TORBAY RIVIERA STATESMAN - SATURDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 2020

TORBAY RIVIERA STATESMAN
SATURDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 2020
Diesel Hauled, Class 47s including D1935 "Roger Hosking"
Departures from the following Cornish locations;

PENZANCE + ST ERTH + REDRUTH + TRURO + ST AUSTELL
This tour is the first to recreate one of the great holiday trains of the golden age of railway travel - ‘The Torbay Riviera Statesman’ features a luxury train service from stations in Cornwall. Travelling over Brunel’s iconic Royal Albert Bridge, through Devon and onto the preserved Paignton to Dartmouth Railway with time available to discover the many charms of the ‘Torbay Riviera’ with an afternoon break in picturesque Dartmouth.

Shall be travelling through Plymouth and over the steeply graded Devon Banks offering imposing views of Dartmoor and through Totnes to Newton Abbot, where the train reverses and takes the scenic coastal line through Torquay with views across to Brixham and the Jurassic coast. At Paignton we join the preserved heritage line and travel through the woodland estate once owned by Agatha Christie then alongside the beautiful River Dart and into the riverside terminus at Kingswear, where it is a short crossing on the ferry (price included) to the historic and romantic port of Dartmouth for a three hour afternoon break.

There are antique shops, art galleries and cafes to explore – perhaps take a leisurely cruise onboard the last remaining coal fired paddle steamer ‘Kingswear Castle’ or steam hauled journey on the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway. Following time to enjoy the beauty, splendour and tranquillity of this picturesque town our train returns in the late afternoon along the famous sea wall at Dawlish as the sea keeps company with the train past Powderham Castle and Cockwood Harbour with numerous pretty boats in the beautiful Exe Estuary and views over to Exmouth.

Confirmed Travel Timings;

SECOND HAND N GAUGE MODELS #6 -- ANOTHER WARSHIP CLASS 42 D816 "ECLIPSE"

Minitrix Class 42 D823 HERMES

Wasn't too long ago I managed to acquire two non working Minitrix Class 42 'Warships' in N Gauge. Now I know that these are reasonably common models and these were also many years old, but as I managed to pick up the pair of them fairly cheaply as non runners with a view to try and get at least one of them going again. Both were in pretty good condition bearing in mind their age, and even if I could only get one of them going again I would be very happy as I could double head them. Although of course I would have to do something with the numbers and names as both are the same and carry the name HERMES would look odd even on my simple test track unless I could get them changed. Well I did manage to get one of these working which made me happy, and have been looking to pick up another of the class with different name, number and / or colour (latter is not important but they are out there).

Had been on the look out for at least one other in the same class for my collection and in September 2020 I found myself finally taking ownership of another Warship Class but at least with a different number and name this time, we've pickted up D816 ECLIPSE. Boxed Minitrix item and really pleased it's in such great condition too. Everything appears to be in order and no marks or missing items, so the only thing left was to see if it runs. Some oil, some tlc and yes it does! Working lights too in both forward and reverse, so a good purchase and addition to my fairly modest collection, still on the lookout for another sometime in a different livery for variation.
















While I am probably still going to try and get one of the other available models, BR Green livery (D832 Onslaught? D814 Dragon?) and there's also a Maroon colour scheme one (D815 Druid? D829 Magpie?). Onslaught would be my preference as it's currently one of only two preserved locomotives of this class and is running on the East Lancashire Railway. Will be giving this model a good run over the weekend to test it thoroughly then the next stage is to begin work on extending the 'test track'. Hopefully I can continue to create additions to my modest collection and test track at home, would like to make a small diesel depot with my other Westerns, early BR blue models and Mk 1 rolling stock. Pleased with my efforts to get something working again though whatever the quality, some great content on YouTube too helps when you are a novice like myself. Hopefully this experience will help us with the next job at hand as I move into a slightly higher grade, I also have four OO Gauge loco's in need of repair and bringing back into service. On step at a time and small victories are the key...

THE SUSSEX BELLE - THURSDAY 10th SEPTEMBER 2020

The Sussex Belle Railtour
Thursday 10th September

Tour Promoter: Saphos Trains
Locomotive: 34046 Braunton + Class 47/8

Departing from London Victoria heading into the picturesque Sussex countryside through East Croydon, Redhill, Tonbridge and Robertsbridge to eventually arrive at Hastings for a break of around two hours. Capturing the atmosphere of summer seaside specials of yesteryear this train is steam hauled by Southern Railway West Country Class 34046 ‘Braunton’ and visits the popular destinations of Hastings and Eastbourne with ample time available in both resorts for building sandcastles, a stroll on the promenade and perhaps an ice cream or two.

Hastings – The history rich town of Hastings retains the character and charm of a Victorian seaside resort. Explore the lanes and passageways of the old town, lined with vintage shops, art galleries, boutiques, and cafes. Take a stroll on the beach to see the famous black fishing huts that line the seafront, visit the refurbished pier or discover the history of Britain’s first Norman castle synonymous with the battle of 1066 whilst taking in the breathtaking views. Our dedicated and immaculate train stewards will welcome you back on board for the short 45-minute diesel hauled journey along the coastline through Bexhill to Eastbourne for a further break of around two hours.

Eastbourne – Held to be one of the sunniest resorts in England award winning Eastbourne, nestling at the foot of the south downs next to the national beauty spot Beachy Head, owes much to the Victorians and the 7th Duke of Devonshire who laid out beautiful parks and gardens and built the pier. This elegant town has many charms awaiting discovery including an excellent shopping centre and traditional seaside bandstands.

In the late afternoon our steam locomotive will be waiting to haul the train all the way back to London as we again take the coastal line back through Hastings and travelling across Romney Marsh and turning inland we pass the historic town of Rye and continue through Ashford International as our steam engine keeps company with modern Eurostar’s. Continuing through Sevenoakes, Swanley and Nunhead we are due to arrive back at London Victoria around 19:45 after a relaxing day out to two of the south coasts most iconic seaside resorts.

West Country Class 4-6-2 No. 34046 Braunton
History
built at Brighton Works in November 1946 in original streamlined form and upon completion was allocated to Exmouth Junction. Further allocations included Salisbury, Brighton and Bournemouth. In 1949 the engine was re-numbered to 34046 once owned by British Railways.
Withdrawal and preservation
34046 was withdrawn from service in October 1965 and moved to the Woodham Brothers' scrapyard at Barry Island, this was to be the engine's home for the next 23 years until it was moved in 1988 to Brighton in a bid to be restored. In 1996 it was purchased by the West Somerset Railway but later sold on to a private individual. The engine was moved to Williton on the WSR where a long term restoration to running order was to be undertaken. 34046 returned to steam in July 2007 for the first time in the 42 years since its withdrawal from service. The engine's debut return to passenger service was in 2008 with plans to have the engine certified for use on the mainline hauling excursion trains. Since 2018 it was based in Crewe and owned by Jeremy Hosking. 34046 is operational on the mainline hauling excursion trains.

EXHIBITION AND OPEN DAY SITUATION SEPTEMBER 2020

We've sadly had much to write about during the lock down, and even though that is easing and many activities open, including the return to Schools and Work for many, there still doesn't seem to be anything happening in September on the exhibition or open day circuit as far as I can see. Had so many plans to attend several open days, exhibitions and museums around the country this year and feeling that the year is going to be a complete write off now. 


Already received the expected news that we've lost the remaining open days from the Hillingdon Railway Modellers for the entire year, so it certainly isn't looking great. Looking at the calendar of forthcoming open days and exhibitions the entire month of September appears to be wiped out! This includes some large outside events such as those at Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway who had a Steam Gala booked for the opening weekend of September cancelled, also a show I might have reported about earlier in the year The Bressingham Steam Museum, Model Railway Show has also been cancelled. The October calendar doesn't look much better either, with the majority of events also called off already and those that are still showing as 'on' are surely in some doubt without a change in the government guidelines on social gatherings.

We have though seen some of the many heritage railways reopen, albeit with many social distance rules and running a reduced service. The Bluebell held their 60th anniversary, but trains are 'pre-booked' and are not running through to East Grinstead so for those of us without a car to get to Sheffield Park or Horstead Keynes it's not ideal, similar plans on the Watercress line at Alton / Alresford, with an unusual express service in place, and the other line I really wanted to visit was the Swanage line via Wareham, but they only running to Norden currently with Corfe Castle the only stop between to set down only! I had hoped to use the National Rail connection at Wareham to make a weekend of it. Capacity on all these services is very limited, pre-booking of a compartment is required, so geared around families I guess, and without main line connection a day out is not really an option for the time being. 

The National Railway Museum in York was also high on the list for 2020 and while it has recently re-opened to visitors there is a limited range of attractions open with the expected social distancing in place too. I think their "Great Hall" is open but little else sadly, so I think I will hold back on my trip away to York when it's possible to see it all and not be too disappointed overall as it's been a long time since I went there last. Does seem that we have to plan again for 2021 and hope that things improve for all the great modelling shows and heritage railways to have something to show later in the year.