Tour No. 45 : The Royal Duchy

(The Railway Touring Company)

Saturday 03rd April 2010

1Z52 06.38 Paddington-Penzance

Paddington-Bath-Bristol-Exeter

0Z52 11.49 Exeter-Penzance

1Z98 16.14 Penzance-Paddington

Penzance-Exeter-Bristol-Bath-Paddington

A repeat of last years two engagements for the Railway Touring Company. On the Saturday D1015 did the diesel honours on The Royal Duchy, a traditional out and back from Paddington to Penzance, this time via Bristol. A sell out train with a waiting list, this popular itinerary required an 11 coach formation and a West Coast Class 47 at the rear for heat, an equivalent of over load 14. D1015 was more than equal to the task and timing was good throughout.

The tour put steam locomotives 44871 and 70013 Oliver Cromwell in position in the West Country for the Great Britain III tour and following the tour D1015 was stabled at Southall before travelling Light Diesel to Bristol on the Monday.

 

 

Above :  Western Champion waits to depart Bristol Temple Meads working the tour as far as Exeter before handing over to Steam Engines 70013 Oliver Cromwell and Black Five.   Photo : Paul Winter.

 Above : D1015 waits time during a crew change at Taunton. Photo: Paul Winter

 

Below : D1015 and 47760 at Exeter St Davids before departing light engines to Plymouth.  Photo: Paul Winter.

Another shot of D1015 at Exeter St Davids as Black Five 44871 and 70013 Oliver Cromwell come off Shed to work the tour to Penzance.   Photo : Paul Winter.

Below : Another shot of D1015 departing with 47760 bound from Plymouth bound for Penzance. Photo : Paul Winter.

Below : Masquarading as D1009 "Western Invader" after another DTG Nameplate Offer had been snapped up by a tour participant . Photo: Paul Winter.

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