D1015 driver's view along the sea wall.

7th May 2016. Teignmouth to Dawlish.

[@funkydozer]

As a naive and suggestible kid 45 years ago, a friend talked me into walking into that tunnel with him. With our bikes. We got past the bend where you lose sight of the entrance and a train came the other way. Never run so fast in my life since, we made it back to within a hundred yards of the entrance and the train was on top of us, full speed 8 car Deltic express from Exeter, we hit the deck headfirst in a tangle of spokes and sprockets and hugged the tunnel wall as it blasted by 3 feet away, horn blaring and carriage lights strobing past. I will never forget the suction trying to pick me up by the feet. We walked our bikes down onto the beach and within 15 minutes a yellow transport police engine cruised slowly along the track, presumably looking for bodies. On another occasion, the same friend made me climb along the cliff face to the right of that tunnel entrance towards the parson and clerk rocks at high tide. The memories that almost kill us are the ones that last the longest, presumably to stop us doing dumb shit again.

[@philtennant2435]

These were magnificent machines. Good to see that a few of them have been preserved. They could pull a heavy train up steep hills. Especially from a standing start. Like a 12 wheel drive with 2 sets of six wheels fixed and turning together. Good old fashioned torque converters and gear boxes and the sound of two Maybach prime movers. What clever engineering.

[@AndreA-ke2id]

The design of the Westerns is so stylish, even the power handle.

[@Denjwj]

I can still picture Westbury driver Robin Gould leaning out the window of a Western at Westbury station, long gone now but never forgotten, such a lovely man.

[@m3hnl]

there is still a locomotive named after robin 56049 robin of templecombe he drove western champion in 2009. there is an awesome video when he powers away at par in Cornwall enjoy

[@valeriebrown8462]

Love the way he acknowledges holiday makers.

[@nlo114]

Last time I went along that bit of track behind a Western, I was knee-high to a grass-hopper, on family annual holiday. I didn't collect numbers, but names that stuck in my mind were Western Marquis, Hero and Conqueror. Happy days indeed!

[@SvenTviking]

Crazy thing. Watching another vid of this loco, heard the engine note as it passed and I was transported to the beach at Dawlish in 1966. I was three and that memory has never surfaced before.

[@norbertnedsworth7172]

Brilliant. Maybach music memories. Loved it, thank you.

[@stevebarbier5602]

Magical Westerns.............................and of course Maybach music..............................thank you !!

[@bobdunn7659]

It was noisy because the windows were open. They are indeed lovely roomy cabs.

[@andrewcutts7416]

Memories of that long hot summer back in 1976. That clown car horn sounds a bit off though ha ha.

[@suewilkinson910]

I was there in Dawlish in that hot summer of 1976 too. Every day in the sea. A child's dream.

[@mickgriffin3335]

Top marks to the Signalman Bob for holding the unit,a lovely piece of film you'll have to show me how to drive a 52 one day...best wishes.

[@tango6nf477]

Not a bad old girl for saying it was withdrawn from service 44 years ago and still going well.

[@dearne75]

reminds me of 1975 family holiday down here.Always tell a western class 52 by its own noise,

[@gibbo9089]

All that clown car horn - just waiting for the door to fall off!

[@spiccybaby]

Early 60's family holidays at the Mount Pleasant Inn, overlooking the station at the Warren, saw my fair share of Westerns and Warships at a tender age.

[@MollyBoy]

Dawlish is such a beautiful place, can’t wait to live there

[@laurenthalia3319]

MollyBoy was born in Devon you will regret it. Unless your ok seeing the same faces everyday and not much to do apart from coast walks.. everything is within driving distance if you don’t have a car it’s shit.

[@michaelmartin4144]

I lived in neighbouring Kenton for a while,,,

[@715michala]

@@laurenthalia3319 surely the lovely train will suffice if no car? I mean views are amazing worth it !!!

[@baconsandwich2007]

Always nice to see the old girl back where she belongs.

[@TheFordxr3i]

Great Loco, Great Location, Many Thanks For Upload.

[@TrevorLedgeway]

Very Nice Bob and Thanks for Posting this Great Bit of Footage.''''

[@stephenpowell5912]

Fab Video ❤️ Beautiful sound of a Class 52 Western Locomotive ❤️

[@sylvicee1072]

Great view, shame it missed some of the Dawlish coast.

[@irenemarwood7425]

Just the dog's!!!! Thankyou so much for posting

[@rodgertaylor2387]

Great footage and to be in the cab as well something else

[@dark-storm777]

Memories... I have made that journey so many times...

[@h7283]

I live there. Neh neh neh neh nehhh

[@AndreiTupolev]

I think that's the first Western cabride I've seen. The cabs have always seemed very spacious in those. Seems a bit noisy though. Getting a signal check must have been a bonus for spectators at Dawlish.

[@DOCTORDROTT]

+AndreiTupolev I have rode westerns many times in the 1970's, nice cabs but can be hot, these locos were called by some drivers " honeymoon trainers " as the would start to bounce after 50 mph. I was on Western Sultan in 1975, Swindon to Paddington, we hit 90 mph for most of the way and got into Padd early. Wonderfull locos

[@peterstokes4740]

No,far from it once the driver is seated with the second man, not a great amount of room.the entry door opens in wards.the corridor behind is tight to say the least.vist the svr when 1062 runs,see for yourself.the engines rev to 6000rrpm on idol!

[@MeesterMachinist]

Stunning view and that sounds awesome! A lot better compared to what we have in Holland (though I'm enjoying that too)

[@valeriebrown8462]

The horn was a bit weak, normally better than that. Greetings from Cornwall.

[@scopex2749]

So good to see a Western doing what it was built for again! These were by far the best locos for the job but no one gave them a chance! Watch the footage of Champion storming Lickey in one go hauling 11 carriages! Many modern diesels fail on that incline or need a banker! MAYBACHS RULE! YEP i used to be a train engineer for SWT and that horn has a diaphragm going! 🤪 we used to have to replace horns a lot!

[@bobdunn7659]

The headcode was the one carried on the original run that this train replicated. so no they didn't have to be there but it was an attempt to add a bit more authenticity.

[@oscarwylder]

Sweet - Thank you.

[@Msfiona69]

Bob Dunn.... you are the luckiest man alive ... Just to be in this gawguss loco and film ..I would give anything for that ... Still I was in Coach D and could hear this Maybach Music from way back there .. Love the horn on this Western too ..

[@chrisst8922]

My favourite locomotive in the world.

[@JMGamingVideos]

nice vid mate how do u frive the railtours mate

[@MrJimbaloid]

Now that is the bollocks.

[@dannyrc223]

Thank You

[@MikesMovies]

Very nice, GSMR fitted and everything.

[@otterlyamazing2605]

love the driver because he whistles beeps*

[@robertbruce7686]

It is a great run...Starcross etc!

[@derisleybrittain]

Excellent 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Trevor1292]

I hope you get chance to do again but keep the camera viewing out of the window so we see the entire drivers view along this very famous stretch. If you need to show the drivers controls do that whilst in the tunnel itself ( the section which you cut-edited ) :-)

[@gumpoandwordy]

Can’t believe he’d got one hand occupied by his vaping pen throughout

[@lizmorgan5463]

Great I enjoyed that

[@faheemwaqar1472]

Engine is Moving on Beautiful railway Track

[@garypamflett2150]

my fav part of devon ,, dawlish,,,,

[@stephensmith799]

Nice instrumentation...

[@davidsheriff8989]

Did this journey many times from 1985 -2007

[@Oktolibre]

The controls look closer to windows. Does water seep i. During rain?

[@chrismarshall3972]

excellent

[@RobinPrice]

best bit, it overtook a class 150/1. banging

[@adamw2911]

Yes normally they let everything out in front of a railtour. Even if its timed at 90mph.

[@mariacornwallis1602]

The most interesting part was where the railway was washed away several years ago,, but all we saw was the drivers hand......

[@hymek7096]

What is placed in the windows? Looks like it's taking up quite a bit of the drivers view.

[@saltspringrailway3683]

Maybe it's to block out the passing sleepers which could be annoying/hypnotic.

[@angeltransportpjects]

Any idea where the collapse took place? Hardly shows two years on unless of course I should have gone to Specsavers!

[@dpkeys]

2:51 you can see the new concrete on the wall. It continues on for a little bit but the camera turns away to the control desk.

[@Channel205UK]

4:44 driving and vaping? and whats with the bacofoil?

[@whangie1]

Sir Edington's this and that The Becofoil is because he's smoking heroin. It's called chasing the dragon.

[@Crepello100]

Something I forgot. Amateur vids often use zoom, like to zoom in on the engine or the view ahead. That wouldn't be appropriate for a professional video of the run - kills the sense of speed which is one of the attractions of mainline running.

[@carlbd9016]

Seems a very bouncy ride on the western?

[@michaelperkins5746]

Brillant

[@Mounhas]

That year I moved in March (briefly) from Cornwall to work in London to get some money together. For a sun worshipper & avid sea swimmer it was hell. How was I to know, sigh.

[@simonballard6413]

Why was the ride through the tunnels cut out? Pity.

[@mjradar]

Wish video was longer two tones sound like a toy horn !!

[@davidwaddington9414]

what a camp horn !

[@faheemwaqar1472]

I am Moving on My same Track Time Factor

[@exb.r.buckeyeman845]

The horn should be used when entering a tunnel to warn any P Way staff inside.

[@breeze1472]

bacofoil?

[@markroworth5700]

Horn sounds wonderfully like a dog toy.

[@MrFIZZYMann]

That Work Cab Seems Very Noisey, That Would Give Me a Headache. The Horns were Odd, Like Their Blocked with an Old Sock.

[@kristinajendesen7111]

They do sound similar to our 159 horns when the diaphragm had gone or they started to get blocked with snow.

[@adambentley7094]

Are drivers allowed massive Vapes in the cab these days?

[@jamesfrench7299]

Why did you edit out the tunnel? For that reason I'm out.

[@MannyAntipov]

Was that a vape in his hands at 0:16?!

[@dark-storm777]

Mount Pleasant Inn... When I was last there I was seventeen and yes we got served HaHa

[@geoffreylee5199]

Why is the driver holding something in his left hand?

[@legass420]

Geoffrey Lee he appears to be vaping.

[@1039king]

Appears to be holding a vape not using it

[@thepofmeister]

Hoot Happy

[@dark-storm777]

44 years... Where has the time gone?

[@saltspringrailway3683]

Had to look up D1015 in another tab to realise it was a Western presumably made in Swindon. However, I'd be embarrassed to sound that horn, it sounds rather camp.

[@nethalus]

That horn is comedically naff, just like on a Deltic

[@mjradar]

Deltic horn is great

[@nleak92]

That a deltic?

[@09weenic]

Eh no - it’s a class 52 Western locomotive

[@greatwestern6815]

Hi Bob, may i share your video to Dawlish Beach please?

[@bobdunn7659]

Of course. Bob

[@greatwestern6815]

+Bob Dunn Many thanks Bob, it's gone down very well! was it you on the way down waving to us?

[@bobdunn7659]

Not me on the way down.

[@drewwarwick3030]

Were u in da cab?

[@sandfordmerlin]

at about 3.45, is that a bellow I hear for DEATH!! lol

[@CreatureOfTheVoid]

Im suprised they havent yet put a fence up on the pedestrian wall

[@SykeMediaTV]

Vaping!? :)

[@exb.r.buckeyeman845]

That horn needs seeing to.

[@tomj8337]

HaHa that horn sounds like a kazoo

[@michaelmartin4144]

Lol,,,, read your comment just as it sounded

[@pratt11111]

WHAT A SHITE HORN

[@ciaranbird3373]

graham yogibear lol

[@angeltransportpjects]

Air driven horn not an electronically enhanced one. This driver should read up on 'Improper Use of Horn' rules instead of being this trigger happy! Remember when I got a bollocking during 1997 for a HUGE blow as I entered Kilsby Tunnel near Rugby to impress a friend who I saw filming almost at the portal. Unfortunately a P Way gang at the opposite end also heard this and the PICOW (boss on site) reported it's excessive nature. Hand slapped three days later by my boss!!!

[@ciaranbird3373]

Flyfactors UK lol rip

[@duncydragon991]

Flyfactors UK you sound like the grumpy scotrail drivers all against hooting the horns

[@angeltransportpjects]

Sorry for coming across as a mardarse! Can understand why the frowning upon real 'improper' horn usage ... But don't recall anything official appearing in the old 'BR Board Rule Book' about it and superseded since by 'GE/RT8000' or 'GO/RT3056' for freight trains. Can also see straight away why Scotland with it's concentration of tunnels and bridges / viaducts (Limited Clearance areas) would cause more dissent than south of the border would over this one. Hope you are well :o)

[@g7usl]

No. Driver sits on the LH side!

[@fatwalletboy2]

Seems these might have been very frustrating to drive .here the driver.opens the throttle at Dawlish and gets pedestrian levels of acceleration, lots of thrash noise but very poor pick up......

[@DeadlyDiddly]

Great loco, wonderful route, awful horn. What were they thinking? 🙉

[@MisterHampshire]

Poor tooter sounds like it has a sore throat.

[@richardwareing8298]

My dogs squeaky toy would have been a better siren 😂

[@bazza945]

They should oil the horn, it's squeaking!

[@felixthecleaner8843]

a vape in his hand??? surely these critters aren't allowed to smoke drugs whilst driving??

[@1039king]

Looks like the critter as you called it was just holding it, doesn't appear to be smoking it as no evidence of smoke in front of the camera lens!

[@cornishadz]

What you talking about smoking drugs??? Vaping is far better than smoking

[@fetchstixRHD]

Pete Coventry: To be fair, “better” doesn’t imply “perfect”. A single person dying is better than 5000 people dying, doesn’t mean that it’s great that said person died...

[@HeartlandTuber]

@@cornishadz Actually, you may want to revisit this opinion based on the rash of deaths since you posted that in last year from vaping. Turns out inhaling foreign substances into your lungs is just not a good idea. At all.

[@northstar1950]

Superb locomotives, silly horn :(

[@alangreensmith7887]

Sounds more like noddy.s car

[@toengsanbinningtonkoh3587]

Little western anyone?

[@Crepello100]

They miss a trick here. Why not mount a camera looking forward and film the entire run. Then sell it as a video, including for all of us that can't for whatever reason be on that train, or as a memory for those that were. Make it copyright and enforce that so it doesn't turn up on YT as a free to view thing. If cab conversations need editing out, simply record sound from turther cab of first coach. I recon they'd sell hundreds of these videos, maybe more than the 500 people who paid to be on that train. No tour organiser has ever done this so we just get amateur filmed bits, handheld, poor sound, just the slow running cos of wind sound issues, or whatever. They'd make more money that way and why not? These preseved locos cost a fortune to maintain.

[@Shads5]

For such an impressive iconic locomotive that’s a pathetic horn 😂

[@tonetonic2013]

nice video but i am sorry..that horn is comical..-:)

[@JMGamingVideos]

drive i meant

[@I_Am_Michael]

what a sad, pathetic horn.

[@orbitarchive346]

I have reverd a funerl space for it

[@SJBatie]

And I thought it was a kazoo

[@nigelkthomas9501]

Should’ve used a tripod! And cleared the view!

[@trevoruthy]

Real embarrassing horn ! - sounds as though they were fitted to just make people laugh !!!

[@kristinajendesen7111]

The Routemaster bus horns were similarly embarrassing, when you used them...a little 'meep'.

[@trevoruthy]

@@kristinajendesen7111 Yeah but what a fantastic vehicle !! I am a bus driver, and had the chance about 8 years ago when I worked for First, to take one out of First's Willesden depot for a run around for half an hour with a Trainer. The depot is a Metroline depot now I think. I now drive for a bus company at Crewe.

[@aircooledorion]

why can't diesel locos in the UK have a decent horn not that croak of an excuse I would be embarrassed to sound that horn.

[@statorcs]

well its a good thing that horns are designed for safety and not designed to an enthusiast's taste

[@exb.r.buckeyeman845]

In Britain we are scared in case we upset someone.