I was 8 years of age when we took our first holiday by the sea and more importantly by the main line at Dawlish Warren. The family hired a gas lit caravan under Lee Cliff where the trains passed within 50 yards or so on the busy West of England main line between Exeter and Newton Abbot. The first holiday was in 1960 and 99% of locomotives were steam. I was brought up in Chesterfield on the Midland main line so all trains in Devon were a revelation to me. The line through Dawlish in those days was unbeliveably busy espescially on Saturdays in summer. The first non steam seen were the 600 Warships and a few new 800s. We spent holidays there most years up to the 90s. This is a memory of the railway observations on just one holiday early September 1971.
Saturday 4th September 1971
Having arrived at Dawlish Warren at 1520 after a good car journey i watched the trains until around 10pm. There were eight Class 52's including D1005 piloted by D32 on 6B65 Cement tanks. Also eight Warships including three running light at 10pm 857 hauling 842 and 852 headcode 8Z00. My notes state that the latter two had caught fire earlier, although both were seen working later in the week. Eight Peaks, Six 47s inc 1672 Colossus. Having visited Dawlish Station Saturday night we bought tickets for the next day mystery trip which started at Paignton and picked up Dawlish at 0810 Sunday. The best thing was the fare - yes it was 30 bob!
Sunday 5th September 1971
Our train - 1Z30 - departed Dawlish on time behind D1676 "Thor". We were hoping for a hydraulic though. We didnt know our destination although we headed north through Exeter, Taunton, Bristol, Gloucester, Lickey, Birmingham New Street. At this point we were getting worried as someone suggested they were sending us home! Hydraulics noted up to this point were; D1065 Dawlish; 6322/6336/6356 825 D1005 at Exeter; We had a wrong line stretch at Hele and waited for 1595 to pass on a motorail. D1048 Taunton; 7005 Flax Bourton; 7056 Parson Street; 7054 Filton; 7003 Yate; 7002 Glos; 7025 Ashchurch. Still heading north we passed Bescot, Wolverhampton and arrived in Shrewsbury. Only then did the steward tell us this was the destination for two hours well nothing was happeing here on a sunday afternoon, so on returning to our seats for the return journey we noticed 1676 had gone and on our coaches was a 37 "6877". A leaflet placed on the mark one tables revealed that our return journey was via the Central Wales Line! hence a 37!
On a Sunday there were no locos around until we got to Pantyffynon - 6944/6910/6883/3595 were stabled. Someone shouted "Western" near Port Talbot - D1050 passed light engine. Although there were plenty around here only two Hymeks were seen 7084/7046. Canton revealed D1023/7065/7098/7072/7000 that we could get from the train. At central station our 37 was replaced by 1553 for the rest of the journey. No Hydraulics at Newport although Severn Tunnel yard D1017/D1012/7074. We were held for over 30 minutes at Bristol as the relief guard had not turned up, however D1047/D1034/841/7009/7021 were stabled. We set off feeling tired of seeing the inside of our coach only to be held up again at Bedminster for an hour as a failed tamper was removed 7056 was around on ballast wagons though. Eventually we arrived at Exeter close to midnight where 811/822 were on the depot. Dawlish was gained at 12 minutes past 12 Monday morning.
Monday 6th September 1971
Later we took the train to Newton Abbot behind D1023 on the 1B04 and passing Hackney yard were withdrawn Warships. 851/859/828/837/843/838/836/849. Also in the yard working were 6318 and 6332. Following a break we then took the 1V74 headed by 1574; although 858, D1041, 824 passed through too. Plymouth North Road; 806/D1055/D1006/D1032, 6319 and yes D5179! What was that doing there? A bus trip took to the shed at Laira and we pondered about going in. So we all trooped in and no one challenged us.
This is the list;
Class 42/43; 862/822/826/823/805/825/813/812/807/811/806
Class 52; D1055/D1047/D1069/D1012/D1034/D1033/D1073/D1054/D1010/D1007/D1022
Class 22; 6308/6337/6334/6328/6348/6322
Class 46; 167.
Shunters; 4158/4159/2138.
Back to the station and a trip to Gunnislake on W51585; D1064 in station on the stopper for Penzance. Our train from Plymouth to Dawlish was hauled by D1060 and on arrival we stopped to watch 819 on a passenger followed by 803 on a freight northbound.
Tuesday 7th September 1971
We had a rover ticket this week and decided on Penzance today. Our train was the 0730 2B10 from Dawlish and our loco was 841 Roebuck. On the way 824 was in Stoneycombe quarry; D1036 at Plymouth; 813 and 6336 Liskeard; 3526 Bodmin Road; 807 and 1672 at Lostwithiel; 4007 at St.Austell; 862 Redruth; then passing Long Rock depot; 1577/D1005/D1060/4161/815.
Our return was the 1B16 headed by D1055. On the way were; D1023 Camborne; D1044 6330 Truro; 822 at Par. Plymouth had D1056/867; Totnes D1007; Newton Abbot 808,811,1932,129.
Wednesday 8th September 1971
Visit to Looe;
Dmu to Newton Abbot; 1586 1B25 to Plymouth. W55016 Plymouth to Looe and back.
We spent some time at Newton Abbot before catching the 1B25 and interesting sightings were;
867 Zenith on a mixed goods north working the 7B59 0935 Plymouth Friary to Exeter Riverside yard. 7009 on southbound 6V85; D1018 on 1A65 with no nameplates on one side! I took colour slides of these three trains.
Other locos around were 815 (Maroon) D1019/835/844/852/821/1667/6343/1595/132/851/1786/1932/6541/845. Our return from Plymouth D1717 1B16 to Dawlish. Locos seen D1054 on "Pilgrims Express" charter; 6334/4004/D1016/1611/D1032/6356.
Thursday 9th September 1971
We went to Looe again!
Noted 807 double heading 108 on a northbound express at Warren 1E99 0540 Plymouth to Sheffield.
Our train 2B10 was 841 again, D1002 noted at Newton Abbot on the up "Golden Hind" also several repeat locos at Newton Abbot. Laira had a maroon Warship 809 and D1010 visible too. Plymouth station had D1017, 6343,4004.D1039 and D1041 took us back on 1B16. The trip to Looe was W55016 again. Meanwhile 814 had turned up at Newton Abbot, but little else of interest.
Friday 10th September 1971
D1020 Dawlish to Newton Abbot; 855/845/6357/1711/6333 and D1898 coupled to D815 (maroon) on the 1E37 Devonian. 824 took us to Dawlish on 1B86 1755 Paignton to Bristol complete with cream/brown pullman Car 338 in consist. Final evenings hydraulics were D1064/D1008/825/D1017/804.
All in all a good week. If only we could return to those days!
Ian Harrison.
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