Torbay Express - Sunday 5th August

The Duke is scheduled to operate the Torbay Express on Sunday 5th August.

The Tamar Devonian Railtour

The Tamar Devonian - Plymouth

Support crew on 71000

It's a dirty job but someone has to do it!

The Tamar Devonian - 28th July 2012

The Tamar Devonian with 71000 and 60163

Tornado and the Duke power past Bedminster

Steam at Southall: The Duke and Bittern

66081 and 71000 at Basingstoke

71000 on Sapperton - 16th June

71000 hauling the Cathedrals Express

71000 storming Sapperton

Bath Spa Express

The Duke will haul Torbay Express Limited's Bath Spa Express on Wednesday 20th June from Poole to Bath and Bristol and return.  After this, the Duke will travel to Bristol on 30th June and will join Britannia at Barton Hill, their base for the Torbay Express season that begins on 1st July.  It is expected that Britannia will be in charge on the 1st July and that the Duke will be in charge on the 8th July run.

Poole to Windsor

The Duke will be operating the Poole to Windsor and return service for Torbay Express Ltd on Wednesday 6th June.

Exeter and Plymouth with Steam Dreams

The Duke is scheduled to be one of the engines hauling the Steam Dreams tour from London Paddington to Exeter and Plymouth on 10th March 2012.  For more information, please refer to the Steam Dreams website.

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

The Carmarthen Cavalier

71000 will be hauling the Carmarthen Cavalier on 28th August.  For full excursion details, please visit the Pathfinder website.

Joining Stations	Depart	Return
Dorridge	0605	2320
Warwick Parkway	0615	2305
Leamington Spa	0620	2300
Banbury	0640	2245
Oxford	0700	2220
Swindon	0740	2145
Chippenham	0755	2130
Bath Spa	0815	2115
Bristol Temple Meads	0910	2035
Newport	1005	1935
	Arrive	Depart
Carmarthen	1300	1640