The Devonian 25-07-09

On Friday 24th July, in preparation for The Devonian of the 25th, 70013 Oliver Cromwell was moved from Southall to Bristol. Running on time, but directly behind an Oxford bound stopping train, engine and support coach pass through Iver.
Moving on to Saturday, and heavy traffic meant that we were too late to see the train before it reached its water stop in Tiverton loop so our day began on a bridge in Willand, and the first sight of 70013 is as it accelerates away from the loop.
Quite often Plymouth bound steam excursions will stop at Newton Abbot allowing one to see them, both on the sea wall, and at Dainton, however on this day the extra stop was made at Exeter so we headed directly to Dainton.
With no stop at Newton Abbot, OC was going well passing Whiddon on the lower slopes of Dainton bank but speed had dropped slightly by the time the tunnel was reached.
For the return it was off to the old favourite, the bridge at the top of Hemerdon bank but with a new variation. The second camera was set up further along the line to catch the train as it reached the top of the bank and began the descent towards Ivybridge.
From Hemerdon we headed for Exeter and St Thomas station. As we drove into Exeter with fifteen minutes to spare, the train crossed the bridge in front of us exactly as it did on 13th June.
On to Burlescombe and the climb to Whiteball tunnel. There has been a clearance of lineside trees and undergrowth in the area and it appears to have opened up this view of the bank, as seen from a footpath which runs along the top of the cutting.
The next day, engine and coach made their way back to Southall. Work on the main lines at Taplow was causing disruption to services and OC was running half an hour late when it passed through the station.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Devonian
• 70013
• Oliver
• Cromwell
• Dainton
• Whiteball
• Hemerdon

[EMuksteam]

Very good video. You must have covered a fair amount of mileage

[1Z64]

Thanks. I can't remember exactly but it was around 450 miles. I know it's a lot but when you're stopping off at different locations it somehow doesn't seem so far.

[NwsNoaaChaser]

Fantastic video Martyn!! 5* and fav. Once again, a pleasure to watch!

[1Z64]

Thank you James.

[CradleyHeathSteam]

I seriously don't think steam videos get any better than this on YouTube. This is remarkable. The panning shot from 6:40 to 6:55 is just fantastic!

[1Z64]

Thanks very much for your kind comments. The shot that you mention was filmed by my Brother and he will be pleased as he felt it didn't work very well due to the fence hampering him. Hence the cut. Thanks again.

[firemanvic36c]

Great stuff lads some super locations,and shot superb. Oliver is a fantastic loco and seems to steam for fun,ive seen numerous vids of it blowing off,and it always looks in charge of its train,and thats from experiance,ive fired some right pigs in the past

[1Z64]

Thank you Mr Funbags. I agree, Oliver Cromwell is a fine loco and one of my favourites.

[1Z64]

Thanks Ryan. It was a good day but don't mention Whiteball. We arrived too late on the way down, and on the return my shot ended so badly that it isn't for public viewing. I'll have to consign it to an outtake video. ha ha.

[1Z64]

Thanks very much. Glad you liked it.