STEAM RAILTOURS - THE ROYAL DUCHY [Bristol Temple Meads - Plymouth - Par]

The Royal Duchy Railtour

Sunday 30th August 2020

These ever-popular summer day trips by steam train run from Bristol Temple Meads, out via Yatton, Taunton then into Devon and finally reaching Cornwall. The route includes travelling along the internationally famous sea wall at Dawlish, crossing Brunel’s famous Saltash Bridge into Cornwall, and some of the most varied and exciting scenery in the country. Passengers can choose to spend time in Plymouth or travel on to Par, where buses are provided for visits to Fowey or Charlestown. This train departs Bristol Temple Meads steam hauled by heritage steam locomotive No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland at around 08:45 and stops to pick up further passengers at Yatton and Taunton. Almost immediately on departure from Taunton, our steam locomotive will be working hard as it tackles the climb to Whiteball Summit. There is a further stop at Exeter St. David’s station for our locomotive to take on water and for more passengers to join the train. Departing Exeter and follow the Exe Estuary to the seaside. We then travel along the famous sea wall between Dawlish and Teignmouth, an experience not to be missed.

After Newton Abbot, our steam locomotive will demonstrate her real strength as she powers up some of the steepest main line gradients in the country. First there is the difficult climb to the summit at Dainton Tunnel, followed by a dramatic drop down to Totnes, then an equally difficult climb up Rattery Bank before descending to Plymouth. Passengers have the option to alight at Plymouth or remain on the train to Par. There will be over five hours free time to explore the historic maritime city of Plymouth which includes the Hoe, the ancient Barbican and seafront areas, and the National Marine Aquarium. As we leave Plymouth, under diesel hauled power, and cross the river Tamar on Brunel’s masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge, to enter Cornwall. Our train continues through the magnificent Cornish countryside to Par, where there will be a break of more than three hours. Buses will take passengers from Par, at no extra charge, to visit either the picturesque seaside town of Fowey or the harbour village of Charlestown. The latter is a working port and home to the Shipwreck, Rescue and Heritage Centre. We shall leave Par steam hauled by Duchess of Sutherland at around 17:45 and stop at Plymouth to pick up those passengers who chose to alight there.  The train then returns to Bristol, stopping to set down passengers at Exeter, Taunton and Yatton en route.

LMS Princess Coronation Class No.46233 Duchess of Sutherland
Preservation History
Following withdrawal from regular service, 46233 was acquired by Butlins Heads-of-Ayr holiday camp, Scotland, in October 1964. It was later purchased by Bressingham Steam Museum. Then in 1996, 6233 was acquired by the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust (PRCLT) with the intention of returning her to main line running and in 2001, No. 6233 returned to the national network after an overhaul assisted by the heritage lottery fund and match funded by the PRCLT.

On 6 March 2010, 6233 was rolled out in LMS lined black livery, which was retained during 2010, before a major overhaul, taking 6233 out of service for the 2011 season. Two years later now renumbered 46233 was rolled out in "authentic (Brunswick) green" livery, as used by British Railways during the early 1950s, at the Midland Railway - Butterley following a major overhaul. Most recently she has regained her original number "6233" and LMS "Crimson Lake" livery to mark its 80th birthday.