Published on 27th October 2002
The 27th October 2002 was Vintage Trains 'The Devonian' charter from Tyseley to Kingswear.
The charter featured GWR 'King' No. 6024 'King Edward I' hauling a rake of chocolate and cream coaching stock. The locomotive carried 'The Torbay Express' headboard throughout, despite the tour being named ‘The Devonian’. The southbound charter passed without incident with the King hauling the train solo throughout the journey. After turning and servicing and loading with fresh coal at the Paignton and Dartmouth steam railway the locomotive ran into problems on the return with poor steaming and clinkering of the firebox resulting in late running of the tour. The charter eventually made it to Taunton arriving under the cover of darkness. Like a car if you fill it with dirty fuel or the wrong fule type the vehicle is not going to operate. Due to the poor coal a Class 47 from Bristol Barton Hill was sent to Taunton in order to tow the charter back to Tyseley. No.47756 had arrived light engine into Platform 3 at Taunton before shunting to Platform 5 to attach to the front of the Devonian charter. We have attached a selection of images taken during the 27th October featuring the unique event at Taunton.
