Double West Country Steam to the Southwest & Southeast | 34028 Eddystone & 34046 Braunton - 20.05.26

Another day, another chance to see two West Country Class steam locomotives on the mainline, as 34028 Eddystone and 34046 Braunton set out on their respective tours to the southwest and southeast. A quick record shot in the morning would see 34028 Eddystone hauling ‘The Swanage Belle’ for The Railway Touring Company, from London Victoria to Swanage via Staines and Woking, before heading down the SWML to Wareham to join the Swanage Railway for onward travel to Swanage. Having picked up passengers at Brentford, Eddystone is captured powering away from a signal check at Syon Lane. Onto our main focus for the day now, Eddystone’s sister, Braunton, at the head of a Saphos Trains ‘Golden Arrow’ excursion, that had started out diesel hauled from Bristol and travelled to Southall, where Braunton would take the consist to Canterbury West via West Brompton, Redhill, & Tonbridge. The tour would then return via Walmer, Dover, Sevenoaks & Nunhead to reach Willesden, where Braunton would be replaced by diesel traction once again for the run back to Bristol. Braunton was a stand in for the original rostered 71000 Duke of Gloucester, and while it would’ve been a sight to see ‘The Duke’ head into Kent, Braunton would be a worthy replacement, this potentially being its last run out wearing Golden Arrow regalia before her boiler ticket expires this year. The tour suffered various delays after Braunton was attached to the train, and by the time the consist reached Redhill it was nearly 50 minutes late as it passed us heading towards Nutfield. Because of the delay, the tour would be pathed behind a stopping service, resulting in a less powerful passing. A water stop at Headcorn allowed us to overtake, where we headed to Cradle Bridge footbridge in Ashford. With a clear effort to make up time, Braunton is captured powering away from Ashford on the downhill grade towards Wye and, eventually, Canterbury. Despite arriving at Canterbury an hour down, the tour still departed on time for the journey home. Setting up at Cold Blow foot crossing at Walmer, on the climb to Martin Mill, Braunton is captured steadily taking on the grade with no assistance from the diesel at the rear. Heading to our next location, we suddenly realised we were ahead of it at Dover, and managed to bargain an extra shot at Folkestone footbridge with just 2 minutes to spare. The effort would be worthwhile, as Braunton would be captured powering at speed heading away from Folkestone West. Finally, it was to Philpots Ln on Hildenborough bank. Sadly, the water tanker at Paddock Wood had been delayed, so no water was taken, thus resulting in Braunton having to be pushed up the bank to conserve what little water she had left for the rest of the trip •Facebook:   / themodsterrailwayvideos