7029 Clun Castle’ + 45596 ‘Bahamas’ chase 5029 ‘Nunney Castle’ along Dawlish Sea Wall! | 06.09.2025

The South West was truly blessed today with not one, but two steam-hauled railtours following each other through the region!

‪@southwalestrainspotting5090‬ and I went on the chase! Leading the way were 7029 Clun Castle and 45596 Bahamas—both approaching the twilight of their boiler certificates—teaming up in a rare double-headed pairing for Vintage Trains’ Mayflower excursion, 1Z43 Birmingham New Street – Plymouth. This was to be ‘Bahamas’ final mainline run and assisting on the diesel leg were LORAM Class 37, 37418 'An Comunn Gaidhealach', and Transrail-liveried 37240, which later headed west light engine in hot pursuit.

Not to be outdone, Locomotive Services Group’s 5029 ‘Nunney Castle’ also graced the Great Western Main Line, fronting Saphos Trains’ English Riviera Express (1Z49 High Wycombe – Kingswear) with 57311 ‘The Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ bringing up the rear. After leaving Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway, ‘Nunney Castle’ swapped places at Taunton with 47712 ‘Lady Diana Spencer’ (running as 47709 ‘The Lord Provost’ and 47711 ‘Greyfriars Bobby’) before leading the train south to Kingswear.

The day’s action began with Nunney leaving the shed at Bishops Lydeard, followed by scenes at Taunton and 40 Steps where The Mayflower arrived and departed just moments before the English Riviera Express rolled in. After the loco change, 'Nunney Castle' took charge for the run down to the coast.

At Dawlish, enthusiasts were treated to a very rare sight: both railtours chasing each other along the sea wall! As ‘Nunney Castle’ passed Langstone Rock and approached Dawlish in the distance, ‘Clun Castle’ and ‘Bahamas’ appeared hot on its heels, easing past with the Mayflower—an extraordinary spectacle!

Further highlights included the Class 37s hurrying through, BD 66054 with the China Clay empties adding variety, and ‘Nunney Castle’ being turned on the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway. Later at Cockwood Harbour, both trains were seen performing strongly on their return legs. The Mayflower was caught again at Taunton and then at Huntworth, storming past the outskirts of Bridgwater, before being filmed once more at Bristol Temple Meads where the 37s took over from steam.

Meanwhile, the English Riviera Express was hauled back to High Wycombe by the Class 47 with the 57 on the back while ‘Clun Castle’ and ‘Bahamas’ were prepared at Bristol for their journey back to Tyseley.

The day closed with scenes of the pair backing into Temple Meads—fittingly ending what can only be described as an unprecedented day of railway action in the West!

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