Western Champion 1015 running round The Western Quarryman special at Meldon Quarry.

Saturday morning broke cold, crisp but clear with sunshine forecast for most of the day. Running as 1Z46 (due to the incoming form of traction, Peak class 46, 46035) the train arrived at Bristol around 10 minutes late and further time was lost waiting for D1015 to get signaled into the station.

After running around at Exeter St Davids we headed for Okehampton on the former Southern mainline from Exeter to Plymouth. From Okehampton the train ran empty to Meldon Quarry, the end of the line, to allow D1015 to run around. Unfortunately, it was not possible to take passengers through to Meldon after concerns were raised by the Health and Safety 'Police' regarding the extremely dangerous practice of having ...... passengers on trains in sidings!

So everyone alighted the train ran the short distance, around two miles, to Meldon Quarry for the run-round.

Next up was Westbury via Exeter St. David's, the steep 1 in 37 climb to Exeter Central and both Yeovil stations. After a brief pause at St. Davids we were given the green with 'UW' - Up Waterloo. D1015 dug her heels in and we were off, full power, taking no prisoners! As we emerged from the tunnel near to Central station a crescent of photographers had formed on the bridge and embankment.

Blasting into Central the power remained on Full as D1015 continued to heave its 13 coach train up the hill behind it. The station canopy at Central captured the roar of exhausts along its entire length and passengers on the platform were treated to a Western in full cry! At Yeovil Junction were turned left into Pen Mill for a photo stop and the opportunity to replenish the beer supplies. Although chilly the sunshine continued giving almost perfect photo opportunities to everyone on the train and lineside.

At Westbury, D1015 ran round in a loop just West of the station and headed for Merehead Quarry, the stone terminal of Mendip Rail, where the final run round of the day took place, and then it was off into the night towards Bristol Temple Meads. A late departure from Merehead left a freight train held on the Frome line which meant we couldn't go along the Frome loop but there will always be a next time!

After a last dash along the Great Western mainline from Bath to Bristol we pulled into Temple Meads around 35 minutes late and handed over to 46035. D1015 retired to Barton Hill to await the move back home to Old Oak Common. This move occurred on the 19th March in the Wednesdays Only empty van train from Barton Hill to Old Oak Common - which conveyed no vans, only 67002 hauling 47758 and D1015!

Before this tour ran a few people had said the itinerary didn't appear to be all that interesting. After the thrash Up Central bank and along the Southern towards Westbury coupled with the dash back to Bristol most people had changed their minds. It turned out to be a rather rewarding day.

Information from The Diesel Traction Group wedsite.

www.westernchampion.co.uk/loco-d1015-railtour-archive-200...

Taken in: UK / England / West Devon District / Okehampton Hamlets (show map)

Taken on: March 15, 2003

Sets appears in: • Lines through Okehampton. • Western diesel hydraulics

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Camera: Canon CanoScan LiDE 220 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon CanoScan LiDE 220
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