I checked out of the quiet and pleasant, but rather chaotic Union Hotel rather early. Not because of the hotel, but because I've grown to really appreciate seeing towns on Sunday mornings. Sadly, there was nowhere in Penzance at 8am to sit and watch the world go by with a decent coffee, so contented myself with shopping for provisions and wandering down to the station in a sudden burst of light rain. Found a few fellow passengers already lurking around - I'm not entirely sure if they were early birds too, or just hadn't gone to bed yet? The train finally pulled in just prior to the departure of the London service, and we resumed our seats for another day of entertainment. With D1015 leading, we made the short trip to St Erth, before curving north onto the St Ives branch. I can't recall a loco-hauled service on this branch at all, and there were plenty of people out and about early on the golf course, or at the windows of the expensive-looking homes we passed who seemed equally surprised to see us. Perhaps the best part of the journey along this branch is the moment that foliage and cutting gives way to a sudden view over the sea at Carbis Bay. The sun made a brief appearance too here, and the carriage which had been busy with conversations about last night's exploits was suddenly silenced as seemingly everyone regarded the blue water, yellow sand and picture-postcard view of St Ives. As we came to a halt at the buffers things returned to normal however, and people began to scramble through the train to get a photograph at such a rare spot. Used the opportunity to get a coffee and relax whilst enjoying the view. I'd forgotten how much I loved this trip in fact.
After a short break, we reversed with 40145 hauling the train all the way back into Penzance for late joiners. A situation had been developing during the trip however, where some people seemed to have lost items which they'd been assured would be secure on the train overnight. In most cases, it wasn't valuable stuff - mainly food bags and suchlike - but it was clearly pretty annoying. I remember being a little surprised when the stewards had suggested the train was secure - and not mentioned our 'own risk' at all. I have to say that the organiser dealt pretty well with what was a bizarre situation which I don't think I've ever come across before. Once everyone was onboard again the items began to be found, misplaced near the front of the train. A few theories followed - perhaps thieves had passed through the train, gathering what they wanted to steal and consolidating it at the end of the rake? Maybe overzealous cleaners had misunderstood why things were left on the racks? For a while this situation threatened to put a damper on festivities, but some swift action, the personal touch and some genuine apologies stopped it from becoming a major issue despite early internet reports.
Underway again from Penzance, with D1015 one again leading, we made swifter progress along the mainline to Par. The village looked just as sleepy and closed on a Sunday morning as it did when I last visited on a Saturday afternoon! We came to a halt on the branch platform, and reversed again with 40145 leading us onto the Newquay branch. St Blazey was rather depressingly empty and looked almost abandoned as we passed by, before beginning the fearsome climb at Luxulyan. With the only serious burst of rain of the entire trip falling on the rails, the 40 began to slip and stutter. After a few attempts to keep us moving, the Western roared into life and gave a mighty shove from the rear. Whatever the traction preferences of those on board, the bank on wet rails with a heavy train and a dead loco on the rear was always going to be tough. Settled down to enjoy the contrast this branch offers - deep green cuttings and wild open moorland. I hadn't been to Newquay for many, many years - and not much had changed at the station. Got my picture, and wandered a bit before heading back to my seat for the trip home.
More fairly swift running on the mainline kept us close to time, as we headed for Plymouth. Here the locos were to manoeuvre once again to double head the train northwards, with D1015 leading 40145. Watched the operations and got some more shots of the locos, before heading onto the concourse for a decent cup of coffee and some late breakfast. Queued with a seemingly local chap who was perhaps the most irritating person I'd met all weekend - cutting into my transaction to share his thoughts with the cafe staff, chatting about his life rather loudly, and urging them to "cook quicker" because he wanted his coffee. As I paid the lady behind the counter confided "I've never seen the bloke before!". Wondered if this would be me in a few years, lurking at stations and trying to befriend the staff? A worrying prophecy indeed! Lazed in the sun a little, watching the other charter trains which had arrived alongside us, making Plymouth something of a gala, before heading back to the train for the final bit of my journey.
The mainline run back to Bristol was rather fantastic, with some sterling performances put in by both of the vintage locos at the front of the train. Again, the sea wall provided a highlight, with photographers lining the route in what were now pretty much perfect conditions. With few signal checks and a fairly clear passage through the stations at Exeter and Taunton, we were still almost on time as we slowed at Bedminster for the approach to Temple Meads. Gathered my possessions and had to accept a good-natured withering from two of the Spitfire crew for "only doing half the tour" as I headed for the platform. Dashed over to get some final shots of the train leaving a surprisingly busy Temple Meads, with D1015 emitting a huge black cloud as it accelerated away from the station and headed for points east and north.
Pondered the weekend on a strange, sprinter journey homewards which retraced some of the track I'd just covered. This tour was a huge gamble - and appeared at first just a pipe-dream. However, because about 400 of us had stuck with it, I'd just had almost a thousand miles of remarkable haulage and visited some of the finest countryside in Britain in some style. The trip started with me complaining that some operators were abandoning the crank market through lack of bookings or interest - but this trip shows that there will always be a bunch of people crazy enough to spend a whole weekend trundling around the country! The busy months of May and June this year are full of these excursions, and I hope they all work out as well as this one. And as one passenger said to a slightly worried looking John Stephens during the homeward run: "so where are we going next time then?".
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
