46233 impresses on Hemerdon Bank - The Royal Duchy - 28/08/16

With no other locos available, 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland' was once again called forth to work 'The Royal Duchy'. After the problems faced while turning her at St Blazey on the last run, it was decided to have her take the train only as far as Plymouth, leaving 47580 'County of Essex', who had been shadowing the tour from Bristol, to work the legs Plymouth to Par and back. The Duchess would then go on to Laira for turning and servicing, ready to work the rest of the tour from Plymouth back to Bristol, with 47580 carrying on ahead light engine.

We first see the LMS powerhouse in rather grotty conditions near Cogload Junction, running at speed after coming off the flyover, which takes the Bristol to Exeter Main Line over the Berks & Hants Line. Two and a half hours later, she is seen again in similar conditions at Stoneycombe, on the lower slopes of Dainton Bank. About an hour earlier, I had filmed 47580 there in brilliant sunshine, funny that.

The main event came on the return run in the evening. I had missed the climb up Hemerdon Bank on her first run, in favour of Coombe Fishacre, on the eastbound climb to Dainton Tunnel. The performance was not what I had hoped for, considering she had a standing start from Totnes. Hemerdon, however, was spectacular, so I was determined not to miss out on it a second time! After a long two hour wait and at around 10 minutes before sunset, Duchess of Sutherland finally made her appearance. A wonderful display in sound and sight as she powers up the 1 in 42 gradient, the exhaust back lit by the ever fading sunlight...superb! She was also now sporting a 'Cornish Riveria Express' headboard, a throwback to the days when the Duchesses and Princess Royals temporarily replaced the Kings on expresses to the West of England in the early 1950s.

Filmed on a Panasonic HS900 with a Pro Sound L92AA microphone.

Enjoy.