History Repeating Itself? Mayflower Delivers After Huge Set-Back. 61306 on 22June 2024

HAVE YOU SPOTTED THE MISTAKE??
Here are two clips of 61306 (not 31306!) Mayflower working hard as opposed to running fast as in my last upload.
The diesel hauling the train on the down leg suffered an air leak at Westbury and a back up had to take over resulting in a 71 mins delay. This increased to 100 minutes down leaving Taunton which was a huge set-back even for passengers with as much interest in dining as the trip on this Saphos tour.
High above Broadsands beach the B1 is taking more than her fair share of the load as she appears through the high wind blown grass of the hayfield ready to be cut by my neighbouring farmer who kindly allows me to film from this spot, crossing Broadsands then Hookhill Viaducts in style.
404 years ago the original Mayflower and Speedwell also suffered a huge set-backset after they sail for the New World from Bayards Cove, Dartmouth, seen here from the Lower Ferry slipway at Kingswear. With Speedwell taking on water (sabotage???) they were forced to turn back to Plymouth and Mayflower was forced to 'go it alone'. Plymouth and not Dartmouth therefore is recorded in History as the departure point of The Pilgrim Fathers.
Also 'going it alone', 61306 Mayflower takes the train unassisted out of Kingswear with the diesel,, unfortunately again tucked in behind the tender, adding to the load of the large train. For a 5MT she makes an impressive start out of the side platform and through the tight curves before a slight slip over the platform points. Gradually applying the power, she passes us with children in hot puruit, picking up speed with sharp exhaust echoing down the river as she heads past the Higher Ferry and away on the steep climb to Churston.
Note: the thumbnail headline is in honour of the Tour de France which starts on the 29th June with a Grande Depart in Firenze (Florence), Italy.

[@sirjohng1]

Those tight curves require a deal more power than straight line running. Quite a load, as you point out, for a 5MT. She has a lovely exhaust note, well captured here.

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your kind, knowledgeable and much appreciated comment. Best regards, Alan

[@bobingram6912]

🎵"Out here in the fields...." Well that made for some excellent listening!!! That was a bit like a scene from the Railway Children with the kids running and waving!! Good to see the old ferry still plying its trade, heart in your mouth you weren't going to make a pillock of yourself driving down that slippery ramp🤔🙄 Thanks Alan for the beautiful Devon idyll❤👍👍, all the best.

[@Steamclips]

Hi Bob, I thought that opening shot of a B1 in the highlands (of Torbay anyway!) would strike a chord. The whole day turned out to be a "make the best of a bad job" day but I think it turned out O.K.. This video took 15 hours to upload with my current broadband connection!!!!! Just got back from Torquay with a 5g router from "3" on free trial, hopefully that will sort things for future uploads. Best wishes, Alan

[@timu438]

Fantastic video. Thanks! What a sweet locomotive.

[@Steamclips]

Many thanks for your kind and very much appreciated feedback. Couldn't agree more with your sentiment, especially in the sunshine. Best regards, Alan

[@tadpoles10]

Good morning Alan, a short video but so much joy going on. Mayfolwer making great progress both ways with 12 up! Children so excited at the sight & sound of a steam train & the bonus shot of 'The Lower Ferry', rigging ringing out against the mast's in the breeze. Thanks as always for sharing. atvb t ..

[@Steamclips]

Sounds like I hit all the right buttons for you there Terry? Thank you as always for your kind and insightful feedback. Best wishes, Alan

[@JakeBSteam]

Great video as always. Kind regards, Jake.

[@Steamclips]

Hello Jake and thank you for such kind feedback, I really appreciate it. Best regards, Alan

[@StephenDrysdaleBroughtylad]

Superb as per your usual coverage and always nice to see the children of today enjoying the sights and sounds of a steam loco in action. 🚂🙋

[@Steamclips]

Hello Stephen and thank you so much for such kind feedback and observations, I really appreciate it. Best regards, Alan

[@ЛЬВИНИ]

Very nice, like !

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your kind and very much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan

[@ravichristian6364]

so beautiful, so wonderful. thanks for the post.

[@Steamclips]

Hi Ravi , glad you enjoyed and thank you for your very kind feedback. Best regards, Alan

[@EMuksteam]

Excellent video Alan. A superb clip of the departure from Kingswear. Brilliant panning. Kind regards C&A

[@Steamclips]

Hi folks, glad you enjoyed the video. She makes a fine sight in the sunshine. Thanks as always for your kind and much appreciated support. Best regards, Alan

[@TheHoveHeretic]

Lovely clip, thanks for sharing.👍 12 on plus Thunderbird for a "Bongo"? That's pushing it anywhere outside the Fenlands and Lincolnshire .... and that were on t'other side of the country. The 47 did seem to be (how to put this?) trying it's best not to be a 120 ton dead load at one point!!

[@Steamclips]

Hi and thank you for your kind, entertaining and very much appreciated feedback. Best regards, Alan

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

Just like a Black 5, never underestimate the power of a B1! JG.

[@Steamclips]

Well put. Thank you for your valued comment. Kind regards, Alan

[@ericemmons3040]

I am American and so like American steam the best; but British steam is nice, too, and has a classy, elegant look all its own. Nice video, beautiful engine.

[@Steamclips]

Hello Eric and thank your for your kind, interesting and very much appreciated comments. Best regards, Alan

[@SimonTog]

Nice video :)

[@Steamclips]

Thank you Simon, your kind comment is much appreciated. Best regards, Alan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

History certainly is repeating itself because here’s mayflower again visiting the south west

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

Oh, my sweet Mayflower, What a fine whistle you have. We love it when you give us all a shower Of smoke, soot and all things steam.

[@Steamclips]

Well put Kelly, she's a pretty thing in the sunshine. Best regards, Alan

[@Mounhas]

I know there is a fascination for class 37 & 40 diesels, nothing can or will ever compare to a steam loco.

[@Steamclips]

Amen to that! Thank you for your much appreciated input. Best regards, Alan

[@markknowles6374]

Given Mayflower headed the train front facing in both directions, where did she turn around as the only turntable I'm aware of is back in Churston?

[@Steamclips]

Quite right Mark. They back the train out then the steamer reverses up to Churston to be turned and serviced before reversing back down to Kingswear. Regards, Alan

[@markknowles6374]

@Steamclips many thanks for replying, that's makes sense. Thanks for capturing the footage too, it was excellent. One of my favourite lines that I've visited many times and once again this year with Lydham Manor running which was good to see.

[@Phil-go8rf]

@@markknowles6374Don’t get down that way very often now I live in France but what I like about that line is that it’s run like a business. There isn’t loads of decaying stock and locos all over the place. I reckon it’s as near as you can get to a steam operated railway in the modern world.

[@Tom-Lahaye]

15 on if you count the locomotive for 3 carriages, and impressive start.

[@Steamclips]

True Tom. Thank you for your valued input. Best regards, Alan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

0:10 it’s not 31306 and it’s not 62306 either it’s 61306

[@Steamclips]

Well spotted Scott you win the imaginary prize! but like me, you didn't spot it first time around. Description edited but we'll have to live with the 0:10 gaff I'm afraid. Cheers, Alan

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

@@SteamclipsI did noticed it Alan

[@robertbartender591]

Any idea what caused the delay?

[@Steamclips]

Not as yet but will update the description if I do. Alan

[@Steamclips]

Have added the reason to the description. Alan