South Devon Railway | A British Summers Afternoon with 5526 & 1369 - Tuesday 8th August 2023

#steam #devon #train
During our Devon Holiday in Torbay in 2021, which was my first visit to Devon since 2004, we travelled on the Dartmouth Steam Railway and took the train from Paignton to Kingswear then the boat over to Dartmouth for the day. Having thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Beverley Lodges in Goodrington in 2021 we re-booked for 2023 and for this years holiday decided to spend a day at The South Devon Railway instead of the Dartmouth Steam Railway. Back in 2021 we had visited Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, which is alongside Totnes Riverside Station on the South Devon Railway, and we saw a couple of the trains arrive and depart whilst there but this would be my first proper visit since 2004, and my first ever day filming day on the line.
Tuesday 8th August dawned, and it dawned wet, misty and murky, a perfect day to head in-land and away from the coast and onto a nice steam hauled train running alongside the River Dart, although not an ideal day for filming! Plan for the day was to take a round trip on the 12.15pm from Buckfastleigh to Totnes Riverside, returning on the 1.00pm to Buckfastleigh. From there my wife, son and in-laws were going to visit the Buckfastleigh Butterflies and Dartmoor Otters, which shares the site at Buckfastleigh, leaving me free to film the afternoons trains!
On Tuesday's, Wednesday's and Thursday's the South Devon Railway runs its 'Peak Heritage Train Experience', four round trips behind a steam loco and three round trips behind the DMU. In a stroke of luck for us issues with the DMU meant on Tuesday 8th August, for one day only, the DMU was replaced by Pannier Tank no.1369 hauling an autocoach and a GWR coach! She ran alongside the regular 6 coach set which was in the hands of Small Prairie no.5526, so a double steam day! Having had a lovely round trip behind 5526 in the morning we first see 5526 departing Buckfastleigh with the 2.15pm service before seeing 1369 arrive with the 2.45pm from Totnes, run round and take water before departing with the 3.00pm for Totnes. Moving to Staverton (while the others watch the Otters being fed!) we catch up again with 1369 and the by now delayed 3.15pm and see her depart for Totnes before we see 1369 arrive and depart with the delayed 4.00pm Totnes to Buckfastleigh and finally 5526 with the delayed 4.05pm Buckfastleigh to Totnes.
A lovely day despite the weather, a huge bonus to have a double steam day! Huge thanks as always to all involved, hopefully won't be 19 years till I can visit again!
Photos...
www.flickr.com...

[@michaeltaylor1869]

Nice video great camera work as usual as always keep it up bye for now Philip

[@alts1985]

Very Kind thank you very much! All the best Ashley