Saturday
16th June 2007
Paddington - Slough - Reading - Didcot Parkway - Bristol Temple Meads - Minehead and Return.
There was
nothing to do after the February trip except wait! Eventually after what seemed like
an eternity the next railtour came and D1015 worked a Past Time Rail trip from
Paddington to Minehead to attend the West Somerset Railways "Mixed Traffic Gala"
which relived the changeover years from Steam to diesel on British Railways
Western Region in the Mid 1960's. Other visiting Hydraulics included the Bury Hydraulic Groups Warship D832 'Onslaught' and Hymek D7076 also present was the
DEPG's Williton based Western D1010 "Western Campaigner".
D1015 ran wearing the number and nameplates on one side as D1051 "Western Ambassador", this is in association with a new promotion that the DTG runs enabling travellers to purchase a replica nameplate and have them carried on the loco. After arrival at Minehead from Paddington D1015 played its part in the Gala by working the 1340 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard and 1530 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. The Home Fleets based Western D1010 "Western Campaigner" was then attached to the front of D1015 giving everyone on the Railtour "Double Stamps" as far as Bishops Lydeard where she was uncoupled and we then departed back to Paddington. We think unless you know better this was the first time two Maroon Westerns have run double headed in Preservation.
D1015 Western Champion departs Paddington with the "Western Ho"
railtour for Minehead.
The
Tour arrives at Bristol Temple Meads last pick up point for Minehead.
D1015 on arrival at Bishops
Lydeard about to be passed by D1010
"Western Campaigner" arriving with the 1055 from Minehead.
The scene at Minehead prior to departure back to Paddington, as D1010 is attached to D1015 providing 5400hp of Maybach power to take the tour double headed back as far Bishops Lydeard. The headboard attached to D1010 was in relation to a farewell railtour "Western Requiem" the loco worked in February 1977.
Another
view of the pair given the road for the departure out of Minehead.
Captured by Adam Hiscock passing Bicknoller.
After the first set down and a crew change at Bristol Temple Meads showing D1051 "Western Ambassador".
Back on the blocks at Paddington.