Todays update is going to be slightly out of the Thames Rail region as I was booked on Pathfinders ‘Western Lizard’ tour featuring D1015 after its transmission repairs earlier this year. It was a chance to enjoy Western Champion over the Devon and Cornish banks along with the Fowey and Newquay branches. The day started with thick fog limiting visibility to about 50 metres, the forecast was for sun as per Friday so it looked like it would be a good day. By the time we had got to Totnes where we had a pathing stop there was not a cloud in the sky and it stayed that way the rest of the day. Champion put in an excellent performance on the banks and we arrived at Plymouth on time.

We had an hour and a half break at Plymouth which enabled Champion to run to Laira for refuelling before we continued down the branchlines. I managed to get a few shots as champion uncoupled and ran off for fuel

We set off from Plymouth and entered Cornwall across the Royal Albert Bridge and head for our first branchline the line to Fowey docks. Due to restrictions we couldn’t get to the end off the line and stopped at the Network rail limit, we then set back off to Lostwithiel and thence to Newquay. We passed through Par and turned onto the Newquay branch, Champion put in a superb performance on climb up the Luxulyan valley.

We arrived at Newquay and had a 15 minute leg stretch before heading back to Plymout behind 66248. Once at Plymouth the shed was removed and Champion ran around the train before we wizzed home with the Western at the helm once again. It was a great day out with great weather and great traction to top it off.