Champion Reflections

PhilWakely

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Champion Reflections

« on: May 10, 2025, 23:06:43 »

Vintage Trains ran the 'South Devon Explorer' railtour from Birmingham New Street to Plymouth via Banbury, Bath and Bristol on Saturday, 10th May 2025. The tour was headed throughout by an immaculately turned out Class 52, D1015 'Western Champion'. The return leg had a brief diversion up the South Devon Railway to Buckfastleigh and was assisted from the rear by Class 37, 37240. Weather conditions for photography were perfect.

I photted the outward leg of the tour at Ellerhayes Bridge, between Cullompton and Exeter; the South Devon Railway deviation at Dartington; and finally at Gibraltar Bridge, Cullompton.

As you would expect, photters were out in their numbers! I would have liked a wider angle shot of the tour by the River Dart, but any wider than this would have resulted in a swarm of cameras and photters in the image!


« Last Edit: May 10, 2025, 23:12:38 by PhilWakely »	Logged

Chris from Nailsea

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Re: Champion Reflections

« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2025, 23:26:30 »

Thank you for those excellent 'reflections', PhilWakely.


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Western Pathfinder

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Re: Champion Reflections

« Reply #2 on: Yesterday at 08:29:41 »

Marvellous photos Phil,for which many thanks.
Champion is looking great and sounding marvellous,one slight concern was early on in the day she was dispensing large quantities of white smoke,from both exhausts ,enough to put the Chimney in Rome to shame !
However once fully warmed up and having been allowed to stretch her legs a bit normal service was restored and the usual mid grey Clag returned,hope to ride behind again before much longer.


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GBM

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Re: Champion Reflections

« Reply #3 on: Yesterday at 10:30:59 »

Quote from: Western Pathfinder on Yesterday at 08:29:41

Any chance of reflective tour washup please Western Pathfinder?
Would be interested to know your thoughts - too long/too expensive/etc.........


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Personal opinion only. Writings not representative of any union, collective, management or employer. (Think that absolves me...........)

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