31st March 1985

As Exeter St. David's station was being modernised, with MAS signalling, diversions over "The Mule" took place this weekend. Everything was carefully planned, right down to the basing of standby locos ("Thunderbirds" in current parlance) at Yeovil Junction. 47125, 47555 "The Commonwealth Spirit" and 47245 were stabled here should an unwelcome breakdownn occur during this busy time. Good job too, as 33025 "Sultan" broke down on the 14.10 London Waterloo to Yeovil Junction, so 47245 was sent to rescue it and bring it in. Here's the train on arrival, taken from the discussed down platform. 47125 can be glimpsed in the background. I saw plenty of HSTs during my visit, as well as cross-country trains such as Penzance to Liverpool Lime Street, not normal fare for this station.