Tour No. 38 : The
Royal Duchy (The Railway Touring Company)
Sunday
5th April 2009.
Paddington - Slough - Reading - Didcot Parkway - Swindon - Westbury -
Light engine to Par then - return Par - Bodmin Parkway - Exeter - Taunton - Westbury - Newbury - Reading - Slough - Paddington
.
Following the new transmission being fitted into D1015 back in January, its first tour of 2009 saw the loco
visit Cornwall booked to work the Diesel leg of The Railway Touring companys "Royal Duchy" Railtour.
On a bright and sunny day we departed Paddington and D1015 made light work of the run to Westbury via Swindon and Melksham.
At Westbury the train was handed over to Steam locomotives 5029 Nunney Castle and 70013 Oliver Cromwell to go forward
to Par, 5029 Nunney Castle developed a tender problem between Exeter and Newton Abbot and after being removed at Newton
Abbot D1015 performed a rescue act after being sent from Laira and coupled up to 70013 Oliver Cromwell to take the train forward
to Par.D1015 was uncoupled and following a swift run-around departed for London Paddington, some superb running turned a late
running tour into a 7 minute early arrival into the capital.
Above the tour passes Lower Basildon en route to Westbury : Photo : James
Duncan
Above : After arriving at Westbury D1015 departs light engine to Par little did we know we would see
'Champion' again at Newton Abbot. Photo : Paul Winter
Above : D1015 entering Newton Abbot after running light engine from
Laira to take the tour forward with 70013 Oliver Cromwell to Par.
Photo : Paul Winter
Above : D1015 and
70013 Oliver Cromwell double headed at Newton Abbot. Photo : Paul Winter.
D1015 and Oliver Cromwell wait time at Newton Abbot before departure to
Par. Photo: Paul Winter.
D1015 and Oliver Cromwell stand at Plymouth in
glorious sunshine awaiting departure to Par.
Photo : Paul Winter.
D1015
Western Champion leads 70013 Oliver Cromwell onto the Royal Albert Bridge and
into Cornwall following the failure of 5029 Nunney Castle. Photo : Paul Maycock.
Above : D1015 runs around at Par
prior to take the tour back to London Paddington. Photo : Nick Townsend.