I had a major dilemma choosing where to phot the railtour. It was due to pass Pinhoe at 13:15 and arrive at St David's at 13:24. I did not want to phot the tour at either Pinhoe or St David's as both places would be crowded (based on past experience). The choice was made harder as D1015 'Western Champion' was also due to pass St David's at 13:17 on The Golden Hind railtour. So, I chose the approach to Exeter Centgral for Clan Line and chose to miss out on photting Champion.

If only humans were born with an inbuilt sense of Foresight! The Mule can be chaotic with late running trains - and sure enough Clan Line was 20 minutes late arriving at St. David's! If I had gambled on that happening, I'd have photted Champion at Red Cow Crossing and then caught the 13:25 Up Waterloo back up to Central still been in position to phot Clan Line approaching Central! Of course, if I had gambled, you can guarantee that both tours would have run to time! On well, such is life! I did, however, manage to phot both railtours passing Cullompton on their respective return workings.

 
Clan Line heads away from Warminster this evening hauling The Atlantic Coast Express excursion.
 

 

A colourised copy of a photo I took (as a 9 year old!), with an old Kodak bellows camera, of 35023 approaching Pinhoe on that tour....

 

Sadly, not an option on this tour. Down from Central to St David's then returning via Taunton.

 
Would have loved to see her climbing from St David's to Central!
Thank you both (and Finn, sorry), lovely shots.

 
I looked out my old railtour papers and came across two last trains to Exeter in 1966. The second with 35023 managed 102mph at Hurstbourne and 98 at Porton!
Winkworth’s book on the Bulleid Pacifics details the run with Bert Hooker driving to Salisbury.

 
Work in progress. I've got the tools. Just need to source a replacement motor and get soldering. Probably fixed sometime this decade.

 
When Justin has repaired it. 

 
He's really mastered the panning shots - will he be trained to use the drone next?

 
Finn is a remarkably talented Coffee Shop forum mascot. 

 
Phil did the stills, Finn did the vids.

 
The last steam railtour to the Westcountry for the 2024 season saw 35028 'Clan Line' head the Atlantic Coast Express from London Waterloo to Exeter St David's down The Mule via Salisbury and Yeovil Junction with the return leg via Taunton, Bristol Temple Meads, Westbury and Salisbury.

My original intention was the phot the tour from Sherborne Old Castle as it cruised down the bank from Milborne Port to Sherborne. Unfortunately, the Old Castle was closed (despite being advertised as open). So, having met up with forum mascot, Finn and his carer, JayMac, we retreated to Sherborne station before chasing (well, running ahead of) the tour to Pinhoe.

So, seen here at Sherborne and Pinhoe. Picture 3 is published by kind permission of a fellow Pinhoe resident, featuring three icons!