Torbay Express Report - 21st August 2011

I travelled down with Stuart at 5am to join the Duke and support crew at Bristol Station.  We arrived in plenty of time for the 09:15 start, and met up with our two other sales team members, Martin and Karen.

The Duke arrived in the station looking fantastic - a credit to the crew who had spent the last 2 days cleaning.  Support crew on the day were David Briggs (RO), Adrian Meakin (Footplate Representative), Ken Wilcock (RO), Chris Saxon (Catering Manager), Andy Quinn (Timekeeper), Richard Holt (Chef) and two Engineers, Gary Shannon and Liam Clairmonte.

The Duke left bang on time.  The train was 11 Torbay carriages plus support coach and a dead class 47 (at 108 ton) meaning the load was nearer to 15 carriages. The total load was in the region of 486 tonnes.  The Duke made good time and arrived on schedule at the next water stop at Taunton.  Water was fed from a tanker.  Support crew were kept busy supplying tea to the footplate crew.  

After Taunton it was bacon and sausage sandwich time.  Food kindly supplied for the day free of charge by yours truly.  Sous chef was Chris Saxon.  Then it was off down to Paignton along the famous sea wall.  The sun was out, the beaches were packed and the wall was lined with people watching the Duke race through.  It brought a lump to your throat as she whistled along the coast before arriving at Paignton on time.  Here the support crew got off as the Duke carried on with the coaches down to Kingswear.  Crew had a couple of hours to wander round and get something to eat and drink.  Some even found time to go on one of the rides at the fun fair on the beach.

Reports came in that the Duke had come to a standstill on Goodrington Bank on its climb out of Paignton.  Luckily a diesel driver was on hand to fire up, and an embarrassing situation was avoided.

The Duke returned to Paignton for servicing once it had been turned at Churston.  Now, fed and watered, the Duke returned to Kingswear to collect passengers.  

The return journey was just as good as the outward, with the Duke setting a fine pace around the coast and, again, the sea wall was lined with people.

Arriving at Exeter it was decided to use the time to do an unscheduled tender top up with support crew having to roll out four 23 metre hoses to reach the hydrant.  Fifteen minutes later it was time to roll the hoses back in again, just in time to meet our allotted leaving time.  The support crew did a great job in a small space of time in very hot conditions, while under the eyes of the passengers who were gathered at the front of the loco watching with some enjoying a look on the footplate.

The Duke ran superbly up Whiteball while support crew were treated to a lovely beef stew and arrived at Taunton ahead of time.  A quick water stop and we were away up to Bristol arriving ten minutes early.

A great day was had by crew and passengers alike.  

The Duke was then taken off the stock and returned to Bristol Barton Hill Depot where she was put to bed and support crew returned back up North.  A long day but well worth it.

Richard Holt

71000 Operations