Between Saturday 13th and Sunday 21st of February, the South Devon Railway held their annual February half term event. This would be broken up into four mini events over the nine days, all featuring their own unique timetables. The 13th and 14th being a 'BR(W) Branchline Weekend', the 15th to the 18th being 'Branchline Days', the 19th being 'Panniers and Pints, and, finally, culminating with the 'West Country Branchline Weekend' on the 20th and 21st.
The line up for the event would include up to six locomotives in action: four from the home fleet, including the unique outside cylinder Pannier Tank no.1369, who had recently been repainted into BR Unlined Black, with early emblem; and a further two visiting engines, 1450 from the Severn Valley Railway and 4612 from the Bodmin and Wenford Railway.
We visited during the Friday and second Saturday. Friday morning saw brief periods of sunshine and several light rain showers. By early afternoon though, the heavy rain had arrived and was there to stay, causing us to call it a day early. Saturday, however, was much better; while we didn't have sun, the rain was light and kept to a minimum, meaning we were able to get a full day's filming in.
The full line up included:
Home Fleet:
- GWR 1366 Class 0-6-0PT no.1369
- GWR 2251 Class 0-6-0 no.3205
- GWR 6400 Class 0-6-0PT no.6412
- GWR 5700 Class 0-6-0PT no.5786 (L92)
Guests:
- GWR 5700 Class 0-6-0PT no.4612
- GWR 1400 Class 0-4-2T no.1450
Shots included:
L92: Nappers Halt.
6412 & 1450: Staverton Station.
6412 & 4612: Staverton.
6412: Staverton, Nappers Halt and Woodville Crossing.
3205: Staverton and Riverford.
1450 Nappers and Riverford.
4612: Woodville Crossing, Staverton and Riverford.
1369: Staverton, Nappers (note the use of her bell in addition to her whistle for Nappers Crossing), Woodville Crossing and Paper Mill Bridge.
Filmed on a Panasonic HS900 with a Pro Sound L92AA microphone.
Enjoy.