In what was supposed to be the most enterperising double header on the GWML, GWR Castle Class loco 5029 Nunney Castle and BR Standard 7MT 70013 Oliver Cromwell doublehead with Railway Touring Company's 'Royal Duchy' from Paddinton to Par and return with D1015 doing the return working.

Starting off at Whiteball south the pair can be seen heading down the decend to be watered at Tiverton Junction. But at Newton Abbot disaster struck as 5029 suffered a overheated axelbox in the tender. Meaning she had to be detached from the train and limp back to the nearby Hackney sidings. Because all the stock was air braked and 70013 being a vacuum braked locomotive, there was no way she was able haul the charter, as well as having 13 coaches the 'Brit' wouldn't of coped tackling the steep Devon Banks with such heavy loads.

Western hydraulic D1015 Western Champion was rostered back to tow the loco and its train which can be seen here. A pretty authentic combination of what it would of looked like when diesel hydraulics used to pilot steam over the Devon banks from Newton Abbot back in the early 1960s.

The last scene concludes with D1015 storming past Stoke Canon en route to Paddington. A real shame another locomotive has failed as it woulda been a sight to see the pair conquer Dainton and Rattery. Hopefully in the future we should.
I would like to thank fellow cameraman David Oldham for taking me to Whiteball and Rattery.

Now heres a big question, is mainline steam in the West Country being cursed or jinxed?? (less info)