I seem to recall that one Christmas Eve the then spare Blue Pullman stock was used as a relief service to Plymouth from Padd returning as a relief from Plymouth after the hol. Traction Inspectors were concerned that with a full load of pax▸ with luggage the set would not make it over the South Devon Banks and instructed that a Western be attached at Exeter to pilot the train to Plymouth and a similar arrangement be put in place for the return after the Christmas Break.
A photo of that train exists, with the Western on the front. Can't think which book I have seen it in, though.
Local lensman Bernard Mills was on hand to capture the Plymouth special on 28/12/70 at Valley Road bridge, Plympton, the photo is in his book ''The 74 Westerns - A Personal Collection'' published by the Diesel Traction Group chaps. As you say Matt it was a five car job using one of the ex-Midland units, though from the angle Bernard took the shot it's hard to tell which vehicle was left out of the set. It was a Holiday Inn Christmas Charter from Paddington to Plymouth and back (1Z03) and had D1032 as pilot over the Devon Banks.
My own very poor photo (taken with an old Kodak 620 bellows camera)
