Imagine standing at either a station or a gradient on a Western main line and you happened to see a Great Western Castle Class locomotive, either departing the station or roaring fiercely up a steep bank. It's loud 'bark' exaust beat would impress any admirer nearby, even putting the lions in the nearby zoo to shame! This film captures that very thing.
During mid-July to late August 2011, 5029 Nunney Castle hauled the Weymouth Seaside Express workings from Bristol to Weymouth and back, after last years successful trial runs. With the high demand of the Weymouth trips 5029 was undoubtedly the choice of motive power for runs.
Locations in the film:
(Bristol-Weymouth)
Bathford
outside Westbury
Witham Friary
Melbury Bubb
Evershot Bank
(Weymouth-Bristol)
Weymouth Station (the shot was taken with me behind the fence)
Upwey Bank
Wyke Champflower (My favourite shot of the film for obvious reasons)
Berkley
Bath Spa
It is worth noting that in the second half of the film I managed to capture some of the most artistic and outstanding series of summer time shots of 5029 so far. With many thanks to Railway Touring Co, West Coast Railway Co and the 5029 Support Crew who all did an amazing role for these runs, and for letting me clean out Nunney aswell.
All these shots along with some other unseen shots will be included on the upcoming DVD of the Weymouth runs, see www.ovpsteam.co.uk for more future details.