temple Meads - Weston-super-Mare - Taunton - Exeter St Davids - Newton Abbot - Paignton - Paignton South G.F.
34067 (1) Paignton South G.F. - Kingswear
34067 (1) Kingswear - (reverse of outward route) - Paignton South GF
34067 Paignton South GF - (reverse of outward route) - Bristol Temple Meads

Notes:
(1) D7535 on rear.

Source : John Clifford (on the train throughout)

Tour Review
(by John Clifford)

This was the first of the regular trips run every Sunday until the end of September. For me this was a case of third time lucky. I had booked on the train in the two previous years to get "Tangmere" on the train but it was substituted by 6024 "King Edward I" on both occasions.

Because of engineering work the engine & support coach were late arriving at Temple Meads from Barton Hill to collect the stock so we had a late start. We were behind the 0930 Bristol - Weston which we caught up at Yatton. Hence we left Weston 29 min late. The water stop at Taunton was cut short but we were then held at Exeter for the 0857 ex-Paddington to pass. Arrival at Paignton was 27 min late. After pulling forward on to the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway their D7535 was attached to the rear in case there were any adhesion problems over their line.

There was some brisk running on the return. After taking water at Exeter we gained time & by not taking water at Taunton we passed Uphill Jn 34 min early. We then had to wait outside Weston for the 2038 to Paddington to go & when we got into the station we waited for a down train to arrive. Even so we got to Bristol 21 min early. A good day out.

John Clifford
Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from John Clifford)

Location Booked
Actual
   Booked
Actual
Bristol Temple Meads 09.18d
09.37
   21.39a
21.18
Worle Jn 09/36
10/04
   21/16
20/59
Weston-super-Mare 09.41a ~ 09.43d
10.08 ~ 10.12
   21.08a ~ 21.10d
20.45 ~ 20.54
Uphill Jn 09/48
10/19
   21/05
20/31
Highbridge & Burnham ?
10/28
   20/56
20/23
Bridgwater 10/02
10/33
   20/48
20/18
Cogload Jn 10/10
10/39
   20/42
20/12
Taunton 10w17a ~ 10w42d
10.45 ~ 11.02
   20w15a ~ 20w35d
20.03 ~ 20.05
Tiverton Parkway 10/59
11/22
   19/55
19/48
Tiverton Junction ? 11/24   19/52 19/46
Cowley Bridge Jn 11/13
11/36
   19/36
19/31
Exeter St. Davids 11.16a ~ 11.19d
11.40 ~ 11.56
   18w44a ~ 19w29d
18.40 ~ 19.27
Dawlish Warren 11/32
12/08
   18/33
18/26
Newton Abbot 11/46
12/18
   18/20
18/14
Torquay ?
12/28
   18/03
18/02
Paignton 12.08a ~ 12.24d
12.35 ~ 12.56
   17.45a ~ 17.57d
17.52 ~ 17.57
Paignton South GF ? 12L59 ~ 13L06   ? 17L42 ~ 17L49
Churston ? 13/16   ? 17/33
Kingswear 12.55a
13.27
   17.20d
17.20


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