8th March 2020

The Devon Crompton: the main purpose for being out today was to photograph a couple of Class 33s working a railtour to the Meldon branch, but with the weather being a little unpredictable I chose a location that would not require being too far away from shelter should the heavens open! It all looked promising though, as after some heavy downpours the sun came out and it all look so colourful. However, things were not going to plan as the preceding service train to Exeter was unexpectedly delayed around Tisbury and ran 14 minutes late, causing this tour to be delayed too. With the railtour now being held at Yeovil Junction to allow the 1L52 Exeter to London service to clear the single line as well, it eventually left 41 minutes late, and by the time it passed me the weather had turned in, and the sun was lost. So frustrating when I think that if it was on time it would have been captured in full sun!

Anyway, here is 33012 (D6515) "Lt Jenny Lewis RN" at 14.58 heading the 1Z38 09.38 London Victoria to Coleford (NR/DR Boudary) railtour, the Branch Lines Society's "The Devon Crompton". It arrived at Coleford booked time, thanks to some generous recovery time in the schedule, and returned back to London via Taunton and Bristol. Unseen on the back is West Coast Railway's 33207 "Jim Martin".